A BURIED EGYPTIAN TEMPLE. A SECRET KEPT FOR 6,000 YEARS. A RACE FOR LIFE WORTH KILLING FOR.
An international TV audience waits breathlessly as archaeologists prepare to break into a long-hidden vault beneath the Great Sphinx. But student Macy Sharif has already made her own shocking discovery: a religious cult raiding the site. Their prize? A map that will lead to something far more astounding: the lost pyramid of Osiris. Framed by corrupt officials, Macy goes on the run, trying to reach the only people who can save her before she is silenced—permanently. American archaeologist Nina Wilde, once a renowned scientific explorer, now all but blacklisted by her colleagues, is trying to rebuild her reputation. But Macy’s plea for help will send Nina and ex-SAS bodyguard Eddie Chase on the ultimate treasure hunt. From the streets of Manhattan to a yacht off Monaco to a buried desert site, they’ll follow an elusive trail stalked by a killer determined to uncover a six-thousand-year-old secret. And beneath the forbidding desert, they’ll enter a forgotten world both wondrous and horrifying, where the ancient God of Death has kept his secrets—until now.
Andy McDermott was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and now lives in Bournemouth. As a journalist and magazine editor, amongst other titles he edited DVD Review and the iconoclastic film publication Hotdog. Andy is now a full-time writer.
I’m a big fan of this series. Action/adventure thrillers isn’t my usual genre but I do have a couple on my tbr and I tend to stick with the series if they have characters that I love rather than the story plot itself. And this is definitely the case for the Wilde/Chase series.
I love the relationship between the Nina and Eddie. They bicker constantly like an old married couple despite the fact that this is the first book where they actually are married. No matter how much they bicker though it’s easy for the reader to see how much they genuinely love each other and their complete loyalty to the other, and it really adds something to the reading experience in my opinion. Eddie is just adorable and I absolutely love him, he really adds a comedic element to the books.
The plot of the story itself was, as always, an entertaining and fast paced read. There is always plenty of action and violence. The thing that always makes me laugh are the completely unrealistic stunts and near misses that occur. Andy McDermott could put the James Bond films to shame. I love it all. I don’t care if it’s not particularly believable, that it part of the series’ charm. I also adore Eddie’s James Bond style quips, come backs and flirtations. They never fail to make me smile, the cheesier the better.
This is the fifth book in the series and actually my favourite of all of them since the first book. I think this is mainly because one of the reoccurring antagonists that has been in it in books 2, 3 and 4 was missing in this one. I find her extremely irritating and it was a lovely break not having her turning up and souring everything.
This series just makes me happy. Admittedly they are not the kind of books I can read back to back as I would definitely get bored, but by leaving a few months in between each one, ensures that I always look forward to revisiting Nina and Eddie and joining them on another adventure.
The best way I can think to describe this book is: a less athletic Lara Croft who marries a less good looking James Bond with cheesier chat up lines and they have lot of Indiana Jones style adventures together. Come on what’s not to love!
After undeniably the best book in the series, we’re back to the norm of the first book here. It’s over the top action scenes from start to finish. And Egypt’s always a really strong setting for a treasure hunt adventure.
Though I own the first five books in this series, this is the first one I've actually read simply because I needed it to complete a challenge. Unfortunately for Mr. McDermott, it comes directly on the tail of me reading two excellent thrillers last month - The Alexandria Link and The Six Sacred Stones which were far superior to this book. I love anything to do with archaeology especially Egyptian. However this book doesn't actually have any excavating. Oh sure, there is a dig at the beginning but the lead characters aren't into the story yet and the focus isn't on the dig itself but on Macy Sharif and her anatomy ("a broomstick with two watermelons taped to it"). And of course, there is the "other" dig which is the real plot of the book but again no part of the excavation is actually described. So for my archaeological fever, the book fails completely and in addition, the destruction of antiquities was horrifying.
I liked both Nina and Eddie and I loved their bickering. Eddie has a wicked sense of humor and I found myself laughing more often than not when he was present. However Macy simply got on my nerves. She got on the dig simply by nepotism; she's a "C" student in college; she doesn't want to put in the time/work to succeed as an archaeologist so why the heck is she in this book?
