From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

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

Agatha Christie

Start date: July 15, 2024

Finish date: August 6, 2024

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: By member request, the first in the Tommy and Tuppence series.
[close] By member request, the first in the Tommy and Tuppence series.

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What Members Thought

Feb 08, 2021 Adrian rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: zz-paper-books, detectives-challenge-christie-2021

I must admit, I don't think I have ever read a Tommy and Tuppence novel despite reading Agatha Christie's books for 50 years (gosh that sounds scary, where has the time gone ? ). That said I have seen a number of T & T episodes on TV with various combinations of actors/actresses. But even so, I did not remember this story at all.

Both in dire straits financially, they decide given their lack of any other skills, that they should combine and form an adventure company to solve mysteries for other p ...more

70 likes · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2020 Ruth rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: golden-age-and-vintage, london

Well that was jolly good fun! I've generally avoided the Tommy and Tuppence series as they are espionage rather than detective fiction but I've now undertaken to read all Agatha Christie's books in order. I enjoyed it far more that I thought I would. It was a cracking good story and kept me guessing all the way through. Just when I thought I'd worked it all out something would happen to knock down all my carefully worked out theories. ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Apr 22, 2020 John rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: agatha-christie

This was Agatha Christie’s second book and the first featuring Tommy and Tuppence. They have just both met up after World War 1 and are unemployed and broke. Tuppence suggests they set up a business called the Young Adventurers Ltd.

They are overheard by Mr Whittington who offers them a job. What follows is a spy/detective story that is fast, funny and rollicks along with Tommy and Tuppence landing themselves in a series of adventures to find the mysterious Jane Finn. Tommy knocked out, Tuppence ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Nov 08, 2020 Tania rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, agatha-christie

Christie's second novel, and her first with Tommy and Tuppence, this is more of an adventure than a mystery. The plot is absolutely ludicrous, Tommy and Tuppence down to the last of their money decide to try to make some by advertising their services as adventurers; they soon become embroiled in a plot involving secret papers and a criminal mastermind. If you can suspend disbelief, forget about realism and go along for the ride, it's a lot of fun. I particularly enjoyed meeting Tuppence. ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jan 27, 2020 Kara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: agatha-christie

2 brilliant 20 somethings running around London and involving themselves in espionage in the 20s?! YES PLEASE. Tuppence is a total bad ass woman! Perfect book to bring a bit of the roaring 20s into the 2020s! Oh and a little love story on the side! Now a firm favourite and I cannot wait to read the rest of the Tommy and Tuppence novels

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