Ratings30
Average rating3.6
I don't think I have read this one before.
Spy novel, not a murder mystery. Lots of secrets. Basically nobody is who they claim to be :-D
无巧不成书。在我看完《黑夜》之后，随意挑选的下一本书居然同样是二战背景，虽然这本和上一本是不同的文体，却同样展现了德国在二战中的恶行。不同的是，这本书在紧张刺激之余，慷慨地给读者一个好结局。
这本书属于阿加莎的汤米和塔彭丝探案系列——一对有默契的夫妻！作为阿婆早期的小说之一，在质量上可能稍有逊色。最后全靠塔彭丝将计就计，找到隐藏最深的N和M。前面的烟雾弹太多了，结果是这两人，令人意外。
probably one of the better Agatha christie books I have read. I liked the overall theme and plot of the book
I have been working my way through Christie's mysteries chronologically and have been looking forward to the next Tommy and Tuppence for a long time. If you haven't read The Secret Adversary and Partners in Crime (short stories) I would suggest reading them first because you will already be fond of the characters. It's fun to see where they are 20 years later and see them still up to the same adventures.
This one is more of a spy novel and takes place when it was written—in 1941 in the midst of WWII. It is interesting and impressive looking at it in retrospect because Christie had no idea what would happen in the years to come. There are mentions of infiltrating spies, concentration camps, Dunkirk...all things we know far more about now than she did then.
The plot follows Tommy and Tuppence as they try to uncover the identity of one of two of Germany's most dangerous spies—either N or M. They are staying undercover in a boardinghouse in a strategic location in England where they think the spy is hiding out. This plot is a lot more active than many of her books, which is refreshing after Poirot asking different people questions for several novels.
I think she showed her hand a bit too soon, since I figured it out (without question) about half way through the book. But besides being angry at how obtuse the characters are, I still loved how the ending plays out. It's action packed and full of surprises.
“... But why Blenkensop?”
“Why not?”
“It seems such an odd name to choose.”
“It was the first one I thought of and it's handy for underclothes.”
“What do you mean, Tuppence?”
“B, you idiot. B for Beresford, B for Blenkensop. Embroidered on my cami-knickers. Patricia Blenkensop. Prudence Beresford. Why did you choose Meadowes? It's a silly name.”
“To begin with,” said Tommy, “I don't have large B's embroidered on my pants... “
“It's an odd life this service of ours. We respect our adversaries and they respect us. You usually like your opposite number, you know - even when you're doing your best to down him.”
There was a silence as Tommy thought over the strange anomaly of war.
Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred in my heart.
Short snore, short snore, short snore - pause - long snore, long snore, long snore - pause - short snore, short snore, short snore...
It's got to be the way things tear you to pieces... It's got to be sorrow and bitterness and dust and ashes.
“Cut out the compliments,” said Tuppence. “I'm admiring myself a good deal, so there's no need for you to chime in.”
3 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
An older couple, retired secret agents, are brought back to sniff out the identity of a German agent operating in England during WWII.
Review
This is one of the first Agatha Christie books I ever read; perhaps the first. As I settled into it again decades later, I recalled the comforting familiarity of Tommy and Tuppence, the book's married protagonists. I didn't recall much of the plot, and frankly, plot is not the book's strong point. Nominally a thriller, it's much more cozy than thrilling, and Tommy and Tuppence's relationship is what stands out. Read it for that, and not for a mystery that doesn't really hold up to close examination.
It's nice to read something other than Poirot and Marple from Ms. Christie, and the characters here are perfectly likeable. Even if the story won't stay in your mind long, Tuppence and Tommy may linger.