Author: Agatha Christie

Titled also as: So Many Steps to Death

This is one of Agatha Christie's books that doesn't feature any of her regular detectives, Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot. Instead, it is about a woman who is on the brink of committing suicide who is offered a more interesting way to die, in service of her country.

First published in 1954, this book does a good job of taking us back to the ideas of that time. Scientists from all over the world are disappearing - some think to a place behind the Iron Curtain - but others believe it is the work of terrorist group using these scientists for nefarious purposes.

I've read this book a number of times over the years. I think I like it because of the personality of the main character, a strong woman who discovers she still does have the will to live after all. The mystery here is secondary to the characterizations, and does not really live up to other Christie mysteries in plotting.

A nice read for a lazy afternoon.