The 8.55 To Baghdad [Agatha Christie]

Her adventure had been taken at a moment of major personal change; mine was beginning at a moment that could change the world'.

In 1928, crime writer Agatha Christie made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go on holiday, alone, to Iraq. Then in her late thirties she was already a popular and successful novelist, but her 14 year marriage to Archie Christie had recently ended and her comfortable life at Sunningdale had become oppressive.

In the first of five readings from his book, Andrew Eames describes how 75 years later on, on the eve of the second Gulf War, he set out to trace Agatha's journey and explore her reasons for making it.

Written and read by Andrew Eames

Abridged in five parts by Laurence Wareing.

Producer: David Jackson Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio in July 2004.

Andrew Eames retraces the journey of Agatha Christie after the break-up of her marriage.

In 1928, after the break-up of her marriage, the English crime writer began a Middle Eastern adventure. Read by Andrew Eames.

Abridged by Laurence Wareing.

First broadcast on BBC Radio in 2004.

Then in her late 30s she was already a popular and successful novelist, but her 14-year marriage to Archie Christie had recently ended and her comfortable life at Sunningdale had become oppressive.

Written and read by Andrew Eames.

Andrew Eames retraces Agatha Christie's journey after her marriage break-up.

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Her adventure had been taken at a moment of major personal change; mine was beginning at a moment that could change the world'.

In 1928, crime writer Agatha Christie made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go on holiday, alone, to Iraq.

Then in her late 30s she was already a popular and successful novelist, but her 14-year marriage to Archie Christie had recently ended and her comfortable life at Sunningdale had become oppressive.

In the first of five readings from his book, Andrew Eames describes how 75 years later on, on the eve of the second Gulf War, he set out to trace Agatha's journey and explore her reasons for making it.

Written and read by Andrew Eames.

Abridged in five parts by Laurence Wareing.

Producer: David Jackson Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio in July 2004.

Andrew Eames retraces Agatha Christie's journey after her marriage break-up.

In 1928, after the break-up of her marriage, the English crime writer began a Middle Eastern adventure. Read by Andrew Eames.

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'All my life I had wanted to go on the Orient Express,' wrote Agatha. 'What can beat a train?'

In 1928, crime writer Agatha Christie made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go on holiday, alone, to Iraq. Then in her late thirties she was already a popular and successful novelist, but her 14 year marriage to Archie Christie had recently ended and her comfortable life at Sunningdale had become oppressive.

In the second of five readings from his book retracing Christie's steps, Andrew Eames recalls taking the Orient Express train to Istanbul.

Written and read by Andrew Eames

Abridged in five parts by Laurence Wareing

Producer: David Jackson Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio in July 2004.

Retracing the crime writer's Middle Eastern journey in 1928, Andrew Eames takes the Orient Express train to Istanbul. From 2004.

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In the third of five readings from his book retracing Christie's steps, Andrew Eames visits The Cilician Gates and travels by sleeping car to Damascus, Syria.

In Damascus, Syria, Christie spent some time shopping before heading off to Baghdad and a steam bath.

In 1928, crime writer Agatha Christie made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go on holiday, alone, to Iraq. Then in her late thirties she was already a popular and successful novelist, but her 14 year marriage to Archie Christie had recently ended and her comfortable life at Sunningdale had become oppressive.

Written and read by Andrew Eames

Abridged in five parts by Laurence Wareing

Producer: David Jackson Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio in July 2004.

Retracing the crime writer's journey, Andrew Eames stops off for a steam bath in Damascus.

Retracing the English crime writer's 1928 journey to Iraq, Andrew Eames recalls a steam bath in Damascus. From 2004.

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In the fourth of five readings from his book retracing Christie's steps, Andrew Eames sets out from Damascus to Baghdad and with the motley crew of passengers is reminded of Christie's novel Nemesis.

The route they take follows the original silk route. The journey is uncertain and he marvels at Agatha Christie taking this trip in 1928.

In 1928, crime writer Agatha Christie made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go on holiday, alone, to Iraq. Then in her late thirties she was already a popular and successful novelist, but her 14 year marriage to Archie Christie had recently ended and her comfortable life at Sunningdale had become oppressive.

Written and read by Andrew Eames

Abridged in five parts by Laurence Wareing

Producer: David Jackson Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio in July 2004.

Eames arrives in Baghdad on the eve of war, but the welcome from the locals is friendly.

Eames and his coach party arrive in the Iraqi capital as it prepares for war - but the welcome from the locals is friendly. From 2004.

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In the final reading, Andrew Eames continues to retrace the English crime writer's 1928 journey and visits the ancient city of Ur where Agatha met her future husband, the archaeologist Max Mallowan.

In 1928, crime writer Agatha Christie made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go on holiday, alone, to Iraq. Then in her late thirties she was already a popular and successful novelist, but her 14 year marriage to Archie Christie had recently ended and her comfortable life at Sunningdale had become oppressive.

Written and read by Andrew Eames

Abridged in five parts by Laurence Wareing.

Producer: David Jackson Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio in July 2004.

Andrew Eames visits the ancient city of Ur, where Agatha met her future husband.

Andrew Eames visits the ancient city of Ur, where Agatha met her future husband the archaeologist Max Mallowan. From 2004.

Andrew Eames visits the ancient city of Ur retracing the route where Agatha met her future husband, the archaeologist Max Mallowan.

Then in her late 30s she was already a popular and successful novelist, but her 14 year marriage to Archie Christie had recently ended and her comfortable life at Sunningdale had become oppressive.

Written and concluded by Andrew Eames

Abridged by Laurence Wareing.

[LISTEN NOW]