Genre
Mystery
The Plot
Jimmy McGrath asks his friend Anthony Cade to deliver a manuscript to London, along with some letters to be returned to a blackmail victim. At the same time, in England, politician George Lomax persuades Lord Caterham to host a house party at Chimneys in a political scheme to restore the monarchy in Herzoslovakia. When Cade is attacked, robbed, has to dispose of a dead body, it becomes clear that the simple favour has placed him in danger.
❤️ What I liked about The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie
🤩 It’s an enjoyable read. A lot is going on in this book, and it is easy to get lost! But when I finally found my way into the story, I thought it was funny and entertaining. Some of the events are indeed a bit unrealistic, but, in the end, it’s very common in all spy stories, isn’t it?
👩 Bundle. She is such a dynamic character, resourceful, headstrong, lively and charming. I know she’s not the main female character here, but I still preferred her to Virginia. I love the bond between this modern and animated woman and her conservative dad. I found them both funny and lovely.
I wasn’t so sure about
👮 Superintendent Battle. This book is meant to be the introduction of Battle in Christie’s work, but I thought Cade appeared as a more prominent character than him.
🔎 The whodunit. I managed to solve the mystery (or at least a part of it) towards the middle of the book. And this is not a very good sign, is it? Even though, with all the Agathas I read, I have learnt one thing or two!
To the score
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5/5 I know this is not her most praised book, and I prefer Agatha Christie’s mysteries to her spy stories but I found it amusing and enjoyable, even if it’s not her best work.
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