The Secret Adversary- Day 3

First Published: 1922

Setting: Mainly London

Starring: Tommy and Tuppence

Important Other People: Mr. Carter, Albert, Julius, Jane Finn

So the most noticeable aspect of The Secret Adversary that makes it different from Agatha's other novels are the chapter endings. Agatha wrote this book as a serialization for a newspaper. Thus, the chapters seem to be adventure after adventure, leaving the reader hanging so as to induce them to read the next installation. The endings seem a bit abrupt compared to her usual chapter endings, and there are also way more plot twists and turns than we might be used to in most of Hercule and Miss Marple's books. The serialization may also explain how things happen that are then explained afterwards, showing that she could not go back and change what she had already written.

Another thing that is really noticeable in this adventure (as well as some of her next novels) is the way that Agatha draws so much of the plot from events that were occurring at the time it was written. From the labor strikes (which still resonate today in some degree) to the Bolsheviks and the Red Scare in general to the talk of supplying the Irish with arms (hints of Roger Casement), Agatha makes good use of what was going on in the world, way more than usually happens in one of her murder mysteries.

Tommy and Tuppence novels are supposed to be different from Hercule and Miss Marple, but in later books, there are more and more similarities between the three. The Secret Adversary really stands out as truly unique, which makes sense as it is technically a different genre. Another thing I like about Tommy and Tuppence as heroes is that they age accordingly with when the books are written, as well as have lives in the meantime that develops them more as characters.

Interesting facts: Japp is briefly mentioned in this book, although I won't give him credit because he is hardly in it at all.

Favorite? Potentially. It's thrilling, and Tuppence is really a wonderful heroine. I also love the Jazz Age feel throughout the book- it's so lighthearted in the midst of the adventure that is going on.

Death by: Cyanide (Mr. Brown)

Body Count: 1; Cumulative: 2

The Count: Poirot-1, Miss. Marple-0, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-1, Japp-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: "Never tell all you know- not even to the person you know best" (direct quote). Trust with a grain of salt. Never underestimate your adversary. Come to develop true love through marriage (same as in Styles).

Up Next: The Murder on the Links