# Boris Ivanovitch — The Secret Adversary character guide

> Boris Ivanovitch in The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Boris, Boris Something

**First appearance:** 0013-xi-julius-tells-a-story

## Snapshot

A nervous Russian conspirator who paces Mrs. Vandemeyer's floor, warns her against Peel Edgerton, and flinches at the name of Mr. Brown.

## Who they are

Boris Ivanovitch is a man who gives orders and then panics when they are not obeyed, especially by Rita Vandemeyer, whose independence he cannot stomach. He fears Peel Edgerton's criminological instinct, fears exposure, and above all fears Mr. Brown, whose name he will not quite say aloud. He matters because his quarrel with Mrs. Vandemeyer, overheard by Tuppence, confirms the conspiracy is real and that its members are already watching one another.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Vandemeyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/mrs_vandemeyer)

_professional_

Russian agent and co-conspirator working together in the criminal organization.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_rivalry_

Brutal enemy agent who physically attacks and interrogates Tommy.

### [Mrs. Vandemeyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/mrs_vandemeyer)

_professional_

Russian agent and co-conspirator working together in the criminal organization.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_rivalry_

Brutal enemy agent who physically attacks and interrogates Tommy.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_rivalry_

Brutal enemy agent who physically attacks and interrogates Tommy.

### [Mrs. Vandemeyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/mrs_vandemeyer)

_professional_

Russian agent and co-conspirator working together in the criminal organization.

## In the story

### [VII: The House in Soho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/vii-the-house-in-soho)

The foreign companion; speaks of Mr. Brown as a possible myth, later leads Tommy to a house in Soho.

### [VIII: The Adventures of Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/viii-the-adventures-of-tommy)

Boris is present at the meeting, asked about money transfers via the Irish Americans, and responds to questions about the arrangements.

### [X: Enter Sir James Peel Edgerton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/x-enter-sir-james-peel-edgerton)

Dines with Mrs. Vandemeyer under the alias Count Stepanov, argues with her about her recklessness and her friendship with Sir James Peel Edgerton, and expresses fear of betrayal.

### [XVI: Further Adventures of Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xvi-further-adventures-of-tommy)

The bearded German who interrogates Tommy and makes the decision to accept his proposal, pending Mr. Brown's approval.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/boris_ivanovitch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters