I was invested in the story throughout the entire book but the resolution was ...way off (to put it mildly).

The mystery is solid. Listening to this on audio left me cringing at some points. Was Christie extremely racist and prejudiced against everyone except British people? Or did she simply enjoy writing characters that felt that way?

I truly enjoyed this Poirot novel, though he is not as present as the story is narrated by one of the characters.

Christie's descriptions of the surroundings were extremely good and I could totally imagine the setting of where it all happened. They showed she had clearly been there ( probably during her travels with her archeologist husband) and has an excellent knowledge of archaeology.

The characters have a very strong presence despite their own faults and weaknesses. Any one of them could have easily committed the murder as they all had a motive!

As is Christie's trademarks, there are a lot of characters and a lot of red herrings in this story.

I totally recommend this novel.

Some will regard this novel as dated due to the novel's colonial overtones and occasional reliance on stereotypes, but modern readers can still appreciate the brilliance of Agatha Christie's "Murder in Mesopotamia". The unique setting of Baghdad and its surrounding archaeological digs at Tell Yarimjah immerses readers in a world filled with mystery and intrigue. Unlike some authors who may "tour" a destination then use it as a setting for a novel, Christie's second marriage to archeologist, Max Mallowan "opened up the world for her" and Christie's first-hand experience in the Middle East allows her to weave a strong sense of mood and place, bringing the world to her readers.

“I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow; but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.”― Agatha Christie

The interplay of characters adds depth and complexity to the story. Poirot's brilliance shines through as he navigates the secrets and deception, unraveling the truth behind the murder. Each character is well crafted, each with their own motivations and secrets that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

In addition to the mystery, Christie's ability to incorporate psychological and atmospheric elements elevates the novel. The psychological depths of the characters, their hidden desires and fears, brings complexity to the narrative which keeps the reader constantly guessing. The atmospheric descriptions of the Middle East, transports the reader to this unfamiliar region especially in a period that many today have not witnessed.

The Characters
Louise Leidner: the victim. a beautiful and intelligent archaeologist's wife, carrying the weight of a troubled past, having once been previously married to Frederick Bosner, arrested for being a spy, sentenced to death; ultimately escaping, only to be killed in a train crash. But was he?

Amy Leatheran (Narrator): a diligent nurse, her observant nature allows her to notice the smallest details others overlooked. As the investigation unfolds, her perceptiveness gives crucial insight regarding the characters and the happenings of the case.

Dr. Eric Leidner: a distinguished archaeologist, known for his sharp intellect and unwavering dedication to uncovering the past. His passion for ancient civilizations often kept him in remote dig sites. While his work consumed him, his love was for his wife Louise.

Richard Carey: the enigmatic archaeologist, has a romantic history with the victim which adds a layer of secrecy and potential motive to the murder.

Joseph Mercado: a member of the archaeological team having worked at museum in New York.

Mrs Marie Mercado is a Joseph's devoted wife yet jealous of the victim

Miss Anne Johnson: a longtime part of Eric Leidner's archaeology team, who was in love with Eric.

Carl Reiter: photographer from Chicago. He is at his first year at the dig at Tell Yarimjah.

David Emmott: is a quiet young American man, his second year with the dig team in Tell Yarimjah.

Bill Coleman: a young man at his first dig though not particularly interested in archaeology

Father Lavigny: a French monk, specialist in epigraphy and old languages, and a new member of the expedition team replacing Dr Byrd, who was unable to join the expedition that season, as he was ill.

Dr Giles Reilly: a doctor in Hassanieh, and a longtime friend of Poirot.

Sheila Reilly: the 20-year-old outspoken daughter of Dr Reilly whose observations gives Poirot a different aspect to the characters.

Captain Maitland: the police officer assigned to the murder investigation. He is depicted as diligent and determined to solve the case.

While acknowledging the novel's flaws, it is important to appreciate the historical context in which it was written. By doing so, readers can still enjoy "Murder in Mesopotamia" as a testament to Agatha Christie's storytelling prowess, her ability to create captivating settings, and her masterful characterization of the world-renowned detective, Poirot, as he pieces together motivations, he realizes that the truth often lays hidden in the heart, revealing itself only to those who understand the complexities of the human psyche.

Although I very much enjoy books by Agatha Christie, I'm not a huge fan of Poirot, and I hadn't read this book before. He was less annoying than he is sometimes - maybe because the book was narrated by an English nurse - and the mystery was good. I guessed who the murderer was but not why and how.

I love that each and every Poirot mystery is so different - this one was written by a nurse.