They Came to Baghdad (Paperback)

by Agatha Christie (Author) "Captain Crosbie came out of the bank with the pleased air of one who has cashed a cheque and has discovered that there is just..." (more)
Key Phrases: shorthand typist, Pauncefoot Jones, Sir Rupert, Anna Scheele (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'A very human heroine, whose powers of invention, just like those of her creator, never fail her' Times Literary Supplement 'The acknowledged queen of detective fiction.' The Observer --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The action is rapid...the characters are astonishingly real."--New Yorker

"Excellent...delightful...and a very human heroine, whose powers of invention, like those of her creator, never fail her."--Times Literary Supplement

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (April 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425068048
• ISBN-13: 978-0425068045
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,935,655 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christie Writes a Thriller, September 23, 2008

By	avid reader (fl United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: They Came to Baghdad (Mass Market Paperback)

"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)

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christie's Atmospheric Masterpiece, January 16, 2003

By	C. Wys (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: They Came to Baghdad (Mass Market Paperback)

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

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Improbable Plot, Incredible Situations, But Entertaining, May 22, 2001

By	Antoinette Klein (Hoover, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Agatha Christie appears to be harkening back to her earlier "young girl as adventuress" theme in this novel which centers around Victoria Jones, a protagonist who specializes in mimicry and lies. The combination gets her in endless trouble.

The story begins when she meets an attractive young man named Edward in FitzJames Gardens one afternoon. They have an immediate bonding, but Edward is scheduled to leave very soon for Baghdad in connection with his job with a cultural arts group called The Olive Branch. Not one to be easily discouraged, Victoria sets about finding a position that will allow her to follow Edward to Baghdad. Her search for him in this colorful city involves her with many suspicious characters, a badly wounded man who dies in her hotel room, and a great look at an archaeological dig, a particular specialty of Mrs. Christie's.

It is all wildly incredible, definitely improbable, but still an entertaining work with many likeable and well-drawn characters.