From the Bookshelf of The Agatha Christie Reading Group…

The Secret Adversary (Tommy and Tuppence Mysteries, #1)

Agatha Christie

Start date: June 1, 2020

Finish date: June 30, 2020

Discussion: 2020 Books

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2020 Books

* December (Additional)- The Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle #1)
By C. J. · 1 post · 4 views

last updated Dec 02, 2020 10:17PM

* December- Partners in Crime (Tommy & Tuppence #2)
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last updated Dec 02, 2020 10:13PM

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What Members Thought

May 22, 2019 Julie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-audiobooks-2019, backlist-read-2019

Agatha Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9 and spent a summer break from school reading Hercule Poirot novels. I decided to revisit her books yet again...in publication order. The Secret Adversary, Christie's second novel, was published in 1922. It introduces Tommy & Tuppence, two characters that would go on to star in three more novels and a short story collection. The final Tommy & Tuppence novel, Postern of Fate, was the last book Agatha Christie wrote before her death, but not Agatha Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9 and spent a summer break from school reading Hercule Poirot novels. I decided to revisit her books yet again...in publication order. The Secret Adversary, Christie's second novel, was published in 1922. It introduces Tommy & Tuppence, two characters that would go on to star in three more novels and a short story collection. The final Tommy & Tuppence novel, Postern of Fate, was the last book Agatha Christie wrote before her death, but not the last one published.

In this first story, Tommy and Tuppence are still single (they married each other later) and trying to find employment after the end of World War I. Both are running out of money and getting a bit desperate, but they don't want to tie themselves to boring, run-of-the-mill jobs following all the excitement of the war era. They decide to form a partnership, The Young Adventurers, Ltd, and advertise for unusual jobs just to keep their lives interesting. Before they even place their first advertisement, they get an offer for employment......and end up over their heads in a case of missing persons, international espionage, and murderous, sneaky villains. They yearned for excitement -- and they got it!

I listened to the audio book version of this story (Dreamscape Media) and had the best time. The story is a bit dated after almost 100 years, but that's what made it an enjoyable listen. I had to smile each time Tuppence called someone "Old Bean.'' I loved all the 1920s lingo and social commentary about women not wanting to return to a quiet life after the war. Tommy and Tuppence are wonderful, young characters starting out in life in the years between the wars. They want excitement and security in a world that has irrevocably changed. Makes for a very enjoyable listening experience.

The Dreamscape audio book is narrated by Emma Fenney and runs just over 8 1/2 hours. Fenney has a pleasant voice and reads at a nice pace. She does a great job voicing all the different characters.

All in all, a fun listening experience! I am having the best time re-visiting Christie's books. She's been my favorite author for 41 years for a reason! On to her 3rd book -- Murder on the Links. Hercule Poirot! ...more

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Apr 08, 2021 aleks rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars, i-feel-smart-now, my-desert-island-library, favorite-main-characters, mystery, multiple-povs, classics, 2021-favorites

everyone in this is so delightful and, predictably, I like tuppence best, but I also love tommy with his 'pleasantly ugly' face quite a lot, and I'm fond of Julius with his offering to buy a ship just to pretend to sink it because 'that's how rich Americans do it'... ("Oh, Julius -- what will the chauffeur think?""At the wages I pay him, he knows better than to do any independent thinking") & with his least (most?) romantic proposals, though, of course, someone certainly beats him at the latter ...more

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Apr 18, 2016 Julie Jenson added it

A Thriller taking place in WWI, two young adventurers team up to go into danger. One of my favorite Agatha Christie book. If anyone is looking for excitement, pick up this book. Tommy and Tuppence are great characters! Read also Partners in Crime, N or M?, and By the Pricking of my Thumbs. The two characters age in these books but they are a lot of fun:)

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