The Secret Adversary
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Agatha Christie’s second novel, “The Secret Adversary”, which was first published in 1922, introduces the world to the adventures of intrepid detectives Tommy and Tuppence, or as they are more formally known, Thomas Beresford and Prudence Cowley. The two young friends find themselves out of work after the end of the first world war and form the partnership “The Young Adventures, Ltd.” They are immediately hired by a mysterious individual by the name of Mr. Whittington to find a young lady named Jane Finn. Jane has not been seen in the five years since she was on board the Lusitania when it sank. She is believed to be alive and in possession of a treaty, the contents of which the government prefer remain hidden. Tommy and Tuppence, hot on Jane’s trail, are quickly drawn into a dangerous world of government secrets, violent kidnappers, hidden identities, and murderous plots. Christie is a master at creating suspension and intrigue, as well as believable characters and engaging dialogue, and these gifts are evident throughout this clever and entertaining novel. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Reader Larkin is an excellent choice to narrate this delightful classic from mystery maven Christie. It is 1919, the Great War is over, and the roaring '20s are just on the horizon in London. Tommy Breseford and Prudence "Tuppence" Cowley are young and optimistic, but they are also broke and out of work which is a problem for the lifestyles they wish to live. On a lark they form a company, the Young Adventurers Ltd., hoping to earn money from odd jobs, anything that will pay. Little do they know that their entrepreneurial romp will lead them down a dangerous, twisted path of secrets, kidnappings, and murder. Christie, through her protagonists, perfectly conveys the buoyant, frivolous times of the early 1920s. Larkin's performance captures that sense of carefree enthusiasm for life before the crash. Her reading is champagne bubbly and engaging throughout the book, especially in the cheeky back-and-forth banter between Tommy and Tuppence. This is a jaunty, jolly good listen.
