The Secret Adversary

The Secret Adversary, Agatha Christie’s second novel, introduces Tommy and Tuppence, the two much-loved mystery-solving adventurers.The novel centers around a mysterious young girl, suffering from amnesia, who was present on the sinking of the Lusitania. As Tommy and Tuppence try to unravel the mystery, they find themselves embroiled with mysterious millionaires and the dangerous politics of nation-states.Contemporary reviews of The Secret Adversary were positive, and the success of the novel paved the way not just for future Tommy and Tuppence adventures, but for a long, storied career of literary success for Christie. The Secret Adversary is the second published mystery novel by British writer Agatha Christie, first published in January 1922 in the United Kingdom by John Lane at The Bodley Head and in the United States by Dodd, Mead and Company later in that same year.The book introduces the characters of Tommy and Tuppence who feature in three other Christie novels and one collection of short stories; the five Tommy and Tuppence books span Agatha Christie’s writing career. They are hired for a job that leads them both to many dangerous situations, meeting allies as well, including an American millionaire in search of his cousin.Reviews were generally positive on this adventure, which manages to keep the identity of the arch-criminal secret to the very end. Plot summaryIn 1920 London, demobilised soldier Tommy Beresford reunites with his childhood friend and war volunteer Prudence 'Tuppence' Cowley. In passing, he mentions that he overheard a man mention the name 'Jane Finn,' which he finds ridiculous. Out of work and money, they form 'The Young Adventurers, Ltd'.Their first client, a Mr Whittington, makes Tuppence a suspiciously generous offer. Remembering Tommy’s anecdote, when Whittington asks Tuppence her name, she gives him the alias 'Jane Finn.' A shocked Whittington offers her £50 hush money and asks her to return the following day, but when she returns, the office has been suddenly closed. They decide to advertise for information about 'Jane Finn,' and receive two replies, from a Mr. Carter and from Mr. Julius Hersheimmer.Carter, who Tommy recognizes from his wartime service in British intelligence, tells them that Jane Finn is believed to have received a secret treaty from a British agent during the sinking of RMS Lusitania in May 1915, as she was more likely to survive. According to Mr. Carter, if the terms of the treaty were disclosed, it would cause the government to fall and precipitate a general strike. Mr. Carter hires Tommy and Tuppence to find her, but Carter warns them about an enemy agent known only as 'Mr Brown.'They then get in touch with Julius Hersheimmer, who turns out to be an American multimillionaire, and Jane Finn’s cousin, who has come to London to find her.