Cairo Caper

Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider #3

by Barbara Silkstone

Part-time tomb raider and full-time real estate broker, Wendy Darlin joins her lover, archaeologist Roger Jolley, in a quest for Cleopatra’s tomb. All they have to do is get from Cairo to the Temple of Taporisi Magna alive.

Armed only with a couple of hijacked ashtrays and faced with a trek across the blazing Sahara desert can Wendy out-maneuver Russian oligarchs, a dozen Dark Force mercenaries, and Roger’s chubby ex-girlfriend in time to find the tomb and seal it before chaos erupts in Egypt?

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published January 17, 2014

About the author

Barbara Silkstone is the best-selling author of the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider series that includes: Wendy and the Lost Boys, London Broil, Cairo Caper, Miami Mummies, Vulgarian Vamp, Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Boxed Set. Her Criminally Funny Fables Romantic Suspense series includes: The Secret Diary of Alice in Wonderland, Age 42 and Three-Quarters; Wendy and the Lost Boys; Zo White and the Seven Morphs. For a squirt of paranormal comedy try: Cold Case Morphs. True fiction fan? Try: The Adventures of a Love Investigator.

New: Mister Darcy Series
Book One: Mister Darcy's Dogs
Book Two: Mister Darcy's Christmas
Book Three: Mister Darcy's Secret

Silkstone’s writing has been described as “perfectly paced and pitched – shades of Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen – without seeming remotely derivative. Fast moving action that shoots from the hip with bullet-proof characterization.”

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cairo Caper (Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider #3) by Barbara Silkstone is a fun story that has humor sprinkled through out the book. It has a great and silly plot, fun characters, crazy antics, and bad guys galore. I enjoyed the fun antics and dialogue, the action and snarky wit, the comments that I had to think twice about (they were so clever and I am not, lol) and the fun read as a whole. This is the second book in the series and I have enjoyed each.

[Susan Amper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for stories involving Ancient Egypt. In CAIRO CAPER, Wendy Darlin is joining her archaeologist lover Roger Jolley to both find and save the tomb of Cleopatra.

They are also steps ahead of tomb robbers and raiders including Russian oligarchs, mercenaries, and even Roger's ex girlfriend.

Lots of fun to read.

Thanks to ARC for the copy.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Darlin joins her archaeologist boyfriend, Professor Roger Jolley, in a quest across Egypt looking for a lost artifact for the Egyptian Antiquities Society that will assist them in locating Antony and Cleopatra’s burial tomb. All they had to do was get from Cairo to the Temple of Taporisis Magna alive. However, not everyone is who they say they are and they find themselves running for their lives.

The non-stop action starts in the first chapter with Wendy hurling a large glass ashtray, the only weapon she could find, into the nose of an assassin on their sixth floor hotel room balcony in Cairo, sending him toppling over the railing. His body apparently disappears from the sidewalk and Wendy and Roger are followed on a comedic run through a crowded Egyptian market place. Poor Wendy, she is one smart gal and very capable, but things just seem to happen to her. Unsurprisingly, Wendy soon becomes instrumental in being able to fulfill their quest.

With the addition of characters like Habib, Petri Dische, and librarian, wannabe-author Fiona Feelgood, who was looking for her own Egyptian treasure and material for her book Erotica for Dummies, put me in mind of Silkstone’s own true fiction book, The Adventures of a Love Investigator. Then there is the mystery of who is legit and who is involved in the antiquities black market. The way Ms. Silkstone plays with words is unrivaled and the way she incorporated segments from favorite movie clips was genius. She uses sharp wit throughout her stories, her plots are strong, and the action nonstop. I really enjoyed reading about Wendy and her tomb raiding adventures and hope to see more of Habib and quite possibly Tickemoff, the friendly street peddler, in future Wendy Darlin books.

FYI: This story stands on its own, and is young adult appropriate.

Format/Typo Issues: No issues with editing or formatting.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** September 12, 2013

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me a Barbara Silkstone book and I am thrilled; make it a Wendy Darlin book and I am head over heels; turn the main love interest into a guy with Johnny Depp eyes, and I will be lost in that story until the final page. Silkstone does such a fabulous job of blending mystery, thrills and chills with slap-stick comedy. I have never read any other books that had me gasping, trying to figure out how these characters are going to get out of this new mess and then gasping for air, laughing so hard at the crazy way they actually get out of these situations. Oh, the mind of Barbara Silkstone! And be on your toes- it isn't dumbed-down humor; this is what I would call smart humor. This newest Wendy Darlin mystery is my favorite. The new characters introduced are fantastic and make the story come alive. I love the addition of Wendy's newest friend, a tiny librarian-turned-sex expert, searching for her own Egyptian treasure. This book starts off with a bang from the very first paragraph and from there Wendy and her archeologist boyfriend Roger are off and on the hunt for their treasure, being chased through Cairo. You don't need to read the other books in the series to read this one, but why wouldn't you want to? Wendy and Roger are so much fun; you won't want to miss a minute of their adventures together.

