The Secret Adversary Multiple Choice Quiz | Christie, Agatha

Answer: The Times

This was the second book of Agatha Christie's, following the success of "The Mysterious Affair at Styles. It introduces us to Prudence Cowley (Tuppence) and Thomas Beresford (Tommy). In later books they are married. The story begins in 1915 as The Lusitania is sinking.

A young American, Jane Finn, is approached by a stranger and asked to take care of some secret papers, which might make all the difference to the Allies in the War. Jane has not been seen since.

Answer: Paris

Tommy and Tuppence are bored of life, so decide to set up a venture "The Young Adventurers Ltd". Tuppence is stopped by a man who has overheard Tommy and Tuppence's conversation. He asks her to come and see him the next day. Tuppence does, but when asked for her name, to protect her father (who is a clergyman) says 'Jane Finn'. Jane Finn is a name she has overheard, but has a remarkable effect on Mr Whittington.

He sends her away with £50 and tells her to come back tomorrow.

Answer: Albert

The Young Adventurers meet a Mr Carter, who used to work in Intelligence. He tells them of the mysterious "Mr Brown" who is very dangerous indeed. We are also introduced to Julius P. Hersheimmer who is Jane Finn's cousin. He has accidentally given the only remaining photograph of Jane to a bogus policeman. Tommy follows Mr Whittington to a house in Soho, and overhears a secret meeting before being bumped on the head.

Answer: Criminology

Tuppence goes to South Audley Mansions to find out about a Marguerite (Rita) Vandemeyer, who Mr Whittington mentioned. Tuppence pretends to be a maid so Mrs Vandemeyer can hire her. Albert appears in later books. Sir James Peel Edgerton is a famous KC; he may become Prime Minister one day. He often visits Mrs Vandemeyer. He chats with Tuppence and gives her his card.

Answer: Overdose of chloral

Tuppence goes for her day out but when she returns, earlier than usual, Mrs Vandemeyer is trying to make a run for it. Tuppence tries to discover the whereabouts of Tommy and who the mysterious "Mr Brown" is. Tuppence keeps a watch over Mrs Vandemeyer with the help of Julius and Sir James.

But Mrs Vandemeyer does not wake up in the morning; there was chloral in some water, and she is now dead.

Answer: Wales

Tommy manages to escape from the house in Soho with the help of the maid, Annette. Sir James has managed to find Jane. Tuppence and Julius go to meet her in a nursing home, she has lost her memory. Jane tells them how she had hid the papers in a rock, in Wales. Julius and Tommy go to Holyhead, but the papers are gone, only a sneering note from Mr Brown. Tuppence has gone off after receiving a telegram.

Answer: Annette

Tommy is stunned to discover that Tuppence is presumed dead - her coat and hat have been washed up on the Yorkshire coast. Julius and Tommy argue. Tommy would have been willing to see Tuppence marry Julius even though he loved her more. Sir James offers Tommy a job in the Argentine. There are also doubts if Julius is really who he says he is.

Answer: Pretends to be drunk

Tommy finds the original telegram, which was sent to Tuppence. He goes to Kent with Albert. Later a note is sent to Tommy, from Tuppence. She knows everything from Annette. But she signs herself "Twopence" not "Tuppence".

Answer: True

Julius rescues Annette and Tuppence. He takes them in the car; he is taking them to somewhere safe. Annette is really Jane Finn; she has only been pretending to be French. Tommy stops the car; he wants to talk to Julius alone. Someone has been very clever but Tommy is cleverer.

Answer: The Savoy

Sir James Peel Edgerton is revealed to be the elusive Mr Brown, but commits suicide before justice can be done, Jane will be marrying Julius, and Tommy finally proposes to Tuppence. Look out for more Christie quizzes soon!