Partners in Crime: A Tommy and Tuppence Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition

By Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are Partners in Crime—or rather partners in crime solving—and must demonstrate their deductive skills in a wide range of confounding cases after agreeing to take over Blunt’s International Detective Agency.

Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are restless for adventure, so when they are asked to take over Blunt's International Detective Agency, they leap at the chance.

Their first case is a success—the triumphant recovery of a pink pearl. Other cases soon follow—a stabbing on Sunningdale golf course; cryptic messages in the personal columns of newspapers; and even a box of poisoned chocolates. But can they live up to their slogan of "Any case solved in 24 hours"?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 31, 2005
• ISBN: 9780061749056

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Her books have sold more than a billion copies in English and another billion in a hundred foreign languages. She died in 1976, after a prolific career spanning six decades.

Book preview

One

A FAIRY IN THE FLAT

Mrs. Thomas Beresford shifted her position on the divan and looked gloomily out of the window of the flat. The prospect was not an extended one, consisting solely of a small block of flats on the other side of the road. Mrs. Beresford sighed and then yawned.

I wish, she said, something would happen.

Her husband looked up reprovingly.

Be careful, Tuppence, this craving for vulgar sensation alarms me.

Tuppence sighed and closed her eyes dreamily.

So Tommy and Tuppence were married, she chanted, and lived happily ever afterwards. And six years later they were still living together happily ever afterwards. It is extraordinary, she said, how different everything always is from what you think it is going to be.

A very profound statement, Tuppence. But not original. Eminent poets and still more eminent divines have said it before—and if you will excuse me saying so, have said it better.

Six years ago, continued Tuppence, I would have sworn that with sufficient money to buy things with, and with you for a husband, all life would have been one grand sweet song, as one of the poets you seem to know so much about puts it.

Is it me or the money that palls upon you? inquired Tommy coldly.

Palls isn’t exactly the word, said Tuppence kindly. I’m used to my blessings, that’s all. Just as one never thinks what a boon it is to be able to breathe through one’s nose until one has a cold in the head.

Shall I neglect you a little? suggested Tommy. Take other women about to night clubs. That sort of thing.

Useless, said Tuppence. You would only meet me there with other men. And I should know perfectly well that you didn’t care for the other women, whereas you would never be quite sure that I didn’t care for the other men. Women are so much more thorough.

It’s only in modesty that men score top marks, murmured her husband. But what is the matter with you, Tuppence? Why this yearning discontent?

I don’t know. I want things to happen. Exciting things. Wouldn’t you like to go chasing German spies again, Tommy? Think of the wild days of peril we went through once. Of course I know you’re more or less in the Secret Service now, but it’s pure office work.

You mean you’d like them to send me into darkest Russia disguised as a Bolshevik bootlegger, or something of that sort?

That wouldn’t be any good, said Tuppence. They wouldn’t let me go with you and I’m the person who wants something to do so badly. Something to do. That is what I keep saying all day long.

Women’s sphere, suggested Tommy, waving his hand.

Twenty minutes’ work after breakfast every morning keeps the flag going to perfection. You have nothing to complain of, have you?

Your housekeeping is so perfect, Tuppence, as to be almost monotonous.

I do like gratitude, said Tuppence.

You, of course, have got your work, she continued, "but tell me, Tommy, don’t you ever have a secret yearning for excitement, for things to happen?"

No, said Tommy, at least I don’t think so. It is all very well to want things to happen—they might not be pleasant things.

How prudent men are, sighed Tuppence. Don’t you ever have a wild secret yearning for romance—adventure—life?

"What have you been reading, Tuppence?" asked Tommy.

Think how exciting it would be, went on Tuppence, if we heard a wild rapping at the door and went to open it and in staggered a dead man.

If he was dead he couldn’t stagger, said Tommy critically.

You know what I mean, said Tuppence. They always stagger in just before they die and fall at your feet, just gasping out a few enigmatic words. ‘The Spotted Leopard,’ or something like that.

I advise a course of Schopenhauer or Emmanuel Kant, said Tommy.

That sort of thing would be good for you, said Tuppence. You are getting fat and comfortable.

I am not, said Tommy indignantly. Anyway you do slimming exercises yourself.

Everybody does, said Tuppence. When I said you were getting fat I was really speaking metaphorically, you are getting prosperous and sleek and comfortable.

I don’t know what has come over you, said her husband.

The spirit of adventure, murmured Tuppence. It is better than a longing for romance anyway. I have that sometimes too. I think of meeting a man, a really handsome man—

You have met me, said Tommy. Isn’t that enough for you?

A brown, lean man, terrifically strong, the kind of man who can ride anything and lassoes wild horses—

Complete with sheepskin trousers and a cowboy hat, interpolated Tommy sarcastically.

—and has lived in the Wilds, continued Tuppence. I should like him to fall simply madly in love with me. I should, of course, rebuff him virtuously and be true to my marriage vows, but my heart would secretly go out to him.

Well, said Tommy, I often wish that I may meet a really beautiful girl. A girl with corn-coloured hair who will fall desperately in love with me. Only I don’t think I rebuff her—in fact I am quite sure I don’t.

That, said Tuppence, is naughty temper.

What, said Tommy, is really the matter with you, Tuppence? You have never talked like this before.

No, but I have been boiling up inside for a long time, said Tuppence. You see it is very dangerous to have everything you want—including enough money to buy things. Of course there are always hats.

