Angela and I recently discovered a podcast that had discussed Agatha Christie's books in publication order. Being who we are, we read Dame Agatha's first novel--1920's The Mysterious Affair at Styles--before listening together to the episode discussing it. Now, we've moved on to her second book, reading it in preparation for listening to THAT episode. I have a wife who enjoys doing stuff like this with me. In other words, I have a perfect wife.
Christie's early novels are not as polished as her later efforts, but The Secret Adversary (1922) is still a blast to read. It introduces Tommy and Tuppence, two childhood friends who meet again right after the Great War ends and, both being broke, decide to start a company called "The Young Adventurers, Ltd." Then, without even meaning to, they stumble into their first adventure.
It involves a survivor from the sinking of the Luisitania who has been missing for years; secret papers that were important during the war and are suddenly important again; a criminal gang of Socialists who plan to overthrow the British government; an American millionaire who might or might not be an ally; and a mysterious master criminal known only as Mr. Brown.
Tommy and Tuppence are not as revered a Poirot or Miss Marple, but I like 'em. They are both clever and their bantering dialogue carries the story along in a fast and entertaining manner.
The Secret Adversary is more of a thriller than a mystery, with both Tommy and Tuppence getting captured at different times along the way and the palpable aura of danger generated by the mostly off-screen Mr. Brown adding quite a bit of tension. There are mystery elements, though. involving the identity of Mr. Brown and the location of the secret papers.
Brown's identity is nicely handled. There's a rather obvious clue partway through the tale that points to one of two men. But which one is a mystery unless you pick up on several more subtle clues dropped in later. This gives Christie an opportunity to pull off what would become her usual technique of dropping in an unlooked-for plot twist at the novel's climax.
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