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Maggie Edwards Adventures #1
Cleopatra's Tomb
Indies Today Best Book 2020 Award Finalist
Why in the world would her uncle send her a bejeweled golden scarab?
When Maggie Edwards opened the mysterious package from her archeologist uncle, Oliver Keene, she had no clue what it was for. At first, she couldn’t understand why he had sent her something so obviously valuable when he had never done so before. Then, she read the cryptic note hinting that he’s in trouble, and urging her to protect this vital artifact.
Fearing for her uncle’s life, and wondering if someone would eventually come after her, Maggie begins researching the mysterious object her uncle sent her. As questions without simple answers pile up around her, Maggie is ambushed by Henry Taylor, who claims to be a close friend of her uncle’s. Handsome, educated, and always ready with a smile, Maggie can’t help but want to trust him.
But she also can’t help but wonder if there is more than meets the eye?
Henry had no idea where and how Oliver disappeared, but, wherever it is, he knows his friend is in trouble. He would do anything for him, and when Maggie insists on accompanying him around the globe, he’s more than happy to share his adventure with her.
But when the truth surrounding the artifact leads them to someplace off-limits and completely dangerous, will Henry have what it takes to help save Oliver and keep himself and Maggie alive too?
Discover the mystery surrounding the bejeweled golden scarab in Cleopatra’s Tomb! Book one in the new, page-turning A Maggie Edwards Adventure series by beloved author Nellie H. Steele.
Why in the world would her uncle send her a bejeweled golden scarab?
When Maggie Edwards opened the mysterious package from her archeologist uncle, Oliver Keene, she had no clue what it was for. At first, she couldn’t understand why he had sent her something so obviously valuable when he had never done so before. Then, she read the cryptic note hinting that he’s in trouble, and urging her to protect this vital artifact.
Fearing for her uncle’s life, and wondering if someone would eventually come after her, Maggie begins researching the mysterious object her uncle sent her. As questions without simple answers pile up around her, Maggie is ambushed by Henry Taylor, who claims to be a close friend of her uncle’s. Handsome, educated, and always ready with a smile, Maggie can’t help but want to trust him.
But she also can’t help but wonder if there is more than meets the eye?
Henry had no idea where and how Oliver disappeared, but, wherever it is, he knows his friend is in trouble. He would do anything for him, and when Maggie insists on accompanying him around the globe, he’s more than happy to share his adventure with her.
But when the truth surrounding the artifact leads them to someplace off-limits and completely dangerous, will Henry have what it takes to help save Oliver and keep himself and Maggie alive too?
Discover the mystery surrounding the bejeweled golden scarab in Cleopatra’s Tomb! Book one in the new, page-turning A Maggie Edwards Adventure series by beloved author Nellie H. Steele.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2020
314 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Nellie H. Steele
114 books495 followersNellie H. Steele lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her family and her many fur-babies. When she isn't writing, she enjoys teaching Statistics at a local university or watching her dogs and cats play in the yard.
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 21, 2021
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Maggie Edwards has the life every woman dreams of. She's educated, owns her own business, lives in a posh downtown apartment, and has a handsome boyfriend. Her childhood memories are loaded with stories of family vacations to Europe at some of the most luxurious hotels, museums, and famous cities. All she needs now is to get married, have kids, and her dream life will be complete.... Or will it?
After receiving a box in the mail from her archaeologist Uncle Ollie, the mysterious scarab inside tickles her curiosity. "Why would he send me the scarab of a beetle?" she wonders. Maggie's state of mind quickly turns from curious to concern upon learning her uncle has gone missing in Egypt. Before she figures what to do, she is approached by a mysterious Austrailian claiming to know her Uncle Ollie.
"I'm here to help find your uncle," he tells her. "But I need the scarab. It holds the key to finding him."
However, Maggie is not eager to trust anyone, especially when a group of thugs go after her, hellbent on obtaining the scarab which holds a key to great riches. Before Maggie realizes how dangerous her situation is, she finds herself off on an adventure to Cairo where the scarab will not only lead them to finding her missing uncle, but locate a treasure beyond anyone's dreams.
This is my first book by author Nellie Steele, and I was more than pleased with it. Maggie is an adventurous woman and I look forward to reading about her. This book has adventure, romance, suspense, and thrills all wrapped in one. Maggie Edwards is a heroine in her own right!
