They Came to Baghdad

First Published: 1951
Setting: Baghdad! 

Starring: Victoria Jones, Edward Goring, Anna Schiele, Richard Baker

Important Other People: Carmichael, Dakin, Captain Crosbie, Dr. Rathbone

To begin with, Victoria Jones is a modernized Anne Beddingfield. (The Man in the Brown Suit). Travels to Africa were in vogue back when that was written (1924), but travels to the Middle East were more popular in the 1950s. I also like to think that Anne is modeled after Agatha, and so Victoria must be as well. Victoria is significantly more foolish than Anne (losing her job by mocking the boss' wife, letting a stranger take her picture and falling in love with him, and deciding that she was going to Baghdad just because of that stranger). Sure, Anne did some flighty things in her time, but I really think she has more sense than Victoria. Probably because Agatha was older and wiser at this point in her own life, and so was able to write the younger character from a more cynical viewpoint. Also, one of the most important life lessons here is directly related to Victoria's actions: sometimes it is wiser not to mix oneself up in things one does not understand. She definitely did not understand what was going on (me either, really), and Agatha is able to look on with more experience and judge that maybe, it would have been best for Victoria if she had just minded her own business. One last connection to Agatha- in The Man in the Brown Suit, Anne ended up with the dashing, devil-may-care lunatic, and they lived happily ever after (at least I hope so). In They Came to Baghdad, though, Victoria does not end up with the dashing young lunatic, but rather, with the older, wiser, and more serious archaeologist. A possible allegory for Agatha's own life, seeing as she did not stay married to her dashing young adventurer, but rather found happiness with the mature archaeologist. Hmm. 

One of the coolest, most unrealistic aspects of this book is the scene in the consulate, where Carmichael signals to Baker in Morse code by clinking the beads together. First of all, really? Secondly, what is the chance that Carmichael's old schoolmate would be in the consulate in Basrah at the same time that he was trying to avoid getting murdered? Third: that would never happen. It was a cool scene though!


Last- there is mention of Siegfried in the book. Just wait, we'll hear a LOT more about that in Passenger to Frankfurt. 

Interesting facts: Matthew Bunson says, "For her first novel featuring espionage since N or M?, Christie returned to one of her strongest devices, the setting of stories in exotic locales. In this case, she chose Baghdad, a city she had first visited in 1928 and theat she knew quite well, thanks to the archaeological work of her husband, Max Mallowan, in the Middle East."

Favorite?  No. I liked it a lot better when I read it this time than when I read it at least 10+ years ago, that's for sure. It's still unnecessarily confusing. 

Death by: stabbing 

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 113

The Count: Poirot-22, Miss. Marple-4, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-4, Superintendent Battle-5, George-2, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 6, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: Sometimes it is wiser not to mix oneself up in things one does not understand. Ordinary people are the ones who matter. Humility is what keeps you sane and a human being.

Up Next: Mrs. McGinty's Dead

Death Comes As the End

First Published: 1944

Setting: Thebes, ancient Egypt

Starring: Renisenb, Imhotep, Esa, Yahmose, Sobek, Hori, Henet

Important Other People: Nofret, Satipy, Ipy, Kait

Death Comes As the End begins with an introduction by Agatha Christie. As she says, she wrote this book with the advice and guidance of an Egyptologist, Stephen Glanville. As he said to her, "'There is no reason why a detective story shouldn't be just as easy to place in ancient Egypt as in 1943 in England.'" I like Agatha's next thoughts, as they correspond so well with Miss Marple's constant saying: "I saw what he meant. People are the same in whatever century they live, or where." According to her autobiography, Agatha got her ideas from a series of letters from a Ka Priest in the 11th Dynasty. Throughout the writing process, she "...was continually ringing him up and demanding information which, as he said, only took me three minutes to ask for, but which he usually had to look through eight different books to find." She sent Glanville the manuscript to read, and he informed her that he did not like the ending very much. Based on his feedback, she changed the ending, which was "...the first and only time that she changed an ending at someone else's urging." As she says, "If I think I have got a certain thing right in a book- the way it should be- I'm not easily moved from it. In this case, against my better judgement, I did give in. It was a moot point, but I still think now, when I reread the book, that I would like to rewrite the end of it- which shows that you should stick to your guns in the first place, or you will be dissatisfied with yourself."


As much research as went into this book, there are a few main things that I do not like about it (although I do want to point out that this is only the second time I have read this book, and I liked it a whole lot more the second time). The first thing is that there are too many names that I can't keep track of, mostly because I don't know how to pronounce them. I don't even know how to pronounce Renisenb, and she is the protagonist! I also don't like that some of the language used in the book definitely does not fit in with the time period of Ancient Egypt.  For example, when someone says they are "cross" about something, that does not seem like the kind of thing people would be saying in the 11th Dynasty. The third, and main, thing that I do not like is that everyone hates each other very much, is very mean to each other, and almost everyone dies! It's not fun to read such a sinister book about such repulsive people. 


