The Secret Adversary audiobook

I am hosting an Agatha Christie Readathon on my blog in April 2018 where we are reading one of her books each week. The first book up, The Secret Adversary, is the initial entry in the Tommy & Tuppence cozy mystery series she's written. Although I've read a bunch of her novels, I hadn't read anything in this particular series, so I was glad that one of them won the poll to choose our books that I had set up earlier this year.In this caper, Tommy and Tuppence, ~22 year old somewhat poor residents of London around 1920, are bored enough to form a partnership where they will agree to do anything legal to obtain a salary. Tuppence wants to marry rich. Tommy doesn't care. You kinda know they have to end up together, right? A mysterious man overhears their conversation and asks them for help in finding Jane Finn who disappeared when the Lusitania sank nearly five years earlier. She was given a very important government paper by a pseudo-spy who died in the tragedy, but Jane seems to have lost her memory. No one can find her, but there are several ne'er-to-do-wells and government spies searching for her. Though WW1 is over now, if anyone finds out what was written in the papers, it might just ignite another battle. Tommy & Tuppence take the case, but soon find themselves baffled by all the different stories they hear. When they separate to get more done, each is kidnapped and nearly killed for knowing nothing but really knowing something. Then Jane's American cousin helps with the search and leads are finally flooding in around them. Now the little sleuthing pair are on their own and unable to determine who's telling the truth. Think you can? I actually solved this one. Christie is remarkable when it comes to creating suspense, intrigue, and drama in her books. Although the story started off a tad peculiar to me, I slowly became fascinated by how different things were nearly 100 years ago. Between the phrases used to describe people, the quick allegiance people swore to one another, and the methods for doing research, it was outstanding. Sometimes I laughed at their silly tactics, others I thought they made no sense. But it was a different time and place, and under those contexts, it actually made perfect sense. Tommy & Tuppence themselves are also weird. They speak in terms of puzzles, but seem to understand one another. They wish for things they don't need but join forces in a venture that initially makes no sense. I was worried... even thought... did I make a mistake giving this book a chance? But I knew how much people adored them, so I pushed forward and by about 20% in, the book takes on a much more standard mystery and suspense tone.The ending was very well written. The plot is thorough but leaves a lot to the imagination. Do we really ever find out what's written in the government documents? Do we know exactly who kidnapped each of the sleuths? Do we know whether every character was purely good or evil? Not really... there is a bit of vagueness going on, but it doesn't hurt the story. Readers will more than likely fall in love with the duo, get caught up in determining which is the true bad guy, and grow puzzled in trying to decide which information to trust and which information is just a red herring.It's fun to read these capers. It's less about the language and more about the approach to solving a crime. So sit back and relax... let the author dazzle you with her story... and let go of the normal constructs you expect in a mystery novel. I'm going with 4 stars on this one, as I'd more than recommend it, but there were some things I felt could have been handled better. That said... I look forward to reading more in the Tommy & Tuppence series, but that will have to wait. Next week's book is from the Hercule Poirot collection. Join us if you can!

Tommy & Tuppence sittin' in a tree...!A group of young Adventurers overcome several thrilling events in a tale jam packed with action, a story that deals with secret documents written by secret people that must be stopped by secret people in a very secretive way. The two novices stumble upon this, and their wits (both sexes are seen as equal in their cunning or charm) help them solve the puzzle. Agatha Christie is the equivalent of a warm pot pie on some cold, dreary evening... (aka better than this terrestrial form of hell....)

