A delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess! I enjoyed following Grace and Frederick's story further as this fun pair take a delayed honeymoon. It turns into quite an adventure as they take a side trip to Egypt in 1914.
There is a mystery or two, sinister characters, brushes with danger and mishaps that seem to follow Grace wherever she goes. Her childlike wonder is a nice offset to some of the cynical people in their party. It is lovely how she manages to stay upbeat and find humor in even dire situations. She sees the best in others, as their worth as a person is more important than what others think. Frederick and Grace grow as a couple and it was sweet to see his love expand even as she keeps trying his patience. The side character Elliott takes on a bigger role and he adds a lot to their adventure. The exotic setting reminded me of an Agatha Christie mystery.
Recommend to readers who enjoy a historical romance with some peril. Hope to see more stories with these characters. 4.5 stars

4.5 stars for this second segment in the Freddy and Grace Mysteries. If you haven't read the Mistletoe Countess, I'd recommend reading that one first. While this story CAN be enjoyed on its own and gives enough detail that you won't be lost, there are definite spoilers for book 1 in this one, so this series is best read in order. This book follows Frederick and Grace (the new Lord and Lady Astley) a few months after their wedding. Due to the events in the first book, they were not able to get a proper honeymoon and so they're planning a trip to Italy for their long-awaited honeymoon. When Frederick gets word from his cousins in Egypt that they'd enjoy seeing him and meeting his new bride, they leave early and take a detour through Cairo, and find themselves drawn into yet another life-and-death adventure.

When they arrive in Egypt, there are a a lot of characters introduced. Some who I assumed to be villainous turned out to be good and some who I assumed to be good ended up being villainous, which is just how I like my mystery cast to work out. Ms. Basham did an excellent job in setting the scene. Though I've never been to Egypt, I felt a bit how Grace does in that I've now traveled there through fiction. As in the first book, Grace was a bit "too much" for me at times, but she seemed a bit more tempered in this one - probably because she's now been married for a few months. I enjoyed seeing the love between Freddy and Grace play out a bit and Frederick's valet also finds a bit of romance in this one. There was an adoption theme in the undercurrents of this book as well, and as that's near and dear to my heart, I thoroughly enjoyed that element being included. The faith thread in this one was present, but subtle. I enjoyed how Grace proselytized one of the bad guys who was holding her captive (I won't say more than that for spoiler reasons) and that whole exchange was thoroughly enjoyable. There was a lot of Egyptian history included in the story thread and I've always been fascinated by ancient Egypt, so I really enjoyed those extra tidbits as well. There was enjoyable banter, and I enjoyed sleuthing right along with Freddy and Grace. All in all, this was a very good read that I'd definitely recommend to fans of historical mysteries and romance. Special thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

A fun continuation of Grace and Frederick’s story from The Mistletoe Countess. We get to see more of Grace’s personality in this one. She’s a ditz and a klutz, but so entertaining. A whole group of new characters join us for this adventure in Egypt. Elliot’s story unfolds in this one.
And a mystery ensues as things are stolen, tombs are discovered, and people are murdered.
If you like Death on the Nile you will enjoy this fast paced mystery.

I can’t wait for the next one in Venice I’m guessing!

The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham is a unique yet thrilling historical mystery. The early twentieth century features many numerous explorations and discoveries in the Egyptian world. I really liked this story and have enjoyed following Grace and Freddie in another installment of their new love and Grace's love of using her knowledge of mysteries to solve real life mysteries. Basham does a wonderful job at crafting the scene and allowing readers to become familiar with the tombs and the environment for readers that have never been to Egypt. Readers will feel like they fallen into a whole new world of adventure. Speaking of adventure, Basham takes readers for a thrilling and exciting ride through the eyes of Grace. I love historical mysteries. It combines my love of a good mystery and a little bit of history. Readers will be delighted to hear that Basham says that there will be a third installment in this series. I CAN"T WAIT!!! Another favorite aspect of this novel is Basham's ability to show a romance between a husband and a wife who really love and respect each other. The story hinges on Freddie's ability to trust his wife and allow her to be her without changing her for society's graces. I highly recommend this novel. If fans are interested in another Egyptian Christian story, please read Among Sand and Sunrise by Stacy Henrie. It was a wonderful novel too.

I received a complimentary copy of The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham published by Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Adventure, intrigue, romance. And laughter. This is a fun ride with lovable characters and a wonderful, immersive atmosphere. Nineteenth century Egypt comes alive, laced with the rich history of ancient Egypt and a madcap adventure. One critique - I love Grace's whimsy but had hoped her character would reflect less naivete this time around. Her cheery intrepdiness veers toward one-dimension at times. I look forward to more adventures but more character development and depth for the leading lady. That said, the story and writing are strong and a very fun ride.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pepper Basham for the opportunity to review the ARC.

Grace and Freddie are back with more mysteries to solve!  This time they made a side trip to Cairo before going on their honeymoon, and once again they find their sleuthing skills are put to the test.  Good thing Grace packed her detective book!

Reading The Cairo Curse was a bit like riding the tallest roller coaster at an amusement park.  Pepper Basham methodically laid the framework for this mystery like the "click, click, click" of the coaster as it reaches the summit of the first death defying drop.  Then, hold on tight because from there the danger, mishaps and mayhem never stop! 

There were a lot of new characters that were introduced early on,  it took me a few chapters before I could keep them straight.  Grace Percy is still Grace.  Full of whimsy and loveliness.  You can't help but love her sweet fiction loving character as she is always running to the aid of others and testing the fortitude of her husband's heart!

The Cairo Curse could be read as a stand alone, but I think you would enjoy it more if you read The Mistletoe Countess first.  Of the two, The Mistletoe Countess is my favorite.  If you are looking for a fun, light hearted mystery with a faith based message then this book/series is for you!

Thank you Pepper Basham, Barbour Books and Net Galley for the free DRC of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

What a fun follow-up to The Mistletoe Countess!
This book starts a couple of weeks after The Mistletoe Countess ends. Freddy and Grace are ready for a honeymoon and Freddy surprises her with a trip to Egypt to visit a dear family member before they make their way to Italy. What ensues is typical of Grace and Freddy’s first adventure together – only this time add in mummies, jewellery thefts, murder, kidnapping and Grace’s witty personality.
Readers who loved the first book will certainly enjoy the continuing story. Family secrets, intrigue and adventure. Familiar characters from book one make appearances and readers get to learn more about these people.
Vivid descriptions help the reader “see and smell” Cairo as characters run through the marketplace and explore the pyramids. A great cast of new characters make figuring out the mystery a challenge.
This can be read as a standalone, however I highly recommend reading The Mistletoe Countess first in order to understand Grace better and her relationship with Freddy.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Cairo Curse is the second book in the Frederick & Grace Mysteries series by Pepper Basham. The adventures started from the get-go and didn't let up until the last page. The same goes for the romance and what a sweet romance it is. The main heroine, Grace, is an exceptional character that the author really brought to life. From the exotic location of Cairo to The Great Pyramids of Giza, the story allows the reader to escape into a world of lavish opulence, interrupted by jewel thieves, tomb robbers and a murder. Possibly more. No spoilers here. I had not read the first book, The Mistletoe Countess, before reading this one but now I'm determined to snatch it up ASAP.

This was such a fun read! It's the first Pepper Basham book for me, so I could tell that there was back story from previous books that I was missing. That being said, I loved the blend of mystery, suspense, and romance! It was so fun getting to know Frederick and Grace's characters. I will definitely be checking out the other books in the series.

The Cairo Curse is another fun, lighthearted mystery from Pepper Basham who has created some endearing characters in Frederick, Grace and Elliott too. The storyline for this second book in the Frederick and Grace Mystery series moves along quickly and kept me wanting to turn pages to follow the next unpredictable and oft times humorous, sticky situation Grace finds herself in and/or Frederick must rescue her from. The book is an easy, fun read. I hope we’ll see more books in this highly enjoyable series.

Oh, it's so good to reunite with this adventurous couple from The Mistletoe Countess. Now newlyweds, Frederick and Grace are invited on an unexpected detour before the honeymoon. Mysteries, danger, intrigue and comical situations abound in The Cairo Curse. Expertly crafted, there are strong themes of mercy, grace, redemption and forgiveness.

Reminiscent of the ground-breaking works of suspense queen Agatha Christie, readers will delight in Pepper Basham's offering. I eagerly await more journeys with Lord and Lady Astley.

This book is a solid stand-alone, yet readers will enjoy the backstory in Mistletoe Countless if desired.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

Freddie and Grace (Lord and Lady Astley) are two of my favorite characters in all of fiction. Pepper Basham has done it again, creating an awesome adventure in Cairo. I loved the setting of abandoned tombs. The description of the social rankings in 1900 Cairo were fascinating. Pepper's dedication to detail make reading her her books delightful.

So brew up some chai tea to enjoy while you read The Cairo Curse!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

I was hooked from the start of this delightful story as the author brings readers to 1914, Havenbrook. “Gunfire erupted from outside, sending Frederick Percy, Earl of Ashley, leaping from his chair.”

The fun doesn’t stop there. Frederick and Grace Percy set out on a grand adventure to Egypt. Frederick loved watching his lovely bride and listening to all the things that excited her. One of the thrilling events she looked forward to was going into one of the tombs. This was a dream come true, that is until trouble erupted.

Grace made a list to show her husband, “a series of events that had all transpired within an hour, and Grace was certain she had many more hours to wait for Frederick’s return.” One could only imagine how long her list would be then.

Here’s a peek at Grace’s list. 1. Possible Crimes, 2. A Murder, 3 Attempted murder, 4 Disappearance, 5. Mysterious tomb, 6. Missing jewelry. The list was getting long….“A few more crimes were involved than she was used to reading about in books, but she preferred rising to a challenge instead of being undervalued.”

I adored this couple, the way Grace Percy views life and how much she loved fiction. This novel is the second book in the series. I didn’t read the first novel and I didn’t feel lost. I will be reading book one, The Mistletoe Countess, because I’m curious about how these two met and married.

I loved going on this exhilarating adventure that leads to the tombs and all the above on Grace’s list. All the clues lead up a climatic, satisfying ending as readers learn about the answer to this remarkable mystery. This is a great escape and one that is perfect for a book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

The Cairo Curse
by Pepper Basham
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2023
Barbour
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
The Cairo’s Curse is a delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series.
In the second installment in Grace and Frederick's amazing adventures, I felt like I had been transported around the globe to England and then Egypt.
I highly recommend this book! I enjoyed every page! Readers of Agatha Christie-type stories would enjoy this book.
5 stars

It was a lovely story about Fredrick and Grace as they continue from The Mistletoe Countess, It was intriguing and humourous.
It flowed well and you could imagine being in Cairo and experiencing it.
Pepper is a great author and loking forward to the next book!

More Freddie and Grace! Another delightful, lighthearted and fun read. Pepper Basham's characters are always loveable with laugh-out-loud moments and sweet, tender romance. I has great fun reading about these characters again.

Archeology and Mummies and Mysteries Oh My! Looking for a archeology/treasure hunting adventure? Look no further! The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham is astounding and I can't get enough, it's quickly becoming one of my favorite series and definitely my favorite in the Indiana Jones genre! Get yours today!

While I enjoyed this book and revisiting these favorite characters, for some reason, this book wasn't quite as good for me as the first one. The best part was Fredrick's valet's storyline, and it was thoroughly enjoyable! He reminds me so much of Elliot from the TV show Leverage. I will definitely happily enjoy further installments of Fredrick and Grace's adventures so even though I didn't love this one quite as much as the first, it was still lots of fun and worth the read.

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley.

WE LOVE PEPPER BASHAM! Yes, we do! I loved this couple in the Mistletoe Countess and now to get to go along with them on another mystery/adventure/shenanigans? Um, yes please! They are adorable and hilarious, and the mystery is just enough to keep you wondering but not so much that it scares you and keeps you up at night. I hope this series continues and they solve mysteries across the globe!

When I first met Freddie and Grace, Lord and Lady Ashley, in The Mistletoe Countess, I knew I wanted more of them. Well, Pepper Basham has indeed given me more. Their adventures are absolutely grand. Off on their way to a belated honeymoon, Freddie and Grace are set to spend sone time in Egypt. You know that pyramids, old pharaohs and antiquities are just fascinating. And throw in some nefarious (Grace lives that word!) goings on and even worse, Grace is determined to use her sleuthing skills to discover what is going on. And she has been teaching Freddie some of those skills. And let’s not forget that wonderful valet, Elliott.

I loved the previous book so much that I have read it twice and will again. Grace is a most delightful character and I love how much in love she and her new husband are. I am already hankering for another one in this series. Well done!!

My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.