Nefertiti: The Book of the Dead

I had high hopes for this book. I love Ancient Egypt and while the story of Nefertiti was intriguing, the story fell flat for me. The main character Rahotep was the only enjoyable read. The secondary characters didn’t have quality traits or stood out to me. There were some scenes that didn’t make sense and certain circumstances, too convenient. I wanted to like this book but found myself skimming half way through and only read the ending to satisfy my curiosity. It was a real disappointment I’m afraid to say.

I love ancient Egyptian stories and this one was a wonderful read with a likable detective. I hope this is just the beginning of a new series.

What a wonderful read. I am so looking forward to the author's second book of what will apparently be a trilogy. I am a history nut and ancient Egypt is a particular interest of mine, and the Amarna years a particular interest besides that. I also love historical mysteries So, you'd think this book would be a natural for me, and you'd be right. But it was so much more than "just" an enjoyable historical mystery. The author, Nick Drake, is British, Cambridge-educated, and a multiple prize-winning playwright, screenwriter and poet, and it all shows in this book. This is his first novel, and - wow. It's definitely not the typical "series" historical mystery, which is pretty formulaic and usually if not always reads like a history text or your junior high history teacher when it comes to the historical aspects. I can honestly say that not once was I aware of being 'taught' or 'informed' about any aspect of Egyptian or specific Amarna history as I read, it was so seamlessly and interestingly integrated. The book's protagonist is its First Person narrator, and the author's writing style is smooth, rich, poetic and philosophic - so very not your typical mass market mystery. Mysteries abound in Nefertiti: Book of the Dead, but rather than being the typical 'whodunnit' ones they are mostly philosophical, and circle round what might have happened during Akhenaten's reign, the Amarna years and after. It's actually speculation based on the the latest archaeological knowledge, but very skillfully done indeed, IMO. Most impressive of all, to me, is how the author brought Akhenaten, Nefertiti, Horemheb, Ay and Tiy, as well as lesser characters, to life in a very believable way, as well as giving a personal feel to the way Aketaten might have operated as a city...or a tribute. I could 'buy' the personalities and moods wholeheartedly. I can't wait for the next book, which is titled Tutankhamum: The Book of Shadows. Not only for the 'mystery', and more about the protagonist, a happily married Chief of Detectives from Thebes, father of three daughters, but for the author's musings on chaos, the breakdown of a civilization, and the trade-offs which must be made to insure a more stable future for Egypt.

NEFERTIT is a truly fascinating novel about this enigmatic Queen of Egypt. Written in a contemporary style, but possessing all of the stilted syntax of formality, the reader is swept away and along the Great Nile and into the distant past. The "Prefect One" is missing, and it falls to chief detective Rahotep of the Thebes division of the police. Rahotep uses unusual methods of detecting, and he has come to the attention of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, who is seeking the whereabouts of his missing Queen. Religion, power, duplicity, insanity, revenge, fear, and terror all blend together to weave a story that is powerful but yet telling. Nick Drake, the gifted author, makes the reader keenly aware of the toxicity of power, and the impact that callousness from those in power has upon society as a whole. He speaks of the time of Nefertiti, and to our own time as well. Basic values are also explored, and the fragility of the human condition, both of the great and small, are explored. The resolution of the mystery of the Queen's disappearance is as intriguing as her original disappearance. The rationale for her disappearance and re-appearance will leave the reader in wonder. We ultimately all have roles to play in the greater scheme of things, and this book will remind us of that simple truth. READ THIS BOOK.

Nefartiti. The perfect and the most beautiful one. I have always been interested in Egyptian history. Specially Queen Nefartiti's reign is something I really love to know and find out more about. That's the reason I started reading this book. And when I started reading this book, I couldn't keep it down. An adventure/mystery weaved during the time of Queen Nefartiti and King Akhenaten in ancient Egypt. The book is written with the perspective of Rahotep, Medjay detective in Thabes.. Rahotep has to find Queen Nefartiti, who has vanished couple of days before the big festival day. Does he manage to find her in time for the big festival? You will surely like reading this book if you are interested in adventure/mystery and ancient Egypt. Recommended.

Apart from possibly Tutanhamun, Nefertiti is probably the most famous name to come out of Ancient Egypt, virtually anyone you ask would be able to tell you that she was a Queen of Egypt and said to be the most beautiful woman of her time. She ruled over the land of Egypt with her husband, the Pharaoh Akhenaten at a time when the Egyptian empire was at its greatest. Together they have built a new city in the desert on the banks of the Nile, the lifeblood of their land. The are about to hold a great festival with Kings and dignitaries from around the Empire to celebrate their triumph and then, suddenly Nefertiti disappears. Rahotep, the youngest chief detective of the Thebes division, a man who can seek out solutions to problems where others merely see a blank canvas has been summoned into the presence of the great Pharaoh Akhenaten himself. He has been called to the Royal Court to assist in tracing the whereabouts the Queen. He is given ten days to find her and return her to the Court in time for the festivities. Success in the mission will bring Rahotep glory, but the unthinkable, failure will bring about the death of him and his family . . .