Epistolary novel in the voices of an ambitious self-made archeologist, attempting to find a tomb in Egypt and an Australian detective trying to solve an old murder. Neither character is particularly sympathetic, both are deluded and are attempting to delude. The book is interestingly plotted and focuses on themes of whether a text or narrator can be believed as well as on how a person makes his mark and on immortality. I found it engaging if perhaps a bit long. The "surprise" ending isn't the point - most readers will have figured out the basic plot by the middle of the book - more interesting is the theme of self-delusion evident in both narrators. Interesting historical glimpse into the what motivated archeology in the 30s and well-written.