Keep on reading!
Maggie Edwards has the life every woman dreams of. She's educated, owns her own business, lives in a posh downtown apartment, and has a handsome boyfriend. Her childhood memories are loaded with stories of family vacations to Europe at some of the most luxurious hotels, museums, and famous cities. All she needs now is to get married, have kids, and her dream life will be complete.... Or will it?
After receiving a box in the mail from her archaeologist Uncle Ollie, the mysterious scarab inside tickles her curiosity. "Why would he send me the scarab of a beetle?" she wonders. Maggie's state of mind quickly turns from curious to concern upon learning her uncle has gone missing in Egypt. Before she figures what to do, she is approached by a mysterious Austrailian claiming to know her Uncle Ollie.
"I'm here to help find your uncle," he tells her. "But I need the scarab. It holds the key to finding him."
However, Maggie is not eager to trust anyone, especially when a group of thugs go after her, hellbent on obtaining the scarab which holds a key to great riches. Before Maggie realizes how dangerous her situation is, she finds herself off on an adventure to Cairo where the scarab will not only lead them to finding her missing uncle, but locate a treasure beyond anyone's dreams.
This is my first book by author Nellie Steele, and I was more than pleased with it. Maggie is an adventurous woman and I look forward to reading about her. This book has adventure, romance, suspense, and thrills all wrapped in one. Maggie Edwards is a heroine in her own right!
Keep on reading!
December 23, 2020
Cleopatra's Tomb: A Maggie Edwards Adventure (Maggie Edwards Adventures Book 1) by Nellie H. Steele is a wonderful story to read. This is book number one in this start to a brand new series for me to read. I can not wait to read more of this series. I highly recommend this story to all.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
November 2, 2020
Nellie Steele's new Maggie Edwards adventure book is a remarkable story of adventure, intrigue, action, history, and soul-searching. Maggie Edwards is the owner of a bookstore-antique shop, specializing in hard to find books and eventually adding antiques to broaden her clientele base. Maggie also has a turbulent relationship with her boyfriend Leo but is unsure of its direction due to their on-again/off-again relationship. One ordinary morning, Maggie receives a mysterious package from her uncle, archaeologist Oliver Keene with a note subtly implying danger and asking her to guard the relic. Professor Keene enlists the help of an associate, Henry Turner, to help Maggie protect the object. From that point on, Maggie is drawn into an adventure that catapults her into an international exploit full of danger, mystery, and murder. Cleopatra's Tomb was well written, the characters are convincing, and the tale is very entertaining. If you are a fan of Indiana Jones this book is right up your ally. This is a wonderful read and I highly recommend Cleopatra's Tomb. ( I received a copy of Cleopatra's tomb free of charge in exchange for my honest review. )
November 2, 2020
The scarab leads the way to Cleopatra’s tomb
„Cleopatra’s Tomb“ is the first installment in Nellie H. Steele’s brand-new “Maggie Edwards Adventure” series, and follows the eponymous heroine in an adventure journey from her own small-town book and antiques shop “Maggie Book and Baubles Boutique” through London into Cairo following the path of the Old Egypt scarab, her uncle (renowned archeologist Oliver Keene) has send asking for her help.
Partnering with her uncle’s associate Henry, Maggie tries to find Cleopatra’s lost town in order to negotiate Oliver’s freedom. The story is well-paced and interesting Maggie is immediately likeable, and the quest for Cleopatra’s tomb adds a layer of mystery and suspense to the action. A good start into a new adventure series.
„Cleopatra’s Tomb“ is the first installment in Nellie H. Steele’s brand-new “Maggie Edwards Adventure” series, and follows the eponymous heroine in an adventure journey from her own small-town book and antiques shop “Maggie Book and Baubles Boutique” through London into Cairo following the path of the Old Egypt scarab, her uncle (renowned archeologist Oliver Keene) has send asking for her help.
Partnering with her uncle’s associate Henry, Maggie tries to find Cleopatra’s lost town in order to negotiate Oliver’s freedom. The story is well-paced and interesting Maggie is immediately likeable, and the quest for Cleopatra’s tomb adds a layer of mystery and suspense to the action. A good start into a new adventure series.
