The Painted Queen: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense

Arriving in Cairo for the 1912-1913 excavation season, Amelia Peabody is relaxing in a bath when a man with a knife protrud-ing from his back staggers into the chamber and utters one word--"Murder"--before dying. It becomes apparent that someone saved Amelia from a would-be assassin--someone who is keeping an eye on the intrepid Englishwoman. But nothing will deter Amelia as she and her husband, Emerson, head to Amarna, where a priceless treasure was recently discovered: the iconic Nefertiti bust, crafted in 1345 B.C. It is one of the most precious Egyptian artifacts ever found . . . and now, it seems, unaccountably missing. For Amelia, this excavation season will be unforgettable as a parade of men in monocles die under suspicious circumstances, fascinating new relics are unearthed, a murderous quest for vengeance is thwarted, and a diabolical mystery is solved at last.