All in all I just found the whole thing beyond improbable and the gratuitous destruction was way over the top. As another reviewer stated: the destruction tally: a Porsche, 2 police cars, a NYC cab, a hot dog cart, Dodge Ram truck, a Grand Prix racecar, a large yacht, three jet skis and several smaller yachts, 2 LSVs, a military hovercraft, 2 4x4s and a Eurocopter. Simply ridiculous and so unrealistic. I know you need to suspend disbelief when reading these types of books but come on, not once where they held responsible for any of the damage they caused. And another thing, Eddie and Nina are supposed to be totally broke, yet they are jetting all over the world - Egypt, Switzerland, Monte Carlo, back to Egypt, back to Switzerland. This isn't a series I'll be returning too.
After 5 books in this series (and another 4 or 5 I haven't gotten to yet), one would think that McDermott couldn't possibly keep the continuing story of Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase interesting or entertaining. After all, each novel is basically a rehash, retelling, retooled version of the previous entry, complete with basically the same scenarios, same one-liners, same escapes from near death, and, of course, the same over-the-top action and requisite destruction of various planes, trains, and automobiles.
And yet, stupid title aside (I don't know why us Americans couldn't just stick with the much more ominous and thrilling title of The Cult of Osiris), The Pyramid of Doom still manages to be ridiculously fun and ridiculously entertaining. Yes, the book took me about 2 weeks to read (I blame a ton of unnecessary mandatory OT at work for the holidays), but I found myself flying through the last 200 or so pages in only 2 days.
The reason? McDermott's vastly underrated ability to throw in blockbuster-esque thrills and still tell an engaging story somewhere between the exploding helicopters, buildings, and in the case of this book, hovercrafts.
Yes, I will admit that a lot of the plot elements and series of events in Pyramid of Doom have all been done in the previous books (plague/genetic engineering in Hunt for Atlantis, a chase in heavy industrial equipment across a desert landscape in Tomb of Hercules, a car chase through a crowded city in Secret of Excalibur, a corrupt organization hellbent on destroying sacred artifacts and Nina Wilde's reputation along with it in The Covenant of Genesis), but honestly, I don't really care. Fans of this genre (both in literature and cinema) don't go into it to find thought provoking or deep, insightful ideas within. Instead, we read and watch to be entertained and forget about the outside world for a while.
Really though, what The Pyramid of Doom manages to show, as has every successive novel in this series, is McDermott's continued growth as an author. Even if this particular book has so far been the shortest in the entire series (very nearly 100 pages less than its predecessor), its lean, quick, and doesn't mess around, and very easily moves up the ranks as probably the best written so far.
I have not read any of Andy McDermott's work before, so I was unaware that this was a series of books. So I have came in when the characters are already down along the path of being developed. There are lots of explosions, lots of broken bones, lots of bad guys, the obligatory useless Hollywood action here (think Charlie's Angels, lots of references to Indy, Lara and and you have a book screaming out make me into a movie. To be honest, this book was not my cup of tea. I was disappointed with characters, they all seemed shallow and the relationship between the husband and wife team. Well it was almost like, the author thought they are married so I dont have to work as hard on giving the relationship any substance. It was okay but I do not feel compelled to go and read any of the other books.
Yes, the double exclamation mark is deliberate. An action-packed book, but in contrast to his later books, Andy McDermott managed to weave a story in as well.
We meet Macy, and learn her real name (!). We also meet Grant Thorn. The story is per usual: A priceless artifact comes under threat by some maniac hellbent on taking over the world. Unfortunately, the ending is predictable but satisfying.
It was a good ride and a quick read. If, like me, you see this in your street library or at a garage or library sale, snap it up. An entertaining read.
A tale of Egyptian Archaeology, and the addition of a 3rd character as they battle Nina's former employers in a race. In the main one of the best and well written, well paced, some educational moments and light moments too, a nice balance. Two things stopped this being a 5 star review; firstly the car jacking in Monaco was a little OTT, and some of the scenes during the pyramid excavation are a little too blockbuster - think Indiana Jones. That aside, I'm still left looking forward to the next in the series.
I quite enjoyed this book! I love just about anything with a historical mystery to solve, and this book's focus on Egyptian history and mythology was right up my alley. I wish there had been a little more history and clues, and less "action." I still recommend it and plan to go back to the beginning of the series.
I really enjoy the Wilde/Chase series and this started of brilliantly. I did get a bit lost towards the end when they were in the Pyramid but I think that was because there was so much action going on and the ending was brilliant (I won't spoil it for anyone) Overall I did enjoy this installment and can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Into the fifth in the series, I’ve always enjoyed the Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase books, they tap into my love of Indiana Jones type stories of adventure, lost archaeological treasures and big action scenes.
