Tutankhamun: The Book of Shadows

“I’m glad that Rahotep, the policeman from Nefertiti: The Book of the Dead, has had a second outing. The central figure is the best known Egyptian of them all, Tutankhamun, and Nick Drake has written an engaging and convincing account of this doomed figure and the loyal and dogged Rahotep, the ‘seeker of mysteries’.” — Bookseller (London)

In this gripping central novel in Nick Drake’s Egyptian trilogy—following the critically-acclaimed Nefertiti—savvy detective Rahotep investigates a terrifying plot against the great Egyptian King Tutankhamun… a murderous plan, shocking in scope, that threatens to unravel the entire Egyptian empire.

As Egypt's young king is crowned, a vicious killer waits in the shadows. . . .

Egypt's next Pharaoh, the young Tutankhamun, is ready to claim his birthright—a vast, powerful, and sophisticated empire. It should be at the height of its glory, but it is troubled by long-lasting foreign wars, public dissent, and internal struggles. With his new wife, Ankhesenamun, the daughter of Nefertiti, Tutankhamun undertakes an audacious plan to consolidate his power and return tolerance and enlightenment to his land. But not everyone wants the ambitious new Pharaoh to succeed, and soon sinister "gifts" begin appearing in the royal palace—evil objects designed to terrify the nineteen-year-old King.

Rahotep, the stalwart chief detective of the Thebes division, is summoned to the palace to investigate. As he begins to piece together the clues, he realizes that the mysterious gifts have much in common with a series of sadistic murders plaguing the city. Rahotep's determination to protect the vulnerable King and Queen makes him a target, too, and he is soon enmeshed in a web of intrigue and danger that reaches from the top command of the army to the dark heart of the empire's government. What he discovers will change his life and put everything he loves at risk.

In this compelling second novel, set against the dazzling splendor of the golden age of the Pharaohs, Nick Drake takes an imaginative and historically accurate look at one of the most fascinating reigns in ancient history. Drawing on the latest archaeological evidence, he crafts a sophisticated and gripping thriller that explores one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of ancient Egypt—the untimely death of young Tutankhamun.

“There are other mystery series set in ancient Egypt—those by Lynda Robinson, Lauren Haney, and P. C. Doherty, for starters—but there’s always room for one more, at least if it’s as colorfully written as this one is. This is the second volume of a projected trilogy, but readers may find themselves hoping Drake will keep turning out Rahotep novels long after he finishes number three.” - Booklist

“Drake seamlessly introduces a serial killer plot line into his vivid evocation of the past. Admirers of such great historical novelists as Robert Graves and Mary Renault will hope that he continues working in this field after concluding this series.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Drake vividly describes the political machinations of the courtiers and the undercurrents of physical danger always present in ancient Egypt. Readers walk in the old streets of Thebes, ride the chariots in the desert, and know the fear that any minute they can be tortured or killed by the powers that be. Marked by fine writing, Rahotep’s story will captive historical mystery fans.” - Library Journal (starred review)

“Nick Drake’s writing style easily can be called “faction,” enthralling fiction woven around astounding history. . . . There is a wealth of knowledge here without being stodgy or overwritten, with a style that only Drake possesses. . . . This novel needs to be read twice—once for the history lesson disguised as a mystery, and again for the wealth of words greater than Tutankhamun’s tomb gold. The wealth lavished on Tutankhamun to prepare him for the Otherworld has succeeded. He lives again with this intensely and utterly believable historical thriller masterfully written by Nick Drake, who will have readers eagerly anticipating the conclusion to this outstanding trilogy.” - Bookreporter.com

“In the best tradition of C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake mysteries, Nick Drake has woven a bright, luminous tapestry. This is brilliant; make sure you read every line.” - Manda Scott

Poet Drake’s measured style and surfeit of historical detail—including maps, bibliography and family tree—add both verisimilitude and suspense to his second Rahotep mystery. Fascinating. - Kirkus Reviews