What do you think?
Rate this book
Tommy & Tuppence #2.03
The Affair of the Pink Pearl: Tommy & Tuppence
A classic Agatha Christie short story, available individually for the first time as an ebook.
While staying at the Laurels with the Kingston Bruce family, Mrs Hamilton Betts discovers that her valuable pink pearl is missing. Presumed to have been stolen by another houseguest, the concerned host contacts the Beresford’s for help.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1929
43 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,739 books75.7k followersAgatha 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)
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)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 31, 2022
Tommy & Tuppence find stolen jewelry.
Tommy decides that this time around he and Tuppence will imitate famous detectives.
Now, I listened to this as a stand-alone short story, not as part of a collection, and let me be the first to say that it wasn't all that impressive. Just a very simple story that, to be very honest, wasn't all that interesting. Also, I'm quite aware that Christie wasn't known for her mysteries being solvable beforehand, but in this setting, it was really annoying.
You're following Tuppence around and suddenly Tommy walks in with the answer at the end.
I'd suggest you read this as part of Partners in Crime if you want to get the most out of it.
However, if you need to kill a few minutes & are a big Agatha Christie fan, this will fit the bill.
For anyone dipping their toes into her books for the first time, I'd suggest you start with Murder on the Orient Express, They Came to Baghdad, And Then There Were None, or (another Tommy & Tuppence) The Secret Adversary.
Tommy decides that this time around he and Tuppence will imitate famous detectives.
Now, I listened to this as a stand-alone short story, not as part of a collection, and let me be the first to say that it wasn't all that impressive. Just a very simple story that, to be very honest, wasn't all that interesting. Also, I'm quite aware that Christie wasn't known for her mysteries being solvable beforehand, but in this setting, it was really annoying.
You're following Tuppence around and suddenly Tommy walks in with the answer at the end.
I'd suggest you read this as part of Partners in Crime if you want to get the most out of it.
However, if you need to kill a few minutes & are a big Agatha Christie fan, this will fit the bill.
For anyone dipping their toes into her books for the first time, I'd suggest you start with Murder on the Orient Express, They Came to Baghdad, And Then There Were None, or (another Tommy & Tuppence) The Secret Adversary.
March 3, 2022
Quick read and just okay. I'll try a few of her others.
March 31, 2017
Not my favorite Agatha Christie novella.
April 16, 2021
Discovering those great little gems know as Agatha Christie's short stories!
May 20, 2025
Very short, really enjoyed the dynamic with Tommy and Tuppence which is the stand out of a very short story again this is very short and not the most creative of Agatha Christie’s mysteries lol
I do highly recommend listening to this as narrated by Hugh Fraser, he is a gem.
I do highly recommend listening to this as narrated by Hugh Fraser, he is a gem.
February 27, 2018
This is short story featuring Agatha Christie's characters, Tommy and Tuppence. This story was very short--took less than an hour to read.
Tommy works undercover in a detective agency with Tuppence as his secretary. One morning a girl walk in to seek their help locating a pink pearl that is missing from a pendant. The necklace belongs to a lady that is staying with her family. The night before there was a few people in for dinner and cards afterwards is when the pearl was missing. The family does not want to call in the police if they can help it. There have been rumors the owner is a bit of a kleptomaniac and it would not due to embarrass her. Tommy and Tuppence arrive at the house and start interviewing guest, family members and servants. Tommy is determined to check the rooms in the house and locate the pearl. Barely had he started checking out the bedrooms when he is temporairly locked in the bathroom with the lady's maid. Soon after Tommy takes off to run an errand and get some answers leaving Tuppence in a confused state. Tommy seems to be off track in this mystery. Until he comes back and has the police with him. Tuppence is more confused that ever.
I think this story is too short. It was over before it began. I understood the solution to the mystery but it happened so quick and in the blink of an eye it was over. The story was rushed. I will read more of Tommy ànd Tuppence stories but I hope they are more entertaining than this one and not as rushed.