* I take my writing seriously and consider comments the reward. I would rather not have “like button” clicks, until you are accompanying them with remarks for me. *Agatha Christie pages impress upon you sharply; even someone sampling the queen of mystery as late as I am. I was astonished by the plot intricacy in "The Mysterious Affair At Styles" but had a feeling there were better stories. Immediately, second novel "The Secret Adversary" is a step up. I am drawn to every stage, the settings are far more dynamic, and this time I am responsive to the characters. Many revere this title as the introduction to Tommy & Tuppence but I am entering this experience without knowledge of Agatha and have the pleasure of every discovery coming to me.The publication year 1922 succeeds World War I. England speaks of tight finances and jobs. Reunited chums Tommy & Tuppence dare to suggest they should advertise willingness to do anything, anywhere for money. They find themselves dangerously but honourably employed by British intelligence! A covert search for an American girl named Jane Finn divvies into three intense directions once they are aided by her wealthy cousin, Julius. The chapters highlight each fast-paced excursion, including a kidnapping of both lead characters; disappearing one after the other in different directions.What I admire about this novel in particular goes beyond the ampleness of vibrant events that keep the pages turning with intrigue. Originality is noticeable at once, a treat for a frequent reader. We are used to sitcoms and movies in which distressed protagonists avoid police or telling anyone what was afoot, for fear of repercussions, when it was plainly silly not to enlist help. In that cliché, lies are woven but inevitably need to be explained and help needs to be requested anyway. The frankness of all three heroes catches us off-guard and the effect of their boldness is entertaining. Accidentally accurate passwords, quick thinking, and suave language abound!

The Secret Adversary is the second book published by Agatha Christie way back in 1922. It was her first with the characters Thomas Beresford and Tuppence Cowley. (Their stories later became the Tommy and Tuppence Mysteries, but sadly there were only five of those.) The novel involves two young people who have known each other since their childhood, who are looking for work just after WWI. During a catch-up lunch they decide to go into business together as “adventurers.” They get hired by the government to do some independent espionage. At that point is where the plot gets a bit dodgy. Would the British government hire untrained and inexperienced operatives for a mission which supposedly holds such extreme significance that it holds England’s post-war financial recovery in the balance? There are several nonsensical threads to the story that are just as illogical, but there is a real chemistry between Tommy and Tuppence that is enhanced by their incessant banter. The audiobook added an extra dimension that I found stimulating. The quick quips back and forth made it overt from the very beginning that these would be fun characters.

Tommy and Tuppence adventures are best enjoyed only after you have read Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot’s adventures. Only then you can marvel at the creative genius of Agatha Christie and the fun she would have had creating Tommy and Tuppence. The secret adversary is a fast paced thriller involving the world of espionage and once you have started, you just cannot put it down. Added to this is the excellent chemistry between the two amateur detectives. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

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!

Not the usual Christie mystery. This is a John Buchan style ripping yarn with light-weight espionage and a heavy emphasis on adventure.Initially I found the plot so light on logic and the situations so uncharacteristically contrived and co-incidence driven that it made me look back at the cover to confirm if I was reading a Christie or a Wodehouse. But it picked up gradually and then ended in a massive flourish. The mystery component, though not entirely unpredictable, was handled quite adeptly as usual. But what I liked most about the book was how well fleshed out most of the characters were. Only Christie would be able to put me wise on how every other dialogue from the hustling Hersheimmer cracked me up. An extra-star just for those crafty dialogues. A cool read.

Another great fun Agatha Christie! I really enjoyed this one, and would highly recommend it. More of an adventure mystery than a murder mystery, with wonderful characters and a fun plot. I'm definitely going to be reading more of the Tommy and Tuppence series in the future.

*SPOILERS* Let me get this out of the way - I think Mr Brown should have been Julius and not Sir James. The writer, bless her, should not have tried for a last twist in the tale and should have stuck to Julius as the villain. I don't like it much when the super villain as in here, is revealed to be an unimportant character on whom the spotlight is never shined for an adequate time. However I gave this book four stars because despite its faults it delivers a quality pacing rhythm. It's a shame Agatha Christie neglected her less popular characters, instead being bent on milking Poirot dry. These adventuresome spy novels of hers are a delight to read. I had no problem with Tommy and Tuppence, they were fine too. I remember quite a few Christie novels to which I gave 5 stars and they weren't perfect, so I'm sticking to my guns.