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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: 5/5 stars
The first in the Tommy and Tuppence series introduces adventuring pair Tommy Beresford and Tuppence Cowley. When the two form a “joint venture” to solve mysteries, they become drawn into a mysterious and dangerous conspiracy orchestrated by an unknown criminal mastermind who calls himself Mr. Brown.
One of my peculiar quirks is that when I’m reading the works of an author who is new to me, I generally prefer to read ALL of them and to read them in publication order. I break this rule frequently for contemporary authors when I want to read their latest and buzziest, but for well-entrenched novelists like Christie, I try to hold firm. This meant that my second Christie read ever had to be the second Christie book ever—that is, The Secret Adversary. I hadn’t heard of it before and honestly wasn’t particularly excited to get to it, but I held fast to my own personal rule, and am SO GLAD that I did.
I don’t say this lightly, but The Secret Adversary has instantly become one of my all-time favorite novels. I loved it from the first chapter—the characters, the plot, the witty dialogue, the lightning-fast pace, and the brilliantly unspooled mystery all come together to make a singularly excellent read, and I could not get enough. I have no idea why it isn’t Christie’s most beloved novel, but if that means that all the big-name bestsellers are as good as this one I DEFINITELY have some treats coming my way.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: mysteries; witty and engaging characters; fast-paced plots.
CW: Abduction/confinement; death.
The first in the Tommy and Tuppence series introduces adventuring pair Tommy Beresford and Tuppence Cowley. When the two form a “joint venture” to solve mysteries, they become drawn into a mysterious and dangerous conspiracy orchestrated by an unknown criminal mastermind who calls himself Mr. Brown.
One of my peculiar quirks is that when I’m reading the works of an author who is new to me, I generally prefer to read ALL of them and to read them in publication order. I break this rule frequently for contemporary authors when I want to read their latest and buzziest, but for well-entrenched novelists like Christie, I try to hold firm. This meant that my second Christie read ever had to be the second Christie book ever—that is, The Secret Adversary. I hadn’t heard of it before and honestly wasn’t particularly excited to get to it, but I held fast to my own personal rule, and am SO GLAD that I did.
I don’t say this lightly, but The Secret Adversary has instantly become one of my all-time favorite novels. I loved it from the first chapter—the characters, the plot, the witty dialogue, the lightning-fast pace, and the brilliantly unspooled mystery all come together to make a singularly excellent read, and I could not get enough. I have no idea why it isn’t Christie’s most beloved novel, but if that means that all the big-name bestsellers are as good as this one I DEFINITELY have some treats coming my way.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: mysteries; witty and engaging characters; fast-paced plots.
CW: Abduction/confinement; death.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: War
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Entertaining, quick read, and I figured out the secret adversary early on, but Christie did have me doubting myself for a second! I was pretty annoyed with the very negative portrayal of labor rights movements in the book (ah, truly the worst thing that could happen is a labor strike!). Slow and steady Tommy and quick and passionate Tuppence were a bit of a fun pairing, so I might read more of their books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Racial slurs
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very pulpy, but overall entertaining, even suspenseful at moments. I'm proud that I managed to guess the secret adversary early on, although Christie did have me wavering on my choice a few times! I do wish Tuppence had played a bigger part, though, since I was enjoying her driving so much forward in the beginning.
Tommy Beresford and Tuppence Cowley are old friends who haven't seen one another since the war. Broke and out of work, the two form The Young Adventurers, Ltd., a business in which the two will advertise in the paper as "willing to do anything." Before they can even place an ad, a Mr. Whittington hires Tuppence, but when she gives her name as "Jane Finn," a name Tommy overheard in the cafe, Tuppence is swiftly ushered out. She and Tommy place an ad for Jane Finn after things seem a bit fishy, and they receive two responses, one from a "Mr. Carter" who works for the British government, and one from Julius Hersheimmer, an American who claims he is looking for his cousin. Who is his cousin? None other than the elusive Ms. Finn who hasn't been seen since a spy entrusted her with documents as she was evacuated from the Lusitania.
What follows is a madcap adventure, full of false identities, poison, double crossings, suspicions, a mysterious Mr. Brown, and all sorts of other tomfoolery. In many ways, I was reminded of M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series; however, there is much more meat to the mystery here, and Agatha Christie kept me guessing. I did, indeed, point my finger to the right crook, but it took me quite a while to get there.
This was the first Tommy and Tuppence novel, and I am eager to follow them into their next foray. I am pretty confident it will be high fun!
What follows is a madcap adventure, full of false identities, poison, double crossings, suspicions, a mysterious Mr. Brown, and all sorts of other tomfoolery. In many ways, I was reminded of M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series; however, there is much more meat to the mystery here, and Agatha Christie kept me guessing. I did, indeed, point my finger to the right crook, but it took me quite a while to get there.
This was the first Tommy and Tuppence novel, and I am eager to follow them into their next foray. I am pretty confident it will be high fun!
3,4/5
I’ve missed a Christie mystery. Charming, not too long, interesting characters ,well build story and all the other good stuff that we love in Agatha Christie’s books
I’ve missed a Christie mystery. Charming, not too long, interesting characters ,well build story and all the other good stuff that we love in Agatha Christie’s books
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun, but not exactly the mystery I was looking for. This is more of an adventure book.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated