The Scorpion Thief

Threads of the Lost Myth

by Janyre Tromp

A deadly Cold War political game.
A cursed Egyptian artifact.
Two one the treasure’s guardian, the other its thief.

Egyptologist Noura Marquette has spent her life piecing together remnants of the past, but nothing prepares her for the day her sister resurfaces in Cairo. Estranged for years, Estelle unleashes a web of whispered threats and dangerous connections that capture Noura in a treacherous snare of betrayal, espionage, and political gamesmanship.

As plans solidify to send King Tutankhamun’s artifacts on an unprecedented U.S. tour, forces far older than any tomb begin to stir. Revolutionaries lurk in the crowded streets. Art thieves circle like vultures. And in Washington, Nixon’s administration maneuvers to use the boy king’s treasures as a glittering tool of propaganda.

What begins as a family reckoning spirals into a deadly game where political agendas and ancient curses intertwine. In the streets of Cairo and the hurricane-lashed bayous of New Orleans, something older than history watches, stalking Noura as loyalties fracture and the lines between history and myth blur. Some curses never sleep and some debts can never be paid.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Mythology, Historical Mystery, Christian, Suspense

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2026

About the author

Janyre Tromp is a historical novelist who loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. She’s the best-selling historical author of Darkness Calls the Tiger and Shadows in the Mind’s Eye and coauthor of O Little Town and It’s a Wonderful Christmas.

She’s also a book editor, children’s book author, and lives in Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric dog. Hang out with her on social media or through her newsletter (sign up on her website www.JanyreTromp.com).

Reviews

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fascinating. It's not my usual genre but I was really intrigued by the synopsis. I've always been interested in Egypt and would love to go there. This book deals with two sisters brought back together after not speaking for a while. I loved the Egyptian mythology, historical fiction, politics, and sister drama ... .each one working for something different with this artifact. Yes, it did take me a minute to get into the story but I'm telling you, once I got a bit into it, I was completely invested. Definitely not to be missed if you like historical fiction. Stick with it, it's worth it. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa.

First, I will say that it took me a while to get into this book. For some reason, the present tense was messing with me. If you're the same, KEEP GOING.

This is one of those books that I can't write an accurate review for. There are so many things I didn't see coming, and so I just don't want to say anything.

But whoa. This one will keep you guessing until the very end.

If you love mythology, if you love Egyptian artifacts, if you love mystery and suspense and twists and turns? Read this one.

[Nico bookreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you editor and Netgalley for this ARC.
The book takes us to 70's egypt, and New Orleans, to protect or steal, the artifacts of the king Tut collection.
Two sides, two sisters, steal or protect, which side will you be?
The book will take us through history directly to Cairo, in the 1970's, and will make us doubt every one and all of the characters, theres mystery, and a long term villain waiting for us at the end, also, there's some heartwarming sling of romance, but mostly we will be adventuring into the heat of Cairo's dessert, and then into the ragging buba tropical storm as it swamps New Orleans.
I loved the characters, the duality of sisters, the fragility of trust, and bonds, the winks to Egyptian mythology, it was a very beautiful book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: The Scorpion Thief (Threads of the Lost Myth book 3)
Author: Janyre Tromp
Publishers: Grafted Page Press + One Audiobooks
Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Dates Read/Listened: March 1, 2026 – April 14, 2026

🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: The first thing to pull me in, as usual, was the cover, and because I loved that and the title so much, I barely glanced at the synopsis. So, it was quite the surprise when I started reading and realized just how ingrained this storyline was in politics. This type of book isn’t something I usually gravitate towards. Still, I was fully engrossed, and I believe potential readers will find it very engaging, no matter their genre preference. It moved a little slowly at times, but the writing is so vivid that you practically feel the dust in your mouth and the sweat on your brow in the Cairo setting. Tromp’s ability to set a scene and make you feel the same things as the characters is absolutely impeccable, and that’s just one of the reasons I enjoyed The Scorpion Thief so much.

I did see after the fact that this is book three of a series, but I am unsure how they are connected, and I had no issues following along with what was going on. The ending is positively insane, and we go from zero to sixty as the story reaches its climax. I was completely shooketh by where the author took this book, and it blew my mind. Whether you enjoy high-stakes secrets, historical suspense, myths, estranged sister stories, or all of the above—there really is something for everyone here.

