On the 50th anniversary of the death of author Agatha Christie (1976-2026), the Vietnamese translation of The Secret Adversary – the second book in her career – was released to Vietnamese readers. The novel revolves around the mission to find a lost treaty drafted by the British during World War I, after Denvers, the agent tasked with transporting the secret document, died in the sinking of the Lusitania.

During wartime, the document was crucial; in peacetime, it became an opportunity for the opposition party to incite rebellion. Therefore, this vital document was relentlessly pursued by both the government and the opposing faction.

Before the Lusitania sank, Denvers entrusted the secret letter to Jane Finn, an American woman who would be rescued by a lifeboat. This act was witnessed by Rita, an agent of the antagonist faction, leading both sides to race to find Jane and the secret she held.

The Vietnamese edition was translated by Dich Quan Trung and published by Tre Publishing House in June. *Photo: Publisher provided*

In the book, Agatha Christie guides readers through political conspiracies and successive betrayals. The novel's double-crosses and rapid pace are key elements that create its appeal, lasting until the final page.

Tommy and Tuppence are not professionals. They are friends, close since their teenage years. During the post-war reconstruction period, they suddenly realize they must escape poverty, leading them to form "The Young Adventurers Ltd.".

Through chance encounters, the name Jane Finn reaches Tommy's ears during a conversation he did not initiate. Noticing the intriguing sound of these two words, he shares them with Tuppence. During a job interview, to create intrigue, Tuppence claims Jane Finn is her name, inadvertently triggering a chain of conspiracies.

Agatha Christie imbued the two characters with distinct personalities. While Tommy is steadfast, intelligent, and astute, Tuppence is somewhat emotional and relies on her intuition. They complement each other, forming a well-matched detective duo.

The book reveals Agatha Christie's somewhat open-minded view of women through Tuppence. She is a strong individual who determines her own destiny. Early on, she states that she is not a "Victorian" type of girl, and for her, short skirts and smoking are not signs of depravity. She is also aware of this reality: "Money, money, money! I think about money all day long! You can call me a mercenary if you like, but that's how it is!".

Over time, they gradually realize their feelings for each other, thus formalizing their relationship. It can be said that Agatha Christie was one of the successful detective writers who incorporated romantic elements into early detective characters. In addition to this genre, she also wrote romantic novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott.

Tommy and Tuppence in the 2015 TV series "Partners in Crime", played by writer and actor David Walliams (left) and Jessica Raine. *Photo: Deadline*

A notable feature of The Secret Adversary is the author's ability to utilize existing elements, transforming and fictionalizing them into literature. For example, the sinking of the Lusitania was a real event, playing a decisive role in the course of World War I and being the most famous maritime disaster after the Titanic.

The political conspiracies and anonymous "masterminds" also remind readers of G.K. Chesterton's novel, The Man Who Was Thursday. Though not rich in religious elements, the plot to turn order into chaos was successfully inherited. The "final boss" Mr. Brown also shares a name with Father Brown, a famous detective character in many of Chesterton's short stories.

However, the book sometimes still gives a sense of contrivance. For instance, the detail of Tommy accidentally hearing the name Jane Finn, as well as Tuppence's meeting with job applicants – who coincidentally turn out to be the antagonists – feels somewhat forced, indicating the writer's "intervention".

The Saturday Review noted the work as "a thrilling adventure full of narrow escapes, and readers will surely be disappointed if they try to see through the whole story". The Irish Independent praised the author for "succeeding in creating a story that is not only entertaining but also ingenious, as well as astonishingly clever".

With its unpredictable and mysterious plot, The Secret Adversary has been continuously adapted into films, television series, and stage plays. Notable adaptations include: the film Adventures Inc (2001), the three-part series Partners in Crime (2015), and a stage play of the same name released in 2016.

Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was a renowned British writer, dubbed the "Queen of Crime Fiction", and one of the best-selling authors of all time, second only to the Bible and the works of William Shakespeare. Her books have sold over one billion copies in English and one billion copies in 100 other languages.

In Vietnam, her published works include: Murder on the Orient Express, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Death on the Nile, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The A.B.C. Murders, And Then There Were None, Murder in Mesopotamia.

Tuan Anh