The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
Three weeks into the new year and I’ve finally finished my first read of the year. The Secret Adversary started as a buddy read at the end of 2020, but we gave up on it. I’ll get to why in a bit. But I decided to carry on with The Secret Adversary on my own. It provided ambient noise as I sorted through my closet. But back to the book. Christie’s most popular recurring sleuths are Poirot and Miss Marple. But she also wrote 25 stories with Tommy and Tuppence. A witty couple connected to the upper crust. Sort of a British version of Nick and Nora from The Thin Man movies.
Synopsis
The book has a cold open on the Lusitania as its sinking. The interaction of the two characters will be central to the coming plot. But the more true start of The Secret Adversary is the introduction of the two main characters. Old friends Tommy and Tuppence meet sometime after the War (the first one). Realizing they’re both down on their luck, they scheme up ways to generate an income. And thus, The Young Adventurers, Ltd is incorporated. Together they embark on an adventure of international espionage, critical to the survival of Britain’s government.
Review
The plot is a bit too big for Christie’s signature intimate style. This duality made it difficult to stay interested in the story. But my main critique is related to the book’s sequence. Its compilation is erratic. Was it written originally as a serial? We go long stretches of time not knowing the whereabouts of first Tommy and then later Tuppence.
Reading a book written 100 years ago is always interesting. It’s not so old. The lives of the characters are not unrelatable. But then you notice the dialogue and descriptions are not as enlightened as today. It’s understandable and authentic to the times, and therefore reconcilable after the initial shock passes.
As for the titular Secret Adversary, I’m not sure how secret the identity is. But I will say that Christie is not necessarily writing a cliché villain. After all, a lot of her stories were novel at the time. What is now a cliche may well be Christie’s invention.
Final Thoughts
The Secret Adversary is not Christie’s best mystery. But Tommy and Tuppence are a great pair. Tommy isn’t rash, and while espionage may have time constraints, it’s a long game. And Tommy’s naturally thoughtful disposition is well-suited for the work. Meanwhile, Tuppence is adept at quickly assessing a situation and advantageously using her charm. And together, the two share a lifelong camaraderie and affection, making them a joy to read. The Secret Adversary was average at best, but Tommy and Tuppence are fun. And I want to read more of their stories.
