Fans of Agatha Christie and Sophie Hannah will welcome this latest ... From sandstorms to patriarchal dismissiveness toward Iraqis, the setting is effectively portrayed; the enjoyably exasperating characters involved in this well-executed mystery are a treat, too.
As in the beloved Agatha Christie novels, a large cast of characters and many red herrings keep readers guessing. A strong sense of place and a thoughtful protagonist add interest. For readers of classic mysteries and, of course, Christie’s legions of fans.
The archaeological dig as the old dark house of period thrillers, with so much ingenuity lavished on the hyperextended finale that everyone will find something to treasure before the curtain comes down. An epilogue reveals that a surprising number of incidents and characters are drawn from history.