You have got about forty hats already, said Tommy, and they all look alike.

Hats are like that, said Tuppence. "They are not really alike. There are nuances in them. I saw rather a nice one in Violette’s this morning."

If you haven’t anything better to do than going on buying hats you don’t need—

That’s it, said Tuppence, that’s exactly it. If I had something better to do. I suppose I ought to take up good works. Oh, Tommy, I do wish something exciting would happen. I feel—I really do feel it would be good for us. If we could find a fairy—

Ah! said Tommy. It is curious your saying that.

He got up and crossed the room. Opening a drawer of the writing table he took out a small snapshot print and brought it to Tuppence.

Oh! said Tuppence, so you have got them developed. Which is this, the one you took of this room or the one I took?

The one I took. Yours didn’t come out. You underexposed it. You always do.

It is nice for you, said Tuppence, to think that there is one thing you can do better than me.

A foolish remark, said Tommy, but I will let it pass for the moment. What I wanted to show you was this.

He pointed to a small white speck on the photograph.

That is a scratch on the film, said Tuppence.

Not at all, said Tommy. That, Tuppence, is a fairy.

Tommy, you idiot.

Look for yourself.

He handed her a magnifying glass. Tuppence studied the print attentively through it. Seen thus by a slight stretch of fancy the scratch on the film could be imagined to represent a small-winged creature on the fender.

It has got wings, cried Tuppence. What fun, a real live fairy in our flat. Shall we write to Conan Doyle about it? Oh, Tommy. Do you think she’ll give us wishes?

You will soon know, said Tommy. You have been wishing hard enough for something to happen all the afternoon.

At that minute the door opened, and a tall lad of fifteen who seemed undecided as to whether he was a butler or a page boy inquired in a truly magnificent manner.

Are you at home, madam? The front doorbell has just rung.

I wish Albert wouldn’t go to the Pictures, sighed Tuppence, after she had signified her assent, and Albert had withdrawn. He’s copying a Long Island butler now. Thank goodness I’ve cured him of asking for people’s cards and bringing them to me on a salver.

The door opened again, and Albert announced: Mr. Carter, much as though it were a Royal title.

The Chief, muttered Tommy, in great surprise.

Tuppence jumped up with a glad exclamation, and greeted a tall grey-haired man with piercing eyes and a tired smile.

"Mr. Carter, I am glad to see you."

That’s good, Mrs. Tommy. Now answer me a question. How’s life generally?

Satisfactory, but dull, replied Tuppence with a twinkle.

Better and better, said Mr. Carter. I’m evidently going to find you in the right mood.

This, said Tuppence, sounds exciting.

Albert, still copying the Long Island butler, brought in tea. When this operation was completed without mishap and the door had closed behind him Tuppence burst out once more.

You did mean something, didn’t you, Mr. Carter? Are you going to send us on a mission into darkest Russia?

Not exactly that, said Mr. Carter.

But there is something.

Yes—there is something. I don’t think you are the kind who shrinks from risks, are you, Mrs. Tommy?

Tuppence’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

There is certain work to be done for the Department—and I fancied—I just fancied—that it might suit you two.

Go on, said Tuppence.

"I see that you take the Daily Leader," continued Mr. Carter, picking up that journal from the table.

He turned to the advertisement column and indicating a certain advertisement with his finger pushed the paper across to Tommy.

Read that out, he said.

Tommy complied.

The International Detective Agency, Theodore Blunt, Manager. Private Inquiries. Large staff of confidential and highly skilled Inquiry Agents. Utmost discretion. Consultations free. 118 Haleham St., W.C.

He looked inquiringly at Mr. Carter. The latter nodded. That detective agency has been on its last legs for some time, he murmured. Friend of mine acquired it for a mere song. We’re thinking of setting it going again—say, for a six months’ trial. And during that time, of course, it will have to have a manager.

What about Mr. Theodore Blunt? asked Tommy.

Mr. Blunt has been rather indiscreet, I’m afraid. In fact, Scotland Yard have had to interfere. Mr. Blunt is being detained at Her Majesty’s expense, and he won’t tell us half of what we’d like to know.

I see, sir, said Tommy. At least, I think I see.

I suggest that you have six months leave from the office. Ill health. And, of course, if you like to run a Detective Agency under the name of Theodore Blunt, it’s nothing to do with me.

Tommy eyed his Chief steadily.

Any instructions, sir?

Mr. Blunt did some foreign business, I believe. Look out for blue letters with a Russian stamp on them. From a ham merchant anxious to find his wife who came as a refugee to this country some years ago. Moisten the stamp and you’ll find the number 16 written underneath. Make a copy of these letters and send the originals on to me. Also if any one comes to the office and makes a reference to the number 16, inform me immediately.

I understand, sir, said Tommy. And apart from these instructions?

Mr. Carter picked up his gloves from the table and prepared to depart.

You can run the Agency as you please. I fancied—his eyes twinkled a little—that it might amuse Mrs. Tommy to try her hand at a little detective work.

Two

A POT OF TEA

Mr. and Mrs. Beresford took possession of the offices of the International Detective Agency a few days later. They were on the second floor of a somewhat dilapidated building in Bloomsbury. In the small outer office, Albert relinquished the role of a Long Island butler, and took up that of office boy, a part which he played to perfection. A paper bag of sweets, inky hands, and a tousled head was his conception of the character.

From the outer office, two doors led into inner offices. On one door was painted the legend Clerks. On the other Private. Behind the latter was a small comfortable room furnished with an immense business-like desk, a lot of artistically labelled files, all empty, and some solid leather-seated chairs. Behind the desk sat the pseudo Mr. Blunt trying to look as though he had run a Detective Agency all his life. A telephone, of course, stood at his elbow. Tuppence and he had rehearsed several good telephone effects, and Albert also had his instructions.

In the adjoining room was Tuppence, a typewriter, the necessary tables and chairs of an inferior type to those in the room of the great Chief, and a gas ring for making tea.

Nothing was wanting, in fact, save clients.

Tuppence, in the first ecstasies of initiation, had a few bright hopes.

It will be too marvellous, she declared. We will hunt down murderers, and discover the missing family jewels, and find people who’ve disappeared and detect embezzlers.

At this point Tommy felt it his duty to strike a more discouraging note.

Calm yourself, Tuppence, and try to forget the cheap fiction you are in the habit of reading. Our clientèle, if we have any clientèle at all—will consist solely of husbands who want their wives shadowed, and wives who want their husbands shadowed. Evidence for divorce is the sole prop of private inquiry agents.

Ugh! said Tuppence, wrinkling a fastidious nose. We shan’t touch divorce cases. We must raise the tone of our new profession.

Ye-es, said Tommy doubtfully.

And now a week after installation they compared notes rather ruefully.

Three idiotic women whose husbands go away for weekends, sighed Tommy. Anyone come whilst I was out at lunch?

A fat old man with a flighty wife, sighed Tuppence sadly. I’ve read in the papers for years that the divorce evil was growing, but somehow I never seemed to realise it until this last week. I’m sick and tired of saying, ‘We don’t undertake divorce cases.’

We’ve put it in the advertisements now, Tommy reminded her. So it won’t be so bad.

I’m sure we advertise in the most tempting way too, said Tuppence in a melancholy voice. All the same, I’m not going to be beaten. If necessary, I shall commit a crime myself, and you will detect it.

And what good would that do? Think of my feelings when I bid you a tender farewell at Bow Street—or is it Vine Street?

You are thinking of your bachelor days, said Tuppence pointedly.

The Old Bailey, that is what I mean, said Tommy.

Well, said Tuppence, something has got to be done about it. Here we are bursting with talent and no chance of exercising it.

I always like your cheery optimism, Tuppence. You seem to have no doubt whatever that you have talent to exercise.

Of course, said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.

And yet you have no expert knowledge whatever.

Well, I have read every detective novel that has been published in the last ten years.

So have I, said Tommy, but I have a sort of feeling that that wouldn’t really help us much.

You always were a pessimist, Tommy. Belief in oneself—that is the great thing.

Well, you have got it all right, said her husband.

Of course it is easy in detective stories, said Tuppence thoughtfully, because one works backwards. I mean if one knows the solution one can arrange the clues. I wonder now—

She paused wrinkling her brows.

Yes? said Tommy inquiringly.

I have got a sort of idea, said Tuppence. It hasn’t quite come yet, but it’s coming. She rose resolutely. I think I shall go and buy that hat I told you about.

Oh, God! said Tommy, another hat!

It’s a very nice one, said Tuppence with dignity.

She went out with a resolute look on her face.

Once or twice in the following days Tommy inquired curiously about the idea. Tuppence merely shook her head and told him to give her time.

And then, one glorious morning, the first client arrived, and all else was forgotten.

There was a knock on the outer door of the office and Albert, who had just placed an acid drop between his lips, roared out an indistinct Come in. He then swallowed the acid drop whole in his surprise and delight. For this looked like the Real Thing.

A tall young man, exquisitely and beautifully dressed, stood hesitating in the doorway.

A toff, if ever there was one, said Albert to himself. His judgement in such matters was good.

The young man was about twenty-four years of age, had beautifully slicked back hair, a tendency to pink rims round the eyes, and practically no chin to speak of.

In an ecstasy, Albert pressed a button under his desk and almost immediately a perfect fusilade of typing broke out from the direction of Clerks. Tuppence had rushed to the post of duty. The effect of this hum of industry was to overawe the young man still further.

I say, he remarked. Is this the whatnot—detective agency—Blunt’s Brilliant Detectives? All that sort of stuff, you know? Eh?

Did you want, sir, to speak to Mr. Blunt himself? inquired Albert, with an air of doubts as to whether such a thing could be managed.

Well—yes, laddie, that was the jolly old idea. Can it be done?

You haven’t an appointment, I suppose?

The visitor became more and more apologetic.

Afraid I haven’t.

It’s always wise, sir, to ring up on the phone first. Mr. Blunt is so terribly busy. He’s engaged on the telephone at the moment. Called into consultation by Scotland Yard.

The young man seemed suitably impressed.

Albert lowered his voice, and imparted information in a friendly fashion.

Important theft of documents from a Government Office. They want Mr. Blunt to take up the case.

Oh! really. I say. He must be no end of a fellow.

The Boss, sir, said Albert, is It.

The young man sat down on a hard chair, completely unconscious of the fact that he was being subjected to keen scrutiny by two pairs of eyes looking through cunningly contrived peepholes—those of Tuppence, in the intervals of frenzied typing, and those of Tommy awaiting the suitable moment.

Presently a bell rang with violence on Albert’s desk.

The Boss is free now. I will find out whether he can see you, said Albert, and disappeared through the door marked Private.

