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The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle
A crumbling castle, a moat full of crocodiles, a catastrophe of kittens, and let’s not forget the villains and the mummies! This rambunctious story has it all.
1873 England Orphaned Hattie goes to live with her great uncle and aunt in their crumbling castle in the English Fens. There, Great Aunt Iphigenia hosts flamboyant mummy-unwrapping parties to save her home from ruin – until the mummy supply runs out. On a dangerous search for more, a thousand miles up the Nile, Hattie is haunted by these ancient souls and tries to free them with unexpected consequences. A potent blend of fantasy and history, this rambunctious story has it all!
A potent blend of fantasy and historical happenings are at the core of this extraordinary interface between fact and fiction. ·
From an author who has experienced the remnants of the ancient world first-hand by going on a number of archaeological digs.
1873 England Orphaned Hattie goes to live with her great uncle and aunt in their crumbling castle in the English Fens. There, Great Aunt Iphigenia hosts flamboyant mummy-unwrapping parties to save her home from ruin – until the mummy supply runs out. On a dangerous search for more, a thousand miles up the Nile, Hattie is haunted by these ancient souls and tries to free them with unexpected consequences. A potent blend of fantasy and history, this rambunctious story has it all!
A potent blend of fantasy and historical happenings are at the core of this extraordinary interface between fact and fiction. ·
From an author who has experienced the remnants of the ancient world first-hand by going on a number of archaeological digs.
- GenresMiddle Grade
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 18, 2020
Orphaned Hattie goes to live with her Great-uncle Sisyphus and Great-aunt Iphigenia in Crumblin Castle (after her uncle is eaten by a crocodile) and discovers the interesting world of mummy unwrapping parties. As she finds herself more engrossed in Egyptian history, artefacts and hieroglyphs she starts to think deeper about the parties themselves, particularly when she starts seeing ghosts of the mummies they are unwrapping and when the receipts of the parties themselves don't quite add up (suspiciously managed by Edgar and Edwina Raven...).
A great tale with a good dose of history / fantasy (the supernatural) / financial embezzlement embedded in. Possibly the only criticism (and it is more a thought rather than critical really), is that everything seemed to wrap up quite quickly towards the end. It all came to a conclusion after an impulsive moment by Hattie, and although there was a bit of complications before it came to a satisfactory conclusion (I am trying to be as broad as I can to not give anything too much away - apologies!), it seemed to happen quite quickly. I was expecting a bit more of dramatic ending, but perhaps it would have been more strange and less realistic (as much as a fiction book can be :) ).
Meticulously researched by the brilliant Pamela Rushby (I especially love how she has written the inspiration / truth behind this fictional tale at the end of the book), it is a great read for young readers (and anyone who is fascinated by Egyptian history and mythology). Kids aged 9 to 14 in particular would enjoy this!
A great tale with a good dose of history / fantasy (the supernatural) / financial embezzlement embedded in. Possibly the only criticism (and it is more a thought rather than critical really), is that everything seemed to wrap up quite quickly towards the end. It all came to a conclusion after an impulsive moment by Hattie, and although there was a bit of complications before it came to a satisfactory conclusion (I am trying to be as broad as I can to not give anything too much away - apologies!), it seemed to happen quite quickly. I was expecting a bit more of dramatic ending, but perhaps it would have been more strange and less realistic (as much as a fiction book can be :) ).
Meticulously researched by the brilliant Pamela Rushby (I especially love how she has written the inspiration / truth behind this fictional tale at the end of the book), it is a great read for young readers (and anyone who is fascinated by Egyptian history and mythology). Kids aged 9 to 14 in particular would enjoy this!
January 3, 2021
Set in 1873, The Mummy Smugglers and Crumblin Castle is the story of Hattie Lambton who, after the disappearance of her parents and then the death of her uncle Heracles, is sent to live with her great-aunt and great-uncle in their run down old castle outside of Ely.
Hattie’s great-uncle Sisyphus is a scholar who translates hieroglyphics and her great-aunt Iphigenia is an Egyptologist of great renowned, famous for her mummy unwrapping parties.
