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Fredrick & Grace Mystery #2
The Cairo Curse
Clue meets Indiana Jones with a fiction-loving twist only Grace Percy can provide.
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair-share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store. From an assortment of untrustworthy adventure-seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret, Frederick and Grace must lean on each other to navigate their dangerous surroundings. As the suspects mount in an antiquities’ heist of ancient proportions, will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands?
The Cairo’s Curse is a delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series.
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair-share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store. From an assortment of untrustworthy adventure-seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret, Frederick and Grace must lean on each other to navigate their dangerous surroundings. As the suspects mount in an antiquities’ heist of ancient proportions, will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands?
The Cairo’s Curse is a delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2023
139 people are currently reading
2485 people want to read
About the author
Pepper Basham
40 books2,820 followersPepper D Basham has been telling tales ever since she was a little girl. When her grandmother called her a “writer” at the age of ten, Pepper took it as gospel and has enjoyed various types of writing styles ever since. A native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate, Pepper enjoys sprinkling her native Appalachian culture into her fiction wherever she can. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of the New River Valley in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 440 reviews
March 5, 2023
The Cairo Curse is the second installment of the Grace and Frederick mystery series. Since their romance was covered by the first book I was hoping for more mystery in the second one but that part was unfortunately a little disappointing.
Grace and Frederick are traveling to Egypt for a honeymoon but despite best laid plans the trip is anything but relaxing.
There was barely any plot in the first half of the book and I even briefly considered dnf. Luckily the story picked up speed in the second half and then everything happened at once; accidents, murders, betrayal and even a romance.
Even though I enjoyed parts of this story, the overall feeling was boredom laced with consternation.
The things that I didn’t like about Grace in the first book (childish, too much talking, emotional responses not adequate to the situation, not-like-other-girls) were still there and made it difficult for me to connect with her. This was however not the thing that bothered me the most.
This book has been written from the perspective of the British aristocracy visiting Egypt in 1914. It is extremely difficult to find the balance between historical accuracy and political correctness in such a setting and unfortunately that balance was not achieved. The idea of British archaeologists digging Egyptian tombs to prevent “thieves” from finding the treasure was extremely jarring. If you then add Grace comparing a local girl to an “exotic flower” it all gets really cringy.
Another thing; Frederick and Grace kept talking about being equals and partners and yet he was painfully patronizing towards her. Yes he loved her but their dynamic resembled a parent with a child rather than a husband with a wife, which was very disturbing. (On the other hand you couldn’t really blame him because she did act like an unpredictable and reckless kid all the time 🙄 ) The cherry on top was how outraged he was by the way the locals treated women. Let’s be real, Freddie, it’s 1914, being a woman sucks in every part of the world, including your precious England.
Thank you Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Grace and Frederick are traveling to Egypt for a honeymoon but despite best laid plans the trip is anything but relaxing.
There was barely any plot in the first half of the book and I even briefly considered dnf. Luckily the story picked up speed in the second half and then everything happened at once; accidents, murders, betrayal and even a romance.
Even though I enjoyed parts of this story, the overall feeling was boredom laced with consternation.
The things that I didn’t like about Grace in the first book (childish, too much talking, emotional responses not adequate to the situation, not-like-other-girls) were still there and made it difficult for me to connect with her. This was however not the thing that bothered me the most.
This book has been written from the perspective of the British aristocracy visiting Egypt in 1914. It is extremely difficult to find the balance between historical accuracy and political correctness in such a setting and unfortunately that balance was not achieved. The idea of British archaeologists digging Egyptian tombs to prevent “thieves” from finding the treasure was extremely jarring. If you then add Grace comparing a local girl to an “exotic flower” it all gets really cringy.
Another thing; Frederick and Grace kept talking about being equals and partners and yet he was painfully patronizing towards her. Yes he loved her but their dynamic resembled a parent with a child rather than a husband with a wife, which was very disturbing. (On the other hand you couldn’t really blame him because she did act like an unpredictable and reckless kid all the time 🙄 ) The cherry on top was how outraged he was by the way the locals treated women. Let’s be real, Freddie, it’s 1914, being a woman sucks in every part of the world, including your precious England.
Thank you Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2023
It is such fun to visit this series again with wonderful characters that jump off the page and seem so real. Lord and Lady Astley, Frederick and Grace, are on their honeymoon to Italy via Egypt to visit Frederick's cousin and her husband who are on an archeological dig. Grace is such a fun character with her sunny, positive personality, her insatiable love of learning and reading, especially the study of sleuthing, which comes in handy when bodies fall in the household they are visiting. Frederick loves her dearly and is constantly telling her to stay safe. And this is one big adventure with danger, secrets, suspense, sleuthing, and wild camel rides with the setting of Egypt. One takeaway is that no matter one's station in life, our worth in God's eyes is more important. Loved it! Highly recommended. I do recommend reading The Mistletoe Countess first to get a good feel for how Grace and Freddie got together. I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These thoughts are mine only.