Tommy works undercover in a detective agency with Tuppence as his secretary. One morning a girl walk in to seek their help locating a pink pearl that is missing from a pendant. The necklace belongs to a lady that is staying with her family. The night before there was a few people in for dinner and cards afterwards is when the pearl was missing. The family does not want to call in the police if they can help it. There have been rumors the owner is a bit of a kleptomaniac and it would not due to embarrass her. Tommy and Tuppence arrive at the house and start interviewing guest, family members and servants. Tommy is determined to check the rooms in the house and locate the pearl. Barely had he started checking out the bedrooms when he is temporairly locked in the bathroom with the lady's maid. Soon after Tommy takes off to run an errand and get some answers leaving Tuppence in a confused state. Tommy seems to be off track in this mystery. Until he comes back and has the police with him. Tuppence is more confused that ever.
I think this story is too short. It was over before it began. I understood the solution to the mystery but it happened so quick and in the blink of an eye it was over. The story was rushed. I will read more of Tommy ànd Tuppence stories but I hope they are more entertaining than this one and not as rushed.
March 15, 2018
"The Affair of the Pink Pearl" reminded me of several other Agatha Christie mysteries - she did have a habit of using some recurring themes, including kleptomaniacs and jewel thieves. The audiobook kept my attention but the story was rather predictable, especially as I've read other Christie books with similar plots. Some of the characters were intriguing, although Tommy and Tuppence never seem to be on the same page.
January 9, 2021
Great story!!
The writing style is one that can appeal to any audience. At the mention of appeal, I would like to add this is a rather extremely entertaining investigation.
This is my first book of the 'Tommy & Tuppence' series and I am glad that I got such a delightful introduction.
I surely can't wait to read more of this duo' stories and get acquainted better with the characters and how they operate with one another.
The writing style is one that can appeal to any audience. At the mention of appeal, I would like to add this is a rather extremely entertaining investigation.
This is my first book of the 'Tommy & Tuppence' series and I am glad that I got such a delightful introduction.
I surely can't wait to read more of this duo' stories and get acquainted better with the characters and how they operate with one another.
May 19, 2020
Short and quick read. Kind of typical Agatha Christie. The narration on the audio book was good. I found the story as pretty ordinary though. A pearl belonging to a guest in a hotel goes missing and the hotel owner's family seeks Tommy and Tuppence to investigate. After a sequence of character introductions, interviews and searches, the duo nail the culprit.
December 11, 2015
I have read most of Agatha Cristie's work, but I hadn't read this, and it was a refreshing change after some heavy going with some other, darker work.
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are a husband-and-wife detective team trying to make a go of it in the early WWI period of England. They receive a case from an upper crust family and off they go....
I was pleased to see I figured out part of the answer, but another part escaped me, so it was in effect, a brand new was of solving a crime for me, and a good story, to boot. It was still rather basic in description of character, or scene, but I believe Ms. Christie was still getting her "land legs," with mysteries during this time. Later on she developed tremendous skill in setting stages, developing characters and weaving plots. Still, this is a nice little period gem, especially for those who like to read one of the masters of crime fiction. I recommend this story.
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are a husband-and-wife detective team trying to make a go of it in the early WWI period of England. They receive a case from an upper crust family and off they go....
I was pleased to see I figured out part of the answer, but another part escaped me, so it was in effect, a brand new was of solving a crime for me, and a good story, to boot. It was still rather basic in description of character, or scene, but I believe Ms. Christie was still getting her "land legs," with mysteries during this time. Later on she developed tremendous skill in setting stages, developing characters and weaving plots. Still, this is a nice little period gem, especially for those who like to read one of the masters of crime fiction. I recommend this story.
July 30, 2016
The whole scheme was obvious yet the sweet nice humor of the couple make-up for the rest.
August 1, 2025
Rated 3.5 Stars
I just recently learned about Agatha Christie's short stories, with Tommy & Tuppance, with Hercule Poirot, and probably others.
