The Secret Adversary

By Agatha Christie

In their very first adventure, Tommy and Tuppence uncover an audacious plot to destroy Great Britain

In postwar London, childhood friends Tommy Beresford and Prudence “Tuppence” Cowley are having a grand old time—except for the fact that they can barely afford a pot of tea between them. With no jobs to be had and no rich relations to bankroll them, they decide to form a joint venture: Young Adventurers, Ltd. They’re willing to go anywhere and do anything so long as the pay as right. Maybe, suggests Tuppence, a clergyman’s daughter, they’ll even get to steal a diamond necklace.

Before Tommy can place their first advertisement, Tuppence gets a job offer. Mr. Whittington wants to send her to Paris for three months, all expenses paid. The catch is that she has to pretend to be someone else—an American—and she can’t talk to anyone she knows while she’s there. It sounds too good to be true, and when Tuppence tries to protect herself with a pseudonym—“Jane Finn,” an odd name that Tommy recently overheard—Whittington’s reaction is equal parts anger and admiration. Accusing Tuppence of blackmail, he gives her fifty pounds and disappears.

Of course, the Young Adventurers refuse to leave it at that. Setting out to find the mysterious Jane Finn, they stumble into a deadly conspiracy that stretches all the way back to the sinking of the Lusitania and now threatens to undo everything England won in the Great War.

By transforming two of London’s bright young things into fearless detectives, Agatha Christie’s second novel revolutionized the mystery genre.

This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MysteriousPress.com Open Road
• Release date: May 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781480494305

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

PROLOGUE

IT WAS 2 P.M. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915. The Lusitania had been struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking rapidly, while the boats were being launched with all possible speed. The women and children were being lined up awaiting their turn. Some still clung desperately to husbands and fathers; others clutched their children closely to their breasts. One girl stood alone, slightly apart from the rest. She was quite young, not more than eighteen. She did not seem afraid, and her grave, steadfast eyes looked straight ahead.

I beg your pardon.

A man’s voice beside her made her start and turn. She had noticed the speaker more than once amongst the first-class passengers. There had been a hint of mystery about him which had appealed to her imagination. He spoke to no one. If anyone spoke to him he was quick to rebuff the overture. Also he had a nervous way of looking over his shoulder with a swift, suspicious glance.

She noticed now that he was greatly agitated. There were beads of perspiration on his brow. He was evidently in a state of overmastering fear. And yet he did not strike her as the kind of man who would be afraid to meet death!

Yes? Her grave eyes met his inquiringly.

He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution.

It must be! he muttered to himself. Yes—it is the only way. Then aloud he said abruptly: You are an American?

Yes.

A patriotic one?

The girl flushed.

I guess you’ve no right to ask such a thing! Of course I am!

Don’t be offended. You wouldn’t be if you knew how much there was at stake. But I’ve got to trust some one—and it must be a woman.

Why?

Because of ‘women and children first.’ He looked round and lowered his voice. I’m carrying papers—vitally important papers. They may make all the difference to the Allies in the war. You understand? These papers have GOT to be saved! They’ve more chance with you than with me. Will you take them?

The girl held out her hand.

Wait—I must warn you. There may be a risk—if I’ve been followed. I don’t think I have, but one never knows. If so, there will be danger. Have you the nerve to go through with it?

The girl smiled.

I’ll go through with it all right. And I’m real proud to be chosen! What am I to do with them afterwards?

Watch the newspapers! I’ll advertise in the personal column of the Times, beginning ‘Shipmate.’ At the end of three days if there’s nothing—well, you’ll know I’m down and out. Then take the packet to the American Embassy, and deliver it into the Ambassador’s own hands. Is that clear?

Quite clear.

Then be ready—I’m going to say good-bye. He took her hand in his. Good-bye. Good luck to you, he said in a louder tone.

Her hand closed on the oilskin packet that had lain in his palm.

The Lusitania settled with a more decided list to starboard. In answer to a quick command, the girl went forward to take her place in the boat.

CHAPTER I.

THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.

TOMMY, OLD THING!

Tuppence, old bean!

The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and momentarily blocked the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The adjective old was misleading. Their united ages would certainly not have totalled forty-five.

Not seen you for simply centuries, continued the young man. Where are you off to? Come and chew a bun with me. We’re getting a bit unpopular here—blocking the gangway as it were. Let’s get out of it.

The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street towards Piccadilly.

Now then, said Tommy, where shall we go?

The very faint anxiety which underlay his tone did not escape the astute ears of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to her intimate friends for some mysterious reason as Tuppence. She pounced at once.

Tommy, you’re stony!

Not a bit of it, declared Tommy unconvincingly. Rolling in cash.

You always were a shocking liar, said Tuppence severely, though you did once persuade Sister Greenbank that the doctor had ordered you beer as a tonic, but forgotten to write it on the chart. Do you remember?

Tommy chuckled.

I should think I did! Wasn’t the old cat in a rage when she found out? Not that she was a bad sort really, old Mother Greenbank! Good old hospital—demobbed like everything else, I suppose?

Tuppence sighed.

Yes. You too?

Tommy nodded.

Two months ago.

Gratuity? hinted Tuppence.

Spent.

Oh, Tommy!

