A thriller with a noir feel surrounding the ancient days of Egypt? Sign me up!

The first thing that stood out was the author’s detailed narrative. The author did a very nice job of building the world. He steps away from the traditional feel of Egypt and makes the characters down to Earth. Pharoahs like Akhenaten and Nefertiti come across as normal people that you can connect with. The story gets intense as it progresses, where Rahotep has to solve the mystery before the Festival or risk his family.

Another reason why I really enjoyed the story is because the author changes the direction of the plot midway. I will not go into the details, but it was fun to see the tone of the story change from finding a missing person to solving a bigger conspiracy. There are also some shocking deaths that I did not expect. On a side note, I also liked some passages written in hieroglyphics as that gave the story an authentic touch.

Rahotep is nice in the lead and I liked how he carried out his investigation in a systematic process. Khety was a fun sidekick and I enjoyed his dialogues with Rahotep. Mahu is also interesting as the negative police who targets Rahotep on his mission. I also liked the sub plots like the rivalry between Ramose and Meryra
However, the story does take time to setup. The author spends significant time setting up the environment. Although this sidetracks from the plot, I still enjoyed the author’s details to make the story realistic. Additionally, the story also concludes in a nice manner that sets the tone for the following book. Overall, this was a interesting and thrilling book set against Egyptology as the backdrop and I really liked it!

This is a great period thriller. The author takes us back into the time of the Egyptians.

The author have obviously researched this period well as the book and the plot feels very authentic. The Queen Nerfertiti has disappeared and Rahotep has to find her.

This mission is not without its dangers, failure to find the Queen could result in the demise of not only Rahotep but his family too. He uses his detective skills find what out what has happened.

Such a good read that immediately transports you into that time.

I read this for a blog tour.

Using the limited historical facts about two ancient Egyptian monarchs, Nefertiti and her stepson Tutankhamun, Nick Drake weaves clever, twisted mysteries in the royal palaces of Ankhtaten and Thebes.

The detective, Rahotep, is smart, intuitive and determined, but his investigations bring him into contact with dangerous and powerful enemies, men who will murder anyone who gets in their way as they seize more power and aim for the throne.

I love detective stories and I have a deep fascination with Ancient Egypt. This book combines the best of both worlds as amazingly we have an Ancient Egyptian detective investigating a missing person, none other than Nefertiti, ruler of Egypt. Rahotep is rather like Hercule Poirot going back in time, as I definitely feel Agatha's Christie's influence as well as that of one of my favourite writers, Christian Jacq. It is incredibly difficult to find the culprit when there are no forensics. All Rahotep has is his wit otherwise, he and all his family, will be put to death. The book is entertaining, educational and a pleasure to read. I'm really looking forward to reading Nick Drake's next book, Tutankhamun.

Touching on a part of history where many things still remain shrouded in mystery, anything is possible concerning the disappearance of Queen Nefertiti, Great Royal Wife of pharaoh King Akhenaten who changed his name from Amenhotep IV a few years into his reign. That was by no means all he changed, moving the capital from Thebes to a new city he named Akhetaten which was designed and built especially for him. He also decreed that the old gods and deities were no longer to be worshiped, instead declaring the only god now was Aten. It is clear that, in a land still plagued by poor crops and poverty, it is not only the priests that have reason to be upset with the king. It is amidst all this change and in the days running up to the unveiling of the new lavish city to various dignitaries from all over the Two Lands (Upper and Lower Egypt) that Nefertiti mysteriously vanished. Rahotep, an investigator in Thebes police, or the Medjay as it is called, is summoned into the new city by the king himself to find her. With only ten days to search and locate the queen, he knows that should he fail in his task then he and his family will die. It can be quite a brutal time for anyone not wielding power. As he travels up the Nile to the new city an attempt is made on his life and another one follows not long after as he gets too near to the truth. Enemies lie all around and it is hard for him to know whom to trust as he suddenly finds himself investigating murders as well. The story is slow to start and contains a lot of descriptive passages which give the reader a real feeling and understanding, not only of Rahotep, but also how most people needed to be seen to be doing the correct thing in society, appearances being most important. Without the luxuries of modern day forensics, our detective has to rely on his powers of observation and deduction entirely as he pursues the truth.
Rahotep is very likeable and the characters in the books are well drawn. I especially like the ideas of a hunting cat and a guard baboon! Set in a time and place I previously knew very little about, these are both certainly intriguing and interesting stories which I enjoyed a lot.