Picking up after the ending of the previous book, we find the newly married couple at a low point. After being falsely discredited over a discovery they found in the Covenant of Genesis, Eddie is working as a bodyguard for celebrities and Nina feeling angry and frustrated after being fired from the International Heritage Agency that she founded and used to run. However, (as always) they are dragged into a new adventure when a joint excavation between the IHA and the new religious group the Osirian Order into the secret Hall of Records underneath the Sphinx. However, Nina and Eddie along with one of the students from the dig discover a clandestine group intent on getting in the Hall of Records first and stealing a map to a fabled lost pyramid hidden from history of the first Pharaoh. What follows is what you expect now from this series; chases, tomb raiding, gun fights, moustache twirling villains, quips and insults banded around by Eddie and Nina, ancient mysterious and a ticking clock where some ancient discovery is going to be used for evil. So, the usual. This is what you come to read these books for. Simple. Swashbuckling, fun Indiana Jones type adventures.
This is not to say this didn’t problems. Firstly, the ‘sidekick' on this one, Macy Sharif, the student who discovers the secret plot to steal from the Sphinx. She’s a ‘little’ bit annoying. Described as stunning (by herself), she beat smarter students onto the dig due to nepotism and being telegenic; she aspires to be like her idol Nina, yet doesn’t put in the hard work. She’s also written by a middle-aged man trying to write a fun, kinda ditzy early twenties something which does irritate after a while. Just I think it’s the first character in these books that I found irritating even when they weren't written to be that way. My other problem was the whole mystery this time. Usually there’s more searching and archaeological discoveries before the final revelation, here that’s just skipped over. There are not really any steps in-between the Hall under the Sphinx to getting to the lost pyramid. There’s stuff happening don’t get me wrong, just a failed break in at the cult's Paris temple and a protracted car chase in Monaco just isn’t the same as the usual tomb raider stuff in the previous books. The villain/s and their scheme just seemed a bit...meh. The secret hidden Egyptian mystery seemed a bit lacklustre; I think in the way it was explained more than anything and the plans for it are like ten a penny in books similar to this (oh no they’re trying to create a killer virus from ancient times....again). With the MacGuffin being a bit weaker compared to the other books, the villains didn’t stand out enough to take up the slack.
I did enjoy reading this, don't take away that I didn’t. The back and forth between Nina and Eddie are always fun and they are written in a way that just makes them likeable and engaging. The action scenes are over the top Fast and Furious type ridiculous stuff, but exciting.
If these books where films (please make these instead if more Indiana Jones please. We don't want another Crystal Skulls), the previous books are like the Mummy and Mummy 2. This one is like the Mummy 3; Ok, but not as good as the ones before. But nowhere near enough to put me off reading more of Eddie and Nina.
Man, books like this are just my go to for pure fun reading! I can sit back and enjoy the action, the adventure, the romance, and all the near death close calls. I can enjoy the myths, the archaeology, the puzzles, the booby traps, and all the twists and turns. This is the fifth book I've read by Andy McDermott, and I think this is probably his best one so far. It's definitely better than his previous book which I found to be just okay. "The Pyramid of Doom" just rockets along at a breakneck pace and never stops until the ending. And, it has an absolutely nasty little twist towards the end that I never saw coming. Awesome!
In book #5, Nina and Eddie are at their lowest. After their failed attempt to tell the world they had found the Garden of Eden, Nina is without a job after being dismissed from the IHA, while Eddie is a bodyguard for a fame hungry movie star who envisions himself as a big time action hero. They are barely surviving and their marriage is fracturing. Into their lives crashes Macy, a young woman who has barely escaped from Egypt after witnessing plans to steal an artifact from a dig next to the Sphinx. This theft ties back to a religious cult leader who models himself after Osiris, the Egyptian god who was able to find immortality or so the myth goes.
All of this leads to a race to find the hidden pyramid of Osiris. I won't say why, but the reasons are highly probable. The minute the race begins we get one action scene after another. Any one of them could be found in today's action/adventure films, but McDermott piles on at least five. Of course, each action scene has cliffhangers, near escapes, deaths, and mayhem. He writes so well that I could so easily picture each scene in my head. It's all very vivid.
