Hercule Poirot is in Baghdad, Iraq, to meet an old acquaintance when he is invited to a nearby archaeological dig by his old friend Captain Hastings. The dig is being led by famed archaeologist, Dr Leidner. He is accompanied by his beautiful wife, her nurse - Amy Leatheran, his long-time archaeological partner - Richard Carey, his assistant - Anne Johnson, a priest - Father Lavigny, another archaeologist - Joseph Mercado, his wife and a team of local workers. The night before Poirot arrives one of the locals is murdered on the dig site. A short time after arriving the site, Mrs Leidner is spooked by a mask at her window, leading her to confide to Poirot that she is receiving death threats. They are purported from her long-dead first husband but she suspects they are from his brother. The next day, Mrs Leidner is found dead in her room, having received a savage blow to the head. There is only one way into her room, through the main courtyard, a very public place, and nobody saw anyone enter her room. How on earth was she then murdered? More importantly, who did it?
The usual intrigue, this time in a very exotic setting. Great location and scenery. Plot has a rather far-fetched backstory, but is very interesting nonetheless. Murder method is rather ingenious and very difficult to work out in advance. Once it is revealed, however, the murderer is easy to figure out.
The usual intrigue, this time in a very exotic setting. Great location and scenery. Plot has a rather far-fetched backstory, but is very interesting nonetheless. Murder method is rather ingenious and very difficult to work out in advance. Once it is revealed, however, the murderer is easy to figure out.