The Painted Queen

Elizabeth Peters

Joan Hess

Egypt 1912. Amelia Peabody and her dashing archaeologist husband Radcliffe Emerson are once again in danger as they search for a priceless stolen bust of legendary Queen Nefertiti...

Arriving in Cairo for another thrilling excavation season Amelia is relaxing in her elegant hotel suite when a man with knife protruding from his back staggers into her chamber and utters a single word -'Murder' - before collapsing on the floor dead. It soon becomes apparent that someone has saved Amelia from a would-be assassin-someone who is keeping a careful eye on the intrepid archaeologist. And there can be only one answer: the brilliant master of disguise Sethos.

For Amelia this excavation season will prove to be unforgettable; one where a brilliant criminal will offer his final challenge . . . and perhaps be unmasked at last.

'Think Miss Marple with early feminist gloss crossed with Indiana Jones' The Guardian

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