This 14th book in the Amelia Peabody series takes place during 1917. The Emersons have decided to stay in Egypt for the duration of the war rather than taking the risk of German submarines while traveling back and forth to England. They plan to keep working on their archaeological digs. However, tomb robbers including an old enemy are making things difficult. Since so many archaeologists are not in Egypt because of the demands of the war, tomb robbers seem to have free range.

Then there are the American tourists who buttonhole the Emersons asking for introduction to tomb raiders so that they can buy illegal artifacts or who plan to set up their own excavations without permission.

There are also substantial rumors of a new tomb to be found too. Jamil gives a hint while he is dying that leaves both Emerson and Cyrus puzzled yet determined to find this missing tomb. However, just as they are settling in to searching, British Intelligence makes Ramses an offer that he can't refuse: go to Gaza to see if a man the whole Emerson family knows is there and is also a traitor to the British.

Naturally, the Emersons aren't willing to let Ramses go alone. They also plan to make their way in disguise - giving Emerson a chance to wear a fake beard - in order to be there if Ramses is in need of rescue. Amelia and Nefret refuse to be left behind despite needing to be disguised as well.

This story had an interesting arrangement. It begins in Egypt and deals with archaeological detail, then the middle takes place in Gaza and becomes a political intrigue, and then it finishes back in Egypt resolving the issue of the missing tomb.

This was another excellent addition to the Amelia Peabody series. ( )

Second reading, December 2017 ( )

It’s 1917 and World War I shows no sign of ending any time soon. The Emerson family now including Ramses and his wife, Nefret, arrive in Luxor only to learn that a royal tomb has been ransacked by thieves. But this isn’t their biggest problem. The English secret serviced is one again trying to get Ramses to undertake a dangerous mission on their behalf.

How the family navigates out of danger this season makes for a great read. ( )

Durante la Primera Guerra Mundial, cuando Egipto es un protectorado británico, colonos ingleses y americanos comparten con Amelia Peabody y su esposo la afición por las antigüedades y el nombre propósito de que ningún ladrón o traficante se lucre con los tesoros de estas tierras. Para ello, hay que sortear extrañas maldiciones y la codicia de los que están dispuestos a todo para enriquecerse. A esta difícil tarea se suma que Ramsés, hijo del matrimonio, ha de partir a Gaza para una complicada misión encargada por el servicio de inteligencia británico. Su fracaso significaría la muerte, y esto lo sabe su joven esposa Nefret, quien esconde un secreto maravilloso pero terrible en estas circunstancias.

Not her best, but picking up from the slump she went into... I really wish I could give it 3 1/2 stars. ( )