January 21, 2023
I very much enjoyed the first book in the series and looked forward to reading book #2. Frederick and Grace are a terrific couple, but I was halfway through the book before the story and mystery moved along. The second half of the book is a bit too busy. I found sometimes that Grace seemed to feel invincible and put others in danger. It has light Christian overtones with a hea.
January 29, 2023
The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham
Get ready for a wild mystery set in Egypt with murder, theft, and secret family ties at the Centre!
Grace and Fredrick are back in this sequel to The Mistletoe Countess. They are on their honeymoon, intending to explore pyramids and tombs in Egypt. Instead, they meet a group of people, all with their own secrets, who get the couple caught up in schemes over a mysterious tomb with valuable artifacts.
They all end up staying in this giant house, which is where murders begin happening. It felt very similar to a story of Clue. If mystery is your thing, you’ll love this!
I found the detailed descriptions of the setting slowed me down a bit. I also struggled to keep all the characters straight some of the time.
I continued to love Grace and Fredrick though! They acquire a new little friend in this book who I thought was adorable!
Definitely recommend!
Thank you to the author and the publisher for the free e-copy to review!
Get ready for a wild mystery set in Egypt with murder, theft, and secret family ties at the Centre!
Grace and Fredrick are back in this sequel to The Mistletoe Countess. They are on their honeymoon, intending to explore pyramids and tombs in Egypt. Instead, they meet a group of people, all with their own secrets, who get the couple caught up in schemes over a mysterious tomb with valuable artifacts.
They all end up staying in this giant house, which is where murders begin happening. It felt very similar to a story of Clue. If mystery is your thing, you’ll love this!
I found the detailed descriptions of the setting slowed me down a bit. I also struggled to keep all the characters straight some of the time.
I continued to love Grace and Fredrick though! They acquire a new little friend in this book who I thought was adorable!
Definitely recommend!
Thank you to the author and the publisher for the free e-copy to review!
July 5, 2024
I loved this book so much 😭. I think I was overhyped for the first book in the series but by this book I fell head over heels in love with Freddie and Grace. This book was filled with excitement, romance and mummies! How could you not love a book with all of that and more. I have the third book in the series ready to go and plan on starting it quickly. Thank you Pepper Basham for writing this amazing married couple and continuing their love story for us to read. 6⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 14, 2024
Oh I loved this book! This sequel was everything I wanted it to be and more… Grace and Frederick have completely captured my heart.♡
It was so sweet to see them a little more settled in their marriage and going on adventures together. They are exactly how you’d remember them from book one; Grace is still whimsical and slightly impulsive, and Frederick is equally as dashing and thoughtful. The mystery was super fun to watch unfold, and the Egyptian setting added the perfect ambiance to the story. And though I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, I also loved the reference to The Mummy. :)
The little side romance with Mr. Elliot was sweet too… though I would certainly not be disappointed with a romance for Brandon in the future… wink wink. ;)
It was so sweet to see them a little more settled in their marriage and going on adventures together. They are exactly how you’d remember them from book one; Grace is still whimsical and slightly impulsive, and Frederick is equally as dashing and thoughtful. The mystery was super fun to watch unfold, and the Egyptian setting added the perfect ambiance to the story. And though I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, I also loved the reference to The Mummy. :)
The little side romance with Mr. Elliot was sweet too… though I would certainly not be disappointed with a romance for Brandon in the future… wink wink. ;)
October 14, 2022
Some characters, fictional though they may be, feel like the dearest friends, and when you are fortunate enough to be granted more time with them it is all the more treasured. That's how I felt opening Pepper Basham's The Cairo Curse and being reunited with swoony Freddie and adorable Grace. Within the first few paragraphs, I was grinning like a fool - a grin that stayed firmly in place until the very last word. Adventure, danger, mummies (if Grace has her way), thieves, murderers, and of course romance await you, dear readers, along with more than a "smattering of hope braided into every hardship". Delightful in every way!
October 7, 2024
THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT BOOK. I LOVED IT. I NEED ANOTHER.
Basically, I really enjoyed this story. Seeing Freddy and Grace grow closer together, go on more adventures, and learn more together.
Basically, I really enjoyed this story. Seeing Freddy and Grace grow closer together, go on more adventures, and learn more together.
June 20, 2023
1914 England to Egypt. I really enjoyed the storyline on this one, and it was a different way to write the mystery, with plenty of adventure, intrigues, a rich history, and culture. It makes for a witty, hilarious, page-turner, and romantic story.
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store...seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret......will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands?
The characters were really engaging and the story certainly kept me entertained and wanting more. Grace and Frederick were kind, and honorable, and supported each other. They are the perfect duo Freddie is the cautious type and Grace is the finding danger type... They will melt your heart with how much they adore each other. A historical mystery that will have you guessing until the end. All the historical details, artifacts, mummies, and tombs added a layer that make the story stand up even more.
Pepper Basham's writing is always captivating and always delivers, dimensional characters, wonderfully visual settings, rewarding plots, tender moments, perfect pacing, joy, and God's grace. You could read this as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading The Mistletoe Countess.
