The Cairo Curse is the second installment of the Grace and Frederick mystery series. Since their romance was covered by the first book I was hoping for more mystery in the second one but that part was unfortunately a little disappointing.

Grace and Frederick are traveling to Egypt for a honeymoon but despite best laid plans the trip is anything but relaxing.

There was barely any plot in the first half of the book and I even briefly considered dnf. Luckily the story picked up speed in the second half and then everything happened at once; accidents, murders, betrayal and even a romance.

Even though I enjoyed parts of this story, the overall feeling was boredom laced with consternation.

The things that I didn’t like about Grace in the first book (childish, too much talking, emotional responses not adequate to the situation, not-like-other-girls) were still there and made it difficult for me to connect with her. This was however not the thing that bothered me the most.

This book has been written from the perspective of the British aristocracy visiting Egypt in 1914. It is extremely difficult to find the balance between historical accuracy and political correctness in such a setting and unfortunately that balance was not achieved. The idea of British archaeologists digging Egyptian graves to prevent “thieves” from finding the treasure was extremely jarring. If you then add Grace comparing a local girl to an “exotic flower” it all gets really cringy.

Another thing; Frederick and Grace kept talking about being equals and partners and yet he was painfully patronizing towards her. Yes he loved her but their dynamic resembled a parent with a child rather than a husband with a wife, which was very disturbing. (On the other hand you couldn’t really blame him because she did act like an unpredictable and reckless kid all the time 🙄 ) The cherry on top was how outraged he was by the way the locals treated women. Let’s be real, Freddie, it’s 1914, being a woman sucks in every part of the world, including your precious England.

Thank you Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Cairo Curse has so much to offer! An Egyptian setting, a sweet romance, and healthy doses of adventure, humor, and mystery. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. And one of my favorite parts is the significant thread of faith binds it all together.

I adore Freddie and Grace. They are so lively and funny. And I love the romance they share during the eventful honeymoon. I haven’t read the first book in the series but meeting them in this one (book 2) certainly makes me want to go back and start at the beginning! There are some wonderful secondary characters as well. (Elliot!)

The author does a wonderful job of hooking the reader in the mysteries. I was kept guessing, just like I like. If you enjoy a suspenseful read with romance, adventure, humor, and faith, this is the book for you!

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

A thrilling adventure filled with romance, humor, mystery, and faith.

I was delighted to find that this book would follow Grace and Frederick from The Mistletoe Countess, and it did not disappoint. Filled with adventure and mystery, evoking ensemble mysteries from the likes of Agatha Christie. I loved Grace's passion for adventure, as well as her enthusiasm for life and the value she places on reading fiction. This book has some familiar faces, as well as a full cast of intriguing new suspects.

A rollicking adventure, with a healthy dose of humor, as well as faith. This was an utterly enjoyable read from beginning to end and a wonderful next chapter in Grace and Frederick's story. It was also great to see a different side of Elliott. I admired his noble heart.

Overall, an excellent follow up to Frederick and Grace's first adventure, I look forward to reading more in the future!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mystery, romance, intrigue, Egyptian artifacts, and lots of witty dialogue! I loved this book! Pepper Basham has quickly become a must read author for me. The Mistletoe Countess has been on my TBR list since just discovering her books last year, so when I heard that the second book in the series was available on NetGalley, I snatched it up. I was not disappointed. Even though I hadn’t read the first book, I was immediately drawn into the story and quickly fell in love with Frederick and Grace, now Lord and Lady Astley.

I absolutely loved the setting of 1914 Egypt. From Agatha Christie to Elizabeth Peters, I’ve long been a fan of mysteries set among the pyramids and archaeological digs. This mystery was a lot of fun with mummies, ancient curses, hieroglyphics, and stolen antiquities. Frederick & Grace are on their honeymoon but take a detour trip to Egypt. What they find there are plenty of secrets, suspects, and shenanigans to please Grace’s ever active mind and imagination. When the intrigues surrounding an undiscovered tomb lead to murder, Grace and Freddie are right in the middle of it.

I loved the romance between Grace & Frederick. Even though they’re married, there was still plenty of passion and tender romance, which the author keeps closed door. Grace is such a fantastic character! From her references to literature to her love of sleuthing, she kept me laughing with her witty commentary and exuberance. Frederick is the quintessential hero and indulges Grace’s more rash ideas with patience and support. These two work so well together and I loved their relationship. Their valet Elliott plays a big role in this story and I enjoyed the mystery surrounding his past. Is there anything he can’t do?

The mystery kept me quickly turning the pages. There’s a whole slew of suspects with plausible motivations. Throw in some red herrings and a few murders, and this makes for a compelling story. While I had my suspicions, I was still guessing up until the end. The humor added a light touch and kept me thoroughly entertained. There’re also elements of faith and messages of second chances woven deftly throughout the story.

This is a must read for all cozy mystery lovers, especially if you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, Carola Dunn, and Elizabeth Peters. Thought it’s the second book in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book and am eagerly anticipating future stories involving Freddie & Grace. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

This compelling historical suspense reminded me of reading Agatha Christie and Mrs. Polifax novels. The engaging tale adds the intrigue of an Egyptian archeological dig in ancient tombs along with danger and illegal activity. Lord and Lady Astley make a fun couple. I enjoyed their relationship and interaction plus their wild adventures. I had not read the first book so I felt like I missed out on an interesting backstory from this pair, but enough of their former lives was included in this novel that I didn’t feel lost because this powerful drama stands strong on its own. The mysterious events keep readers racing through to the end of the intriguing plot. And, yes, the author throws in some twists and surprises for her quirky cast of characters. I hope we will witness from Frederick and Grace—they offer a refreshing duo in fiction. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #TheCairoCurse #NetGalley

What a fun romp The Cairo Curse is! I fell in love with Grace and Frederick in The Mistletoe Countess and was eager to see what kinds of adventures awaited the pair. The second novel in the series did not disappoint. Grace and Frederick head to Egypt on the first leg of their honeymoon. Mayhem and murder accompany them. Frederick is still dashing, and Grace is, well, still Grace! The novel-loving heroine is armed with all the egyptology she could glean from books and a nose for danger and intrigue. Runaway camels, undiscovered tombs, and all the exotic sights and smells of the place and time come to life in this novel. There is a very twisty mystery in which everyone becomes a suspect as the bodies pile up. Grace and Frederick are still newlyweds, so their romance continues. Their relationship is so much fun. But a secondary romance in the novel was very satisfying too. If you are a fan of history and mystery with a good dose of romance, then The Cairo Curse is perfect for you!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

I highly recommend reading book one in the series before this one. The main character, Grace, was quirky and naive in the first book which made her charming, but I didn't feel that shone through as much in this book. Also there were so many characters being talked about that you didn't really know much about, that it got somewhat confusing at times. While not my favorite Basham book, it was still fun and I know I will read others by her!

"Yes, God had given him much more than he deserved, and sometimes, he wondered if God had given him more than he could manage."

It's another delightful adventure with Freddie and Grace. I loved their rhythm, energy, and compatibility as a married couple though they are polar opposites. Their love is tender, passionate, and all-consuming and it gives both of them such solid ground to stand on. Of course, Grace and her propensity to fall into trouble gets them into mystery and mayhem in Egypt this time. Seeing Egypt of 1914 through Grace's insatiably curious eyes was a definite treat. Freddie's long-suffering love for Grace was extremely sweet and made him more swoon-worthy (is that even possible?). Freddie's valet Elliott has a subplot in this story which was absolutely fabulous. Filled with suspicious secondary characters, mysterious deaths, curious happenings, and unresolved thefts, this book cleverly and wonderfully merges Clue with Indiana Jones to create an enchanting historical fiction with a serving of comedy and intrigue. The theme of redemption and forgiveness of the past was strong throughout the story.

If you've ever wanted to travel to Egypt and visit the pyramids and an archeological excavation site, this is the book for you! I received the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Without leaving my house I have traveled to Egypt thanks to the writing of the author. I could see the pyramids, the vendors in the streets and camels walking by as they take people to their destination. I was just as excited as Grace was when their adventure started. Can you imagine going on an archeological dig looking for treasure that had been lost for years ? I would love to have just a little of Grace’s energy so I could keep up with her.

I’m pretty sure that Frederick has his hands full with his curious wife Grace. It isn’t easy to keep her grounded at times as she is very stubborn when it comes to something she has set her mind on. But he adores her and will do anything to keep his bride happy. I loved their interaction and the antics they seem to get into at times. This couple kept me in stitches at times and I loved the humor the author brings to the story. Fredrick hopes Grace will enjoy her time in Egypt while trying to keep her somewhat a little less with her head in clouds and more in reality. There is a hint of danger approaching for our couple as tumors are starting that there is thieves in the dig area.

I loved the various facts about Egypt that included mummies, artifacts and the scenery. Oh how I would love to go there and take in the beauty of the pyramids as we climb among them. There is much to learn in this faraway place and our couple will soon find that things are not as they seem. You can feel tension in the air as Fredrick and Grace are starting to feel uneasy in their surroundings.

The story is filled with murder, danger, kidnapping, thieves and mystery as Grace and Freddie try to solve who is behind everything. Grace is in deep trouble as she ventures out on her own to investigate what has been going on. Can Freddie reach her in time or will she succumb to her curiosity?

Get ready for laughs and adventure as unearned treasures keep the story exciting. I love how the author includes faith in the story and a lesson of letting go of your past and learning to trust God.

“God is slowly teaching me that I am not to be defined by my past, my relations, or my station, but by Him.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

I'm a fan of of books set in Egypt during the Victorian age and the blurb of this one was really interesting.
I liked this book that I found compelling and entertaining. It's fast paced, well plotted and I liked the attention to the details.
The characters are fleshed out and I appreciated how the author wrote a story that can appeal to people of different faith.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Thank you, Pepper Basham! How else can I start a review of The Cairo Curse, a book that flew to the top of my faves for 2023?

What surprised me about this is, that I was not a super fan of the Mistletoe Countess, the first book of the series. But The Cairo Curse? It blew me away, like the sandstorms that would sweep across the desert, covering ancient tombs.

Speaking of ancient tombs, Basham’s book sees plenty of malfeasance and disaster at the Egyptian pyramids, where Grace and Frederick have gone to visit his cousin, Georgia, whose husband is financing a dig. One of the guests of Georgia and her husband is a tipsy fortune teller, who predicts that the group will incur the wrath of the gods for interfering with the pharaoh’s burial grounds.

I loved Grace. She loves her husband with all her heart, she loves God and puts her faith in Him when times are bad. Grace is adventurous (which lands her in trouble- some hilarious and some not!) and always ready to sleuth. She is no wall flower. “Lady of Fire.” “Lady of Fire?” “Yes, Sitt.” Akeem patted his head. “You have fire hair and fire spirit.” Grace is also very optimistic. As Zahra says, “She paints sunshine with her words.”

My fave secondary characters are Zahra, the street urchin that Grace rescues and Frederick’s butler, Elliot. Both are testimony to the fact that God and love can change anyone, and everyone deserves a second chance.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and Net Galley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“The wrong marriage can make all the difference in the world to a person’s life and demeanor.”

“…it all reminded Grace how people carried darkness with them. They rarely needed to go in search of it.”

“Everyone needs a second chance. You are no exception.”

“Bitterness has a tendency to speak in a loud voice.”

I adored the book-loving Grace with her propensity to sniff out trouble (or land in the middle of it) in The Mistletoe Countess, so I was thrilled when Pepper Basham announced she was writing another book featuring Grace and her now-husband Fredrick. And even better? The new book was set in Egypt. The Cairo Curse is as delightful a read as the first book.

It’s rare in fiction these days to get to follow through on the HEA with a couple, but that is exactly what readers get to do in this book. Fredrick and Grace are on their way to their honeymoon with a stop in Cairo. But there is something odd going on and when people turn up dead, Grace is on the case.

The settings in this book were stunning and the mystery was fun. There are a lot of people to keep track of as the book progresses but, for me, that just kept me guessing as to who was behind everything. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Basham book without a heap of romance.

Plus, camels. And mummies…well, maybe. You’ll have to find out for yourself.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

Award-winning author Pepper Basham returns with the second novel in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series where mystery, romance, and humor abound.

In The Cairo Curse, newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley (Frederick and Grace) take a detour to Egypt while en route to their honeymoon to Italy. Unaware of a deadly secret surrounding their detour, Frederick and Grace uncover a planned heist of antiquities that puts their lives in danger. Can they solve the mystery before other deaths occur?

Well-known for her humor and romance, Basham takes Frederick and Grace to the land of the Pharaohs to solve a mystery, grow in their relationship, and make new friends. At the conclusion of the book, the mystery is solved but the stage is set for another possible book as the Astleys depart for their honeymoon destination. Basham balances the mystery, romance, and humor in her faith-based storyline, creating fictional characters who seem like dear friends. One wonders what adventure they will stumble on next.

Recommended for adult collections in public libraries and mystery buffs. Fans of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Gillman, and the Indiana Jones movies will enjoy this Egyptian-based mystery!

Disclaimer: Book reviews are my honest opinion of books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write reviews, nor to even post positive reviews.

I enjoyed reading The Cairo Curse as it gave additional insight into Frederick and Grace’s marriage. It was good to see this couple settling into their relationship and inviting other people into their circle to experience healing and hope.

Readers will enjoy trying to solve the mysteries while following along with Grace, Frederick, and their friends as they explore Egypt.

The Cairo Curse will remind readers that we are not defined by the things we did in the past or what people say about us. We are who God says we are.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley and CelebrateLit; a positive review was not required.

This was such a fun read from start to finish. Grace is endearing and inspiring. Her love for Frederick so sweet.
This books sweeps us away to Egypt. With a daring and rather involved mystery. The reader is plunged into the ancient pharaohs and tombs. The author keeps us guessing until the last chapters.
The addition of the beginning of a second chance romance also bloom. A reminder of God’s grace and the hope it brings shines through.

Thank you to Barbour and Netgally for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As soon I found out The Mistletoe Countess had a sequel I wanted to read it. I adore Frederick and Grace. The wit and banter between the two of them as well as the somewhat screwball comedy that ensues is golden. The Cairo Curse takes the couple to Egypt. I loved learning more of the culture, and also seeing it through Grace's eyes. If you love good banter, humor, and an action packed mystery then this book is for you!

I adored the first book from Pepper D Basham’s Fredrick and Grace Mystery series, The Mistletoe Countess. I could not to get my hands on the second installment, The Cairo Curse. I was not disappointed. It was a delight catching up with Frederick and Grace and seeing where they are now. They are quite the team and I enjoyed getting into the new mystery they needed to solve. It was a great book to read. I loved it.

I am giving The Cairo Curse a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who are fans of clean historical romance. I hope there will be more books to come from the Fredrick and Grace Mystery series to see what happens next.

I received a paperback copy of The Cairo Curse from the publisher but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own hones opinion.

The author Pepper Basham has created a captivating Christian fiction story with a variety of settings, characters that have novelty, and enriching plotlines that come through amazingly in the novel The Cairo Curse. The adventure-filled story is about to start when Freddie and Lady Astley (Grace) receive an open invitation to join Freddie's cousin Georgia and her husband Sydney Archibald on an archaeological expedition to Egypt's capital city, Cairo. Grace is so excited when she hears Freddie plan their honeymoon trip in three months after they are wed to trot on some camel in the desert in Cairo to visit ancient tombs, deserted villages, the streets of Cairo, and Mummies. To Grace, it sounded like the epitome of honeymoon destinations.

I loved the characters Federick and Grace as they portray a love for each other that is Godly, showing the readers humility and purity. As they begin their journey arriving from England, they meet other archaeologists and philologists. This makes the detective couple's nature bring their imagination to learning about excavation and Egyptian history. They trusted god's plan for them.

First, Georgia's bracelet goes missing which she wore every day on the trip. Their trip to the Nile and the Great pyramids brought activities that were not only adventurous but mysterious as well. Inspector Randolf reports to Grace and Federick that they have received reports on severable valuables stolen in the area. One of Grace's exotic dreams was to take a Grand tour of the tombs.

The trip turns out to be filled with mysterious events taking place that transpired in an hour, while Grace wears her Detective hat; On Grace's List, there are Possible Crimes, the Murder of Sydney Archibald, the Attempted murder of David Graham, the Disappearance of Mr. Smallwood, Mysterious Tomb, Missing Jewelry. Grace had a list of suspects and their intentions too. Will the duo solve the mystery before anything else happens that gets out of their hand that can stop them to get them back home to England? Great plot and characters are built by the author Pepper Basham. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Thanks to Barbour Fiction Publisher and Netgalley for a complimentary copy for my honest review.

Maybe the blush was off the rose a little bit with Freddie and Grace's relationship, but I didn't think this book was quite as good as The Mistletoe Countess, the first book in the series. That being said, it was almost as good and way above average for the genre, which was historical romance/mystery. I greatly enjoyed the story and seeing familiar characters grow before my eyes. The description of Egypt and the archeological dig as well as the house where they were staying was enchanting, and the story wrapped up very well.

If I had one criticism of the book, it was the body count. It almost seemed to be too much by the end, and it didn't make sense that so many people could be killed without attracting way too much notice and making it impossible for the evildoers to get away with it. When all was revealed it made sense, but it still seemed a bit much.

I hope there will be more Freddie and Grace stories, because like Grace I find their lives so very interesting, and her character-revealing storytelling very entertaining.

This was my first Pepper Basham book. Oh my gosh I love her writing and her story! I realized this was a book in a series after I started reading and now I want to read the rest. Not bad as a stand-alone read. I loved the characters so much.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.