No, old thing, not in riotous dissipation. No such luck! The cost of living—ordinary plain, or garden living nowadays is, I assure you, if you do not know——

My dear child, interrupted Tuppence, there is nothing I do NOT know about the cost of living. Here we are at Lyons’, and we will each of us pay for our own. That’s it! And Tuppence led the way upstairs.

The place was full, and they wandered about looking for a table, catching odds and ends of conversation as they did so.

And—do you know, she sat down and CRIED when I told her she couldn’t have the flat after all.It was simply a BARGAIN, my dear! Just like the one Mabel Lewis brought from Paris——

Funny scraps one does overhear, murmured Tommy. I passed two Johnnies in the street to-day talking about some one called Jane Finn. Did you ever hear such a name?

But at that moment two elderly ladies rose and collected parcels, and Tuppence deftly ensconced herself in one of the vacant seats.

Tommy ordered tea and buns. Tuppence ordered tea and buttered toast.

And mind the tea comes in separate teapots, she added severely.

Tommy sat down opposite her. His bared head revealed a shock of exquisitely slicked-back red hair. His face was pleasantly ugly—nondescript, yet unmistakably the face of a gentleman and a sportsman. His brown suit was well cut, but perilously near the end of its tether.

They were an essentially modern-looking couple as they sat there. Tuppence had no claim to beauty, but there was character and charm in the elfin lines of her little face, with its determined chin and large, wide-apart grey eyes that looked mistily out from under straight, black brows. She wore a small bright green toque over her black bobbed hair, and her extremely short and rather shabby skirt revealed a pair of uncommonly dainty ankles. Her appearance presented a valiant attempt at smartness.

The tea came at last, and Tuppence, rousing herself from a fit of meditation, poured it out.

Now then, said Tommy, taking a large bite of bun, let’s get up-to-date. Remember, I haven’t seen you since that time in hospital in 1916.

Very well. Tuppence helped herself liberally to buttered toast. Abridged biography of Miss Prudence Cowley, fifth daughter of Archdeacon Cowley of Little Missendell, Suffolk. Miss Cowley left the delights (and drudgeries) of her home life early in the war and came up to London, where she entered an officers’ hospital. First month: Washed up six hundred and forty-eight plates every day. Second month: Promoted to drying aforesaid plates. Third month: Promoted to peeling potatoes. Fourth month: Promoted to cutting bread and butter. Fifth month: Promoted one floor up to duties of wardmaid with mop and pail. Sixth month: Promoted to waiting at table. Seventh month: Pleasing appearance and nice manners so striking that am promoted to waiting on the Sisters! Eighth month: Slight check in career. Sister Bond ate Sister Westhaven’s egg! Grand row! Wardmaid clearly to blame! Inattention in such important matters cannot be too highly censured. Mop and pail again! How are the mighty fallen! Ninth month: Promoted to sweeping out wards, where I found a friend of my childhood in Lieutenant Thomas Beresford (bow, Tommy!), whom I had not seen for five long years. The meeting was affecting! Tenth month: Reproved by matron for visiting the pictures in company with one of the patients, namely: the aforementioned Lieutenant Thomas Beresford. Eleventh and twelfth months: Parlourmaid duties resumed with entire success. At the end of the year left hospital in a blaze of glory. After that, the talented Miss Cowley drove successively a trade delivery van, a motor-lorry and a general! The last was the pleasantest. He was quite a young general!

What blighter was that? inquired Tommy. Perfectly sickening the way those brass hats drove from the War Office to the Savoy, and from the Savoy to the War Office!

I’ve forgotten his name now, confessed Tuppence. To resume, that was in a way the apex of my career. I next entered a Government office. We had several very enjoyable tea parties. I had intended to become a land girl, a postwoman, and a bus conductress by way of rounding off my career—but the Armistice intervened! I clung to the office with the true limpet touch for many long months, but, alas, I was combed out at last. Since then I’ve been looking for a job. Now then—your turn.

There’s not so much promotion in mine, said Tommy regretfully, and a great deal less variety. I went out to France again, as you know. Then they sent me to Mesopotamia, and I got wounded for the second time, and went into hospital out there. Then I got stuck in Egypt till the Armistice happened, kicked my heels there some time longer, and, as I told you, finally got demobbed. And, for ten long, weary months I’ve been job hunting! There aren’t any jobs! And, if there were, they wouldn’t give ’em to me. What good am I? What do I know about business? Nothing.

Tuppence nodded gloomily.

What about the colonies? she suggested.

Tommy shook his head.

I shouldn’t like the colonies—and I’m perfectly certain they wouldn’t like me!

Rich relations?

Again Tommy shook his head.

Oh, Tommy, not even a great-aunt?

I’ve got an old uncle who’s more or less rolling, but he’s no good.

Why not?

Wanted to adopt me once. I refused.

I think I remember hearing about it, said Tuppence slowly. You refused because of your mother——

Tommy flushed.

Yes, it would have been a bit rough on the mater. As you know, I was all she had. Old boy hated her—wanted to get me away from her. Just a bit of spite.

Your mother’s dead, isn’t she? said Tuppence gently.

Tommy nodded.

Tuppence’s large grey eyes looked misty.

You’re a good sort, Tommy. I always knew it.

Rot! said Tommy hastily. Well, that’s my position. I’m just about desperate.

So am I! I’ve hung out as long as I could. I’ve touted round. I’ve answered advertisements. I’ve tried every mortal blessed thing. I’ve screwed and saved and pinched! But it’s no good. I shall have to go home!

Don’t you want to?

Of course I don’t want to! What’s the good of being sentimental? Father’s a dear—I’m awfully fond of him—but you’ve no idea how I worry him! He has that delightful early Victorian view that short skirts and smoking are immoral. You can imagine what a thorn in the flesh I am to him! He just heaved a sigh of relief when the war took me off. You see, there are seven of us at home. It’s awful! All housework and mothers’ meetings! I have always been the changeling. I don’t want to go back, but—oh, Tommy, what else is there to do?

Tommy shook his head sadly. There was a silence, and then Tuppence burst out:

Money, money, money! I think about money morning, noon and night! I dare say it’s mercenary of me, but there it is!

Same here, agreed Tommy with feeling.

I’ve thought over every imaginable way of getting it too, continued Tuppence. There are only three! To be left it, to marry it, or to make it. First is ruled out. I haven’t got any rich elderly relatives. Any relatives I have are in homes for decayed gentlewomen! I always help old ladies over crossings, and pick up parcels for old gentlemen, in case they should turn out to be eccentric millionaires. But not one of them has ever asked me my name—and quite a lot never said ‘Thank you.’

There was a pause.

Of course, resumed Tuppence, marriage is my best chance. I made up my mind to marry money when I was quite young. Any thinking girl would! I’m not sentimental, you know. She paused. Come now, you can’t say I’m sentimental, she added sharply.

Certainly not, agreed Tommy hastily. No one would ever think of sentiment in connection with you.

That’s not very polite, replied Tuppence. But I dare say you mean it all right. Well, there it is! I’m ready and willing—but I never meet any rich men! All the boys I know are about as hard up as I am.

What about the general? inquired Tommy.

I fancy he keeps a bicycle shop in time of peace, explained Tuppence. No, there it is! Now you could marry a rich girl.

I’m like you. I don’t know any.

That doesn’t matter. You can always get to know one. Now, if I see a man in a fur coat come out of the Ritz I can’t rush up to him and say: ‘Look here, you’re rich. I’d like to know you.’

Do you suggest that I should do that to a similarly garbed female?

Don’t be silly. You tread on her foot, or pick up her handkerchief, or something like that. If she thinks you want to know her she’s flattered, and will manage it for you somehow.

You overrate my manly charms, murmured Tommy.

On the other hand, proceeded Tuppence, my millionaire would probably run for his life! No—marriage is fraught with difficulties. Remains—to MAKE money!

We’ve tried that, and failed, Tommy reminded her.

We’ve tried all the orthodox ways, yes. But suppose we try the unorthodox. Tommy, let’s be adventurers!

Certainly, replied Tommy cheerfully. How do we begin?

That’s the difficulty. If we could make ourselves known, people might hire us to commit crimes for them.

Delightful, commented Tommy. Especially coming from a clergyman’s daughter!

The moral guilt, Tuppence pointed out, would be theirs—not mine. You must admit that there’s a difference between stealing a diamond necklace for yourself and being hired to steal it.

There wouldn’t be the least difference if you were caught!

Perhaps not. But I shouldn’t be caught. I’m so clever.

Modesty always was your besetting sin, remarked Tommy.

Don’t rag. Look here, Tommy, shall we really? Shall we form a business partnership?

Form a company for the stealing of diamond necklaces?

That was only an illustration. Let’s have a—what do you call it in book-keeping?

Don’t know. Never did any.

I have—but I always got mixed up, and used to put credit entries on the debit side, and vice versa—so they fired me out. Oh, I know—a joint venture! It struck me as such a romantic phrase to come across in the middle of musty old figures. It’s got an Elizabethan flavour about it—makes one think of galleons and doubloons. A joint venture!

Trading under the name of the Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that your idea, Tuppence?

It’s all very well to laugh, but I feel there might be something in it.

How do you propose to get in touch with your would-be employers?

Advertisement, replied Tuppence promptly. Have you got a bit of paper and a pencil? Men usually seem to have. Just like we have hairpins and powder-puffs.

Tommy handed over a rather shabby green notebook, and Tuppence began writing busily.

Shall we begin: ‘Young officer, twice wounded in the war—’

Certainly not.

Oh, very well, my dear boy. But I can assure you that that sort of thing might touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she might adopt you, and then there would be no need for you to be a young adventurer at all.

I don’t want to be adopted.

I forgot you had a prejudice against it. I was only ragging you! The papers are full up to the brim with that type of thing. Now listen—how’s this? ‘Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good.’ (We might as well make that clear from the start.) Then we might add: ‘No reasonable offer refused’—like flats and furniture.

I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a pretty UNreasonable one!

Tommy! You’re a genius! That’s ever so much more chic. ‘No unreasonable offer refused—if pay is good.’ How’s that?

I shouldn’t mention pay again. It looks rather eager.

It couldn’t look as eager as I feel! But perhaps you are right. Now I’ll read it straight through. ‘Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer refused.’ How would that strike you if you read it?

It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a lunatic.

It’s not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning ‘Petunia’ and signed ‘Best Boy.’ She tore out the leaf and handed it to Tommy. There you are. Times, I think. Reply to Box so-and-so. I expect it will be about five shillings. Here’s half a crown for my share.

Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully. His faced burned a deeper red.

Shall we really try it? he said at last. Shall we, Tuppence? Just for the fun of the thing?

Tommy, you’re a sport! I knew you would be! Let’s drink to success. She poured some cold dregs of tea into the two cups.

Here’s to our joint venture, and may it prosper!

The Young Adventurers, Ltd.! responded Tommy.

They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence rose.

I must return to my palatial suite at the hostel.

Perhaps it is time I strolled round to the Ritz, agreed Tommy with a grin. Where shall we meet? And when?

Twelve o’clock tomorrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that suit you?

My time is my own, replied Mr. Beresford magnificently.

So long, then.

Good-bye, old thing.

The two young people went off in opposite directions. Tuppence’s hostel was situated in what was charitably called Southern Belgravia. For reasons of economy she did not take a bus.

She was half-way across St. James’s Park, when a man’s voice behind her made her start.

Excuse me, it said. But may I speak to you for a moment?

CHAPTER II.

MR. WHITTINGTON’S OFFER

TUPPENCE TURNED SHARPLY, but the words hovering on the tip of her tongue remained unspoken, for the man’s appearance and manner did not bear out her first and most natural assumption. She hesitated. As if he read her thoughts, the man said quickly:

I can assure you I mean no disrespect.

Tuppence believed him. Although she disliked and distrusted him instinctively, she was inclined to acquit him of the particular motive which she had at first attributed to him. She looked him up and down. He was a big man, clean shaven, with a heavy jowl. His eyes were small and cunning, and shifted their glance under her direct gaze.

Well, what is it? she asked.

The man smiled.

I happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young gentleman in Lyons’.

Well—what of it?

Nothing—except that I think I may be of some use to you.

Another inference forced itself into Tuppence’s mind:

You followed me here?

I took that liberty.

And in what way do you think you could be of use to me?

The man took a card from his pocket and handed it to her with a bow.

Tuppence took it and scrutinized it carefully. It bore the inscription, Mr. Edward Whittington. Below the name were the words Esthonia Glassware Co., and the address of a city office. Mr. Whittington spoke again:

If you will call upon me tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock, I will lay the details of my proposition before you.

At eleven o’clock? said Tuppence doubtfully.

At eleven o’clock.

Tuppence made up her mind.

Very well. I’ll be there.

Thank you. Good evening.

He raised his hat with a flourish, and walked away. Tuppence remained for some minutes gazing after him. Then she gave a curious movement of her shoulders, rather as a terrier shakes himself.

The adventures have begun, she murmured to herself. What does he want me to do, I wonder? There’s something about you, Mr. Whittington, that I don’t like at all. But, on the other hand, I’m not the least bit afraid of you. And as I’ve said before, and shall doubtless say again, little Tuppence can look after herself, thank you!

And with a short, sharp nod of her head she walked briskly onward. As a result of further meditations, however, she turned aside from the direct route and entered a post office. There she pondered for some moments, a telegraph form in her hand. The thought of a possible five shillings spent unnecessarily spurred her to action, and she decided to risk the waste of ninepence.

Disdaining the spiky pen and thick, black treacle which a beneficent Government had provided, Tuppence drew out Tommy’s pencil which she had retained and wrote rapidly: Don’t put in advertisement. Will explain tomorrow. She addressed it to Tommy at his club, from which in one short month he would have to resign, unless a kindly fortune permitted him to renew his subscription.

It may catch him, she murmured. Anyway, it’s worth trying.

After handing it over the counter she set out briskly for home, stopping at a baker’s to buy three penny-worth of new buns.

Later, in her tiny cubicle at the top of the house she munched buns and reflected on the future. What was the Esthonia Glassware Co., and what earthly need could it have for her services? A pleasurable thrill of excitement made Tuppence tingle. At any rate, the country vicarage had retreated into the background again. The morrow held possibilities.

It was a long time before Tuppence went to sleep that night, and, when at length she did, she dreamed that Mr. Whittington had set her to washing up a pile of Esthonia Glassware, which bore an unaccountable resemblance to hospital plates!

It wanted some five minutes to eleven when Tuppence reached the block of buildings in which the offices of the Esthonia Glassware Co. were situated. To arrive before the time would look over-eager. So Tuppence decided to walk to the end of the street and back again. She did so.

