What do you think?
Rate this book
Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries #16
Secrets of the Nile
In a brilliant homage to Agatha Christie, critically acclaimed author Tasha Alexander sends Lady Emily to Egypt during British colonial rule to investigate a crime that leads back to the era of the Pharaohs.
Lord Bertram Deeley, a renowned amateur British collector of antiquities is entertaining his closest friends at a lavish cruise up the Nile to his home at Luxor when he suddenly collapses after offering a welcome toast, a victim of the lethal poison cyanide. Who amongst this group of his nearest and dearest would want to kill their generous host: an archeologist whose dig Deeley was funding until he suddenly withdrew support? A powerful politician whose career Deeley had secretly destroyed? A dyspeptic aristocratic English spinster whose hired travelling companion seems determined to protect her employer? Or even the formidable Mrs. Hargreaves, Lady Emily’s mother-in-law, who may have spurned the advances of Lord Deeley when they were both younger? A key clue may lie with several ancient ushabtis, exquisite three-thousand-year-old sculptures that played a role in yet another murder in Ancient Egypt, a crime with a very real link to Lord Deeley’s death. Lady Emily and Colin gather their suspects together to reveal the identity of a killer whose motive is as shocking as it is brilliant.
Lord Bertram Deeley, a renowned amateur British collector of antiquities is entertaining his closest friends at a lavish cruise up the Nile to his home at Luxor when he suddenly collapses after offering a welcome toast, a victim of the lethal poison cyanide. Who amongst this group of his nearest and dearest would want to kill their generous host: an archeologist whose dig Deeley was funding until he suddenly withdrew support? A powerful politician whose career Deeley had secretly destroyed? A dyspeptic aristocratic English spinster whose hired travelling companion seems determined to protect her employer? Or even the formidable Mrs. Hargreaves, Lady Emily’s mother-in-law, who may have spurned the advances of Lord Deeley when they were both younger? A key clue may lie with several ancient ushabtis, exquisite three-thousand-year-old sculptures that played a role in yet another murder in Ancient Egypt, a crime with a very real link to Lord Deeley’s death. Lady Emily and Colin gather their suspects together to reveal the identity of a killer whose motive is as shocking as it is brilliant.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2022
255 people are currently reading
6157 people want to read
About the author
Tasha Alexander
32 books2,566 followersThe daughter of two philosophy professors, I grew up surrounded by books. I was convinced from an early age that I was born in the wrong century and spent much of my childhood under the dining room table pretending it was a covered wagon. Even there, I was never without a book in hand and loved reading and history more than anything. I studied English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Notre Dame. Writing is a natural offshoot of reading, and my first novel, And Only to Deceive, was published in 2005. I'm the author of the long-running Lady Emily Series as well as the novel Elizabeth: The Golden Age. One of the best parts of being an author is seeing your books translated, and I'm currently in love with the Japanese editions of the Emily books.
I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I live in southeastern Wyoming. I still don't have a covered wagon, but a log house goes a long way toward fulfilling my pioneer fantasies. Andrew makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.
I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I live in southeastern Wyoming. I still don't have a covered wagon, but a log house goes a long way toward fulfilling my pioneer fantasies. Andrew makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
September 14, 2022
I have jumped into the midst of this long-running series after being offered an arc from the publisher. Although there seems to be a lot of backstory surrounding these characters, this book can definitely be read as a standalone historical mystery. Set in Luxor, Egypt in 1904, I was pulled in by the lure of the setting in the golden era of archaeology and by the comparison to the great lady of mystery, Agatha Christie.
Lord Bertram Deeley has invited Ann Hargreaves to winter at his home in Luxor, Egypt, along with her son Colin, his wife, Lady Emily; and Colin's daughter, Katarina von Lange. Also in the party are Mr Caspian Troubridge; Mr Inigo Granard and his wife Adelaide; Lady Wilona Bestwick; her companion, Miss Pandora Evans; Dr Oliver Rockley; and Mr Tristan McLeod, an archaeologist.
At an elaborate dinner on the night of their arrival, Lord Deeley is poisoned. When it appears local Egyptian police will try to lay the blame on one of the servants without really investigating, Colin and Lady Emily decide it's up to them to learn the truth. It soon appears that most every guest holds some grudge against Lord Deeley. Eventually Lady Emily figures out the who and why of Lord Deeley's death and calls all the suspects together in the dining room where the death occurred to announce her conclusions. THAT at least is very much like a Hercule Poirot-style ending!
A parallel story is set in the ancient days of Luxor in the village of Pa Demi where local artisans working on the pyramids live. One is a sculptor named Meryt, a young woman working on her father's funerary ushabtis. Her life would be peaceful if not for her sister-in-law Sanura who seems determined to cause trouble. One wonders why this second story is being included but eventually the tie to 1904 is revealed. To me, this seemed disruptive to the flow of the main mystery.
Having been a long-time reader of Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody mystery series, I was delighted to catch references to Amelia and her family at work in Luxor. Nice tip of the hat.
I received an arc from the author and publisher via Net Galley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Lord Bertram Deeley has invited Ann Hargreaves to winter at his home in Luxor, Egypt, along with her son Colin, his wife, Lady Emily; and Colin's daughter, Katarina von Lange. Also in the party are Mr Caspian Troubridge; Mr Inigo Granard and his wife Adelaide; Lady Wilona Bestwick; her companion, Miss Pandora Evans; Dr Oliver Rockley; and Mr Tristan McLeod, an archaeologist.
At an elaborate dinner on the night of their arrival, Lord Deeley is poisoned. When it appears local Egyptian police will try to lay the blame on one of the servants without really investigating, Colin and Lady Emily decide it's up to them to learn the truth. It soon appears that most every guest holds some grudge against Lord Deeley. Eventually Lady Emily figures out the who and why of Lord Deeley's death and calls all the suspects together in the dining room where the death occurred to announce her conclusions. THAT at least is very much like a Hercule Poirot-style ending!
A parallel story is set in the ancient days of Luxor in the village of Pa Demi where local artisans working on the pyramids live. One is a sculptor named Meryt, a young woman working on her father's funerary ushabtis. Her life would be peaceful if not for her sister-in-law Sanura who seems determined to cause trouble. One wonders why this second story is being included but eventually the tie to 1904 is revealed. To me, this seemed disruptive to the flow of the main mystery.
Having been a long-time reader of Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody mystery series, I was delighted to catch references to Amelia and her family at work in Luxor. Nice tip of the hat.
I received an arc from the author and publisher via Net Galley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 2, 2025
Actually 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars, because I know Tasha Alexander is a very good writer and it would be unfair round it down to 3.
"Secrets of the Nile" is a really well-done tribute to Agatha Christie—not a cheap knockoff of "Death on the Nile" or anything like that.
I’ve read a bunch of books in the Lady Emily series, so that’s why I’m giving this one 3.5 stars instead of a full four, it's a little bit slower than other installments and lacking action.
Back in the day, I was all about classic Golden Age mysteries, but lately I’ve leaned more toward stories that mix good detective work with action, some historical flavor (maybe featuring real people), and a dash of romance or flirtation.
That combo is what makes most Lady Emily books so good.
This one though, leans more into the classic “queen of crime” vibe: lots of clues dropped here and there, tons of thinking and deduction, the classic final gathering of all the suspects and the revelation of the truth by the detective ( in this case by Lady Emily, amateur detective ).
There’s still a past-and-present story going on, split between chapters like in other books in the series, but the link between the ancient storyline and Lady Emily’s time feels a bit weak this time around.
Before going into detail, here is
____ THE PLOT IN A NUTSHELL ___
In 1904, Lady Emily, her husband Colin, and Colin’s illegitimate daughter get invited by Colin’s mom to join a friend on a Nile cruise and then stay at his villa in Egypt.
They’re joined by other British guests who’ve known the host for a long time.
The first night, they enjoy a superb dinner all together, and right at the end, the host gets poisoned, right in front of everyone.
Colin, who’s a crown agent, decides to take charge and, with Emily’s help (and the intrusion of Kat, Colin’s daughter), tries to solve the case. But even though everyone’s been friends for ages, no one’s exactly eager to help.
_______******* _________
___CHARACTERS __
Those who are Lady Emily fans, already know the many recurring characters (her family and friends) that, at random, are constantly taking part to the stories.
In this book we have her handsome, clever (and very in love with her) husband, her always difficult to deal with mothers-in-law and the impertinent and rebellious illegitimate Colin's daughter (a new entry to me since I skipped the last two book before this one).
