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Memphis Cycle #3
Pharaoh's Son
The crash of Pharaoh's colossal statue into a throng of worshippers brings the festival of the good god Ptah of Memphis to a sudden, bloody end. Prince Khay, the High Priest, barely escaped being killed, himself. He finds clues in the wreckage that show that the collapse was deliberately set. Now he is confronted with questions that grow more alarming with every answer he finds as the great temple of Ptah is rocked by a chilling series of murders. Increasingly entangled in clues that lead to even more mysteries, convinced that the gods themselves are taking a hand in the disaster, he appeals to Pharaoh for help and is sent a powerful ally in his older brother Hori, Egypt's Crown Prince, whose courage and resourcefulness are surpassed only by his bluntness.
The brothers fight against time as they try to unravel the mystery, knowing that there is more at stake than treasure, and the forfeit is greater than a man's life. Something great and terrible is stirring, something they must find, hidden deep within the temple, something they must bring into the light before those who walk in darkness take it and turn it to evil.
PHARAOH'S SON is a historical novel set during the golden years of Ramesses the Great. It is a tale of murder, intrigue and hidden treasure that reaches back into Egypt's heresy-shrouded past.
This is an alternate cover for ISBN 9781463666224.
The brothers fight against time as they try to unravel the mystery, knowing that there is more at stake than treasure, and the forfeit is greater than a man's life. Something great and terrible is stirring, something they must find, hidden deep within the temple, something they must bring into the light before those who walk in darkness take it and turn it to evil.
PHARAOH'S SON is a historical novel set during the golden years of Ramesses the Great. It is a tale of murder, intrigue and hidden treasure that reaches back into Egypt's heresy-shrouded past.
This is an alternate cover for ISBN 9781463666224.
462 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
18 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Diana Wilder
10 books44 followersI grew up all around the United States courtesy of a very mobile family. Perhaps because of the Irish in me, I love to weave stories for my own enjoyment about the people I meet and the places I've seen during my travels. I graduated with a degree in ancient and medieval history and experience in journalism.
I started writing novels in graduate school, and have produced four set in New Kingdom Egypt: The City of Refuge, The Orphan's Tale, Pharaoh's Son and A Killing Among the Dead. I have others in that cycle under way, with one, a love story, due to be released within six months.
I have written stories set in ancient Egypt, the American Civil War, and various fantasy settings incorporating my favorite eras.
I enjoy traveling, photography, and sailing.
I started writing novels in graduate school, and have produced four set in New Kingdom Egypt: The City of Refuge, The Orphan's Tale, Pharaoh's Son and A Killing Among the Dead. I have others in that cycle under way, with one, a love story, due to be released within six months.
I have written stories set in ancient Egypt, the American Civil War, and various fantasy settings incorporating my favorite eras.
I enjoy traveling, photography, and sailing.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 6, 2012
This story is a conundrum in a setting that to many is already mysterious, that of ancient Egypt.
Diana Wilder peels back the veil shrouding this society of 3000 years ago. She peoples it with a royal household inhabited by engaging, understandable and believable characters.
Many mystery novels are predictable; the solution broadcasts itself in a way that is a spoiler from quite early on. This is not such a novel. The mystery here is a page-turner where overlapping layers of the unexplained unfold gradually toward a denouement as, without the aid of anything more than intelligent observation and simple research, the protagonists struggle to unravel the riddles of murder and sabotage within the great Temple of Ptah in ancient Memphis. The reader is left, however, with one enigma, which s/he must decide, or leave as unexplained. This serves the purpose of sprinkling a little of the supernatural and mild validation of the religious beliefs of ancient Egypt. It increases the tension and adds a further layer to the mystery and its possible resolution.
There is an authenticity about the Egypt of this book, which comes from extensive research coupled with a love of the place and time frame.
A very satisfying read, which will engage lovers of both mystery and ancient settings who want a story evoking the alien feel of the age in which it is set, yet which convincingly demonstrates those threads of common humanity that link ancient civilisations with our own.
Diana Wilder peels back the veil shrouding this society of 3000 years ago. She peoples it with a royal household inhabited by engaging, understandable and believable characters.