[Brenda Perlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is fun and edgy. Had me humored from the start. It was an adventure I was ready to take. The writing is crisp, clever and sharp with dialog that felt natural and realistic. The escapades made me feel like I was on a magical ride from a scene in the movie Indiana Jones. With an array of name dropping such as Clint Eastwood, James Bond, Fred Flintstone, Cleopatra, Seven Dwarfs and Gucci, Ferragamo, and Louis Vuitton to name a few. ;-)

The ongoing shenanigans were laugh out loud funny, suspenseful and entertaining. Cairo Caper was complete joy.

"Yikes!" It had slipped my mind. I was naked as a volleyball player at a nudist colony. I put my hands over my hoohah and my forearm across my boobs in the classic naked-woman-caught-in-the-headlights pose. I spun a three-sixty. The passageway was empty. Sweet relief. I tried to push past Roger. "Let me by."
He playfully blocked my way..."

[Yvonne Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Barbara Silkstone has blown me away with her wit, and imagination. Cairo Caper is the third book in the Wendy Darlin Mystery Series.
Wendy has such a way of getting herself into so much trouble, and with her sexy man Roger Jolly by her side, she once again is in over her head.
While in Egypt looking for the the tomb of Cleopatra, Wendy meets Fiona Feelgood, an author in Egypt doing researchbon a book she is calling Erotica for Dummies.
She has latched herself onto Wendy and won't let go.
There are also times when Wendy can feel a cat rubbing up against her ankles, but there is no cat. Is this just a figment of her imagination?
This book was so much fun. I caught myself glued to my kindle giggling to myself, with a great big smile.

[Scott Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Darlin is off on another adventure, this time to Egypt. Tagging along with Roger Jolly, Wendy is in search of the lost tomb of Cleopatra. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her escapades and adventures. Great action along with a wonderful sense of humor kept the story active and light and the different characters introduced throughout the book kept me laughing the whole time. Thank you to Barbara Silkstone for another wonderful read!

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hahaha!! This was funnier than the last, and much more exciting. Can’t wait for the next one ...Happy Reading:)

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Darlin, real estate broker to the rich, and part time Tomb Raider, is joining her lover archaeologist Roger Jolley in the quest for Cleopatra's tomb. The location of Cleopatra and Antony's tomb has never been found, but armed with Antony's half of a medallion, what looks like a radioactive tampon and a phantom cat, they're determined to succeed where others have failed. But first they have to make it from Cairo to the Temple of Taporisi Magna alive, fending off Russian Oligarch's and Roger's chubby stalker Darcy Bone.

Armed with one high heel and one red sneaker, a couple of ashtrays and librarian turned erotica author obsessed with Cleopatra's Karma Sutra, they face a trek across the blazingly hot dessert, and the off crocodile on the Nile. Not to mention the Dark Forces mercenaries who's loyalties lie with the highest bidder...unfortunately not them, can they find the tomb and seal it before the bad guys?

I wasn't sure what to expect with this, I received this from NetGalley thinking it might be a bit of fun, with some history, action and romance, and I wasn't far off the mark.

This is hands down the funniest book I've read in a while. I found myself chuckling along, or outright laughing until tears streamed down my face and people where looking at me like I'd lost the plot.

Cairo Caper is what the title says...a caper. I can so picture this being made in to fantastically hilarious movie. It's fast paced, and full of action, as well as historical tidbits. The flow of the book is smoother than Barry White.

The prose is concise and to the point, there's no reams of endless and pointless information, as I said, it's fast and smooth. We travel effortlessly across Egypt in boats, on camels and in a flowery car. Not to mention being introduced to a Camapoo which I now want badly!

Wendy is my spirit animal. I really love her. She's totally hilarious, honest, snarky and not afraid to clonk bad guys over the head with an ash tray should the situation arise. I loved her relationship with Roger, the little jealousies, and the overall realness of the romance. It wasn't gushing fluff, it was realistic and blended perfectly with the action aspect. It wasn't made the sole focus of the book.

The wording used in the book by Wendy was just so real and current, the constant snarks about Darcy where my favourite. The little stand off's between those two had me in fits, not to mention poor old Roger being caught in the middle and terrified of blood. Roger was kind of badass and heroic, and like a muscled archaeologist hottie one minute, and then his geekiness shines through at other moments, as I said, very realistic. I loved how Wendy would have to take charge sometimes, particularly if blood was involved, and she was often her own hero, as well as everyone else's.

The plot was fantastic. A total comedy caper with plenty of action, the mystery element of the phantom cat and trying to work out who the bad guys where among the assortment of bad guys running around. I couldn't guess the little plot twists at all.

Cairo Caper has fast cemented itself in my favourites list that I'll re-read again and again, and I can't wait to delve in to Wendy's world again. Featuring a down to earth, realistic protagonist, and a winding comedic journey across the desert; Cairo Caper is fast paced, action packed, and full of hilarious and quotable lines that will have you laughing until you cry!

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2014/03...

There’s never a dull moment in Cairo Caper . Author Barbara Silkstone’s third Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider adventure is filled with pratfalls, pith helmets, killer ashtrays, mismatched shoes, and tongue-in-cheek film references. It’s less Indiana Jones and more Three Stooges, which isn’t a bad thing if you’re a fan of non-stop slapstick.

I went into Cairo Caper hoping for a comedic Lara Croft meets The Mummy story, and came out disappointed. It’s a sad fact that no book will charm every single reader, and Cairo Caper was a miss for me. For the most part, I liked Wendy Darlin, former real estate broker turned tomb raider, but unfortunately she was the only character who had more than one dimension. Perhaps I’m at a disadvantage when it comes to connecting with Wendy’s lover, Roger Jolley, as I haven’t read the first two books in the series (Wendy and the Lost Boys and London Broil), but I felt he was uninteresting. The cast of mostly irritating secondary characters were one-note as well, and I simply didn’t find humor in the clingy, dim librarian Fiona or Roger’s ex, Darcy, who also had the unfortunate side-effect of bringing out Wendy’s catty side (I cannot think of one scene in the story where Wendy didn’t snark about Darcy’s weight).

Issues with the characters aside, I did enjoy the pace of the story and Wendy and Roger’s quest for Cleopatra’s tomb did have its exciting moments. Although Cairo Caper wasn’t my cup of tea and I don’t connect with Ms. Silkstone’s brand of humor, I do recommend the story to fans of extremely zany adventures.


Note: I received this book for free from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Lissette · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Wendy Darlin decided to ditch her previous job, and follow her boyfriend, archaeologist Roger Jolley, to Egypt, she never imagined just how much her life would change. Granted, she's had her own up's and down's, but they're nothing compared to what she's experiencing now. Roger's going after Cleopatra and Mark Antony's supposed tomb. The thought of finding their mystical resting place is mind-boggling, but also thrilling at the same time. Deep inside, she hopes Roger will find exactly what he's looking for. If they can circumvent the many attempts on their lives, that is.

Dodging bullets, unexpected assassins, and Roger's notorious ex-girlfriend, Wendy starts to wonder as to what she's gotten herself into. Everywhere they go, danger follows their every wake. It's obvious that someone doesn't want them to find the tomb. The question is, why? What could possibly be buried there, aside from Cleopatra and her beloved, of course?

Determined to get the bottom of things, Wendy does her best to keep a level head through all she and Roger are going through. Though they've unwittingly picked up a few friends along way, they're intent on seeing things through. It doesn't matter that people keep trying to knock them down wherever they go. The tomb is waiting, and it's secrets must be discovered, no matter the cost!

The third book in the Wendy Darlin series, Cairo Caper, will pull you in, and take you for an intense and never-ending ride. The action starts from the first page, and keeps going until the very end. Wendy and Roger find themselves in all sorts of situations, but they always come out on top somehow. Granted, the way they do so isn't always conventional, but at least they find a silver lining beneath every dark cloud. I can't wait to see what happens next in this quite intriguing series.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After I finished Cairo Caper, my first impulse was to give this a 3 star, ok rating. However, as you can see I gave it 4 stars. Why? Because I immediately checked my kindle for the first two books in the series so I could start reading them. That, to me, would only be a 4-5 star book.

