A Curse of Silence: A Mystery of Ancient Egypt

By Lauren Haney

A vile rumor sweeps across the desert like a swiftly gathering sandstorm: Queen Hatshepsut plans to disband much of her frontier army and transform its fortresses into storehouses. The arrival of Amonked--the Queen's cousin and Storekeeper of Amon--at the city of Buhen convinces an uneasy Lieutenant Bak of the Medjay police that the whisperings that have alarmed the populace are true. Then, a day after Amonked inspects the local garrison and departs, a body is found stabbed in the house where he and his party rested. The slain man was a local prince, beloved by his people, so Bak travels upriver to join the caravan and investigate. Though nothing tangible connects Amonked and his people to the heinous act, Bak's inquiry soon sheds a disturbing light on an inexplicable crime. For the clues suggest that twisted honor and vengeance lie at its root . . . and a shocking secret, protected by murder and silence, that could itself silence the truth--and Bak--for eternity.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380812851
• ISBN13: 9780380812851
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

You can almost feel the desert heat

Unless there really is such a thing as reincarnation, there's no way Haney could KNOW what it was like to live in ancient Egypt. But you'd never know it from reading her books. I swear, you can just about see the Nile, taste the dates and feel the heat of the desert. Lt. Bak is as real as any contemporary cop, yet without the annoying anachronisms found in some other books of this genre. The secondary characters are also well defined; Haney's use of language is superb. I am "working" my way through the entire series and they haven't disappointed me yet.

THE LADIES OF EGYPT

This is my introduction to Lauren Haney. As reader of Elizabeth Peters and Lynda Robinson, I found Lauren Haney's story and characters very interesting. While not as exciting as Peters' Amelia Peabody, or Robinson's Lord Miren, I found Lt. Bak warm and likable. The book was more about the people and places of Egypt than of the solving the mystery, which Bak did very adaptly with a twist that was totally unexpected. I'll read her again.

Lauren Haney vs. Elizabeth Peters

I must confess that I am having an EXTREMELY hard time deciding which author I like better. I love the Victorian period perspective of Elizabeth Peters, but Lauren Haney makes you feel as if you are THERE in ancient Egypt. I haven't been disappointed in one of Lauren Haney's books yet!

Latest adventure of Egyptian mystery is a winner.

If you like the novels of Lynda S. Robinson, then you really should give those of Lauren Haney a try. I find them much more pleasant a read, although both authors do effective jobs of bringing ancient Egypt to life. This latest installment of Haney's cast of characters is certainly her finest. A quick read, filled with action and adventure. The historic setting is excellent, and adds greatly to the reader's enjoyment.

Keeping with a new tradition.

Lauren Haney does it again. If you even remotely enjoyed her first three novels, then you should run right out and pick this one up. I was waiting for this for quite some time and it did not dissapoint.