Many mystery novels are predictable; the solution broadcasts itself in a way that is a spoiler from quite early on. This is not such a novel. The mystery here is a page-turner where overlapping layers of the unexplained unfold gradually toward a denouement as, without the aid of anything more than intelligent observation and simple research, the protagonists struggle to unravel the riddles of murder and sabotage within the great Temple of Ptah in ancient Memphis. The reader is left, however, with one enigma, which s/he must decide, or leave as unexplained. This serves the purpose of sprinkling a little of the supernatural and mild validation of the religious beliefs of ancient Egypt. It increases the tension and adds a further layer to the mystery and its possible resolution.
There is an authenticity about the Egypt of this book, which comes from extensive research coupled with a love of the place and time frame.
A very satisfying read, which will engage lovers of both mystery and ancient settings who want a story evoking the alien feel of the age in which it is set, yet which convincingly demonstrates those threads of common humanity that link ancient civilisations with our own.
June 3, 2012
Pharaoh’s Son is a first rate historical mystery. When I saw the description of this book my first reaction was who needs another murder mystery set in ancient Egypt? God knows there are a lot of them available, but this is like asking who needs another first rate mystery period, and the answer is me and every lover of good mysteries, which is just what this book is – a terrific mystery with a satisfyingly complex plot. The setting is a major plus because the Egypt of Ramasses II is laid out in you-are-there realness with deft descriptions and well-developed characters. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
May 2, 2023
Death and destruction rock the ancient city of Memphis. The Pharaoh's son dons his sleuthing cap to investigate. (Actually there were several pharaoh's sons in this story. This is Ramesses II we're talking about. He had plenty of sons to spare.)
And now to complain. One of my main pet peeves is when an author overuses a word or phrase. In this case it is 'smile'. My kindle counted this word 314 times. That's not including all the smirks, grins, and twitching lips. Stop triggering me, Diana!
Being Kinder To My Books In 2023
And now to complain. One of my main pet peeves is when an author overuses a word or phrase. In this case it is 'smile'. My kindle counted this word 314 times. That's not including all the smirks, grins, and twitching lips. Stop triggering me, Diana!
Being Kinder To My Books In 2023
March 4, 2021
Sleuthing skills examples
A story of Ramese's sons, focusing on their different personalities. The son most focused on, was Hori. The description of each son was fascinating. You can picture the expressions on their faces throughout a conversation .Scene descriptions were magnificent!
A story of Ramese's sons, focusing on their different personalities. The son most focused on, was Hori. The description of each son was fascinating. You can picture the expressions on their faces throughout a conversation .Scene descriptions were magnificent!
September 8, 2012
(May Contain Spoilers Towards the End) This book was hard for me to get into at first. Maybe I was having a hard time concentrating, but I don't know, it just took me a while to get there. But when I did I really liked it.
On of the confusing things for me in the beginning was the names. So many of the names sound the same, but as I got further into the book it became easier to tell the characters apart.
You know in history class you always hear that Ramses II had tons and tons of kids, but it really hit me in this book. When Hori is in the palace talking to his sibling, Oh my goodness, he has so so many! That pharaoh was busy.
I'm not entirely sure why but I liked Hori from the start, something about his attitude I really enjoyed, and I think I remember reading somewhere that he died before his father did so he wasn't the son that eventually got to be pharaoh, and I know that this is probably not what he was like in real life, but if he was like this character in real life that makes me really sad, because he would be an amazing ruler, especially if he has his brother Khay by his side.
I also likes how she showed the pharaoh. She showed him as a person, sure he has some moments where he was truly "other" because he was in fact perceived as a living god, but at the same time she showed him as an extremely loving father who wanted to keep his children close to him. I liked that image of him because we often see portrayals of royalty and cold and uncaring especially towards family members, like that they just need an heir and a spare, you know?
Now the mystery was hard for me to grasp at first, and when they eventually found the "treasure" I was a bit confused. That was what all the fuss was about? That was the reason Rahotep was willing to kill his brothers? I didn't get it, but I also don't have any deep ambition like he did, nor do I think that I can truly relate to the Egyptian mysticism. I think it is beyond fascinating and I also think that if I could choose a religion it would be one of the top contenders.
