'Stabenow brings Alexandria's Hellenistic period to life... She is now as much at home in ancient Egypt as she is in the Alaskan wilderness' Publishers Weekly

The second in the trilogy of Ancient Egyptian crime novels that began with 2018's Death of an Eye.

Cleopatra - seventh of her name, avatar of the goddess Isis, ruler of the Kingdom of Egypt - watches over her city. The war is over, but Alexandria, that once great beacon of learning and commerce, has suffered in its wake. Caesar has returned to Rome, and the queen must restore her city and her kingdom to their former greatness.

But now a body has been found floating upright at the bottom of the sea, anchored in place by a cement weight around its feet. It's the second corpse to be found this way in two years, and the queen is concerned.

With a city to rebuild and a kingdom to keep in line, Cleopatra cannot allow any more murders to interfere. So she sets Tetisheri - her Eye, her closest confidant and personal investigator - to make things right. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Tetisheri will discover secrets, conspiracy and danger far beyond her ken...

'Stabenow is blessed with a rich prose style and a fine eye for detail. Outstanding' Washington Post

'A first-rate talent... Offering fine writing and keen humour' Booklist

'Gripping and adrenaline-charged... Surprising twists all delivered with Stabenow's razor-sharp suspense and gritty prose' Publishers Weekly