"though a lovely figure may win the battle, a generous heart, strength of character, and quick mind win the war"
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the eARC. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store...seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret......will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands?
The characters were really engaging and the story certainly kept me entertained and wanting more. Grace and Frederick were kind, and honorable, and supported each other. They are the perfect duo Freddie is the cautious type and Grace is the finding danger type... They will melt your heart with how much they adore each other. A historical mystery that will have you guessing until the end. All the historical details, artifacts, mummies, and tombs added a layer that make the story stand up even more.
Pepper Basham's writing is always captivating and always delivers, dimensional characters, wonderfully visual settings, rewarding plots, tender moments, perfect pacing, joy, and God's grace. You could read this as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading The Mistletoe Countess.
"though a lovely figure may win the battle, a generous heart, strength of character, and quick mind win the war"
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the eARC. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own
January 11, 2023
Lord and Lady Astley are out for another adventure to celebrate their nuptials with an exotic honeymoon.. They travel to Egypt where they tour ancient tombs, ride camels and find mystery and murder. As with the first novel, this one provides plenty of humor and romance. Lord Astley's valet, Elliot has a prominent role in this book and I kinda fell in love with him as well. Grace is such a hoot and Fredrick is so sweet and tender with her, it is absolutely precious. I am enjoying this series, I really do hope there will be more.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
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August 15, 2025DNF @ 61%
So this was a bit disappointing. I hate to say it. 🥹🥹 I first want to say that I respect this author and enjoyed the first book in this series so much! Now for the review of the second book.
I just didn’t enjoy this one. I found the descriptive writing of the setting of Egypt drawn out and kind of boring. I didn’t care for the tours or the explanations of the mummy’s and Egyptian pharaohs. So for the first 50% I was kind of bored but I pushed through.
Then when the characters started getting introduced I got uncomfortable. One of the characters had commited adultery and his wife decided to stay married to him. But her cousin decided to bring her "old flame" to convince her to leave the marriage. Then another character was lusting after the men in the book (even those who were married).
Then the tying in of Christianity while discussing Egyptian gods just felt weird and disconcerting to me. It towed the line of calling what the Egyptians did "another religion" and comparing it to Christianity. It didn’t seem to ever say "hey btw this is idolatry" but more of a hey look how this is similar to Christianity. Which made me weary.
So I eventually decided to end the book once Elliot described the woman lusting after men as beautiful. I just felt "dirty" continuing the book so I decided to DNF. It’s so sad to me since I truly enjoyed the first book but oh well! 🥺 To our next read!
So this was a bit disappointing. I hate to say it. 🥹🥹 I first want to say that I respect this author and enjoyed the first book in this series so much! Now for the review of the second book.
I just didn’t enjoy this one. I found the descriptive writing of the setting of Egypt drawn out and kind of boring. I didn’t care for the tours or the explanations of the mummy’s and Egyptian pharaohs. So for the first 50% I was kind of bored but I pushed through.
Then when the characters started getting introduced I got uncomfortable. One of the characters had commited adultery and his wife decided to stay married to him. But her cousin decided to bring her "old flame" to convince her to leave the marriage. Then another character was lusting after the men in the book (even those who were married).
Then the tying in of Christianity while discussing Egyptian gods just felt weird and disconcerting to me. It towed the line of calling what the Egyptians did "another religion" and comparing it to Christianity. It didn’t seem to ever say "hey btw this is idolatry" but more of a hey look how this is similar to Christianity. Which made me weary.
So I eventually decided to end the book once Elliot described the woman lusting after men as beautiful. I just felt "dirty" continuing the book so I decided to DNF. It’s so sad to me since I truly enjoyed the first book but oh well! 🥺 To our next read!
September 25, 2022
"An adventure packed with mystery and humor, Ms. Basham takes readers to Egypt's exotic landscape and serves up an unpredictable and entertaining plot rivaling that of the great Agatha Christie. Move over Detective Poirot, Freddie and Grace have arrived."
I had the privilege of reading this book for endorsement and I could not have been happier to do so! I adored Grace and Frederick in Mistletoe Countess and so getting to rejoin the couple was great fun--especially because it took me back to Egypt. Having lived in Egypt for a couple of years it was fun to be reminded of the rich culture and exotic setting of the land of the Pharoahs. And Ms. Basham didn't disappoint with her accurate attention to detail--I could almost taste the sand again! The story, characters, and mystery were well developed and gave me all the Agatha Christie vibes, which I believe are what will make this story stand the test of time for all fans of literary mysteries.
***I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review and all opinions expressed are my own.***
I had the privilege of reading this book for endorsement and I could not have been happier to do so! I adored Grace and Frederick in Mistletoe Countess and so getting to rejoin the couple was great fun--especially because it took me back to Egypt. Having lived in Egypt for a couple of years it was fun to be reminded of the rich culture and exotic setting of the land of the Pharoahs. And Ms. Basham didn't disappoint with her accurate attention to detail--I could almost taste the sand again! The story, characters, and mystery were well developed and gave me all the Agatha Christie vibes, which I believe are what will make this story stand the test of time for all fans of literary mysteries.
