The Secret of Chimneys
by Agatha Christie (1890–1976)
- Free to read
- 5 hours to read
- 31 chapters
- Reading level: 6th grade
"The Secret of Chimneys" by Agatha Christie is a suspenseful detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces the charming Anthony Cade, who finds himself embroiled in a web of intrigue involving royal secrets and political machinations in a fictional Balkan nation known as Herzoslovakia. As he sets off on a journey to deliver a manuscript of memoirs, he stumbles into a world of blackmail, missing persons, and a potential restoration of a monarchy. At the start of the novel, we meet Anthony Cade while he is working as a tour guide in Africa, where he encounters an old friend, Jimmy McGrath. After a light-hearted exchange, McGrath reveals a plan that involves the delivery of Count Stylptitch's memoirs to a publisher in London, which promises a reward of a thousand pounds. Intrigued, Anthony agrees to take on the task, unaware of the dangerous implications, including confrontation with various factions, including a mysterious former royal and potential assassins. The opening sets the stage for a captivating interplay of romance, adventure, and the classic whodunit elements that Agatha Christie is known for.
- Detective and mystery stories
- Police · England
- Battle, Superintendent (Fictitious character)
Read the opening
Chapter 1
Anthony Cade Signs on
“Gentleman Joe!”
“Why, if it isn’t old Jimmy McGrath.”
Castle’s Select Tour, represented by seven depressed-looking females and three perspiring males, looked on with considerable interest. Evidently their Mr. Cade had met an old friend. They all admired Mr. Cade so much, his tall lean figure, his sun-tanned face, the light-hearted manner with which he settled disputes and cajoled them all into good temper. This friend of his now—surely rather a peculiar-looking man. About the same height as Mr. Cade, but thickset and not nearly so good-looking. The sort of man one read about in books, who probably kept a saloon. Interesting, though. After all, that was what one came abroad for—to see all these peculiar things one read about in books. Up to now, they had been rather bored with Bulawayo. The sun was unbearably hot, the hotel was uncomfortable, there seemed to be nowhere particular to go until the moment should arrive to motor to the Matoppos. Very fortunately, Mr. Cade had suggested picture postcards. There was an excellent supply of picture postcards.
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About this edition
This free edition of The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #65238, released 2021-05-03. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Romance, Crime, Thrillers and Mystery, Adventure, Novels, British Literature.
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