Nice mystery with cameos by Lawrence of Arabia and Gertrude Bell. Explores the emotionally charged situations created by imperialism, plus, camels ( )

In Egypt, during the year 1912, rising nationalistic fervor is making the work of Gareth Owen more complicated. Owen is the the Mamur Zapt, the British Chief of the secret police in Cairo. years ago the British stepped in to Egyptian affairs after a call for help from the Khedive who was the Egyptian ruler and who was concerned about the financial stability of the area. The British have settled in very nicely now, thank you very much and even though things are better they seem to have put down roots!

The current problems that heating up an already very warm climate are stemming from a war that has broken out between the Ottoman Empire and Italy over the territories now known as Libya. The Ottoman empire was the major controlling force in Egypt and the Cairenes favored their position and while there were many Italians living in Cairo anti italian feelings were growing. When an Italian man who had lived and worked in Egypt for decades was murdered Gareth Owen and his friend Mahmoud of the Egyptian law enforcement wanted to solve this murder quickly before the situation becomes more inflamed.

This story covers the time during when the famous Lord Kitchener becomes the British consul in Cairo, and when T. E. Lawrence, the archeologist is settling into the early part of his fame. The sights and scenes of Cairo, the heightened tensions of war times, gun running, spying, secret brotherhoods, all combine to make this an interesting exciting story. ( )