An atmospheric mystery perfectly designed for fans of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series.

(Indeed, fans of Amelia Peabody may find a number of delightful call-outs to that lady and her mystery-solving family in this book. The idea that they inhabit the same world was one of the main things that made this story so much fun!)

It's 1904, and Lady Emily, her husband, and her husband's mother Mrs. Hargreaves have been invited on an excursion to Egypt. The trip is headed up by Lord Deeley, a long-time friend of Mrs. Hargreaves. He's gathered an unusual group of friends around him, but they've barely gotten acquainted when suddenly Lord Deeley keels over, dead of a poisoned drink.

As has become the author's custom, the chapters with Lady Emily's investigation are interspersed with a story from ancient times. In this case, it's of a young woman sculptor who lives in a craftsman's village in the desert. She becomes increasingly concerned that her jealous sister-in-law has nefarious plans for her.

I can't say that I really love the inclusion of these ancient plotlines in book after book (they all just seem so heavy with foreshadowing and tragedy), but they do help with the pacing. The pages fly by as you hop from the 1904 story to the ancient story and back.

I also like Lady Emily more now that she's a bit older. She carries her slightly nonconformist ways with a certain amount of extra composure now, and even so she finds herself no longer quite as avant garde now that the younger generation is coming along with even more modern viewpoints. This age is a more interesting spot for her than her youthful years where it felt like she was always trying to Make a Point.

Overall, I really enjoyed this installment in the Lady Emily series, especially because of its setting! As far as I'm concerned, Lady Emily could stay in Egypt a while longer, having more thinly-veiled encounters with Amelia Peabody & Co., and solving a few more mysteries. It would be great.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advance review copy! ( )

For fans of Lady Emily, this latest installment features a trip to Egypt that turns into the investigation of the death of a friend. Things are not as they seem, however, as the scene abounds with suspects and clues. Chapters alternate between Luxor in 1904 and ancient Egypt. I enjoyed the chapters about ancient Egypt quite a lot, probably more than the slower moving 1904 chapters. Although the story moves along somewhat slowly, readers should stick with it to the intriguing ending when all is revealed in a satisfactory manner. The details about archaeology and Egypt make this a worthwhile read.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

Good history, good mystery woven together nicely in this Lady Emily tale. ( )

An historical mystery set in parallel timelines -- 1904 and ancient Egypt circa 1500 BCE.

Lady Emily and her husband, Colin Hargreaves, are on a holiday to visit Lord Bertram Deeley and visit the ancient tombs and view the treasures of Egypt. Along with other family and friends, they join Lord Bertram at his residence in Luxor after cruising the Nile. On that very eve, after a magnificent meal at his home, Lord Bertram dies of cyanide poisoning. Which of those in attendance could have killed him and why. Everyone is a suspect.

In the alternate story line, a family of artisans tasked with decorating the Pharaoh's tomb experience personal betrayals. Some ancient sculptures belonging now to Lord Bertram prove to be a way to help Lady Emily connect the dots and solve the crime.

Although this is the 16th in a series that I have never read, I thoroughly enjoyed this. I love historical fiction and am particularly partial to ancient times and Egypt. I liked what I learned of the main character, Lady Emily, definitely a forward thinking woman of her time. Now I really want to go back and start this series with all of the previous installments read in order. I like a cozy mystery with period details and descriptions of everything from food to clothes to social mores.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read, review, and recommend this book. ( )

Two intriguing stories running parallel.

It’s 1904. Colin Hargreaves and Lady Emily find themselves accompanying Colin’s mother, Mrs Hargreaves, on a journey to Luxor in Egypt.
An old friend of Mrs Hargreaves had been inviting her for years to accompany him. This year she’s decided to go. Colin’s daughter Katharina von Lange joins them.
Unfortunately at the end of a scrumptious meal their host takes a sip of his nightly tisane—and dies, poisoned by cyanide.
Now it falls to Lady Emily and Colin to solve the mystery. As their quest continues it seems every guest has a reason to be at odds with their host. As they assemble their facts someone else is sending them clues.
I freely admit to being seduced by the romantic descriptions of Egypt.
The other story is set in ancient times, in Regnal Year Two, in area in what is now an archeological dig called, “Pa Demi—the village—although it was officially known as Set-Ma’at—the Place of Truth.” It was a village near to the Valley of the Kings, for the artisans and craftsman who built the Pharaoh’s tombs. We meet a young sculptress, Meryt, who is sculpting ushabtis, things of everyday life, for the tomb of the Pharaohs. She is being harassed by someone in the village. Her carvings have brought charges of evil magic from many villagers. This builds to an unexpected crescendo for Meryt and her family members.
One of the points in common—the ushabtis sculptures, roll through both stories.
A thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery!

A St Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change ( )