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🪶🙊🗒️👑
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. An action packed historical thriller that brings estranged sisters, Noura and Estelle, face-to-face on the streets of Cairo. Noura soon discovers that her sister is trying to steal the very thing she has devoted her life to protect, King Tut’s artifacts. When no one is who they seem, Noura must determine if she can trust her sister, her colleagues, or even herself.

This story has everything from Egyptian gods to New Orleans curses. You will be on the edge of your seat trying to uncover the truth buried beneath layers of lies, deceit, and family betrayal. The pacing of this book really picks up after the second half and is almost impossible to put down. There are so many twists and turns I didn’t see coming.

The biggest hold up I had was the introduction of most characters came very early and very fast, making it hard to keep track of everyone, especially characters that didn’t pop up again until the end. I spent the first 20-30% of the book very confused. I also could not understand why multiple characters (Estelle/Elle and Mr. Caddel/Frank) went by different names throughout the book. I found it very distracting that the names continued to bounce back and forth within the same paragraphs even. Overall I thought this was an addicting read and couldn’t wait to see how it everything turned out in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grafted Page Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than 5 stars for this book! It's not just a story, its an experience. Set in the times of ancient Egypt and present day New Orleans, lines are drawn between good and evil, gods and saviors.

The characters are extraordinary! Noura is often underestimated. She's intelligent, courageous and loves her job as an artifact curator. Estelle is shadow and light. She knows how to get what she wants. Theo is the most complex. He has many identities. He's brave and perceptive. There's also a "witch doctor ", and many other operatives working against each other for the prize.

I enjoyed how Egyptian gods made "appearances" throughout the book! It really piqued my interest and I often kept a tab open with pictures and descriptions of the gods. Another fun symbolism is the white falcon who shows up randomly!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Grafted Page Press via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Heidi Gorecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️s. Unique and suspenseful, the book focused on Egyptian artifact conservation and a plot to steal them, complicated by sisters on either end of that goal, among others, in a volatile political or cultural landscape.

I liked how action packed the book was, how there were plenty of twists and turns, and a lot of unpredictability. Many characters fell into the grey in their motives so it wasn’t always easy to figure out who was good or bad (and were often a mixture of both ultimately) which made for a good plot.

I did struggle with probably the first 20ish% of the book, as I found it extremely confusing. You kind of get dropped into the middle of an in-full-swing story with lots of characters and happenings but very little, if at all, context. While there were little clues dropped in here and there as you progressed, they were so small and vague. There was so much going on as a whole, it made it hard to make any semblance of a setting, characters, or understanding of the makeup of things until well into the book when it started to come together.

Overall I liked the book, the action and suspense were well done. I just wished it was a little less ambiguous or muddled getting there.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

[McKenna Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5’s

Thank you to the author @janyretromp for the #gifted book.

🦂 The Scorpion Thief by Janyre Tromp
Part of the Threads of the Lost Myth series

This book ended up being such a fun reading experience for me, especially because I had just visited the King Tut: The Immersive Experience exhibit in Las Vegas the week before picking it up! Seeing references to artifacts, Egyptology, and ancient history made the story feel even more immersive.

Set partly in Cairo and New Orleans during the 1970s, this story truly felt like traveling through time and place. The atmosphere was rich and vivid, blending historical intrigue with mystery, suspense, and danger around every corner.

We follow an Egyptologist pulled into a world of espionage, betrayal, ancient curses, and high-stakes secrets. The twists kept coming, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the story surprised me again. I also really enjoyed the family drama woven throughout the plot because it added emotional depth alongside all the thriller elements.

If you love:
✨ Historical thrillers
✨ Ancient Egypt mysteries
✨ Espionage and betrayal
✨ Atmospheric settings
✨ Twists and suspense
✨ Stories that feel cinematic

…then this one is definitely worth picking up!

