The cover page is adapted from The Secret of Chimneys, a painting completed in 1925 by Percy Graves. The cover and title pages feature the League Spartan and Sorts Mill Goudy typefaces created in 2014 and 2009 by The League of Moveable Type. www.theleagueofmoveabletype.com/
The Secret of Chimneys
Chapters (32)
- Dedication 0:00
- I: Anthony Cade Signs On 0:04
- II: A Lady in Distress 18:18
- III: Anxiety in High Places 33:49
- IV: Introducing a Very Charming Lady 48:03
- V: First Night in London 58:06
- VI: The Gentle Art of Blackmail 1:22:10
- VII: Mr. McGrath Refuses an Invitation 1:43:24
- VIII: A Dead Man 2:00:14
- IX: Anthony Disposes of a Body 2:15:11
- X: Chimneys 2:30:34
- XI: Superintendent Battle Arrives 2:51:35
- XII: Anthony Tells His Story 3:02:11
- XIII: The American Visitor 3:21:50
- XIV: Mainly Political and Financial 3:31:36
- XV: The French Stranger 3:47:35
- XVI: Tea in the Schoolroom 4:12:05
- XVII: A Midnight Adventure 4:34:39
- XVIII: Second Midnight Adventure 4:51:38
- XIX: Secret History 5:12:35
- XX: Battle and Anthony Confer 5:34:54
- XXI: Mr. Isaacstein’s Suitcase 5:46:33
- XXII: The Red Signal 6:05:20
- XXIII: Encounter in the Rose Garden 6:29:20
- XXIV: The House at Dover 6:47:20
- XXV: Tuesday Night at Chimneys 7:01:19
- XXVI: The 13th of October 7:17:23
- XXVII: The 13th of October (Continued.) 7:26:50
- XXVIII: King Victor 7:46:55
- XXIX: Further Explanations 7:55:14
- XXX: Anthony Signs on for a New Job 8:04:43
- XXXI: Sundry Details 8:17:40
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Anthony Cade, a quick-witted rogue spending some time working as a tour guide in Zimbabwe, meets a friend who hands him a manuscript with instructions to deliver it to its publishers in London. Cade agrees, and quickly discovers that the manuscript is desperately sought after by high-level dignitaries—and revolutionaries—of the country of Herzoslovakia.
As he does his best to complete his task in bustling London, he soon finds himself a guest of one Lord Caterham for a weekend party at his country estate, Chimneys. Chimneys, legendary for its long history of esteemed guests ranging from politicians to business magnates to royalty, is an ideal location for a murder mystery: it’s palatial, filled with secret rooms, and surrounded by rolling country. Sure enough, without delay one of the guests is murdered, kicking off a series of fast-paced intrigues as local and international police, led by Superintendent Battle, try to snag the killer—all while a famed French jewel thief seems to be lurking among them.
The Secret of Chimneys was a well-received entry in Agatha Christie’s canon, and is often considered among her best early thrillers. Events unfold quickly, the plot is thick with misdirection and secret identities, and the ending is unexpected while simultaneously putting a neat bow on the futures of the witty and charming main characters. This is the novel in which Superintendent Battle, a character Christie returns to often, is introduced.