Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
The British Museum gets one more corpse than they bargained for as doors open for their new Egyptian exhibit.

Excitement is palpable among London Society as the opening of the exhibit draws near. An invitation-only affair, it will be attended by the likes of the Queen, foreign dignitaries, and high-placed people in society, which most certainly includes Mikaela Forsythe and her great aunt, Lady Montgomery.

The artifacts are magnificent—gold sarcophagi, statues, canopic jars, and a mummified cat line the hall, along with a legendary Book of the Dead found at Saqqara in Egypt. The day finally arrives and the attendees eagerly await an appearance by the explorer Sir Nelson Lawrence.

And quite the appearance they’ll get…

Sprawled at the foot of a statue of Ramses II, a funerary mask covering his face and a gold handled Egyptian dagger protruding from his chest, Sir Nelson’s body is now on display alongside his life’s work.

While other attendees might be scandalized, Mikaela keeps a cool head, for murder has become an all-too-familiar part of life and questions and suspects are already queueing up inside her mind.

It’s time for Mikaela and Brodie to take on the world of smuggling, a world with no loyalty that will challenge them at every turn. And while everyone feuds over who has a claim to the artifacts, rumors spread of an ancient curse set to claim them instead…

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2025

234 people are currently reading
83 people want to read

About the author

Carla Simpson

40 books172 followers

Carla Simpson also writes as Quinn Taylor Evans.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
485 (56%)
4 stars
289 (33%)
3 stars
70 (8%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,560 reviews15 followers
January 29, 2025
Murder in the Egyptian Room

I was going to be a fan of this story from the moment I read the description. It contains two of my most favorite things mysteries and Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Add in a murder at The British Museum and I was sold. This has all the things if you’re a fan of the series that you would expect and love. Mikaela and Brodie on a case, butting heads and going headfirst into danger intentional or not. Twisty plots with surprises endings, great aunt Antonia and her wonderful spirit and a whole ton of Scottish stubbornness.
One things that was off there were paragraphs that were repeated almost in their entirety in a few places. Other than that a definite winner!.

I received an ARC copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Suzette.
3,633 reviews18 followers
January 28, 2025
I recently finished reading "Deadly Curse" by Carla Simpson and I must say, it was an absolute page-turner! From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the intricate plot and the depth of the characters. Simpson has a unique talent for weaving suspense and mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well the author maintained the tension throughout. The protagonist is well-developed, and their journey through the story is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

Simpson's writing style is both engaging and descriptive, allowing readers to vividly imagine scenes and connect with the characters. The pacing was perfect, with enough action and suspense to keep me engaged without overwhelming me.

I highly recommend "Deadly Curse" to anyone who loves a good mystery with a touch of suspense and a well-crafted narrative. It's a book that will definitely make you lose track of time as you get absorbed in its gripping story. Five stars!
Profile Image for Barbara Rogers.
1,754 reviews209 followers
January 22, 2025
Barbara’s rating: 3.7 out of 5 Stars
Series: Angus Brodie & Mikaela Forsythe #11
Publication Date: 1/28/25
Period: Victorian London - 1892
Number of Pages: 226

In 1892, the whole world was enamored with exploring ancient Egypt. Archaeologists and Egyptologists are thick on the ground digging for antiquities. Sir Nelson Lawrence is one of the few who doesn’t want to exploit Egypt for personal gain. He wants to show their ancient history to the world and teach others to love it as he does. It’s too bad he won’t ever get that chance since his body has been discovered at the base of a large floor-to-ceiling statue of Ramses II. Is it due to a curse? Or a rival archaeologist? Or a collector who wants the artifacts for himself? Or a family member who feels he’s been cheated? Or . . .

The tension mounts as more bodies turn up and Mikaela is attacked. They check out clue after clue and learn little – but just enough to move them forward by a single step. Then, things get even more stirred up when a leader in London’s underworld offers assistance. Is his information good or is he leading them into a trap? If his information is good and proves helpful, what will he want in return?

I always enjoy Mikaela and Brodie along with their entire ensemble cast. We had a couple of new characters added this time and I wonder if they will have recurring roles or if this was a one-and-only for them. First, we had Inspector Todd with the Metropolitan Police. He seems as nasty as Chief Inspector Abberline but with less power. The other new addition was the underworld boss, Mr. Brown, who appears to have a grudging respect for Brodie – but his interests seem entirely self-serving. So, two somewhat interesting characters appeared and it will be interesting to see if they reappear.

