The Adventure of the Sinister Stranger: A Short Story

Tommy & Tuppence #2.04

by Agatha Christie, Hugh Fraser (Narrator)

Tommy and Tuppence Beresford wait anxiously for a letter from Russia that may contain information of international importance hidden beneath the stamp. The letter is anticipated by more than just the Beresfords, and they must fight to keep the information from getting into the wrong hands.

Genres: Mystery, Agatha Christie, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Classics, Crime

1 pages, Audiobook

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.

This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.

Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this little short Tommy & Tuppence and enjoyed it quite a bit.
There wasn't anything really amazing about it, but I like the spunk of this particular crime-fighting couple.
What can I say? They're cute!



Tommy decides that this time around he and Tuppence will be Valentine Williams' famous (at the time, at least) Okewood Brothers for their next case.

The only reason they are detectives right now is because the government suspects that the (now imprisoned) owner of the detective agency they are running was a spy. Tommy is impersonating him, and they've finally received a letter that looks like it might be connected to the people they are trying to suss out.
The gist of this one is that there's a sinister stranger who comes to them for help.
Or is he?
Who's the real bad guy?
Eh. This one is easy enough to figure out, but if you need to kill a few minutes, this is a good time suck for hardcore Christie fans.

Hugh Fraser - Narrator (and he did a damn fine job!)

[NILTON TEIXEIRA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun story, but way too short.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tommy and Tuppence Beresford feature in my least favorite series by Agatha Christie — yes, even behind Parker Pyne and the standalone novel Why Didn't They Ask Evans? That said, this has got to be my least favorite of the Tommy and Tuppence stories — which is saying something. This short story is as insipid as the title suggests, more suited to something involving Encyclopedia Brown than the Grand Dame of Mysteries. Don’t bother.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice quick read. Tommy and Tuppence were witty and quick with each other which is something I enjoyed immensely! I found myself chuckling a few times during their quick banter. This was the first time I had read anything with this duo and after reading this, I look forward to reading more.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, nothing spectacular

[Happy Reading Watching · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one had some language more then her other works so not a fan of that. The story wasn't my favorite either. :(
⭐⭐

[Jill Tool · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Agatha Christie short stories featuring Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, husband and wife in which they run a PI business. Tommy and Tuppence are very witty and quick with each other which makes them a very enjoyable couple. Every time I read a story of them I know I'm going to get a good laugh out of them. The mystery is easy to figure out, but it's the play of T&T in which I enjoy the most. This short story finds T&T (As I'm known to call them) Have receive a blue envelop of which has information of international importance hidden beneath the stamp, but there not the only ones that are interested in it, it seems that the Russian Mob is also, and Tommy seems to get himself tangled up in it. Like I said the mystery is easy to solve it's Tommy and Tuppence and their quick wit, funny lines which reminds me of the way my husband and I are. I think we've all got a little bit of T&T in us

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to Tommy & Tuppence (aside from their cameo role in a Marple television episode) and I really enjoyed it. I like their banter and snark, as well as how clever they are. Looking forward to reading more from them.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tommy and Tuppence continue posing as Theodore Blunt and his assistant of the International Detective Agency. A letter arrives in a blue envelope with a Russian stamp. This is the first instance they have to operate under their true purpose in running the agency. They are to turn the letter over directly to Mr. Carter but before they can a stranger comes to send Tommy and Tuppence on a wild goose chase of capturing a fake intruder in order to steal the Russian letter. Luckily for Tommy, he send the letter with Tuppence and she calls in reinforcements to rescue Tommy and arrest the would be letter smugglers.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of T&T's first adventures. I couldn't comprehend the entire premise of the story but I enjoyed the banter of the principals and the deception both sides deployed.

[Abeer Albossany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the whole environment that surrounds those couple. The excitement is starting.

[Ronald Urizar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tommy y Tuppence Beresford esperan ansiosos una carta de Rusia, color azul, que puede contener información de importancia internacional oculta debajo del sello. La carta es anticipada por algo más que los Beresford, y deben luchar para evitar que la información llegue a las manos equivocadas.

Cuando recibieron la carta de Rusia, recibió la visita de una persona sospechosa, quien lo confundió con Mister Theodore Blunt y se llamaba Charles Bower, que les contó una historia bastante increíble que parecía una trampa... luego llegó un detective más formal llamado inspector Dymchurch que dijo que la visita anterior era un espía que buscaba robarle la carta. Le sugirió que no fuera a la cita que le había hecho y que se quedará con él en la oficina cuidando.

Tommy y Tuppence sospecharon y dijeron que estarían alertas. Al anochecer Tommy fue secuestrado y dormido por la segunda persona que lo visitó, estaban buscando como locos la carta azul.

Al despertar vio como ambas personas estaban buscando la carta y pensaron que la carta la tenía Tuppence, quien en su momento se presentó como la secretaria. Entonces Tommy fue obligado a que escribiriera una carta para que pudieran darle la carta a un tercer cómplice.

Esta carta era parte del plan para alertar a Tuppence para que fuera sin la carta, que fue enviada por la tarde, y sobre todo con un detective para arrestar a los 3 ladrones rusos.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never checked out one of the short stories from Agatha Christie. This was quite fun. This one was a short about 30 minute story about Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. This time, Tommy decides that he and Tuppence will be Valentine Villiams' famous for Okewood Brothers for their next upcoming case.

