The Prince Regent asks his favorite investigators, Captain Jack Dryden and Lady Daphne Dryden, to take on another case. His long-time source of Oriental, especially Egyptian, artifacts for his collection, Prince Singh, has vanished. Even more annoying, he vanished before delivering the latest item he'd sold to the regent, the death mask of Amon-Re. So Jack and Lady Daphne will go to Egypt and attempt to find both the man and the mask. For the protection of Lady Daphne, beloved eldest daughter of Lord Sidworth, For the benefit of the investigation, he also sends with them Dr. Stanton Maxwell, speaker of Arabic and expert on Egypt and its artifacts. For reasons that make no sense at all, Lady Daphne decides to take along her youngest sister, Lady Rosemary, who is very intelligent, very interested in Egypt, and as naive and susceptible as any stereotypical young Regency miss barely past her first Season.

Their investigation not only uncovers one murder; it triggers another, as well as a booby trap in an ancient pyramid, and the kidnapping of Lady Rosemary. There is also a love triangle involving Lady Rosemary, Stanton Maxwell, and Rosemary's crush from her Season, Captain Cooper, whose assets appear to consist of an excellent physique, a handsome face, and mastery of the basics of Regency manners. They do not include either an especially charming personality or much in the way of moral character. We know exactly where this is going from the time we meet Captain Cooper, if not from the moment Lady Rosemary and Stanton Maxwell meet.

This is a light, entertaining story without much substance, and a number of errors that aren't fatal to the story, but do detract from it. A pleasant enough way to spend a couple of hours, but not memorable.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

I normally read Cheryl Bolen’s historical romances which are light and quite humorous. This is the first of her mysteries I've read. I wanted to read this one because I’m familiar with the Middle East and this story took place in Egypt.

I enjoyed the forward which gave me some idea when archaeological expeditions got started. The French were very prevalent in Egypt during the year when this story takes place, less so the British. Both had interest in the Suez Canal which would shorten trade routes to India and the Orient where much wealth was coveted—silks, teas, etc.

Captain Jack Dryden a man who chafed from living an unadventurous life once his time with Wellington was over, was happy to take the job Regent Prince had asked of him – to locate an Indian, Prince Edward Duleep Singh, active in the purchase of priceless art throughout the Orient. amun reThe Regent prince had purchased an ornamental mummy’s mask coming from the coffin of pharaoh Amum-re. But he seemed to have disappeared—disappearing in Cairo.

Lady Daphne, Captain Jack’s husband was quite intelligent and worked alongside her husband to solve certain mysteries in the past. This expedition was very enlightening for all parties. Ms. Bolen’s character Stanton Maxwell was quite the tour guide for the three traveling together. Things start to erode as events seemingly accidental at first, became real danger. So not only do you have a mystery needing to be solved –where is the Indian prince, but who is trying to kill Rosemary, Lady Daphne’s sister?Mosque-of-Ibn-Tulunfelucca

Stanton Maxwell is a character with many sides and interesting to follow. I enjoyed the tour, the excitement, history and danger! Westeners know so little about Cairo. Ms. Bolen takes us to Ibn Tulun Mosque, we sail on a felucca, we visit Khan El Kahlili Market, we learn what a dragoman is, we go to Ezbeekiya Square and of course enter the Great Pyramid. I’ve added khan el khalilipictures of some of these places so you can better envision the mystic of the story. ( )

regency mystery in exotic places

Captain Jack Dryden and his wife Lady Daphne Dryden are off on a dangerous mission for the Prince Regent. The place Cairo, the goal, investigating the fate of a missing antiques dealer--friend to the Prince and the artifact that was being sought on behalf of the Prince.
Jack would like to keep his wife safely at home. Daphne is already picturing the romance and manifest mysteries of the alluring Egypt. The Prince Regent includes soldiers to protect the party and one Stanton Maxwell, a foremost Egyptology scholar. Daphne is persuaded to bring her younger sister Rosemary, an Egyptian enthusiast.
I enjoyed the atmosphere of the hot sands of Egypt encasing the reader as events race alongside opposing reports by British inhabitants, murder, kidnapping and romance.
One can picture the bustling humanity of the bazaars and the dark threat of alleyways.
I enjoyed Jack and Daphne as a couple, their interplay and modes of address and Jack's way of covering up Daphne's social gaffes due to her innocence. Rosemary comes into her own, rather slowly one must admit. Maxwell Stanton is a wonderful character--shy yet protective, brave yet unassuming, learned yet modest. A complete contrast to the air headed, handsome Captain Cooper of His Majesty's Dragoons that Rosemary is languishing over. A plethora of fast moving action and atmosphere with light touches of romance.
I do need to read the preceding novels in the series.

A NetGalley ARC ( )