While this was an interesting story and the mystery was good, it was not my favorite book of the series. I found it to be more plodding and less exciting than the other books – probably more like a real-life investigation would be. 😊

If an ancient Egyptian curse runs shivers down your spine, you should give this book a try.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Fanosse23.
670 reviews
January 21, 2025
Deadly Curse marks the 11th installment in the gripping Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe series by Carla Simpson. Despite being unfamiliar with the previous books, I was fortunate to be offered an advanced copy of this book and found it impossible to put down. If Deadly Curse is any indication of the series' caliber—well-crafted, compelling, and shrouded in mystery—then I am eager to start from the beginning.

The narrative unfolds around a special Egyptian exhibit set to debut in London, an exclusive event poised to attract high-society figures. Mikaela Forsythe, alongside her great aunt Lady Montgomery, is drawn to the allure of the Egyptian relics and plans to attend. However, their excitement is shattered when Lady Montgomery discovers the lifeless body of Sir Nelson at the statue of Ramses II. With a funeral mask obscuring his face and a gold-handled Egyptian dagger piercing his chest, the mystery begins.

Mikaela and Brodie are tasked with unraveling the enigma behind Sir Nelson's murder. The story is a whirlwind of unexpected twists, ancient curses, and dangerous adversaries. I was captivated by the dynamic between Brodie and Mikaela—the protective aura he exudes and her composed intellect and sleuthing prowess made for an enthralling read.

My encounter with Deadly Curse as my introduction to Brodie and Mikaela was nothing short of delightful, and I am eagerly anticipating more of their escapades. Simpson's deft writing and storytelling have truly hooked me.

For mystery aficionados who revel in surprises, well-drawn characters, and suspense, I highly recommend diving into this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nanna.
1,228 reviews4 followers
January 15, 2025
This series is amazing, when a new book comes out those of us who have read them all stop everything and start reading! You know there is going to be a murder, plenty of action and the growing passion and love between both Mikaela and Brodie. This is a mystery series first and a romance second. Mikaela and Brodie have come a long way thru the books and are still growing in their new marriage. When her aunt Antonia finds the dead body of the famous Egyptian explorer, Sir Nelson Lawrence at the opening of his exhibit all of London is in shock. As Brodie and Mikaela are asked to help, they soon learn there is a lot more going on. Many get involved with some very dangerous, evil men. There is a lot of action and suspense in this one with curses, the Egyptian council saying items were stolen and demanding the whole exhibit be returned to them. As the plot thickens all our favorite characters are back, Munro, Sir Avery, Mr. Cavendish, Templeton along with her publisher now brother-in-law, her sister Linnie and one can’t forget or leave out the hound, Rupert. We add some new players too. This series though long really should be read in order. The history of our couple thru the books makes each new book so much better knowing their journey. I hope you grab the first and get started. I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.
Profile Image for Charmaine Fernando.
430 reviews7 followers
January 27, 2025
This was a nice murder mystery for me, although there are a few lose ends still pending, which I am sure will appear in future books. This is the 11th instalment for Lady Mikaela Forsythe and Angus Brodie. In this, Mikaela is with her aunt, Lady Antonia Montgomery as they visit the Egyptian exhibit at the museum as found by Mikaela’s friend, Sir Nelson Lawrence. During their walkabout, Lady Antonia discovers that Sir Nelson has been murdered at the foot of one of these exhibits.

As Mikaela knows Sir Nelson, it makes sense for Angus and her to conduct their own investigation into the murderer. While their investigation, Mikaela herself is struck on her head while at the museum to conduct her own investigation following the second death of Sir Nelson’s assistant. This leads to more twists and turns and more danger with the underworld boss coming into the picture.

I loved the intrigue, mystery, danger and of course the sweet story that is Angus and Mikaela. Looking forward to the next instalment in the series. I received an ARC from the publishers and Booksprout and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lorena.
858 reviews23 followers
March 8, 2025
Deadly Curse is Book 11 in Carla Simpson’s Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe Murder Mystery series. Although there are some references to events in previous novels, I had no trouble following the story despite never having read any of the author’s other books.

I’m apparently in the minority, because I thought the story was a bit boring and repetitive; I nearly stopped reading partway through. It does get more exciting toward the end, but by that point, I wasn’t feeling very engaged. I did enjoy the late Victorian era setting, but the writing never grabbed me. While I liked the main character Mikaela Forsythe well enough, I did not care for her relationship with Angus Brodie.

This wasn't bad, but there are other series in the genre that I found far more enjoyable, such as the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series by Laurie R. King or the Raven & Wren series by Darcy Burke.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Booksprout. I volunteered to provide an honest review.
Profile Image for Monica.
400 reviews8 followers
January 21, 2025
I do love this series. I also love stories that include Egyptian Antiquities. So of course, I was excited about this book.

Aunt Antonia and Mikaela both have an interest in items from Egypt. They are invited to the grand opening of a new exhibit of artifacts. But, of course, a murder derails the exhibit. Mikaela and Brodie begin to investigate.

The plot is a bit convoluted and at times difficult to follow. I still enjoyed it but found myself having to go back and look at names to remember who was whom and how all of them were connected. I also would have liked more of Lily and Aunt Antonia. I was happy the hound has some important parts to play.

Though this was not my favorite Brodie and Mikaela book, I did still enjoy it. I look forward to the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Pat Robinson.
863 reviews10 followers
January 14, 2025
This series is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery series. More mystery than romance, it does have a touch of love between Mikaela and Brodie. This story finds Mikaela losing a friend she met while in Egypt, literally at her feet. I loved the style of POV writing with these stories as it gives insight to their thinking. I did find this story to be a bit confusing, especially at the climax as I really couldn’t pinpoint all that was going on. The only definitive answer was who the real villain was. The island scene made somewhat little sense to me, as to who was fighting who? (Thus the 4 stars). Still , I enjoyed it immensely and can’t wait for another in the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for NelleRenn.
996 reviews
January 22, 2025
This book is part of a series and I feel needs to be read in order so the reader can watch the relationship between Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe develop. This story revolves around the murder of an archaeologist whom Mikaela had previously known, plus there is a second murder. It also shows how the marriage has evolved into a true partnership, even if Angus is overprotective. I felt the ending was rushed a little - all of a sudden there was a fire and the murderer was killed in it. I liked the idea about returning relics to the homelands. As with all the books in this series, the author kept my attention and interest.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
69 reviews2 followers
January 23, 2025
Another enjoyable mystery, this one involves the theft of Egyptian artifacts as well as murder. Mikaela & Brodie have settled into their unconventional married life and work together on cases. Mikaela renews her friendship with an archeologist she met in Egypt in a previous book and is invited to see the exhibit of ancient artifacts he has brought to Britain from his expedition. There is a murder and theft from the exhibition and Mikaela and Brodie are on the job. While the plot isn't original, I enjoyed the characters and suspense. It was a pleasant light read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
517 reviews8 followers
February 1, 2025

I hope that Simpson will adhere to Mikaela’s publisher’s advice and change to a different series. Unfortunately, I found this endeavor to be less than impressive and the narrative repetitive, reintroducing the same characters that have been integral to the series throughout. As Mikaela and Brodie embarked on another murder mystery, I found myself only interested in the dialogue and rushed through to the end. Mikaela’s meeting with a prominent Egyptian consulate was the highlight of the book for me. I can only offer 3 stars ⭐️ for a completely watered down version of the total series.
I have received an ARC from OHB and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Patricia.
612 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2025
Another thrilling installment in the Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe series takes us into the world of Egyptian antiquities, curses and smuggling.
While visiting the British Museum that a friend of Mikaela's, Sir Nelson, has an exhibit of Egyptian antiquities in, her aunt finds Sir Nelson dead. When another body is found soon after in the same museum, there are whispers of an Egyptian curse. But there are also rumors of smuggling.
Twists and turns, lives in danger, make this a real page=turner of a mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Stephanie Herron.
748 reviews11 followers
January 22, 2025
Mikaela and Brodie are off to see an Egyptian exhibit and instead find the man, Sir Nelson, who discovered it all, dead. As they start to investigate, more people start to die and rumors begin that the exhibit is cursed. They have to figure out who would want the exhibit shut down or is there a different agenda to it all. They have a complicated mystery on their hands that require undercover work and help from the usual secondary characters. An enjoyable mystery journey to be on with them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Roslyn Stillman.
548 reviews14 followers
January 27, 2025
I am loving this series. The no-so-easy relationship between Brodie and Mikaela makes these murder mysteries so much more interesting. As soon as I get the new book in the series, everything gets put down so I can read it. The characters are wonderful, with humor and seriousness and the story always keeps you guessing. I enjoyed the Egyptian side of this story and of course it had me guessing till the end. It's a series well worth reading. I received this as an ARC from Booksprout and freely give my review
435 reviews3 followers
January 28, 2025
The 11th book in this series takes Brodie and Mikaela to Egypt. These two characters are so well developed with great depth that if you aren't already following them from story to story you will want to. A page turner from the get go, this mystery story has it all. Well paced, plenty of twists and turns expertly woven in to keep the reader fully engaged. Great entertainment that will fly by truly having you craving for more. Don't miss this one it's a keeper.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Gina.
2,393 reviews31 followers
January 31, 2025
Another great book in this series. When a friend of Mikaela's is found dead at an Egyptiam museum he put together, Mikaela and Brodie start investigating. With the help of officers and some rough people they slowly find out that smuggling was a reason for murders and missing artifacts. Even though danger and worry for Mikaela's safety is on Brodie's mind he knows he needs to let her do her thing.
Profile Image for Michelle.
324 reviews
February 7, 2025
I LOVE this series! I wish I had waited until 2026 to start reading them, only because I hate waiting for the next one to come out AND it's sad as I near the end of each book knowing I'll have several months until the next book.
The stories are fantastic, and the main characters are so funny, with great secondary characters also. It's fun reading about two very stubborn, set in their way individuals, navigating their own marriage as well as solving crime. Can't wait until the next book!
1,236 reviews15 followers
February 3, 2025
Murder at the Museum

