From the New York Times bestseller, a mystery with "a couple evenly matched as hot-blooded lovers and professional partners . . . one of [Peters'] best" ( Publishers Weekly ).

Back in London after an archaeological dig, adventurous sleuth Amelia Peabody—"rather like Indiana Jones, Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple all rolled into one" ( Washington Post Book World) —discovers that a night watchman at the museum has perished in the shadow of a mummy case.

There are murmurings about an ancient curse, but a skeptical Amelia is determined to find an all-too-human killer. Soon, she's balancing family demands, her precocious son, Ramses (aka Walter), with not just one unsolved crime, but two . . .

From the recipient of multiple honors including the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award, this murder mystery set in Victorian-era England is a witty, rollicking, and "deeply satisfying" romp ( Entertainment Weekly) in a "jewel of a series" ( The New York Times Book Review).

Praise for the Amelia Peabody mysteries:

"No one is better at juggling torches while dancing on a high wire than Elizabeth Peters." — Chicago Tribune

"[An] exceptional series . . . First-rate, densely packed action, fun, and atmosphere." — Library Journal