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Publisher: N. L. Holmes (2020)
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The yearning for justice is a heartfelt sentiment that has stirred people through the ages. The price for justice can be high, and it’s not always predictable who will pay. In this third Lord Hani mystery of ancient Egypt, Lord Hani is confronted with a puzzling dichotomy. It’s a pool of two truths that cannot coexist. And for Lord Hani, neither truth has the desired outcome. Yet, the King has assigned him to solve this mystery of the stealthy tomb robbers. They have broken into several sacred resting places and stolen valuable contents meant to sustain the spirits of those who passed on. Lord Hani must uncover the secret leader to stop these villains, the one determined to wield a Scepter of Flint to spark fires of division, suspicion, desperation, and greed.

As Lord Hani begins the investigation with his reliable assistant and son-in-law Maya, longtime enemy Mahu the police chief continually shows up looking for trouble and looking to get Hani off what Mahu sees as his case. However, Hani continues to puzzle out the mystery of the tomb robbers, why their crimes have started now, and where they may strike next. As he follows the clues, he finds more to this spree than robbery – much more. And now, it’s not just property that is threatened. Now lives are at stake.

Interviewing suspects and witnesses keeps Hani busy between the political new capital and the beloved old capital, a boat ride apart. He and Maya are not alone in their pursuit for the truth; generations of his passionate family, including his father, brother, dear wife, and daughter, join in. From their diverse interests and work Hani gleans insightful information. To make matters even more dire, a terrifying plague sprouts in the capital. So extra care must be taken, and their days are surrounded by the tragedy of the illness.

What Hani ultimately uncovers is shocking, and in the end, the reach of the scepter will put his family and many other innocents at risk. Hani’s trust in others – even his boss – will be tested. If he makes the wrong choices, more innocent victims will suffer. If Hani can’t complete his fight for justice in time, will they all succumb to the Scepter of Flint?

While tomb robberies serve to remind all that nothing on this earth is guaranteed to last, and political forces are turning intolerant toward divergent views, those connected to Lord Hani have the company of a true and trusted friend. Hani and his wife keep a house that is as busy as ever with family and friends coming and going. It often feels like a safe harbor, where all are welcome.

N.L. Holmes arms her fascinating characters with motives and dreams that tug at the heart and places them in a world of highly relatable circumstances. Because Holmes masterfully lays out the unique story and situation of each character, there are no real minor characters. She contrasts the very human foibles with the stunning descriptive passages of the natural beauty surrounding these characters, if only they appreciate it. The reader certainly does. The author’s poetic depictions capture the spirit and renders us helpless in her grasp, then she draws us back to conspiracies, machinations, and perilous plot twists that spark fears of the Scepter of Flint.

The third book in the Lord Hani mysteries, Scepter of Flint, will keep readers glued to the page – and dying for the next book in the series, The North Wind Descends. Those who are new to the series will undoubtedly want to read the first two books, Bird in a Snare and The Crocodile Makes No Sound.