It has been two years since the sensation caused by her eleven-day disappearance and Agatha is contemplating giving up detective novels to pursue a serious literary career. Seeking escape and inspiration, she travels to Baghdad on an archaeological tour. What she finds is turmoil: the world's biggest oil field has just been discovered and Iraq's ancient treasures are under threat. Agatha also finds a charming, naive young archaeologist, Max, who needs her help as a series of murders unfold in the faded grandeur of the villa where they are staying. Has Agatha met her match?