He reappeared immediately.

Will you come this way, sir?

The visitor was ushered into the private office, and a pleasant-faced young man with red hair and an air of brisk capability rose to greet him.

Sit down. You wish to consult me? I am Mr. Blunt.

Oh! Really. I say, you’re awfully young, aren’t you?

The day of the Old Men is over, said Tommy, waving his hand. Who caused the war? The Old Men. Who is responsible for the present state of unemployment? The Old Men. Who is responsible for every single rotten thing that has happened? Again I say, the Old Men!

I expect you are right, said the client, I know a fellow who is a poet—at least he says he is a poet—and he always talks like that.

Let me tell you this, sir, not a person on my highly trained staff is a day over twenty-five. That is the truth.

Since the highly trained staff consisted of Tuppence and Albert, the statement was truth itself.

And now—the facts, said Mr. Blunt.

I want you to find someone that’s missing, blurted out the young man.

Quite so. Will you give me the details?

Well, you see, it’s rather difficult. I mean, it’s a frightfully delicate business and all that. She might be frightfully waxy about it. I mean—well, it’s so dashed difficult to explain.

He looked helplessly at Tommy. Tommy felt annoyed. He had been on the point of going out to lunch, but he foresaw that getting the facts out of this client would be a long and tedious business.

Did she disappear of her own free will, or do you suspect abduction? he demanded crisply.

I don’t know, said the young man. I don’t know anything.

Tommy reached for a pad and pencil.

First of all, he said, will you give me your name? My office boy is trained never to ask names. In that way consultations can remain completely confidential.

Oh! rather, said the young man. Jolly good idea. My name—er—my name’s Smith.

Oh! no, said Tommy. The real one, please.

His visitor looked at him in awe.

Er—St. Vincent, he said. Lawrence St. Vincent.

It’s a curious thing, said Tommy, "how very few people there are whose real name is Smith. Personally, I don’t know anyone

Reviews for Partners in Crime

[therebelprince · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Christie’s second Tommy and Tuppence book (of five) is also the second-best. The characters shine as in their first outing, "The Secret Adversary", and their bubbliness – which was a bit off-putting in the trenches of "N or M?" – is used to maximum effect in these giddy little cases. All of the stories are enjoyable, and they were the basis for the 1980s TV series 'Partners in Crime', which I’ve never seen but reliable sources inform me wasn’t very good. (A pity, because the fanboy inside me wishes James Warwick and Francesca Annis could reunite and film the later books, for continuity’s sake!)

"Partners in Crime" is let down by the fact that each short story parodies a detective or detective style from the era. Many of these have faded into history, which can lead to hidden jokes feeling disconnected, and witty one-liners become merely non-sequiturs. The first time I read this book, however, I didn’t realise this; aside from the occasional discombobulating moment, it wasn’t an issue. Re-reading, I notice the format more. An enjoyable confection, but won’t sate your hunger for long. Sadly, when Christie revived the couple for three further escapades in middle age, they’d be largely a waste.

Tommy and Tuppence ranking: 2nd out of 5.

[jennie_103 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't normally read short stories much but these are fantastic. Well worth seeking out. Each is in the style of another mystery writer (although I'm not well read enough to work them all out!) It is also a Tommy and Tuppence book who are my favourite Christie detectives.

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was about the two of them, after their first spy adventure... being connected to a second.

They open up a detective agency in order to help crash the spy ring, but in the meanwhile take on various & assorted other cases, so it was more like a series of short stories, with themes that have been found in other Christie stories.

Many of the stories had endings cut short, with no facing off of the thief/murderer/culprit, which I didn't like

There was quite a bit of mindless banter, which really did confuse & lose me.... and silly pretending to be other famous detectives....

[leischen_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The worst mystery book I've ever read. It's a surprise that this is a relatively early Christie when she was in her prime. Two absolute twits, Tommy & Tuppence Beresford, decide to play detectives by solving cases in the style of classic characters. Horribly dated and trite. Every author has to have a worst book, this is Christie's. Absolute garbage.

[inkcharmed · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tommy and Tuppence are my favorites!!

[melhay_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a collection of short mysteries in which Tommy and Tuppence work their way through posing as detectives owning their own agency, as asked by Scotland Yard, to catch a mean suspect. Tommy and Tuppence are wonderful characters. They have great humor and love to pick on each other. I really enjoyed the teasing of each other. And this lovely couple act out different detectives for each case, based on what they know of the case. You really get a small glimps of how they see other detectives in the books.

[adpaton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although there is a linking theme in this colection of short stories - the Beresford's are working for British Intelligence to thwart a foreign power, the usual - each is a gem on its own. We start a couple of years after their marriage and are granted a glimpse of what happened to Cinderella and snow white and all the other fairy tale heroines AFTER the wedding. In a word, boredom. Albert is working for them, Tommy has a civil service position, and Tuppence is addicted to buying hats. When the chance arises for her to join him in some undercover work she grabs it: the twist is she decides to approach each crime i the manner of a famous literary detective. There's Hercule Poirot of course, in a rare bit of self reference on Christie's part, and naturally Sherlock Holmes, and Father Brown and the Old Man in the Corner and many other detectivs who although popular when the stories were written back in the 20s are now forgotten completely. Not quite pastiche or spoof, more of an homage to her peers, Partners in Crime is an under-rated delight.

[lahochstetler · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Tommy and Tuppence are once again on the trail of Russian spies. They are commissioned to take over a detective agency that will be used as a front to try and trap said Russian spies. Posing as a detective and his "confidential secretary" the Beresfords take on all sorts of cases. Some are not very difficult, and Tuppence repeatedly proves herself to be the superior detective. The two go through all sorts of machinations to try and prove their importance to their clients, claiming to be called away to important cases by Scotland Yard. They also mimic the methods and habits of famous literary detectives. There are even several bows to Christie's own Poirot, as they attempt to use "the little grey cells."I must admit that Tommy and Tuppence are my least favorite of Christie's detectives. Still, a lesser Christie is still better than a good many other mysteries. Short stories rob Christie of some of her best attributes- complex character development and relationships, and that is certainly the case here. Still, while Christie's short stories are rarely as good as her novels, this volume is still worth a read.

[jeffreymarks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book. Great stories and a reminder of all the "great detectives" of the 1920s. It's no surprise that my little Scottie is named Tuppence.

[dsbs_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not one of her best mysteries, but a nice little collection of loosely related T&T stories. Most cases were pretty damn predictable, which is understandable considering that Tommy and Tuppence are amateurs, like the readers (presumably); that's part of their appeal. Light-hearted and funny; and I do love Tommy and Tuppence together, I think they're adorable. It was also fun to see Christie pay tribute to other famous detectives, although I have to admit I'd heard of exactly two of the ones she mentioned: Holmes and Christie's own Poirot. Anyway, bottom line? A good, quick, fun read.

[ds_61_12 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel is sort of a storycollection with a backgroundstory. Tommy and Tupence are asked to take over a detective bureau that is being used for espionage by a foreign power. While carrying out this assignment they also have to maintain the cover by solving 'real' cases.Highly entertaining. Tommy and Tuppence were always some of my favorite sleuths, but here they really come to life. The format of short adventures keeps the book from slogging down in details and keeps a high pace. You get all the clues you really need, but somehow you only rarely figure it out. Intelligent plot and execution. Also a nice edition.

[bookpurring · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is my second Tommy and Tuppence book, and my oh I don't know 50th Agatha Christie book? I have to say that from my first T&T I wasn't very impressed with them or rather with Christie's espionage work. I've also come to realize that I prefer Christie's novels to her short stories. I do find the characters rather charming, T&T are very much partners and such a delightful couple to read about. In many occasion while listening to this compilation of short stories I found the solutions rather simple, and finally came to the conclusion the book is meant a parody of detective fiction, T&T detective agency name made me chuckle "Blunt's Brilliant Detectives." Christie even takes a jab at Sherlock Holmes and even her own detective Poirot. When it comes to the stories, this was an interesting compilation, my personal favorite because of the sense of parody and humor behind it was The Case of the Missing Lady. But there are some stories like The Unbreakable Alibi, that just simply left me wanting more. Overall, I would recommend this audio to those Agatha fans that simply just have to read all of her work, definitely not as an introduction to Christie.

[smik_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Six years have passed since the Beresfords began their sleuthing partnership in THE SECRET ADVERSARY. Tommy now has a desk job with the British Secret Service, and Tuppence, much to her displeasure is at home, though when the Chief of British Intelligence asks them to take over the International Detective Agency, both jump at the chance of new adventures.The fifteen stories contain parodies of fictional detectives who were well-known to readers of the 1920s. In each story Tommy and Tuppence assume the mannerisms and methods of a different detective or detective team, including Sherlock Holmes.I am told the stories contain parodies of Sherlock Holmes, John Thorndyke, Father Brown, and Hercule Poirot, but not being a reader from the 1920s I did have trouble in some stories in working out who the "original" sleuth was. There are quite good synopses of the individual stories both on the Agatha Christie site and on Wikipedia, so I won't repeat them here. The Wikipedia one in particular identifies whose methods each story is a a parody of.Interestingly, all of the short stories had been published individually between 1923 and 1928 and were then arranged in a slightly different order for the 1929 collection.I think I preferred the characterisation of Tuppence and Tommy in these stories to their first appearance in THE SECRET ADVERSARY. Tuppence in particular comes over with a mind of her own and a good sense of intuition, even if occasionally the stories are a little "twee". I also quite like her Scotland Yard detective Inspector Marriot. The stories are bound together with an overall theme of a rather vague Russian plot.They fit also with my idea that Christie often set herself tasks to achieve- in this case her challenge was to see if she could adopt the styles of other popular crime fiction writers, and to use the icons they used.I regret that I did not manage to read these stories in the correct time frame, that is in the 1929 slot, between THE SEVEN DIALS MYSTERY and THE MURDER AT THE VICARAGE.

[neverlistless · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tommy and Tuppence have recently married and Tuppence is a bored housewife, but their life is about to get exciting. They've taken over the International Detective Agency and solve mystery after mystery by copying the Classic detectives: Sherlock Holmes, Hanaud, and even Hercule Poirot! This was wonderfully funny and a very quick read.

[figgles_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Second Tommy and Tuppence, fun series of short stories within the framework of a bigger crime bust. A little difficult to the modern reader as each tale parodies a famous detective and I don't know who most of them are (althoug she cheekily parodies Poirot who must've only just been invented!). Enjoyable.

[kw50197 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fun read ... one that suspense fans which are very familiar and knowledgeable about the genre would probably enjoy better.

