Shadow of the Sphinx
(2026)(The fourth book in the Aunt Jessica Mystery series)
A novel by Judith Cranswick
If you fancy a vicarious journey to enjoy the sights of magnificent, towering temples, giant statues of pharaohs and animal-headed gods and priceless bejewelled tomb treasures; take in the sounds and smells of the local markets and learn something of Egypt’s ancient history, customs and cuisine then this is a book for you.
A whodunit that blends ancient history, myths and archaeology wrapped in a present-day holiday mystery, with plenty of unexpected twists with a touch of humour. It will keep you guessing until the end.
Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile meets Elizabeth Peter’s Curse of the Pharaohs in a modern setting.
‘An enjoyable mystery with superb settings.’ Mystery People
Extract from Shadow of the Sphinx
I was scraping the last spoonful of chocolate sauce from the bottom of my dish when Aunt Jessica put a hand on my arm.
‘Something wrong?’
She frowned. ‘Have you noticed Eloise is drinking rather heavily?’
I looked across the table. Eloise was decidedly the worse for wear. She ran a hand through her hair disrupting its habitual immaculate styling. Her face and neck flushed an angry red, and a pained frown creased her forehead. Her eyes blinked rapidly before suddenly, clutching her throat, she half rose only to fall forward, crashing onto the table.
Fern screamed. Margot leant over the collapsed torso calling her name over and over. She managed to lift the stricken woman’s head and shoulders and cradled them against her own chest.
Then the whole place erupted in a confusion of bustle and noise. Waiters rushed over. A first aider arrived, and Eloise was laid on the floor as guests from nearby tables began crowding around.
‘She’s struggling to breathe. Someone ring for an ambulance.’
The maître d’ appointed two of the heftiest of his staff to carry Eloise to her room. Another waiter cleared the path to the exit. All eyes followed the little procession with Margot in its wake.
‘Please return to your seats, everyone,’ ordered the maître d’. ‘One of our guests has been taken ill but there is no cause for alarm.’
Genre: Literary Fiction
A whodunit that blends ancient history, myths and archaeology wrapped in a present-day holiday mystery, with plenty of unexpected twists with a touch of humour. It will keep you guessing until the end.
Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile meets Elizabeth Peter’s Curse of the Pharaohs in a modern setting.
‘An enjoyable mystery with superb settings.’ Mystery People
Extract from Shadow of the Sphinx
I was scraping the last spoonful of chocolate sauce from the bottom of my dish when Aunt Jessica put a hand on my arm.
‘Something wrong?’
She frowned. ‘Have you noticed Eloise is drinking rather heavily?’
I looked across the table. Eloise was decidedly the worse for wear. She ran a hand through her hair disrupting its habitual immaculate styling. Her face and neck flushed an angry red, and a pained frown creased her forehead. Her eyes blinked rapidly before suddenly, clutching her throat, she half rose only to fall forward, crashing onto the table.
Fern screamed. Margot leant over the collapsed torso calling her name over and over. She managed to lift the stricken woman’s head and shoulders and cradled them against her own chest.
Then the whole place erupted in a confusion of bustle and noise. Waiters rushed over. A first aider arrived, and Eloise was laid on the floor as guests from nearby tables began crowding around.
‘She’s struggling to breathe. Someone ring for an ambulance.’
The maître d’ appointed two of the heftiest of his staff to carry Eloise to her room. Another waiter cleared the path to the exit. All eyes followed the little procession with Margot in its wake.
‘Please return to your seats, everyone,’ ordered the maître d’. ‘One of our guests has been taken ill but there is no cause for alarm.’
Genre: Literary Fiction