The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie

Description

“The Secret Adversary” is a detective fiction novel written by the renowned British author Agatha Christie. It was first published in 1922 and marks the debut of her characters Tommy and Tuppence, who would go on to appear in several other works by Christie.

The novel is set in the aftermath of World War I and follows the adventures of the two main characters, Tommy Beresford and Prudence “Tuppence” Cowley. The pair are childhood friends who reunite after the war, both facing financial difficulties and a desire for excitement. They form a partnership as “The Young Adventurers, Ltd.” and offer their services as detectives to anyone willing to pay for them.

Their first case comes when they are hired to find a woman named Jane Finn, who disappeared with sensitive government documents on the sinking of the Lusitania. As they investigate, they become embroiled in a complex and dangerous web of espionage, secrets, and international intrigue.

“The Secret Adversary” is an early work by Agatha Christie and is distinct from her later, more famous novels featuring detectives like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. It is an adventure and espionage story that showcases her talent for intricate plotting and suspense. While not as well-known as some of her other works, it is a classic example of early 20th-century detective fiction and an important contribution to the genre.