While the characters are usually fairly well-defined in all the books at the beginning of the series, as the series progresses they are described (both physically and in terms of personality) in just a few essential details. This makes their personal experiences interesting for those who already know them, while it will certainly be more difficult to feel empathy for these characters if you're approaching the series for the first time.
Each book can be read as a STANDALONE and I usually read these series out of order.
My choice is based on the setting or time of year, but honestly, IT'S BETTER TO READ ALL THE BOOK IN ORDER, they're definitely more enjoyable.
The series starts with Emily young, and there’s about twenty years of life and surprises between the first book and this one.
__SIDE CHARACTERS__
The side characters aren’t explored deeply either, but like in old Christie mysteries, each one has a distinct trait that gives them a possible motive.
___ THE MYSTERY ___
While everyone (me included) was probably expecting a murder mysteries set during a journey on the Nile and very much similar to that one by A. Christie, the author Tasha Alexander was actually inspired by another mystery of the well-known author and then put it in the exotic set of Egypt, its archaeological digs and its impressive pyramids and stories about pharaons and gods.
She tells us that in her final notes (that I read, as my usual, before starting the first chapter of the book). She didn't say which one, but of course, knowing all Christie's whodunits by heart, I thought of 3 or 4 titles.
Despite my guesses I didn't recognize immediately the solution, for the author is very good mixing up many different elements we can remember from Christie's books, plus they are well blended with personal life of Lady Emily's family.
I had an intuition in the end a couple of chapters before the truth was uncovered by Emily: I'm sure it was only luck and it didn't ruin my read. In fact I felt the desperate tension to know the truth until the very end.
In the same measure I wanted to know what happened to Meryt, the female sculptor and main character of the story set in ancient Egypt.
Overall, the entire puzzle was well-crafted, and in my opinion, the author did an excellent job.
Even the backstory, though less compelling than those in the previous books, kept me in suspense, as we don't know until the end what the dramatic events are, which the character hints at from the first chapter onward.
Both stories in the two timelines are told in the first person (by Emily in 1904 and by Meryt in ancient Egypt during Ramses II's reign).
___HISTORICAL PART __
The historical part felt a little quieter than usual, but through Emily’s visits to the digs and Meryt’s story, we get a peek into the fascinating world of the pyramids, the stunning frescoes, and the burial customs that honored not just pharaohs but also the artists who decorated their tombs and lived nearby.
Funny enough, while I was reading, I caught a documentary on TV about Egyptian tomb excavations—specifically those of the artists who worked during Ramesses II’s time, which is when the Meryt story is set.
Seeing the paintings so well preserved was amazing. If you decide to read this book, I highly recommend watching some free documentaries on YouTube to expand your knowledge, or hey, maybe start planning your next trip to Egypt! :-D
----> SUITABLE TO ALL AGES : clean language, no gruesome scenes, no sex scenes.
In conclusion, this wasn't for me the most gripping book by Tasha Alexander, but I will continue to follow, with passion, the adventures of her heroine wherever she takes me around the world and through the ages of history.
Thank you for reading my review and please, forgive any errors you may find in my text, English is not my native language.
"Secrets of the Nile" is a really well-done tribute to Agatha Christie—not a cheap knockoff of "Death on the Nile" or anything like that.
I’ve read a bunch of books in the Lady Emily series, so that’s why I’m giving this one 3.5 stars instead of a full four, it's a little bit slower than other installments and lacking action.
Back in the day, I was all about classic Golden Age mysteries, but lately I’ve leaned more toward stories that mix good detective work with action, some historical flavor (maybe featuring real people), and a dash of romance or flirtation.
That combo is what makes most Lady Emily books so good.
This one though, leans more into the classic “queen of crime” vibe: lots of clues dropped here and there, tons of thinking and deduction, the classic final gathering of all the suspects and the revelation of the truth by the detective ( in this case by Lady Emily, amateur detective ).
There’s still a past-and-present story going on, split between chapters like in other books in the series, but the link between the ancient storyline and Lady Emily’s time feels a bit weak this time around.
Before going into detail, here is
____ THE PLOT IN A NUTSHELL ___
In 1904, Lady Emily, her husband Colin, and Colin’s illegitimate daughter get invited by Colin’s mom to join a friend on a Nile cruise and then stay at his villa in Egypt.
They’re joined by other British guests who’ve known the host for a long time.
The first night, they enjoy a superb dinner all together, and right at the end, the host gets poisoned, right in front of everyone.
Colin, who’s a crown agent, decides to take charge and, with Emily’s help (and the intrusion of Kat, Colin’s daughter), tries to solve the case. But even though everyone’s been friends for ages, no one’s exactly eager to help.
_______******* _________
___CHARACTERS __
Those who are Lady Emily fans, already know the many recurring characters (her family and friends) that, at random, are constantly taking part to the stories.
In this book we have her handsome, clever (and very in love with her) husband, her always difficult to deal with mothers-in-law and the impertinent and rebellious illegitimate Colin's daughter (a new entry to me since I skipped the last two book before this one).
While the characters are usually fairly well-defined in all the books at the beginning of the series, as the series progresses they are described (both physically and in terms of personality) in just a few essential details. This makes their personal experiences interesting for those who already know them, while it will certainly be more difficult to feel empathy for these characters if you're approaching the series for the first time.
Each book can be read as a STANDALONE and I usually read these series out of order.
My choice is based on the setting or time of year, but honestly, IT'S BETTER TO READ ALL THE BOOK IN ORDER, they're definitely more enjoyable.
The series starts with Emily young, and there’s about twenty years of life and surprises between the first book and this one.
__SIDE CHARACTERS__
The side characters aren’t explored deeply either, but like in old Christie mysteries, each one has a distinct trait that gives them a possible motive.
___ THE MYSTERY ___
While everyone (me included) was probably expecting a murder mysteries set during a journey on the Nile and very much similar to that one by A. Christie, the author Tasha Alexander was actually inspired by another mystery of the well-known author and then put it in the exotic set of Egypt, its archaeological digs and its impressive pyramids and stories about pharaons and gods.
She tells us that in her final notes (that I read, as my usual, before starting the first chapter of the book). She didn't say which one, but of course, knowing all Christie's whodunits by heart, I thought of 3 or 4 titles.
Despite my guesses I didn't recognize immediately the solution, for the author is very good mixing up many different elements we can remember from Christie's books, plus they are well blended with personal life of Lady Emily's family.
I had an intuition in the end a couple of chapters before the truth was uncovered by Emily: I'm sure it was only luck and it didn't ruin my read. In fact I felt the desperate tension to know the truth until the very end.
In the same measure I wanted to know what happened to Meryt, the female sculptor and main character of the story set in ancient Egypt.
Overall, the entire puzzle was well-crafted, and in my opinion, the author did an excellent job.
Even the backstory, though less compelling than those in the previous books, kept me in suspense, as we don't know until the end what the dramatic events are, which the character hints at from the first chapter onward.
Both stories in the two timelines are told in the first person (by Emily in 1904 and by Meryt in ancient Egypt during Ramses II's reign).
___HISTORICAL PART __
The historical part felt a little quieter than usual, but through Emily’s visits to the digs and Meryt’s story, we get a peek into the fascinating world of the pyramids, the stunning frescoes, and the burial customs that honored not just pharaohs but also the artists who decorated their tombs and lived nearby.
Funny enough, while I was reading, I caught a documentary on TV about Egyptian tomb excavations—specifically those of the artists who worked during Ramesses II’s time, which is when the Meryt story is set.
Seeing the paintings so well preserved was amazing. If you decide to read this book, I highly recommend watching some free documentaries on YouTube to expand your knowledge, or hey, maybe start planning your next trip to Egypt! :-D
----> SUITABLE TO ALL AGES : clean language, no gruesome scenes, no sex scenes.
In conclusion, this wasn't for me the most gripping book by Tasha Alexander, but I will continue to follow, with passion, the adventures of her heroine wherever she takes me around the world and through the ages of history.
Thank you for reading my review and please, forgive any errors you may find in my text, English is not my native language.
September 13, 2022
“Colossal ancient monuments. Azure skies. Desert sunsets. The endless romance of the Nile.”
What always draws me to this author’s work is her witty, clever dialogue and swift narrative, her attention to historical and period detail, and her ability to keep me glued to the pages! This 16th installment of the Lady Emily Mystery series is no different. As always, these books can be read as standalones.