This was a pretty serious book, but I did like the highlights of humor that the author threw in. Like when Hori starts giving away all of his jewelry to the poor (which I thought was so charming and sweet) and his man servant starts freaking out about it. So cute. I also thought it was funny how the Pharaoh was arrested because of Hori's orders. So while this book was originally hard for me to get into, I did eventually start loving it, and would definitely recommend it.
I also would recommend reading the Afterward. Now I am sure all you good readers always read the forwards and afterwards, but I am ashamed to admit that I do not. But (!) I did for this book and it is truly interesting, because Diana Wilder gives us historical background on all the characters in the book.
On of the confusing things for me in the beginning was the names. So many of the names sound the same, but as I got further into the book it became easier to tell the characters apart.
You know in history class you always hear that Ramses II had tons and tons of kids, but it really hit me in this book. When Hori is in the palace talking to his sibling, Oh my goodness, he has so so many! That pharaoh was busy.
I'm not entirely sure why but I liked Hori from the start, something about his attitude I really enjoyed, and I think I remember reading somewhere that he died before his father did so he wasn't the son that eventually got to be pharaoh, and I know that this is probably not what he was like in real life, but if he was like this character in real life that makes me really sad, because he would be an amazing ruler, especially if he has his brother Khay by his side.
I also likes how she showed the pharaoh. She showed him as a person, sure he has some moments where he was truly "other" because he was in fact perceived as a living god, but at the same time she showed him as an extremely loving father who wanted to keep his children close to him. I liked that image of him because we often see portrayals of royalty and cold and uncaring especially towards family members, like that they just need an heir and a spare, you know?
Now the mystery was hard for me to grasp at first, and when they eventually found the "treasure" I was a bit confused. That was what all the fuss was about? That was the reason Rahotep was willing to kill his brothers? I didn't get it, but I also don't have any deep ambition like he did, nor do I think that I can truly relate to the Egyptian mysticism. I think it is beyond fascinating and I also think that if I could choose a religion it would be one of the top contenders.
This was a pretty serious book, but I did like the highlights of humor that the author threw in. Like when Hori starts giving away all of his jewelry to the poor (which I thought was so charming and sweet) and his man servant starts freaking out about it. So cute. I also thought it was funny how the Pharaoh was arrested because of Hori's orders. So while this book was originally hard for me to get into, I did eventually start loving it, and would definitely recommend it.
I also would recommend reading the Afterward. Now I am sure all you good readers always read the forwards and afterwards, but I am ashamed to admit that I do not. But (!) I did for this book and it is truly interesting, because Diana Wilder gives us historical background on all the characters in the book.
August 23, 2013
Two brothers struggle to uncover a plot that threatens to bring death and destruction to all they love ... Set in the sands of Ancient Egypt, Pharaoh's Son is a tale of honor, loyalty, death and treachery. Diana Wilder knows how to use her prose to paint a picture that will stay with you long after you've closed the covers. Sit back, snuggle up with a mug of hot choc and enjoy!
June 11, 2018
It's based in the world of Ramesses the Great and as a fan of Valerio Massimo Manfredi, who also likes to shape ancient tales into his own, it is a similar cracking read for people who have an interested in ancient history. I'd thoroughly recommend reading it.
June 9, 2012
I enjoyed this book very much. While some liberties were taken, that's to be expected when dealing with a time period where there are so few solid details.
Want to Read
October 18, 2012$0.0
October 20, 2012
2 books in one: death and intrigue with separate spiritual text interspersed among the main storyline.
June 6, 2013
Gave up on this one. That doesn't happen often.
Read
November 21, 2012Could not get into the story. Each character had at least five names or titles.
February 20, 2014
Very good story. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
February 1, 2016
An interesting mystery story....
Set in the days of Ramessis II, this is a very enjoyable mystery story. It definitely will be liked by all interested in ancient Egypt.
Set in the days of Ramessis II, this is a very enjoyable mystery story. It definitely will be liked by all interested in ancient Egypt.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews