N or M? by Agatha Christie - Tommy and Tuppence #3
Tommy and Tuppence go to War - N or M? by Agatha Christie
A Book Review
N or M? is a work of crime fiction by English writer Agatha Christie published in 1942. It’s the third account in Christie’s bibliography to feature the pair of amateur detectives Tommy and Prudence “Tuppence” Beresford, known as Tommy and Tuppence in short.
Following the investigative efforts of this husband-and-wife enterprise N or M? is a direct sequel to 1922s “The Secret Adversary” and its followup short story collection “Partners in Crime” from 1929.
“You know," said the young man with enthusiasm, "I think you're splendid, simply splendid."
"Cut out the compliments," said Tuppence. "I'm admiring myself a good deal, so there's no need for you to chime in.”
Agatha Christie, N or M? (1942)
Set after the eve of the Second World War “N or M?” bring Tommy and Tuppence back into action after several years of non-commission. Although they aren’t the same pair of plucky youngsters, they were in “Partners in Crime”.
In “N or M?” Tommy and Tuppence take the case as a comfortably middle-aged sleuthing powerhouse.
The last words of a dying man lead the British Intelligence to enlist Tommy to their efforts root out German spies and fifth columnists, but being left out from all the fun excitement doesn’t sit well with Tuppence.
Joining their forces, Tommy and Tuppence go undercover and get entangled in a high-stakes world of wartime espionage at a quiet seaside town.
Compared to the previous instalments in the Tommy and Tuppence series, the time between the publications of “Partners in Crime” and “N or M?” has done good for both Christie and the pair of sleuths. It’s a rare occasion in crime fiction when the author allows their characters the freedom to mature, and in the case of “N or M?” this development definitely works in the series’ favour.
The jolly romps of Tommy and Tuppence, even though less hair-raising than their time period would allow, are fun to return to as a treat between more taxing reading assignments.
Topped to the brim with comedic situations and adroit characterisations, “N or M?“ is an enjoyable spy thriller. Still, mystery-wise, it provides much less sustenance to those who look for Agatha Christie to rid them of their hankering for closed-off cosy mysteries.
“You do not know the force of the German propaganda. It appeals to something in man, some desire or lust for power. These people are ready to betray their country not for money, but in a kind of megalomaniacal pride in what they themselves, were going to achieve for that country. In every land it has been the same. It is the Cult of Lucifer — Lucifer, Son of the Morning. Pride and desire for personal glory!”
Agatha Christie, N or M? (1942)
In my opinion, “N or M?” by Agatha Christie is quite a pleasant bit of more or less consequence-free thriller-writing from an author who was in many ways hitting her creative peak.
Published only a year or two of one of her best “one-shots”, the 1939s “And Then There Were None”, “N or M?” shares its publication year with a Poirot joint “Evil Under the Sun” and shows Christie at her best switching between genres with ease.
“N or M?” continues the entertaining trials and tribulations of Tommy and Tuppence with their trademark highs spirited way. For that alone, I’m willing to award them a four-star rating.
