CODEX OF THE GODS

A British Egyptologist becomes embroiled in a murder and a conspiracy in this installment of Bailey’s thriller series.

London-based Alex MacLure’s latest job takes him to sunny California, where he’ll be translating ancient clay tablets for billionaire Simon Blanchard’s private museum. Blanchard’s prized possession is also his “biggest secret”: a glowing black stone etched with symbols that resemble but most likely predate Egyptian hieroglyphics. Not long after Alex sees this relic, he discovers Blanchard’s body at the museum. On a wall-screen, the museum’s “state-of-the-art, AI-based security” runs CCTV footage of Alex killing the billionaire, which definitely did not happen. Once he realizes the real murderer also stole the black stone, Alex flees. Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent Charlotte “Charlie” Rebb is in Iceland, investigating the homicide of a fellow federal agent. Andrew, Alex’s brother, calls Charlie to tell her that Alex, whom she’s worked with before, is presumably missing. By the time Charlie gets back to the States, the Egyptologist is wanted for murder. If she wants to work this case, Charlie will have to cooperate with the investigating detective: Greg Sykes, her “unfaithful douchebag” ex. Charlie has trouble believing that Alex killed anyone, despite the evidence, and she uncovers a probable connection between Blanchard’s murder and the agent’s homicide in Iceland. As she diligently tries to prove Alex’s innocence, Alex hides as best he can. He quickly learns that several people who desperately want the relic are convinced that he has it.

Bailey shrouds this third entry in The Egyptian Stones series in mystery. The stone itself, for example, is a pure enigma; it’s one of a handful of stones that some people refer to by number and are collecting for a purpose that’s not immediately clear. The characters are frequently secretive, and Alex gets help from people who aren’t trustworthy and whom he doesn’t know well. They include Marie Dubois, the woman who previously held Alex’s job and left for a reason she can’t discuss; another is George Lambros, a journalist who disgraced himself by relying on “questionable sources” but found success later with a conspiracy book. As Alex learns, these characters could have hidden agendas, which contributes to the consistently high narrative tension. Fortunately, Charlie intermittently alleviates this uncertainty, her belief in Alex rarely faltering. The glee she takes in irritating Sykes is fun; he’s a blowhard who’s easy to despise. (“You know what, Charlene?” he says, fully aware that’s not her real name. “Save your bleeding-heart spiel. Yeah, it’s a tragedy. Boo hoo.”) Questions accrue as the story progresses, and plenty of real-life Egyptian history pops up (like the figure of Yanhamu, who wrote the code for the Amarna Letters found on the clay tablets Alex is hired to translate). The answers remain elusive, since the introduction of more characters leads to more theories about the black stones’ intended use. The exciting final act draws to a curious ending that implies another installment—or series.

This swiftly paced mystery boasts intrigue and an irresistible cast.