McDermott continues the story of the fantastic protagonists Nina and Eddie. I like seeing their growth, their struggles, but also their deep love for each other. McDermott doesn't skimp on the characters. They aren't tropes or stereotypes or cardboard, but real characters who experience disappoint, fear, joy, and love. While this is book #5, I really don't think reading book four is necessary. Any reader can quickly figure out what is happening and how events from a novel they may not have read have lead the characters to what is happening in this book. You could read this as a standalone, but it's way more fun reading each book in the series.
I really enjoy Andy McDermott's books and he is definitely up there with one of my favorites - James Rollins. I look forward to reading book #6.
The writer and the book entertains. Lots of words and scenarios to immerse oneself in. I bought five McDermott paperbacks at a boot sale. I am reading them all on the trot. This is the fourth one that I have read. The various plots have now become a blur. If you asked me the plot of any of the four books I would be hard put to tell you one of them. The writer is absolutely dedicated to writing to a formula. Any of the sub-plots can be taken out of one book and put in another with a slight adjustment to context. Which to me means that the author can write twenty or so sub-plots and then mix and match them into a finished book. No doubt having a few left over for the next book. There is no fear that the hero or heroine will extricate themselves from whichever sticky situation they find themselves as the author always has up his sleeve a company of men and women just waiting to be called on to pull them out of the mire. However, the last twenty-eight pages of the "The Cult of Osiris" are a taster for the next book called "The Sacred Vault." The sixth book from the pen of McDermott. The story opens with the theft from a Rome museum of Michaelangelo's David. The five-ton marble statue is removed by a heavy-duty helicopter which lifts the statue from above and out of the museum. The statue is then transported away across Rome suspended below the helicopter. The image in my head of a statue being transported across Rome suspended beneath a helicopter rang a bell with me. The book, La Dolce Vita, the sweet life. 1960. The book by Lo Duca and the movie of the book by Federico Fellini. In Lo Duca's book the opening page tells of a wooden statue of Jesus Christ. A publicity stunt organised by the main character, Marcello. The statue of Jesus Christ is carried beneath a helicopter, over a group of girls sunning themselves in bikinis on the rooftops of Rome.
The book cover claims that this is for everyone that enjoys Indiana Jones. Imagine a series that is a contemporary version of Indiana Jones, with the main characters from the Mummy and directed by Michael Bay.
A discredited archeologist, Nina Wilde, is contacted by an intern, Macy Sharif, at an Aegyptian dig. A cult worshipping the god Osiris, who financed this dig, is about to steal a valuable artifact. As they accused her of being a thief, Macy can't go to the authorities. In the end, Nina and her husband, Sam, decide to help Macy. What ensues is an action-packed chase across multiple continents following a map found in the tomb.
This was the first book in this series I've read. While you can understand the plot, you won't get the references to previous novels. Since I just met the characters, Nina's constant whining was grating for me. Maybe in prior books, she made a better impression.
When it comes to the plot, you may enjoy the history lessons, but you shouldn't look at the logic too closely. This is, after all, an action novel. As such, you might wonder why Nina didn't ask her friend with the busted leg to approach the proper authorities. Instead, we were told that no one would believe her, and therefore she had to investigate herself (property damage that will give archeologists nightmares included).
I also found that the cult was inconsistent. It was led by two brothers. One is a homicidal maniac, while the other is more of a playboy. As such, I found it hard to believe that he would order Macy's death, especially as she wasn't much of a threat once they discredited her.
As mentioned, the book is a fun action novel, but you should just shut off your brain while reading. I'll check out other entries in the series. Hopefully, Nina won't always be as annoying.
I love this series. As long as you approach these books with the appropriate mindset, they are tons of fun and highly entertaining.
This series is not high-brow literature - it's basically a Jason Statham/Bruce Willis/Sylvester Stallone action movie in book form and as long as you know that going in and are into that type of story this is a fun, easy-reading kick-ass adventure.
Once again, Nina and Eddie end up in a death-defying adventure, this time in Egypt. At least this time around, they are drawn in through no fault of their own, when an intern on a dig that goes sideways contacts Nina to ask for help. After that, the usual, danger, death, explosions, and general crazy mayhem ensues.
Like I said, you have to approach this series understanding what you are getting. It always makes me laugh when I see other reviews of books in this series complaining that it is formulaic, or that it is totally unrealistic. YES!!! That's the whole POINT of the stories here!! If you are looking for realistic, totally unique stories, this is not the series for you!
On the other hand, if you like easy-to-digest action, adventure, ridiculous predicaments with a very likable couple, and hysterically funny one-lines [mainly from Eddie, whose darkly fatalistic sense of humour I absolutely ADORE!!] in interesting world locations, then this may be the series for you.
