Agatha Christie's Encounter with the Isutat Curse: Fact or Fiction?

Agatha Christie and the Curse of Isutat: Agatha Christie, often hailed as the Queen of Crime, was an English writer who captivated readers with her intriguing detective stories. One of her lesser-known works is "The Curse of Isutat," which offers a gripping exploration of mystery and suspense set in ancient Egypt. "The Curse of Isutat" takes readers on a journey back in time to the land of Pharaohs, pyramids, and enigmatic curses. The story revolves around the discovery of an ancient artifact - the Isutat amulet. Legend has it that this amulet carries a curse that befalls anyone who possesses it, unleashing a string of misfortunes upon their lives. The adventure begins when a wealthy English aristocrat, Lord Selwyn, acquires the cursed amulet and becomes the target of unseen forces.

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At the beginning of your end step, if you gained life this turn, each opponent sacrifices a creature and you return up to one target creature card from your graveyard to your hand. Vizkopa Guildmage s ability is like Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose Sanguine Bond except it s more powerful because it affects each opponent all at once not just one opponent.

The adventure begins when a wealthy English aristocrat, Lord Selwyn, acquires the cursed amulet and becomes the target of unseen forces. Sensing danger, he enlists the expertise of renowned detective Hercule Poirot to unravel the mysteries behind the curse and protect his life. As Poirot delves into the history of the amulet, he uncovers a web of deception, jealousy, and greed.

Witch of the Moors

At the beginning of your end step, if you gained life this turn, each opponent sacrifices a creature and you return up to one target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.

Sleepysherlock on Life and Death

4 months ago

Alright, i'm bringing memes not dreams this time to strap in.

Alright that's the first round

p h i l s o n w i l s o n on Witch's Brew

11 months ago

Thank you for the kind words girlfag! I had actually considered Veinwitch Coven in an early draft of this, but I must have forgotten about it! Witch of the Moors is a great shout too - more creature recursion can't hurt!

I'm glad I could help inspire! Link the deck you decide to make, always great to see fun theme

a c e o f r a i n b o w s on Grandmother Lasagna

11 months ago

hellspawned: oh interesting, I like your list as well! I've been thinking I should add more recursion actually, cause I've got three pieces and they're always really good. A lot of the ones in your list don't work in this one because you focus on lands much more than I do, but I should at least pick up a Witch of the Moors , cause that one certainly does.

I do find that being low on creatures and as a result being picked to death doesn't really happen all that much, for a few reasons. The first of which is that I've got ~10 pieces of spot removal, and with baba's card draw I seem to always have answers when I need them. The second is that since my board isn't that threatening most of the time, I'm rarely the target, and since I theoretically gain a lot of life anyway, taking a few hits doesn't matter that much.

In terms of sac payoffs, I used to run Mazirek but after a month of having the deck I just noticed it was never how I was winning games and I didn't even get too many triggers, cause I'm trying to sac one creature per activation. Because of that I'm not running any of the aristocrats pieces, cause they'll basically drain for one or two a turn and that's not what I'm looking for.

Other things in your list that I think I should consider in mine are Meren and Journey to Eternity. And thank you very much for playtesting and commenting!

girlfag on Witch's Brew

11 months ago

omg I so love this! I found a few more witches but I'd say the one to include could be Veinwitch Coven or Witch of the Moors , I think both are really helpful since they can recover lost creatures, plus they can synergize with food tokens witch (pun very clear and intended) could lead to a bit of a food/lifegain subtheme!

This has inspired me to make a deck around a theme, I'm not sure what commander or even what theme, but thank you! this is so fun!!

m u l t i m e d i a on Liesa, Liesa, they so flying.

1 year ago

Hey, good latest update, really nice additions of Archivist of Oghma and Bolas's Citadel . Don't forget Caves of Koilos , it's in the precon and an Orzhov dual land that enters the battlefield untapped.

You're right you want more draw and you could cut several lesser creatures for more draw. Use life to get draw by either drawing when you gain life or when you pay life. Well of Lost Dreams is another four drop that like Greed once you get onto the battlefield it can draw a ton of cards because of Liesa's lifelink. Sigarda's Splendor can draw an extra card at your upkeep if your life total changed and it's another source of repeatable life gain from casing white spells.

Dawn of Hope each time you gain life you can pay 2 mana to draw a card. Eye of Vecna draws a card when it enters the battlefield and then it can be repeatable at your upkeep for 2 mana + 2 life.

Fell Stinger can sac itself for it's exploit to have interaction with Liesa, Forgotten Archangel and other reanimation or recursion that you could add such as Sun Titan , Witch of the Moors , Apprentice Necromancer , Priest of Fell Rites . When your Commander has flying then Mask of Memory can be consistent repeatable draw as well as discard to fuel reanimation or recursion.

Court of Grace makes you the monarch for repeatable draw a card at your end step. If you're the monarch at your upkeep then you create a 4/4 Angel or if you're not the monarch a 1/1 Spirit. Palace Jailer makes you the monarch, it also exiles an opponent's creature and that creature never returns to the battlefield unless you lose the monarch which can only happen if an opponent does combat damage to you or plays a card that makes them the monarch.

Some cards to consider cutting for more draw, reanimation, recursion.

• Killian, Ink Duelist : you have very few cards that have a single target to reduce the mana cost.
• Vampire Outcasts : the lifelink is nice, but that's all it does for a four drop creature, no other abilities, can do better for four mana.
• Dawnhart Geist : there's very few enchantments here and it only triggers for your enchantments, can gain more life from other cards.
• Vampire Scrivener : I know you like this card, but it's too slow and doesn't do anything for five mana. You have Necropolis Regent at one more mana than Scrivener who can put the counters on Liesa the same turn it enters the battlefield. Putting counters on Liesa will do more because she has lifelink.
• Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts : not a fan of this seven drop, could replace it with Sun Titan .

Well of Lost Dreams or Sigarda's Splendor could replace Vampire Outcasts . Dawn of Hope or Eye of Vecna could replace Killian, Ink Duelist . Mask of Memory is a good swap for Malefic Scythe . Mask can give you repeatable draw where as Scythe isn't doing much because it only triggers when equipped creature dies.

Fell Stinger is an easy swap for Dawnhart Geist . Vampire Scrivener could be cut for more reanimation Witch of the Moors , Apprentice Necromancer , Priest of Fell Rites . Sun Titan could replace Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts . Court of Grace or Palace Jailer could replace Heron of Hope . Heron's ability is fine to gain a little more life, but more draw would help more.

m u l t i m e d i a on Liesa, Liesa, they so flying.

1 year ago

Hey, if you want to stop No Mercy then consider Cathar Commando ? It's a budget creature so it can be reanimated or recurred with Liesa, Forgotten Archangel as well as other ways which I will mention in my next comment :)

If your getting Jumpstart packs there's several cards to look for other than Exquisite Blood :

• Reanimate
• Witch of the Moors
• Phyrexian Reclamation
• Sheoldred, Whispering One
• Blood Artist
• Selfless Savior
• Speaker of the Heavens
• Phyrexian Tower
• Drana, Liberator of Malakir

I believe in using my money getting singles to build my decks not on $5 packs, but if you enjoy cracking Jumpstart packs look for these cards. Selfless Savior and Blood Artist are uncommons, you might have these cards.

If you're interested in Exquisite Blood then maybe you want to make your deck more combo? I don't think Exquisite is worth $18 since with $18 you can make several upgrades not just one card. For $18 you can make close to 20 card upgrades. Even if you're playing casual having a combo to win the game is helpful. Just don't combo off right away, let the game build up, have fun and then boom.

• Vizkopa Guildmage
• Children of Korlis
• Bond of Agony
• Tainted Sigil
• Mischievous Poltergeist / Wall of Blood
• Revival / Revenge (Revenge)

There's no budget alternative card for Exquisite Blood , but you can mimic the outcome of what the Blood combo does with budget cards. By making yourself lose a lot of life and then gaining the life you lost right back.