When the Egyptian authorities decided to put a stop to the export of objects of historical importance from their country, great-aunt Iphigenia’s assistants, the Raven’s, come up with a plan to go to Egypt themselves and smuggle more mummies back in order to maintain the Mummy unwrapping busy.
The trip to Egypt uncovers much more than the mummified remains of ancient Egyptians however, and Hattie must expose hidden motives and cunning plots in order to hold onto the life and family she has come to cherish at Crumblin castle.
Pamela Rushby includes some historical accuracy in this fun and exciting novel, though it sometimes feels that the plot is driven by the need to include certain facts the author found interesting, instead of interesting facts being used to support the plot.
All in all a nice read, and a fun way to learn a little more about and potentially spark an interest in ancient Egypt.
Hattie’s great-uncle Sisyphus is a scholar who translates hieroglyphics and her great-aunt Iphigenia is an Egyptologist of great renowned, famous for her mummy unwrapping parties.
When the Egyptian authorities decided to put a stop to the export of objects of historical importance from their country, great-aunt Iphigenia’s assistants, the Raven’s, come up with a plan to go to Egypt themselves and smuggle more mummies back in order to maintain the Mummy unwrapping busy.
The trip to Egypt uncovers much more than the mummified remains of ancient Egyptians however, and Hattie must expose hidden motives and cunning plots in order to hold onto the life and family she has come to cherish at Crumblin castle.
Pamela Rushby includes some historical accuracy in this fun and exciting novel, though it sometimes feels that the plot is driven by the need to include certain facts the author found interesting, instead of interesting facts being used to support the plot.
All in all a nice read, and a fun way to learn a little more about and potentially spark an interest in ancient Egypt.
February 23, 2026
Another book that meets a 52 Challenge prompt under my belt for the year. This was a cute junior fiction novel set in the 1800s. It was well written and humorous with a good amount of suspense added for good measure. It just wasn't fabulous.
December 26, 2021
Highly enjoyable for people who like historical fiction and ancient Egypt (me!). Plot not complicated but lots of historical detail.
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March 22, 2025Young girl Hattie goes to live with her aunt and uncle who love everything Egyptian - then follow their adventures through the Nile! A fabulous read for ages 8+.
August 18, 2020
For a wonderful read, follow the adventures of Hattie – or Hatshepsut – who was found abandoned as a baby outside of Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple in Egypt when her Egyptologist parents disappeared never to be seen again. Shipped off to England to live at Howling Hall with an Uncle Heracles who hunted game and had not time for young nieces the story starts in 1873 at Miss Fractious’ Boarding Establishment for Young Ladies. Hattie hears of her uncles demise (death by crocodile) and she is bundled off to live in the fens around Ely with her great uncle Sisyphus and great aunt Iphigenia and the sleek black cat Sekhmet and a bundle of troublesome kittens. All are obsessed with ancient Egypt – Sisyphus translates ancient texts and Iphigenia runs mummy unwrapping parties – both bringing in money to curtail the crumbling state of Crumblin Castle. With the dark and brooding Raven brother and sister organising the parties and the finances, Hattie gets caught up in the flurry of parties, dressing as an Egyptian princess to add colour to the events but a growing affinity and concern for the souls of the long dead bodies within their shrouds. Then the sinister and secretive behaviour of the Ravens raises her suspicions.
A law forbidding the export of Egyptian artifacts and not a mummy to be found in London results in everyone (except the cats) heading to Egypt where mummies are sought, friendships made and history eloquently explored.
Packed full of fascinating historical information, minute and graphic details on the mummification process, mythological connections brought to life in the 1870s along with a determined and perceptive young girl, villains, adventure, a quest and a crime to unravel this book will resonate with readers around 10 to 13. Highly entertaining on many levels and creatively supported with black and white illustrations by Nelle May Pierce.
Highly recommended – history, eccentric family, criminal activity and a mystery all packaged together. Pamela Rushby’s notes at the end add extra detail, historical context and explains some time frame slip ups to improve the read.
A law forbidding the export of Egyptian artifacts and not a mummy to be found in London results in everyone (except the cats) heading to Egypt where mummies are sought, friendships made and history eloquently explored.