This one, The Affair of the Pink Pearl was an audio book, narrated by Hugh Frazer. I thought he did a great job with the voices and helped make the story more interesting.
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are a husband-and-wife detective team trying to make a go of it in the early WWI period of England. They receive a case from an upper crust family and off they go on their crime solving adventure.
Solving a mystery in a book or on an audio or movie sometimes can be downright difficult. This is no exception. Patting myself on the back, I was able to understand and figured part of the answer.
This was a new and different way of solving a crime to me, and a pretty good story too.. It was still rather basic in description of character, or scene, but I believe Ms. Christie was still getting her "footing," with mysteries during this time. Later on she developed tremendous skill in setting stages, developing characters and weaving plots. Still, this is a nice little period piece, especially for those who are new to reading crime drama, and our wonderful artists of this time period. It's a quick read. I recommend. Enjoy this story.
I just recently learned about Agatha Christie's short stories, with Tommy & Tuppance, with Hercule Poirot, and probably others.
This one, The Affair of the Pink Pearl was an audio book, narrated by Hugh Frazer. I thought he did a great job with the voices and helped make the story more interesting.
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are a husband-and-wife detective team trying to make a go of it in the early WWI period of England. They receive a case from an upper crust family and off they go on their crime solving adventure.
Solving a mystery in a book or on an audio or movie sometimes can be downright difficult. This is no exception. Patting myself on the back, I was able to understand and figured part of the answer.
This was a new and different way of solving a crime to me, and a pretty good story too.. It was still rather basic in description of character, or scene, but I believe Ms. Christie was still getting her "footing," with mysteries during this time. Later on she developed tremendous skill in setting stages, developing characters and weaving plots. Still, this is a nice little period piece, especially for those who are new to reading crime drama, and our wonderful artists of this time period. It's a quick read. I recommend. Enjoy this story.
January 23, 2021
Tommy and Tuppence continue posing as Theodore Blunt and his assistant of the International Detective Agency. Their stunt in the previous case pays off and word of mouth bring the next case to their door. A reluctant young woman asks them to find a pearl that is missing from a pendant of a houseguest. It may just be lost or someone may have taken it. Tommy figures out that the maid stole it and hid it in a bar of soap when the maid is unable to open a door due to the slippery soap still on her hands.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2022
This book is quite a good one. It is very interesting and a great example of the Tommy and Tuppence series of short stories. It is one of those quirky little tales and it wrapped up really well. It was good at giving us the clues we needed to solve the mystery with the couple and yet not give anything away until the end.
While I recognize that Tommy and Tuppence stories are not for everyone, if you do enjoy them, this one is one of the best so far.
While I recognize that Tommy and Tuppence stories are not for everyone, if you do enjoy them, this one is one of the best so far.
January 14, 2023
Book 25 / 30 days challenge.
This has been on my tbr for ever an I could never get a hold of it so I even thought for a moment that it was made up and deleted it from my tbr and then added it again when the short stories ebooks started to come out.
This little short story is kind of a parody kind of reaally tongue in cheek about it. It was fun, and would have loved a longer version of Tommy and Tuppence trying to one up each other while playing detective.
This has been on my tbr for ever an I could never get a hold of it so I even thought for a moment that it was made up and deleted it from my tbr and then added it again when the short stories ebooks started to come out.
This little short story is kind of a parody kind of reaally tongue in cheek about it. It was fun, and would have loved a longer version of Tommy and Tuppence trying to one up each other while playing detective.
February 24, 2025
I always enjoyed reading Agatha Christie, this is probably my fourth or fifth story by her. At this point, I almost know what to expect. Her writing never dissapoints me and this short story was a nice addition to my library. Its only 36 pages and the story itself was about 20ish. One can finish the book while drinking coffee at a cafe. Totally recommend but I would prefer her other works over this one because story being short makes it lack of storytelling imo.
May 18, 2025
Great story!!
