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The Secret of Chimneys.
A casual errand draws a footloose adventurer into murder, blackmail and international intrigue at a grand English country house, in one of Agatha Christie's most sparkling early thrillers.
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Edition details
- Agatha Christie
- DotBooks
- DotBooks
- Paperback
- Standard white
- 465
- en
About this book
A simple favor, deliver a packet of letters and a manuscript, sends easygoing Anthony Cade from Africa to the heart of England, and straight into a plot involving a lost throne, stolen jewels and a corpse in the great house of Chimneys.
What it's about
The Secret of Chimneys follows the charming, unflappable Anthony Cade as a small commission entangles him with royalty, diplomats, jewel thieves and murder. At the stately country house of Chimneys, a weekend gathering conceals a web of secrets touching on the affairs of a small European kingdom, a priceless missing diamond and a master criminal working in the shadows. Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard joins the hunt, but it is Cade's wit and nerve that keep the tangled plot spinning toward its surprising resolution.
Themes
This is Christie in high spirits, delighting in disguise, mistaken identity and the comedy of a hero who takes nothing too seriously. The novel plays with the romance of European royalty and intrigue then popular in fiction, while quietly puncturing its pretensions. Beneath the fun run the author's steady preoccupations, hidden pasts, false appearances and the truth that the least likely person often holds the key. Adventure and detection blend into pure entertainment.
Why it still matters
An early standalone thriller from the 1920s, it introduced the enduring setting of Chimneys and the reliable Superintendent Battle, and it shows how nimbly Christie moved between the puzzle and the adventure story. Fast, funny and full of twists, it captures the flavor of interwar popular fiction while delivering the misdirection her readers prize. For those who love her lighter, more romantic thrillers, it remains one of the most purely enjoyable books she wrote.
Who it's for
Ideal for fans of witty vintage thrillers, country-house mysteries and charming rogue heroes. Readers who enjoy Christie's playful, adventurous side, or simply want a clever and entertaining page-turner, will love it.
Sources and references
Verified references for this edition: Open Library, WorldCat, Agatha Christie on Wikipedia.
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The Secret of Chimneys
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