The Seven Dials Mystery

Lending library find - this was a good palate cleanser to the 2-star romances. Christie was taking a turn at blending her typical murder mystery with a spy thriller, but I think I prefer her usual. I actually picked up an edition that has two of her other novels in it, so I'm looking forward to reading those. The forward noted that Christie's portrayal of German and Russian spies in this one hasn't aged particularly well, but...German and Russian spies in the between-war period were up to no good! I also agree 100% with their observation that Christie spares no one, especially the British upper class, in her satiric sweep: this novel is full of aimless young men of means, and Lord Caterham in particular is Wilde-ean in his absurdity. The standout here is for sure the heroine (in another skewering of social mores, she is ridiculously nicknamed Bundle), who is equal parts zany and disciplined. Forget Superintendent Battle; this should have been the start of the Bundle series.