The Cairo Curse is the sequel to The Mistletoe Countee. Hopefully by now Frederick realized that life will be full of adventure with Grace by his side! They are now Egypt bound on their honeymoon and of course calamity and adventure follow wherever they go! Grace is hoping to see mummies and Frederick just wants to keep her safe by his side. There is danger among the pyramids and thieves lurking in the shadows! This is another fun read by Pepper Basham. She never fails to make me grin as I'm reading !

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 1 February 2023.

"Of course, we'd all be in terrible trouble if Christ hadn't taken our many horrible actions on Himself so that we don't have to worry about the curses." She chuckled and then stopped. "Do you think it's rong to mention one religion while climbing through a tomb for a very different one?" Frederick would have laughed if the thick air didn't require focus on breathing."

Freddie and Grace are headed to Egypt for a delayed honeymoon. The trip was supposed to be a simple one that involved visiting family and exploring the pyramids and other sites. But where Grace is involved, nothing is very simple. Especially when she thinks that there might be a mystery to solve.

When they arrive, trouble has been happening at the archeological site. Plus the whole operation seems to cost too much. Can Freddie and Grace get to the bottom of what might be involved?

This is a sequel to the Mistletoe Countess. I do recommend reading that one first as you will connect to the characters more thoroughly. Grace is a delight even if she is a bit foolhardy at times. This is a historical fiction book, but I think it almost reads like a contemporary book other than with their modes of transportation and dress. Romance is another element, but nothing is unseemly at all. Faith overrides the whole plot.

I did read an advanced copy through NetGalley. I loved the first book and really enjoyed this one as well. All opinions are my own.

I so enjoyed Freddy and Grace's first adventure in the Mistletoe Countess and was eagerly awaiting its followup. Our newly weds head off for their belated honeymoon in Venice, with a stopover in Egypt. Venice will have to wait for a future book because our two lovebirds are thrown into some murderous mayhem soon after arriving in Egypt to meet Frederick's cousins, Georgia and Timothy. The latter are part of a group on an archaeological dig, sponsored by Georgia's elderly husband, Sydney.

Grace, our voracious reader, continues to frequently communicate using her fictional knowledge which is both endearing and for some, a little odd. Frederick continues to be dazzled by his wife and when she gets caught up in the mayhem which happens very quickly, soon plays the heroic husband seeking to rescue his girl.

There is much to love about this story. The positive marriage role model is well demonstrated by Grace and Frederick. Frederick's friendship with his man servant, Elliott, is lovely to read. Elliott, in fact, is one of my favourite parts of the story: he has a vulnerability, grace, kindness and courage that Basham portrays well. The fact he is a reformed individual from his past life is special. His innocent affection for Amelia Sinclair is beautiful to read and I'm so hoping Ms Basham has a story where they feature as the stars.

It was fun being caught up in the sand and colour of Egypt and being thrown into a tomb or two. Once again, our favourite couple become amateur sleuths which leads them, well, Grace, into danger forcing Frederick to play the heroic husband a few times.

Grace's fictional monologue becomes a little tiresome at times and I hope if we see more books with these two we see a little less of that and more of a Miss Marples/Jessica Fletcher inquisitive mind at play. One of the exciting elements of this dynamic duo is actually the spinoffs that are available to Basham: Elliott/Amelia as I mentioned above, charismatic Blake I expect will get a story or two, and then of course, there'd have to be a Havensbrook collective where they all come together to solve a mystery. What fun that would be.

I was delighted and feel very fortunate to have received an early ebook copy from Barbour via NetGalley but this had no influence over my positive recommendation of The Cairo Curse.

I absolutely adore this book. Grace and Freddie need a thousand books, because I just know that Grace is having adventures every minute. Pepper does an amazing job of creating characters that are lovable, hate-able, and everywhere in between. I'll just go absolutely crazy while waiting for book three. I can't wait to see what trouble Grace will get herself into. And I am super nosy and want to see what Elliot is going to do with his new romantic prospects. Overall, stunning. I didn't think anything could be as funny as Mistletoe Countess, but I was wrong. Grace kept me laughing still.