People are dying at the Egyptian exhibit. Is it an ancient curse causing the deaths, or is a killer on the loose? Mikaela and Brodie investigate, which might be injurious to their health. After all, investigating murder can be deadly. If you like puzzling historical mysteries, you might enjoy this story as I did. I look forward to what comes next in this series.
1,320 reviews11 followers
January 17, 2025
Mikaela and Brodie are investigating again. There's stolen artifacts, a murder and a lot of political intrigue that gets the readers' interest. Their marriage is still pretty nascent, but M & B are definitely working on finding their way. This series continues to be very intriguing and interesting.
6,153 reviews30 followers
January 29, 2025
It’s a good one…

More Mikaela and Brodie. The book starts off with a dramatic bang at the newest (in Victorian times London) Egyptian museum opening. There’s a body and murder fir Mikaela and Brodie to solve.
Recommend.
119 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2025
Another good one

Mikaela and Brodie are caught in a web of Egyptian antiquities murder, superstition (or not) and theivery. And add international issues. Bodies has to call in favors to get to the bottom of the antiquities game. Great read!
Profile Image for Joanna.
3 reviews
March 11, 2025
Please do a better job with copy editing. To have sentences repeated, or the same sentence repeated within a couple of paragraphs is annoying. A good continuity edit would work wonders for the story.
843 reviews
March 13, 2025
good read

I love this series with two very stubborn characters who get involved in solving the mysteries that seem to fall in their paths. There are surrounding characters that add a bit of quirky flavor and spice to the environment to make it an enjoyable read. 💜💜💜👍
28 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2025
Another polite problem solved

I once again enjoyed the give and take between Mikaela and Brodie as they each battle to love each other as they are. It is so important to be able to love without controlling the person you love. We need to allow each other room to grow.
714 reviews
May 30, 2025
Another Murder or Two; A Giant Mystery

Mikaela & Angus along with the crew find a mysterious death at the opening night of the British Museum- and it involves numerous people with devious intentions, & of course Mikaela would never disobey her dear Brodie ….
23 reviews
June 21, 2025
exhausting

Just a moment whilst I catch my breath- that’s better - I think they all need a rest in Scotland-however I have a feeling that adventure and intrigue lie ahead of them and we readers will well and truly need a rest before joining in the next adventure
Profile Image for Amber Fink.
102 reviews1 follower
February 15, 2025
💜💜💜💜💜💜

I love these they always have so much adventure and mystery and keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more.. I can’t wait until the one in January.
37 reviews
February 17, 2025
Always Worth the Wait

I love love love Mikaela and Brodie. Of course this one did not disappoint. A little less dramatic than the earliest ones but still vastly entertaining.
Profile Image for Judy.
39 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2025
The story was a bit complicated and of course pulled together in the end. Great interaction with Brodie and Mikaela. It is not my favorite of this series as I found my interest waning near the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.