Agatha Christie has been replaced!!! This dual time mystery novel takes place in Egypt, in Luxor. We meet Lady Emily and her husband in 1904 while we switch back and forth between that timeline and ancient times. Since this is the first book out of the 16 previously published, I'm not familiar with Lady Emily et al. They are on a trip headed by Lord Deeley, a long time friend of Lady Emily's mother-in-law. The set-up starts immediately as Lord Deeley keels over dead at a dinner he was hosting. So who did the "dirty deed?" Between the story in 1904 we have chapters from ancient times included (I could have done without that). Preferably, I was much more interested in the goings-on in 1904 and the cast of characters where anyone of them could be the killer. All-in-all I enjoyed this novel, a mystery that I normally wouldn't read but did sound tempting. I've never read anything by this author before, but I'll be on the lookout for more of her writing. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Secrets of the Nile by Tasha Alexander is a fascinating murder mystery. A murder takes place at a dinner party in the private home of a wealthy British citizen in Luxor in the early 1900’s. The dead man has invited a group of friends to vacation in his home, as was customary during British colonial times. The plot line winds its way through the lives of each guest in an attempt to solve the mystery. In a parallel plot line, we experience the daily lives of ancient Egyptian craftsmen who labor on the tomb of their pharaoh. Stonemasons, sculptors and other artists who leave behind the precious artifacts found by archeologist centuries later. Alexander weaves together both plot lines to provide the reader with a historically accurate tale filled with vivid imagery. I could almost feel the sand on my skin, the dates in my mouth and the cool breeze coming off the Nile aboard the dahabiya. It was an absolutely stunning read that stimulated my intellect and entertained my soul.

I have enjoyed each of the 16 books in this Lady Emily series and was very happy to get an early read for this one! I’ve long been fascinated with Egypt and loved reading this mystery that takes place there. This one seems almost like a nod to Agatha Christie, in that everyone could be a suspect. I also appreciate the reference to Amelia Peabody books, as I know Ms. Alexander was a big fan of the Elizabeth Peter’s series just like I am.

Thanks to Netgalley, Minor aur Books and the author for an ARC of Secrets of the Nile. My opinions are my own.

This is a dual-timeline novel set in the early 1900s and ancient Egypt. Lady Emily Hargreaves and her husband, Colin, an agent of the crown have traveled to Luxor for a house party hosted by Lord Deely. Accompanied by Colin's mother and his adult daughter, the couple find themselves in the middle of what appears to be the brutal poisoning of their host. When letters implicating each of the guests begin popping up, Lady Emily realizes there is a lot more to Lord Deely's death than meets the eye and she is determined solve the mystery that may lie in the distant past.

Myert is a scuptor living in ancient Egypt. She creates ushabtis, small funerary statues meant to be placed in the tombs of the dead to act as laborers in the afterlife. When the ushabtis made for her father's tomb intersect with Lord Deeply centuries later it sets off a chain of circumstances leading to Lord Deeply shocking death.

This is a novel in the style of the great British mystery writers a la Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie.

4.5 stars

3.5 stars.

1904, Egypt. Emily Hargreaves and her husband Colin are enjoying a leisurely, romantic journey down the Nile in a dahabeeyah, en route to Luxor at the invitation of fellow Englishman Lord Deeley. Except that they’re also accompanied by Mrs. Hargreaves and Colin’s daughter Kat, both of whom have contentious relationships with Emily. It’s a rather small boat for the four of them…

Once in Luxor, with Mrs. Hargreaves and Kat opting to stay at Lord Deeley’s residence along with a handful of other guests, things quickly gain momentum when the host suddenly dies of poisoning after their first dinner together. Emily and Colin slowly realize that it seems nearly everyone — even Mrs. Hargreaves herself — has a strong motive. So who killed Lord Deeley, and why?

As a long-time fan of the Lady Emily mysteries, I’m bummed to be leaving a mediocre review. In recent books, Tasha Alexander has included differing timelines/points of view, switching between Lady Emily’s perspective and, in this case, a young sculptor named Meryt in ancient Egypt. This isn’t my favorite plot device, and I found it particularly frustrating in this novel. Right when my attention would be focused on the mystery, the next chapter would switch to Meryt’s story, which not only didn’t interest me at all, but was told in small snippets that seemed to go nowhere. While of course it tied in to the main plot in a minor way, it left the story feeling disjointed and disappointing overall.

One major bonus, though, were the clever references to the Peabody/Emerson clan, also in Luxor in 1904. This was a fun addition for all Elizabeth Peters fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

An atmospheric mystery perfectly designed for fans of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series.

(Indeed, fans of Amelia Peabody may find a number of delightful call-outs to that lady and her mystery-solving family in this book. The idea that they inhabit the same world was one of the main things that made this story so much fun!)

It's 1904, and Lady Emily, her husband, and her husband's mother Mrs. Hargreaves have been invited on an excursion to Egypt. The trip is headed up by Lord Deeley, a long-time friend of Mrs. Hargreaves. He's gathered an unusual group of friends around him, but they've barely gotten acquainted when suddenly Lord Deeley keels over, dead of a poisoned drink.

As has become the author's custom, the chapters with Lady Emily's investigation are interspersed with a story from ancient times. In this case, it's of a young woman sculptor who lives in a craftsman's village in the desert. She becomes increasingly concerned that her jealous sister-in-law has nefarious plans for her.

I can't say that I really love the inclusion of these ancient plotlines in book after book (they all just seem so heavy with foreshadowing and tragedy), but they do help with the pacing. The pages fly by as you hop from the 1904 story to the ancient story and back.

I also like Lady Emily more now that she's a bit older. She carries her slightly nonconformist ways with a certain amount of extra composure now, and even so she finds herself no longer quite as avant garde now that the younger generation is coming along with even more modern viewpoints. This age is a more interesting spot for her than her youthful years where it felt like she was always trying to make a point.

Overall, I really enjoyed this installment in the Lady Emily series, especially because of its setting! As far as I'm concerned, Lady Emily could stay in Egypt a while longer, having more thinly-veiled encounters with Amelia Peabody and solving a few more mysteries. It would be great.

I have read this series from the very beginning and I love Lady Emily and Colin. I lhave enjoyed the development of their relationship and the chemistry they have. I also continue to enjoy the twists and turns of there various adventures. This latest installment does not disappoint. Definitely recommend.

“Colossal ancient monuments. Azure skies. Desert sunsets. The endless romance of the Nile…..but traveling with my imperious mother-in-law presented a significant barrier to romance. And then there was the matter of the violent death on the dinner table.” And so it began.
I loved Lady Emily, but I found other characters and the entire storyline a bit tedious.

I received a copy from the publisher and Net Galley. The opinions are my own.