[Tana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful cover and promise of mystery and Egyptian history drew me in immediately. I love that the story is told from multiple view points and immediately emerges you in 1976 in Cairo and then propels you to New Orleans. The story was fun and exciting with many twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout the story. My favorite mysteries are the ones that come with a side of romance. This one did not disappoint. I loved following Noura and seeing her grow and rise from the tragedy happening around her. Admittedly, I don’t know a lot about Egyptian mythology but I thought they added another intriguing element to the story. Don’t miss out on following Noura through Cairo to New Orleans to solve a mystery she never saw coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grafted Page Press for the complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Egypt has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember, so reading this book felt like traveling there.

Let’s start with King Tutankhamun, there’s something endlessly fascinating about him. Add in a cursed artifact, high-stakes politics, and a story that moves from Cairo to New Orleans, and you get an adventure that’s hard to put down.

Two estranged sisters, brought back together through betrayal, espionage, and dangerous secrets.

This is a deeply researched historical thriller that blends good and evil, a touch of romance, ancient curses, and real political tension.

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great mix of history, mystery, and action. I enjoyed the different pov and their role in the story. I had a hard time determining who to trust from the start. Each seemed to have their own motive, and with the morally grey happenings it made for a fast-paced read. I liked how the reader learned about the history behind the artifacts while getting to know the characters. Not only was it a race against time but the others involved as well. It kept me guessing and entertained me the entire time.

Thank you @janyretromp @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sisters each with their own agenda for the ancient Egyptian artifacts. Noura takes pride in her career of piecing together the past through artifacts, so when her sister seems to appear in Cairo as they are preparing to get the King Tut's artifacts on tour, she knows something must be up. Artifacts start to go missing and the one she has started to fall for makes contradictory moves and comments. Her sister being in Cairo has her on edge as well as fear of her career. Betrayal, loyalties and politics are all wound into this novel that takes you from Egypt to New Orleans, another city built on the past. I really enjoyed Noura's character and learning about Egyptian myths and artifacts as she struggled with figuring out who was a friend and who was the enemy. Lots of historical events woven throughout the storyline as it is set during the Cold War and political tensions are high in the US. As always, Janyre writes with such scenery that you really almost become that character yourself walking through the storyline. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for another tour invite! This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book spans from 1976-1977 and is set in both Cairo and New Orleans. It has three primary characters that give the points of view.

This book mixes in the political climate of the time with the King Tut US traveling exhibit all of which has its roots in factual events.

It has strong themes of family. It has some murky characters who are doing bad things because they feel forced. Other characters are just plain devious.

There is a lot of action, intrigue, and deception as artifacts from the King Tut exhibit are the target of theft.

Finally, there is the thread of Egyptian mythology and a bit of voodoo in the story.

I liked this one because it does have that combination of history with action.

[Linnae Klutchko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of my favorite books now. I really liked how Egyptian mythology was woven into the story and I also loved the idea of two sisters being on opposite sides, one trying to save an artifact and the other trying to steal it. The plot twists were very well-written and the suspense? Sooo good. I highly recommend.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time that I have read anything by this author and I must say that I am very impressed. This story is a good example of why sometimes it is best to leave the past in the past no matter the circumstances. Not to mention some of the surrounding political intrigue will have you on your toes and wondering how our own system is doing at the same time. I will say I enjoyed the characters and their struggles to try and naviagte through their complicated lives. The plot kept me very engaged. I hope I get the opportunity to read another book by this Author because this was a wonderful experience!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much going on in this book! I was kept guessing through the whole thing. It was a lot to unpack, so I do feel like I need to re-read it to fully grasp the whole story. The narrator was great and I felt like she did a great job.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this incredibly twisty story. Noura was such a likable character, and I was nervous for her as she tried to figure out who she could trust. Her family dynamics were complicated - major understatement! I enjoyed both settings, but I loved the scenes set in New Orleans. The unique city and culture were perfect for this book!

[Stacey Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! It took me a little bit to get into this story, but once you hit the 30% mark, you won't be able to put it down. The twists and turns are incredible. I did not see the ending coming! Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing read. The blurb made this book sound exciting and full of action but I found it rather dull. The book was confusing from the start, too many names dropped into the mix without any clear idea of who they were. I couldn't connect to the main character Noura, she didn't stir my interest at all. A slow start and then the ending had too many twists to take seriously.
Not my cup of tea.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating story of intrigue, mystery, and political mayhem in an era I know basically nothing about, despite how near it is to the time of my birth. If you’re interested in Egyptology, New Orleans, and the seventies, you won’t want to miss this one.

I received an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I received an early review copy of this novel courtesy of the author. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

The idea behind The Scorpion Thief is such a fun one. Its full title is The Scorpion Thief: A Cold War, Myth-Infused Historical Thriller of Political Intrigue, Family Betrayal, and an Art Heist Worthy of the Silver Screen, book one of the Threads of the Lost Myth series. Which, while wordy, does a great job of summing up the heart of the story. Set in both Egypt and New Orleans in the 1970s, we see the intersection of Egyptian myth, New Orleans culture, and the tension of the politics undergirding the time period.

Parts of the story are based in fact, like Nixon's political motivations behind the US King Tut exhibit tour, as well as its New Orleans stop coinciding with a hurricane. I enjoyed the magical realism element, especially present in the recurring appearance of the white falcon and the strange dog and how those reflect aspects of opposing Egyptian gods. Ancient Egyptian gods, specifically Set, Horus, and Me'et, were mentioned and alluded to frequently. But certain musings about the workings of these gods during hard, tense moments felt like rather improbable thoughts.

We get our story through three perspectives: those of Noura, her sister Estelle, and Theo. Noura is our main perspective, and her portion of the story comes to us through first person present tense narration. Which I must confess, is not my favorite. The sense of place is strong, but not the sense of time. Being in Noura's head reminded me more of a late Victorian heroine than a woman of the 70s, so mentions of music or politics of that era, reminders that we were indeed in the 1970s, threw me a bit throughout the first half of the novel. By its second act, I had found my footing, in large part because the setting shifted from Cairo, Egypt to New Orleans.

In spite of the hefty amount of backstory and inner monologue with which we're presented, I was never able to develop a true emotional connection to any of the characters. They never grew into more than players on a stage for me. However, the story itself did grow on me and pull me in after a time. Some of the plot points felt muddled and hazy, and it was occasionally difficult to follow the path from point A to point B; however, the plot never lost my interest.. Even considering some of my subjective qualms, I thought The Scorpion Thief was an enjoyable read that was incredibly unique on multiple fronts.


Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

While it’s true that indifference is the opposite of love, hate is still insidious. Not because hate is the opposite of love, but because it’s the fruit of fear. You can’t be afraid and still love. Love takes risks, and fear lashes out, then runs to protect itself. Fear is the real enemy. It strikes, then ducks down and hides.

“Sometimes peace only happens after you step into the world of the enemy. Weakness isn’t being kind or careful. Weakness is refusing to admit you don’t understand or refusing to try. Weakness is giving in to fear.”

“Maybe the present is the best place to redeem the past,” Estelle says. “It’s a place where you can make a mark, and it’ll stay long enough for someone else to notice.

Maybe God knows what she truly is: weak, vulnerable, and not worth saving. She hopes her maman is right about God being willing to save everyone, but she can’t be sure of that either.

Yes, gravity pulls us inexorably toward the earth, anchoring us here. But somehow, someway, we have to leap, trusting our heaviness to give us weight enough to make magic happen.

Why focus on all I lost or what I wish I had that I don’t got? All that does is make a body hate life. And hate? That’ll eat you from the inside out. If you ask me, that’s where real evil is… in all the hate. Don’t matter which side it is. You hate? You destroy? You’re evil. Easy as that.”

Revenge can’t bring peace. But sometimes love is more fierce than limp acquiescence. Sometimes love is the ferocious fire of justice.

I wish I could wave a wand and make it right for everyone. But I’m not God, and anyone who thinks they can wield that power without becoming mad with the responsibility or corrupt from the rush, is fooling themselves.”

[Jorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a journey! It’s got suspense, history, tension, espionage, political intrigue, murder, crazy family dynamics, and even a bit of romance.

Overall I enjoyed this read. This was a bit more suspense than I usually gravitate towards but that’s not reflected in my rating. The author is extremely talented and her research into Egyptian culture, history and mythology was extremely thorough and very well done!