***I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review and all opinions expressed are my own.***
January 17, 2023
When I first met Freddie and Grace, Lord and Lady Ashley, in The Mistletoe Countess, I knew I wanted more of them. Well, Pepper Basham has indeed given me more. Their adventures are absolutely grand. Off on their way to a belated honeymoon, Freddie and Grace are set to spend sone time in Egypt. You know that pyramids, old pharaohs and antiquities are just fascinating. And throw in some nefarious (Grace lives that word!) goings on and even worse, Grace is determined to use her sleuthing skills to discover what is going on. And she has been teaching Freddie some of those skills. And let’s not forget that wonderful valet, Elliott.
I loved the previous book so much that I have read it twice and will again. Grace is a most delightful character and I love how much in love she and her new husband are. I am already hankering for another one in this series. Well done!!
My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.
I loved the previous book so much that I have read it twice and will again. Grace is a most delightful character and I love how much in love she and her new husband are. I am already hankering for another one in this series. Well done!!
My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.
February 5, 2023
4.5 stars!! If you love Agatha Christie, Clue, The Mummy, Indiana Jones, Cozy Mysteries and a romance with the best chemistry – LOOK NO FURTHER – The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham is the perfect fun, wild and exciting sequel to The Mistletoe Countess that will keep you on the edge of your seat the ENTIRE time! Again, I know I will enjoy anything Pepper writes because it’s ALWAYS a good story that transport you exactly where our characters are!
While The Mistletoe Countess is still my favorite, The Cairo Curse was such a wonderful follow up of Grace and Freddie back at their mystery solving game – this time they’ve taken a detour from their honeymoon to Egypt ready to explore the pyramids, tombs, mummies, artifacts and so much more – when all of a sudden, their trip soon takes a dangerous turn with murders happening left and right. Suspects start to mount up and Grace and Freddie attempt to solve the mysterious happenings in Egypt!
The characters truly make this story ya’ll. Grace and Frederick are the BEST couple. They have great faith in God, respect and honor each other and I love how realistic they are together in their romance.
While I did get a smidge slowed down in some of the Egyptian details as I am not familiar with it, I love all of the research, time and details Pepper put into explaining the setting and history! It was a setting that truly came to life off the page and I LOVED seeing that.
This story will captivate you from the first chapter and is full of adventure, faith, love, great characters, vivid setting and an exciting ending! You will laugh and be filled with joy as your follow Grace and Freddie on this mysterious journey in Cairo! SO much fun y’all! So many humorous scenes where you just laugh and smile and ya’ll – that’s more of what we need in this world! JUST LOVE.
Highly recommended! Thank you to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy to honestly read and review. I did pre-order my own physical copy of course because they just look PERFECT together on my shelf! If you haven’t read The Mistletoe Countess, please pick it up so you can experience all the joy from Grace and Freddie that I have! 😊
While The Mistletoe Countess is still my favorite, The Cairo Curse was such a wonderful follow up of Grace and Freddie back at their mystery solving game – this time they’ve taken a detour from their honeymoon to Egypt ready to explore the pyramids, tombs, mummies, artifacts and so much more – when all of a sudden, their trip soon takes a dangerous turn with murders happening left and right. Suspects start to mount up and Grace and Freddie attempt to solve the mysterious happenings in Egypt!
The characters truly make this story ya’ll. Grace and Frederick are the BEST couple. They have great faith in God, respect and honor each other and I love how realistic they are together in their romance.
While I did get a smidge slowed down in some of the Egyptian details as I am not familiar with it, I love all of the research, time and details Pepper put into explaining the setting and history! It was a setting that truly came to life off the page and I LOVED seeing that.
This story will captivate you from the first chapter and is full of adventure, faith, love, great characters, vivid setting and an exciting ending! You will laugh and be filled with joy as your follow Grace and Freddie on this mysterious journey in Cairo! SO much fun y’all! So many humorous scenes where you just laugh and smile and ya’ll – that’s more of what we need in this world! JUST LOVE.
Highly recommended! Thank you to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy to honestly read and review. I did pre-order my own physical copy of course because they just look PERFECT together on my shelf! If you haven’t read The Mistletoe Countess, please pick it up so you can experience all the joy from Grace and Freddie that I have! 😊
December 27, 2023
Grace and Frederick are finally taking their honeymoon and go to Egypt. This is in the age where tombs are still being discovered, and only the really wealthy have the opportunity to travel like them. Grace's bracelet goes missing and she knows it was stolen and not misplaced so already there is a lost of trust. Basham is inspired by Agatha Christie in this novel. I know that Grace is young, but she doesn't feel very matured in this book.
How did this book find me? I've been enjoying Basham's books.
How did this book find me? I've been enjoying Basham's books.
January 5, 2023
“How horrible to live as if the actions of this life don’t impact the other.”
