The Secret of Chimneys

No. 19 in Mavenhill Classics, this annotated edition of The Secret of Chimneys presents one of Agatha Christie’s most entertaining early thrillers.

Anthony Cade is an adventurer by inclination, not a detective. When he accepts a seemingly harmless assignment to deliver memoirs in London, he has no idea that the manuscript conceals secrets capable of toppling governments. Within days, he is caught up in blackmail, murder and a tangle of political schemes stretching far beyond England.

At the centre of the mystery lies Chimneys, a grand country house filled with concealed passageways, hidden histories and dangerous ambitions. As bodies appear and suspects multiply, Anthony must navigate deception, loyalty and intrigue while evading forces determined to silence him.

The Secret of Chimneys combines mystery with political thriller elements, introducing Superintendent Battle and offering a lighter, adventurous counterpoint to Christie’s more formal detective stories. With its brisk pace, sharp dialogue and intricate plotting, the novel remains a compelling example of Christie’s early range.

This Mavenhill Classics edition preserves the novel’s energy and charm while providing chapter-by-chapter summary notes that support careful reading without interrupting the story’s momentum.