A few things I will point out that I noticed- there is an allusion to The Moving Finger, when the characters talk about how a tongue may cause a death, and with all of the gossip that flies around that plantation. Death Comes As the End also uses themes from The Under Dog, a short story written by Christie in the 1920s-1930s. The story explores the relationships between a domineering personality and those that succumb to and push back against their wrath. The book also references Agatha's personal life, talking about how "what you think is an end is only the beginning," which could be an allusion to her divorce from her first husband, leading to her new, happy life with her archaeologist husband. Lastly, seeing as the book was written during World War II, the themes of courage and facing death with resolution are strong throughout the book.

Interesting facts: Agatha's only historical murder mystery. And, I think I mentioned a lot more interesting facts already.

Favorite? Nope. Too many weird names to remember, too much animosity among the characters, and too much evil in general.

Death by: pushed off cliff, poison, drowned, suffocated, shot with arrow

Body Count: 8; Cumulative: 97

The Count: Poirot-21, Miss. Marple-3, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-5, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 4, Mrs. Oliver-1, Albert- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: Stick to your guns. Death is always profitable to someone. People do not really change their characters. Sometimes what you think is an end is only a beginning. Courage is the resolution to face the unseen. If one is to live always in fear it is better to die. A tongue may cause a death. Nothing can harm you unless you choose to let it. Hate is very close to love. Today is enough to live through. Once the heart is opened to evil, evil blossoms.

Up Next: Sparkling Cyanide

Appointment with Death

First Published: 1938

Setting: Petra, Jordan

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Sarah King, Boynton family

Important Other People: Jefferson Cope, Dr. Gerard, Lady Westholme, Miss Pierce

Similar to Why Didn't They Ask Evans, the story opens with a phrase that leads to a mystery that must be resolved. In this case, it is a lot more sinister and a bit more urgent- "You do see, don't you, that she's got to be killed?" The speaker of these words, Raymond Boynton, goes on to explain how killing his mother, Mrs. Boyton, would be like killing or putting down a mad dog. One of the characters shows that she has inside knowledge of what actually happened in Murder on the Orient Express, and asks him, like he did in that case, to let it go. Hercule must refuse because, as he says, he does not condone murder. I think, if the murderer had turned out to be someone different, he may have condoned it in a similar manner to how he did in the Armstrong case.

This is different from some of the other family-centric novels. In other novels, the family usually knows who committed the crime, while here, they all suspect each other because they don't know who committed the crime, creating an atmosphere of guilt and suspicion that causes some of the members of the family to begin to crack. Thankfully, Hercule comes to the rescue in time for everyone (who isn't evil) to have a happy ending. He does love playing the matchmaker.

Interesting facts: One of the characters recognizes Hercule Poirot from his work on the ABC case. Colonel Race is mentioned as Poirot talks about his detecting from Cards on the Table. The events from Murder on the Orient Express are also mentioned.

Favorite? Yes, because I really love the characters and because I really and truly am afraid of Mrs. Boyton. It's funny to think that Agatha wrote about all of these murderers, but hardly any of them really frighten me. Mrs. Boynton, while not a de facto murderer, is still terrifying.

Death by: Digitoxin, shooting

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 55

The Count: Poirot-16, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: A man who respects himself strikes out on his own and makes something of his life. No one is truly free- there are different degrees of bondage. If you have a belief in yourself and in the rightness of what you are doing, you can often accomplish things that are well worthwhile. One cannot lie all the time. Love is agony on another's behalf.

Up Next: Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Death on the Nile

First Published: 1937

Setting: Wadi Halfa, on the Nile

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Colonel Race, Linnet Ridgeway, Jacqueline de Bellefort, Simon Doyle

Important Other People: Mrs. Allerton, Tim Allerton, Rosalie and Mrs. Otterbourne, Cornelia Robson

One of the major themes of the book is the idea of how one can want something so passionately that they lose sight of everything else, including rationality and reason. Once one thing becomes your whole reason for existence, you will do whatever it takes to achieve that end, including opening your heart to evil. Poirot knows this, and so takes steps to avoid evil from occurring. He warns Jackie about the possible consequences of her actions because he knows it's always better to prevent a murder than try to get justice after it has been committed. There are three pieces of advice about forgetting the past and moving on the the future in the book, which should have given Jackie a hint...