The reason I settled on 4 stars was because the first chapters are a bit like “jumping into the deep end of the pool”. There’s A LOT of backstory and characters introduced, while also jumping fairly quickly into the current action. I almost wonder if a prologue of some kind maybe could have helped set the stage a bit better so that the opening chapters weren’t such an influx of information? It was a little hard to really perceive what the issue was between the sisters until further into the story because the backstory was explained in little bits & pieces while at the same time jumping into the current action.

There is a lot of action and it does keep up the pace fairly well through out. There’s a lot of twists & turns that kept me guessing and some plot twists that I didn’t suspect. I did feel like the author tied up all of the many threads quite well!

It’s definitely suspense filled & fairly intense in some parts but I felt like it ended really well on a nice hopeful note!

*Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are strictly my own and in no way influenced.*

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"That she is trapped between forces she doesn't understand is clear. But the question is: who is her friend and who is her enemy?"

I loved everything about this book. The setting, the mythology, the suspense. The whole plot premise was original. At first, I felt a bit disjointed, there were so many loose threads. But Ms. Tromp skillfully wove this into a brilliant story. One filled with family secrets that will continue to surprise the reader right up to the very end.

The story is set against the atmospheric backdrop of the 1970's, right after the Yom Kipper War. The U.S. is in the middle of negotiating peace, as Noura and her team are preparing some rare Egyptian artifacts for a tour in the U.S. I love the way the author included real historical events into the story. The turmoil that surrounds the politics in the U.S. and the Middle East have far reaching consequences.

Ms. Tromp explores the line between right and wrong, and the gray zone in between. Told between the POV of Noura, her sister Estelle and the mysterious Theo. Noura must learn who she can trust as the danger to the exhibit and herself become seemingly insurmountable. She has to rely upon hidden strength and a strong moral compass as she questions family loyalty and all she has known to be true.

A favorite quote: "If courage is action even when afraid, face your fear, walk into the dark, and watch for miracles."

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaynre Tromp, the Author of "The Scorpion Thief" has written a unique, intense, and captivating novel. The genres for this novel are: Historical Fiction Fantasy, Mythology, Heist Thrillers, Political Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Adventure,and Fiction. This is a part of a series, but can be read alone. In this unusual novel, the author vividly describes museum locations, important artifacts, and complex, complicated and flawed characters. Noura Marquette works in museums, putting pieces of archeological importance from history and the past. One day in Cairo, she sees her estranged sister Estelle. The Marquette family is dysfunctional at best, and have opposing political convictions, and believes in Mythological curses. Noura seems like the "good " sister, and Estelle is chaotic and appears to be the "evil" sister. The artifacts have to be protected, and both Noura and Estelle have different believes and reasons for wanting them. The museums mentioned are in Cairo, and New Orleans. The politicians at the time in Washington are also very interested in these artifacts.

There are betrayals, secrets, political agendas, kidnappings, threats, thefts, dangers, voodoo, curses, and murders. Most of the characters are suspect, and there are major twists and turns. There is a deadly game of cat and mouse, and lots of adventure. I was shocked at the identity of the characters. I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.

[boogleloo · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/5 stars: This is Tromp's Fantasy Historical Mystery stand-alone which is set in Egypt and New Orleans, 1976. Written in dual POV, featuring two sisters, an Egyptologist and a thief. Estranged for years, the two are reunited in Cairo as the Egyptologist's sister unleashes a web of whispered threats and dangerous connections that capture her in a treacherous snare of betrayal, espionage and political gamesmanship. As plans solidify to send King Tutankhamun’s artifacts on an unprecedented U.S. tour, forces far older than any tomb begin to stir. Revolutionaries lurk in the crowded streets. Art thieves circle like vultures. And in Washington, Nixon’s administration maneuvers to use the boy king’s treasures as a glittering tool of propaganda. What begins as a family reckoning spirals into a deadly game where political agendas and ancient curses intertwine. In the streets of Cairo and the hurricane-lashed bayous of New Orleans, something older than history watches, stalking the sisters as loyalties fracture and the lines between history and myth blur. Some curses never sleep and some debts can never be paid.