The main reason that they have chosen to be detectives at the time is because the government suspects that the owner of the detective agency they currently run was in fact a spy. Tommy is impersonating him, and they've finally received a letter that looks like it might be connected to the people they are trying to pull out.

Makes you wonder if the gist of this one is that there's a sinister stranger who comes to them for help. Or is he? I'm still wondering "Who's the real bad guy?" I hope this one is easy enough to figure out, but if you have a few minutes, this is a fun little read for Christie fans. Enjoy!!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as the 11th story in the Midsummer Mysteries short stories collection. This was my first Tommy and Tuppence story, but it definitely won’t be my last! They are EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for. I’m always on the hunt for mysteries where the sleuths are a likable couple, but they’re few and far between. I especially love the witty banter, and the 1920’s setting. I started off somewhat confused, like I’d walked into a movie halfway, but that isn’t the story’s fault. I discovered that it was originally a part of the Partners in Crime short story collection, so I had to look up info on Partners in Crime for background. However, once I had context, it was a delightful mystery.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short Tommy and Tuppence story. Tommy and Tuppence have received a strange letter on blue paper. Not long afterwards, they are hired by someone to investigate a burglary at their house. An investigator shows up, claiming that this is a ruse, and they have been chasing this person. He lures people away from their homes or offices so that they can be ransacked.

Together, Tommy and the investigator plan to watch the offices to see what happens. However, all does not turn out as planned.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the "Tommy & Tuppence" stories yet, so I'm not familiar with these characters. This is probably not the best one for starting out! It's quick, that's for sure -- but if you aren't already familiar with these characters and how they work, the beginning is confusing. So I went through it a couple of times. I still know nothing about Tommy & Tuppence -- other than the cutsie names -- but it was still a fun story.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great short story by Agatha Christie--one of the Tommy and Tuppence adventures. I listened to this and would like to listen to more of the Tommy and Tuppence stories. (I read them all years ago when I read every Agatha Christie book I could get my hands on. I was able to read almost all of her works, including those under the pen name Mary Westamacott, however there were a few that were only published in England at the time--late 1980's.)

[Sapphire Detective · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't believe I forgot to review this one back when, but it just shows how unmemorable the story was in the long run, I suppose. Hoped for better from my first Tommy and Tuppence, but it was about what was to be expected.

My rating: 3.5/5 (rounded down)
Would I own/re-read?: Not necessarily.
TW: Kidnapping, Conspiracy
Does the animal die?: No animals are harmed by the Sinister Stranger.
How difficult was the mystery?: As this was more of a thriller, not too difficult at all.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy and Tuppence encounter a less than trustworthy fellow on the same day they receive an important top secret communication. Tommy and Tuppence have to decide which path they'll take to outwit the "sinister stranger."

It's simple and fun. I've really enjoyed all these short Tommy and Tuppence stories. They're such fun characters!

The audio was great. I like the narrator.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening ✨🎎🎆

This kindle e-book novella is from Amazon for $0.99

As a Agatha Christie fan I have enjoyed Tommy and Tuppence stories in books and TV. This is a cute romantic mystery with Tommy and Tuppence coming out on top.

I would recommend this novella and author to fans of Agatha Christie and British mystery novels. 2024

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, we get a mystery associated with the larger frame story of the Partners in Crime collection, a series of letters Tommy and Tuppence were told to expect as they acted as spies pretending to be private investigators. As with all the Tommy and Tuppence stories I’ve read so far, it’s pleasant but slight.

[Mayda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story with Tommy & Tuppence moves along quickly. It’s the usual banter between the two, which adds some humor to the story. There is not much of a plot. There is a bad guy, trouble for one of the duo, which the other one solves. It’s not Christie’s best by a long shot, but readers who like T&T will enjoy it.

[Ken Fredette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story of Tommy and Tuppence and the Sinister Stranger which it turns out to be a bad guy in the employ of a Russian Mob guy during WWII. Tommy and Tuppence pull the wool over their eyes.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy & Tuppence 02 Partners in Crime

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.

[Red · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couple goals!
I find that this story collects its triumph from the climax of it all. Even though this is a short story it does have slow and heavy bits that make it sometimes seem long and not in the best ways.
An overall good story. I would definitely recommend.

[Amy Lavigne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick listen. I listened to it while I was finishing up some work. It was an interesting story, not very hard to follow. The only problem is there wasn't much in the way of a storyline, which is to be expected with such a short story. Overall, not a bad way to kill half an hour.

[Jennifer]

Honestly, audiobook just didn't work for me. Things passed too quickly and I think I missed subtle hints and clues. At the end I was just confused. I definitely need to reread this with the words in front of me!

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tommy and Tuppence are such lovely characters! This short story is fun and more comical than surprising unlike what one expects from Christie, but a worthwhile read/listen to.

Content: mild language

[Red · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couple goals!
I find that this story collects its triumph from the climax of it all. Even though this is a short story it does have slow and heavy bits that make it sometimes seem long and not in the best ways.
An overall good story. I would definitely recommend.

[Seth Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright.