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The Case of the Cackling Crocodile
A mysterious death. A troubling promise.
When an eccentric scholar is mauled by a crocodile in the Fayoum, Sir Augustus Wall, antiquities dealer and amateur sleuth, immediately suspects foul play. There haven’t been crocodiles in the lake for a generation.
He sets off for the remote region with his fellow investigators, Sudanese scholar Moustafa Ghani and Faisal, a fiercely loyal former street urchin who has been at his side since his very first case. The investigation is complicated further by the presence of not one but both women in Sir Augustus’s life, rivals whose simmering dislike for each other threatens to set the oasis on fire!
All this is eclipsed by a more personal Sir Augustus has resolved to adopt Faisal. The only problem? No one—not even his friends—believes he’s capable of raising a child. To solve the case and keep his chosen family intact, Sir Augustus must prove that even the most reluctant guardian can rise to the challenge.
When an eccentric scholar is mauled by a crocodile in the Fayoum, Sir Augustus Wall, antiquities dealer and amateur sleuth, immediately suspects foul play. There haven’t been crocodiles in the lake for a generation.
He sets off for the remote region with his fellow investigators, Sudanese scholar Moustafa Ghani and Faisal, a fiercely loyal former street urchin who has been at his side since his very first case. The investigation is complicated further by the presence of not one but both women in Sir Augustus’s life, rivals whose simmering dislike for each other threatens to set the oasis on fire!
All this is eclipsed by a more personal Sir Augustus has resolved to adopt Faisal. The only problem? No one—not even his friends—believes he’s capable of raising a child. To solve the case and keep his chosen family intact, Sir Augustus must prove that even the most reluctant guardian can rise to the challenge.
504 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2025
31 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Sean McLachlan
80 books102 followersSean McLachlan is a former archaeologist who worked for many years on excavations in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Now a full-time writer, he specializes in fiction, history, and adventure travel. In 2013 he won the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award for his Iraq reportage.
Half of Sean's time is spent on the road researching and writing. He's traveled to more than 30 countries, interviewing nomads in Somaliland, climbing to clifftop monasteries in Ethiopia, studying Crusader castles in Syria, and exploring caves in his favorite state of Missouri.
Sean works in a number of genres, especially historical mystery and science fiction.
Sean is always happy to hear from his readers, so drop him a line via his blog!
Half of Sean's time is spent on the road researching and writing. He's traveled to more than 30 countries, interviewing nomads in Somaliland, climbing to clifftop monasteries in Ethiopia, studying Crusader castles in Syria, and exploring caves in his favorite state of Missouri.
Sean works in a number of genres, especially historical mystery and science fiction.
Sean is always happy to hear from his readers, so drop him a line via his blog!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 24, 2025
The Case of the Cackling Crocodile is a richly layered historical mystery that blends intrigue, humor, and heart. Sean McLachlan transports readers to the Egyptian Fayoum with vivid detail and a cast of unforgettable characters. Sir Augustus Wall is both flawed and endearing a sleuth who must balance solving a bizarre crocodile “murder” with navigating friendship, rivalry, and unexpected fatherhood. The chemistry between Augustus, Moustafa, and Faisal adds warmth to the suspense, while the two rival women bring delightful chaos to the mix. The mystery kept me guessing right to the end, and the emotional depth gave it real staying power.
September 10, 2025
Entertaining mystery series
The Masked Man of Cairo has become one of my favorite mystery series. The characters are quirky and flawed but engaging and likable. Some of the situations they get into are a little far fetched but extremely entertaining, kind of like the Indiana Jones movies but better. Looking forward to the next installment!
The Masked Man of Cairo has become one of my favorite mystery series. The characters are quirky and flawed but engaging and likable. Some of the situations they get into are a little far fetched but extremely entertaining, kind of like the Indiana Jones movies but better. Looking forward to the next installment!
August 27, 2025
Cackling traitors unmasked
Enjoyed the engaging characters who learn to depend on loyalties. The humanity of the separate classes is hidden within their internecine communities. Sad that tribal loyalties rule not otherwise.
Enjoyed the engaging characters who learn to depend on loyalties. The humanity of the separate classes is hidden within their internecine communities. Sad that tribal loyalties rule not otherwise.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews