The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie - Tommy and Tuppence Mystery Audiobook | Classic Detective Story for Commuting, Workouts & Relaxation

Have you ever actually read one of Agatha Christie’s books? Now that I think about it...no. I am a dedicated fan of all the big and little screen productions and the iconic actors who portray Christie’s various detectives (Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford), but I’ve not read the original stories. I recently enjoyed a 2015 adaptation of Christie’s second novel “The Secret Adversary,” which introduced Tommy and Tuppence Beresford; the mini movie was set in post WW-Two, and the couple are married with a ten-year-old son. I was intrigued to contrast the mini movie to the original novel (published in 1922). The book opens in 1915 on the sinking Lusitania, well before WW-Two, and her soon-to-be detective couple aren’t even engaged. So, let’s see what Agatha originally had in mind for the reunited friends Tommy Beresford and Prudence “Tuppence” Cowley.The Original: It’s 1919, post WW-One and many are out of work; our two friends, recently reunited, are desperate to obtain financial support, but they don’t have any relatives to leave it to them and neither want to marry for it, so they’ll have to make it themselves: “Tommy, let’s be adventurers.” Their joint venture with The Young Adventurers, Ltd. would be “Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good. No reasonable offer refused.” But, nowhere in their business statement does it mention all the trouble in which they will find themselves entangled: an odd proposition, a mysterious Jane Finn, British intelligence, and missing documents.Comparison: Well, one post-war era is much like another, except the enemy might have a different name and the tools to rely on are less sophisticated, but the characters are in their twenties, much younger than portrayed in the adaptations. However, I enjoyed the youthfulness and somewhat overzealous manner that precipitated extra trouble. The original tale was very enjoyable.Classic Writing: Christie’s work was written for readers in the 1920s, yet it translates well for any era. Her writing is filled with purely British references, typical British spellings, and slang that seemed easily defined through context. Although her second book, it is still an example of what made Christie an icon in literature: descriptions not too flowery offer a picture, but not overpowering the drama, and dialogue adds to the tone, illustrating well the era and personalities. This pair of detectives is unique in her writing in that she ages them throughout the four novels and countless shorts. From their twenties to middle age to senior citizens, I think I just might try another story...I’m hooked on the originals.