I pick up one of these - format note: my library has this series on audio, and the narrator is fabulous, if you have any interest in audio books - when I just want to be entertained and laugh, without having to work hard for my excitement. These audio books are perfect for my daily subway commute. I highly recommend this series for sheer over-the-top exciting entertainment!
M: Is there anything you haven't blown up? N&E: Pyramids. M: Wanna go to Eygpt?
After their last adventure, Nina has been disgraced and is out of work, while Eddie is playing bodyguard to entitled movie stars. Things are looking depressing until an undergraduate on a dig in Eygpt sees something she shouldn't have and turns to Nina for help. In no time at all, they are all running for their lives from a dangerous new cult. What secrets does the dig hold that is worth killing for?
It's been two years since my last Nina and Eddie adventure. I commented in that review how comforting it is to slip back into one of these novels. Andy manages to combine outlandish action, ridiculous plots, larger than life bad guys, a spot of humour, and manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. Many try to do this and fail. Andy manages to do it with the amp cranked to eleven.
The Cult of Osiris was very much like that experience. It was exactly the right kind of fun I needed. This was one of several Andy McDermott novels I bought to fill in the instalments I've missed. It was interesting to come back to an earlier adventure after having read several later ones. Artefact-McGuffin-Adventure novels are hard to do this well, but every Nina and Eddie adventure has managed to be extremely fun to read.
These just get better and better. I was a little concerned when I started this book. I’m starting my masters in Egyptology in September, and I feared that my knowledge of Ancient Egypt was going to prevent me from fully enjoying the book as much as I had the others. Usually with books like these, they’re going to be built on facts, then after that the author is going to warp those facts to fit their story. Since my field of study is Egyptology, I can look through my fingers with the inaccuracies in the previous stories, as I don’t know enough about the topics. But this book had me so pleasantly surprised. Sure there were slight inaccuracies, but the things that the book got right made me so happy. And every time someone mentioned something that is usually highly misunderstood about ancient Egypt, I would think “no that’s not quite how thing are”. But before I could even finish me thought, either Nina or Macy would correct their people around them and say exactly what I would have said. I had to stop multiple times to laugh out load or burst out amazed unintelligible sentences. This book has quickly become one of my favorites.
Another rip-roaring action-packed thriller in this ongoing series.
For those following the trail, both Nina and Eddie are down on their luck in New York at the start of the book (but now married), having lost their jobs at the IHA after the plot of the last book. Eddie is working as a bodyguard/chauffeur to a movie-star which proves quite useful at some points in the plot, whilst Nina is wallowing in her self-pity until she's drawn into the plot of this book (luckily that doesn't take too long).
A young researcher who has been inspired by Nina's fame from previous exploits witnesses some nefarious goings-on in Egypt and contacts Nina (to draw her and Eddie into this plot). The story rapidly progresses from an attack on her life in New York to uncovering a hidden pyramid in Egypt, all whilst trying to fend off the evil machinations of a religious cult (as in the book title) who want to use some of the contents of the pyramid for their own evil purposes.
As with previous books in the series, there's plenty of action and adrenaline-fuelled sequences throughout the story to keep your interest spiked.
If some books are action movies, this one is almost a Michael Bay movie in terms of explosions and property damage and high-octane action. Fortunately, it's not as frenetic and plotless. And yes, I figured out the book was this way even before the author gratuitously crushed a Lamborghini.
Normally, I try very hard not to jump into a series in the middle, but the topic of this one interested me and it didn't feel like it would matter that much. Yes, it's THAT kind of series. But the fact that it doesn't matter is a good thing; the books are mostly stand-alone, independent episodes.
I appreciated that the author was willing to move the story forward at a steady pace. It's a bit too strong on the huge action for my taste, but that's better than way too little action or plot movement. The characters are also plausible, consistent human beings who interact in (relatively) believable ways. Kind of amazing for something with such an action bent.
Why do all the covers in this series have helicopters on them?
McDermott’s always fun. As always the strength of these is largely in the action and dungeon crawling bits. The man always has the coolest death trap puzzles for our protes to solve. Honestly, I’d love to directly lift some of his traps for D&D games, they’re so fun to read, players might enjoy them. The dialogue is as usual, pretty bad, and there’s not a bunch of atmosphere in the writing, as in it doesn’t evoke any feeling. The “character development” is always extremely shallow in these, but at least McDermott writes a married couple that actually can listen to one another and solve problems. While getting shot at. With the presence of another principal female lead, we definitely get “dude writer syndrome” in some places, but it’s not enough to be super eye rollingly bad, just like, has this guy ever heard two women talk to each other? Fun adventure worth the read. 7/10? Meh. Ratings are subjective.
