Secrets of the Nile
Lady Emily #16
In a brilliant homage to Agatha Christie, critically acclaimed author Tasha Alexander sends Lady Emily to Egypt, both during British colonial rule and back in time to the era of the Pharaohs
Lady Emily and her husband, Colin Hargreaves, have joined his formidable mother on a holiday to visit the exotic treasures of Egypt. Their host, Lord Bertram Deeley, is a renowned amateur British collector of antiquities, who has invited his closest friends on a lavish cruise up the Nile to his home at Luxor. But on the first night of their journey, 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?
Emily and Colin’s investigation soon reveals that even his closest friends had reasons to want him dead: was it the archeologist whose dig Deeley was poised to fund until he suddenly withdrew support? The powerful politician whose career Deeley had secretly destroyed? The dyspeptic aristocratic English spinster whose hired travelling companion seems determined to protect her employer? Or could it be Mrs. Hargreaves herself, 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 a hidden story from the time of Ancient Egypt, one of a sister’s unshakeable loyalty to her brother, a tale of betrayal and revenge. In an unforgettable finale, Emily and Colin gather their fellow travelers together to unmask a killer whose motive is as shocking as it is brilliant.
"Intriguing...The resolution is surprising, with a twist readers won’t see coming. Alexander consistently entertains." -Publishers Weekly
"In 1904, an Egyptian vacation turns into a quest to solve several mysteries..The unusual background andAgatha Christie twist make for an enjoyable and informative read."- Kirkus Reviews
"Fans of this long-running series will appreciate the skills Kat brings to Lady Emily’s sleuthing in this absorbing historical
mystery." -Booklist
"a fast-paced tale with a vivid sense of place." -The Concord Insider