Was expecting a combination of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and The Mummy (1999). That is sort of what it is but less The Mummy than I was expecting. It was an enjoyable book but I was not sure where it was going. The psychological aspects started to make me question everything about the author and her perspective.
When they finally get to Egypt it was kind of fun and interesting. However, the main characters suspicion was kind of annoying and brought the book down. ( )

This was another difficult read to rate properly. I couldn't put it down, but there was so much eye-rolling too.

The description on the book record is terribly simplistic, but it's as close or closer to anything I could come up with. Honestly, Holt packed a lot into this book. The first half is taken up with Judith's background and childhood; it isn't until page 174 that we even get to Egypt.

Judith's ridiculous obsession with Tybalt got on my nerves; I'd say someone should have smacked some sense into her, but she never let on to anyone in her world just how insanely besotted she was, she saved all those confidences for the reader. But the rest of the book was compelling and incredibly readable.

The story itself is pretty trope-tastic; it's got the imaginary love triangle, mistaken for cheating, lack of communication, rags to royalty... not to mention the whole Egyptian theme; likely quite a few more I haven't even thought of, but it was first written in the 70's when some of these things weren't tropes yet, or were all the rage. That somehow made it easier to roll with.

The writing kept me coming back. It had all the qualities of a mid-century gothic that appeals to me, in spite of some the silliness coming from Judith.

I'll definitely check out more of Holt's work. ( )

The first half of the book is set in England; the second part in Egypt. Although no date is specified I gather from certain details that the time period is around the 1880s.

Several reviewers have stated that they prefer the Egyptian setting best, yet the events set in England engaged me the most. The first half was much like a typical novel written during the Victorian era, which shows how authentic this 1973 publication is. I like the no-nonsense heroine’s way of dealing with a most disagreeable lady who’s taken her on as a companion.

The Egyptian section had potential to be much better than it was. Can’t say much without giving things away, but will state that I thought the ending was rather lame.

The dialogue and the characterisation were good, the plot was fine yet it could have been spiced up. Thus not the most startling or gripping narrative I’ve ever read, but at least it was neither badly written nor boring. ( )

The book opens with the deaths of Sir Edward Travers and Sir Ralph Bodrean. Sir Edward was an archaeologist and died in Egypt while on a site. Sir Ralph had helped fund the expedition. Rumors a circulating that it's the curse of the Kings. The beginning of the book is about Judith growing up with the children in both homes. She was interested in archaeology and while growing up they had lessons about it and she continued her interest by reading books on the subject. Eventually you get to the present where there is an unexpected inheritance, a marriage and another expedition to find whatever Sir Edward had been looking for. Of course the book is full of drama and worry. I loved it! ( )