They Came to Baghdad (The Agatha Christie Mystery Collection)

I’ve been a fan of Agatha Christie since I was a teen. Had never heard of this one so bought it. So happy I did. I read until 4 am to finish it. Couldn’t put it down. Victoria is very likable. The plot is thrilling. I was sucked in it completely. Who wouldn’t be? Exotic setting, spies, danger, world conspiracy, and a heroine mixed up in it by accident. Great way to escape and live an adventure in the comfort of my home. I’m sure I will read it again.

"They Came to Baghdad" is not a Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple mystery. It is really more of a thriller. Victoria Jones, an indifferent London typist loses her job in a typing pool for impersonating her boss's wife and meets a charming young man in a park. Only, he is about to leave for Baghdad. Parting is such sweet sorrow! Not so, thinks Victoria. Undeterred by this obstacle to romance, the resourceful Londoner secures a job paying her passage out East. There she becomes embroiled in international espionage, is forced to flee people who are out to kill her, and finds herself working on an archeological dig. Christie writes in a mature and witty style. The descriptions of post WWII Baghdad and Basrah are fascinating, as are the fully-fleshed (for Christie) cast of characters. Does Victoria ultimately find love? Yes, but not where she expects it. A thoroughly absorbing read for any Christie fan. For another exotic A.C., check out Murder On the Orient Express (The Agatha Christie Mystery Collection)

Although Agatha Christie is best known for the mystery stories that star either Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple, there are several books that feature neither of these detectives and instead concentrate on one-off protagonists that range from amateur sleuths to young adventurers. In most cases (at least the ones that I've read) the protagonists are swept up - sometimes against their will - into adventures that read like spy thrillers, filled with danger, espionage and plots for world-domination! There are twenty-three of these types of Christie books altogether (discounting the Tommy and Tuppence novels), so if you like "They Came to Baghdad", there's plenty where that came from! In this case, young Victoria Jones has found herself between jobs once again, thanks an untimely impersonation of her boss. Whilst indulging in a bout of self-pity in the local park, she meets a young man named Edward and the two find themselves quite taken with each other. On an impulse, Victoria decides to follow Edward to Baghdad and soon finds herself caught up in a mystery when a British spy stumbles into her room and dies on her bed (yikes!) Political forces from around the world are converging on Baghdad, and Victoria ends up being key to the events that will shape history. It would be wrong to give away too much of the twisty plot, suffice to say there's a dodgy cultural-diversity group, a surreal kidnapping and escape into the desert, some wonderful descriptions of an archeological dig and some of the best characterization that Christie has to offer. As an author who is often critised for being too heavy on plot (to the detriment of other aspects of storytelling), Christie fills "They Came to Baghdad" with a host of intriguing characters, none of whom are who they appear to be - not even Victoria herself, as well as beautiful descriptions of Iraq in the 1950s, both on a political and geographical scale. This is only to be expected considering that Christie spent many months in Iraq - her husband was an archeologist, and Christie obviously picked up on the wonderment to be found in archeology, as when Victoria has an epiphany over an uncovered bowl. It's a surprisingly beautiful passage that holds within it the themes of the novel: the importance of the domestic sphere and the sanctity of the ordinary life over the lofty ideals of political and revolutionary circles. Victoria is a great protagonist: spunky, determined, funny and with an inner sense of right and wrong that gives her the moral strength to make the right decisions when it becomes clear what her role is in the extraordinary situation she finds herself in. I'm far from having read all of Agatha Christie's books, so it may be pre-emptive to say this, but I predict that when I get to my final Christie mystery, "They Came to Baghdad" will rank up there as one of my favourites.

In this 1951 novel, more relevant today than in its own time, Christie shows her remarkable talent for spinning a web of characters that, ultimately, entangles and engulfs the reader like none other of her 80 odd titles. Flawless plot and intriguing characters are only side dishes to the staggering atmosphere the reader takes from this book's pages. By the story's end you smell, see, feel, and hear every molecule the characters experience - and it's more than you wish! The story is deep and the characters numerous, but the outcome is intoxicating. A must read for mention into the Middle-Eastern havoc of the early 22nd century our society is now attentive to. The vast aroma of the Middle East never seemed so invigorating as when you are on the loose with one of the many fast paced members of this elite plot. Breathtaking description, enough to guide but little enough to let the reader invent, sets you down running into a maze of panic and frenzy. Christie at her best! Grade: A

When i read this book first, i thought "well, that was an average to good Christie, nothing extra special..." but now i've re-read it, i am forced to change my opinion!This is an excellent book. Its exciting and tense, there are twists aplenty, which keep the material fresh and interesting. It's packed full of interesting and enigmatic characters. Sir Rupert Crofton Lee, Carmichael, Dakin, etc, all of whom we dont see a great deal of, but we are left wanting to know a lot more about them. A sure sign of good characters and characterisation. The plot is intriguing, and you are never entirely sure of what is going on, who is who, what is what, etc, up until the final pages, then it all becomes clear. The setting is great...the sweltering heat and dustiness of Baghdad is an excellent setting for this type of story (indeed, any type of story) and really adds to the atmosphere. Victoria Jones is a likeable lead character, human and quirky. (Sometimes annoying?) But in the end, you care for what happens to her. The backing cast of characters is large, but great. And overall, the freshness of this story, the excitement and intrigue contained within its pages, all adds up to make this a very different, but very high class Christie read.

This was one of those books that keeps you up, constantly drags you on. I would not say it was the very best of her books, merely because of the improbability of most of the events. Such as, who would exchange polite conversation with someone and then decide you've fallen in love? And even more improbable, who would chase that near stranger halfway around the world?This is precisely what happens in They Came to Baghdad. They only other thing I should mention is that once arriving in Baghdad, the heroine sets her foot in a whole lot of danger...and starts to wonder who is on her side and who is her enemy. The best part is when she finds a dying man in her hotel room bed...don't worry, I'm not giving anything away. Do try it, though.