Agatha Christie: Postern of Fate
The Secret Adversary was first published in 1922 in England, as the second book of Agatha Christie. Tommy and Tuppence Beresford appear in four novels and one short story collection and they differ from Poirot and Miss Marple by the fact that they actually age alongside with their creator in the novels. In the five books, we can practically follow their entire lives. Unlike Agatha Christie’s other books, despite the serious subject matter, the stories have a very pleasant atmosphere; the conversations are punctuated by humorous remarks. The two main characters make an excellent pair, they complement each other well: Tuppence is recless and has good intuitions, while Tommy is serious and thoughtful, but both of them have sharp minds.
The Postern of Fate is the last novel published about the couple. Tommy and Tuppence are in their 70s and have retired to a quiet country town. However, during the renovation of their house, they find a secret message in one of those children’s books, which was left behind by the previous residents. They cannot resist the temptation and start investigating the more than 60-year-old cold case.
Tommy and Tuppence have always been a good pair, looking for adventures, but often the adventures find them. They are my favorites partly because their stories are humorous even when the themes are serious. The pair have always dealt with spies and their exposure. This has certainly spread rumors, so now, on their next case, they find unexpected helpers. This book is Agatha Christie’s last novel, after which she wrote no more, only her previously deposited writings were published with the final cases of Poirot and Miss Marple.