The writing style is one that can appeal to any audience. At the mention of appeal, I would like to add this is a rather extremely entertaining investigation.
This is my first book of the 'Tommy & Tuppence' series and I am glad that I got such a delightful introduction.
I surely can't wait to read more of this duo' stories and get acquainted better with the characters and how they operate with one another.
The writing style is one that can appeal to any audience. At the mention of appeal, I would like to add this is a rather extremely entertaining investigation.
This is my first book of the 'Tommy & Tuppence' series and I am glad that I got such a delightful introduction.
I surely can't wait to read more of this duo' stories and get acquainted better with the characters and how they operate with one another.
June 20, 2018
Listened during a commute traffic situation and my daughter fell asleep to the narration and I needed to give it another listen when I wasn’t so focused on driving. The gentle banter of Tommy and Tuppence is entertaining (I have read one other with them as the sleiths) and enjoyed that as well. Not the best of Agatha Christie, but a nice way to spend part of an hour.
December 16, 2019
A simple, straightforward story, quite unlike Christie's more famous, longer prose. However, I found making the maid, and possibly a black one at that, the culprit problematic in the larger scheme of things. I don't even know why I'm surprised, given attitudes towards people of colour during Christie's time.
June 28, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening. 🎶🎎🎵
This kindle e-book novella is from Amazon for $0.99
I am a fan of Agatha Christie and have enjoyed many of her books.
Tommy and Tuppence are approached about the case of a missing pink pearl. They successful in uncovering the thief.
I would recommend this novella and author to fans of Agatha Christie and British mystery novels. 2024'
This kindle e-book novella is from Amazon for $0.99
I am a fan of Agatha Christie and have enjoyed many of her books.
Tommy and Tuppence are approached about the case of a missing pink pearl. They successful in uncovering the thief.
I would recommend this novella and author to fans of Agatha Christie and British mystery novels. 2024'
October 16, 2017
Tommy & Tuppence 02 Partners in Crime
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
March 24, 2019
Mysteries generally do not work well in short story formats as there is not enough material to built up the story and list of suspects, but I enjoyed the interplay of Tommy and Tuppence, and I felt as though their personalities came through.
July 18, 2020
Big house, missing jewel
Where to begin? Tommy and Tuppence at their silliest and canniest. A pearl goes missing. Was it the young socialist or the girl who loves him? Don't forget the kleptomaniac.
Where to begin? Tommy and Tuppence at their silliest and canniest. A pearl goes missing. Was it the young socialist or the girl who loves him? Don't forget the kleptomaniac.
January 11, 2021
*4.5
I loved this and would listen to it again! I love the red herring and the characters Tommy and Tuppence. This is my first Tommy and Tuppence mystery, and I'd like to read their series from the beginning.
I loved this and would listen to it again! I love the red herring and the characters Tommy and Tuppence. This is my first Tommy and Tuppence mystery, and I'd like to read their series from the beginning.
December 15, 2022
On of the Tommy and Tuppence series. Tuppence is bored at home, Tommy is mulling tgings over at work. A colleague persuades them to take a leave of absence and stand in at a Detective Agency.
It is always fun to see a different side to Agatha Christie beyond Miss Marple and Poirot
It is always fun to see a different side to Agatha Christie beyond Miss Marple and Poirot
December 20, 2024
Tommy strikes after losing to Tuppence in A Pot of Tea: A Short Story!
March 13, 2025
A more traditional detective story, with many of Christie’s trappings of a relatively inclosed setting (in this case, a nobleman’s estate in Wimbledon), a mystery to be solved (a jewel has gone missing), and a few twists along the way.
August 11, 2017
Short story - but filled with good stuff. Just like a pearl.
April 20, 2018
Love Tommy and Tuppence, but this isn't my fav of their short stories.
June 18, 2018
I think I overrated this story. It’s quick. And that’s okay. I bet if I knew less of the genre and Christie it would be delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews