This set of DVDs is an odd collection of film adaptations of Agatha Christie's books and short stories. Culled from several other DVD sets, Agatha Christie: Mystery Lover's Collection attempts to give the viewer a sample platter of Christie's amateur detectives. Devoted fans will already have most of the discs in this collection, but it may be useful for introducing new viewers to some of the past 25 years of Christie adaptations.

The Secret Adversary

Childhood friends Tommy Beresford and Prudence "Tuppence" Cowley meet by chance in London shortly after World War I. Both are nearly penniless and unable to find work due to the post-war depression. Chance leads them to stumble into a plot to use an un-signed treaty from the war years to manipulate the Labour Party and Trade Unions into leading a socialist revolution in England.

One of the main characteristics of the Tommy & Tuppence stories is the balance of seriousness and levity, which is carefully maintained here, as well. Francesca Anis playes Tuppence as quick and bright, if not always accurate in the conclusions she reaches. James Warwick's Tommy is sober, but with a dry wit and ready grin. Tommy is an English gentleman to the core, which often makes him the "straight man."

When I read the book, it was the first time I felt tension and worry over a Christie story. The filmmakers successfully translated the ominous presence of the mysterious Mr. Brown, leaving me just as on the edge of my seat watching it as I was reading it, despite already knowing the identity of Mr. Brown. One of the interesting characteristics of this particular story is that until nearly the end, there are quite a few people who could be Mr. Brown.

Tommy & Tuppence: Partners in Crime - "The Affair of the Pink Pearl"

Following the success of The Secret Adversary, Granada produced ten episodes of the TV series Tommy & Tuppence: Partners in Crime. Where The Secret Adversary was done as a feature film production, the TV series is rather obviously a 1980s British television series.

The first episode, "The Affair of the Pink Pearl," begins six years after the events in The Secret Adversary with the now happily married Beresfords (still Anis and Warwick) living comfortable but dull lives, in Tuppence's opinion. That quickly changes when Tommy reveals to her that they will be taking over a now-defunct international detective agency. As they say, hijinks ensue. The theme of the short story collection that most of the episodes (including this one) are drawn from is that the duo take on the characteristics and techniques of famous literary detectives like Sherlock Holmes and even Christie's Hercule Poirot. The episode is amusing and entertaining, but not nearly as meaty or clever as The Secret Adversary.