This book was even more delightful than I expected, though how can you not adore a main character who sees the entire world through the lens of the fiction she has read? Following immediately after the events of The Mistletoe Countess, we dive into a new adventure in Cairo. Grace’s love for learning and Frederick’s relations see the two of them into the middle of a mystery surrounding ancient artifacts, scorned affection and modern greed. Though the novel contained many serious themes it was fast paced and mostly lighthearted. Somehow, Basham gives us a story with a flair for the dramatic that is also relatable. I’m not usually a reader of murder mysteries, but this novel had many different mysterious twists and I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Freddie and Grace mystery series.

This was such a fantastic book! I loved the characters, from Grace and Fredrick to Zahra and Miss Sinclair. All the artifacts and insides of the pyramids were so fascinating to read about. So much action and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what would happen next. There were many pages that had me laughing but then the next minute I'm white-knuckling the book reading with held breath at what would happen. I kept guessing until the end as to who the nefarious villain was. The action and white of the comments thrown back and forth, in the end, were thrilling! I was entranced from the first page to the last. Another 5 star read from Pepper Basham.
I was given a complimentary copy. All opinion are my own.

4.75 ⭐️

All my notes for this review are me gushing so let’s see if I can form some coherent sentences! 😂

EGYPT! The setting made my inner geek so happy because I had an Egyptology / archeology phase in my teens & I loved getting to revisit it in story form!

I enjoyed this slightly book more than the first one. It’s more mystery-oriented and lighter on the romance. In fact, there was something reminiscent about the story to an Agatha Christie novel (which I love!). The large cast of potential suspects. The setting. The murders. Death on the Nile & Appointment with Death came to mind—just add more romance. 😉

Grace is ever still Grace!! She’s hilarious & I love her adventurous spirit. She isn’t afraid to break “social etiquette and pretence” to truly live life. And I will never not laugh at the phrase “reanimated mummies and dead pharaohs.” 😂 Also, I loved her interactions with Zahra!!

AND ELLIOT!!! I loved him in the first book and even more so here!! He’s absolutely wonderful & I would love more of his story! 🥰 And Amelia’s… I didn’t know what to make of her at first, but now I love her. And that scene when Elliot tells Amelia his first name?! I’m not a girl to swoon, but I totally did with my hand on my heart & an undignified squeal. Same with their “goodbye/first kiss” scene… almost made me cry! 😭🥰

That last 20% had my heart racing as I read as fast as I could! And the sandpit… I died laughing. Of course, it’s all very serious & stressful, but Grace’s narration of the situation had me in stitches.

In short, I want more Grace & Frederick, but even more so I want more Elliot & Amelia. My life NEEDS more of these precious people!!! 💛

Already I am feeling the need to reread this… but I’ll wait till I get my physical copy so I can re-enjoy it in its full amount of gorgeousness!


*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Pepper Basham has been added to my absolute favorite author list!

Get ready for a mystery book that is a mix of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile and Indiana Jones with a dash of Sherlock Holmes and the twists and humor only Grace can provide.

After reading book 1, The Mistletoe Countess, I didn’t think I could love a this book more. Guess what, I was wrong. This was one of THE most fun mystery books I have read in a long time. You instantly fall in love with Grace and Freddie because their chemistry, friendship, and love for each other is amazing. Even on their Honeymoon in Egypt, Grace is constantly getting herself into some kind of trouble and Frederick is always there loving, supporting, and occasionally rescuing her.

This book is full of strong female characters, camel rides, exploring pyramids, ancient artifacts, tomb raiders, murder, mystery, new characters, and fun. You know when a bunch of people all stay in one big house (Like in Clue) that there is going to be chaos. I would definitely recommend this book!

I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher & NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

House parties and whodunits.

