5. The Ancient City of Ur

Andrew Eames visits the ancient city of Ur retracing the route 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 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.

Producer: David Jackson Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio in July 2004.