The Heart of the Mummy

Avery & Carter #3

by Shane Carrow

Egypt, 1919. Cairo smoulders in the aftermath of a failed revolt against British rule, and Lucas Avery arrives in the city intent on escorting his sister back to the safety of England. But Emily, a promising young archaeologist at the Museum of Antiquities, has no interest in being rescued. She and her fellow scholars are on the eve of a desert expedition in search of Nekharis, the ancient City of the Damned – a venture which also happens to be employing Avery’s old friend, the American gunslinger Sam Carter.

Recruited against his better judgement, Avery joins Emily, Carter and the rest of the Museum's retinue as they sail up the Nile and strike out into the Sahara. But rumours of ancient Egyptian curses are no mere superstitions. A rival French expedition has vanished; a colleague of Carter's is found murdered in his Cairo hotel; and an uncanny presence shadows them across the desert sands. Avery and Carter have battled the supernatural before, but nothing will prepare them for what lurks in the tombs beneath the City of the Damned...

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Halloween, Paranormal

396 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

Shane Carrow is an Australian writer of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Born and raised in Western Australia, he now lives in Melbourne.

Reviews

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shane Carrow delivers another blockbuster with his new Avery & Carter novel, and yet again chooses a great backdrop to the story by using Egypt during the heyday of Egyptology. The two unlikely friends meet up in a Cairo bar by chance meeting revolving around Avery's sister which is an archeologist and this new character bring a whole new dimension to the story and brings added weaponry to the duo's arsenal in monster slaying.

In this story though Carter almost takes a bit of a backseat to the two siblings, as Avery's curse is gone into a lot more detail this times and his ongoing battle to undermine his beastly urges. Also the battles they have are taken from two extremes of the open spaces of the desert into the highly populated cities of Cairo and London, and the new foes is something completely different from the first two as the characters are tested to their limits this time.

There are also a few great surprises during the book that you will not see coming. As in the first two books, Carrow again show his class by his accuracy in describing the palces and times in which this adventure takes place. In this book some loose ends from the two earlier books are tied up, and some more are created for the next ones in the series, which just leaves you wanting more.

Again highly recommended as a series to read and this will make for some great television as well. Cannot wait for the next adventure.

[John Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit off, this one!

Book 3 of the Avery and Carter series was a bit of a let down. Yes, the characters were all well crafted and the plot had the potential to be a 5 star read but, somehow, the story went awry. Things started well and we were introduced to Avery's sister, a renowned archaeologist in her own right, feisty, self opinionated and an upper class member of English society. The story then began to drag as the team of archaeologists meandered across the Egyptian desert towards their goal, the infamous "City of the Damned". Unknown to them their progress was being monitored by a supernatural being, an entity from the time of the ancient Pharaohs. Was this entity a friend or foe and why was it trying to disrupt their quest? What followed was a sequence of events straight out of a Hammer Horror film which led to a life or death struggle involving the very future of humanity. This was not a stand alone story which could be read in isolation and, in order to fully understand and appreciate the motivation of the participants, you need to have read the two earlier books in the series. This story, for me at least, never reached the heights of its prequels.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I loved the first two books in this series but struggled a bit to get in to this one. It might be me though, not the book. This is a fun series if you like mysteries with a paranormal twist.

[Rebecca Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shane Carrow’s The Heart of the Mummy is an okay Egyptian archeology adventure that had potential but got bogged down by a dragging plot and inconsistent characters. I love the setting and the supernatural elements but I wish the plot was more thrilling. This is the third book in the Avery and Carter series and it doesn’t work as a standalone.

It’s 1919 in Cairo. Lucas Avery has arrived to convince his sister, young archaeologist Emily Beaumont to return to England with him. However, Emily has no desire to return home. She is about to embark on an exciting desert expedition for Nekharis, the ancient City of the Damned. Coincidentally, this expedition also includes Avery’s old friend and companion in supernatural adventures, Sam Carter. Avery reluctantly joins the group and soon realizes that this expedition is far from ordinary. The explorers are soon besieged by strange supernatural occurrences. And, when a world-threatening ancient evil arises, Carter and Avery must face their greatest foe yet.