Packed full of fascinating historical information, minute and graphic details on the mummification process, mythological connections brought to life in the 1870s along with a determined and perceptive young girl, villains, adventure, a quest and a crime to unravel this book will resonate with readers around 10 to 13. Highly entertaining on many levels and creatively supported with black and white illustrations by Nelle May Pierce.
Highly recommended – history, eccentric family, criminal activity and a mystery all packaged together. Pamela Rushby’s notes at the end add extra detail, historical context and explains some time frame slip ups to improve the read.
December 14, 2022
With an appealing main character, sinister baddies and a touch of magic, prolific Australian author Pamela Rushby’s delightful new middle grade novel is one confident readers can really sink their teeth into.
Set in 1873, the novel opens with twelve-year-old orphan Hattie learning her guardian has been eaten by a crocodile. She is to leave her English boarding school and move in with two elderly relatives she has never met. Luckily, Hattie’s ambivalence towards school (and her guardian) means the new arrangement suits her just fine… especially when her new home turns out to be a derelict old castle stuffed with Egyptian trinkets and staffed by a magical cat and her playful kittens.
Hattie loves studying hieroglyphics with great uncle Sisyphus and assisting with great aunt Iphigenia’s “mummy unwrapping parties” (a real pastime in late 1800s England!)—until a new law sees the supply of mummies dwindle. When the family travels to Egypt to source more, many adventures and moral dilemmas ensue.
Quite a few chapters are devoted to the group’s trip up the Nile, which includes visiting various tombs and navigating the treacherous cataracts. Rather than becoming tiresome, however, these are fascinating chapters with an extra dash of ‘armchair travel’ appeal at a time when curling up with a transporting book is the safest way to explore foreign shores. The novel’s richly-described settings and abundance of mummy-related facts are evidence of Rushby’s extensive research.
As Hattie learns more about the ways of Ancient Egyptians—particularly their belief that their bodies must be preserved in order for them to exist happily in the afterlife—she grows increasingly concerned about what happens to the mummies after the unwrapping parties are over. Eventually she takes matters into her own hands, setting in motion the novel’s suspenseful climax and satisfying resolution.
The text is well-served by Nellé May Pierce’s charming illustrations, which should help readers visualise any settings and artefacts they are not familiar with, while the back matter invites readers to consider the ethics of displaying human remains in museums. An engaging read for anyone interested in Ancient Egypt!
This review was first shared on StoryLinks Australia.
Set in 1873, the novel opens with twelve-year-old orphan Hattie learning her guardian has been eaten by a crocodile. She is to leave her English boarding school and move in with two elderly relatives she has never met. Luckily, Hattie’s ambivalence towards school (and her guardian) means the new arrangement suits her just fine… especially when her new home turns out to be a derelict old castle stuffed with Egyptian trinkets and staffed by a magical cat and her playful kittens.
Hattie loves studying hieroglyphics with great uncle Sisyphus and assisting with great aunt Iphigenia’s “mummy unwrapping parties” (a real pastime in late 1800s England!)—until a new law sees the supply of mummies dwindle. When the family travels to Egypt to source more, many adventures and moral dilemmas ensue.
Quite a few chapters are devoted to the group’s trip up the Nile, which includes visiting various tombs and navigating the treacherous cataracts. Rather than becoming tiresome, however, these are fascinating chapters with an extra dash of ‘armchair travel’ appeal at a time when curling up with a transporting book is the safest way to explore foreign shores. The novel’s richly-described settings and abundance of mummy-related facts are evidence of Rushby’s extensive research.
As Hattie learns more about the ways of Ancient Egyptians—particularly their belief that their bodies must be preserved in order for them to exist happily in the afterlife—she grows increasingly concerned about what happens to the mummies after the unwrapping parties are over. Eventually she takes matters into her own hands, setting in motion the novel’s suspenseful climax and satisfying resolution.
The text is well-served by Nellé May Pierce’s charming illustrations, which should help readers visualise any settings and artefacts they are not familiar with, while the back matter invites readers to consider the ethics of displaying human remains in museums. An engaging read for anyone interested in Ancient Egypt!
This review was first shared on StoryLinks Australia.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews