Subject
Egyptologists -- Fiction Books
Best books
Richard Marsh
The Beetle: A Mystery
"The Beetle: A Mystery" by Richard Marsh is a Gothic horror novel published in 1897. A shape-shifting ancient Egyptian entity arrives in London seeking vengeance against a British politician, Paul Lessingham. Through mesmerism and terror, the creature manipulates innocent victims to further its dark purpose. Told through four different narrators, the story weaves together mystery, supernatural horror, and psychological control as the Beetle pursues its prey through Victorian London, threatening everyone connected to its target.
Ambrose Pratt
The Living Mummy
"The Living Mummy" by Ambrose Pratt is a fiction novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in the Libyan desert, where the main character, Dr. Pinsent, is an Egyptologist who becomes embroiled in a mysterious and thrilling adventure involving the famous explorer Sir Robert Ottley and his daughter, Miss Ottley. The narrative introduces a fascinating premise centered around ancient Egyptian history, particularly revolving around the discovery of a tomb belonging to a powerful priest named Ptahmes, and explores themes of curiosity, ambition, and the supernatural. The opening of the narrative sets the stage with Dr. Pinsent intensely focused on his academic work when he is unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of Sir Robert Ottley and his daughter. The excitement builds as they embark on a journey to explore a tomb that Ottley has searched for years. However, mysterious and ominous elements start to surface, including the enigmatic allure of the sarcophagus and the supernatural presence that seems to haunt the characters. Through tense interactions and the introduction of a shadowy figure that appears to threaten their safety, the opening hints at a deeper connection between the ancient past and the unfolding drama, enticing the reader to delve further into the book's mysteries and character dynamics.
Norma Lorimer
There was a King in Egypt
"There Was a King in Egypt" by Norma Lorimer is a historical novel written in the late 1910s. The story centers around Michael Amory, a young English Egyptologist, as he engages in excavations related to the tomb of Akhnaton's mother, amidst the backdrop of ancient Egyptian culture and early 20th-century explorations. The narrative blends history with themes of mysticism and romantic entanglements, particularly involving Michael, his colleague Freddy Lampton, and Freddy's sister, Margaret, who arrives in the excavation camp. The beginning of the novel introduces Michael Amory against the serene yet daunting landscape of Egypt at dawn, depicting his fascination with the ancient ruins and hinting at the spiritual connection he feels with the land. He is soon disrupted by thoughts of life beyond his archaeological pursuits, particularly with the impending arrival of Margaret, which stirs a mix of anticipation and annoyance in him. The narrative immerses the reader in the excavation process, highlighting the daily realities the characters face and setting the stage for the complex interplay of relationships and historical reverence that will unfold as Margaret joins the expedition and Michael grapples with his feelings for her and the echoes of Akhnaton's legacy.
Sax Rohmer
She who sleeps : $b A romance of New York and the Nile
"She who sleeps : A romance of New York and the Nile" by Sax Rohmer is a novel written in the early 20th century. It blends New York society intrigue with Egyptian archaeology and a hint of the supernatural. The story centers on Barry Cumberland, a wealthy collector’s son haunted by a mysterious, priestess-like woman and drawn into an expedition proposed by the imposing dealer Danbazzar, whose papyrus hints at a princess preserved alive across millennia. Expect romance, occult science, and a transatlantic chase that links a modern mystery to pharaonic secrets. The opening of the story follows Barry racing through a mountain storm, glimpsing an Egyptian-looking woman on a balcony moments before crashing his car, then awakening in a hospital with a nameless rescuer and no way to trace the site. He finds the secluded house but meets only a hostile caretaker and shuttered windows, later spotting the same woman from afar in a walled garden, again behind a veil in a passing limousine, and possibly once more at a pier. Meanwhile, Barry’s father entertains Danbazzar, who unveils a unique papyrus about Princess Zalithea, a captive allegedly placed into suspended life in Seti’s time; experts authenticate the document while debating its claims, and Danbazzar reveals he has located the unopened tomb and a related formula. John Cumberland agrees to fund an excavation up the Nile, and as plans form, Barry prepares to depart—still compelled by the elusive woman whose appearances bookend the beginning.
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