A review by sharkybookshelf
Death Comes as the End by Agatha Christie

3.0

Thebes, 2000BC - Imhotep, wealthy landowner and priest, arrives home with a concubine who wastes no time in sowing discord amongst Imhotep’s family, with fatal consequences…

This was…fine. When I realised this was set in Ancient Egypt and not on an archaeological dig (as I had erroneously assumed), I was expecting something much more unique. Whilst it’s clear that Christie has done her research on the details of life (as far as known) in 2000BC, and she was inspired by real papyri from the time, the plot ultimately hinges on basic human nature and really could have been set anywhere, anytime.

On one hand, this means it’s a very human, universal story. On the other…it’s a bit dull - there’s not a single plot point that requires this story to be set in ancient Egypt and that left me a little disappointed. The story felt transposed to the setting rather than tailored to it or a product of it. Even setting it on a dig would have likely been more satisfying. And maybe if the MC had more personality than a fish.

A closed circle, slightly dull multiple-murder mystery revolving around inter-family relationships and jealousies unnecessarily set 4000 years ago.