In the novel They Came to Baghdad, British intelligence officials in Baghdad receive information that a secret organisation is working to exacerbate tensions between countries in the West, representing capitalism, and the Soviet Union, representing the forces of communism. This threatened the success of a secret peace summit soon to be held in Baghdad between the President of the United States and Joseph Stalin. The offical name of the organisation is not given in the text but some of its members refer to themselves as people committed to bringing about a "New Order". Henry Carmichael, a British agent, is bringing proof of the organisation's existence and details of its operations to Baghdad but this package becomes misplaced. Victoria Jones becomes embroiled by chance in the efforts of British intelligence to unravel the organisation and recover the proof.
According to Mr Dakin of British intelligence, the "New Order" was wealthy and powerful and had operatives all around the world.
Operatives of the "New Order"[]
- Sanders of the River
- Louisa
- Catherine Serakis
- Mr Hamilton Clipp
- Mrs Hamilton Clipp
- Robert Hall
- Woman who impersonated a B.O.A.C. stewardess
- Man who impersonated the brother of Salah Hassan
- Miss Ankoumian
- André
- Juvet
- Sister Thérèse
- Dr Smallbrook
Actions Attributable to the New Order[]
- Murder of Abdul Hassan
- Murder of an Armenian lorry driver on the Rowanduz road - his physical features matched those of Henry Carmichael
- Murder of an Englishman travelling in his car from Persia to Iraq
- Killing of a Kurd merchant travelling down the hills
- Poisoning of Thomas Rice
- Poisoning of Salah Hassan
- Murder of Sir Rupert Crofton Lee
- Surveillance of Anna Scheele in London
- Attempted shooting of Henry Carmichael in Basra
- Murder of Henry Carmichael at the Tio Hotel, Baghdad
- Kidnapping of Victoria Jones
- Search of Richard Baker's belongings at Tell Aswad
- Kidnapping of Grete Harden