Welcome to the second chapter of Dining with the Dame which is all about cooking the food found in the novels of Agatha Christie. Today we are delving into Agatha’s second novel The Secret Adversary which features the classic Peach Melba. I was planning to make Peach Melba for a “Name Plates” post down the track but The Secret Adversary pipped it at the post!
The Secret Adversary
The Secret Adversary is Dame Christie’s second published novel (1922). It introduces “The Young Adventurers” Tommy and Tuppence to the reading world. I have a real soft spot for Tommy and Tuppence. They are both a little displaced, not to mention broke after the WW1 where they worked as soldier and nurse respectively. Seeking excitement and cold hard cash they place an advertisement in the paper offering their services “No unreasonable offer refused”.
This leads to a tale of hijinks involving fake names, American millionaires, missing cousins and state secrets, and of course a criminal mastermind evil genius! It all ends happily and with the sound of wedding bells in the distance for Tommy and Tuppence!
If you do not fancy reading the book there is a made for tv adaptation from 1983 which, at the time of writing is available on Daily Motion.
There is also a more modern version set in the 1950’s starring David Walliams as Tommy and Jessica Raine as Tuppence. I have only been able to see the trailers for this on You Tube as I could not find it to buy / rent anywhere. It looks good but I think moving it to the 1950’s will change some of the dynamic of the book. One of the most moving images in the book was that returned soldiers unable to find work after the war would go from door to door selling poems!
The Covers
I find it odd that not many of the old style covers feature Tommy and Tuppence. My favourite here is the pulp fictionesque cover on the top right. I also like the red, black and white one bottom left and the middle bottom one that references the sinking of the Lusitania.
My least favourites are middle left where the secret adversary seems to be an overgrown fly. Who let Jeff Goldblum in? I also think that the mask in the bottom right one looks a little bit like Vincent Price.
The Recipe
“On second thoughts I prefer The Picadilly. It’s nearer”
…
“Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really unhinged?” inquired Tommy.
“Your last supposition is the correct one. I have come into money and the shock has been too much for me. For that particular form of mental trouble an eminent physician recommends unlimited hors-d’œuvre, Lobster a l’américane, Chicken Newberg, and Pêche Melba”
Peach Melba combines peaches, fresh raspberries and raspberry coulis with vanilla icecream. So simple! So delicious!
Peach season was pretty much over when I made this so I used tinned peaches. Fresh poached peaches would be amazing!!!! I also added in some almonds for a bit of crunch but essentially I used Nigella Lawson’s Peach Melba recipe.
Other Food Mentioned in The Secret Adversary
Have you read The Secret Adversary? What did you think of it? Which is your favourite cover? I am really enjoying these old style mystery stories whilst in iso. Book 3 is back to Poirot for a murder mystery set in France. Ooh la la!
Have a great week. Stay home, stay safe!