[amphipodgirl · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It's very dated. In each incident, Tommy and Tuppence copy the methods and mannerisms of a famous fictional detective, and often his sidekick as well. But the book was written in 1929, and I'd never heard of most of these then-famous detectives. This really marred my enjoyment of the stories.

[riverwillow · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Tommy and Tuppence are the most annoying characters Christie ever created and this book is not an exception. Here they start to run a detective agency in order to help Scotland Yard and Tommy's boss at the Secret Service catch some kind of Russian Mr Big.

[jonrob_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One of Dame Agatha's weaker efforts, this is basically a series of short stories featuring the Beresfords (Tommy and Tuppence). Now, I don't dislike them as much as some of AC's fans, but the essential premise (they take over a detective agency at the behest of Tommy's boss, with the intention of trapping a master-spy) is dubious, and the idea that they tackle each case in the style of a well-known fictional detective doesn't really work either. The strongest stories are "The Man in the Mist" (Father Brown) and "THe House of Lurking Death" (Hanaud) but some of the models are just too obscure nowadays - how many people will ever have heard of Thornley Colton, the Blind Problemist? One plus factor is that the relationship between the couple is well-drawn with some effective use of humour. Still, this is only really recommendable to Christie completists, and those interested in the curious tendency of Golden Age writers to indulge in self-reference - the final case is based upon AC's own Hercule Poirot!

[themulhern · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Perhaps because of the imitations or parodies of other literary detectives or because of the short story form this book is better than the other "Tommy and Tuppence" books. I usually find a series of short stories about established characters more enjoyable than a series where each story has to start completely new. Nothing too momentous has to occur in an individual story as the characters will come around again. The whole thing is so deliberately artificial that you can't censure any individual story; perhaps the part you dislike most is an essential part of the parody.The television series is probably more enjoyable than the book; partly because Albert plays a much larger and mostly humorous role.I would not have been able to recognize many of the parodies if I had not previously read and watched a fair amount of "The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes"

[kaitanya64 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love Agatha Christie. And I loved Tommy and Tuppence in their first novel. But somehow, these short stories just did not interest me much. I think maybe in a short story, the plot development that is really Christie's major strength just doesn't show to advantage. This is okay, but not great.

[Jonathan Murphree · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

not usually a big fan of hers but this was really good.

[fireformed · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this collection of stories, it was nice to catch up with the young carefree Beresfords again!
And while each story was fun and engaging I did find the "luck" aspect of each story to be unbelievable after a while. No one in the world has that much luck to be able to stumble across the answer to mysteries. Some of the stories or circumstances were a bit of a convenient eye roll. But overall it was a cute, quick read.

[huntersun9 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fun collection of Tommy & Tuppence mysteries. I like the way they tease each other; they remind me of Nick & Nora Charles.

[atimco-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read this several months ago and am just now catching up on the review, so my memory's a bit hazy. I remember this being fun but very ridiculous in its elaborate setups, unlikely coincidences, and improbable sleuthing. But for all that, it's Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, Agatha Christie's beloved detective couple whose dialogue alone is worth the price of admission. Witty, teasing, and always affectionate toward one another, they operate in a world of dangerous gangs, deceptive missions, espionage, double identities, and the usual trappings of romantic mystery. The Beresfords should probably be classified more as fantasy than mystery, but I think the two genres are more closely related than is generally assumed. Both seek to create a fictional world that draws the reader into the problem that the hero/detective must somehow solve. Often, both genres involve quests of some kind to discover a hidden reality. Interesting, isn't it, how both are trying to get at the same thing, truth? It just so happens the fantasy world of the English mystery novel is more akin to its originating country than that of straight fantasy of the dragons and princesses variety. It is fun that our detectives are married and not just two people falling in love over the mystery they're working together to solve. To be sure, the romantic angle is not omitted; they are forever teasing one another about infidelity (which is interesting, given Christie's experiences with both her husbands). But the reader always knows it's a joke, that underneath all the banter there is a deep and abiding loyalty that is, in its way, unassailable. Beyond the outlandish villains and unlikely settings, this is the most fantastical element of the Tommy and Tuppence tales. I think this is why despite the sometimes-clumsy plots, their stories remain popular among Christie's readers. Fun characters, married and still madly in love, having fabulous and dangerous adventures in which they prove both their competence and luck again and again—who wouldn't want to slip into their world for a bit? Enjoyable fluff.

[sueincyprus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the first chapter we meet a young, fairly well-off couple called Tommy and Tuppence. Apparently this is the second of Agatha Christie's novels featuring them. While characterisation is usually fairly shallow in her books, Tuppence she created a likeable, outgoing young woman with a great deal of both courage. However, at the start of the book she is bored...The rest of the book features their adventures as they solve a variety of crimes and puzzles, under the guise of a detective agency. Each incident takes one or two chapters of the book and is complete in itself, but the whole is part of what we would now call a story arc: a gang of criminals have been known to use the agency, so Tommy and Tuppence are constantly on the lookout for secret code words or phrases. I very much enjoyed this book. There’s plenty of light-hearted badinage between Tommy and Tuppence, who are clearly devoted to each other, and most of the crimes are interesting rather than unpleasant. While Tommy is a fairly serious person, he loves reading crime fiction, and takes on the persona of different detectives. I didn't get all the references, but it didn't matter. In the final chapters, things become more serious and there’s quite an exciting finale.Recommended to anyone who enjoys this genre.

