Agatha and the Curse of Isbar is a gripping mystery novel written by renowned author Walter J. Bishop. Set in a small, quaint town called Isbar, the story follows the exciting adventures of Agatha, a curious and intelligent young girl who finds herself embroiled in a centuries-old curse that has plagued the town for generations. The story begins with Agatha stumbling upon an ancient diary in her grandmother's attic. Intrigued by its contents, she starts reading and learns about the mysterious curse that has befallen Isbar. Legend has it that centuries ago, a powerful witch placed a curse on the town, bringing misfortune and despair to its inhabitants.
Legend has it that centuries ago, a powerful witch placed a curse on the town, bringing misfortune and despair to its inhabitants. Agatha becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the curse and free her beloved town from its clutches. As Agatha delves deeper into the mystery, she befriends various colorful characters who may be able to help her in her quest.
Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar, A Review
As s massive fan of Agatha Christie I was happy to see that 2018’s Agatha and the Truth of Murder was getting a sequel of sorts. Whilst not a direct sequel, nor does it feature any of the original cast, writer Tom Dalton has intended to write a series of “alternative histories” featuring Agatha Christie solving murders in her spare time- with a third film already in the works.
Agatha and the Truth of Ishtar looks at the real life event of Agatha travelling to Israel, imagining that she solves a series of murders whilst there. Attempting to get over her divorce, Agatha (now portrayed by Lyndsey Marshal) decides to travel to Israel to research romance, wanting to switch book genres. Intending to meet up with her archeologist friends Katharine (Katherine Kingsley) and Leonard (Jack Deam) Wooley, Agatha instead finds the dig desserted except for the barely concious Max (Jonah Hauer-King) who was knocked unconcious after discovering the body of his friend in the tunnels of the dig. After rescuing Max, Agatha finally arrives at the Wooley’s and it seems like she’s gotten there just in time for murder!
Arriving at the house Agatha is somewhat suprised to find that Katharine’s beloved pet monkey Ella has been murdererd and hung from the ceiling. Knowing of Agatha’s wtiting ability, Katharine asks Agatha to look into the death. Seeing no harm into looking into the death of a monkey Agatha begins her investigation. With Max’s help Agatha realises that hanging a monkey would be a rather difficult job, so something else must have happened. After some minor disection Agatha and Max realise that Ella was poisoned and with Ella being a monkey she obviously didn’t get the poison all on her own, meaning it was intended for someone else. Realising that there’s an actual murderer in the house, Agatha and Max begin to investigate and realise that the culprit is using the dig to steal priceless treasures and is killing anyone that gets in their way. With a murder to solve Agatha soon puts her skills to use and the writer turned detective realises that she’s still got a trick or two up her sleeve.
It’s funny, right before I watched Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar there was a documentary on Agatha Christie’s life that did mention that she travelled to Israel where she met her future husband Max so it was nice to see “what could have happened”. Regarding the storyline though I have seen a lot of people say it was unrealistic or over sexualised/dramatised but in all honesty I loved it. I mean obviously the real Agatha Christie didn’t go around solving murders but it’s fun to imagine that she could have. Seeing this author that so many people love solve these fictional murders is a nice twist and I think it tributes Agatha’s brilliant mind is such a positive way. Agatha Christie may not have been a real detective but she certianly could have been, and seeing her solve murders was so fun. Everything doesn’t always need to be 100% accurate if people enjoy it, and enjoy it I did.
Like I said in my review of Agatha and the Truth of Murder review, I do love the added comedy elements to these films. In a way it’s like I’m watching an episode of Agatha Raisin or Miss Fisher– with Marshal’s Agatha reminding me strongly of both characters. It may be an Agatha Christie stiry but it’s also a sort of comedic amatuer slueth series as well.
I thought that Marshal played a very funny Agatha and her and Hauer-King had great chemistry and great scenes together. Watching the pair’s initial interactions and solving of the case where Agatha purposely holds back information and Max has no idea who Agatha was funny and like I said it added some fun into the life of Christie.
So far I’m loving this “Agatha and the” alternative history series and I love seeing Agatha Christie of all people solving murders. I definetely enjoyed The Curse of Ishtar even more than The Truth of Murder- I think mostly because Agatha was a much happier Agatha, this time getting over a divorce instead of going through one- and I can’t wait to see what the third installment has to offer.
There's Mr. Hudson, the wise and enigmatic historian who holds vital clues; Lucy, a kind-hearted girl with a sixth sense for the mysterious; and Oscar, a mischievous boy with a hidden talent for magic. Together, they set out on a thrilling journey to unravel the secrets of Isbar. Throughout the book, readers are kept on the edge of their seats as Agatha and her friends encounter many obstacles and face numerous challenges. They navigate treacherous forests, decipher ancient symbols, and solve perplexing riddles in their quest for the truth. As the mystery unfolds, Agatha gradually uncovers dark family secrets, long-forgotten prophecies, and unexpected connections that ultimately lead her one step closer to lifting the curse. Bishop masterfully blends elements of magic, adventure, and suspense, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. His vivid descriptions bring the magical world of Isbar to life, making readers feel as if they are right there beside Agatha, experiencing the wonders and dangers she encounters. Agatha and the Curse of Isbar is not only an immersive adventure story but also explores themes such as friendship, bravery, and the power of belief. It teaches young readers the importance of perseverance and the rewards that come with facing fears head-on. In the nail-biting climax, Agatha must summon all her courage and intelligence to confront the ancient witch who cast the curse. The fate of Isbar hangs in the balance as Agatha battles the powerful sorceress in a thrilling showdown of magic and wits. Will Agatha succeed in breaking the curse and saving her town, or will Isbar be forever doomed? With its captivating storyline, well-developed characters, and enchanting setting, Agatha and the Curse of Isbar is a must-read for young mystery lovers and fans of adventure. Walter J. Bishop has truly created a timeless tale that will keep readers hooked till the very last page..
Reviews for "Isbar's curse: Agatha's most challenging case yet"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I have to say, "Agatha and the curse of Isbar" was quite disappointing. The plot felt predictable and lacked any kind of excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't find myself relating to or rooting for any of them. The writing style felt forced and it was hard to maintain my interest throughout. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling mystery or engaging characters.
2. Michael - 1 star
"Agatha and the curse of Isbar" was a complete letdown. The story was slow-paced and failed to hook me from the beginning. The mystery itself was underdeveloped and the twists were predictable. The main character, Agatha, was annoying and made impulsive decisions that made no sense. The writing style was uninspiring and lacked depth. I was hoping for an engaging read, but sadly this book fell flat in every aspect.
3. Lisa - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Agatha and the curse of Isbar" but sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots that distracted from the main story. The pacing was uneven, with slow parts stretching on and exciting moments rushed through. The descriptions were lacking, leaving me feeling disconnected from the setting and characters. Overall, this book was a missed opportunity for a captivating mystery and I wouldn't recommend it.
4. David - 2 stars
I found "Agatha and the curse of Isbar" to be quite lackluster. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The plot seemed promising at first, but quickly became muddled and hard to follow. The writing style was average at best, with no captivating prose or unique voice. There are much better mystery novels out there, so I would advise skipping this one.