From a slow start, this book really picked up its pace and intrigue. When I say a slow start what I mean is that there is quite a bit of description and observation that sets the scene and also introduces the main protagonist Rahotep. He has been summoned by Akhenaten to the palace to look into the disappearance of his wife, Nefertiti. Sounds OK, but this has a time limit of 10 days. 10 days until Nefertiti is supposed to attend a public festival. If Rahotep fails it will cost him his life and also that of his family!

The first few chapters were very good at really giving the reader a chance to get to grips with some of the ways of life for this era in history. I say ways of life because there is so much distrust and a wrong word can have tragic and dire consequences. Rahotep has to work his way through a society that is all about being seen the right way and doing the right thing. People are devious, seem to be after their own gain and at times at any cost.

With the uncertainty of the people and the time limits on solving this mystery Rahotep definitely faces an uphill battle. Trying to work out who is telling the truth as he uses an investigative style of question and observational skills to work out the final truth.

This book was really intriguing and also I found it very addictive. I found myself quickly drawn in and I also found that the descriptions and observations were quite fascinating in giving the reader more insight into life, traditions, new ways, old ways and the current climate and feel of the population. I did feel that even though this slowed the story somewhat it was also a great addition for giving an all-round reader experience.

A really intriguing and interesting mystery read that I quite enjoyed and I left me eager to continue with this series. It is one for mystery and also historical fiction readers and one I would recommend.

For starters, I’m no Egyptologist. Nor am I an avid reader of ancient history. So I can’t vouch for the authenticity of Drake’s re-creation of the time period or the adherence to historical facts about dates/people. That said, this version of Egypt’s 18th dynasty felt true.

Drake does a fabulous job of explaining the new religion and the resulting cultural upheaval. Nefertiti and her husband have ousted the old gods, much to the priests’ anger, and instituted a new religion. I read about this years ago.

But the author brings the reality of living this change alive. People have to be cautious in everyday conversation; criticism isn’t tolerated. Akhenaten focuses on creating this religion but neglects growing turbulence in other parts of his kingdom. The priestly families have jealously guarded their wealth and political/religious power for generations. They are incensed at being stripped of their dignity. Yet the new religion has also opened opportunities for average people to gain power.

The book’s prose is gorgeous. Drake plunges us into the 18th dynasty like a boat launching into the great river Nile long before we get to any action. While I never felt much connection with Rahotep, I did feel connected to his descriptions of life in the new capital city. Those who like a more leisurely paced world building will appreciate–savor, even–the author’s immaculate, lyrical prose. (I took notes. What can I say? Maybe it’s an English major thing.)

If, however, you need to plunge directly into action, the slow pace will make you impatient. The book will end up on your DNF shelf.

As a historical novel, a slow pace works perfectly well. As a mystery, perhaps not so well. When I looked back over the main plot points, there weren’t as many big moment as most novels have. There were a lot of philosophical ruminations from Rahotep. They are fascinating.

(His thoughts on the contrast between those who investigate murder and those who debate it are relevant to our current times, as I thought of current true crime obsession.)

But fascinating and plot-advancing are two different things.

I suspected many parts of the truth. Many mystery readers would. There were plot turns that did take me by surprise, including some rather gruesome revelations. One particularly deep dive into the dark unknown was effective. Often, though, the story lurched from “big moment” to “big moment” with only mundane happenings and Rahotep’s internal thoughts to fill the gaps between.

Note for those sensitive to violence: Drake describes the atrocities against several murder victims in explicit terms. (Without revealing who the victim is, I will note that one person is embalmed alive. Horrifying.) It’s vivid, gruesome, and may be too graphic for some readers.

Despite my reservations, this is still a worthwhile novel. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable book. Don’t rush through it like you might a high adrenaline thriller; not all novels benefit from being binge-read! Approach the book on its own terms. You’ll receive a long, lyrical novel, gorgeous imagery, and philosophical ideas worth pondering, and savor the experience.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Note: #2: This review will appear on my blog on September 23, 2020.