It’s no secret that Egypt is my ultimate vacation destination. After sailing up the Nile from Alexandria to Abu Simbel on the Sudan border, no vacation since has met, nor exceeded, my expectations. Two of the highlights on our most recent trip there were visiting the hotel where Agatha Christie frequented when writing and standing on the steps of the hotel where Lord Carnarvon announced his archaeological discovery. My inner history buff was ignited and I was giddy with excitement. It’s understandable, then, why this book was destined to be on my ‘forever shelf’....a combination of setting and a nod to the Queen of Mystery herself!
Why you need to read this one:
⭐The setting/exotic locale
⭐The variety of characters, each with superb development
⭐The surprising Ancient Egypt plotline which wonderfully complements the intricate 1904 timeline
⭐The perfectly placed twists that would make Agatha Christie proud
⭐The deep, rich mystery that keeps you interested
⭐The vivid descriptions and imagery which allow you to imagine yourself in the setting
⭐The fantastic blend of engaging mystery, authentic history, believable and clean romance and inspiring art
I love this series and can’t wait to see what Alexander has in store for Lady Emily next!
I was gifted this advance copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
What always draws me to this author’s work is her witty, clever dialogue and swift narrative, her attention to historical and period detail, and her ability to keep me glued to the pages! This 16th installment of the Lady Emily Mystery series is no different. As always, these books can be read as standalones.
It’s no secret that Egypt is my ultimate vacation destination. After sailing up the Nile from Alexandria to Abu Simbel on the Sudan border, no vacation since has met, nor exceeded, my expectations. Two of the highlights on our most recent trip there were visiting the hotel where Agatha Christie frequented when writing and standing on the steps of the hotel where Lord Carnarvon announced his archaeological discovery. My inner history buff was ignited and I was giddy with excitement. It’s understandable, then, why this book was destined to be on my ‘forever shelf’....a combination of setting and a nod to the Queen of Mystery herself!
Why you need to read this one:
⭐The setting/exotic locale
⭐The variety of characters, each with superb development
⭐The surprising Ancient Egypt plotline which wonderfully complements the intricate 1904 timeline
⭐The perfectly placed twists that would make Agatha Christie proud
⭐The deep, rich mystery that keeps you interested
⭐The vivid descriptions and imagery which allow you to imagine yourself in the setting
⭐The fantastic blend of engaging mystery, authentic history, believable and clean romance and inspiring art
I love this series and can’t wait to see what Alexander has in store for Lady Emily next!
I was gifted this advance copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
November 14, 2022
If Tasha Alexander wishes to have comparisons of her writing drawn to Agatha Christie, then she needs to do much more than pen a tale with a similar setting to one of the Queen of Mystery’s jewels.
In this review there are no direct spoilers of the mystery. I also do not feel the need to write a summary or synopsis of the story as that already exists. I’ve merely compiled a list of comments I wish I could lob bodily in the direction of the editor of this book. How it was sent to print with some of these issues in the year of our lord 2022 is beyond me.
Secrets of the Nile is not a terrible story, but I was left with much to be desired. I recognize that this is a novel late in a series of which I am unfamiliar. Lady Emily herself is a mystery to me and I know nothing of her previous adventures or the nature of her familial relationships. What I do know is that I can pick up any Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple book and I am provided with enough explanation to know the basics of my protagonist. Lady Emily on the other hand, never showed a moment of personality. All I got from this book was dramatic blabbing and rich people party gossip. Lady Emily was bereft of wit and incapable of figuring out much of what happened in her surroundings without her husband or at least mentions of him. I have no idea what makes her capable of solving a mystery other than a quip that she has done it in the past. The woman spent an agonizing amount of time debating if she would look good in jodhpurs, and then a continued crisis about what her husband may think of her even though she was more comfortable in them than dresses.
Let’s set dull characters aside for a moment and talk about colonialism. (Wow isn’t that sentence setting us up for a good time??) I think that Alexander really did try her best to bring a modern touch to a time that many of us look back on and cringe. She tries to make declarations of her characters digging up tombs in the name of science, but they are hollow and weak. Attempting to paint a prettier picture of the reality of colonial grave robbing just doesn’t work. The dual plot line that serves to draw a connection of the “modern” story to the history of Egypt didn’t serve much of a purpose. The local Egyptian characters written as servants had none of the spotlight. Almost all of the locals were written as subservient, simple, or downright caricatures of an upper class English person’s view of Africans. Mahmoud’s dialogue always included him referring to himself in the 1st person which I interpreted as a reflection of Tasha Alexander’s view of those who are not native English speakers.
Lastly, let’s consider the prose. Who is the editor that let 3 descriptions of dusty tweed suits (without variation) pass by in under 10 pages? And did this same editor truly believe that the contrived Victorian dialogue felt natural? Ms. Christie’s sense of propriety never had a stick that far up it’s ass. I’m supposed to believe that a group of British strangers will balk at rude comments and in the same breathe give up their juicy secrets? Rarely do we get the chance for these characters to show us the nature of their personality flaws. Rather we have regular conversations between Emily & Colin as they unload what they have learned from people throughout the day. Ma’am that’s weak. Show. Me. How. The. Characters. Act. If I wanted the society pages drama I’d be reading Bridgerton. We’re also supposed to accept that a gossip columnist is writing daily editorials of the scandals of one vacation party for the whole community to read? Is there nothing else going on? We never learned much about people outside of the damned dinner party.
Thank you to Minotaur books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I don’t think I shall find the need to read another book in this series, but I sure enjoyed having something to yell expletives at for a day by the lake.
In this review there are no direct spoilers of the mystery. I also do not feel the need to write a summary or synopsis of the story as that already exists. I’ve merely compiled a list of comments I wish I could lob bodily in the direction of the editor of this book. How it was sent to print with some of these issues in the year of our lord 2022 is beyond me.
Secrets of the Nile is not a terrible story, but I was left with much to be desired. I recognize that this is a novel late in a series of which I am unfamiliar. Lady Emily herself is a mystery to me and I know nothing of her previous adventures or the nature of her familial relationships. What I do know is that I can pick up any Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple book and I am provided with enough explanation to know the basics of my protagonist. Lady Emily on the other hand, never showed a moment of personality. All I got from this book was dramatic blabbing and rich people party gossip. Lady Emily was bereft of wit and incapable of figuring out much of what happened in her surroundings without her husband or at least mentions of him. I have no idea what makes her capable of solving a mystery other than a quip that she has done it in the past. The woman spent an agonizing amount of time debating if she would look good in jodhpurs, and then a continued crisis about what her husband may think of her even though she was more comfortable in them than dresses.
Let’s set dull characters aside for a moment and talk about colonialism. (Wow isn’t that sentence setting us up for a good time??) I think that Alexander really did try her best to bring a modern touch to a time that many of us look back on and cringe. She tries to make declarations of her characters digging up tombs in the name of science, but they are hollow and weak. Attempting to paint a prettier picture of the reality of colonial grave robbing just doesn’t work. The dual plot line that serves to draw a connection of the “modern” story to the history of Egypt didn’t serve much of a purpose. The local Egyptian characters written as servants had none of the spotlight. Almost all of the locals were written as subservient, simple, or downright caricatures of an upper class English person’s view of Africans. Mahmoud’s dialogue always included him referring to himself in the 1st person which I interpreted as a reflection of Tasha Alexander’s view of those who are not native English speakers.
Lastly, let’s consider the prose. Who is the editor that let 3 descriptions of dusty tweed suits (without variation) pass by in under 10 pages? And did this same editor truly believe that the contrived Victorian dialogue felt natural? Ms. Christie’s sense of propriety never had a stick that far up it’s ass. I’m supposed to believe that a group of British strangers will balk at rude comments and in the same breathe give up their juicy secrets? Rarely do we get the chance for these characters to show us the nature of their personality flaws. Rather we have regular conversations between Emily & Colin as they unload what they have learned from people throughout the day. Ma’am that’s weak. Show. Me. How. The. Characters. Act. If I wanted the society pages drama I’d be reading Bridgerton. We’re also supposed to accept that a gossip columnist is writing daily editorials of the scandals of one vacation party for the whole community to read? Is there nothing else going on? We never learned much about people outside of the damned dinner party.
Thank you to Minotaur books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I don’t think I shall find the need to read another book in this series, but I sure enjoyed having something to yell expletives at for a day by the lake.
February 6, 2025
Unfortunately this edition of Lady Emily Mysteries was not up to par. It was too similar to Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile." I knew the ending before I reached it. I am an avid reader of Agatha Christie's Mysteries, so I remembered that the plot sounded just too familiar.
