The Woman on the Orient Express

by Lindsay Jayne Ashford

Hoping to make a clean break from a fractured marriage, Agatha Christie boards the Orient Express in disguise. But unlike her famous detective Hercule Poirot, she can’t neatly unravel the mysteries she encounters on this fateful journey.

Agatha isn’t the only passenger on board with secrets. Her cabinmate Katharine Keeling’s first marriage ended in tragedy, propelling her toward a second relationship mired in deceit. Nancy Nelson—newly married but carrying another man’s child—is desperate to conceal the pregnancy and teeters on the brink of utter despair. Each woman hides her past from the others, ferociously guarding her secrets. But as the train bound for the Middle East speeds down the track, the parallel courses of their lives shift to intersect—with lasting repercussions.

Filled with evocative imagery, suspense, and emotional complexity, The Woman on the Orient Express explores the bonds of sisterhood forged by shared pain and the power of secrets.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Audiobook, Book Club, Romance

331 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2016

About the author

Same author publishes as Lindsay Ashford.

Reviews

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout my life I have always enjoyed reading mysteries as palette cleansers in between heavier reads. Whether its a contemporary series or historical stand alone, I am intrigued over the prospect of whodunit. Yet, my favorite mystery writer remains the Dame of British crime, Agatha Christie, especially cases featuring her Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. When I found out about a historical novel featuring Christie, I was equally intrigued. Lindsay Jayne Ashford's Woman on the Orient Express focusing on Christie's life in the late 1920s ended up being fast reading fun with a story that did not disappoint.

It is 1928. Agatha Christie has found out that her husband's long affair to Nancy Neele will end up in marriage. Christie is devastated emotionally but being the independent woman that she is decides to travel to Baghdad aboard the famous Orient Express train. In need of a holiday without the world knowing of her divorce or other private affairs, Christie assumes the name Mary Miller on her voyage. With a sharp mind that is always a step ahead of most, Christie believes that no one will find out about her secrets.

On the train she meets archeologist Katharine Woolley who has many secrets of her own. As a trail blazing woman in her field, Woolley desires female companionship if only to boss her new found friends around. With a mind as sharp as a tack, she soon discovers Christie's identity but keeps it to herself until the right moment. Meanwhile the two women also meet Nancy Nelson who is running away from her husband because she is pregnant with another man's child. The three women eventually reveal each other's whereabouts to each other and strike up an enriching friendship.

In real life, Christie did travel to Baghdad and Mesopotamia where she met Katharine Woolley as well as her future husband Max Mallowan. The Middle East would serve as the setting of many future mysteries including Murder in Mesopotamia and of course the timeless Murder on the Orient Express starring Hercule Poirot. Ashford researched the era well, mixing facts with fiction. Using detailed descriptions of time and place, she developed a detailed story with many characters that came to a nexus at the site of the Woolley's archeological dig in Ur, Iraq. Yet, like many of the mysteries I read, I found the writing to be fast paced, easy sentence structured without quality literary fiction. The novel did have a plot I enjoyed, which was perfect for a fast paced fun, summer read.

While Woman on the Orient Express may not win awards for literary fiction, it did shed light on Agatha Christie's divorce and later married life. A sharp mind who is always on the lookout for writing materials, Christie journaled about her experiences in the desert, later turning them into many novels including my all time favorite mystery. Lindsay Jayne Ashford has created a fun story, which she followed up with a detailed epilogue. I always enjoy Agatha Christie's mysteries, and I also enjoyed reading about her, albeit in a fictionalized setting. For a fast paced read, Woman on the Orient Express is a solid 3.5/3.75 stars.

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approached this book not knowing beforehand about the fact that it was a fictional account of Agatha Christie's journey on the Orient express. I was amused by the premise when I began reading. But soon I was invested in the tale.

Most of the journey from Calais to Istanbul made for an absorbing perusal. If you know where to look, there are references to Poirot's fictional journey in the same train. There is even a mystery in the story.

Most of the main characters are women, and they have issues with romance or love. The three main characters hide something from their past. What kept me going was the syntax of the author. She had researched her subject well and it shows. The epilogue was so poignant. Altogether a very satisfying book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful, historical novel, mixes fact and fiction and puts Agatha Christie at the centre of a story based loosely on real life. It is 1928 when Agatha has divorced her husband, Archie, after he told her that he was in love with another woman. She has endured endless press speculation about her life, especially after the incident where she went missing after the breakup of her marriage. Now, with Archie about to re-marry, she is feeling forlorn, sensitive and depressed. Determined to get away from England, she takes the Orient Express and head for Baghdad, under the name, Mary Miller.

