This book is a little bit different from your average Christie mystery. Instead of our normal English countryside cozy with one of our usual detectives, we have spies in the Middle East. Christie had traveled to Baghdad with one of her husbands, and this is one of the stories inspired by those travels.
There’s going to be a big meeting in Baghdad, and it’s supposed to be super secret. But, much like today’s super secret activities, word has gotten out. Bad guys are out to get one British spy, Carmichael, and people are being killed who just resemble the guy. Other spies are headed that way, including Anna Scheele, Dakin, and lots of others. Also coming to Baghdad? Victoria Jones, a big fibber who bluffs her way into a job to follow a man she randomly met in a park.
Once all the characters are in place, mayhem begins. A wounded spy dies in Victoria’s room, setting off a series of events that end up crossing Baghdad and into the desert to an archeological dig. There are chases, kidnappings, more murder, clues in code, and shady characters.
Will the summit be saved? Will the murder(s) be solved? Will Victoria find true love? And who is Anna Scheele really? This turned out to be much more fun than I had anticipated. Highly recommend to Christie fans and non-fans alike.