I love this series and I am a huge ancient Egypt fan so I was really looking forward to this book. However, I struggled to finish! The book lacks the fun, excitement, and thrill of the previous two. It is very reminiscent of the Mummy film series (which I definitely appreciate) but it doesn’t replicate the charm and fast-paced fun. However, I do love Carrow’s mature and descriptive writing. The timeframe and settings are particularly well-written. Egypt is presented quite nicely and evocatively.

While the plot is interesting, I wish it was more fun and exciting. There was definitely a lot of potential but the book held back on many things. I actually enjoyed the world-ending stakes but I wish it was more consequential. I never really felt like the characters or humanity were under threat because neither Braxis nor the mummy Usarhet really did anything. The final showdown was interesting and unique (albeit abrupt) but the buildup was anticlimactic.

I really did not enjoy the characters. The relationships and interactions feel implausible and lack chemistry. I usually love Carter and Avery and I always look forward to their entertaining interactions which I believe are the heart of the books. However, their dynamic is off here and their interactions are quite cold. For some odd reason which I could never figure out, Carter and Avery seem to not even really like or know each other at all. It was only near the end of the book that the two returned to the fun camaraderie that I love. But, I did enjoy the supernatural developments to Avery’s character and the ways his abilities contributed to the plot. I am very excited to see how he continues to explore his vampirism. However, I would have liked to see some character development for Carter that didn’t involve Emily.

Carter and Avery’s individual development as well as a supernatural fighting team plays second fiddle to the introduction of a character who isn’t even unique or interesting. Avery’s younger sister Emily leaves a lot to be desired. I was really excited to have a female protagonist but she really disappointed. She views herself as progressive but her behaviour is cliched and predictable. She is immature and uninteresting. Her chemistry with the leads is also non-existent. The sibling relationship between her and Avery feels forced and unnatural. I also thought there was too much focus on the dull romance between Emily and Carter. Even though the narrative kept telling me that there was a romance, I couldn’t buy that they are attracted to or even like each other at all!

However, I did enjoy Braxis, the ancient and mysterious Medjai. I was so disappointed that he barely did anything! His presence could have opened up a new dimension of supernatural elements but there was so much wasted potential with his character.

The Heart of the Mummy ultimately disappointed me. However, I love this series and I won’t give up on it! I am hoping that the next book will bring the fun, thrill, and entertaining friendship between Avery and Carter that I missed so much.

Thank you to the author for this book in exchange for an honest review.


❤️❤️ out of 5 mummy hearts!

[Nancy Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great adventure for Avery and Carter, once again revolving around a classic horror creature…this time the Mummy. Excellent storytelling with detailed descriptions of Egypt and Cairo during the heyday of Egyptology and within the backdrop of British imperialism and the post-war environment. The story takes us from Cairo to the Sahara to London with continuous action and adventure along the way. We meet Avery’s sister who I think will be a great addition to future stories. Love this series.

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Two years after Sam Carter and Lucas Avery last saw each other, the hilarious duo stumble into each other’s presence once again. Lucas just wants to escort his sister, Emily, away from Egypt and back to England where their father intends on pressuring her to marry. However, Emily has other plans and it involves Sam, a map, and a desert expedition. The only problem is that the map came at a cost, and Sam is keeping his lips sealed about the danger lurking behind the person who sold him the map.

I’ve been loving this series since it started with a novella and was excited when I learned a third installment was on the way. I was expecting more hilarious adventures with Sam and Lucas with a supernatural twist and perhaps some serious tones mixed in, given the previous book. This time around, we have a new character who may be a permanent fixture: Emily. She adds a strange dynamic as an archeologist who views herself as extremely ahead of the times. I can’t say whether or not Emily will add anything to the series other than a forced romance plot that has zero chemistry, but only time will tell.