Reviews for The Secret Adversary

[funstm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was fantastic. This mystery was strong and had me guessing with all the twists and turns and drama. I didn't see it coming. Well written, fast paced and humorous. The characters - wow. I LOVED Tommy and Tuppence. Tommy is down to earth, logical and calm. Tuppence is headstrong, quickwitted and severe. I loved how practical and honest Tuppence is - and she has such a sense of adventure. Afterall their inital partnership is thus named The Young Adventurers, Ltd - ‘Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer refused.’Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition. The banter between them is adorable. They've known each other since childhood and are great friends and it's clear in every interaction that they have a long history and feel comfortable around one another. Tuppence may be strong willed and imaginative but Tommy is no push over - he's more than willing to call Tuppence out on her crap. “There wouldn’t be the least difference if you were caught!” “Perhaps not. But I shouldn’t be caught. I’m so clever.” “Modesty always was your besetting sin,” remarked Tommy.Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition. Together they make one hell of a team. And I don't think I've read any other book set in this time where the female character is so badass. I mean she tackles a guy. “Just a word with your pretty friend here.” He stretched out an unsteady hand, and clutched Jane by the shoulder. Tuppence heard other footsteps behind. She did not pause to ascertain whether they were friends or foes. Lowering her head, she repeated a manœuvre of childish days, and butted their aggressor full in the capacious middle. The success of these unsportsmanlike tactics was immediate. The man sat down abruptly on the pavement. Tuppence and Jane took to their heels.Christie, Agatha. The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection (Tommy & Tuppence Mysteries) . William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition. I mean sure I've read heroines outsmarting people. Thinking for themselves. Being proactive when faced with danger. But I think it's a first to read one who's willing to physically take on an attacker in such a manner. Belting someone over the head with a candlestick yes. Rugby tackling no. And it was freaking awesome! The romance is very abrupt and somewhat disjointed but the friendship between them is really special and makes it easier to ignore. The other characters were interesting but my favourite was Albert. Especially how he's taken in by the idea of spies and criminals and whatnot. It was adorable to read Tuppence buying threepenny detective novels to make sure she had more cliches ready for him. Plus when Tommy and Albert commando crawl unnecessarily to undertake surveillance. It was awesome. Overall a solid read. 4.5 stars, rounded to 5.

[rosalita_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first book in Christie's lesser-known series, featuring Tommy and Tuppence. Tommy is slow-moving and thoughtful, while Tuppence is impetuous and bubbly. Naturally, it's a match made in heaven, or at least it is by the end of this book. This book is more of a suspense/spy thriller than a traditional Christie mystery. Set in the period between the world wars, Tommy and Tuppence try to find a mysterious missing American girl who survived the sinking of the Lusitania and then disappeared, with some vital state-secret papers in her possession. Everyone's on the lookout for Jane Finn, from British intelligence to her rich American cousin to the Bolshevik bad guys who need the papers to foment a revolution in England. Some of the plot's a bit improbable but Tommy and Tuppence are enjoyable enough characters to make it worth overlooking. I'm looking forward to the next in the series if I can find it.

[luminous4path · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Liked this a LOT more than Affair at Styles

[vesper1931 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Great War has ended and Tommy Beresford and Prudence 'Tuppence' Cowley are broke. Wanting excitement they decide to form the 'Young Adventureres Ltd' - will do anything and go anywhere as their slogan. Before long they find themselves embroiled in an adventure, a deadly adventure. But who can they trust.
An enjoyable story, a good start to the series.
First published in 1922

[limelite_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Diverting entertainment, especially when read aloud as this recorded version was. However unbelievable two amateur, bright young things are as government agents, nevertheless, Dame Agatha pulls it off. Definitely NOT a murder mystery. Yes, there is a murder, but it occurs late in the novel and the identity of the perp is never really a mystery. Plus, the story isn't about the victim's murder; it's about a secret treaty that has disappeared. One, if it should fall into the wrong hands, could spell disaster for England's fragile democracy post-WW I when the economy was tottering and labor unrest was being stirred up by agents of communism.Christie manages to conceal, better -- swath -- her Evil Mastermind behind his forgettability in spite of his power to reduce his "gang" to quivering blobs of fear at the mention of his name. Yet, once again ignorance proves to operate in bliss as Tommy and Tuppence undertake a Joint Venture to become sleuths who will do any job, providing the money's right.Why His Majesty's government should choose to put its trust into such a pair of tyros is unfathomable. But it does. In spite of many warnings of the dangerous nature of their work and the deviousness of their adversary, the pair plunge in, fully expecting their own success where, they've been told, many professionals of great experience have failed. Determination and blissful ignorance united with a capacity for improvisation seems to be the magic formula because succeed they do.Plenty of well drawn characters to cloud the solution with misleading action, plenty of mistakes to prolong the outcome, and plenty of light humor to dispel impatience with the eventual resolution. Surprisingly, as read aloud, the book has aged well because it suggests in this reader's mind a radio play. Read it for the fun of it. Do you really need another reason to pick up any book?

[chazzifrazz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Miss Prudence Cowley, known as Tuppence to her friends, and Thomas Beresford, known as Tommy, have been friends since childhood. It is just after the end of the Great War. They run into each other and take time to get caught up, finding that they are both currently looking for work and finances are on the slim side.Tuppence comes up with the idea of forming their own service, The Young Adventurers Ltd. They will take on any job and be willing to go anywhere. Before they can put an ad in the “Times,” Tuppence is approached with an offer to locate a girl named Jane Finn. Their conversation had been overheard by a man sitting nearby.Tommy and Tuppence find themselves involved in an espionage case. It seems Jane Finn has some secret papers that certain parties want. The problem is no one knows what Jane Finn looks like or where she might be.There are some instances that involve close calls for both lead characters. Other characters give such impressions that you are not sure if they are good or bad or even whose side they are on.This is the first of the Tommy and Tuppence series written by Agatha Christie. It isn’t anywhere the length of the Poirot or Marple series, but it is an enjoyable read.