Cairo Caper is a quirky, fluffy read with no redeeming value, a pleasant way to spend an hour or two. The archeological aspects are fictional unlike the Amelia Peabody mysteries by the real archeologist Dr. Barbara Mertz (aka Elizabeth Peters) and the situations are preposterous. There are all sorts of contemporary references (some of which I probably missed)like a young female character being a librarian and using a humorous line the librarian in the movie The Mummy used. Many of the character names are a hoot like Petrie Dische (possibly named after the famous Egyptologist Wm. Petrie and the famous lab supply....snicker, snicker), Tickemoff-the pesky vendor, Roger Jolley, Sputum-the Russian bad guy, Habib Jones, etc.

For a reader in the right frame of mind, you can spend an enjoyable hour or two. If you want a finely crafted, well developed, detailed plot and a little more realism you might want something else.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cairo Caper by Barbara Silkstone: Enjoyed the book very much. Very funny.
I heard a loud pop from outside the bathroom door and then another pop.
I startled so badly that my mascara brush careened up my eyelidand left a racing stripe on my forehead.
Roger would not not be opening two bottles of champagne would he.
I opened the bathroom door and Roger stage- whispered get down some one was shooting at us.
I picked up a ashtray and pitched it at the shooter and got him in
the nose and he did a windmill then went over the railing.
When we ran out of the hotel room Roger was limping, so I looked closer to see if there was any blood. Then I looked a little closer and he had two left shoes on. He had grabbed two left shoes when we ran out of the room.
When we got outside there was no body and some one was trying to kill us.
We are a team if you could consider a trippy librarian, a archacologist wearing two left shoes, and a displaced Miami real estate broker a team.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Darlin is back with a boat-load of punny named characters and insane situations. To provide a cover story for herself and the delicious archaeologist Jolly, Roger, they pretend to be married in order to search for the tomb of Cleopatra/Marc Antony. There are lying scum everywhere including the Russians, an old rival for Jolly, an old high school classmate, and a hilarious bunch of others.
Whenever you've had a totally carp shift or day, or you just need a really good laughfest, grab any of Barbara Silkstone's Wendy Darlin books! Just don't make the mistake of drinking or eating while listening to one!
The narrator's performance is fine, but she has some really odd pronunciations.

[Renee Leeann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of fun and slapstick humor, this book will keep you laughing and turning the pages until you reach the end. It’s a fast, upbeat read and the characters are hilarious.

As the title suggests, this is a caper and a hysterical one at that. What can go wrong will and how the characters get from one situation to another is meant to make you laugh.

This is the first Barbara Silkstone book that I have read and I really enjoyed the story. Cairo Caper is a quick, light-hearted read – a perfect pick-me-up book to lighten your mood.

[Chris James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun and lots of laughs
This is a fun, fast-moving story which tears along from the first page. The plot does come second to the jokes, but that's no bad thing. Some of the one-liners and a lot of the situation gags had me laughing out loud. The setting in Egypt makes for an interesting historical backdrop, and who can resist a feisty heroine whose preferred weapon is a heavy glass ashtray? Altogether a highly enjoyable romp.

[Katarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a fast paced, crazy romp, that leaves you unable to catch your breath because it moves too fast.

There is lots of comedy and 'anything that can go wrong, will go wrong' situations. it's like Wendy is one of the Marx brothers, with lots of falling, tripping, slipping and other kinds of 'oops...did I do that'?

The plot is secondary, it's more about the situational comedy and the dialogue.

it's a fast read, a rambunctious romp, a crazy caper

[Book Him Danno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This over the top madcap mystery is so much fun. I didn't read the first two in the series but was able to hop night into book 3. This book is over the op, laugh out loud funny with invisible cat, a hero who is nutty and sweet and one Russian assassin who is crazy.

I need this book to cleanse my brain all the sad going on in the world. I loved this book and plan to read the first 2 in the series.

Advance Copy sent from Netgalley

[Joo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snappy, snazzy, fast paced adventure. I'm exhausted after reading this.

Another adventure with Wendy Darlin and Roger Jolley. I don't know why she's still with him, he's so wet. I was suspicious of Fiona all the way through. This ain't high fiction, just a great romp through Egypt.

I want a camapoo, too.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an enjoyable and funny read. The dialog is wry and witty. I caught myself laughing out loud several times. the book is fast paced and at time a bit ridiculous, but it is a caper after all.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The other two were better...

[Georgina Young-ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! She's such a clever writer. This book is drop dead funny!