Palm Trees and Poison

The Clarissa Bell Mysteries #2

by Tracy L. Higley

Step into the sultry heat of 1920s Egypt, where ancient secrets hide along the banks of the Nile River.Fresh from solving her first murder case in Egypt, archaeologist Dr. Clarissa Bell thought the most dangerous thing about her new assignment would be authenticating ancient pigments. She was wrong.

When a respected Egyptologist is poisoned at an elegant house party on the banks of the Nile, Clarissa finds herself trapped with a collection of suspicious guests—including the devastatingly competent Benedict Quinn, whose true profession remains tantalizingly unclear.

With a second body discovered and a priceless artifact missing, the local police seem more interested in preserving diplomatic relations than catching killers.

As Clarissa applies her archaeological methodology to unraveling lies, she uncovers an international conspiracy that threatens Egypt's cultural heritage—and her father's reputation. But someone is always one step ahead, manipulating evidence and witnesses with the precision of a mastermind.

With suspects preparing to scatter across three continents and a deadline looming, Clarissa must prove her expertise extends beyond ancient pottery to very modern murder. The stakes have never been higher, and trust has never been more dangerous.

Some secrets, it seems, are worth killing for—repeatedly.

"A gripping historical mystery that blends Agatha Christie's puzzle-solving with the exotic danger of 1920s Egypt—perfect for fans of atmospheric period adventures and clever heroines who refuse to stay safely on the sidelines."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Tracy Higley has been attempting to time travel through the pages of books since she was a child. She started her first story at the age of eight, and has since authored nearly twenty books, including the acclaimed Seven Wonders Series, and the Time Travel Journals of Sahara Aldridge. She earned a Master’s Degree in Ancient and Classical History, and has traveled to Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Italy, and Turkey, researching her books and falling into adventures. Peruse her travel journals and learn more fascinating history at www.tracyhigley.com.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written! The author keeps you guessing until the end. She has all the suspects gathered together, and your attention keeps shifting between the suspects and more importantly the evidence and motives. Throw in failed romances amongst the suspects and some shady business dealings, and you have a complete, well written mystery.

Recommended for those who value an excellent story over sleep.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second book in the Clarissa Bell Mysteries just as much as the first. The story has moved from Giza to Luxor and the house party from hell ensues. Estranged fiances, curses, stolen artefacts, secrets and murder abound. Clarissa's internal cataloguing of events and characters is hysterical, along with her realisation that people don't fit into neat boxes of this or that. It's nice to see her grow as a person and to know not all is lost in her relationship with Quinn. There are revelations galore about family and close friends, and allies where one least expects them. This was a clever 'locked room' type whodunnit with a cast of characters, none of whom where what they seemed. I enjoyed it immensely. 5*

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come explore the 1920s in Egypt in a battle for prized antiquities. While clients “with more money than scruples” seem to run the market—semi-legitimate to utterly black—Dr. Bell spends a holiday with a wealthy and powerful British widow who seemingly is engaged in the ongoing thefts.

Britain and Egypt share a complicated romance of love, hate, and intrigue. British fascination with all things ancient causes them to pay dearly to have other countries’ antiquities relocated to mother England, an arrogance the Egyptians find hard to overlook.

That sets the background to a tense mystery in which people are murdered and not grieved one small bit. I found the characters intriguing, the locale rich with desert dust and mystique, and the plot tangled and engaging. It will draw you back in time to a different era. That said, it was still rife with political intrigue, academic posturing, and impossible romances.

By all means read it!

[Richard Cowart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Clarissa Bell is back in Egypt after 8 months away from Benadict Quinn who is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. They are at an event at Lady Blackwell's for the winter solstice and the Astral Sphere. One of the guest is murdered with cyanide and Clarissa and Benedict are on the hunt while trying to keep their romantic interests from flairing up. Great reading with history romance and fun mixed in.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, second in the series. The characters are well drawn and I love Clarissa. The setting is great, Luxor at Christmas time. Having just been to Egypt, I really enjoyed seeing this mystery play out in locations like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.

[Sandralena Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

More mystery. More humor. More swoony moments. And a love triangle.

"I'd spent months trying to file away our kiss under Professional Complications: Archaeological Romance (ill advised) but it kept sliding out of that neat mental drawer, refusing to be cataloged so simply."

[Christie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series a lot more, but book 2 did give us some character development. I am excited for book 3 in the series. I‘ve really enjoyed the overarching plot in this series, as well as the witty protagonist.

[Jacqueline Tindall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read !

If you like Egypt and mysteries this is for you. Additionally a growing romance between Clarissa and a mysterious man.

[Elizabeth Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one even more than the first. I always appreciate a whodunit when I don't know whodunit until the reveal.