Two young people are not doing well
monetarily. So they naturally do what anyone else would do and place an ad for
two adventurers to go anywhere, doing anything. Before they know it, they get
tangled in an international conspiracy!
The Secret Adversary was Agatha Christie's second novel, though
far less known today than others such as Death on the Nile and Murder
on the Orient Express. However, her second book won admiration from the New
York Times Book Review.
SUMMARY
In May 1915, the Great War is in full swing and
the RMS Lusitania has been hit by a German submarine torpedo.
A mysterious man asks a young woman if she is a patriotic American and, after
her answer, discreetly gives her a packet of paper. He tells her it is vital
and that her chances of surviving the disaster are greater than his.
Fast-forward four years to post-war London, just
after the end of World War I. A young man, "Tommy" Beresford, and a
young woman, "Tuppence" Cowley, both are out of money...and jobs.
After some discussion in a café, the two create their own enterprise: "The
Young Adventurers." No "unreasonable offer" will be refused.
They find business sooner than they expected when
Tuppence is trailed and hired by a Mr. Whittington. In his office, he asks her
for her name. However, Tuppence decides not to give her real identity. Rather,
she answers with an odd name she had overheard in the café: Jane Finn.
Whittington's attitude changes at once, and he angrily asks what her demands
are. Tuppence manages to bluff long enough to get some money from Whittington,
who later vanishes.
Tommy and Tuppence decide to tackle the mysterious
questions: who really is Jane Finn, and what is her importance? The pair decide
to place an advertisement for anyone with information on this Miss Finn.
One reply to the advertisement leads the Young
Adventurers to Mr. Carter, who ranks high in British intelligence. He tells the
tale of Jane Finn, a young American who traveled to Europe on the Lusitania when
it sank. A man gave her a vital yet secret treaty which she is to give to the
American ambassador in London, England. However, both Jane Finn and the treaty
disappeared. If the treaty was to resurface, it would mean great trouble for
Great Britain and possibly another war. Carter offers a job to Tommy and
Tuppence, who readily accept. Yet Carter warns that their job is secretive and
full of great perils, including the mysterious figure of their opposition:
"Mr. Brown."
The two young people set out on the case and
eventually enlist the help of Jane's cousin, American millionaire Julius
Hersheimer. The remainder of the story is packed with chases, kidnappings,
espionage, and revealed mysteries.
CONTENT
There is not as much violence in The Secret
Adversary as there are tense moments. The threat of enemies constantly
loom over Tommy, Tuppence, and Julius. Still, there are a few times when guns
are fired at people, often during a chase scene in the book.
In an otherwise enjoyable adventure novel, there is
a rather large amount of objectionable language. This includes many uses of
h***, d***, and the British swear word "bloody." Although, I recall
only one or two uses of God's name.
Julius plans to marry his cousin, which may seem
strange (not to mention illegal) today, but it was rather common in
the pre-1930's. Two characters also are surprised to find they have feelings for
each other, and it is hinted that they will marry, but there is not much else
in this area.
When one hears the name "Agatha Christie,"
you often think of "murder mystery." While The Secret
Adversary is undoubtedly a mystery, it seemed to me more of a spy
thriller. While the main characters are not real "spies," the novel
is quite similar to the spy and espionage genre. If you are not one for
mysteries, this still might be a nice book for you to consider.
As a huge Agatha Christie fan, I believe The
Secret Adversary can't quite compare to her other, more popular
novels. Still, this was a great book to read and kept me on my toes (as the
"Queen of Mystery" is known to do to her readers). While this novel
is certainly too intense for children, teens and adults will likely find a
great time in the book.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Number of pages: 320 (first edition)
Author of book: Agatha Christie
Published in: 1922
Primary audience: Teens, adults
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