Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Print, e-book and audio
Series: A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #19
Genre: Historical Mystery, Cosy Mystery Book Description A cruise down the Nile, a camel ride around the pyramids, lunch in the shadow of the Sphinx… And a very dead body! 1924. Lady Eleanor Swift and her butler Clifford are touring the great, ancient sights of Egypt on a much-anticipated extended vacation. But when the pair arrive at the docks in Cairo expecting to board the luxurious paddle steamer advertised in their brochure, they are baffled by the crumbling old cruiser waiting for them. And things only go from bad to worse as death stalks the decks of the SS Cleopatra… Two days into the trip one of their fellow passengers, Lieutenant Baxter, is found shot dead in his locked cabin. Immediately suspicious and desperate to see justice done, Eleanor discovers a half-finished note addressed to her hidden in Baxter’s travelling trunk. In it he asks her to deliver a vitally important letter to the authorities at their next stop down river: a priceless treasure worthy of a king has been stolen and an innocent man’s life hangs in the balance. But before the sands of time wipe away all evidence on board, Eleanor must uncover who among the other travellers wanted Baxter dead. Was it the anxious archaeologist who doesn’t have an alibi, the reptile expert with a passion for the murderous Nile crocodile or the art dealer with a devious secret? With the killer readying to strike again much closer to home, can Eleanor dig up the truth before she’s trapped in a tomb under the pyramids forever? My Thoughts A relaxing cruise down the Nile on a sumptuous paddle-steamer was the plan. Instead, Lady Eleanor Swift (Ellie) and her butler, Clifford, are confronted with a wreck of a boat that bears no resemblance to the one depicted on the advertising brochure. Furthermore, their fellow passengers are not the travelling companions that suggest a good time will be had by all. Despite these set backs, Ellie is determined to enjoy her visit to Egypt, but she didn't envisage one of the passengers, Lieutenant Baxter, being found dead in his cabin. The authorities declare it a suicide, but Ellie and Clifford are unconvinced. Cryptic conversations she had with the victim and the discovery of a note addressed to her hint that Baxter knew he was in danger. Unable to persuade the police to investigate Baxter's death, Ellie and Clifford continue their own investigation and are conveniently helped by the police impounding the SS Cleopatra at Bawaaba. Here, Ellie and Clifford are reunited with the female staff (the girls) of Henley Hall and pets, Gladstone (the bulldog) and Tomkins (the cat) as Ellie has rented a townhouse for their holiday. However, Ellie and Clifford spend more time at the hotel where the other passengers of the SS Cleopatra are billeted until permitted to resume their journey. Once again, we follow Ellie and Clifford as they use their unique style to gather and analyse information. Before unmasking the murderer, they meet with a dangerous and powerful antiquities dealer, engage in a spot of sabotage and face danger in the catacombs. Then, race against time to prevent a miscarriage of justice. True to form, Murder on the Nile is another exciting mystery from Verity Bright. It is set in the aftermath of the Anglo-Egyptian War, Egyptian independence (although there is still a British military presence) and the archaeological frenzy following the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. The political situation is summed up succinctly by Clifford as he and Ellie experience the heat and chaos of Egypt while waiting to board the SS Cleopatra. My only disappointment is that Ellie's fiancé, Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, hardly gets a mention this time. While reading, I wondered when he would put in an appearance, but sadly there was no communication between the affianced couple whatsoever. In previous novels, Hugh pops up in Ellie's thoughts constantly. This time, not so much, although she did notice that the captain of the SS Cleopatra had the same shade of curly hair as Hugh. It would be a shame if the bloom of their love is beginning to fade. Despite Hugh's absence, there is still lots to savour: the descriptions of the exotic location, the inclusion of some colourful and quirky characters, interesting historical facts, the usual banter between Ellie and Clifford, a mystery that keeps you guessing until the reveal and a poignant ending; not to mention the eye-catching book cover, which has to be one of my favourites. As always, I'm lookng forward to the next book in the series Meet the Author
Hi Yvonne - thanks for the lovely review - so glad you enjoyed it. And, don't worry no spoilers (!) but Hugh features heavily in the next book and his and Ellie's love blooms for sure :)
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