Footprints
in the Sand
(The Lucy Lawrence Mysteries, Book 2)
By
Pam Lecky
Cairo 1887.
A
melting pot of jealousy, lust and revenge. Who will pay the ultimate price?
Lucy Lawrence
throws caution to the wind and embarks on a journey of self-discovery to the
land of the pharaohs.
Travelling to
Cairo as the patron of the charming French Egyptologist, Armand Moreau, Lucy
discovers an archaeological community plagued by professional rivalries and
intrigue. It is soon apparent that the thriving black market in antiquities
threatens Egypt’s precious heritage.
When the Egyptian
Museum is burgled, Lucy is determined to solve the case, much to the annoyance
of the local inspector of police, and the alarm of Mary, her maid. But when an
archaeologist is found murdered in the Great Pyramid, Lucy is catapulted into
the resulting maelstrom. Can she keep her wits about her to avoid meeting a
similar fate?
Excerpt
The
Shubra Avenue, North Cairo, that Afternoon.
The lightly sprung open carriage bowled
along the broad avenue beneath the sycamores and lebbeks which formed a cool
green tunnel of shade. Much to Lucy’s surprise, it was far more crowded than
she had expected. Whether carriages or the ubiquitous donkey, every mode of
transport had been employed, and half of Cairo appeared to have had the same
idea of an afternoon drive.
“It is just like Rotten Row in Hyde Park,”
Lucy remarked to Mary. “I understand it is a favourite haunt of the tourists.
Rafiq told me it is the place to be seen, particularly on Fridays and Sundays.
Even the khedive likes to take the air here. Oh look, Mary,” she said as a
carriage passed by with a veiled lady inside. “I wonder if she is from one of
the harems.” Lucy raised her parasol, trying to catch another glimpse.
“What’s a harem?” Mary frowned at her. Lucy
quickly explained.
“Good gracious! It is all wonderfully
exotic, ma’am. I’m not sure me mother would approve.”
Lucy snorted. “Or Father O’Brien?”
“Oh lord, ma’am, it would kill him entirely!”
“Best not tell them so, Mary. Stick to
snakes and scorpions and your impossible mistress.”
Mary gave an exaggerated shiver. “I don’t
know how you can joke about those creatures, ma’am. Cairo and Egypt suit you,
but I’d rather be at home.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Mary, but
it’s only for a few months, and you’ll soon be back with your Ned.” This
brought a smile to Mary’s face. Lucy continued: “Perhaps I fit in here because
I am in my natural habitat. I am among rogues, charlatans, thieves and
chancers. The most fascinating group of people I have ever encountered.”
“Ah, ma’am. I know you are joking. You are
none of those things. However, I’ve no doubt you will sort each and every one
of them out if you can.”
Lucy replied with a smile. “I shall try. It
would appear we are all stuck here in Cairo for the present, and I need
something to keep me occupied.”
“That’s a shame, ma’am. I know how much you
liked the desert. What do you have in mind?”
“I think a little detecting may be in
order.”
Mary blanched. “But look what happened the
last time! Best not.”
“But, Mary, the theft at the museum has not
been solved. Nor my middle of the night visitor, though I think that one is
best left to the police. However, there is something very peculiar about the
burglary at the museum, and it is niggling away at me. Why did they not take
the opportunity to steal more than a handful of items? It does not make sense.”
Mary shrugged. “It’s a very poor country.
People do what they need to do to survive and feed their families. Perhaps the
burglar realised what he had was priceless and was happy enough, or was
disturbed and made a run for it?”
“Hmm, well, I am not convinced. Something
about it does not feel right.”
“I’d leave it alone, ma’am. How could you
possibly solve it? And those thieves may be highly dangerous. They will not
take kindly to you poking your nose in.”
Lucy gasped. “Poking my nose in!”
“Sorry, ma’am, but yes. Let the police do
their job,” Mary replied with a stern gaze. “They probably suspect who did it and
only need to catch them trying to sell the items to a dealer.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes. “You seem to know a
lot about how these things work.”
Mary sniffed. “I hear the talk amongst the
other servants, ma’am, at the hotel.” She leaned forward. “I think one or two
of them might be trying their hand in the black market. Very lucrative, from
what I hear. Some of them plan to bring items home to sell on.”
“Indeed. That’s interesting, Mary. Keep
your ears open, and let me know if you hear anything else. Just think, we might
try to crack it, just the two of us. It would be such fun.”
Mary didn’t look convinced. “Fun, is it?
And what about me, when I have to return to England and explain to your
grieving family and friends that your nasty death was down to fun?”
“It won’t come to that. Don’t I have you to
watch out for me?”
Mary rolled her eyes skyward.
“You know if I get bored, I will only make
your life miserable. Come, what do you say, Mary? It won’t be too difficult. I
already know where to find one rogue who deals in stolen goods—the fellow who
tried to sell me the mummy’s hand. All I need to do is question him and try to
trace his source. He was a slimy fellow. I’m sure for the right amount of money
he would give us some names or useful information.”
Mary sniffed. “More likely, a passport to
heaven, ma’am!”
Pick
up your copy of
Footprints
in the Sand
Pam Lecky
Pam Lecky is an
Irish historical fiction author, writing crime, mystery, romance and the
supernatural. Pam is represented by the Hardman & Swainson Literary Agency
in London. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and the Society of
Authors and has a particular love of the late Victorian era/early 20th
Century.
Her debut novel, The Bowes Inheritance, was awarded the
B.R.A.G Medallion; shortlisted for the Carousel Aware Prize 2016; and
long-listed for the Historical Novel Society 2016 Indie Award.
Her short stories
are available in an anthology, entitled Past
Imperfect, which was published in
April 2018.
June 2019, saw the
release of the first book in the Lucy Lawrence Mystery series, No Stone Unturned, a fast-paced
Victorian mystery/crime, set in London and Yorkshire which was recently awarded
the B.R.A.G. Medallion. The sequel, Footprints
in the Sand was released on 14th March 2020.\
Thanks Mary Anne, always a pleasure to visit your blog xx
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