December 23, 2022
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!
(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!
August 4, 2022
I remember buying the first book in this series; I fell madly in love with Colin Hargreaves, a handsome, wealthy agent of the Crown! Lady Emily, I liked; at least she had the good sense to fall in love with Colin. However, after buying all of the books before receiving this ebook from Netgalley, I do appreciate Emily, his daughter from a love affair before marriage to Emily, and his mother have become the focus of the stories, including this one. I am not a feminist, nor do I like stories where an intelligent male is made to look ludicrous to make Lady Emily the star! Really? In this case, it was incredibly disappointing comparing this story to an Agatha Christie book; sorry, but no. I have read and purchased everything Agatha Christie wrote; I am a colossal Christie fanatic! The side story of the Egyptian couple who lived in 1500 B.C. was confusing at first and overdramatic later in the book. I would get into the mystery; then bam, I am thrown back in time; for me, this is unacceptable. If you like two very different stories going on simultaneously, I prefer being with Colin to another female heroine from another period.
Thank you, #Netgalley,
carolintallahassee
Thank you, #Netgalley,
carolintallahassee
December 10, 2022
Traveling up the Nile, Egypt. 1904.Tasha Alexander’s Secrets of the Nile (Lady Emily, #16) finds Lady
Emily; her husband, Colin Hargreaves; Colin’s mother, Ann Hargreaves; Lady Emily’s step-daughter,
Katharine von Lange, who until two years ago was not known to her father, Colin, traveling on a dahabiya, a “direct descendants” of the sailing ships of antiquity, sailing up the Nile thanks to an invitation by Lord Deeley, a very old friend of Mrs. Hargreaves, to stay at Lord Deeley’s estate in Luxor. Upon reaching Lord Deeley’s estate, meeting early arrivals, and consuming a welcome feast, the host offers ‘a digestif’ of which he does not partake. Lord Deeley drinks a tisane. Then there is a crash. Lord Deeley is dead of cyanide poisoning. How? What? Why? This story has a dual storyline - one in 1904 - one in antiquity in Egypt involving 3000 year old sculptures called ‘ushabtis’. How does this entire puzzle fit together? With a nod to Agatha Christie the final scene is a definite wow! 4 stars.
Emily; her husband, Colin Hargreaves; Colin’s mother, Ann Hargreaves; Lady Emily’s step-daughter,
Katharine von Lange, who until two years ago was not known to her father, Colin, traveling on a dahabiya, a “direct descendants” of the sailing ships of antiquity, sailing up the Nile thanks to an invitation by Lord Deeley, a very old friend of Mrs. Hargreaves, to stay at Lord Deeley’s estate in Luxor. Upon reaching Lord Deeley’s estate, meeting early arrivals, and consuming a welcome feast, the host offers ‘a digestif’ of which he does not partake. Lord Deeley drinks a tisane. Then there is a crash. Lord Deeley is dead of cyanide poisoning. How? What? Why? This story has a dual storyline - one in 1904 - one in antiquity in Egypt involving 3000 year old sculptures called ‘ushabtis’. How does this entire puzzle fit together? With a nod to Agatha Christie the final scene is a definite wow! 4 stars.
June 4, 2023
A delightful Lady Emily whodunnit in the romantic Nile Valley. A dual timeline, also, which was fun, as the earlier story is told from the viewpoint of a woman who was an Ancient Egyptian sculptor. The mysterious beauty of Egypt abounds, as well does the clever deductions of our favorite sleuthful leading lady.
December 28, 2024
Secrets of the Nile is where a group of friends visit the beautiful Egyptian desert only to find themselves being suspects of their host’s murder.
This book was interesting to say the least… the book started out slow then picked up and I was not expecting that ending… I went into this book blind because I never read any books by this author nor have read any of this series considering this book is number 16
I won this book a while ago through a giveaway on goodreads, the copy I have is an ARC and I would like to thank Goodreads & Minotaur Books for the opportunity to have won this book.
This book was interesting to say the least… the book started out slow then picked up and I was not expecting that ending… I went into this book blind because I never read any books by this author nor have read any of this series considering this book is number 16
I won this book a while ago through a giveaway on goodreads, the copy I have is an ARC and I would like to thank Goodreads & Minotaur Books for the opportunity to have won this book.
October 21, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for accepting my request to audibly read and review Secrets of the Nile.
Author: Tasha Alexander
Published: 10/04/22
Narrator: Bianca Amato
Genre: Historical Fiction
A beautiful cover with eye-catching colors, Egypt and historical fiction was all I needed. The book was just okay. This is part of a long-running series, and my first book. Really there were vibes throughout that I was missing something. Through the writing, I sensed there was more than I was hearing. A quick Google and a subsequent "wow" I had no idea there were so many books, and this wasn't the author's debut allowed me to just carry on. The book can definitely be read on its own
The first third of the book I was waiting for anything. This is when I Googled. I decided to ride it out, and seriously the ending made me okay with the 8 or so hours I spent with this. I was tickled and laughed out loud. (2.5 stars rounding up for the ending.) The book had two storylines that didn't flow well for me, and had me disjointed until the end.
I couldn't connect. I would not have a problem gifting this if it was specifically requested
Author: Tasha Alexander
Published: 10/04/22
Narrator: Bianca Amato
Genre: Historical Fiction
A beautiful cover with eye-catching colors, Egypt and historical fiction was all I needed. The book was just okay. This is part of a long-running series, and my first book. Really there were vibes throughout that I was missing something. Through the writing, I sensed there was more than I was hearing. A quick Google and a subsequent "wow" I had no idea there were so many books, and this wasn't the author's debut allowed me to just carry on. The book can definitely be read on its own
The first third of the book I was waiting for anything. This is when I Googled. I decided to ride it out, and seriously the ending made me okay with the 8 or so hours I spent with this. I was tickled and laughed out loud. (2.5 stars rounding up for the ending.) The book had two storylines that didn't flow well for me, and had me disjointed until the end.
I couldn't connect. I would not have a problem gifting this if it was specifically requested
January 20, 2025
Oh, I enjoyed this so much, perhaps more so because I've just returned from an unforgettable trip to Egypt. Can't wait to read the other books in the series!
August 28, 2022
The 16th novel in this long running series finds Lady Emily and her husband Colin Hargreaves traveling down the Nile in a traditional Egyptian boat to join a house party in Luxor hosted by a long-time Hargreaves family friend, but their host is poisoned at the end of the first night's welcome dinner. The police are ineffective and Colin takes over the investigation. Clues are discovered that uncover several possible motives and point to different suspects Lady Emily is able to untangle the threads and solve the crime.
The main storyline is interrupted by a second story concerning a female sculptor, set in Egypt in 1500 BC, and these chapters alternate with the main story, contributing nothing to the plot. I found them a distracting annoyance. Colin and Emily are joined on this trip by his mother and his adult daughter from an early affair. Kat has appeared in several previous books and does not improve as time goes on. She is arrogant and an insufferable know it all, contemptuous of her elders and unwilling to learn. It's difficult for me to enjoy a novel when such an unlikeable character has such a prominent role, and I think this may be the last book in this series that I read.
The main storyline is interrupted by a second story concerning a female sculptor, set in Egypt in 1500 BC, and these chapters alternate with the main story, contributing nothing to the plot. I found them a distracting annoyance. Colin and Emily are joined on this trip by his mother and his adult daughter from an early affair. Kat has appeared in several previous books and does not improve as time goes on. She is arrogant and an insufferable know it all, contemptuous of her elders and unwilling to learn. It's difficult for me to enjoy a novel when such an unlikeable character has such a prominent role, and I think this may be the last book in this series that I read.
December 3, 2022
While it’s never ideal to jump into a long-running series at book number 16, I decided to give this a try and I’m glad I did. I have loved the many Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters that I’ve read, and this one, I hoped, looked to have something of that feeling to it, so I jumped in.
The main storyline takes place in Egypt in 1904, with a bunch of British travelers and antiquity enthusiasts. There’s a death at an elaborate dinner party given by Lord Deeley and Lady Emily and her husband set about investigating who the murder might be. It’s a sort of locked-room mystery, with the dinner guests and servants being the only ones under suspicion. In between chapters taking place in 1904, we are treated to chapters set in ancient Egypt, which read like a diary of a young woman who is a talented sculptor. I absolutely loved those chapters! Eventually, you’ll find out what the connection is between the two stories.
Lady Emily and her husband make an intriguing pair and now I’m interested in going back to read up on their earlier adventures and learn more about their backstory.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I’m a bit late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Diana Amato, did an excellent job with the various voices and accents.