Her journey will introduce her to two other women, also travelling on the train. There is the beautiful, flirtatious widow, Katharine Keeling; who is heading to Mesopotamia to work on a dig there and who is due to marry the much older archaeologist, Leonard Wooley. There is also Nancy, a married woman who is fleeing her husband and who hopes to meet her married lover on the train. All three of the women have their secrets to bear, but the journey will bring them together. When Katharine invites them to visit the dig at Ur, events will threaten to overwhelm the women, who – despite their differences – do their best to help each other.

I will say that I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie and I was unsure about reading this novel based upon her life. However, it is wise to remember that this is a novel and, although there is some factual content, it is fiction and the character of Nancy does not actually exist. I have read Christie’s biography and her book about her life on expeditions in the Middle East, “Come, tell me how you live,” which is a charming memoir, and this novel does really help you imagine what that time, and place, was like. This is an evocative and well written book, which is sensitive to Christie as a woman and imagines her romance with Max Mallowan. I can, in all honesty, hardly recall enjoying a historical novel more than this one – I recommend it highly as a very enjoyable read. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5★

I read a lot of favourable reviews for this title & I did think about breaking my longstanding rule - only freebies for my Kindle. I loved the cover art & a fictionalised account of Agatha Christie's trip on the Orient Express & subsequent adventures in the Middle East sounded right up my alley. Very high rating on GR too.

I'm so thankful I didn't pay for this book!

The book had a reasonable start & I loved some of the descriptions of the three ladies' travels. In particular my inner foodie loved reading about the food.

I just don't feel Ashford really knew what to do with her characters - in particular the fictional Nancy & her lover. The resolution of her story including the farcical appearance of her vengeful ex - I expected Felix to twirl his moustache!- was farcical & seemed more like a uninspired writer tying up loose ends.

I was uncomfortable with some of the speculation about real life character Katherine Woolley - although Ashford isn't the only writer intrigued by this enigmatic woman's fascination & sexuality.

I guess my expectations were too high. Treating this subject as Chick Lit was a waste of a good idea.

[Duane Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this 5 stars on "Audible" so I will do the same here. If I had just read the book it probably would have been a 4/4.5, but the narration by the very talented Justine Eyre was superb, thus the 5 stars.

The writing was very good, and the concept of the story and the plot was great. Ashford created an excellent set of characters for her story, and if you're going to have Agatha Christie be one of them, you better have your A-game. She pulled it off quite nicely; I think Agatha would have been pleased.

The story is based on a trip Agatha took to Mesopotamia on the Orient Express shortly after her divorce. This trip supposedly gave her the idea for her famous novel Murder on the Orient Express. It's excellent historical fiction with a fair share of mystery and intrigue thrown in, and a little adventure and romance to top it off. A very entertaining read.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Woman on the Orient Express is a fictionalized account of author Agatha Christie’s journey to Baghdad and the archaeological dig site at Ur in the late 1920s. It reimagines her relationships with her friend, Katherine Keeling, and Christie’s future husband, Max Mallolwan. This rich narrative has a wide tapestry of fictional characters. Agatha Christie was still reeling from the infidelity of her husband, Archie. She feels threatened about his impending marriage in London. And Agatha Christie is still facing the fallout from her infamous 10-day incident of amnesia. With those factors looming large, Ms. Christie feels that a change of scenery would spark ideas for her mystery novels as she boards the iconic Orient Express in Calais after crossing the English Channel. The scenery was stunning as the luxury train barreled through some of the most scenic destinations in Italy, including Venice as it steams below the Dolomite mountain range with the ultimate destination crossing the Turkish border toward Istanbul and on to Baghdad.

“The irony of it didn’t escape her. There she was—sitting on a train that she already decided would feature in one of her future novels—waiting for a figment of her imagination to tell her what to do. How is it, she thought, that one can create a character who is more intelligent, more observant, more perceptive than oneself?”

Agatha Christie quickly realizes that she isn’t the only passenger aboard the Orient Express with secrets. Her cabin mate, Katherine Keeling’s first marriage ended in tragedy propelling her toward another relationship mired in deceit. But Ms. Keeling is determine to continue her position with Len Woolley on the archaeological dig in Ur. Nancy Nelson is carrying another man’s child although recently married. Desperate to keep her pregnancy secret, she is on the brink of despair. While each woman hides her past and her secrets, as the train bounds down the tracks for the Middle East, the parallel course of their lives begin to intersect with lasting repercussions. This atmospheric novel is filled with imagery, suspense and emotional complexity as the bonds of friendship are explored in myriad ways as they begin to trust one another.

“To Agatha’s relief, the Bosphorus was as calm as a millpond. There was none of the pitching and rolling that had made her so queasy in the Channel. She watched the quayside recede, gazing in wonder at the mosques and minarets standing out against an azure sky.”

There are quite a few nods to Hercule Poirot that are beautifully done. Agatha Christie says that she can hear the voice of Hercule Poirot:

”Trust the train, mademoiselle, for it is le bon died who drives it. . . .

“For the train, like life, must go on until it reaches its destination. You might not always like what you see out the window, but if you pull down the blind, you will miss the beauty as well as the ugliness.”

“Hercule whispers as I hesitate: The train must go on. Trust the train. . . “

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the woman is THE Agatha Christie?

Betrayals. Secrets. And a journey that changed three lives forever.

Wonderful historical fiction reading experience.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Audiobook narrated by Justine Eyre

Brief description
I have never read any books by Agatha Christie, but this book just sounded as if it was right up my alley. Although the fictionalized story only partially takes place on the Orient Express and it isn't a standard mystery, readers are introduced to three women all fleeing the past and heading to Baghdad. Distancing herself from the approaching second marriage of her ex-husband and the wagging tongues of the British media, is renowned mystery writer, Agatha Christie, travelling under the name Mary Miller. Her roommate is Katherine Keeling, a British woman working on a Mesopotamian archaeological dig, living under the shadow of her first husband's death. Unlike the first two women, that both existed, Lindsay Jayne Ashford, introduces us to Nancy Nelson, a newly married woman, fleeing from her husband while pregnant with another man's child. Added into the mix is a romance for Agatha Christie with a handsome archaeologist working on the same dig as Katherine.

What I thought

I listened to the audio as I was travelling through Maine this past weekend and I felt myself lured into the vivid scenes on the train and in and around Baghdad that Ashford brings to life. I like that as a reader we are given time inside the inner thoughts of all three ladies. Ashford brings to light the ideas about women at the time in the post WWI era. Both Agatha and Katherine had served as nurses during the war and yet, afterwards, felt it difficult to slide into the wife and mother roles that society expected of them and set about to carve lives separate from that. Nancy's story line was a bit predictable and I felt the ending of her story rather convenient. As well, the narrator of the audio does make her out to sound like an energetic but naive schoolgirl. I much preferred the voices of Agatha and Katherine best.

I feel a bit so-so about the romance for Agatha. I just never warmed to Ashford's characterization of Max. Maybe I am feeling a bit too personal about it, but I am always wary of a man that I like criticizing a friend as much as Max does of Katherine. It miffed me how gullible Agatha is to fall for what he has to say. Talk about leaping to conclusions! But I suppose that is something that so many of us( including me at periods of my life) have tended to do. So it's realistic, but annoying in book characters!

All in all, I would read a book by Ashford again.

[Brittany McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a superb amount of historical context and research, but it is dreadfully boring. The main issue with this book was that it tried to cram TOO much into it.

As a reader, you start with a weird as-crap beginning of some dude popping up to Agatha Christie to talk about the past, but in a creeper/stalker/spy type of way; after reading, it still didn't make much sense to me. Then, we also follow two other women who end up on the same Orient Express when Agatha is on her way to Baghdad, hoping to rendezvous with a man from her past.

A big theme of female empowerment after a failed marriage/relationship is a spectacular topic. I loved the sweeping descriptions of locations from the past and the women's thoughts. What didn't work for me was that these characters would have been better served broken up into entirely new chapters instead of jumbled all together. (Perhaps this is better depicted in a physical form than it was in the Kindle format I read).

Overall, I found myself task-saturated and overwhelmed with so much information, continuously rapidly fired at the reader, and then left to sort it all out and figure out which pieces should be attributed to which woman. My favorite character was Katharine, one of the women other than Agatha Christie, as she was portrayed in a somewhat pompous air of conceit.

Overall, this wasn't more than a 3-star read for me; it felt like two books smashed into one.

[Magdalena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't have a clue what the book was about when I started to read this book. I thought this book would have some kind of mystery that that would inspire Agatha Christe to write one her mystery books. It wasn't until I had read perhaps half the book that I read the blurb and I'm glad that I did not read it before because I thought it gave away a little too much for my taste. I preferred to discover key events rather than knowing before I start a book.

As for the mysteries in this book. Well, I can't say that this book turned out as I thought it would. But, still, I quite liked the book. I liked the women's stories, their friendship as they started to get to know each other. Some things are based on real events and real people and some are the author's inventions like Nancy Nelson. And, this may not have turned out to be the murder mystery story that I thought it would be, but I enjoyed traveling with the women on the Orient Express and later on their time in the Middle East. I love reading about travels in the beginning of the 2000-century. For some reason, it's just so much more exotic, and thrilling to follow people as they travel back then. Especially women like Katharine Keeling who was a real famous archeologist. Nowadays, well everyone is flying everywhere and there are tourists all over the globe.

So, despite not turning out as I thought it would, did I enjoy the book. I liked the writing style and I especially liked reading about three interesting women.

3.5 stars

I want to thank Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book through NetGalley!

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am such a huge Agatha Christie fan, she's the #1 author for a reason. Her books are always something I look forward to reading. When I saw this book I was instantly intrigued. Even though this is a fictional account of Agatha's time after her divorce from Archie, there are quite a few facts interwoven throughout the story. As Agatha makes her way on to the famous Orient Express, she meets two other women traveling, Katharine and Nancy. They befriend each other and continue their friendship throughout Agatha's time in Ur. She also meets her second husband, Max, at this time as well. I loved this other side of Agatha. Just imagining what this iconic author was like and where she got her inspirations, it was a pure treat. I loved the characters and the writing. I will say that there's not a lot that happens in this novel and I can see where many people will find this story boring. I don't know if I enjoyed it as much as I did because I love Agatha Christie but my guess is that that's exactly why I liked it.

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs Mary Miller, aka Mrs Agatha Christie, hoped for a few months to find her feet, settle her mind and recover from her husband’s treachery. As she boarded the Orient Express which was headed for Baghdad, she hoped no one would recognize her. Her cabin mate, Katharine Keeling, was a well to do young woman who was heading to the digs in the Middle East. And Nancy Nelson was running away with secrets of her own.

These three women became friends, first tentatively, then firmly. But they each kept their secrets close to their chests. What would happen when they arrived in Baghdad? Would their secrets undo their quests for a peaceful existence in their futures?

The Woman on the Orient Express was a thoroughly enjoyable, extremely readable novel by Lindsay Jayne Ashford. Blending fact with fiction, the story is beautifully told; the imagery is spectacular and the emotion high. The Afterword is interesting, explaining the author’s intention in highlighting a critical period in Agatha Christie’s life and how she went about it. Highly recommended.

[☮Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the films made from Agatha Christie books, Murder on the Orient Express has always been my favorite. In the back of my mind ever since, I have wondered about the train, The Orient Express, as it seemed like an amazing way to see and experience life and history all at once.

This book offered me the next best thing, plus a fictional account of a time Ms. Christie traveled on the train following her divorce in 1928. I just loved this book and learned so much! Agatha meets many interesting and diverse people, some real, some fictional, and her life is changed from making the trip. It culminated in traveling from Baghdad to an archeological dig in Ur, where a good portion of the story takes place. A little bit of history, women's fiction, love, friendship, and adventure in the desert all rolled up into one.

The train, like life, must go on until it reaches it's destination. You might not always like what you see out the window, but if you pull down the blind you will miss the beauty as well as the ugliness.

An ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The train ride to Damascus is long. The stoppages and well met along the way both squalid and elegant. The women interesting and troubled. All for various reasons.

The book is too long. The travelogue stops both smelly and breath-taking to visuals. The women (our prime three) both insular and chatty. And secretive. All for various reasons.

At the 3/4th point of the book I would have given it a 3 star and noted it was a good emotive "he done me wrong" aftermath mixed with intriguing crosscut Agatha Christie style "think". Which, if you haven't experienced that is far more intrepid in consequences than the norm.

But then, it changes. It becomes nearly another genre. And that really has nothing to do with the dry or obscure geographic location within isolation, either.

And then it turns again. Which surprised me twice as much as the first twist did.

This is an uncommon book in format. There is so much context input in proportion to reveal or outcome. But it works. Rather parallel to a Christie work itself. Which gained it an entire star.

It's too bad the ending was such a disappointment to me. Too tidy. Twice quotient by two too tidy.

But I'm sure it's, that tie up ending- also popular with the greatest majority of readers who get to page 300 plus, which I would guess too, would ALSO be majority females. And are there any men like Max anymore? Oh come on, "just close your eyes!"

Tidy like this book's ending just doesn't jive with reality. In this era or any? Never. But I thought the Katherine depiction also made up for that author ending "appeasement to please and sell" factor. Agatha herself? That characterization was more than adequate but I missed her sharp retort factor- nearly completely. Oh, I am sure she had it.

It's very difficult to "get" real life famous characters of celeb status of any age in fiction works of this length to their thoughts for/ to any believable context plot, IMHO. But, this one approached a cross-cut style with her work itself and that was truly appreciated.

Almost forgot, the fun factor!!! The first half was a 5 in fun factor. I loved the train ride.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - just for fun stars.

I think Agatha Christie would be delighted to find herself a fictional character involved in an oriental adventure in the company of two other women that she just happened to meet on a train. Ashford's imagination of what might have happened on Agatha's voyage on the Orient Express in 1928 felt true and possible, and what more can you ask?

I needed a palate cleanser after two many hard, serious books, and this little gem was just the ticket. I found each of the women fascinating in their own right, such different personalities, but showing that all experiences are universal...most of us have stood on one side or the other and failed to examine the flip side of the coin.

I hope the real Agatha Christie recovered from her divorce and all the publicity of her mysterious disappearance that made headlines and heartaches. I have never pictured her as a beautiful woman, having seen mostly older photographs, but a quick google of her showed a young woman who might have turned many of the heads around her.

I cannot say I am a true fan of Christie, although I have read and enjoyed a number of her books. However, I do think it is fun to find a well-known person scuttling about in the pages of a modern novel, if the writer can do it well--and Lindsay Jayne Ashford does.

[Menia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 *

[Eva Gavilli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trama/Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Personaggi/Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stile/Style ⭐⭐⭐

C'è voluto un po' per farselo piacere...pensavo fosse un mistery, poi mi sono trovata di fronte l'ennesimo romanzo con protagonista Agatha Christie ed ho subito pensato alla sòla per accaparrarsi qualche lettore in più (basta.....non se ne può più, sembrano uno peggio dell'altro!). Invece alla fine mi sono trovata di fronte ad una belle storia di amicizia, di famiglia, di amore...quattro stelle (ed il nome della protagonista è del tutto indifferente, poteva chiamarsi Maria Rossi, la cosa non avrebbe né tolto né aggiunto niente alla storia).
***
It took me a while to really like it... I thought it was a mystery, then I found myself faced with yet another novel starring Agatha Christie and immediately thought it was a scam to snag a few more readers (enough... I can't take it anymore, they seem worse than each other!). Instead, in the end I found myself faced with a beautiful story of friendship, family, love... four stars (and the protagonist's name is completely irrelevant, she could have been called Jane Smith, it wouldn't have taken anything away or added anything to the story).

[Simona Stoica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Femeia din Orient Express este cadoul ideal pentru fanii Agathei Christie. Glasul lui Hercule Poirot o însoțește pe autoare într-o călătorie exotică, sursă de inspirație pentru viitoare romane și personaje. Prietenia dintre ea, Nancy și Katherine pornește de la o rețea complicată de secrete, dezvăluite în celebrul Orient Express și pe un sit arheolgic, unde Agatha îndrăznește din nou să viseze, să spere și să se îndrăgostească. Fie că este autoare sau personaj, Agatha Christie este minunată.

