A Curse of Silence

The world of 18th-dynasty Egypt comes alive in the fourth murder mystery by Haney (The Right Hand of Amon). Lieutenant Bak, an Egyptian officer in charge of a police unit in Lower Nubia, is facing double trouble. To the distress of the local populace, the queen has sent an inspector, her cousin Amonked, to determine whether she should withdraw her troops from the region, which would leave it defenseless against raiders. When a beloved local prince is found murdered in Amonked's household, Bak must try to figure out who in his party committed the crime, as he accompanies Amonked on his inspection of Nubian forts. There's hostility from local residents and a growing threat from a much-feared bandit who's gearing up for an attack. What might seem an alien culture is drawn in human terms, and Haney limns her characters in loving detail as she weaves an intriguing tale of murder and human frailty. Haney's mysteries will draw the attention of those interested in ancient history. (Oct.)