The secret of Chimneys
Ratings21
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings21
Average rating3.7
A bit of adventure and quick cash is all that good-natured drifter Anthony Cade is looking for when he accepts a messenger job from an old friend. It sounds so simple: deliver the provocative memoirs of a recently deceased European count to a London publisher. Little did Anthony suspect that a simple errand to deliver the manuscript on behalf of his friend would drop him right in the middle of an international conspiracy, and he begins to realize that it has placed him in serious danger. Why were Count Stylptich's memoirs so important? And what was "King Victor" really after? The parcel holds ore than scandalous royal secrets - because it contains a stash of letters that suggest blackmail. Someone would stop at nothing to prevent the monarchy being restored in faraway Herzoslovakia.
Wherever ravishing Virginia Revel went, death seemed sure to follow. First her husband died. The next to perish was a foreign prince whose ruthless power was matched by his scandalous passions. Then a bungling blackmailer followed them into the grave. Murder, blackmail, stolen letters, and a fabulous missing jewel: all under the not always co-operative eyes of Scotland Yard and the Surete. All threads lead to Chimneys, one of England's historic country house estates, where a master murderer mingled with the aristocratic guests. Virginia could turn to only one person to prove her innocence and end her nightmare, and she could only pray that she had not put her life into the hands of the man who was out to take it....
This novel was published in 1925 by Bodley Head in London, and by Dodd, Mead & Co. in New York. The Times Literary Supplement described it as "a thick fog of mystery, cross purposes, and romance, which leads up to a most unexpected and highly satisfactory ending".Chimneys was adapted by Christie as a stage play but was not performed until 2003, in Canada. It was filmed with the addition of Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple by ITV in 2009.
Featured Series
5 primary booksSuperintendent Battle is a 5-book series with 5 primary works first released in 1925 with contributions by Agatha Christie and Agatha Christie.
Reviews with the most likes.
Never a dull moment. Excellent story with lots of red herrings, and an ending that fooled me completely. Lots of fun.
Reread, probably 3rd or 4th time. I love this book. Virginia Revel is my idol.
This might be my favorite Agatha Christie.
Yes, there is a murder, but this book is more of a mystery and a thriller.
I like Agatha's books because even though they are mysteries, they can be read and reread again and again without much of the excitement disappearing.
The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie is definitely a book that you can start and, before you know it, you’re already 60 pages in. The pacing is incredibly fast, pulling you into the story right from the beginning. I found the characters to be particularly enjoyable, each one contributing to the overall narrative in a meaningful way. The story itself felt a bit more sprawling compared to some of Christie’s other novels, offering a wider scope and perhaps a more intricate plot. Despite this, it never lost its momentum, making it a highly satisfying read. I would definitely advise anyone to pick this one up—it’s a five out of five stars for me!