This time around, we meet Sam and Lucas in Cairo right before they head out on an expedition. Lucas is not happy about it, of course, but he follows along since his sister is going. The team is looking for Nekharis, the City of the Damned, and stumble upon an ancient evil that could end the world. Sam and Lucas are at odds for half the book, which doesn’t make any sense because they didn’t have a huge blow out at the end of the previous book. It’s not even about Sam romancing his sister, but instead about being unable to trust each other because their camaraderie is suddenly non-existent. I could see if they had a falling out over Sam being a flake about keeping in touch, or having a huge falling out before they last parted ways, but instead we get this awkward not even ex-friends relationship for half the book. Once they warmed up to one another again, the two began to act more like themselves.

I think the story itself could’ve been interesting and entertaining. Instead, we spent a lot of time leading up to the main plot and then rushing through once it started to get rolling. There’s a lot of time spent on getting to the dig sight, setting up, digging, and debating in between all of this. When they unleashed Usarhet, I thought, okay. It’s going to get crazy right about now! And then it didn’t. We were still building up to a big moment. Once this huge moment finally happened, it cuts off and jumps straight to the aftermath. There was so much build up for a rather anticlimactic ending.

All in all, I’m disappointed by this one. I don’t think that this is the end of the series, nor will I stop reading the series. One installment that doesn’t fit in well with the rest isn’t enough to put me off! I think the series still has a lot going for it and one bum installment hasn’t wrecked that. We have some interesting characters, but two weren’t like themselves for a good portion of the book. Braxis was easily the most interesting character and he was underutilized. We got a ton of build up only for the climax to be cut off right as it was about to start. The ethics of the history of ancient Egyptian tombs being broken into and used to profit from is a topic that keeps jumping on and off the table, and Sam seems to jump on and off the table with it. I like that it’s inspired by the Mummy 1-2 movies, but unfortunately, it still missed the mark for me. However, I still have hope for the future of the series and look forward to seeing where Sam and Lucas go next.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review will have spoilers for plot, characters and resolution.

Please be aware before you continue reading.

Avery and Carter find themselves reunited in the face of a cursed tomb in this third installment of this super fun series. The stakes are apocalyptically high - not only in the world-ending sense but also because Avery's sister is right in the thick of the danger. I love the pyramid-tomb curse as the plot device for the third book; it's a horror classic and it's fairly well executed. Expected elements are present, including the guardian of the tomb, and it's overall a generally satisfying plot with a (mostly) positive ending. The book also takes itself a little more seriously than the previous two installments, but I'm not sure whether that's to its benefit or to its detriment.

I have mixed feelings about the apocalyptic nature of the stakes; the previous books didn't need to have the threat of the world ending to have the reader invested - the chemistry between the protagonists (and Otto, in the second book, and since we didn't see him this time around I hope he's doing okay) was enough to have me on the edge of my metaphorical seat. The fate of the world hanging in the balance took this out of the more intimate setting of the previous stories and conversely made it harder to connect emotionally with the narrative. That having been said, the vision Avery has of the world after the big bad wins is fascinating, and the monster's regret at its own actions was a genuine and pleasant surprise.

Some of the chemistry between Carter and Avery is missing, which is in part because the narrative makes it clear that Carter is terrible at keeping in touch and maintaining a friendship. There's a little exploration of that (one of the really great character moments is when Avery tells his sister that the idea of Carter seriously courting her is ridiculous and Carter realizes he's hurt by it), and I would really like to see more. They're in a rocky patch that doesn't get much resolution by the end of the book; they're too focused on the massive threat to do any sort of emotional work with regard to each other. That's definitely a solid narrative choice, up until the threat is resolved.

Which brings me to where I was disappointed - the book's end was very abrupt. I'm going to assume that Avery was able to do whatever it was that he did (which is deliberately glossed over) because of the aforementioned regret, but there's a great deal of build-up and then essentially a cut-scene to Hey Everything Is Great Now Let's Go Get Breakfast. While I would have liked for the monster to go out with a bit more of a bang (or at least have the process described!), I really wanted Avery and Carter to get some of that chemistry back, and it didn't happen. Whether or not this sense of unfulfillment remains is going to depend on whether or not there's ever another book and how that one goes. I miss the chemistry Avery and Carter had in the first two stories, and I really enjoyed that there was a deliberate set-up for their cooling off, but then the narrative just left it hanging.