[passion4reading_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A chance encounter on the London Underground sees childhood friends Thomas 'Tommy' Beresford and Prudence 'Tuppence' Cowley set up in business together, Young Adventurers Ltd, since times are hard after the First World War and they both find themselves broke and unemployed. Quite optimistically they announce that they will take on anything that pays well, but they could not have dreamt of finding themselves in the middle of an international espionage drama.I can't say that I thought much of the plot or the characterisations, owing to the similarities with threepenny detective novels that Albert loves so much or one of the spy movies that Tuppence refers to at some point. It is crammed full with hair-raising coincidences, the characters are portrayed with rather broad brush strokes and you can spot the villain from a mile away; the language, too, appears quite dated now, which I've never noticed to this degree with other Agatha Christie novels or short stories. It does, however, stand up as a reflection of the general public mood at the time, and I believe later espionage novels in the Tommy & Tuppence series are more successful.

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After watching a PBS special about Agatha Christie, I resolved to start reading Christie’s books in order. I had already read The Mysterious Affair at Styles, so I jumped into The Secret Adversary. This is a series that features Tommy and Tuppence, two young adventurers looking for a livelihood after World War I. The majority of the book features dialogue, and I prefer more description of the setting and characters. Tommy seems slow-witted and easily confused, while Tuppence forges ahead with speed and determination. I am not sure that this series warrants another journey. Remember, this is after the war and money and jobs are scarce, but Tommy and Tuppence stay at the Ritz and dine lavishly. Yes, they are receiving wages, but if you do not know if you will have another job in the future, why splurge on fancy food.

[macdad-236140 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After a chance encounter outside an Underground station, two old friends — Tommy Beresford and Prudence "Tuppence" Cowley — decide to make the most of their unemployed status by going into business as "The Young Adventurers." No sooner do they do so then a case falls into Tuppence's lap, as she is approached by a stranger to go on a mission. The two soon find themselves battling a group of sinister conspirators led by a master criminal, who are seeking wartime documents that threaten the very foundations of the country itself. Yet the conspirators have not reckoned with the plucky determination and dogged persistence of the Young Adventurers, who with a little assistance work to locate the documents before it is too late.While I was long familiar with Agatha Christie's mystery novels, until I picked up this book I was unaware of her works outside of her Miss Marple & Hercule Poirot series of stories. This made discovering her Tommy and Tuppence series a real pleasure. While Christie's attempt at an espionage novel isn't quite as good as her famous mysteries (her stab at politics in it is simplistic and crude), her main characters are delightful and the plot is never less than entertaining. It's unfortunate that she never persisted further with espionage novels than she did, as had she done so she might have become as dominant a figure in it as she was in the mystery genre.

[addunn3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A lot of running around to track down a traitor.

[deaconbernie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If one was feeling jocular, one might say jolly good book. This is one of Christie's earlier works. Although there are serious moments, even those are revealed in a jocular manner. One gets the impression the author is laughing at her readers through out this book. Clues are tossed about like josh sticks.

[tomdonaghey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Secret Adversary (1922) (Tommy & Tuppence #1) by Agatha Christie. The first and the best of the Tommy & Tuppence stories, this book features a truly secret adversary in the form of Mr. Brown. Throughout the tale our young, intrepid heroes must overcome a heinous cadre of evil doers in order to protect England, and the common worker, from the horrors of Labour unrest and red communism. And there is a nifty opening act set aboard the doomed Lusitania.There are Bolshevists and American Millionaires (as we know all Americans are) toting guns and threatening to use them. Spies seem to lurk in every shadow and a top secret document is at the center of all the intrigue.Tommy andTuppence themselves are a reflection of the young adult of the time, but a bit more footloose than normal. Back from the Great War they are bored and restless and looking for adventure.Man do they find it.A nice bit of escapist mystery telling with a bang-up ending that will have you wondering til the final pages. If you haven’t read this part of Christie’s oeuvre it is time to do so.

[drled_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis: 'In the Prologue, a man quietly gives important papers to a young American woman, as she is more likely to survive the sinking RMS Lusitania in May 1915.In 1919 London, demobilised soldier Tommy Beresford meets war volunteer Prudence "Tuppence" Cowley. They are both out of work and money. They form "The Young Adventurers, Ltd". Mr Whittington follows Tuppence to offer her work. She uses the alias "Jane Finn", which shocks Whittington. He gives her £50 and then disappears. Curious, they advertise for information regarding Jane Finn.The advertisement yields two replies. The first is from Mr Carter, whom Tommy recognises as a British intelligence leader from his war service; he tells them of Jane Finn aboard the Lusitania when it sank. She received a secret treaty to deliver to the American embassy in London. She survived but no trace has since been found of her or the treaty, the publication of which now would compromise the British government. They agree to work for him, despite his warnings of the dangerous Mr Brown. The second reply is from Julius Hersheimmer, an American multimillionaire and first cousin of Jane Finn, staying at the Ritz Hotel. Intent on finding her, he has already contacted Scotland Yard; Inspector Brown took his only photo of Jane, before a real inspector contacted him. They join forces with Julius, too.'Review: This is the first of the Tommy and Tuppence mysteries and it's a good one.

[sueincyprus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The intrepid young Tommy and his childhood friend known as Tuppence embark on a dangerous journey to find a missing young woman, and trace some important documents. They become involved in a mostly political gang, headed by the unknown and ruthless 'Mr Brown'.... This was Agatha Christie's second published novel, and a thriller more than a mystery. I guessed Mr Brown's identity before I was half-way through, though at first I assumed it was a standard Christie red herring. This made the story all the more tense, although - having finished - I realise it's all somewhat unrealistic. Much of the political discussion went rather over my head, too. However, the main characters are fairly well-rounded, some of the conversation amusing, and the whole an exciting story which I could hardly put down in the final chapters. Recommended if you like light crime fiction from the 1920s.

