The Secret Of Chimneys By Agatha Christie

ISBN:  0007265212

This Edition Published November 2007

Published By: Harper Collins

Now, where to start? The plot of this book is so complicated, I think Christie must have been working through the A-Z of crimes and making sure each and every one was included! The story revolves around Chimneys which is a country house where powerful political deals are done. In this case, the restoration of the monarchy to a Balkan state. There are secret coded letters, a hidden passage, stolen jewels as well as a couple of murders. There are some quite strong stereotypes, which don't sit that comfortably, however, they do reflect the attitudes in the 1920s. 

The characters are not her best, although Lord Caterham who owns Chimneys has some wonderful lines, including voicing a wish that one of his house guests be found murdered face down in the duck pond. This is really Christie trying to find her feet, and you can see glimpses of her country house murder style starting to really develop. It's worth a read, but I think it is really a transitional book, as she prepares for one of her greatest works, which comes next. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.