The Laughter of Dead Kings

For the first time in more than a decade, New York Times bestselling Grand Master Elizabeth Peters brings Vicki Bliss back for one last investigation. But this time she'll be detecting in Amelia Peabody territory, searching for solutions in Egypt's mysterious Valley of the Kings.

Who stole one of Egypt's most priceless treasures? The brazen crime bears all the earmarks of one Sir John Smythe, the international art thief who is, in fact, John Tregarth, the longtime significant other of Vicki Bliss. But John swears he's retired—not to mention innocent—and he vows to clear his name by hunting down the true criminal.

Vicki's faith in John leaves her no choice but to set out for the Middle East, where dark days and myriad dangers await them and each uncovered clue seems to raise even more questions for the intrepid Vicki. And the stakes are elevated considerably because now it appears that murder most foul has been added to the equation.