Review of 'The Case Of The Christie Curse' - Kelly Oliver

The Case of the Christie Curse

Mesopotamia, 1930: When Agatha Christie invites fellow members of the Detection Club to witness the famous excavations at the ruins of Ur, Dorothy L. Sayers, her quick-witted assistant Eliza Baker, and Theo Sharp expect ancient wonders – not fresh corpses.

But when an archaeologist is found dead in the sand, whispers of a deadly curse sweep through the camp. Eliza suspects something far more dangerous than superstition. Amid glittering artifacts and fragile alliances, every guest harbors secrets: the Woolleys, whose marriage is shadowed by tragedy; a journalist hungry for scandal; even academic Max Mallowan, whose loyalties are not what they seem.

As theft, forgery, and coded messages surface, the line between archaeology and espionage blurs. And when Eliza and Theo find themselves in danger, they must face not only the truth about the murder – but also the truths they’ve long denied about each other. Can they uncover the killer before the desert claims another victim? Or will this dig unearth secrets too dangerous to survive?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/CaseChristieCurse

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series, this has definitely been my favourite so far. The characters are really starting to come into their own now and I love the blending of fact and fiction. In the first book, I had a vague memory of having read something that had been referred to in a book I'd previously read about Christie. In this one, I felt positively triumphant because not only did I recognise some of the events that took place, but I also knew exactly which book the author had read about them in, because I'd read the same book last year. 'Come Tell Me How You Live' is Christie's account of her time in Mesopotamia and there were some beautiful nods to that account hidden within the plot of The Christie Curse. If you hadn't read Christie's account I'm not sure that you would pick up on the fact they were taken from real life, but for me it was an added bonus. There was also other information revealed about a real-life character, which I then went away and researched because although I knew something of the person in question, I hadn't been aware of that particular bit of information, but again it is beautifully woven into the plot and plays an important role in what happens in the fictional world.

In terms of the plot, it's fast-paced and exciting and the threats when they come, feel genuine. I had a sneaking suspicion I knew who the murderer was, and was delighted to be proved right, including the motive, but it meant that the peril the characters found themselves in felt heightened because if I was correct, there was a chance that something really bad could happen. Also, one of my pet peeves is when 'will-they, won't they' goes on for far too long. I don't generally mind which of the two options it is, as long as the characters make their minds up! I am pleased to say that is what happens here. Relationship questions are resolved to an extent and it means that future books will be able to explore the next step, which will no doubt bring its own issues, but will be far more interesting to read about than just being frustrated that they won't admit their feelings.

This series is beginning to move along nicely now and I love that the big names are side plots and side characters because it ensures the reader's attention remains firmly where it should be - on Eliza and Theo. I am, however, hoping that we will get more of Jane as the series progresses because I want to see how her work crosses over with Eliza's. And I cannot end the review without mentioning, Queenie. She is the star of this book and becomes the heroine she was always going to be!

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning, bestselling author of three mysteries series: The Jessica James Mysteries, The Pet Detective Mysteries, and the historical cozies The Fiona Figg Mysteries, set in WW1. She is also the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University and lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

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