The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra

Brook Burlington #1

by J.T. Osbourne

Cleopatra is dead. Egypt is in mourning.

Egypt, 30 BC.

Roman soldiers storm a site rumored to be the final resting place of Egypt's Queen Cleopatra. Hiding in the shadows, a fierce patriot, Neferu watches the scene unfold. Despite observing the torture and murder of the site's priests, Neferu smiles - the soldiers will not find their coveted prize. His secret is safe.

Maverick history professor Brook Burlington has devoted her life to locating the whereabouts of Cleopatra's tomb. But when Brook's ex-boyfriend Ali Rahman claims to have made a breakthrough in the case, Brook must swallow her pride and her feelings to join his expedition. In her quest to fulfill her lifelong obsession, she discovers a secret message left behind by a previously-unknown stone carver that she's convinced will help her unlock one of history's greatest mysteries: Find Me and You Will Find Him and Her.

Tom Manor's Grand Tour wasn't supposed to end this way. The son of a hedge fund tsar, Tom made the decision to turn his back on the family business and Wall Street life to find his own way. Upon arriving in Egypt, terrorists raid his privately-hired felucca while it is sailing down the Nile and Tom is taken as a prisoner.

When Brook's entourage crosses paths with the lost tourist, they each realize their lives have changed forever, but questions remain. Who is this beautiful adventurous professor who has taken him in and what has brought her to the desert? Who is this handsome young American, kidnapped, beaten and left for dead. And what is his connection to the Russian oligarch, Strelov, who has taken such a keen interest in her work?

Find out why reviews have called The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra "An extremely entertaining combination of historical drama and action thriller" ,"Ambitious", "exciting" and "engaging".

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Adventure

391 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 13, 2018

Reviews

[Edward Westerbeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading historical fiction and this one was a good one. I liked the characters and the plot going back to BC time and up to the present. It took me more time to read but it always brought me back.

[Rama Vani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Egyptians pharaohs and queens have always been an intriguing subject for me and Cleopatra’s name was all that was needed for me to choose this book.
30 BC, Egypt. Cleopatra is dead, and the Roman soldiers are in search of her remains. Neferu, the devoted stonemason knows where she rests in peace. He leaves a cryptic message to be discovered by an American archeologist Brook Brulington and a few other allies after 2000 years. There is trouble all her way in the form of Russian gunmen who have got their own agenda at the Queen's burial site.
If you are a history buff, I'm sure you will love this. This book is full of archeological sites, antiques, history and mystery spread across the Sahara and Nile. Wonderfully written in a non-dramatic language, such an engrossing plot from a debut author is appreciable. The author leaves a note that there's going to be more mystery solving by Brook . Looking forward to it.

[Mrs designer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

As a lover of Egyptology most of my life, I am happy to recommend this novel as a good fictional read. It has just enough facts to keep you reading if Ancient Egypt is an interest for you. Mystery and intrigue take us on a trip with the characters, each a bit of a mystery themselves. Hoping to see more from this author.

[Richard Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

This book reads like an Indiana Jones movie. Great characters that I can see in my mind’s eye, good twists and turns with the plot and a good story. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Cleopatra and Marc Antony.

[Mary A. Muchowicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally close to solving the mystery of Cleopatra's final resting place but hampered by the greedy criminals all wanting to claim the tom and it's contents their's

Brooke Burlington's greatest desires an archeologist has been to find the final resting place of Cleopatra. Her father who was a treasure hunter had inspired this interest. However, his involvement with some unsavory characters had left many swindled and him in utter disgrace. When Brooke's former lover Ali presents her with some promising scans of a remote desert area in Egypt ....she has to be a part of it even if it is being funded by a Russion criminal. Book has some excellent theories on how this hidden tomb came to be and the methods that Brooke used to find the location. However, I really would h ave loved to see more complete development of the characters.

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding the tomb

This book was on Kindle Scout as one of my nominations, which I chose because of the title, as I have a strong affinity towards stories about the the Egyptian Pharaohs, especially the women, Cleopatra and Neferiti.
As I know that the tomb where Cleopatra hasn't been found yet, this tale of the search was exciting to imagine.
The main character is a young single archeologist who teaches at a West Virginia college when not out digging at sites. The author promises us more adventures with her in future books.

[Peggy Kindt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The List Tomb of Cleopatra

Good literary read; keeps the readers attention from cover to cover. Well thought out plot with interesting characters whose actions keep the reader guessing; their academic acumen is a driving force as they all proceed with cutting-edge ulterior motives. This novel is well worth your time to read and enjoy being immersed in ancient antiquities, archeology, travels and mystery. -- Philadelphia, PA

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers’ Favorite

Queen Cleopatra of Egypt has died and her body secretly moved to a hidden location by devoted subjects who remain true to their religion and leader in ‘The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra’ by JT Osbourne. While the ancient drama plays out, the story fast forwards to today when archaeologist Brook Burlington struggles through criticism and outright ridicule to find the famous queen’s last resting place. A surprise contact from an ex-boyfriend convinces Brook to come to Egypt to try and find the long-lost tomb.

Past hurts and injustices plague Brook as she remembers her father’s downfall due to unscrupulous collectors as well as her own battle with trying to prove herself in her field. Not sure if she can trust anyone, Brook enlists the assistance of several acquaintances and leads her own investigation of the clues that have turned up. The trouble is staying ahead of the gunmen who seem to have their own agenda for finding the ancient burial site.

Wonderfully researched and beautifully written, ‘The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra’ is an exciting and engrossing story covering over 2000 years. JT Osbourne weaves several timelines together, adding richness and depth to the plot and helping to build suspense as past and present seem to converge in the middle of the Sahara Desert. The well-developed characters fulfill their roles, moving the action along with humor, seriousness and definite emotional involvement, growing and discovering exactly what is important. The scope of the action and involvement of a wide-ranging assortment of people is interesting and really adds to the overall effect of the story. ‘The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra’ provides great mystery and intrigue as well as a clear portrayal of numerous historic events and fields of study.

[Mary Enck · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are fortunate enough to find a book that the reading of it causes you to carry it with you throughout the day even when you are not actually running your eyes over the words. You might be doing something mundane such as washing dishes and all the while you are thinking about the story, the characters, why they are doing what they are doing. It becomes all encompassing and pulls you back to enter the scene where you left off so you can take up the adventure once more. Such a book is The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra. I guess that is what they mean when they say "You can't put it down." Even if you do, it stays with you.

This story centers around a subject that has long been a fascination for so many. Archeology and where it takes the players into the vast regions of desert terrain with the prize so priceless that it overshadows any treasure, riches or artifacts. The true reward is in the accomplishment of discovery and acknowledgment of the archeologists who have made it. The way this novel is told moves rapidly to its conclusion affording little chance to catch your breath. I am still feeling the after-effects that come from such a satisfying tying up of all the elements to the mystery. I am pleased to note that there should be more coming from this author featuring this character.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Brooke Burlington goes on an archaeological quest to find the eponymous Tomb of Cleopatra and her lover, Mark Anthony, after the Queen's mysterious death following Octavian's invasion of Egypt in JT Osborne's excellent adventure novel.
Helped by Professor Green in research and technology back home, Brooke and her companions Mark and Katy, learn from ancient scrolls, of a master stonemason, Nefuru who concealed the remains of the Queen and her Consort in the safety of the Sahara Desert soon after their deaths. A major source of information comes from the 1942 war diary of a disaffected SS Officer, Mueller, who sought the treasure supposedly buried with the Queen on the orders of the Reich and paid the ultimate price in trying to protect the Tomb's secrets forever.
Far from being a dry historical record or a patronising whodunit, The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra is an exciting and entirely possible scenario with believable, well-developed characters who engage the fan of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark or Dan Brown throughout in a most entertaining fashion. Don't miss your chance to solve the clues and follow in the Team's footsteps for an adventure like no other!

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a self-published novel, the plot hangs together well, keeping me up late and furiously trying to finish before bed to find out what happens. There are perhaps more points of view than are strictly necessary, and everyone is correct that the ending is very rushed (and Tom's abrupt info-dumping monologue is a bit out of nowhere and over the top), but Brook and Tom are fun characters, and if you're looking to go on a vicarious hunt for the title mystery yourself, this isn't a bad one to choose.

I would certainly read the second installment of Brook's adventures, though in the absence of an e-reader, the first book alone was already a bit expensive to get in physical copy and I'm not eager to spend that much over again.

[Julia Peet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only gave this book 3 stars because of the rushed unexplained ending! As is the case with a lot of authors, they create an exciting, compelling storyline. Then comes an exciting climax - then..... a very poor conclusion. It was as if the author had run out of ideas and just wanted to finish the book (or was it because the author wanted you to rush out and buy the next instalment?) Such a shame, as it was a very enjoyable story, with twists and turns, if not just a little contrived, but nevertheless good reading. Sorry but I won’t be reading another of J T Osbourne’s Books - I like stories with conclusions.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive first book. A nice balance of history and the modern race to discover its hidden mysteries. The switching between time periods and personal stories was well done. I truly appreciate an author that can express themself without vulgarity or blasphemy and maintain a complexity that keeps you turning pages without gratuitous violence or sex. One of the twists at the end left me with several unanswered questions about earlier events. I also felt the ending was a bit anticlimactic with a rather generalized wrapping up of story lines. Just some mild constructive criticism, because I certainly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one.

[Rod McLean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good first start.

The author created a good base storyline with believable characters. The other reviews were pretty much on target. The only thing that I feel the author should have done is to control the three timelines better. Going from the Nazi 1940's, to the father's 1990's, to the present day without warning, was a bit annoying, (the chapter titles didn't let the reader know.) The ending was a bit anti-climatic. P.S. to the author...It's Yogi Berra, not Yoga. The overall read was good, though and worth a second look for the next edition.

[Slón · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, rushed ending

The book was a bit drawn out in the beginning, before it picked up steam. Once it did, it was relatively well paced and interesting (though there were a few moments that lagged), but then, just as it got to the most important part of the book, and the big reveal, it just, petered out. To say that was a disappointment is an understatement. I followed these characters through the whole expedition, but was denied a peek at the end goal. That felt insulting.

[Melissa Shirey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

I really liked the plot and could see what the story intended to be. It got from point A to Z, but at the cost of being rushed through. Characters were semi formed as some information about them and relationships were constantly repeated but there was a lot of room for natural evolution. But there was also intentional deception and even absence of information for some. I did like the story and am reading the follow up book, but I hope these issues aren't going to be recurring as I feel the story is a good one to share.

[marge budniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't Put It Down

Interesting combination of history, mystery, archeology, technology and romance. Osbourne takes us through periods of Ancient Egypt, World War II and into the present in search of Cleopatra's final resting place. Along the way will Brook fulfill her father's dream? Will she find romance? And what will she do about those strange feelings that seem to follow her wherever she goes?

[Ryan Rauber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I'm a big fan of this genre, but this was overall disappointing. Too long, it was a struggle at times to get through. The characters were somewhat of a bore, and the villain was hardly ominous. The big payoff didn't even happen until about 90% in, and provided no detail whatsoever about the tomb.

Hope Osborne improves with his next book, but can't recommend this.

[David Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story line. Definitely kept me interested. I thought the ending could have been a bit better. With the buildup of excitement as they closed in on the final resting place, I thought there'd be at least a scene of viewing the prize they had sought after rather than the anti-climatic ending with a brief mention in passing.

[Anne Peugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching the Sands

I visited the Museum of Cairo on what seemed to be the hottest day of the summer and have wished for more time to explore Egypt ever since. This book was a bit like another visit. If the author could have included more about the actual tomb content (even fictional), it would have been a more satisfying ending.

[Iah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok so I do not hate this book but I was close to giving up on it several times. It's ok fast readers probably would just plough through it quickly. It's lite on substance, I never really cared for anyone, most people and plotlines felt convenient just turning up just in time or in katys case for no apparent reason unless the feeble filming was all!

[Tanya M Spiegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

The story was intriguing enough that I started to look stuff up! To me that’s when you feel the book does things with enough justice makes you wonder. Really liked Brooke, found her to be likable though you never get to know any one characters because your so focused on the dig and all the extras involved. End was too rushed.

[Chris Yaldezian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good but not great story. It could have been so much better. It was like the author could not decide if which direction to go. But, it is a first in a series, and I like it well enough to give the second a try. I am being reserved in some comments because I don't want to give away the ending or even the middle that sets up the ending.

[Matt Shafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty and immersing

I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and the pace of this novel. There's sort of a "deux ex machina" towards the end, but the story and characters were so engaging that it didn't even matter. Would definitely recommend, will read more in this series, and would love to know who the author really is.

[Beth Slemin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Definitely fun for fans of Egyptian history but detailed enough for those who don’t know much, doesn’t take away from the story. The characters grab you enough that you’re equal parts frustrated with them while routing for them. Let’s see what Brook gets up to next.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start but gets better

I was ready to quit reading about 2 chapters in but stuck with it, and it did get better. I liked the story, and it all came together in the end. The characters did not have much depth, and seemed even younger than the storyline indicated.

[Lynne Burnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything to do with Egypt, pharaohs, queens, lost tombs etc is a hit with me. Loved the story and wish someone would find Cleopatra’s tomb. One point to make.....Antony was taken home to Rome to be buried so will not be found with her.

[Kasimir Kozaak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleopatra where are you?

Style is great as is the premise (plot) fast paced but keeping the reader interested.
Keep the lead characters a little more interelated historically

[David Vercoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping archeological adventure

I really enjoyed the character development of the key people. The story was intriguing and gripping meaning I did not want to put it down. A great read.

[Juliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Great. Not Horrible.

An average and mostly predictable story of a search for the tomb of Cleopatra and the relationships of current day searchers and how history was repeating itself. A light summer at the beach book.