Tag: Egypt

The Case of the Christie Curse

The quirky detective series The Detection Club, created by Kelly Oliver returns with The Case of the Christie Curse which sees recognised Crime Writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers in Southern Mesopotamia accompanied by the Eliza Baker the Theo Sharp, caught up in a deadly situation which is populated with people who seem to be trustworthy but are doing their utmost to prove that maybe they are not.

When Agatha sends out a call for help at the Dig she is currently involved with naturally Dorothy, Eliza and Theo leap into the challenge with barely a thought as to where they are going and what could have troubled Agatha so much that she needs their help and support.

Arriving at the Dig on a blistering hot day they soon begin to understand why Agatha was so concerned, as something feels decidedly off colour. Putting it down to nothing to worry about, Dorothy succumbs to illness, Agatha is involved with her new book, editing another manuscript and the new young man in her life, Max Mallowan, the photographer of the expedition party, leaving Eliza and Theo to observe and note anything a bit different or unusual happening in the area.

When the body of Julian Larch is found, the rumours commence in earnest about the Dig being cursed, and friction between the rest of the party climbs to a new high, Eliza and Theo begin to take Agatha’s call for help seriously.

The unexpected arrival of Thomas Griffith and his grandson, with trunks and trunks of luggage add an element of confusion to the Camp, as he is a complete nuisance, quotes endlessly and is generally exceptionally irritating.

When Eliza and Theo are deliberately targeted it become apparent that there is something very serious occurring at the Dig site, but what that could be is a mystery that needs to be solved before anyone else is killed.

Carefully plotted and wrapped in the dangerous world of antiquities theft, The Case of the Christie Curse moves along the sands of Mesopotamia with a steady rhythm as an age old mystery comes to life and a long-wanted thief is caught in his own web.

A great read and one all readers of cozy Detective stories will absolutely enjoy.

February 21, 2026
Tutankhamun: Excavating the Archive

Excavating The Archive – Tutankhamun is a magnificent coffee table book which will lure the reader to explore the story of the discovery and contents of the famous tomb of Tutankhamun. Carter’s archive, on which this book is based, was donated to the Griffith Institute in Oxford by his niece in the 1940’s The small book has an anthology of fifty items. These items have been selected by the staff of the Griffiths Institute to reveal and describe artefacts, maps, and plans of the tomb. It is fascinating.

The story begins with the final closing of the tomb by officials on the day of the young king’s funeral. The mud plaster wall is seen with the official seal stamped on it; the seal of the Royal Necropolis. We follow Howard Carter, an artist with no formal training, as his skilled team of Egyptian workers discover the steps leading to the tomb. The story is interwoven with sketches, photos, and diagrams.

Howard Carter’s skill in drawing soon became apparent as he sketched a watercolour of the Horus falcon, which is superb. From the first photographs of the steps to the tomb, to the contents of the antechambers, we see the images that the explorers were to uncover. Many objects are shown individually and described. The photographer, Harry Burton, has albums, some leather bound, which show many of the objects in close detail.

One of the last entries in the book shows a young boy wearing a necklace of great antiquity. It shows the ancient and modern world together, “the world of the living and dead touching each other.” This superb book deserves to be on show, to be picked up often, and absorbed.

September 7, 2022
Felix Unbound

Felix Unbound is a captivating read which will delight the heart as the irresistible charm of Felix unfolds in a most entertaining, and intriguingly mysterious manner.

Tiffany is in a real rage. Anthony has stood her up again with little notice. In her temper, she throws her mobile onto the couch; it skids across floor, knocking over a group of Egyptian statuettes. They lay in a heap looking accusingly up at Tiffany. Seth, a massive mischief maker, falls out of the grate, knocking over the figure of a small cat.

Tiffany consulting her dearest moggy Felix, asks why all men can’t be like him. Not amused, Felix gets up and leaves via the garden door. A strong wind topples Isis into the mobile phone screen. A rumble of thunder, a huge flash of lightening, with drenching rain falling, and a furious yowl contributing to the uproar, a ball of expanding fur is hurled through an open window.

Oblivious to the turmoil occurring outdoors, Tiffany, bath finished and feeling much more relaxed, moves to her bedroom only to find a large, gorgeous, slightly furry, perfectly naked male, face down on her bed!

And so begins a tale of family, convoluted ancestry, tangled webs and the value of true friendship, as Cathy Gunn weaves a tale familiar to many who have often wondered if transmogrification could possibly be real.

But there is more to Felix than just a gorgeously handsome, charming rouge who can paint the most amazing murals, as well as charm all who come into his ‘patch’. Long-time friends and Tiffany’s family members, all find themselves tangled in Felix’s web of magic, having to face a bit of their own truth to the betterment of each one.

As the family dynamics become ever more tangled, Felix also begins to realise that life in human form is more complicated than he would ever have thought, especially when Tiffany’s Uncle Ozzy and Emma’s mother Iris, become far more involved than is perhaps good for him.

Pages turn with rapidity as this artfully crafted story develops a range of characters who fit together well, with several carrying a slightly sinister intent which does add an element of intrigue, trying to work out just what is their intent.

Felix Unbound is a lovely mix of fantasy, reality and character study throughout tied into a reflection on myth with a modern day connotation!

May 22, 2022
The Colours of History How Colours Shaped the World

Can you imagine if the world was only one shade of grey? It would be e very difficult to do so many things that we take for granted. Such as knowing when fruit is ripe to eat, vegetables are ready to be picked, when traffic should stop and go and even which plants animals are dangerous and which are not!

Colours have been part of our world forever and all have a wonderful significance, not just in the world of humans but also in the environment. They indicate what is safe and what is not, with every little bit of colour adding something special to the world.

Along with colour comes a different perspective such as uses in culture, colour significance as well as the manner in which humans have chosen to create and enjoy the colours of our world.

The Colours of History and How Colours Shaped the World opens up an amazing aspect of colour that is not often considered and when put into book form, suitable for a wide range of young readers, it a great learning tool and resource.

Each of the main colours on the colour spectrum has been given its own section and then broken down into sub-colours for easier identification. Gold has always been considered as highly prized by many ancient and modern civilisations, with religious significance to the Inca’s as they considered it was connected to their sun God, Inti. It was also responsible for the demise of the Inca Empire.

Purples were considered rare and so only to be used by Royalty, people of power and privilege, whereas green is associated with nature, conservation and interestingly enough, jealousy with the term ‘green eyed monster’ still in use today.

Black, although some say not technically a colour, had and still has it uses as charcoal was used to draw with, and Kohl, created from graphite, used to highlight the eyes by the Egyptians, was an early form of sun protection for the eyes and it’s considered magic qualities.

Colour has also had crazes down through history throughout the fashion industry with some colours becoming considered as valuable as gold! Discover why the Dutch adopted the colour Orange and why a Chicago River flows bright green once a year.

All this and so much more is packed into this wonderful, easy to read, slightly zany look at colour and the real importance and history of something we all take very much for granted in our daily lives.

April 16, 2018