: The plot centers on a supposed "mummy's curse" following the opening of Pharaoh Men-her-Ra's tomb . While characters like Hastings are easily swayed by the occult, Poirot uses his "little grey cells" to prove the deaths have a human, rather than mystical, origin .

Published in 1923, this Hercule Poirot short story stands out for several reasons:

: The story was heavily influenced by the real-world frenzy surrounding the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb and the subsequent rumors of a curse following Lord Carnarvon's death .

A key feature of is its exploration of the psychological power of superstition versus logic .

: Christie utilizes her background as a nurse and pharmacist to ground the mystery in the realistic use of poisons and medical details , which serve as the actual cause behind the "supernatural" fatalities .