[Tessa Nadir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un roman interesant in care o avem in prim plan pe insasi scriitoarea Agatha Christie care se urca in faimosul Orient Express. Este ca si cum George Lucas s-ar imbarca pe Millenium Falcon cu destinatia Tatooine...
Cartea imbina fictiunea cu realitatea fiind bazata pe fapte reale din viata Agathei Christie, mai exact se pune accent pe o perioada critica in care celebra autoare a divortat de sotul ei Archie. La scurt timp dupa separare acesta s-a casatorit cu amanta lui, Nancy Neele. In 1926, cand Agatha a aflat despre existenta altei femei a avut o cadere nervoasa si a disparut 10 zile, traind incognito pana cand politia a dat de urmele ei. Intregul eveniment a starnit multa valva si scandal iar ea a fost nevoita sa dea vina pe munca ei extenuanta pentru a pastra aparentele.
De asemenea, celalalt personaj care apare in carte, Katherine Woolley a fost si ea o persoana reala pe care Agatha a intalnit-o in 1928 cand a vizitat sapaturile de la Ur. Cele doua s-au imprietenit si Agatha a creat personajul Louise Leidner din "Crima in Mesopotamia" dupa asemanarea ei.
In ceea ce priveste prezentul roman acesta se dezvolta in jurul a trei femei:
Agatha, care ia Orient Express, precum celebrul ei personaj Hercule Poirot, pentru a calatori la Bagdad. Ea spera ca vacanta o va ajuta sa uite de divortul de sotul ei care a parasit-o pentru o alta femeie. Peste tot in tren are impresia ca il vede pe acesta.
Nancy, a doua femeie, care fuge de acasa dintr-o casnicie dezastruoasa, intalnindu-si amantul in tren.
Katherine, o femeie foarte sic si moderna al carei sot s-a sinucis de curand si care calatoreste la Bagdad pentru a se casatori cu altul.
Vietile celor trei se vor intersecta intr-un mod interesant, acestea ajungand sa lupte laolalta impotriva greutatilor pe care le vor intampina.
Romanul va placea cititorilor pasionati de calatorii, facandu-se un itinerariu foarte punctual si interesant al tuturor locurilor in care opreste trenul. De asemenea ne este infatisata intreaga calatorie prin orient, trecand prin Damasc ori Bagdad si cititorul se poate delecta cu amanunte despre mirodenii, beduini, matasuri, camile, desert si diversele traditii orientale.
Din pacate am observat prezenta multor greseli de litera in text care puteau fi evitate cu usurinta.
In concluzie este un roman care se citeste usor putand fi o lectura excelenta pentru o vacanta petrecuta pe plaja si care o sa binedispuna cititoarele facandu-le sa viseze la viata exotica a orientului.

[Fred Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a historical novel where none other than Agatha Christie herself is the protagonist as she takes a trip on The Orient Express. Soon after her divorce from her first husband Archie in the 1920’s, Mrs. Christie travels to Baghdad and on to ancient Ur to escape a recent scandal. This is the story of the journey and its effect on her life.

On the train Agatha meets several individuals, 2 women and a man, who come to be close friends and more. One of the women and the man work at an archaeological dig in Mesopotamia led by Leonard Woolley, a noted expert in the field. Their exploits along the way and when they get to Ur are mesmerizing.

I found the book fascinating and well written. Ms Ashford’s characters come to life, and I feel I know something about the writer Christie herself. The scene descriptions and customs of the area were tantalizing.

Highly recommended.

My copy was an Brilliance Audio audiobook, narrated by Justine Eyre.

[Evi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πρόσφατα διάβασα το πολύ όμορφο ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα της Lindsay Jayne Ashford "Η Αγκάθα στο Οριάν Εξπρές" που κυκλοφορεί από τις εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο.

Πρόκειται για την περίοδο μετά το διαζύγιο της θρυλικής συγγραφέως Αγκάθα Κρίστι. Προσπαθώντας να ανακάμψει ψυχολογικά αποφασίζει να ταξιδέψει με το Οριάν Εξπρές έχοντας ως προορισμό τη Βαγδάτη. Στο ταξίδι αυτό συναντά κάποια μυστήρια, τα οποία όμως δυσκολεύεται να διευθετήσει με την ευκολία που διακρίνει τον Ηρακλή Πουαρό, το γνωστό ντετέκτιβ των ιστοριών της.

Στο τρένο συνταξιδεύει με άλλες δυο κύριες, με τις οποίες συνδέεται στενά. Ομοίως με την Αγκάθα και οι συνταξιδιώτισσες της διατηρούν και αυτές κάποια μυστικά, που όμως δεν αποκαλύπτουν ως το τέλος του ταξιδιού τους. Ωστόσο, καθώς το ταξίδι ολοκληρώνεται οι ζωές τους αποκτούν μια κοινή τροχιά, με αποτέλεσμα οι συνέπειες να επηρεάζουν την κάθεμια από τις τρεις γυναίκες εξίσου.