Another (minor) plot thread left dangling is the man who financed the expedition; we never do find out his fate, and I'm curious - I hope he made it out okay, but he disappears after releasing the monster and we never hear from him again. I also have some concerns about Avery's career; the events in the book's climax involved taking him very seriously and a number of actions being taken on his word alone. As threats of the supernatural generally aren't portrayed as a typical matter addressed by the British intelligence agency, I imagine he's going to have many questions to answer. I have some anxiety here, lol

Emily is fantastic - she knows what she wants, she goes after it, and she is not about to let anyone get in the way of it. She knows what she's good at, and she knows when to step back and let someone else take the lead. We don't see much of a sense of vulnerability or flaws from her, which isn't necessarily a negative thing but is often part of a strong female character's presentation. If we see more of her - and I definitely want to see more of her! - I hope to get more insight into her feelings and flaws and her relationship with her brother. Speaking of which, she's understandably furious at Avery for keeping life-changing secrets from her, which doesn't quite get resolved either. I really wanted to see the protagonists have some conflict resolution and emotional moments once they were safe, and Emily endeared herself enough to me that I absolutely want her to be part of that. I would also love to see her and Carter try to navigate a relationship, because I'm pretty sure it would be bonkers in some very entertaining ways. This book was definitely not the place for that, but it laid the groundwork for it exceptionally well.

The tl;dr version of the preceding wall of text is this: the mummy plot was generally well done, Avery's sister Emily is introduced and I love her, some really great emotional conflict was set up between Avery and Carter and between Avery and Emily, and the end of the book is somewhat rushed and does not resolve or address this emotional conflict. Overall I did have a great time with it, and would love to see Avery and Carter (and Emily, and seriously, how's Otto doing) return again.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting so long for another Carter & Avery book! It was amazing as always, Shane Carrow has been very consistent with the quality of his writing and with the kind of paranormal monsters he’s been introducing. The pacing of this book felt slower than the last one, but it goes really well since this time we’re dealing with a mummy and they’re not particularly fast. All the mystery surrounding the excavation site at the dessert, the first presence we are aware of, and then the whole pursuit of the mummy just keeps building up until the very end. If you’ve enjoyed the previous two books, definitely give this one a go. I wonder if there will be more books, and what kind of monster we could possibly encounter. Carrow has definitely made it to my favourite authors list.

[Mary Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an ordinary Mummy

A right rollicking adventure, sand, sand and sand, mummies, vampires, bad omens and eclipses. Wonderful. I hope there will be more from Avery and Carter

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adventure story. It’s hard to not compare it to the Brendan Frazier Mummy, it’s not necessarily a bad thing here. This time Avery and Carter are joined by Avery’s sister Elizabeth, an Egyptologist, as she searches for the lost city of Nekharis. There’s a lot of similarities, and I’m sure some were intentional. I enjoyed this, it has just enough twists and turns to be its own thing. I like the duo of Avery and Carter. I look forward to more adventures.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but it did have a rambling tendency. I liked Emily. There was a twist which who I thought was an initial villain and I liked that character in my way. I rarely read Egypt and mummy stories - not my favorite of the series but the series continues strong.

[Robert Richenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery and Carter at it Again. Thank Heavens.

This is latest in the series. I figured the Mummy was next after they faced off against the Wetewolf. The story moves at stead pace. Avery and Carter feel like old friends, I look forward to meeting. Another fun read.

[coty ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]



a big thank you to shane carrow for sending me an ARC!

the third installment is really where a series can fail. i know so many shows that lose their momentum or fall off entirely in their third season; a film series can start to feel tired after three parts; and honestly, i very rarely find a point in a book series continuing after the third - but i'll gladly take ten (or more) stories with avery and carter.

the mummy was one of my favorite childhood movies; i probably watched it twice a week, at least. and although i don't think there's too many similarities beyond the obvious (the setting and titular appearance of A Mummy), there's still a certain sense of nostalgia it invoked in me. i was never particularly interested in egypt/egyptian mythology (norse mythos always was, and continues to be, my thing), but i think my unfamiliarity with it works in my favor, because this all feels so New to me, and that's exciting. though the country and culture is filtered through the perspectives of avery and carter, the beauty of it doesn't go unnoticed: the descriptions of cairo are so immersive, and the portrait of the desert as harsh but beautiful sets the tone for the story. i thoroughly appreciate the narrative's acknowledgement of colonization and the devastation the british brought down on the region.

"I would've figured you people had plundered enough of this country by now that you could pay a man a fair day's wage for a fair day's work."

there's a constant, ongoing theme throughout the entire series of recognizing bigotry as the "norm" of the period (though it's an ideology that, of course, is still present in our current era as well) but never weaponizing that as an excuse to have characters do or say terrible things because "that's how things were back then." colonization playing a direct role in the climax only adds to the realism of the story and makes it that much more interesting to me.

but what i love the most really is the characters, and how well the time gap is handled. avery and carter both have grown so much individually since book two, and though all of it happens off-page, it never once feels like you're missing anything. they're recognizable as themselves, but the slight differences are obvious, realistic, and a real benefit to the story; it's been years since they've seen each other and you see that 'awkwardness' - which i love - but it never feels forced or inconsistent. they're two entirely independent characters, able to hold their own, but as a duo, they really are unstoppable. the addition of a new character could've thrown off that balance, but i think avery's sister holds her own as well; emily never once feels just like avery's sister. even though she doesn't have two previous books' worth of development, she's just as Real as carter and avery, fitting easily into their dynamic and providing a fresh voice. (i don't think there was any threat of the story feeling stale with just carter and avery, but i love sibling dynamics, especially when they're a little complicated.)

emily's presence adds another layer to avery and his curse that was interesting to explore. carter and avery having roughly the same experience with the paranormal (avery slightly more, of course, given his nature) and that connection being disrupted by emily as both try to shield her for different reasons causes a nice amount of tension that balances well with the actual "we have to kill the monster and save the world" aspect of the plot. it's actually really nice to have some drama like that for the characters, because it introduces a new angle and allows more room to really get to know carter and avery individually because of their respective dynamics with emily and how they care for her. i think carter especially really benefitted from it, since he's been fairly detached for the majority of the series, with his only real relationship being avery.

tl;dr? it's really good. delivers on the same, old hollywood monster movie vibe as its predecessors. carter is one of my favorite book characters of all time. the ending feels just slightly rushed, but the character development makes up for it (to me.) this series continues to be incredibly fun and shane carrow is such a talented writer who is constantly improving, and i love to see that journey

[John OBrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

Hope their are many more books in this series. I cannot put them down. Would make awesome movies I have no idea would put forth could be about elicits dinosaurs are aliens.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why didn't the author tell us how Avery defeated the mummy??? Almost gave this book 2 stars because of it.

[sharon ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended

Currently there are 3 books in this series and I have read them all. The writing is excellent as are the plots. Read them in order.

[Msoneworld4me · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1919 and unrest, like the British are everywhere. In the lost city of the damned an ancient tomb is found..

While predictable this book was still good fun. The characters are right out of the Universal Monster Movies of the 1930's so if you enjoy a good adventure with a side of horror this will delight you. The writing was tight and the story held my interest.

Starting a series with the third book is usually not wise, but I still enjoyed this adventure and will endeavour to read more from the author.

[Sheare Bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery & Carter

I cheerfully and unashamedly admit that I absolutely love the Avery & Carter novels. I had halfway feared there would not be more, so I was thrilled to have #3 pop up in my recs list. Our protagonists are human, fl@wed and heroic in spite of themselves, and combatting our traditional avatars of evil, such as vampires, werewolves and gasp, mummies, all in precisely the right setting to produce maximum tension and angst. And having said that, I am going to reread the first two just because I have a cold and am pampering myself.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic monster story. This one is quite a bit more formula than the last two, but is very much helped by the addition of a major female character.

[Sarah Phee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series. History and original horror trio. Vampire, Werewolf and Mummy. Hope there are more to come.

