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laurjuli's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kcrawfish's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet couple of middle aged detectives being detectives during WWII, cute.
pinks_paperbacks's review against another edition
3.0
Want to give 3.5 stars.
This is my first 'Tuppence and Tommy' story as it fits a prompt and was also recommended by a friend. I liked the way it began because I was not aware that Tuppence and Tommy are a married couple. I thought they are professional male detective partners (yes, very specific assumption). So I had to re-read the beginning of the first chapter to process the real nature of their entire (personal and professional) relationship. I also enjoyed realising that Agatha Christie was a feminist (yup, I went there) because of the way she presented Tuppence.
As far as the story is concerned I was not as ecstatic as one would be when the culprit is revealed because there are enough clues to guess that Mrs. Sprot is one of the antagonists. Although Commander Haydock is a surprising treat.
Either I am used to the way a criminal like Mrs. Sprot aka M is described or that I live in a time where such stories are rather common, or both, whichever it may be but I found it extremely stupid of Tuppence (because I did expect Tommy) to disregard Mrs. Sprot as even a suspect. I mean the description for Mrs. Sprot aka M is obvious and I was disappointed that Tuppence, who is portrayed as a creatively intelligent woman, discards M without even an iota of suspicion just because she has a small child named Betty. In fact even Betty is projecting suspicious behaviours and parroting certain key words which is enough evidence for anyone to at least suspect her (supposed) mother.
Other than the aforementioned point the story kept me hooked till the end and Mrs. amd Mr. Beresford adopting Betty is a nice little twist which I am presuming will be followed up on in their other stories. This book does make me want to read other books involving the married detective couple - The Beresfords.
This is my first 'Tuppence and Tommy' story as it fits a prompt and was also recommended by a friend. I liked the way it began because I was not aware that Tuppence and Tommy are a married couple. I thought they are professional male detective partners (yes, very specific assumption). So I had to re-read the beginning of the first chapter to process the real nature of their entire (personal and professional) relationship. I also enjoyed realising that Agatha Christie was a feminist (yup, I went there) because of the way she presented Tuppence.
As far as the story is concerned I was not as ecstatic as one would be when the culprit is revealed because there are enough clues to guess that Mrs. Sprot is one of the antagonists. Although Commander Haydock is a surprising treat.
Either I am used to the way a criminal like Mrs. Sprot aka M is described or that I live in a time where such stories are rather common, or both, whichever it may be but I found it extremely stupid of Tuppence (because I did expect Tommy) to disregard Mrs. Sprot as even a suspect. I mean the description for Mrs. Sprot aka M is obvious and I was disappointed that Tuppence, who is portrayed as a creatively intelligent woman, discards M without even an iota of suspicion just because she has a small child named Betty. In fact even Betty is projecting suspicious behaviours and parroting certain key words which is enough evidence for anyone to at least suspect her (supposed) mother.
Other than the aforementioned point the story kept me hooked till the end and Mrs. amd Mr. Beresford adopting Betty is a nice little twist which I am presuming will be followed up on in their other stories. This book does make me want to read other books involving the married detective couple - The Beresfords.
starthelostgirl's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the WWII espionage angle a lot, but this was one of the only Christie novels where I thought the twist was rather obvious. I still enjoyed the book, but it didn’t leave me questioning my assumptions until the final reveal like almost all of her others have.
pauline_b's review against another edition
3.0
This spy novel was entertaining enough with plenty of twists to surprise me. I usually don't enjoy WW2 fiction much but I did enjoy some of the themes Christie addressed through it such as the arbitrary nature of nationality and the paranoid xenophobia typical for that time.
rithebard's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
psychotherabee's review against another edition
5.0
This review can also be found here: https://beautifulilies.wordpress.com/2021/01/17/n-or-m-by-agatha-christie-tommy-tuppence-3/
This book is everything. I had a hard time putting this one down, I enjoyed all of it from start to finish. It’s WWII England, and Tommy and Tuppence find themselves itching to serve their country in some way. And then they’re enlisted to solve the mystery of who Hitler’s secret agents who have infiltered the British intelligence may be.
Yes — it’s every bit as thrilling as it sounds. At first it seems lovely, going on a trip to the countryside where everything is calm and quaint and quiet. But there’s always the knowledge that any one of the members residing in the area could be the spy, and Tommy and Tuppence have to stay alert.
In typical Tommy and Tuppence fashion, they get themselves into a great deal of trouble and have to get themselves out again. But the ending is so satisfying when you get there. I loved reading about all the characters and the troubles they get themselves into, while trying to figure out who it could possibly be.
Agatha Christie really delivers in this underrated novel. I’d definitely recommend it to lovers of wartime fiction and crime/mystery books.
This book is everything. I had a hard time putting this one down, I enjoyed all of it from start to finish. It’s WWII England, and Tommy and Tuppence find themselves itching to serve their country in some way. And then they’re enlisted to solve the mystery of who Hitler’s secret agents who have infiltered the British intelligence may be.
Yes — it’s every bit as thrilling as it sounds. At first it seems lovely, going on a trip to the countryside where everything is calm and quaint and quiet. But there’s always the knowledge that any one of the members residing in the area could be the spy, and Tommy and Tuppence have to stay alert.
In typical Tommy and Tuppence fashion, they get themselves into a great deal of trouble and have to get themselves out again. But the ending is so satisfying when you get there. I loved reading about all the characters and the troubles they get themselves into, while trying to figure out who it could possibly be.
Agatha Christie really delivers in this underrated novel. I’d definitely recommend it to lovers of wartime fiction and crime/mystery books.
gray5217's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nerida_c's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Fun, light reading. Always good to read a book where they are fighting the Nazis ... and succeeding. Christie populates the book with stereotypes just to confuse you about who is acting, and who is really too good to be true, as Tommy and Tuppence set off to Leahampton to find Nazi spies (Fifth Columnists). Some great characters, and a lot of room to poke fun of British stereotypes (the Irish are really very Irish, and the British retired military guy is very much like every other retired British military guy in other Christie books).
The clues are there, but twists are as well.
The clues are there, but twists are as well.