The main storyline takes place in Egypt in 1904, with a bunch of British travelers and antiquity enthusiasts. There’s a death at an elaborate dinner party given by Lord Deeley and Lady Emily and her husband set about investigating who the murder might be. It’s a sort of locked-room mystery, with the dinner guests and servants being the only ones under suspicion. In between chapters taking place in 1904, we are treated to chapters set in ancient Egypt, which read like a diary of a young woman who is a talented sculptor. I absolutely loved those chapters! Eventually, you’ll find out what the connection is between the two stories.
Lady Emily and her husband make an intriguing pair and now I’m interested in going back to read up on their earlier adventures and learn more about their backstory.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I’m a bit late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Diana Amato, did an excellent job with the various voices and accents.
October 6, 2022
I have been reading this series since the beginning. I really like the character of Lady Emily. She's smart and courageous and kind and not willing to accept the limits placed on women in the late Victorian and early Edwardian era.
Secrets of the Nile is the 16th book in this historical mystery series and takes place in Egypt in 1904. Lady Emily is traveling with her husband, her mother-in-law, and her step-daughter when a death occurs at a dinner party.
There is a second timeline that takes place in ancient Egypt and I enjoyed this story just as much as the main one. Both timelines are told from first person perspective.
I really like how Emily and Colin work together. He is careful and protective but never prevents her from doing the things she's good at. They are great partners.
I enjoyed the mystery. Everyone at the dinner had motives for murder and the slow reveal of the truth was satisfying. There was a gathering of the suspects at the end and I always enjoy that. I figured out the solution but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Secrets of the Nile is the 16th book in this historical mystery series and takes place in Egypt in 1904. Lady Emily is traveling with her husband, her mother-in-law, and her step-daughter when a death occurs at a dinner party.
There is a second timeline that takes place in ancient Egypt and I enjoyed this story just as much as the main one. Both timelines are told from first person perspective.
I really like how Emily and Colin work together. He is careful and protective but never prevents her from doing the things she's good at. They are great partners.
I enjoyed the mystery. Everyone at the dinner had motives for murder and the slow reveal of the truth was satisfying. There was a gathering of the suspects at the end and I always enjoy that. I figured out the solution but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 30, 2022
Lady Emily has long wanted to take a romantic trip down the Nile with her husband Colin. While having her stepdaughter and mother-in-law on the dahabiya might not be the romantic trip Emily had imagined it is because of her mother-in-law that the trip is happening at all and thankfully Emily and Colin's three boys aren't there. Yet. There have been some rather alarming correspondences about train timetables and crocodiles. Hopefully their nanny is up to the job of keeping them in England. As for their trip, Mrs. Ann Hargreaves has been lifelong friends with Lord Bertram Deeley and due to his late wife's health he has wintered every year in Egypt at his magnificent home in Luxor. And each voyage he has peopled his house with friends. He has long hoped the Ann would join him in Egypt. But until now Ann hasn't felt up to visiting. Egypt was were she met her beloved late husband. They met halfway up the Great Pyramid at Giza and were engaged by the time they came down. A story that has always endeared her mother-in-law to Emily through all their strife. Needless to say Emily is not the sort of wife Ann pictured for her son. But that doesn't preclude her from using Emily as a convenient shield against Lord Deeley's plans. Showing Emily, Colin, and Katarina Egypt in her own way meant that instead of being on his boat with the other guests they have taken their voyage at a more sedate pace. Plus they were spared the other guests. Now that they have finally arrived in Luxor and are at the mercy of Lord Deeley's hospitality they are now defenseless against his other guests; Mr. Troubridge, an amusing fellow, or so says Lord Deeley, Mr. Inigo Granard, Lord Deeley's political counterpart, and Inigo's wife Adelaide, Lady Wilona Bestwick, a termagant if ever their was one, and her young companion, Miss Pandora Evans, Dr. Oliver Rockley, a young doctor to assure the safety of the travelers, and finally Mr. McLeod, an archaeologist at a nearby dig who has been invited to fill out the numbers. As they take in the opulence of Lord Deeley's house his hospitality is almost suffocating. He has done everything he can for his guests, including preparing the most sumptuous of feasts. A feast that is to be his last as he dies from arsenic that was added to his special tisane he partakes of at the end of every meal. The police assume it is the work of a disgruntled employee who has since run away, but Emily and Colin aren't so sure. Therefore it is up to them to find out who the real murderer is because they were most likely at that dinner table and one rarely stops at one murder.
If you are a fan of Lady Emily and Tasha Alexander you are perhaps overwhelmed that Emily has finally made it to Egypt. You knew this would one day happen but every time a new volume was introduced Emily was off to Russia or Greece or France or anywhere that wasn't Egypt. And us die hard fans have long known how much Tasha has been wanting to write this volume. She is one of the biggest Elizabeth Peters fans out there and she has peppered references throughout previous volumes. So I can tell you that not only is today the day, but that today is magnificent. This book is everything Lady Emily fans have wanted, this is everything Elizabeth Peters fans have wanted, and it is even everything Agatha Christie fans have wanted, and I'll even say Clue fans will find something to love. I have not enjoyed an Egyptian mystery this much since Elizabeth Peters' The Curse of the Pharaohs , which is hands down my favorite in the Amelia Peabody series. And if anyone is wondering, yes, Amelia was in the Valley of the Kings in 1904 when this book is set but that is all that you will drag out of me on that subject. As for how much I love Egypt, I will talk your ear off! My entire life I have been fascinated with Egypt, perhaps because my parents loved to tell me stories that were equal parts historical and terrifying. I remember crying at the Chicago Field Museum because my Dad told me if I looked on the pharaoh I would be forever cursed. And in an interesting twist of fate a dear friend of my family actually worked on the excavation of Tut's tomb with Howard Carter. I've been to every traveling exhibit of mummies that has come within a day's drive from me for as long as I can remember. And back in 2011 I was overjoyed when I stumbled on the Haskell Oriental Museum at the University of Chicago and was well chuffed it was mentioned within the pages of this book. I mean, I think it's mandatory because Tasha used to live in Chicago, but another author might be remiss. But what gets me every time I read one of Tasha's books is that she connects to the wonders of a place on a different level. There's a depth of feeling and understanding that makes you realize how much she loves Emily's passion and they ignite in the reader a love as well. Not just of Emily, but of the wonders of the world she is seeing. Secrets of the Nile took me back to my Art History classes where my deep admiration of Egypt was assured and Tasha once again had me falling in love with a culture I had previously studied. By now I've convinced you that this book is all about Egypt, but it's not, it's about mystery and romance and, just like Emily's first adventure, And Only to Deceive , the fluidity and mutability of our pasts. How new evidence can change how you look at a previous event forever. If I have one hope for this book it's that you will fall in love with Egypt forever. Sorry, I seem incapable of not bringing it back around to Egypt. It's a mystery!
If you are a fan of Lady Emily and Tasha Alexander you are perhaps overwhelmed that Emily has finally made it to Egypt. You knew this would one day happen but every time a new volume was introduced Emily was off to Russia or Greece or France or anywhere that wasn't Egypt. And us die hard fans have long known how much Tasha has been wanting to write this volume. She is one of the biggest Elizabeth Peters fans out there and she has peppered references throughout previous volumes. So I can tell you that not only is today the day, but that today is magnificent. This book is everything Lady Emily fans have wanted, this is everything Elizabeth Peters fans have wanted, and it is even everything Agatha Christie fans have wanted, and I'll even say Clue fans will find something to love. I have not enjoyed an Egyptian mystery this much since Elizabeth Peters' The Curse of the Pharaohs , which is hands down my favorite in the Amelia Peabody series. And if anyone is wondering, yes, Amelia was in the Valley of the Kings in 1904 when this book is set but that is all that you will drag out of me on that subject. As for how much I love Egypt, I will talk your ear off! My entire life I have been fascinated with Egypt, perhaps because my parents loved to tell me stories that were equal parts historical and terrifying. I remember crying at the Chicago Field Museum because my Dad told me if I looked on the pharaoh I would be forever cursed. And in an interesting twist of fate a dear friend of my family actually worked on the excavation of Tut's tomb with Howard Carter. I've been to every traveling exhibit of mummies that has come within a day's drive from me for as long as I can remember. And back in 2011 I was overjoyed when I stumbled on the Haskell Oriental Museum at the University of Chicago and was well chuffed it was mentioned within the pages of this book. I mean, I think it's mandatory because Tasha used to live in Chicago, but another author might be remiss. But what gets me every time I read one of Tasha's books is that she connects to the wonders of a place on a different level. There's a depth of feeling and understanding that makes you realize how much she loves Emily's passion and they ignite in the reader a love as well. Not just of Emily, but of the wonders of the world she is seeing. Secrets of the Nile took me back to my Art History classes where my deep admiration of Egypt was assured and Tasha once again had me falling in love with a culture I had previously studied. By now I've convinced you that this book is all about Egypt, but it's not, it's about mystery and romance and, just like Emily's first adventure, And Only to Deceive , the fluidity and mutability of our pasts. How new evidence can change how you look at a previous event forever. If I have one hope for this book it's that you will fall in love with Egypt forever. Sorry, I seem incapable of not bringing it back around to Egypt. It's a mystery!
April 22, 2023
Love the dual timeline!
December 27, 2022
I’ve never read any other Lady Emily mysteries, but this one was marketed as homage to Agatha Christie. Interestingly, it’s not. It could not be a more clear homage to Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody, not Christie. There are at least two straight-out contextual references to Peabody and several allusions. Alexander herself says so in her Author’s Note. That’s not a complaint - I’m enjoying my intermittent reading of the Peabody series - but, as much as I love Christie, I’m angry Peabody and her creator do not receive the acknowledgment and accolades they deserve.
That said, perhaps the many comparisons to Peabody weren’t a good idea. The difference between Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, and Lady Emily and her husband, Colin, could not be more striking. Peabody and Emerson are both unique and well-rounded characters with colorful personalities, intellectual and fulfilling careers, realistic flaws that trip them up, and the best flirty banter. Emily and Colin are blandly polite and calm without any character traits I can think of (at least not here, in their 16th outing). They move genteelly through the motions of traveling to Egypt and solving a mystery without causing so much as a ripple in their wake. Everything just works out for them. Also, based on this novel, I don’t think they’re very clever. I figured out the primary clue long before they did (how could they not see it?!?) and also the solution to the murder.
This novel includes a duel-timeline story about a sculptor in ancient Egypt that is as boring as watching clay dry and has no influence on the primary mystery. Why was it included? I have no idea. As this is my first Lady Emily mystery, I do not know if this is a common structure for Alexander or not, but I’m not interested in finding out.
That said, perhaps the many comparisons to Peabody weren’t a good idea. The difference between Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, and Lady Emily and her husband, Colin, could not be more striking. Peabody and Emerson are both unique and well-rounded characters with colorful personalities, intellectual and fulfilling careers, realistic flaws that trip them up, and the best flirty banter. Emily and Colin are blandly polite and calm without any character traits I can think of (at least not here, in their 16th outing). They move genteelly through the motions of traveling to Egypt and solving a mystery without causing so much as a ripple in their wake. Everything just works out for them. Also, based on this novel, I don’t think they’re very clever. I figured out the primary clue long before they did (how could they not see it?!?) and also the solution to the murder.
This novel includes a duel-timeline story about a sculptor in ancient Egypt that is as boring as watching clay dry and has no influence on the primary mystery. Why was it included? I have no idea. As this is my first Lady Emily mystery, I do not know if this is a common structure for Alexander or not, but I’m not interested in finding out.
September 2, 2022
Would this be a book I read again? No. The reason for me is that this book did not feel like an Original. I have never read any of Tasha Alexander's work and after this, I may never read another. Secrets of The Nile, to me and I know this may not be the same for everyone else, is that it felt like a regenerated story of the classic novel Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie and I am sorry, Agatha does it better.
I did really enjoy reading about the historical parts involving Sanura and her Sister In Law that she tormented as I found their little side story much more entertaining. I feel the story between Sanura and Meryt (Her older Sister-In-Law who tells their story in the first person) had way more potential that the one told in the 1900s. There was more character personality, emotion, heart, and development. Honestly it would have been better to tell their story fully instead of pretending it links with the murder of Lord Deeley in 1904. It does not link what so ever except for Sanura's Tomb which is Meryts secret cave that she visited frequently when looking and praying for inspiration.
The torment that Sanura put Meryt through because Pentu, a huge sicko to be honest, demanded it of her so he can try and have Meryt who is married. Sanura and Meryt both were tormented, blackmailed, and Sanura even was forced to go beyond the boundaries of friendship with him. The story was much more developed as you really felt Meryts fear, her pain, her sadness that Sanura was putting her through and the Happiness she felt when with friends. The relationships were there, they were well built, and would have made a much more interesting read. Unfortunately this book has put me off of Tasha's work and probably will never read another Novel of hers again. Unless its original which I will highly doubt now.
I did really enjoy reading about the historical parts involving Sanura and her Sister In Law that she tormented as I found their little side story much more entertaining. I feel the story between Sanura and Meryt (Her older Sister-In-Law who tells their story in the first person) had way more potential that the one told in the 1900s. There was more character personality, emotion, heart, and development. Honestly it would have been better to tell their story fully instead of pretending it links with the murder of Lord Deeley in 1904. It does not link what so ever except for Sanura's Tomb which is Meryts secret cave that she visited frequently when looking and praying for inspiration.
The torment that Sanura put Meryt through because Pentu, a huge sicko to be honest, demanded it of her so he can try and have Meryt who is married. Sanura and Meryt both were tormented, blackmailed, and Sanura even was forced to go beyond the boundaries of friendship with him. The story was much more developed as you really felt Meryts fear, her pain, her sadness that Sanura was putting her through and the Happiness she felt when with friends. The relationships were there, they were well built, and would have made a much more interesting read. Unfortunately this book has put me off of Tasha's work and probably will never read another Novel of hers again. Unless its original which I will highly doubt now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2022
“Secrets of the Nile” the 16th instalment in the A Lady Emily Mysteries by Tasha Alexander. This is the second book I have read by Tasha Alexander and won’t be my last.
In a brilliant homage to Agatha Christie, critically acclaimed author Tasha Alexander sends Lady Emily to Egypt during British colonial rule to investigate a crime that leads back to the era of the Pharaohs.
I found it to be a quick easy read and finished in two days, I really enjoyed the dual narratives telling us the story of Meryt in ancient Egypt to lady Emily in the early 20th century in the exotic setting of Luxor, Egypt.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters of Lady Emily and Colin.
I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I recommend this book to all my mystery lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Minotaur Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In a brilliant homage to Agatha Christie, critically acclaimed author Tasha Alexander sends Lady Emily to Egypt during British colonial rule to investigate a crime that leads back to the era of the Pharaohs.
I found it to be a quick easy read and finished in two days, I really enjoyed the dual narratives telling us the story of Meryt in ancient Egypt to lady Emily in the early 20th century in the exotic setting of Luxor, Egypt.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters of Lady Emily and Colin.
I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I recommend this book to all my mystery lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Minotaur Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 13, 2022
Secrets of the Nile, Tasha Alexander, 2022 (Lady Emily mystery #16)
Tasha Alexander: Lady Emily novels and short stories:
The book list is also on the author's wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasha_A...
Tasha Alexander, also known as Anastasia Tyska, Tie Siding, Wyoming, b. 1969.
https://www.famechain.com/family-tree...
Mysteries with romance, set 1887- in the English upper crust. A kind of homage to the "sensational novels" of the late 1800s.
And Only to Deceive 1. (2005) ***
Queen Victoria reigned 1837-1901.
1847 an excellent year for port wine (age it 30+ years. chapters 10, 19)
1860 /On Translating Homer/, Matthew Arnold (chapter 8)
1861.12.14 Prince Albert died. (chapter 1)
1862 /Lady Audley's Secret/, Mary Elizabeth Braddon (chapter 10)
1877 /A Thousand Miles up the Nile/, Amelia Edwards (chapter 25)
1878 University College London admits women to degree programs (chapter 11)
1887.04.14 Philip Ashton wants a not-abjectly-stupid wife (chapter 5)
1887.04.21 Philip Ashton admires Earl Bromley's daughter's looks (chapter 6)
1887.05.06 Philip Ashton admires Lady Emily Bromley's horsewomanship (chapter 7)
1887.05.17 Philip Ashton admires Lady Emily's wit (chapter 8)
1887.05.31 Philip Ashton wants to marry Emily, calls her Kallista (chapter 10)
1887.06.20-21 Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebration (queen 50 years. chapter 12)
1887.07.05 Philip Ashton proposes; Lady Emily accepts. (chapter 15)
1888.06.09 Lady Emily married Philip Ashton. (Having seen him only a few times during their engagement; he's out of the country much of the time. chapters 13-29)
1888.12.04 Philip Ashton dies on safari in Kenya. (chapter 35)
1889 For more than a year, Emily stayed in London. (chapter 1)
1890.04.14 Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir married Aline Victorine Charigot (chapter 5)
A Poisoned Season 2. ((c) 2007 by Anastasia Tyska). 308 pages. ***
1891 London spring/summer social season
"It is best for women to distance themselves from all things political." --Queen Victoria, chapter 21, p. 194.
A Fatal Waltz 3. (2008)
The Bridal Strain 3.5 (2018) short
Tears of Pearl 4. (2009)
Dangerous to Know 5. (2010)
A Crimson Warning 6. (2011)
Death in the Floating City 7. (2012)
Behind the Shattered Glass 8. (2013)
The Counterfeit Heiress 9. (2014)
Star of the East 9.5 (2014) short
The Adventuress 10. (2015)
That Silent Night 10.5 (2015) short
A Terrible Beauty 11. (2016)
Death in St. Petersburg 12. (2017)
Amid the Winter's Snow 12.5 (2018) short
Uneasy Lies the Crown 13. (2018)
Upon the Midnight Clear 13.5 (2019) short
In the Shadow of Vesuvius 14. (2020)
The Dark Heart of Florence 15. (2021)
Secrets of the Nile 16. (2022)
Set in 1904, with flashbacks to 1278 BCE.
Adolf Erman, Egyptian Grammar, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Tasha Alexander: Lady Emily novels and short stories:
The book list is also on the author's wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasha_A...
Tasha Alexander, also known as Anastasia Tyska, Tie Siding, Wyoming, b. 1969.
https://www.famechain.com/family-tree...
Mysteries with romance, set 1887- in the English upper crust. A kind of homage to the "sensational novels" of the late 1800s.
And Only to Deceive 1. (2005) ***
Queen Victoria reigned 1837-1901.
1847 an excellent year for port wine (age it 30+ years. chapters 10, 19)
1860 /On Translating Homer/, Matthew Arnold (chapter 8)
1861.12.14 Prince Albert died. (chapter 1)
1862 /Lady Audley's Secret/, Mary Elizabeth Braddon (chapter 10)
1877 /A Thousand Miles up the Nile/, Amelia Edwards (chapter 25)
1878 University College London admits women to degree programs (chapter 11)
1887.04.14 Philip Ashton wants a not-abjectly-stupid wife (chapter 5)
1887.04.21 Philip Ashton admires Earl Bromley's daughter's looks (chapter 6)
1887.05.06 Philip Ashton admires Lady Emily Bromley's horsewomanship (chapter 7)
1887.05.17 Philip Ashton admires Lady Emily's wit (chapter 8)
1887.05.31 Philip Ashton wants to marry Emily, calls her Kallista (chapter 10)
1887.06.20-21 Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebration (queen 50 years. chapter 12)
1887.07.05 Philip Ashton proposes; Lady Emily accepts. (chapter 15)
1888.06.09 Lady Emily married Philip Ashton. (Having seen him only a few times during their engagement; he's out of the country much of the time. chapters 13-29)
1888.12.04 Philip Ashton dies on safari in Kenya. (chapter 35)
1889 For more than a year, Emily stayed in London. (chapter 1)
1890.04.14 Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir married Aline Victorine Charigot (chapter 5)
A Poisoned Season 2. ((c) 2007 by Anastasia Tyska). 308 pages. ***
1891 London spring/summer social season
"It is best for women to distance themselves from all things political." --Queen Victoria, chapter 21, p. 194.
A Fatal Waltz 3. (2008)
The Bridal Strain 3.5 (2018) short
Tears of Pearl 4. (2009)
Dangerous to Know 5. (2010)
A Crimson Warning 6. (2011)
Death in the Floating City 7. (2012)
Behind the Shattered Glass 8. (2013)
The Counterfeit Heiress 9. (2014)
Star of the East 9.5 (2014) short
The Adventuress 10. (2015)
That Silent Night 10.5 (2015) short
A Terrible Beauty 11. (2016)
Death in St. Petersburg 12. (2017)
Amid the Winter's Snow 12.5 (2018) short
Uneasy Lies the Crown 13. (2018)
Upon the Midnight Clear 13.5 (2019) short
In the Shadow of Vesuvius 14. (2020)
The Dark Heart of Florence 15. (2021)
Secrets of the Nile 16. (2022)
Set in 1904, with flashbacks to 1278 BCE.
Adolf Erman, Egyptian Grammar, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
September 28, 2022
This was essentially two stories wrapped in one and I really loved that aspect of it. I loved that it had some historical pieces and the setting, Egypt, has always fascinated me.
To be fair, I did see the outcome before the writer got to it. Somewhere along the lines I just figured it out and was pleased/disappointed I was right. I really love a mystery I can’t solve!
🌀Synopsis
Lord Bertram Deely is poisoned while he is hosting a group of friends on his boat. Lady Emily is sent in to find out who committed the crime.
The suspects include-
An archeologist who we later find out has a motive since Deely was going to fund his next dig but then backed out.
A politician who we find out that Deely ruined his career and thus also has a motive.
A spinster who is secretly relying on Deely’s money to get by.
Mrs. Hargraves who had attracted Deely’s love when they were young but didn’t give her’s in return.
In the end we find out who Deely truly was and how he actually felt about his “friends.” I’m addition to who gave him the cyanide of course.
To be fair, I did see the outcome before the writer got to it. Somewhere along the lines I just figured it out and was pleased/disappointed I was right. I really love a mystery I can’t solve!
🌀Synopsis
Lord Bertram Deely is poisoned while he is hosting a group of friends on his boat. Lady Emily is sent in to find out who committed the crime.
The suspects include-
An archeologist who we later find out has a motive since Deely was going to fund his next dig but then backed out.
A politician who we find out that Deely ruined his career and thus also has a motive.
A spinster who is secretly relying on Deely’s money to get by.
Mrs. Hargraves who had attracted Deely’s love when they were young but didn’t give her’s in return.
In the end we find out who Deely truly was and how he actually felt about his “friends.” I’m addition to who gave him the cyanide of course.
February 4, 2024
3.2 stars
At first glance, it might seem crazy to jump into a series by a new to me author by reading first the 16th book of the series. The me of a few years back would have heartily agreed but the now older me thinks life is too short to follow the normal route and it is better to follow where my current mood leans 😊😅. I was happy to find that this 16th instalment was written enough as a standalone that I did not feel like I missed vital information from the previous books.
I also found this book to be competently written. The writing style was easy to read and the plot was reasonably interesting. TA was conscientious in her research and mixed in quite well historical facts into her fiction. She mentioned being inspired by Agatha Christie and I could see how the main story was a nod to Cards on the Table while the secondary story gave vibes of Death Comes as the End. All in all, the homage was respectful. The puzzle itself was okay. I found the solution better than the investigation, whose pace was a bit too sedate (and at times gave 'wooden' impressions) and in final, came across as more fortuitous than real sleuthing. The main character appeared a bit distant in personality but I liked enough the world building and cast of intimate characters around her (I esp. liked her sons' antics 😁).
What chagrined me a bit was how the narrative was organised. There were in fact two stories running in parallel in this book: one being the main investigation in 1904, and the second being a story back in Pharaoh's times. I liked both stories (in fact, I liked the execution of the second one better than the first) and I admire TA's efforts to try an original concept (plus, as mentioned above the two stories had been Agatha Christie inspired). That said, I disliked that the two stories were alternatively narrated (all odd numbered chapters, C1 to C39, concerned the first story, while all even numbered chapters, C2 to C38, concerned the second one).
True that the two stories loosely converged at the end, but that editing choice felt very disruptive while reading. And so, as from C10, I simply chose to stop reading the secondary story and only picked it up again after finishing the main story. It was a relief to my sanity! For the record, the main story took me around 6h40 to finish while the second one took me about 1h40. Imho, it would have been better to offer the second story as a bonus, separate story.
So, will I be reading more of Lady Emily? Probably, because while not dazzling, it was a decent read and the main characters did not antagonise me. Although I am not sure yet whether I will do it in the reading order or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2022
I enjoyed Lady Emily's and Colin's visit to Egypt, and especially appreciated the many nods to the Amelia Peabody mysteries (the ending!!). I wasn't extremely fond of the flashbacks to ancient Egypt initially, but finally toward the end they paid off.
July 16, 2022
"Secrets of the Nile" is a mystery set in 1904 in Egypt. There's also a secondary story going on in Ancient Egypt in the same area. This book is the 16th in a series. You can understand this book without reading the previous ones, and the story didn't spoil the mysteries or major events of the previous books.
The author alternated between the murder mystery and a story about a women who sculpted some of the amazing statues collected by the host of the party. The author wove setting and period details into the story. Emily asked questions, followed up on clues, and considered possible scenarios until she figured out what was going on. She was intelligent, likable, and reacted realistically to events. I started suspecting whodunit about halfway through as that person could have easily done everything. Further clues only confirmed my choice. So whodunit was guessable from the clues.
There were no sex scenes, though there was an attempted rape scene. There were a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
The author alternated between the murder mystery and a story about a women who sculpted some of the amazing statues collected by the host of the party. The author wove setting and period details into the story. Emily asked questions, followed up on clues, and considered possible scenarios until she figured out what was going on. She was intelligent, likable, and reacted realistically to events. I started suspecting whodunit about halfway through as that person could have easily done everything. Further clues only confirmed my choice. So whodunit was guessable from the clues.
There were no sex scenes, though there was an attempted rape scene. There were a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 30, 2022
I have never read Agatha Christie but I love Tasha Alexander!! This book is another in the Lady Emily Mysteries and I have a lot to catch up with these!
Besides my obvious obsession with Harry Potter, I love all things Egyptian and I love learning about the time of the pharaohs. So I loved every minute of this book. This is most definitely one of my favorite reads this year. I’m excited to read more from this author!
Besides my obvious obsession with Harry Potter, I love all things Egyptian and I love learning about the time of the pharaohs. So I loved every minute of this book. This is most definitely one of my favorite reads this year. I’m excited to read more from this author!
September 7, 2022
This is the first book I have read by Tasha Alexander. And even though it is the 16th book in a series, I never got lost. There were terrific explanations and descriptions of past events and connections between characters. I like Ms Alexander’s writing.
First – I loved the fact that she allowed Amelia Peabody and her family to be a minor characters in the telling of the story. I am quite enamored of Amelia and her entire family. I liked the fact that it is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie story. Most of all, I liked getting to know Lady Emily and her brilliant husband, Colin.
The family has come to Luxor to visit an old friend of Colin’s Mother, Lord Deeley. The gentleman is wealthy and he has gathered some of his very good friends around him for this annual visit to Egypt. The various guests are a good mix of types of characters. All are interesting and each of them add to the texture of the story.
When Lord Deeley dies in the midst of an elaborate dinner, Emily and Colin go into detective mode.
And while the main story is set in 1904, there is another story about a sculptor and her life in ancient Egypt. That story was interesting, but I felt it was somewhat intrusive. The sculptor was responsible for some of the treasures in Lord Deeley’s home. Her daily life was interesting and there is also a mystery in that story. It seems human nature is pretty much the same no matter in which era.
Lady Emily and Colin, with help from family and friends are able to figure out who caused Lord Deeley’s death. On the way to the solution, there are many interesting people, events, clues and even some red herrings.
I liked this book. I feel that I have been missing something by not being familiar with Ms Alexander’s books.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope that I would write a fair and honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
First – I loved the fact that she allowed Amelia Peabody and her family to be a minor characters in the telling of the story. I am quite enamored of Amelia and her entire family. I liked the fact that it is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie story. Most of all, I liked getting to know Lady Emily and her brilliant husband, Colin.
The family has come to Luxor to visit an old friend of Colin’s Mother, Lord Deeley. The gentleman is wealthy and he has gathered some of his very good friends around him for this annual visit to Egypt. The various guests are a good mix of types of characters. All are interesting and each of them add to the texture of the story.
When Lord Deeley dies in the midst of an elaborate dinner, Emily and Colin go into detective mode.
And while the main story is set in 1904, there is another story about a sculptor and her life in ancient Egypt. That story was interesting, but I felt it was somewhat intrusive. The sculptor was responsible for some of the treasures in Lord Deeley’s home. Her daily life was interesting and there is also a mystery in that story. It seems human nature is pretty much the same no matter in which era.
Lady Emily and Colin, with help from family and friends are able to figure out who caused Lord Deeley’s death. On the way to the solution, there are many interesting people, events, clues and even some red herrings.
I liked this book. I feel that I have been missing something by not being familiar with Ms Alexander’s books.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope that I would write a fair and honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
October 5, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books, and Ms. Alexander for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
As an individual who has always been partial to ancient Egyptian history and settings, I know that Tasha Alexander’s latest Lady Emily book would be right up my metaphorical alley. Secrets of the Nile did not disappoint: Lady Emily does her best to explore the history Egypt has to offer in a way that makes the hot, dry desert seem like the ultimate adventure. I’ve always wanted to go but circumstances so far have not been conducive; this book gave me a little opportunity to armchair travel 😊
Emily, her husband Colin, her mother-in-law Ann, and her stepdaughter Kat have travelled to Luxor to visit an old friend of Ann’s: Lord Deeley, who is to Ann something like Jeremy is to Emily. Lord Deeley dies of cyanide poisoning following dinner on the inaugural night of the visit, and Colin and Emily investigate Lord Deeley’s various guests. None of the potential motives are particularly overwhelming so I was unsure up to the very end as to what happened and why. More interesting is the parallel story of Meryt, an ancient Egyptian woman living in the artisan’s village near Luxor (which one of Lord Deeley’s guests, archaeologist Mr. McLeod, is slowly uncovering in the “present day” story). It’s not entirely clear what bearing the ancient story has on the “modern” one but frankly I thought the sense of foreboding and dread in Meryt’s story was more compelling. I was most interested in what happened to Meryt and found myself looking forward to her sections the most.
The descriptions of Emily riding an Arabian horse across the desert, though, instilled the most absolute sense of jealousy of a fictional character I have come across in a long time.
⭐⭐⭐1/2
As an individual who has always been partial to ancient Egyptian history and settings, I know that Tasha Alexander’s latest Lady Emily book would be right up my metaphorical alley. Secrets of the Nile did not disappoint: Lady Emily does her best to explore the history Egypt has to offer in a way that makes the hot, dry desert seem like the ultimate adventure. I’ve always wanted to go but circumstances so far have not been conducive; this book gave me a little opportunity to armchair travel 😊
Emily, her husband Colin, her mother-in-law Ann, and her stepdaughter Kat have travelled to Luxor to visit an old friend of Ann’s: Lord Deeley, who is to Ann something like Jeremy is to Emily. Lord Deeley dies of cyanide poisoning following dinner on the inaugural night of the visit, and Colin and Emily investigate Lord Deeley’s various guests. None of the potential motives are particularly overwhelming so I was unsure up to the very end as to what happened and why. More interesting is the parallel story of Meryt, an ancient Egyptian woman living in the artisan’s village near Luxor (which one of Lord Deeley’s guests, archaeologist Mr. McLeod, is slowly uncovering in the “present day” story). It’s not entirely clear what bearing the ancient story has on the “modern” one but frankly I thought the sense of foreboding and dread in Meryt’s story was more compelling. I was most interested in what happened to Meryt and found myself looking forward to her sections the most.
The descriptions of Emily riding an Arabian horse across the desert, though, instilled the most absolute sense of jealousy of a fictional character I have come across in a long time.
⭐⭐⭐1/2
October 4, 2022
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
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
May 15, 2023
I am not a big fan of the place where the adventure took place. Egypt has been so over done, both by book, and movie. The book could have used a good mummy killing behind the scenes to liven this one up. I don’t know why she felt the need to give a nod to one of her favorite writers. We like your writing for itself. I’m sorry to say , but you are not Christie, and knowing you were hoping to make her proud, or get a that a girl from those that know her style ,left me ill at ease. Where has the vibrant Emily gone? I gave this a three. The double mystery between time periods was sad, and lacking. Perhaps you thought it would give us a break from colonialism, or tomb robbing in the name of science, but it didn’t. All the touring around standing on what to you almost felt like holy ground, became off putting. I’m not sure where your editor was , but we don’t need the same description of clothing item three times in several pages. It was ok. Put some spark back in it, and not at the end , interrupted by your children. Try a mystery closer to home so we may learn more about the boys, and Emily as a mother. Let us see inside their lives a little so those of us that don’t need exotic places to see, and learn their history can reconnect with Lady Emily, her handsome husband, and a thrilling murder hunt. I usually score high for my favorite authors, but I can’t go past a three. It wasn’t a wash for me, but not a win.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews