What's Next? discussion

Agatha Christie's second detective novel and the first in the Tommy and Tuppence series; her debut novel was "The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which introduces Inspector Hercule Poirot.

The novel is an ambitious international spy mystery that begins with the sinking of the Lusitania during WWI and centers on the communist threat in England post the Russian revolution.

In relying on first time sleuths, Tommy and Tuppence, who are also childhood friends, the plot suspends disbelief a bit too much, especially given what is at stake. The writing style and dialogue are reminiscent of Raymond Chandler's hardboiled detective stories although his books won't be written for another 10 years.

This book is for Agatha Christie fans, who want to explore the full range of her canon. 3.5 starts rounded down.