[Ted Helmick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. I was hooked reading the first book. Brings some of the nostalgia of old horror characters and mixes with a mystery. Hope the series continues.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a really good series! Not cheesy at all, clearly some research into archaeology, Egyptology, which makes the story so much better. I'm hoping there is another in the works.

[Ziggy Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of a war, in the midst of a plague, and at the beginning of a revolution, a stranger arrives...

Another splendiferous tale of adventure, terror, and true heroism from Shane Carrow in this third (please don't say last!) installment of the Avery & Carter books! In "The Heart of the Mummy", the author takes what I considered to be a real leap of faith by putting our crew well away from Europe after the conclusion of World War 1. Their re-meeting in this chapter was perhaps a much more realistic, that is, a little less 'conveniently imaginative' than the last book. But it was still a marvelous way to set things off and face eldritch horrors in the desert plains of Egypt! Yes, this time, as the author states, we're instead surrounded by "ruined cities, royal tombs and elaborate burial chambers of successive dynasties of pharaohs (that) lay cast about the Nile like the sloughed-off skins of an immortal snake." And if that's not enough to w(h)et your appetite, even in the brutal conditions of the Sahara, well, I don't know what more to say!

Nekharis: the City of the Damned… an ancient burial place of wrongdoers; a site of exile for traitors and heretics.

As with the previous chapters, Carrow's diction continues to flourish in a way that definitely brings the times and locations of our newest endeavours to life - perhaps meant both literally and metaphorically! It also remains quite a relief that at no time does the author rely on caricatures or clichés as actors but instead focuses on making the players as real, believable and (un)sympathetic as they need to be! Which of course means that Sam Carter - our brave American - and Lucas Avery - loyal servant to the King's Throne (That’s very touching… but the service doesn’t care about your life. The service cares about Britain.) - remain two of the most relatable and likeable characters I've met in some time. There is no hamming about nor John Wayne bravado on display, these gents are the real deal!

He’d spoken to the vampire Dascalu, spoken to the werewolf Leroux. But how the hell was he supposed to bargain with this thing?

And speaking of taking risks, we are also this time joined by Avery's sister, the lovely Emily Beaumont who adds an entirely new dynamic to our team! Her role as archaeologist - sorry, officially research assistant - for the expedition that our crew sets out on is indeed fortuitous, not only for her usefulness in deciphering heiroglypics but perhaps even ultimately saving manking from a fate worse than death! No pressure at all, now is there? She witnesses events alongside her brother and his partner and provides a much less 'experienced' perspective when the requisite eldritch horrors begin appearing and making a mockery of our world and very reality!

It was an awful thing; a ragged and desiccated wretch. Was it human? Had it ever been?

Needless to say, I once again gobbled up this story and have no regrets at all spending the better part of a week of my life absorbed in this trilogy (please don't let it be over, please don't let it be over). I've experienced not only welcome respite from far too many lame and uninspired stories by others when it comes to vampires or werewolves and must admit that my first foray into the world of the Mummy's Curse after so, so many years was indeed welcome! (I believe that at one point I also read one of those wonderful 'Doc Savage' pulps that included something to do with Egyptian lore, but I'll be damned if I can remember much more than that!)

What does mere death matter, compared with eternal damnation?

So again, this was a fantastic story, one that was pleasingly longer than its predecessors, yes, but still gone too quickly! Again, I can only confirm that I hope Carrow continues to root out more monsters, cryptids, or worse for our squad to combat. There are a number of unanswered questions to not only their nature, but the nature of the very world around them that I think would make wonderful stories! If you're like me and have had so much sheer FUN reading these books, then you also definitely want more! Bravo!

[Geetha Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third, and I think last, book of Avery & Carter series, and this time they have to deal with a Mummy in Egypt. The war is over, and Carter now works as a guide in Egypt while Avery is there to look for his sister who's an assistant at the British Museum there. An expedition to Nekharis, the City of the Damned is planned with the help of Carter who has got a map from one of his fellows. Unknown to them, an ancient entity is stalking them, having killed the previous expedition and taken over the body of one of the members. It's purpose is to stop anyone from awakening whatever is buried in the lost city. However, it senses Avery's vampire abilities and hence hesitates to attack, despite getting Bedouin warriors to help.

