De geheime tegenstander

The books of Agatha Christie have always been a guilty pleasure for me. Throughout the year, I read quite a few hefty tomes, ranging from serious literature to fantasy and SF. It is always a pleasure to return to Mrs. Agatha Christie's books. I enjoy the typical British settings and the engaging murder mysteries, even though they may not always be very realistic. After reading the books featuring Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, I am now delving into the few books with the charming couple, Tommy and Tuppence.

Tommy and Tuppence are old friends who reunite in London after World War I. Both of them are broke and searching for a job or a way to earn money. Tuppence, in particular, possesses what we would now call a “YOLO” attitude. It's amusing, though not very realistic. Somehow, they become entangled in a conspiracy involving a revolutionary group that plans to overthrow the government. This entire situation is orchestrated by the mysterious “Mr. Brown,” the secret adversary from the title.

This first book in the series, which happens to be Christie's second, deviates from the typical murder mystery and leans more towards the espionage/adventure genre. It's a bit all over the place, bordering on slapstick at times. While not her best book, it's still a fun read.