[bnielsen_30 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

England, ca 1950Indeholder en hel del småhistorier forklædt som kapitler.Tommy og Tuppence Beresford har været gift i seks år og mens Tommy arbejder for efterretningstjenesten i et kontorjob, går Tuppence hjemme og keder sig. Tommy får tilbudt at overtage et detektivbureau på skrømt og de to tager imod tilbuddet og løser en lang række sager. Et fjollet indslag er at de løser hver sag på en ny måde inspireret af kendte og ukendte litterære forbilleder. De mange sager får bogen til at minde meget om en novellesamling. Sagerne starter med at Tuppence finder en pige som hun selv har skjult. Det er bare for at gøre lidt reklame for bureauet og for at sætte skub i en romance. Tommy opklarer et smykketyveri i rollen som doktor Thorndyke. Sammen får de anholdt et par spioner mens de leger Francis og Desmond Okewood. Som McCarty og Riordan opklarer de et jalousimord. En fiasko er det derimod som Holmes og Watson at opspore en forsvundet dame - hun er nemlig frivilligt på slankeanstalt. Som Thornley Colton fanger Tommy en spion der har bortført ham. Som Fader Brown fanger Tommy en politimand med en løs knippel. Som Edgar Wallace fanger Tommy en falskmønterbande. Som Den gamle Mand i Hjørnet opklarer han et meget velmaskeret mord på en mand på golfbanen og forærer løsningen til kriminalassistent Marriot. Som Hanaud opklarer han to giftmord. Som kriminalassistent French finder han ud af hvilket af en piges to alibier, der er falsk og hvilket der er sand. Som Roger Sheringham finder han en nedgravet skat i kartoffelstykket. Som Reginald Fortune og kriminalkommisær Bell løser de en gåde med ombyttede tasker hvilket viser sig at have med kokainsmugling at gøre.Den sidste historie er Tommy i alvorlig knibe som Hercule Poirot, for Tuppence er blevet bortført og han kan ikke finde hende før han får sat sine små grå i arbejde.Han vinder hende dog tilbage og hun belønner ham ved at afsløre at hun venter barn.Udmærket, men meget let læsning

[funstm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the first book and I enjoyed the second although I was kind of sad they were no longer the Young Adventurers. Tommy and Tuppence are the best. I love them separately and I adore them together. I really like that marriage hasn't changed the banter and friendship between them. Or dulled Tuppence's thirst for adventure, quick wits or sass. Not that any books with married couples actually comes to mind. I'm not sure I've read any others - romance is always the end goal rather than the starting point. So the second book is about Tommy and Tuppence taking over a detective agency. The format of this is kind of unique though because it's a short story collection - just all the stories revolve around the detective agency - each one being a case. I thought the general premise being the detective agency gave it a more cohesive feel and allowed for a depth that tends to be missing in short stories. I don't usually enjoy short story collections - too often half of them suck - but I loved this.I liked that each story tackled different cases and that Tommy and Tuppence both played equal roles in solving them. I really liked getting to see the different cases they worked and how they solved them. Particularly when they emulate famous detectives. I love how into it Tommy, Tuppence and Albert get. Each of them give 110% to their parts. And it amuses me how much of a production it all is. Typewriter to be typing when someone comes in. Albert to deny access to the boss because he's 'on the phone with Scotland Yard' and his quiet remarks about secret official business. It was hilarious. Overall a solid read. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. I can't wait to read the next step in their journey. 2.1: A FAIRY IN THE FLAT: Six years later, Tommy is working for the Secret Service (office work though) and Tuppence is stuck buying hats because she might have money but she's bored and itching for adventure. Mr Carter comes to the rescue when he suggests that Tommy take a leave of absence and become a manager of a suspect detective agency, taking on the name of Theodore Blunt. Tuppence jumps at the chance to investigate. I liked that Albert is still around. And that he goes to the movies and then emulates what he sees. 2.2: A POT OF TEA: Their first major case involves an Earl who is in love with a shop girl that disappears and he want her found. LMFAO. Tuppence orchestrates some much needed publicity by organising for the girl to go missing. Turns out the girl is an old friend. She talks up their agency to the girl who tells the Earl and then Tuppence cons the Earl into paying double for their 24 hour guaranteed results special. Tommy is appalled. God I love Tuppence. She's freaking hilarious. Albert would be a close second. They're both so utterly dramatic and it's perfection. Tommy is the perfect foil to their craziness. This one was brilliant. 2.3: THE AFFAIR OF THE PINK PEARL: Being amateurs to detecting, Tommy comes up with a plan to get some technique by trying out different fictional detective styles just as they get a new case. A pink pearl has gone missing and they're hired to find it. Lol they're so full of shit. They bluff their way through before Tommy brilliantly solves the case. It's the French maid who is actually a thief and hides the pink pearl in a cake of soap. He snaps a picture of her and takes it to Scotland Yard. 2.4: THE ADVENTURE OF THE SINISTER STRANGER: Ooh spies! Someone has caught on that something is not right at the International Detective Agency and they send some people to check. I didn't like this as much as the others. Although it was kind of funny with Tommy pretending to be Francis and having it confirmed because he pocketed a present Tuppence had for her friend Francis. . 2.5: FINESSING THE KING: Tommy and Tuppence decide to branch out with the detective skills - choosing to emulate some American detective styles. They end up following a newspaper ad to a ball where a woman winds up dead. Just before she dies though she says Bingo. This case continues in The Gentleman Dressed in Newspaper. 2.6: THE GENTLEMAN DRESSED IN NEWSPAPER: Inspector Marriot arrives with the husband of the dead woman, Sir Arthur. He is unconvinced that Bingo Hale could have murdered his wife. Tuppence manages to solve the case when Tommy makes an offhand remark that sparks her little grey cells. The husband killed her because the wife was planning to run off with her lover, Bingo Hale and he would be cut off from her money. She said Bingo because her husband was in costume at the time - and Bingo was tricked into not going to their arranged meeting. I didn't really like this one. 2.7: THE CASE OF THE MISSING LADY: A fiancee returns for his beloved only to find she's nowhere to be found. He hires Tommy and Tuppence to find her. They find her but are appalled when they do - she's not missing, she's panicking. Her fiancee hates fat women and in the two years he's been gone she's put on weight. Still, I liked this;“Come on,” said Tuppence, with determination. “What are you going to do?” “I’m going to climb over the wall and see if I can’t get up to the house quietly without being seen.” “Right. I’m with you.”Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition. The dedication to his wife. I mean at that point they didn't know she was fat. They thought she was in real danger. 2.8: BLINDMAN'S BUFF: In this one they're busy practising their detective skills by pretending to be blind and making deductions. When they go for lunch they are accosted by the mysterious ham merchant they've been on the lookout for. They manage to escape and catch the bad guys. It was amusing to see them play the detective games - I liked how into they all got. 2.9: THE MAN IN THE MIST: Tommy and Tuppence meet an actress who asks for their help. When they go to meet her they find her dead. For all it was longer I didn't really like this one all that much. And I think I've read something very similar before - not that I can remember where but still. 2.10: THE CRACKLER: Inspector Marriot needs some help. One of his cases involves counterfeit money and the people he needs to get close to are friends of friends of Tommy and Tuppence. So he sends them in undercover. I enjoyed the ending to this one. Marking the door with chalk but dropping a bottle of valerian (which apparently cats love) in front of the door so that the police weren't relying on the chalk cross but the neighbor of cats. 2.11: THE SUNNINGDALE MYSTERY: Tommy and Tuppence discuss a man who was murdered on a golf course by a woman with a hatpin. I liked the creativity of this one. It sounded like a pretty clever way of murdering someone. There's outfit changes and all. And I liked Inspector Marriot ribbing them about the string and their reading habits. 2.12: THE HOUSE OF THE LURKING DEATH: Lois Hargreaves comes to see them when she suspects a member of her household is trying to kill her. This was alright, not my favourite though.2.13: THE UNBREAKABLE ALIBI: A woman (an Australian!) makes a bet that she can construct a perfect alibi and the man she bet needs help to break it. I loved this one. I guessed the solution pretty quickly but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. 2.14: THE CLERGYMAN'S DAUGHTER: A clergyman's daughter inherits a haunted house. She hires Tuppence and Tommy to get to the bottom of it. Case continued in The Red House.2.15: THE RED HOUSE: Tommy and Tuppence visit the Red House and figure out why someone would want to make everyone believe it's haunted. It was the maid. And her nephew. Because the old lady who died hid her wealth on the estate. I kind of wanted Monica to drive the price of the house up further and then sell and have the money from the treasure and the house. 2.16: THE AMBASSADOR'S BOOTS: The ambassador asks Tommy and Tuppence to investigate a small puzzle - why someone would want to steal his kitbag and then return it. I didn't see the conclusion of this one. Well the bit about why the bag was taken. Or given rather. I liked Albert lassoing the guy. Like out of all the ways you can subdue someone he's reading up on and practising lassoing. I guessed why Tommy was delaying them with stories about a taxi and people following and that Tuppence was to follow and beat them there. But the rest was a nice surprise. 2.17: THE MAN WHO WAS NO. 16: The Russian superspy No. 16 makes an appearance. Or appearances as the case may be. I liked the conclusion to this - No. 16 had hidden Tuppence inside the bed. On the other hand, it annoyed me that Tuppence was taken out and had little to do with it. I prefer it when they both display brilliance. Or Tuppence manages to mostly save herself and Tommy gets there while she's escaping or something. I did like that Albert cheered Tommy up and reminded him that Tuppence is indestructible. I also liked that she's thought of as such.

[pgchuis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is more or less a series of short stories, albeit with a frame involving mysterious Russians. Tommy and Tuppence carry out investigations while pretending to be Theodore Blunt, International PI, and his private secretary (and pretending to each other to be detectives from fiction). Apart from Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot (very meta) I hadn't really heard of any of them sadly. I love the relationship between Tommy and Tuppence and the tone throughout was very light. None of the cases took them very long to solve, but the stories raced along at a good pace and the whole book was fun.

[sucharita1986 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not one of Agatha Christie's Best Works........................Partners In Crime by Agatha Christie is the second book in the Tommy and Tuppence Series. I do not think that the book is really one of the best of Agatha Christie. It consists of short stories, where each and every story is different. But, the plots are really not that interesting. I was expecting some dark tales behind the stories, but nothing interesting came out from them. If I talk about Tommy and Tuppence, then their characters do not portray like a true detective. Although, Tuppence is intelligent and dominates the story.I would like to give 3 stars to the book. Thanks to agathachristie.com for providing me with an opportunity to be a part of the challenge.