The evil that is interred in the city is awoken by the leader of the expedition, and the unknown entity attacks the party as well. Carter, Avery and Avery's sister, Emily manage to escape with a few others. The Bedouin take them in and they meet the entity named Braxis who tells them they've awakened an ancient evil and that they must help him in destroying it. It will be going to Cairo to get its heart and once that happens, nothing can stop it. The evil is an ancient royal named Usarhet who led a rebellion against the Pharoah and learned forbidden dark arts. Braxis is a medjai who chose to be buried with Usarhet to keep him from rising.

In Cairo, Emily learns that the heart is in England and Avery and Braxis track down Usarhet only for the mummy to destroy Braxis' soul. Avery escapes and meets up with Emily and Carter and the three make their way to England while Avery apprises his bosses about the mummy and its purpose. In the meantime, Sam and Emily strike up a romance which Avery approves of.

There are parallels to the mummy movie, but for all that, this one stands on its own. It's considerably longer than the other two, but no less interesting. I was at the edge of my seat throughout. I'm sad the series is at an end, but I hope that perhaps more are in the making?

If you loved fast paced, thrilling books with a darker shade of fantasy, flawed characters who try to do the right thing, ancient evil curses and historical setting, this book is perfect for you!

[Edward Bassindale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so nearly a four star for me. The Avery & Carter series may not be the best literary masterpiece, but I like it and I like the accessibility of it. I also found this particular book just seemed to grab me more than the first two, despite vampires and the Orient Express being more my usual cup of tea. I felt The Heart of the Mummy just flowed a bit better, perhaps...but...the ending? If you could call it that? Anticlimactic to say the least, I'm afraid. Yes, I'm not a lover of drawn out fight scenes, but...am I missing something or did the mummy offer a way out, Avery finally gave into his curse he's been carrying since the end of book one and then they all went for a fry up (not the mummy)? Uhh...? Well. Hopefully there'll be a fourth book that may revisit all this and perhaps make it a little more interesting, but if not, what a shame.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series and I hope it continues on for more adventures. Avery and Carter stumble across each other again, this time in Cairo and are pitted against an evil entity in the desert. We also meet Avery's sister who works for the museum. Since the first book, I described it as kind of a historical X-Files with a Raiders of the Lost Ark/ The Mummy vibe. While I still loved the book, it wasn't my favorite of the 4. I kept finding myself comparing it to The Mummy and that brought me out of the story. It also didn't have a strong ending, and if I had to wait for book 4 to be released, I probably would have given it 4/4.5 stars. I was able to go right into Cult of the Kraken though which wrapped up some of the loose ends.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Of The Series Yet

"The Heart of the Mummy" is - in my opinion - the best entry in this series thus far. It's the longest so far and moves a bit more slowly than the first two instalments did. But that allows for a more in-depth story and more character development this time out, too.

In perfect keeping with the first two books, this one is just as well-written and well-edited. It's also as intelligent as the first pair were.

There is very tight continuity between books in this series. So, make sure that you have read the first two before this one. After you've read the first two, I highly recommend that you read "The Heart of the Mummy"!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mummy With No Heart.

A good tale which continues Avery and Carter’s friendship as they find themselves together again dealing with the paranormal. This time they are joined with Avery’s sister whose knowledge of Ancient Egypt is needed to end a curse on the world which they unknowingly released. It’s a little long, but a story that is enjoyable, and a mummy that needs its heart.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a good read, but for some reason, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as much as the first 2 in the series. There was plenty of action and several scary moments, so I'm not sure why it missed the mark for me. Maybe it was that I was expecting more of each. I did enjoy it and am hoping hard that there is another story in the works. Especially since the introduction of Avery's sister. It was a good thriller so I'm giving it two thumbs up.

[Sherrill Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable series - not the best in it

I enjoyed this Avery and Carter series, the character development is strong and the plot development is interesting. I just did not connect with this book the way I did the first two in the series. The pacing was a little slow and the supporting characters were not as engaging. It was still a fun read and I hope that we will get more books in this series.