Ποιος δε διάβασε Αγκάθα Κρίστι; Ποιος δεν αγάπησε τον Ηρακλή Πουαρό και τη Μις Μαρπλ; Ποιος δεν ξενύχτησε να βρει τo δολοφόνο; Και τελικά ποιος δε θα ήθελε να πάρει μια γεύση απ' την αληθινή ζωή της γυναίκας που συνέλαβε με την πένα της τόσα και τόσα μυστήρια; Σ' αυτό το βιβλίο διακρίνεται ένα μείγμα πραγματικότητας και μυθοπλασίας. Πράγματι, η συγγραφέας πήρε διαζύγιο και προκειμένου να ξαναβρεί τον εαυτό της έπειτα από μια σοβαρή ψυχολογική κατάπτωση αποφασίζει να ταξιδέψει στην Ανατολή με το Οριάν Εξπρές όπου τελικά γνωρίζει το δεύτερο σύζυγο της. Το ταξίδι αυτό αποτελεί την κύρια πηγή έμπνευσης της για το γνωστό της μυθιστόρημα Έγκλημα στο Οριάν Εξπρές.

Η Lindsay Jayne Ashford πλέκει με απαράμιλλη δεξιοτεχνία πραγματικά γεγονότα από τη ζωή της πασίγνωστης συγγραφέως με άλλα φανταστικά και δημιουργεί ένα σαγηνευτικό μυθιστόρημα με στοιχεία περιπέτειας και δόσεις ρομάντζου.

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the few books where I did not read the synopsis before reading the book. All I knew of the book was it was a mystery and probably involved Agatha Christie. There were mysterious elements about the lives of the women Christie befriended on the Orient Express but this book was really about the life of Agatha Christie with fictional accounts interweaved into the story. I found myself immersed in Christie's life and enjoyed learning about her writing and muses. Her personal life was intriguing as I didn't know about her tumultuous relationship with Archibald Christie and her fascinating second marriage to Sir Max Mallowan. I was also interested in Nancy and Katherine and the friendship/sisterhood that the three women experienced in Mesopotamia. All three women had strong spirits and were supportive to one another in trying times. The sprinkling of cultural references from the Bedouin tribes to the archeological digs added to the beauty of the story. A well written book and I will read another by Ashford.
5 Stars

[Lyn Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shades of Agatha Christie indeed!
Not only is Christie herself reinvented as a quasi-fictional character, but the author has Christie find ideas from her journeys that she will use as themes for the novels she will write.
Several other real people appear as characters too - archaeologists Leonard Woolley and Max Mallowan, and Woolley's wife Katherine. As much of the emotional drama of the book revolves around failing marriages and awkward sex, I couldn't help feeling embarrassed for the people whose names are attached to Ashford's characters, and for their families.
It seems that once an author decides to put the tag 'historical novel' on a story s/he wants to write, any speculation about the characters is fair game, and speculating about other people's sex lives sells books.
And this speculation tends to stick, even when it's labelled fiction.

Somehow it seems to matter more when the reinvented lives are in the recent, not the far, past.

[♪ Kim N · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Woman on the Orient Express is a fictionalized account of Agatha Christie's journey to Baghdad in 1928, after her first marriage failed. Along the way she befriends two women. All three are keeping certain secrets, but they eventually bond and confide in each other. I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It's not a mystery, just a gentle tale about friendship, a little romance, and making the most of second chances.

[Mandy Radley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, partly fact (I think not much fact) and a lot of fiction about Agatha Christie's trip on the Orient Express to Baghdad in 1928 following the divorce from her husband. Makes me want to read Death on the Nile, and Murder on the Orient Express. Loved the movies, never read the books.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Woman on the Orient Express is a good solid drama. A steady and interesting read that has a few surprises.

The main character is Agatha Christie and many of the people in the book actually lived. The story starts out with a visit from a young acquaintance coming to visit an aged Agatha. The young man wanted information about some people Agatha had known a long time ago. So the story proceeds with Agatha recalling/retelling of her experience when she booked a trip on the Orient Express. Agatha's divorce with Archie Christie was all over the papers and she just had to get out of England. Agatha traveled under an assumed name to avoid attention as Agatha was a fairly well known author by that time. Over the course of time travelling on the train, Agatha meets up with Nancy and Katherine. These ladies have their own secrets. I found a couple of incongruities, I thought, in the plot that sort of bothered me but not enough to put me off of the story.

