The most interesting aspect of In Secret may be its disturbing conclusion.
High Point: It has a great premise as a spy thriller.
Low Point: The execution doesn’t live up to its potential.
Author: Robert W. Chambers
Publication Date: 1919
Genre: History
Project Gutenberg: In Secret
LibriVox: Not available
Movie/TV Adaptation: The Black Secret (Serial)(1919)
Robert W. Chambers’ In Secret has the basis of a solid World War I yarn, but the execution doesn’t live up to its potential.
The novel was published in 1919 just after the end of the war. The story follows a young couple—agents of the American intelligence service—as they uncover a secret agreement between Germany and Switzerland that could have a devastating impact on the Allies. The discovery leads them on one adventure after another as they attempt to determine and expose Germany’s “Great Secret.”
That’s a great premise for a spy thriller, but Chambers can’t quite pull it off. He was a prolific writer in the early 20th century, but known more for his short stories. And this book reads as a short story with enough superfluous padding to stretch it to novel-length.
The most interesting aspect of this novel may be its disturbing conclusion. With his finish, Chambers made a strong point about the brutality of war. What’s worse, the ending was almost prophetic of events to come with the next world war 20 years later.
In Secret is worth a read. Just skip the redundant parts, and get to the finale.
