Murder at the Pyramids: The captivating historical whodunnit set in Egypt

Museum Mysteries #12

by Jim Eldridge

'The plotting is excellent, with admirable narrative drive . an engaging and entertaining read' Historical Novels Review

January 1901. Abigail and Daniel Wilson, often lauded as 'The Museum Detectives', are on their way to the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza. Their explorations of the pyramid, including the Robbers' Tunnel, take a very sinister turn when they come upon the dead body of a man who has been brutally garrotted. Investigations by the local police reveal him to be Simeon McGruder, a wealthy American who is financing an excavation of the pyramids. When Daniel and Abigail return to Cairo they are asked by the American Embassy if they can take on the case, but they have a difficult path to tread as they try to keep different factions the British and American authorities, the puppet Egyptian Government and officials, while at the same time facing lies and deviousness from McGruder's associates and friends.

Genres: Mystery, Historical

352 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2026

About the author

Jim Eldridge is the author of many books for children, including titles in the My Story series, the Warpath books, and How to Handle Grown-Ups. He has had 250 TV scripts broadcast in the UK and internationally for children's and teen television, and is also the creator and writer of Radio 4's long-running comedy-drama series, King Street Junior.

Reviews

[Linda Hall]

The story was great as usual with this series of books. The narrator unfortunately, was not.

[M-n]

The first one of the series I have read. I did find it a bit drawn out and it didn't quite capture the atmosphere of Egypt , Elizabeth peters in all her Amelia Peabody series do this much better and are set around the same time.I might try his earlier ones. I was surprised to find out Eldridge was English it seemed like an american style to me , have all editors got the same style now.Also the victim was shot not garrotted , my book blurb says the same , huuge mistake who is checking proofs?

[Rachel]

Cosy historical mystery set in 1901 Egypt. Daniel and Abigail (the museum detectives) stumble across a body while holidaying in Egypt. Not the finest in the series, the plot felt predictable and drawn out. I do feel that the UK cases are stronger storylines but I appreciate the painstaking historical details nonetheless.

[Yorky Caz]

Another excellent read. I love how well researched Jim Eldridges books are. Yes its a story about a muder with drama and intrigue but alongside that its a history lesson with random facts dropped in so subtly it doesnt upset the flow. Whenever Abigail has to explain the history of an area for her detective husband you always learn something interesting 😀 cant wait for the next one.

[Donald]

Better than the previous one, in that rising Egyptian nationalism was employed to obfuscate things, but not quite as confusing as the mafioso in Rome...

[J Grimsey]

A good Thriller and I liked meeting the Wilsons again. The plot was good but not one of the Authors best