• Vizkopa Guildmage + Children of Korlis + Bond of Agony

Vizkopa Guildmage 's ability is like Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose / Sanguine Bond except it's more powerful because it affects each opponent all at once not just one opponent. It however costs three mana to have the effect until end of turn. The combo is to cast a spell or activate an effect to lose a lot of life such as Bond of Agony where you can control how much life you lose which then makes each opponent lose that same amount of life. When you lose the life then sac either Children of Korlis or Tainted Sigil to gain all that life back. This then triggers Guildmage to make each opponent lose that same amount of life again, most likely killing each of your opponents for having 0 life and you win the game.

Children of Korlis is a good card for gaining life because it looks at all life you lose for the entire turn. You can gain a lot at one time after a big attack from opponent doing combat damage to you or a small amount, you choose. It's a one drop creature who can be reanimated or recurred to repeat this effect, great with Liesa, Forgotten Archangel . Outside the combo if you're paying a lot of life for draw such as with Greed then Children can help to gain that life back.

In my last comment I mentioned you can get quality from filler creature cards you play with Infantry Veteran as example of not quality. Children of Korlis and Selfless Savior are examples of quality budget one drops. Mischievous Poltergeist / Wall of Blood 's ability can be paid as much as you want, each time losing 1 life, but it's not a good card outside the combo. I suggested it because it's a creature who can be easily reanimated or recurred which can be helpful to more easily combo or repeat the combo. If I was playing this combo I would play it for that reason.

I'll continue with more advice in another comment later.

KingKaz on Beledros

1 year ago

You could add Exquisite Blood to combo with Sanguine Bond .

Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose would also be a nice addition for a similar effect to Sanguine Bond .

Witch of the Moors could also be a fun one to add in there.

Jabberjaw46 on Oloro

1 year ago

Authority of the Consuls slows opponents and helps your lifegain strategy

Fumigate is a good wipe for life gain, I would replace your Realm-Cloaked Giant

Creature — Human Warlock

The plot thickens as it becomes evident that numerous individuals have a stake in possessing the amulet, each driven by their desires and motives. Suspects emerge, and the reader is kept on tenterhooks, trying to decipher the true identity of the culprit. Agatha Christie's masterful storytelling keeps readers guessing until the very end, with unexpected twists and turns. Her vivid descriptions transport readers to ancient Egypt, recreating the ambiance of a civilization steeped in myth and magic. The curse itself becomes a character of its own, ominously lurking in the background, contributing to the mounting tension and suspense. While "The Curse of Isutat" may not be one of Christie's most well-known works, it showcases her unparalleled ability to craft an engaging mystery. Through her clever use of misdirection, well-rounded characters, and a vivid setting, she weaves a tale that is sure to leave readers enthralled, eager to solve the enigma at hand. In conclusion, Agatha Christie's "The Curse of Isutat" offers readers a thrilling adventure set against the backdrop of ancient Egypt. Through her captivating storytelling and intricate plot, she invites readers to engage in a race against time, solve the mystery, and uncover the truth hidden within the curse. This novel serves as a testament to Christie's enduring legacy as one of the greatest crime novelists of all time, captivating readers for generations to come..

Reviews for "The Curse that Transformed Agatha Christie: Isutat and the Mystery Within"

1. Jane - 2/5

I was really looking forward to reading "Agatha Christie and the Curse of Isutat" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt very cliche and predictable, and I found myself bored halfway through the book. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them or feel invested in their story. Overall, I was left disappointed by this novel and wouldn't recommend it to fellow mystery lovers.

2. Mark - 3/5

While "Agatha Christie and the Curse of Isutat" had its moments, I found the writing style to be quite dull and formulaic. The author tried to emulate Christie's iconic mystery-solving style, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was slow, and the plot twists were predictable or forced. Additionally, the dialogue felt unnatural and stilted, making it hard to stay engaged with the story. It's not the worst mystery novel out there, but it certainly didn't leave a lasting impression on me.

3. Sarah - 2/5

As a fan of Agatha Christie's works, I was excited to read "Agatha Christie and the Curse of Isutat." However, the book was a major letdown. The characters lacked the complexity and intrigue I've come to expect from Christie's novels. The plot was disjointed and overly convoluted, making it difficult to follow and enjoy the unraveling of the mystery. Overall, I would not recommend this book to die-hard Agatha Christie fans as it fails to capture the essence of her writing and style.

Agatha Christie's Mysterious Encounter with the Isutat Myth