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2. Orient Express to Istanbul

Agatha ChristieThe 8.55 to Baghdad
Episode 2 of 5

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

"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 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.

Andrew Eames is retracing Christie's steps, as he recalls taking the Orient Express railway train to Istanbul.

Written and read by Andrew Eames.

Abridged by Laurence Wareing.

Producer: David Jackson Young

First broadcast on BBC Radio in July 2004.

15 minutes

Last on

Tue 21 Jan 202509:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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    BBC Radio 4 Extra