Pepper Basham’s second book in the Frederick and Grace Mystery Series, The Cairo Curse, is a five-star read.
Things I loved:
✔️set in Egypt
✔️ability to bring history alive
✔️suspense, adventure, romance and humour
✔️redemption message
✔️vivid descriptions and witty banter
✔️brought back memories of two fantastic vacations in the Land of the Pharaohs
✔️the best amateur detective duo since Agatha Christie’s heyday
✔️one of my favourite bookish heroines and a bookish hero who says all the right things
✔️ archaeological digs, pyramid exploration, camel rides
I was completely surprised at Basham’s ability to make Egypt come alive for me! She reminded me why I love that country so much - the way she captured the oppressive heat, how she explained seeing the pyramids for the first time, the energy involved in a good bartering session, the pervading smell of spices wafting in the heated air, the persistent pleas for ‘baksheesh’ and the need for ‘shukran.’ Grace’s antics kept me laughing, Frederick’s love and support for his wife made me love him a little more, and the mystery kept me glued to the pages.
This was such a pleasant surprise from this author. I absolutely love Egyptology, adventure and a good murder mystery.
Pepper Basham’s second book in the Frederick and Grace Mystery Series, The Cairo Curse, is a five-star read.
Things I loved:
✔️set in Egypt
✔️ability to bring history alive
✔️suspense, adventure, romance and humour
✔️redemption message
✔️vivid descriptions and witty banter
✔️brought back memories of two fantastic vacations in the Land of the Pharaohs
✔️the best amateur detective duo since Agatha Christie’s heyday
✔️one of my favourite bookish heroines and a bookish hero who says all the right things
✔️ archaeological digs, pyramid exploration, camel rides
I was completely surprised at Basham’s ability to make Egypt come alive for me! She reminded me why I love that country so much - the way she captured the oppressive heat, how she explained seeing the pyramids for the first time, the energy involved in a good bartering session, the pervading smell of spices wafting in the heated air, the persistent pleas for ‘baksheesh’ and the need for ‘shukran.’ Grace’s antics kept me laughing, Frederick’s love and support for his wife made me love him a little more, and the mystery kept me glued to the pages.
This was such a pleasant surprise from this author. I absolutely love Egyptology, adventure and a good murder mystery.
March 6, 2023
Audiobook (narrated by Pamela Klein)
What an absolute delight to join Frederick and Grace on their delayed honeymoon trip to Egypt. Grace is such a fun heroine, and Frederick's love for her leaves a reader feeling all the warm fuzzies. There's adventure and danger and laughter and love and faith between the covers of this book. I didn't know when I read The Mistletoe Countess last year that it would be the first in a series (the Freddie & Grace Mystery series). Now I'm looking forward to the third book, set to publish in December 2023.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Enjoyed/loved it. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
What an absolute delight to join Frederick and Grace on their delayed honeymoon trip to Egypt. Grace is such a fun heroine, and Frederick's love for her leaves a reader feeling all the warm fuzzies. There's adventure and danger and laughter and love and faith between the covers of this book. I didn't know when I read The Mistletoe Countess last year that it would be the first in a series (the Freddie & Grace Mystery series). Now I'm looking forward to the third book, set to publish in December 2023.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Enjoyed/loved it. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
July 24, 2022
Clue meets Indiana Jones (without the snakes) is an accurate mashup for Frederick and Grace's exciting slightly-belated honeymoon adventure. I would read about these wonderful characters in "Green Eggs and Ham" fashion, here or there or anywhere!
September 20, 2022
With exquisite descriptions, a vibrant heroine, and whispers of danger haunting the tombs of the ancients, Pepper Basham’s The Cairo Curse will transport readers to exploring the wonders of the pyramids and their mysteries that await.
January 15, 2024
I read this because it’s a follow up to The Mistletoe Countess and I wanted to give a mystery a try. What I found is that I’m still pretty much a romance/romcom reader. I love history and Egypt is so interesting especially seeing it through a 1914 lens! Frederick and Grace are sweet in this story but I missed the romance from book one.
January 10, 2025
*2025 reread*: Grace is the best and most fun character ever. Frederick is a perfect hero to Grace's hilarity. This book and series is an exhilaratingly hilarious and clever time complete with breathtaking locations and fascinating history. I still loved this, maybe even more!!
I first saw this book prior to reading The Mistletoe Countess, and I thought the cover looked cheesy, tbh. Though I'm still not sure about the cover 🙃, I'm glad I didn't let that stop me this time because this was SO GOOD. So far, this has been a top series for me, and I'm sure Book 3 won't disappoint. I was immediately swept up into the immersive writing of Egypt; it was easy to imagine the tombs, the desert, the crazy camel excursions...😏. I still loved Grace in this one; her sunny, candid humor never fails to crack me up. Also, her and Frederick working together to solve mysteries was so sweet! Book 2 definitely has way more mystery, adventure, and danger laced throughout which had me flipping out. The ending was so suspenseful and stressful, but in an awesome sort of way. There are so many things I loved about this story, from the new characters to the action packed sleuthing; but what really made my heart happy was the message that it's not your past, your relations, or your station in life that say who you are, but your identity in King Jesus. That just filled my soul up and spoke to me in so many ways. I'm eagerly awaiting Book 3's release so I can enjoy another thrilling adventure alongside my favorite characters.
☀Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are new. ~2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV☀
I first saw this book prior to reading The Mistletoe Countess, and I thought the cover looked cheesy, tbh. Though I'm still not sure about the cover 🙃, I'm glad I didn't let that stop me this time because this was SO GOOD. So far, this has been a top series for me, and I'm sure Book 3 won't disappoint. I was immediately swept up into the immersive writing of Egypt; it was easy to imagine the tombs, the desert, the crazy camel excursions...😏. I still loved Grace in this one; her sunny, candid humor never fails to crack me up. Also, her and Frederick working together to solve mysteries was so sweet! Book 2 definitely has way more mystery, adventure, and danger laced throughout which had me flipping out. The ending was so suspenseful and stressful, but in an awesome sort of way. There are so many things I loved about this story, from the new characters to the action packed sleuthing; but what really made my heart happy was the message that it's not your past, your relations, or your station in life that say who you are, but your identity in King Jesus. That just filled my soul up and spoke to me in so many ways. I'm eagerly awaiting Book 3's release so I can enjoy another thrilling adventure alongside my favorite characters.
☀Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are new. ~2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV☀
December 26, 2022
With holiday plans cancelled due to frigid weather, I spent the day happily wrapped in soft throws reading the addictive THE CAIRO CURSE. A grand Christmas!
CAIRO, book two in the Frederick and Grace Mystery series, can be read solo, but don't miss book one, THE MISTLETOE COUNTESS, one of my fav books ever!
It's 1914, when newlyweds Lord Frederick and Lady Grace Astley set off to Egypt to visit the Lord's cousin and see the sights. And what a trip: the Pyramids, camel-riding, Nile cruising, jewelry thefts, tomb plundering, and mysterious deaths set against the stark desert and azure sky.
Grace is a standout who uses her sharp mind, kind heart, strong faith, and voracious reading to solve multiple mysteries with her dashing husband. I loved the secondary characters too, including a brilliant street girl who becomes their loyal ally.
I read CAIRO in one sitting and highly recommend it for lovers of clean romance, historical mysteries, and Christian fiction. An absolute delight!
Thanks to author Pepper Basham, Barbour Publishing, Inc., and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
CAIRO, book two in the Frederick and Grace Mystery series, can be read solo, but don't miss book one, THE MISTLETOE COUNTESS, one of my fav books ever!
It's 1914, when newlyweds Lord Frederick and Lady Grace Astley set off to Egypt to visit the Lord's cousin and see the sights. And what a trip: the Pyramids, camel-riding, Nile cruising, jewelry thefts, tomb plundering, and mysterious deaths set against the stark desert and azure sky.
Grace is a standout who uses her sharp mind, kind heart, strong faith, and voracious reading to solve multiple mysteries with her dashing husband. I loved the secondary characters too, including a brilliant street girl who becomes their loyal ally.
I read CAIRO in one sitting and highly recommend it for lovers of clean romance, historical mysteries, and Christian fiction. An absolute delight!
Thanks to author Pepper Basham, Barbour Publishing, Inc., and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
February 9, 2023
Fredrick and Grace are headed to Egypt as part of their honeymoon, but even fiction-loving Grace never expects to run into the adventures and mishaps that await them during their visit. Lord and Lady Astley thought they had had enough suspense just after their wedding, but can they find themselves in even more trouble than they ever dreamed?
Once again Pepper Basham had me glued to the pages and turning them as quickly as possible to see what was going to happen next to either Fredrick, Grace or the both of them. Will Fredrick be Grace's hero once again, and will Grace's love of suspense fiction help her to save Fredrick? Filled with humor, suspense, romance, villains, heroes and faith, Basham pens an all around great read that left me crying more, more more!! So I certainly hope she has more books planned for this amazing series.
Favorite Quotes:
"Though a lovely figure may win the battle, a generous heart, strength of character, and quick mind win the war..."
"God is slowly teaching me that I am not be defined by my past, my relations, or my station, but by Him."
"But keeping to the view that my identity in Christ helps place the proper importance in the proper places."
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Once again Pepper Basham had me glued to the pages and turning them as quickly as possible to see what was going to happen next to either Fredrick, Grace or the both of them. Will Fredrick be Grace's hero once again, and will Grace's love of suspense fiction help her to save Fredrick? Filled with humor, suspense, romance, villains, heroes and faith, Basham pens an all around great read that left me crying more, more more!! So I certainly hope she has more books planned for this amazing series.
Favorite Quotes:
"Though a lovely figure may win the battle, a generous heart, strength of character, and quick mind win the war..."
"God is slowly teaching me that I am not be defined by my past, my relations, or my station, but by Him."