December 30, 2023
My first read from new-to-me author, Nellie Steele and boy, what a read!! Absolutely fantastic! Gives Indiana Jones a run for his money. Full of excitement from the start to the very end. Globe trotting, heart pounding adventure for a princess-diva, never-had-to-put-up-with-any-hardship type of young lady who gets dragged into a gut wrenching, danger filled rescue mission for a missing archaeology professor uncle. And of course handsome courageous young men have to feature in this to make it complete, but are they trustworthy? Now there's a question.
Great start to a new series - I cannot get enough of this and will be looking forward to more unput-downable books from this author!
Great start to a new series - I cannot get enough of this and will be looking forward to more unput-downable books from this author!
August 31, 2021
I absolutely HATED the heroine
spunky? Beautiful? She was a spoiled brat who wasn't happy unless she rolled her eyes (at least 500 times in the book); tears ran down her cheeks (ditto) until I wanted to slap her. Btw, who in this day and age calls a 27 yo woman a girl? And every man in sight falls head over heels with this idiot?? And someone who has never even camped in her backyard can ride off in the desert on a camel like a native? At least she had her makeup with her! The plot was ridiculous as well
spunky? Beautiful? She was a spoiled brat who wasn't happy unless she rolled her eyes (at least 500 times in the book); tears ran down her cheeks (ditto) until I wanted to slap her. Btw, who in this day and age calls a 27 yo woman a girl? And every man in sight falls head over heels with this idiot?? And someone who has never even camped in her backyard can ride off in the desert on a camel like a native? At least she had her makeup with her! The plot was ridiculous as well
November 23, 2020
This was my first book by Nellie H. Steele and I absolutely enjoyed it!!! Maggie's uncle sends her a bejeweled golden scarab, but why? She discovers her uncle is in trouble and she needs to protect this ancient artifact. Join Maggie and her uncles assistant Henry while they travel the globe including a trip to London, Cairo!!! I love anything Egyptian related!!! Read and enjoy!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2021
Maggie receives a package at her shop, but a date with Leo interrupts her opening it. The contents from her Uncle Ollie leads her into mystery and danger. I especially enjoyed how Maggie resolved the conflict with her on again, off again relationship and will be reading more of Nellie H. Steele’s work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 17, 2022
DNF 20%. The eponymous mystery heroine is ignoring every damn indication that she's being careless enough to bring danger upon herself.
October 6, 2024
3.5 stars only because the main female character is sooooooo insufferable. She and Leo deserve each other, I wish Henry had escaped her clutches 😒😒 The mystery is good if a little long,
March 10, 2023
Wow! What a spectacular story! I had expected l would need at least two weeks to get through the book, but within the week l finished it. I just couldn't put it down!
If you're looking for adventure around the globe, ending in Egypt, this is the book for you. I'm looking forward to talking to the author in our book club. What a fantastic story 😀
If you're looking for adventure around the globe, ending in Egypt, this is the book for you. I'm looking forward to talking to the author in our book club. What a fantastic story 😀
February 5, 2022
An action story worthy to sit next to Indiana Jones, Lara Croft and The Mummy!
A hunt for a treasure....
And where this adventure will take Maggie and Henry? Where elsewhere than Egipt?
And what they will hunt, other than one of the most coveted ancient artifact - Cleopatra’s lost tomb?
They enter in a world full of danger, mistery, action and adventure, running to save her uncle and herself.
An thrilling adventure, really entertaining, that kept me glued to it!
And now I want more! More of Nellie’s books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A hunt for a treasure....
And where this adventure will take Maggie and Henry? Where elsewhere than Egipt?
And what they will hunt, other than one of the most coveted ancient artifact - Cleopatra’s lost tomb?
They enter in a world full of danger, mistery, action and adventure, running to save her uncle and herself.
An thrilling adventure, really entertaining, that kept me glued to it!
And now I want more! More of Nellie’s books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 25, 2020
Cleopatra's Tomb is the first book in A Maggie Edwards Adventure series and is a great start to this new series. I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well depicted and intelligent. The storyline is well written and captured my interest from start to finish with a mysterious relic, danger, suspense, and intrigue. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 14, 2021
Fashion queen boutique bookstore owner meets real life Indiana Jones (no kidding! His name really is Henry!!) and all the adventures and laughs she discovers along the way of finding Cleopatra's Tomb. This is a fast and lively read with lots of giggles and plenty of hair raising gun-fights and car chase (ok, sometimes camel) race scenes to keep you very happily entertained!! Highly recommend this book!!!
March 27, 2021
Entertaining
Fun read, action moves along and kept me reading after bedtime. Female protagonist not stereotypical for this type of novel. Will definitely look forward to the next book in the series.
Fun read, action moves along and kept me reading after bedtime. Female protagonist not stereotypical for this type of novel. Will definitely look forward to the next book in the series.
April 15, 2021
Wonderful Mystery
Loved the story, all of the characters(especially Maggie and her leading man),.
I had Alexa read the book to me and I would stay up until 4am. Could not wait for the next night to get on with the rest of the mystery.I
Hope there will be a Book 2.
Loved the story, all of the characters(especially Maggie and her leading man),.
I had Alexa read the book to me and I would stay up until 4am. Could not wait for the next night to get on with the rest of the mystery.I
Hope there will be a Book 2.
July 1, 2021
Cleopatra tomb
Just found this series with Maggie Edwards and her adventures. I sure hope that the adventures with her becomes a very long group of books. Love the locations. And the light romance too. A good book that is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
Just found this series with Maggie Edwards and her adventures. I sure hope that the adventures with her becomes a very long group of books. Love the locations. And the light romance too. A good book that is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
March 23, 2021
Unknown adventures to me, but fun to connect with that part of the world.
August 26, 2023
awesome read
Maggie gets a box from her archeologist Uncle Ollie, telling her to keep the contents, a jeweled scarab safe. What she didn’t know is that the tomb raiders, the reason he sent that to her, are hunting him, the scarab and now her! Total Mayhem ensues. She is used to living the high life while running her antiques and book store with her employee, Piper, who is a riot. She meets a bunch of people who help her along the way. Her boyfriend Leo is a piece of work.
I chewed my nails while reading the more nervous inducing parts. Definitely an adventure with bullets flying, thievery and tomb raiding and loads of funny sections. Just thinking about one of the characters, Charlie has me laughing still. He is a riot. I can’t wait to read the next book. Oh and the booby traps are not just Indiana Jones-Ish.
Maggie gets a box from her archeologist Uncle Ollie, telling her to keep the contents, a jeweled scarab safe. What she didn’t know is that the tomb raiders, the reason he sent that to her, are hunting him, the scarab and now her! Total Mayhem ensues. She is used to living the high life while running her antiques and book store with her employee, Piper, who is a riot. She meets a bunch of people who help her along the way. Her boyfriend Leo is a piece of work.
I chewed my nails while reading the more nervous inducing parts. Definitely an adventure with bullets flying, thievery and tomb raiding and loads of funny sections. Just thinking about one of the characters, Charlie has me laughing still. He is a riot. I can’t wait to read the next book. Oh and the booby traps are not just Indiana Jones-Ish.
October 22, 2021
Can’t you tell I’m home alone. I am reading all day ! This book started slowly, I wondered if it was for me, then I realised I was enjoying it so I spent the day finishing it.
It has everything you could want, danger romance and good old fashioned expedition into the desert ! Give it a go, I did and enjoyed it. Now onto book two.
This author writes very well !
It has everything you could want, danger romance and good old fashioned expedition into the desert ! Give it a go, I did and enjoyed it. Now onto book two.
This author writes very well !
November 20, 2024
This is an excellent adventure and mystery. It starts when Maggie's uncle sends her a jeweled scarab, and she has to find out why. What she discovers is that he has been kidnapped, and she has to find other pieces of the puzzle/treasure to find him and to discover the real tomb of Cleopatra. This is an edge-of-your-seat read that keeps you turning pages to find out what happens to Maggie and her cohorts as they race to solve the mystery before her uncle is killed.
July 4, 2021
Cleopatras Tomb
This book kept me reading well into the night. I love all stories about Cleopatra and Egyptology. I have always wanted to be an adventurer and archeologists. It is great to live through books. Thank you.
This book kept me reading well into the night. I love all stories about Cleopatra and Egyptology. I have always wanted to be an adventurer and archeologists. It is great to live through books. Thank you.
