Agatha Christie's 'The Secret of Chimneys' is a standalone novel featuring neither Poirot nor Miss Marple. The story revolves around Anthony Cade, an adventurer in Africa, who gets entangled in a series of plots involving diamond theft, Balkan politics, mistaken identities, and international jewel thieves. Set in an English country house, the novel is a country house closed room murder mystery with a breathless conclusion where the killer is revealed. The plot is filled with twists, unreliable narrators, and hidden identities, making it a fun and entertaining read for fans of Christie's mysteries.
'The Secret of Chimneys' introduces readers to Superintendent Battle, a level-headed detective from Scotland Yard, who teams up with amateur detective Anthony Cade to solve the murder of King Michael of Herzoslovakia. The book showcases Christie's skillful use of an unreliable narrator, clever plot twists, and engaging storytelling that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With elements of international intrigue, romance, and political machinations, the novel offers a delightful mix of mystery and adventure, showcasing Christie's prowess as a master of the genre.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are themes of racism and xenophobia presented in the narrative, reflective of the era in which it was written.
Has Romance?
There are romantic elements in the narrative and interactions between characters, adding a layer of complexity to the overall story.
From The Publisher:
"I read everything by Agatha Christie."-Gillian Flynn
Little did Anthony Cade suspect that an errand for a friend would land him at the center of a deadly conspiracy. Drawn into a web of intrigue, he begins to realize that the simple favor has placed him in serious danger.
As events unfold, the combined forces of Scotland Yard and the French Sûreté gradually converge on Chimneys, the great country estate that hides an amazing secret.
The Secret of Chimneys is another captivating classic from the brilliant Agatha Christie, which will leave readers guessing until the final, satisfying conclusion.
Ratings (15)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (6) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (35):
Read It (18) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (10) | |
Not Interested (6) |
2 comment(s)
I'm not sure whether it's a spoof of spy novels or an honestly heavy-handed spy novel, but it was good fun.
There were two other men in the room. One was Colonel Melrose, the chief constable. The other was a squarely built middle-aged man with a face so singularly devoid of expression as to be quite remarkable.
Christie, Agatha. The Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle Book 1) (p. 109). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
I referred to Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard. A man of the utmost discretion.
Christie, Agatha. The Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle Book 1) (p. 106). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
What seems likes a simple errand to deliver a manuscript turns into a dangerous and perilous journey to right a wrong, find a jewel and crown a King. Anthony Cade undertakes the quest at the behest of his friend Jimmy McGrath and has soon run afoul of Superintendent Battle who is called into investigate the ensuing trouble.
The Secret of Chimneys is the first Superintendent Battle novel and introduces the intelligent, impassive and humorous, Superintendent Battle.
“You’re a man in a thousand, Battle. Either you have taken an extraordinary fancy to me or else you’re extraordinarily deep. Which is it?” Superintendent Battle smiled a little, but did not answer.
Christie, Agatha. The Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle Book 1) (p. 168). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
As always with Agatha Christie, this was a well written mystery with decently complex characters and interesting motives. Battle was a great character. I liked his style - not quite as dramatic and flamboyant as Poirot and not as absent as Colonel Race. He chips away at the suspects and the evidence and uses his own little grey cells to solve the case. And I loved Anthony Cade's easy going nature and his humour and his interactions with Battle were hilarious.
“You know, sir,” he said, “you’ll get into trouble one of these days.” “Then, for the second time, I’m not to be taken into custody?” “We always like to give a man plenty of rope,” said Superintendent Battle. “Very delicately put,” said Anthony. “Without unduly stressing the end of the proverb.”
Christie, Agatha. The Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle Book 1) (p. 209). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
I enjoyed how they worked together to solve the crime and how insistent Mrs Revel was on helping and not being left out. Although she was pretty funny in her own right.
“By the way, Mrs. Revel,” he ended, “I’ve never thanked you for imperilling your mortal soul by saying that I was an old friend of yours.” “Of course you’re an old friend,” cried Virginia. “You don’t suppose I’d lumber you with a corpse, and then pretend you were a mere acquaintance next time I met you? No, indeed!”
Christie, Agatha. The Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle Book 1) (p. 147). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
I got a little confused by the ending - it got very convoluted and there were so many tangled threads. I actually kind of thought
Mrs Revel would end up being King Victor - the crime lord. I figured out that Mr Fish was an imposter - but I thought he was going to be the guilty party - not another detective. Although I did guess that the French detective was guilty - I just wasn't sure what of.
So it was a bit tangled in my mind, but I enjoyed the reveals.
A well plotted mystery. 3.5 stars, rounded to 3 stars.
What can you read after
The Secret of Chimneys?
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