"But keeping to the view that my identity in Christ helps place the proper importance in the proper places."
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
January 30, 2023
3.5 stars ✨
The Cairo Curse is the sequel to The Mistletoe Countess, although it is very different in setting and plot. Whereas the first book is set during Christmas, this one follows the couple on their honeymoon in Egypt. I love the setting, and especially enjoyed the banter between the characters. Elliot is one of my favourite characters, even though he's only secondary.
I did find the second half get a bit busy, and it was hard to follow along some of the time. For those who felt the first book had a touch too much romance, this one is more toned down in terms of content.
Overall a very enjoyable read and I'm happy to have spent time with Frederick and Grace again. ;)
The Cairo Curse is the sequel to The Mistletoe Countess, although it is very different in setting and plot. Whereas the first book is set during Christmas, this one follows the couple on their honeymoon in Egypt. I love the setting, and especially enjoyed the banter between the characters. Elliot is one of my favourite characters, even though he's only secondary.
I did find the second half get a bit busy, and it was hard to follow along some of the time. For those who felt the first book had a touch too much romance, this one is more toned down in terms of content.
Overall a very enjoyable read and I'm happy to have spent time with Frederick and Grace again. ;)
October 29, 2022
Grace and Frederick from The Mistletoe Countess are back with an Agatha Christie-style excursion to Egypt. I've never read a mystery like this one from Basham before, and it hit all the right notes for a mystery. Elliott is the star of the show here as we get to see a little bit more about who he was and how he became the steady, lovable companion he is.
I'm not particularly interested in Egyptology, and I prefer the writing and setting of Basham's Appalachian books, but it was nice to spend time with favorite characters and be reminded that all creation declares the glory of God, even the desert.
I read an ecopy from the publisher and Netgalley but all opinions are my own.
I'm not particularly interested in Egyptology, and I prefer the writing and setting of Basham's Appalachian books, but it was nice to spend time with favorite characters and be reminded that all creation declares the glory of God, even the desert.
I read an ecopy from the publisher and Netgalley but all opinions are my own.
January 14, 2023
The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham
Release Date: February 1, 2023 by Barbour Publishing
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Christian Romance
Description: Clue meets Indiana Jones with a fiction-loving twist only Grace Percy can provide.
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair-share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store. From an assortment of untrustworthy adventure-seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret, Frederick and Grace must lean on each other to navigate their dangerous surroundings. As the suspects mount in an antiquities’ heist of ancient proportions, will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands? The Cairo’s Curse is a delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series.
The Cairo Curse is amazingly captivating and delivers a strong five-star rating! I highly recommend this book to everyone! The author, Pepper Basham, uses her remarkable writing skills to transport us to Egypt in such a way that we smell the fragrances, we see what the characters are seeing, and feel what each of the characters are feeling.
What did I love most about The Cairo Curse? The imaginatively strong fictional mind and lifestyle of the main character, Grace, and how her and Frederick’s relationship with God was first in each of their lives. Here are two terrific quotes from Frederick: (1) “It has been a hard lesson, and one I’m still learning, but God is slowly teaching me that I am not to be defined by my past, my relations, or my station, but by Him.” and (2) “… keeping to the view that my identity is in Christ helps place the proper importance in the proper places…”
The Cairo Curse is complete with adventure, mystery, love, romance, tenderness, surprises, redemption, grace, mercy, and love.
The author’s passion for creating stories with vivid settings, dimensional characters, and rewarding plot lines comes through excellently in The Cairo Curse.
I plan to re-read this captivating story to make a list of the mentioned authors, books, and associated characters because this list would make a challenging, yet fun and rewarding, readathon!
The Cairo Curse inspires me to laugh more than I have been, have peace that passes all understanding regardless of my circumstances, continually bubble with joy, and focus on how God sees me -- instead of being consumed with worry, fret, and fear.
I received an eArc of The Cairo Curse from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley.com. I was not required to write a review or paid to do so. The words above are my honest review of this terrific book.
#TheCairoCurse #NetGalley #BarbourPublishing #PepperBasham
Release Date: February 1, 2023 by Barbour Publishing
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Christian Romance
Description: Clue meets Indiana Jones with a fiction-loving twist only Grace Percy can provide.
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair-share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store. From an assortment of untrustworthy adventure-seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret, Frederick and Grace must lean on each other to navigate their dangerous surroundings. As the suspects mount in an antiquities’ heist of ancient proportions, will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands? The Cairo’s Curse is a delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series.
The Cairo Curse is amazingly captivating and delivers a strong five-star rating! I highly recommend this book to everyone! The author, Pepper Basham, uses her remarkable writing skills to transport us to Egypt in such a way that we smell the fragrances, we see what the characters are seeing, and feel what each of the characters are feeling.