I will start by saying that even though this is book 5 in the Nina/Eddie series I jumped right in with this one without reading the others. There were a few references to previous books, but overall I did not feel lost or like I was missing important information. This book is perfect for fans of big action and treasure hunts. There is a lot of action here. Emotional and character development seems to take a back seat to explosions and chases. And there were a few instances where daring heroics greatly defy reality. But it was a really fun adventure! Nina isn't my favorite protagonist, but in this book she is in a professional and emotional slump, so perhaps she is not always written this way. Overall this book is great fun! If you enjoy Mission Impossible movies and ancient Egyptian mythology then you should give this book a go!
I normally love McDermott's action thrillers with the continuing story of Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase. However I found this story easy to put down and hard to pick up; it wasn't all bad though and I did get a few laughs throughout the book with the dry humour from the Eddie Chase character. The rest of the storyline was predictable and at times simply ridiculous. Nonetheless I read through to the end and it gave me some entertainment. I am hoping the next Wild & Chase adventure is a bit better.
3.5 stars A pretty good book. If you have read any of the others in the series than you know what you are getting. A half decent story and lots of action. This time Nina and Eddie are just scrapping by as Nina has been kicked out of the archeology company that she had been in. A girl working on a dig in Egypt sees that a side dig is going on and looks into it. What she finds sends the "bad" group after her to stop her from telling anybody. She gets a hold of Nina and the race for relics is on.
First, why there was a decision to change the name for the American addition is a mystery to me. Took a while to figure out that the Pyramid of Doom was the same as Osiris.
Overall, this adventure was much better than the previous. It helped characterization-wise to remove the endless funds and backing that Nina and Eddie have had. Plus there was the addition of interesting secondary characters and their natures interacting with Nina and Eddie added some freshness.
Yes, still completely unrealistic ways of doing archeology, etc. But that's a given.
OK, I'm hooked! This is the second book that has been a "Wilde Chase" across many countries and with Nina and Eddie at hand it truly is a ride you won't forget. The characters are absolutely fun to read, and the villains are just downright nasty and hardcore bad to the bone. Love Eddie's English, it is filled with little what did you say.............."Ay Up", and "innit" funny sayings that you actually get used to hearing from him that make you laugh, and oh the action downright sit on the edge of your seat predicaments they always find themselves in the middle of. These two are just the ticket to great reading, wonderful adventure and just plain fun...............yeah, I'm hooked. However, there are a few things that I wish I could change, now I am not a prude, but I really don't like the sexual innuendos, the foul language, and taking the LORD'S name that I find in the story. I understand people do these things, and say these things, however, they really do not enhance the story for me. That is one reason I like reading my Christian novels, all the above are left out of their stories. But, none the less, Nina and Eddie are a likable pair, and I am now reading another of their stories. Not in order, but I am on a budget, so I am reading the less expensive books first.
A great book in a great series. If you take life too seriously and regularly find yourself picking holes out of the plot of a Bond film, or Die Hard, then this isn’t for you. But it’s good, ridiculous, light hearted fun, based loosely on historical fact. You really need to read the other books in the series to make sure you’re acclimatised to the nature of the storylines, otherwise you may find it too far fetched.
Painful dialogue and some truly far fetched scenarios are partly redeemed by a nail biting finish. This story gets off to a good start and ends well, but it really sags in the middle. I've read six in this series now, having read one out of order, not realising it was a series. It's not literature, but it passes the time without requiring any brain work. This is probably the weakest in the series thus far.
while it still remains very formulaic there are a couple differences where we see him trying to change tracks with the characterisation here. while we see more archaeology if the series is going to be based on that premise maybe just maybe there should actually be some. more than running through trap laden places but actual archaeology this isn't Indiana Jones, though they had more archaeology than we see here. It is still a fun mindless toilet reading book though.
I have found this writer and the characters and enjoy the formula that seems to work, archaeology and thriller rolled into one. Really fast moving stories which reflect most of our predispositions. Fame, prestige, wealth and power; couple that with someone who wants to start a cult worshipping a long dead Egyptian and plan world domination as a side line. Good read, now starting to get formulaic.