Travel journalist Andrew Eames was in the ancient Syrian city of Aleppo when he met an elderly lady who had known Agatha Christie. Fascinated by the exotic history of this quintessentially English crime writer, he decided to retrace the trip from London to Baghdad which she made in 1928 - a journey which was to change Agatha Christie completely and led to her other life as the wife of an archaeologist in the deserts of Syria and Iraq. Travelling from London to Baghdad by train on the eve of the Iraq war, through the troubled areas of the Balkans and the Middle East, Eames found stark contrasts to the old Orient Express route as well as some unexpected connections with the past.

A fascinating contemporary journey which reveals the secret life of the world's most famous detective writer.

About the Author

Andrew Eames was born in 1958. His career in journalism started in south-east Asia, where he travelled and lived for two years. From there he returned to the UK to work first on specialist magazines and then in guide book publishing. Ten years ago he went freelance, and has been writing travel and general interest features mainly for national newspapers, such as The Telegraph and The Times. He is the author of Crossing the Shadow Line, Four Scottish Journeys and Benn's London.

He is married with two children.

Reviews
If there ever was a lesson in how to construct a travel book, this is it. Eames has the acute eye and polished pen of an outstanding observer ... a splendid read * The Daily Telegraph *
Two terrific subjects ... the surprisingly adventurous life of Agatha Christie and the major hotspots of current world politics * Daily Mail *
Vivid and atmospheric ... Eames has succeeded in the difficult task of closing an entertaining travel narrative with the brutal conclusions of modern history * Independent *
The best travel book of 2004 * Daily Mail *
A thoroughly enjoyable read that combines an Agatha-centric travelogue with a thought-provoking journey through a benighted land * Geographical Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9780552150774
Author Andrew Eames
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint Corgi Books
Publisher Transworld Publishers Ltd
Weight(grams) 294g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 127mm * 27mm