What did I love most about The Cairo Curse? The imaginatively strong fictional mind and lifestyle of the main character, Grace, and how her and Frederick’s relationship with God was first in each of their lives. Here are two terrific quotes from Frederick: (1) “It has been a hard lesson, and one I’m still learning, but God is slowly teaching me that I am not to be defined by my past, my relations, or my station, but by Him.” and (2) “… keeping to the view that my identity is in Christ helps place the proper importance in the proper places…”
The Cairo Curse is complete with adventure, mystery, love, romance, tenderness, surprises, redemption, grace, mercy, and love.
The author’s passion for creating stories with vivid settings, dimensional characters, and rewarding plot lines comes through excellently in The Cairo Curse.
I plan to re-read this captivating story to make a list of the mentioned authors, books, and associated characters because this list would make a challenging, yet fun and rewarding, readathon!
The Cairo Curse inspires me to laugh more than I have been, have peace that passes all understanding regardless of my circumstances, continually bubble with joy, and focus on how God sees me -- instead of being consumed with worry, fret, and fear.
I received an eArc of The Cairo Curse from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley.com. I was not required to write a review or paid to do so. The words above are my honest review of this terrific book.
#TheCairoCurse #NetGalley #BarbourPublishing #PepperBasham
February 3, 2023
Rating 3.5
I enjoyed being a part of Grace and Freddie’s love story in The Mistletoe Countess and was excited when I saw we get to see more about their antics and adventures in this sequel. Their love story was something we don’t always see for the period and quite refreshing.
I loved the fictional mind of Grace and how she analyses everything from her world of books. And Freddie’s love and protection towards Grace was so sweet. There were a few humorous moments thanks to some vibrant camels.
I was intrigued by the mystery plot and had quite a few suspects for the bad guy and was surprised with a twist or two. There were moments where I felt the story was moving slowly, but then we get into the adventurous mind of Grace again and things pick up.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
I enjoyed being a part of Grace and Freddie’s love story in The Mistletoe Countess and was excited when I saw we get to see more about their antics and adventures in this sequel. Their love story was something we don’t always see for the period and quite refreshing.
I loved the fictional mind of Grace and how she analyses everything from her world of books. And Freddie’s love and protection towards Grace was so sweet. There were a few humorous moments thanks to some vibrant camels.
I was intrigued by the mystery plot and had quite a few suspects for the bad guy and was surprised with a twist or two. There were moments where I felt the story was moving slowly, but then we get into the adventurous mind of Grace again and things pick up.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
February 28, 2023
A thrilling adventure filled with romance, humor, mystery, and faith.
I was delighted to find that this book would follow Grace and Frederick from The Mistletoe Countess, and it did not disappoint. Filled with adventure and mystery, evoking ensemble mysteries from the likes of Agatha Christie. I loved Grace's passion for adventure, as well as her enthusiasm for life and the value she places on reading fiction. This book has some familiar faces, as well as a full cast of intriguing new suspects.
A rollicking adventure, with a healthy dose of humor, as well as faith. This was an utterly enjoyable read from beginning to end and a wonderful next chapter in Grace and Frederick's story. It was also great to see a different side of Elliott. I admired his noble heart.
Overall, an excellent follow up to Frederick and Grace's first adventure, I look forward to reading more in the future!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I was delighted to find that this book would follow Grace and Frederick from The Mistletoe Countess, and it did not disappoint. Filled with adventure and mystery, evoking ensemble mysteries from the likes of Agatha Christie. I loved Grace's passion for adventure, as well as her enthusiasm for life and the value she places on reading fiction. This book has some familiar faces, as well as a full cast of intriguing new suspects.
A rollicking adventure, with a healthy dose of humor, as well as faith. This was an utterly enjoyable read from beginning to end and a wonderful next chapter in Grace and Frederick's story. It was also great to see a different side of Elliott. I admired his noble heart.
Overall, an excellent follow up to Frederick and Grace's first adventure, I look forward to reading more in the future!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 2, 2023
The Cairo Curse is the second book in the Frederick & Grace Mysteries series by Pepper Basham. The adventures started from the get-go and didn’t let up until the last page. The same goes for the romance and what a sweet romance it is. The main heroine, Grace, is an exceptional character that the author really brought to life. From the exotic location of Cairo to The Great Pyramids of Giza, the story allows the reader to escape into a world of lavish opulence, interrupted by jewel thieves, tomb robbers and a murder. Possibly more. No spoilers here. I had not read the first book, The Mistletoe Countess, before reading this one but now I’m determined to snatch it up ASAP.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 25, 2023
ARC Review
4.5⭐️ Mysteries, mummies and romance filled the pages of this book. Anyone who loves PB books will love book 2 in the adventures of Fredrick and Grace. They’re going to Egypt and Grace can’t wait! It was fun and exciting with a who-dun-it feeling.
I definitely recommend this one.
Thanks Barbour Publishing via NetGalley.
4.5⭐️ Mysteries, mummies and romance filled the pages of this book. Anyone who loves PB books will love book 2 in the adventures of Fredrick and Grace. They’re going to Egypt and Grace can’t wait! It was fun and exciting with a who-dun-it feeling.
I definitely recommend this one.
Thanks Barbour Publishing via NetGalley.
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