It’s here! The sequel to The Mistletoe Countess is a fun and cozy mystery. The humor and quick dialogue make this an easy read.
Grace and Fredrick feel like an equally charming counterpart to The Thin Man’s Nick and Nora (IYKYK). The mystery-comedy has many subplots and an occasional overwhelming amount of detail, but it is wrapped up nicely for the most part. Although the first book was focused primarily on Grace and Fredrick’s relationship, this book is a true mystery and hopefully only the beginning for the heroine’s sleuthing skills.

TBH, had I seen the series title (Fredrick & Grace Mystery #2) without reading the first, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up as I’m not a fan of mysteries. However, I am so glad I did since it is a delightful read with wit and whimsy. I hope we see more of Frederick and Grace in future mysteries!

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Oh Frederick, you know me so well. A real adventure of the most storybook type. Ancient tombs, deserted villages, mummies?” Grace brought her hands together and raced to his side, placing a kiss to his cheek. “Sounds like the epitome of honeymoon destinations,”

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy Pepper Basham’s writing. She has a way of blending romance, humor, and such engaging storytelling, I never want to put her books down. “The Cairo Curse” is no exception with its witty dialogue, a heroine set on adventure, and a dashing husband who tries to keep up with her. Goodness, I love their sense of adventure and the trouble they get into in this mystery kept me guessing.

Mummies, pyramids, and adventure abound in this latest mystery with Grace and Frederick. I really loved their adventuresome honeymoon and the cast of characters involved. Though I have to admit it was a little hard to keep up with all the characters! However, I think that’s because it had a little bit of a game of CLUE feel in figuring out who’s guilty of murder and mayhem. The details paint a beautiful and intriguing picture of Egypt. Sometimes the story ran a little slow for me, but overall I enjoyed this married couple’s sense of adventure. I definitely did not see the ending coming.

Overall, It was a good mystery with the feels of Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile” and my favorite, “The Amelia Peabody Mysteries” by Elizabeth Peters. I felt Pepper Basham did an intriguing job trying her hand at a mystery novel. I can’t wait to see how this skill develops in the future. Though this could be read as a standalone, I’d recommend reading “The Mistletoe Countess” to really get an incredible backstory.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and have been given honestly.

Rating 3.5

I enjoyed being a part of Grace and Freddie’s love story in The Mistletoe Countess and was excited when I saw we get to see more about their antics and adventures in this sequel. Their love story was something we don’t always see for the period and quite refreshing.

I loved the fictional mind of Grace and how she analyses everything from her world of books. And Freddie’s love and protection towards Grace was so sweet. There were a few humorous moments thanks to some vibrant camels.

I was intrigued by the mystery plot and had quite a few suspects for the bad guy and was surprised with a twist or two. There were moments where I felt the story was moving slowly, but then we get into the adventurous mind of Grace again and things pick up.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Get ready for a wild mystery set in Egypt with murder, theft, and secret family ties at the Centre!

Grace and Fredrick are back in this sequel to The Mistletoe Countess. They are on their honeymoon, intending to explore pyramids and tombs in Egypt. Instead, they meet a group of people, all with their own secrets, who get the couple caught up in schemes over a mysterious tomb with valuable artifacts.

They all end up staying in this giant house, which is where murders begin happening. It felt very similar to a story of Clue. If mystery is your thing, you’ll love this!

I found the detailed descriptions of the setting slowed me down a bit. I also struggled to keep all the characters straight some of the time.

I continued to love Grace and Fredrick though! They acquire a new little friend in this book who I thought was adorable!

Definitely recommend!
Thank you to the author and the publisher for the free e-copy to review!

Adventure. Romance. History. Intrigue. Mystery. I am totally obsessed with this book. I loved it. Adored it. Enter other synonyms because I can’t even come up with more words to describe how I feel about this story.

How about I just tell you all the reasons why I loved it?

Treasure hunts
Murder mysteries
Jewel thieves
Archaeological discoveries
Dashing heroes committing daring rescues Damsels in distress who are also doing plenty of rescuing themselves
Swoon-worthy newlywed romance
Strong faith and Christian truth proclaimed throughout the story
Bookish references for the fiction lover

If those are not enough reasons to be totally besotted by a book, I am not sure what is. But here are some more reasons to love it anyway:

A well thought out and intricate set of mysteries that had me guessing until the end.

A glimpse of true love that faces danger together— my favorite!

A spunky heroine that will stop at nothing to protect those she loves, and a hero that does the same.

Multiple points of view throughout the story that give us a glimpse of the hero’s protectiveness and love in suspenseful points of the story — another favorite of mine!

Revisiting a happily-ever-after couple from a wonderful book and seeing the love story continue— again, a favorite thing!

A new romance for a supporting character that captured my heart in the first book of the series.

Also, any fans of The Mummy, Clue, or Indiana Jones (like me) will adore this book like I do!

In summary, just go read the book. You won’t regret it. Pepper Basham is a master of swoony Christian romance, and delivers yet another spectacularly entertaining story that is truly unique!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher for review purposes. My thoughts are my own. I really did love it!

4.5 stars! If you love Agatha Christie, Clue, The Mummy, Indiana Jones, Cozy Mysteries and a romance with the best chemistry – LOOK NO FURTHER – The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham is the perfect fun, wild and exciting sequel to The Mistletoe Countess that will keep you on the edge of your seat the ENTIRE time! Again, I know I will enjoy anything Pepper writes because it’s ALWAYS a good story that transport you exactly where our characters are!

While The Mistletoe Countess is still my favorite, The Cairo Curse was such a wonderful follow up of Grace and Freddie back at their mystery solving game – this time they’ve taken a detour from their honeymoon to Egypt ready to explore the pyramids, tombs, mummies, artifacts and so much more – when all of a sudden, their trip soon takes a dangerous turn with murders happening left and right. Suspects start to mount up and Grace and Freddie attempt to solve the mysterious happenings in Egypt!

The characters truly make this story ya’ll. Grace and Frederick are the BEST couple. They have great faith in God, respect and honor each other and I love how realistic they are together in their romance.
While I did get a smidge slowed down in some of the Egyptian details as I am not familiar with it, I love all of the research, time and details Pepper put into explaining the setting and history! It was a setting that truly came to life off the page and I LOVED seeing that.

This story will captivate you from the first chapter and is full of adventure, faith, love, great characters, vivid setting and an exciting ending! You will laugh and be filled with joy as your follow Grace and Freddie on this mysterious journey in Cairo! SO much fun y’all! So many humorous scenes where you just laugh and smile and ya’ll – that’s more of what we need in this world! JUST LOVE.

Highly recommended! Thank you to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy to honestly read and review. I did pre-order my own physical copy of course because they just look PERFECT together on my shelf! If you haven’t read The Mistletoe Countess, please pick it up so you can experience all the joy from Grace and Freddie that I have! 😊

#BookRevew: THE CAIRO CURSE by Pepper Basham

Have you read The Mistletoe Countess? It’s okay if you haven’t read it yet. This sequel can be read as a standalone. Frederick and Grace went on their long awaited honeymoon. First stop was in Egypt to visit Georgia, Frederick’s cousin. I felt like I was also there with the detailed and picturesque descriptions of the place and artifacts. Grace’s enthusiasm made Egypt more inviting.

This slow burn mystery, adventure and romance story picked up it’s pace in the second half of the book. Death and unsolved crimes were the catalyst for Grace to start her own investigation. From the beginning, Grace always found herself in some sort of unusual situation. I enjoyed her whimsical and sleuth loving mind and her caring heart. But she could be frustrating sometimes. It made things exciting though and led to certain discoveries. A love like Frederick and Grace was so good to read. They balance each other out. He was steady and dependable.

A couple of secondary characters were introduced in the story. They made the story more compelling. But Elliotts POV was a sweet surprise. It was nice to read about his past and his conversion. I applaud his loyalty to Frederick. I found it cute that he has a soft heart towards Grace. The faith laced throughout the book was good.

Historical fiction and suspense mystery fans will surely enjoy this book. It will keep you guessing as to who is the real culprit. I look forward to the next one.

Rating: 4 ⭐

Pub date: 01 Feb 2023

Thank you Barbour Publishing and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I always look forward to new books by Pepper Basham! Join Lord and Lady Astley (Frederick and Grace) as they make a side trip to Egypt to visit his cousin on an archeological dig as part of their honeymoon. They meet some strange characters! I admired Frederick's love for his bride! His staid English life has definitely changed! Mystery lovers will not want to miss The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham! I received a complimentary book through Barbour Publications and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

I adore a good mystery and this one by Pepper Basham did not disappoint. The author writes some of the best characters and I loved reading more about Grace and Frederick. On the way to their delayed honeymoon in Venice, Grace and Frederick stop by Cairo to visit Frederick's cousin and her husband who are financing an archeological dig. Things are definitely not what they seem as death and destruction seem to surround the dig. Grace and Frederick trust no one and are determined to solve the ever growing mysteries. A great historical mystery with a bit of romance thrown in. Perfect for lovers of Agatha Christie.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It was so good to spend time with Freddie and Grace again! Marriage hasn’t changed Grace one bit, much to Freddie’s chagrin.

Well developed and engaging, Freddie and Grace are on the loose in Egypt, or at least Grace is and Freddie must help her. You just can’t help but love them.

The Cairo Curse has it all. Sand and camels. Children on the run. Tombs and murder. And again, camels. So much adventure and so many obstacles. Twists and turns; who’s the bad guy??. I laughed and awwwww’d my way through it. I highly recommend reading it if you enjoy a good Basham book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

“How horrible to live as if the actions of this life don’t impact the other.”

Pepper Basham’s second book in the Frederick and Grace Mystery Series, The Cairo Curse, is a five-star read.

Things I loved:
✔️set in Egypt
✔️author's ability to bring history alive
✔️suspense, adventure, romance and humour
✔️redemption message
✔️vivid descriptions and witty banter
✔️brought back memories of two fantastic vacations in the Land of the Pharaohs
✔️the best amateur detective duo since Agatha Christie’s heyday
✔️one of my favourite bookish heroines and a bookish hero who says all the right things
✔️ archaeological digs, pyramid exploration, and camel rides

I was completely surprised at Basham’s ability to make Egypt come alive for me! She reminded me why I love that country so much - the way she captured the oppressive heat, how she explained seeing the pyramids for the first time, the energy involved in a good bartering session, the pervading smell of spices wafting in the heated air, the persistent pleas for ‘baksheesh’ and the need for ‘shukran.’ Grace’s antics kept me laughing, Frederick’s love and support for his wife made me love him a little more, and the mystery kept me glued to the pages.

This was such a pleasant surprise from this author. I absolutely love Egyptology, adventure and a good murder mystery.

I was gifted this copy by Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

With holiday plans cancelled due to frigid weather, I spent the day happily wrapped in soft throws reading the addictive THE CAIRO CURSE.

CAIRO, book two in the Frederick and Grace Mystery series, can be read solo, but don't miss book one, THE MISTLETOE COUNTESS, one of my fav books ever!

It's 1914, when newlyweds Lord Frederick and Lady Grace Astley set off to Egypt to visit the Lord's cousin and see the sights. And what a trip: the Pyramids, camel-riding, Nile cruising, jewelry thefts, tomb plundering, and mysterious deaths set against the stark desert and azure sky.

Grace is a standout who uses her sharp mind, kind heart, strong faith, and voracious reading to solve multiple mysteries with her dashing husband. I loved the secondary characters too, including a brilliant street girl who becomes their loyal ally.

I read CAIRO in one sitting and highly recommend it for lovers of clean romance, historical mysteries, and Christian fiction. An absolute delight!