The characters are well developed as the story progresses. The overall story is about Agatha. The focus for a major part the story is the relationship that the three women share. I'm not the ideal audience for the story because a lot of the issues in the book are what I would characterize as "women's issues" of the 1920's. There are aspects of the book that had me travelling through Europe on this train making me think that this would be interesting trip to take sometime. A good part of the book talks about the archaeological finds in the Mesopotamia region of the Middle East including some cultural references. This is an OLD place dating back to the birth of civilization.

This book is predominately women's fiction and is written well enough not to be overpowering. I listened to the audio book and the narrator did a great job with all the characters. It took me a little bit to acclimate to the British accent. I think since the voice in the story was Agatha's the accent was to emulate Agatha's accent when she was alive. I don't know though for sure as I have never listened to a recording of the author's voice.

This is a women's drama and story about Agatha Christie that I found interesting and overall well written.

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha Christie, die gefeierte Autorin von Kriminalromanen, benötigt eine Auszeit. Die Scheidung von ihrem Mann macht ihr schwer zu schaffen. So steigt sie unter falschem Namen in den Orient-Express mit Ziel Bagdad. Auf der Reise lernt sie die Archäologin Katharina sowie die junge Nancy kennen. Die drei ganz unterschiedlichen Frauen freunden sich nach und nach miteinander an. Schließlich besuchen Nancy und Agatha Katharina in Mesopotamien bei deren Ausgrabungsarbeiten.

Mein Leseeindruck:

Neugierig geworden auf dieses Buch bin ich zunächst durch das Cover und den Titel, der mich sofort an Agatha Christies "Mord im Orient-Express" hat denken lassen. Da ich ein großer Fan der Kriminalromane von Agatha Christie bin, musste ich mir daher dieses Buch auf jeden Fall näher anschauen. Als ich gelesen habe, dass es tatsächlich ein biografischer Roman ist, musste ich das Buch natürlich kaufen und lesen!

Ich habe durch diesen Roman, der biografische und auch fiktive Begebenheiten miteinander vereint, vieles über Agatha Christie erfahren, das ich vorher nicht wusste. Es war daher für mich sehr spannend und interessant, diese Geschichte zu lesen, die auf keiner Seite langweilig wurde.

Im Nachwort wird erklärt, welche Begebenheiten tatsächlich biografisch sind und was fiktiv noch hinzugefügt wurde.

Für mich ist dieses Buch eine Bereicherung meiner Sammlung von Agatha Christie - Krimis. Ich habe es sehr gerne gelesen und kann es allen Fans der Autorin auf jeden Fall empfehlen, wobei ich aber denke, dass die Geschichte so interessant ist, dass auch alle anderen Leser, die Agatha Christie nicht unbedingt mögen, Freude an "Die Frau im Orient-Express" haben werden!

[Ahtims · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came upon this book while surfing GoodReads on a lazy day.
The fact that it features Agatha Christie (though in a hugely fictional role) attracted me, and I started asap.
Three strong ladies -Agatha Christie, who is travelling by the Orient Express to escape the sordid details of her divorce from Archie, her first husband, Nancy, a newly wed socialite running away from her cruel husband, and Kathleen, a self assured archeologist feature as the kingpins.
They each have secrets that they carry.
And soon their lives connect, in the Orient Express as well as in Baghdad and Urr, the archeological village.
There Agatha meets Max Malloween, her future husband, various other archaeologists, and uncovers certain mysteries of life.
Was a captivating read. Enjoyable.

[Oana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un roman care imbina fictiunea cu realitatea si reuseste sa o infatiseze pe Agatha Christie, drept femeia deceptionata, in urma unui divort dureros surprinzand imbarcarea acesteia in trenul Orient Express in incercarea de a evada din propria existenta. In tren, aceasta intalneste doua femei complet diferite in jurul carora planeaza mistere si secrete foarte greu de deslusit.
Mi-a placut prietenia si in acelasi timp complicitatea care se naste intre cele 3 personaje feminine precum si modul in care este scrisa cartea.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some interesting parts, but I felt that it wasn't very well written. The first half was pretty good, but it seemed to just peter out at the end. I liked the IDEA of the book better than the actual writing. Still, it kept me going to the end.