Review: CSI Style Mystery in Ancient Egypt
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 7, 2014
Neti-Kerty, the daughter of an esteemed embalmer in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, and Shabaka, the prefect of Thebes, have been summoned to Pi-Ramesses, the capital of Ramesses the Great, to be honored by the pharaoh for uncovering a theft ring and conspiracy in Thebes. However, Neti and Shabaka have a new mystery to solve when the pharaoh's vizier is found dead the morning after their arrival and Neti determines that the queen's sudden stomach illness is an attempt to poison her. With the disappearance of princess Ri-Hanna's nursemaid, it quickly becomes apparent that a dangerous conspiracy against the pharaoh and the kingdom of ancient Egypt is afoot, which will test Neti's deductive skills and knowledge, as well as Shabaka's resolve. "Princess of Egypt" is an interesting, if not a really believable, mash-up of modern CSI scientific procedures in Old Testament times Egypt. Neti's detective skills enable her to deduce in one murder the specific shape of the blade used and height of the assailant by examining bruises and stab wounds on the body, and then later uncovers a forged scroll by employing careful hieroglyphic handwriting analyses. The investigation also uncovers the use of a herbal mixture used as a form of contraception. These modern concepts do not truly fit Egyptian culture in 1200 BC, but many readers may be forgiving in order to enjoy a light little mystery.