While I'm sure Tromp's writing and character work are well done, this unfortunately just wasn't for me; leading me to DNF it at 11%. Tromp touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check out the CWs.

I received this eARC thanks to Grafted Page Press in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sitting here trying to categorize the book and it’s hard. It’s definitely historical fiction because it’s set in the 1970s. But it’s also a family drama, a mystery, a little bit of a romance and political. I got in my car the other day after I started reading this and heard Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire and it just fit.

I enjoyed the adventurous tromp through Cairo and Louisiana. It’s steeped in Egyptian mythology, that I’ll admit to knowing nothing about but that didn’t hinder me following the suspense.

This will sound weird but as I was reading, the Davinci code and all its art history niggled at the back of my brain. While not really all that alike, I guess the art and the suspense and danger had me going there. And while this isn’t a fantasy book, it also had a little of that feeling for me. And I can’t put my finger on why. But this makes me think it will appeal to a broader audience than just the historical fiction crowd.

I was invested in the characters and got caught up in the game of chess or maybe it was more cat and mouse, but I knew there was more to the story that I didn’t yet know and just needed to figure out. And I did not foresee those reveals. I knew something was coming but they took me by surprise.

Overall it’s a read a little out of my norm, but the intrigue drew me in and kept me wanting more.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of "The Scorpion Thief" is definitely intriguing but I found it to have a lot of twists and turns that at first were hard to follow. There is a prequel to read before this book which helps with following the story. I had a hard time getting through this book though I found King Tut's exhibit plus the cold war era history interesting.

This one really focuses on Egyptian mythology and the characters envision themselves as the mythical gods many times in the story. It is a cleanly written story but I had a hard time with the characters comparing themselves to these mythological gods as a Christian reader and book reviewer.

I can see readers of the general historical fiction market enjoying this one more than I did though I found the book very interesting at times. There is a lot of drama, twists and turns and intrigue from the government and shadow groups. Most of the characters are hiding things from one another and there are strong communism/socialism themes as well. The author did a great job researching and bringing to life 1970's Cairo and New Orleans.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In order for life to mean something, Noura has to stand up and race toward what is right.”
Welcome to the world of the Cold War 70s and a subversive group who is trying to steal artifacts from the King Tut Exhibition slated to begin touring the USA.
Noura is in Cairo getting the exhibit ready for transport with the help of a team including Theo. She does not know who to trust when she suspects someone of setting things up to abscond with relics for nefarious reasons. Things and people are definitely not what they seem. Noura questions which side she is on and even if family could be involved.
Lots of intrigue, manipulation, dangerous situations and a bit of romance. This was a well plotted story and I enjoyed the references to Egyptian mythology that tickled my imagination. With a climax in the midst of a hurricane in New Orleans, you couldn’t ask for a more interesting story.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Grafted Page Press via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has captivating elements such as Egyptian mythology, estranged sisters, ancient artifacts, and political intrigue, which, when blended, make for a suspenseful and fascinating read.

It quickly becomes evident that this is a question of loyalties and betrayal, as one sister is a guardian of the ancient Egyptian artifacts and the other is a thief. Yet the plot is layered, and twists abound as this becomes a chess game in a volatile political climate. Emotions are getting in the way, and the stakes are high.


Steeped in mythology and symbolism, many Egyptian gods even appear throughout the narrative. The setting of both Cairo and New Orleans really stood out to me. Both cities lie on great rivers and are known for their tombs to the dead, plus a veil of mysticism shrouds them, like cities caught between the living and the dead. These similarities drew me into the story and provided the perfect atmosphere for this unique suspense novel.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @JanyreTromp for this gifted book.

[Amy Renaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scorpion Thief is a fantastic novel filled with intrigue, mystery, absolutely fascinating history, a twisty plot, two estranged sisters, and sparks flying between my two favorite characters in the book.

Even the "unfabulous" (aka villains) characters where fabulously developed and sprang off the page.

I can usually pick up plot twists but Janyre kept me on my toes with this one. So if you're in for jaw dropping moments, intricate mystery, and danger lurking everywhere—do pick up this fabulous historical fiction novel. The way Janyre knits words together, and her voice—well, don't miss out. Get the book.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.