[theokester · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Considering she is THE bestselling author (only surpassed in copies sold by William Shakespeare and the Bible), it shouldn't be surprising that I have only scratched the surface in reading the work of Agatha Christie. And yet, I found myself a little surprised to stumble upon the adventures of Tommy and Tuppence in her second novel, The Secret Adversary. The pair of adventurers were featured in four novels and a bunch of short stories but they are overshadowed by Christie's mainstays Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Perhaps it was because they felt so different from Christie's other works, but I found myself really drawn into the story and had a lot of fun with this novel.The Secret Adversary is set (mostly) in London shortly after the conclusion of World War One. It begins with a conversation between two friends, Tommy and Prudence (who goes by Tuppence) as they bemoan their lack of fortunes and try to come up with ways to secure themselves financially. On a whim, they decide to take out an advertisement in the paper and hire themselves out as Young Adventurers "willing to do anything, go anywhere." Before the ad has even run, Tuppence is surprised to find herself approached by a strange man who overheard the pair and wants to hire them but who then inexplicably gets angry and fleas when she gives him a false name, Jane Finn. The next day they take out another advertisement regarding Jane Finn and they are quickly flung into a mystery adventure that threatens to topple the British government.The main conflict in the book revolves around post-war political machinations. Specifically, a group of 'Bolshevists' are working a plot to overthrow the current government and seize power. This multinational plot hinges on the existence of an unknown treaty kept safe by a missing young woman named Jane Finn. Tommy and Tuppence are hired to find Jane Finn and recover the treaty before the enemy can use the treaty to expose and topple the government. Not being a strong history buff, I had a hard time deciding just exactly what this treaty could contain that would do all it claimed possible but I set that aside and just let the MacGuffin serve its purpose in giving our heroes and villains something to search for.The plot maneuvered itself around England, thrusting our young adventurers into one problem after another. The threads of the story grew more and more intricate as new locations and characters made their appearance. Christie did an excellent job dropping clues and foreshadowing to help the reader root for the heroes and try to predict the mysterious mastermind behind the struggle. I found myself changing my guesses a couple of times before the solution finally became clear. Even at the very end, the author threw in a couple of twists and turns late in the story to try and lead the reader down one path or another. Sometimes I find misdirection like this annoying. In this book, I felt like they were very well done and felt like a natural progression of events rather than like the author was trying to hide something from us (even though she was, which is the case with any mystery).I had a lot of fun with the main adventure plot but I felt like the real draw of the story was the characters, particularly the interactions between Tommy and Tuppence. At first, they felt a little stereotypical to me (and some aspects of that remains if looked at from a high level) but I enjoyed the way they were fleshed out throughout the story. Their behaviors and motivations were great and felt really well defined. This lead to a great progression of plot where the course of action felt like the logical and natural course for the characters to follow. I especially loved the dialog. The quick witted banter of Tuppence was delightful and the back-and-forth, particularly between she and Tommy, was great fun.On the whole, I really enjoyed this book. The characters felt fresh and fun. The writing was solid and flowed well. The pacing was good at keeping the action going while still slowing down enough for logical exposition and moments of insight to let the reader delve into the mystery themselves. The plot was laid out logically with just enough information withheld to keep the solution at bay while also revealing enough to let the reader feel wise and informed. Reading this makes me want to seek out more adventures of Tommy and Tuppence. Fortunately, there are more to be found.****4 out of 5 stars

[m.belljackson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Secret Adversary is cleverly written, with a lot of suspense, but it drags on if you have early figured out whothe mysterious Mr. Brown actually is. It also offers a fairy tale ending with little to suggest a sequel.

[thursbest · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My first Agatha Christie book, and what a proper introduction it was!Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A definite page turner with characters to easily love.

[jimgysin_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

More of a spy thriller than a traditional cozy whodunit from Christie, this is the first of the short Tommy and Tuppence series and deals with efforts to recover some diplomatic papers that were lost during WWI and which could cause all sorts of problems for England if they fall into the wrong hands in 1919 (when the story takes place). Not a bad effort, but a major table-setting plot point pushes suspension of disbelief to its limits, and the main red herring here was so obvious that it almost served as an anti-herring. Unless one was willing to believe that the person involved was beyond stupid, which I was not inclined to do.

[john257hopper · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was the first Agatha Christie novel featuring Tommy and Tuppence as sleuths (of only four such, plus a collection of short stories). This was her second ever novel, published in 1922, and is redolent of the atmosphere of the time. To the modern reader, Tommy and Tuppence sound like 1920s stereotypes with their hyper-enthusiastic dialogue. The social mores feel only just post-Great War, with Tuppence being at the forefront of a generation of more assertive women, having done front line nursing during the war (I must record one comment on Tuppence's dress which is hilarious by modern standards, "her extremely short and rather shabby skirt revealed a pair of uncommonly dainty ankles"). The plot concerns some top secret diplomatic papers supposedly passed onto a survivor of the Lusitania by a secret agent who drowned in the sinking of the torpedoed ship, and the attempt by the authorities and others to locate them now the war is over to avoid unpleasant consequences. The hostiles attempting to seize the papers are a mixture of a mysterious "Mr Brown", Germans and Russian Bolsheviks, the latter of whom are allegedly using the British Labour Party in order to foment revolution in Britain (shades of the infamous forged "Zinoviev letter" published by the Daily Mail on the eve of the 1924 general election, which was held - though not necessarily accurately - to be the main reason why that election saw the defeat of the first minority Labour government). The way this hangs together is not convincing, but the novel is the usual page turner, with red herrings along the way as to the identity of "Mr Brown" (which I didn't find plausible). Not one of Christie's stronger novels.

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie - both Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot but had never read her Tommy and Tuppence series.Even though this series is set back in the earlier part of the 20th century, it was still entertaining and the characters were totally what you expect from Dame Agatha Christie. I am glad that I finally started this classic series and look forward to getting to know these characters as well as Christie's others.

[katcoviello · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

my copy, only a few years old, is falling apart from use

[folandjr-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I came close to giving this 4 stars but there are a few things that let me down in the plot. First, the identity of Mr. Brown was obvious from the moment he appears (or maybe it was just that way for me) despite repeated attempts to cast another character for the part. Second, the thrust of the plot is very much a product of its time and seems slightly trivial roughly a century later. Still, it was enjoyable and Agatha Christie here shows all the early signs of what she, at the time, was yet to be... the Queen of Mystery!

[herenya_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I was a teenager, I just read whichever Agatha Christie novels I stumbled across, at home or at the library. At first I didn't know that The Secret Adversary, even existed... and then I couldn't find it. (And then I went to university and stopped reading Christie, because there were so many other things to read.)The Secret Adversary is an espionage thriller rather than a murder mystery. It required more suspension of disbelief I remember any of Christie's murder mysteries needing - I'm sure that a real underworld organisation of that ilk would be much more ruthless, and that amateurs investigating would need to be a bit less naive if they were to survive relatively unscathed.I also thought the prose was a bit less - polished. Which would make sense, since this is also one of Christie's earliest novels, and presumably she grew as a writing during the following 50 years.However Tommy and Tuppence are delightfully enthusiastic and they were the reason I kept picking the book back up again."Have you anything to say before you are put to death as a spy?" "Simply lots of things," replied Tommy with the same urbanity as before. "Do you deny that you were listening at the door?" "I I do not. I must really apologise - but your conversation was so interesting that it overcame my scruples."

[hredwards · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rip roaring good yarn!! The master at work, Dame Agatha had me going until the end. I thought I had it all figured out but she got me again.Excellent WWI setting and historical action!

[librarycin · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This is the first “Tommy and Tuppence” book written by Christie. My mind wandered too much to really get the gist of the plot. I do know that multiple people went missing at various points throughout the book. Christie's books really vary for me, and it seems audio may not be the way to go (I listened to this one). I know some people love Tommy and Tuppence, but I'm thinking I won't try anymore with these characters. I will likely only read one or two more books by Christie (any that are already on my tbr), but then leave it at that. There have only been a couple by her that really stood out for me.

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane Finn, a young woman surviving the sinking of the Lusitania, disappears while holding onto an important document which was slipped to her as she was leaving the ship.

Tommy & Tuppence form the "Young Adventurers Ltd." and take on the dangerous job of finding the missing Jane Finn & the document before it is used by the government's "Secret Adversary" to create another European war.

Very suspenseful with many Red Herrings, naivete, & romance.....

[philsyphe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not so much of a “Whodunit?” this, but more of a “Who is he?” The “he” being an elusive criminal mastermind known by name as Mr Brown but known in person by almost none. I guessed who he was early on in the story!This is also a “Where is she?” as another main plot is the search for a young lady who possesses some important papers. Mr Brown needs these papers, while “The Young Adventures” aim to thwart him.The two main characters are likeable and gel well together. I like Tuppence’s dialogue. She and Tommy are a pair of 22-year-olds yet much of the time they come across as young teenagers. In fact the book on the whole strikes me as a children’s book for adults, if such a thing is possible.The first three-quarters of the book appealed to me more than the last quarter. Somehow he seemed to lose some of the upbeat pace and become anti-climactic. Still, it was a good read nonetheless.

[leslie398 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this Nadia May narration much enhanced my enjoyment of this first Tommy and Tuppence book. Also, my admiration for Christie's writing is greater with this reread as she managed to keep me guessing even though I thought I remembered the solution. Her red herrings were so plausible I kept second-guessing myself thinking I had mis-remembered it!

[bellafoxx · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is different from my usual Agatha Christie fare, I've read plenty of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple but none of the Tommy and Tuppence which are more spy novels than detective stories. After the war when London had more people than jobs two old friend meet by chance and form a company “Young Adventurers Ltd.” ‘willing to do anything, go anywhere’, and it lands them in all sorts of trouble.

The action is fast paced with plenty of twists, if you decide to read this remember it was written in 1922 and the expressions and settings are from that time period so some things may seem weird to you. I enjoyed it, the same style that Miss Christie had for mysteries works well with political intrigue.

[leandrod-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A little bit too complicated for poor old me, but the Tuppence protagonist is a dear.