November 9, 2023
Great Adventure
I found this book to be awesome. The fast pace adventure kept me glued to the pages. The characters were great and easy to identify with. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
I found this book to be awesome. The fast pace adventure kept me glued to the pages. The characters were great and easy to identify with. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
June 19, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. If you like characters like the O'Connells in the Mummy movies, and story lines like Indiana Jones, you'll enjoy this one.
July 17, 2023
Amazing adventure. A roller coaster ride through kidnapping, research, high-stakes theft and history making discoveries. Follow Maggie Edwards as she globe trots around the world to render aid to her Uncle Olle as he tries to discover Cleopatra's Tomb. Quick read.
January 24, 2022
A Historical Fiction book set in Egypt by Nellie H. Steele? Yes, please!! After reading the Cate Kensie series I knew I'd love this one too so I ordered book books in the series at the same time so there'd be no delay in me reading them. In this series we meet Maggie Edwards, an antique store owner set in the same town where Cate Kensie moved from. Maggie gets a mysterious package and then after a whirlwind of events sets off around the world and then eventually, Egypt. The ending will leave you wanting to know what happens next and that's where Secret of the Ankhs picks up! (Both books are fantastic and I highly recommend buying both at the same time!)
December 23, 2023
Really enjoyed this book now on to the next in the series
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that She never stops writing. Her books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that She never stops writing. Her books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
August 11, 2023
This story is funny but also alot of suspence.
Maggie receives a beetle with precious stones from her Uncle Ollie and after that she finds herself in danger and also having problems with her sleezy
boyfriend Leo and then she meets Henry and they go search for her Uncle Ollie in Egypt.I couldn't put this book down.
Maggie receives a beetle with precious stones from her Uncle Ollie and after that she finds herself in danger and also having problems with her sleezy
boyfriend Leo and then she meets Henry and they go search for her Uncle Ollie in Egypt.I couldn't put this book down.
March 2, 2022
Fake heroine
Could not even finish. Supposed to be a plucky heroine, but all she does is whine, complain, and pout. I wish I had a dollar for everytime she pouted. Disobedient in dangerous situations. YUCK !!! First time I ever left a review for a book.
Could not even finish. Supposed to be a plucky heroine, but all she does is whine, complain, and pout. I wish I had a dollar for everytime she pouted. Disobedient in dangerous situations. YUCK !!! First time I ever left a review for a book.
July 11, 2024
I normally don’t write reviews, especially negative ones, but I just couldn’t help it for this book. So, sorry to those of you who liked this one.
I absolutely love The Duchess of Blackmore books, so when I found out the author had an “Indiana Jones” like series, I was so excited. Unfortunately my excitement was replaced with utter annoyance and disbelief after reading just a few chapters of this book. The writing was like that of a children’s book, there was very little descriptions of characters, settings, or even feelings. It read like a script, and the dialogue was mediocre at best.
The main character Maggie is insufferable. She is whiney, annoying, and absolutely oblivious to anyone’s feelings except her own. She receives a golden scarab beetle in the mail from her Uncle, and she is supposed to keep it secret and safe, and does she do that? No! She blabs to anyone and their grandmother about it, including her horrible on again off again boyfriend Leo.
She constantly worries about her make up, which would be the last thing on my mind if I was in half the situations she found herself to be in. She literally asks one of their captors for her lipgloss because her lips are chapped! That would not be the thing I would be thinking about if my hands were tied and I had a gun to my head and my friend’s lives were at stake! She acts like a child throughout most of the book, and in my opinion has absolutely no character growth. She has no common sense or sense of urgency. The only thing she does right is dump her boyfriend at the end, which she should have done long before that!
Oh, Leo the boyfriend. Talk about a walking talking red flag. He is a self centered prick at best. He talks down to Maggie constantly, always telling her she is being ridiculous and that everything is her fault because she is emotional. He gets mad when she doesn’t immediately answer his texts or calls, and thinks the worst of her throughout the book, but still thinks he has a right to know her business even though they have broken up. And even when they are broken up she still answers his calls and tells him every little detail, including telling him where they are when they are trying to stay undercover! She is more concerned with her relationship to this idiot than she is about what is happening around her. She tells him that they are in London and are going to steal an artifact to help her uncle, even though it’s none of his business! And then she is surprised when he shows up at the museum in London claiming he is trying to save her! Maggie then convinces Henry, the man who came to her rescue and wants to help her find her uncle, to let Leo stay with them! Even though he has no reason to be there! And of course because our “heroine” is pretty and smart Henry lets him stay, because he will be safer with them. Umm, no! He would be safer if Maggie would have told him to leave her alone instead of opening her mouth and telling him everything! And then all Leo proceeds to do is complain the whole time. And Henry just allows it, because he hates seeing her cry.
Speaking of Henry, he was way too perfect. No flaws, knew exactly what to do and say all the time, always seemed to have the perfect plan and the contacts to help him. And his nickname for Maggie…I swear if I hear or read the word Princess one more time I’m going to lose it! He was a huge pushover when it came to Maggie, allowing her to have her way in almost every situation.
The only reason I finished this book was because I wanted to see how the author was going to reveal Cleopatras Tomb, and what kinds of treasures and traps were inside. And I was yet again dissatisfied. The ending was wrapped up way too easily, everything fell into the main characters laps, and there was no big finale.
I am left wondering if I read the same book as everyone who gave it five stars, because this book was just horrible from start to finish. Which is a shame, because I love adventure/treasure hunting books, and I adored the authors other books. Unfortunately I will not read the rest of the series.
I absolutely love The Duchess of Blackmore books, so when I found out the author had an “Indiana Jones” like series, I was so excited. Unfortunately my excitement was replaced with utter annoyance and disbelief after reading just a few chapters of this book. The writing was like that of a children’s book, there was very little descriptions of characters, settings, or even feelings. It read like a script, and the dialogue was mediocre at best.
The main character Maggie is insufferable. She is whiney, annoying, and absolutely oblivious to anyone’s feelings except her own. She receives a golden scarab beetle in the mail from her Uncle, and she is supposed to keep it secret and safe, and does she do that? No! She blabs to anyone and their grandmother about it, including her horrible on again off again boyfriend Leo.
She constantly worries about her make up, which would be the last thing on my mind if I was in half the situations she found herself to be in. She literally asks one of their captors for her lipgloss because her lips are chapped! That would not be the thing I would be thinking about if my hands were tied and I had a gun to my head and my friend’s lives were at stake! She acts like a child throughout most of the book, and in my opinion has absolutely no character growth. She has no common sense or sense of urgency. The only thing she does right is dump her boyfriend at the end, which she should have done long before that!
Oh, Leo the boyfriend. Talk about a walking talking red flag. He is a self centered prick at best. He talks down to Maggie constantly, always telling her she is being ridiculous and that everything is her fault because she is emotional. He gets mad when she doesn’t immediately answer his texts or calls, and thinks the worst of her throughout the book, but still thinks he has a right to know her business even though they have broken up. And even when they are broken up she still answers his calls and tells him every little detail, including telling him where they are when they are trying to stay undercover! She is more concerned with her relationship to this idiot than she is about what is happening around her. She tells him that they are in London and are going to steal an artifact to help her uncle, even though it’s none of his business! And then she is surprised when he shows up at the museum in London claiming he is trying to save her! Maggie then convinces Henry, the man who came to her rescue and wants to help her find her uncle, to let Leo stay with them! Even though he has no reason to be there! And of course because our “heroine” is pretty and smart Henry lets him stay, because he will be safer with them. Umm, no! He would be safer if Maggie would have told him to leave her alone instead of opening her mouth and telling him everything! And then all Leo proceeds to do is complain the whole time. And Henry just allows it, because he hates seeing her cry.
Speaking of Henry, he was way too perfect. No flaws, knew exactly what to do and say all the time, always seemed to have the perfect plan and the contacts to help him. And his nickname for Maggie…I swear if I hear or read the word Princess one more time I’m going to lose it! He was a huge pushover when it came to Maggie, allowing her to have her way in almost every situation.
The only reason I finished this book was because I wanted to see how the author was going to reveal Cleopatras Tomb, and what kinds of treasures and traps were inside. And I was yet again dissatisfied. The ending was wrapped up way too easily, everything fell into the main characters laps, and there was no big finale.
I am left wondering if I read the same book as everyone who gave it five stars, because this book was just horrible from start to finish. Which is a shame, because I love adventure/treasure hunting books, and I adored the authors other books. Unfortunately I will not read the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews