| Synopsis: |
Arriving in Cairo for another thrilling excavation season, Amelia Peabody is relaxing in her elegant hotel suite in Cairo, when a man with knife protruding from his back staggers into her chamber and utters a single word-"Murder"-before collapsing on the tiled floor, dead. Among the few possessions he is carrying is a sheet of paper with Amelia's name, and a calling card bearing one word: "Judas." Most peculiarly, the stranger is wearing a gold-rimmed monocle in his left eye. It quickly becomes apparent that someone has saved Amelia from a would-be assassin-someone who is keeping a careful eye on the intrepid archaeologist. And there can be only one answer: the brilliant master of disguise, Sethos. But neither assassins nor the Genius of Crime will deter Amelia as she and Emerson head to the excavation site at Armana, where they will witness the discovery of one of the most precious Egyptian artifacts: the iconic bust of Nefertiti, stepmother to King Tutankhamun.For Amelia, this excavation season will prove to be unforgettable. Throughout her journey, a parade of men in monocles will die under suspicious circumstances, fascinating new relics will be unearthed, a diabolical mystery will be solved, and a brilliant criminal will offer his final challenge . . . and perhaps be unmasked at last. |