Hieroglyphs and Homicide: A Historical Mystery Romance in 1920s Egypt (The Clarissa Bell Mysteries Book 1)

Set in 1920s Egypt, this mystery follows Dr. Clarissa Bell, an archaeologist at Giza determined to establish herself as a serious scholar rather than assist her male colleagues. When she discovers a scribe's palette marked with rare blue pigment, she uncovers evidence of a deadly conspiracy. Clarissa possesses a Cambridge education, a sharp wit, and a tendency toward sarcasm—skills she relies on as she investigates across Cairo's streets, bathhouses, and auction houses of the colonial elite. The case draws her into the intersection of British imperial power and ancient Egyptian mysteries. Her investigation becomes complicated by Benedict Quinn, an enigmatic and charming man whose presence threatens her carefully ordered world. As she pursues the truth, Clarissa discovers that professors carry weapons and black market dealers have government connections. She must depend on her intelligence and resourcefulness to navigate the danger and uncover what lies beneath the shadow of the Great Pyramid.