I also like how this is another one of Christie's murders that takes place in a confined space (although I don't think any other novel is in quite so confined a space as Cards on the Table). The suspect pool is limited, and there are quite a few people who have huge motives for murder. Still, the ones who are most likely to have committed it have alibis. There is only one day of questioning before the truth is revealed, so Poirot and Race have their work cut out for them trying to clear away all the extraneous mysteries and uncover the real motives and alibis.

The whole book is about money. Linnet has too much of it, Jackie and Simon have not enough of it. Simon gets enough of it, but then struggles to come to terms with it all, especially because the finances are controlled by his wife. The idea of money in this era is different- they talk about how poor Jackie is, but she went on a trip to the Middle East...in what way, exactly, is she poor? Even at that time, I can't imagine a trip to the Middle East being affordable for people from all walks of life. I think Jackie must be like many of Agatha's characters who are from the upper class, but have lost their money in some way and become "impoverished" according to their usual or familial standards (like the Lytton Gores from Three Act Tragedy, the Cloades from There is a Tide, and Lance's wife Pat from A Pocketful of Rye). This is also the first novel (I believe) that Agatha makes a point of yellow symbolizing money. Linnet with her golden hair is the supreme symbol of money, while Jackie with her dark hair, is in stark contrast. Love can be a very frightening thing, and the lengths characters in this book go to for love- of a man, and of money, have drastic results.

One final aspect of this book that I really enjoy is all of the extra mysteries that abound on this one trip up the Nile. It keeps the book moving at a face pace, it keeps it interesting, and it also makes it more difficult for Poirot to figure everything out. He does, of course, find the answer to ALL of the questions in the end, but I like how he brings different characters in one by one to basically explain that he knows the truth to their actions. To me, the extraneous mysteries in this book make it even that much more interesting.

Interesting facts: Japp is mentioned... yet again. I think I should keep a tally of how many times Japp is mentioned, but not actually in the story. The trip the group takes up the Nile is similar to one that Agatha and her husband, Max Mallowan, took in the 1930s. The vegetable code mentioned that is used by the man Colonel Race is looking for is similar to the one used in South Africa in The Man in the Brown Suit, which, coincidentally, Race also appeared in.

Favorite? One of them.

Death by: Shooting, stabbing

Body Count: 5; Cumulative: 53

The Count: Poirot-15, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: To have money and looks is too much for one person- it isn't fair. Nearly everyone only likes successful people. Marriage has a sobering effect on people. Youth is the time of greatest vulnerability. You can't alter the past- you must live with things the way they are. Give up the past, turn to the future. What is done is done...bitterness will not undo it. When the sun comes out you can no longer see the moon. Do not open your heart to evil because evil will come. There is always a moment where one could hold their hand (as in, make a move). To succeed in life, every detail should be arranged well beforehand. When anything beautiful is dead, it's a loss to the world. Love can be a very frightening thing. It's not the past that matters but the future. "Un qui aime et un qui se laisse aimer" can be very dangerous. (Translation, according to google translate, and which I agree on based on my sketchy knowledge of French: One who loves and one who allows them self to love can be very dangerous).

Up Next: Appointment with Death

Murder in Mesopotamia

First Published: 1936

Setting: Tell Yarimjah, Mesopotamia (Iraq)

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Nurse Letheran, Dr. and Mrs. Leidner

Important Other People: Dr. Reilly, Richard Carey

This is the first of a few novels that takes place in the Middle East. Agatha was enamored with the area and often accompanied her husband, an archaeologist, on expeditions there. She fell in love with the area and set many of her plots there, this being the first.

Interesting facts: The story is supposed to take place three years earlier than when it was published, right before Hercule went on the Orient Express and came in contact with another murder.

Favorite? No. I don't like Nurse Letheran as a narrator, and the outcome is so far fetched... would you really not recognize someone after a long period of time? It seems so unlikely. I need to hear of something like that happening for real in order to believe it.

Death by: Cosh, Hydrochloric acid (ingested)

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 43

The Count: Poirot-12, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-6, Japp-6, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-2, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: Husbands are credulous where illness is concerned. Life's not long enough to be bored. A lady seldom displays curiosity about one's private affairs. Really important people don't need to throw their weight about. Whenever women are cooped up together, there's bound to be jealousy. It's bottling things up that makes them get on your nerves. Murder is a habit. Excuses are not explanations. Marriage changes things. Women are realists. What's happened has happened and can't be mended. A woman who doesn't lie is without imagination and sympathy. However deep you bury and unpleasantness a dog will always dig it up again. Women can put up with a lot when they've got what they want. There is no hatred so great as that of a man who has been made to love a woman against his will.

Up Next: Cards on the Table