The Strange Case of the Pharaoh's Heart

by Timothy Miller

1923: In his last years, Sherlock Holmes has abandoned his strict method of logic for the practice of spiritualism, to the everlasting shame of his old friend Dr. Watson. When Lord Carnarvon dies unexpectedly, barely two months after opening the tomb of Tutankhamun, Holmes blames his death—and a string of others, from an American millionaire to an Egyptian prince, on an ancient curse. But Watson, never one for the supernatural, decides to finally part ways with the formerly great detective.

However, shortly after his departure from Holmes, Lord Carnarvon’s daughter, Lady Evelyn, approaches Watson with a plea: accompany Holmes to Tutankhamun’s tomb to uncover the truth of her father’s death, whether natural, supernatural, or cold-blooded murder. Watson reluctantly accepts the challenge. But much to his displeasure, there’s a third member of their company—Mrs. Estelle Roberts, who communicates with the dead.

Although divided by different beliefs, the trio must band together to unravel the extraordinary secret of the boy king and the treasure missing from his tomb that men have killed for. Their journey takes them from London to Monte Carlo to Cairo and Luxor, and finally to the place that haunts Sherlock Holmes’s dreams, the place he swore never to return to: the Reichenbach Falls, where the spirit of the one man he killed in his long career may be awaiting its revenge: Moriarty.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery Thriller

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2024

About the author

Timothy Miller is a native of Louisiana, a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans. He has three Sherlock Holmes novels under his belt, all published by Seventh Street Books. His screenplays have placed in several contests, including five times as a semifinalist in the Academy’s prestigious Nicholl Fellowship. He tended bar for twenty-five years everywhere from Bourbon St. in New Orleans to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. When not mourning over his beloved New Orleans Saints he is mourning over his beloved Chicago Cubs. His favorite superhero is Underdog.

Reviews

[Nancy Bilyeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mystical Holmes plus Watson

If you like Sherlock Holmes, and, just as important, you are intrigued by the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, you are sure to enjoy this third book in the Timothy Miller series. Holmes, Watson, and a marvelous new character, Mrs. Estelle Roberts, a medium, set out for Egypt to solve a mystery. The strange deaths of those who opened Tutankhamun's tomb make a perfect case for Holmes, who seems obsessed with the supernatural, and a deeply skeptical Watson. This novel is suspenseful, well paced, and witty.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun adventure! I didn’t want it to end. I really loved Estelle’s character, she added so much life to the book.

[William Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

After loving Miller’s first two Holmes/Watson pastiches, I was all the more disappointed by this third entry. The setting, premise, etc were promising, but the novel never really took off for me. Partly, the alternating POV felt unnecessary, not adding anything but slight distraction as to who’s narrating now, especially since the narrators spend so much time together. The first third—getting to Egypt—took entirely too long. The Monaco section was dull. The historical figures weren’t, to me at least, used and (re)imagined interestingly or creatively, compared to the earlier novels. In the end, way too many characters without enough setup or enough to do, before disappearing. By comparison, the plotting and character map of DUTCH PAINTER were quite complex, but I was never bored. In this one, on the other hand, I was more bored than confused. The eventual solution seemed somewhat simple, if delivered with complex “filigree.” This was a slog, for me at least.

Others have raved about this, so if I’m an outlier, maybe I missed something. But it didn’t floor me like the DOOLITTLE & DUTCH PAINTER—those I heartily recommend.

[Sheila Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

 It's 1923. The tomb of Tutankhamen has just been opened, and rumors of the pharaoh's curse are spreading as those connected with the discovery begin to die. Sherlock Holmes joins forces with Estelle Roberts, the real and famously  medium, as well as his longtime (and currently estranged, highly skeptical) friend, Dr. John Watson, on a journey to Egypt to find the truth about the curse. 
   Along the way, we encounter a host of historical figures, including Lady Evelyn Herbert, daughter of Lord Carnarvon, and Lawrence of Arabia himself.
   Timothy Miller is a remarkable writer who captures the British vernacular of the era with uncanny accuracy--and as a Brit myself, I'm very picky. Only once or twice did I find myself thinking, e.g., "He wouldn't say 'messing around in the garden,' he would say 'pottering about.'" But that's hardly worth quibbling over. 
   I don't often read historical fiction, but I have an intense interest in Ancient Egypt, which drew me to The Strange Case of the Pharaoh's Heart. I loved the story, the writing, the blend of history and mystery. I loved everything about it, so much so that I unreservedly recommend it to you. I'm not sure Conan Doyle himself could have done better. 

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun in reading this pastiche that mixes curse, paranormal, mystery, Holmes and Watson.
It's set in the twenties, just after the tomb of Tutankhamun wad discovered. The discovery plays a central role and the mix of historical and fictional characters works well.
I had a lot of fun and read it in one sitting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Russell Goulet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Strange Case of the Pharaoh’s Heart was indeed a strange case . While the story was interesting and well done, I found it difficult to follow some of the storyline as the book change between the point of view from different characters. This may be good for some readers, but I found it hard to keep things straight at times.

[Jule DeJager]

An amazingly complex thriller mystery with unique characters that will make you laugh even as you cross your fingers and hope they can duck the bullets- or knife - or poison. And you still may be guessing at the end.

[Olivia Kirkendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!