 A Good Read! Mystery & History! |
| Review Date: December 15, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Shirley Priscilla Johnson, USA |
In this novel we are taken to the mystical land of Egypt where an ancient tomb has been discovered by archaeologist, Christopher Grant. You would think this would bring great excitement but there are forces at work that do not want this tomb to be opened by anyone except themselves, and they will stop at nothing to make sure this does not happen.
Chris, as he was just about to announce his find, dies unexpectedly and the owner of the villa he was renting flies to Egypt to take care of his villa.
After arriving there a reporter, Jim Collings, comes to see him and tells him that it was his understanding, after talking with Chris on the phone, that he had found the tomb of Imhotep on that very property. This was a shock and surprise to the owner who was hesitant to believe it. Several days after his visit, Jim is also found dead and the owner begins to realize something sinister maybe going on.
Upon doing research, the villa's owner learns that Imhotep achieved fame in his life and received many titles from his Pharaoh. He was a High Priest, Magician, and Healer, to name a few. He was certainly an important figure in Egyptian history and greatly revered to this day by many.
Shortly after he is visited by a psychic, Madame Serafim, who fills him in on more of the history of Imhotep and the groups that still worship and serve him in present day, including herself. Some groups good, and some very evil, who will stop at nothing to have their way. Thrown into the mix is a beautiful mysterious woman, named Meri de Rougemont, who has much information to add to the story and who becomes the true love of the villa's owner's heart. Her father, and the group he belongs to, plays an important part in the overall picture of the story. Now there is a race, good against evil, darkness against light, death and life hanging in the balance. Quite intense at times, who will come out the victor? You'll have to read this work to find out.
I enjoyed this novel. I liked the way the writer paints the picture of Egypt, its skies, and landscape, people and customs, and of course its history all influenced the story in a positive way. The storyline was well thought out and quite intense. The characters were also well defined, vivid and life-like, and the weaving of romance into the read added that personal touch that helps bring a story home. All in all a work that gives the reader just about every element they would want, murder, mystery, romance, good against evil, and a few surprise twists to keep you alert and charging on along the way. Very well done. Recommended
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Reviewed by Barbara McDuffie for Breeni Books
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| Review Date: November 26, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Breeni Books, Rockwell, NC |
Derek Flower's Inquest on Imhotep is a complicated and involved mystery involving the search for the Egyptian tomb of Imhotep. Imhotep was the master builder who designed the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. He held many titles in his lifetime including Architect of North and South Egypt, Hereditary Noble, and High Priest. He was attributed with magical powers and a worshiping cult developed soon after his death approximately 5000 years ago.
The book begins with the death of archaeologist Christopher Grant, who uncovers a section of what he believes is Imhotep's tomb. He is excavating near Memphis on property that is part of an estate owned by his friend, who is the first person narrator of the story. The friend decides to investigate Grant's suspicious death. His investigation quickly puts his own life at risk, as well as his friends Meri and Bertrand. They are threatened by the Sons of Set, an international political organization that is determined to own Imhotep's tomb for their religious ceremonies. The powerful cult has wide ranging influence and is well funded.
Inquest on Imhotep is based on an interesting concept and Derek Adie Flower is well informed concerning the locations and subject matter of his book. But I found that reading it wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped. Flower's intricate knowledge of modern-day and ancient Egypt didn't transfer well to his writing, which sometimes made it difficult to follow the action. There were too many casual references to places and people; past and present, that were not necessary and only served to confuse the narrative. The mixture of mystery, mysticism, and Egyptian history never seemed to blend into a flowing story. It was difficult to feel any empathy with the main characters or to visualize the action taking place on the pages. Usually as I read it is almost as if a movie is being shown in my mind, but this time the film just wasn't rolling |
Starts out Great than loses it
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| Review Date: August 29, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Michael A. Newman, New Hyde Park, NY |
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. An archeologist makes a discovery of a possible tomb of the famous Egyptian architect Imhotep and both he and his reporter friend both die mysteriously. The owner of the property where the dig was occurring gets suspicious, especially when the same doctor is assigned the coroner.
Behind everything is a ancient religious sect that doesn't want the tomb presented to the world. They very efficiently disposed of the first two men but do virtually nothing to the property owner. The owner meets a woman who he falls in love with at first sight and ends up marrying. He brings her into the mystery. She brings in her brother to clandentinely try to unearth the tomb.
The book then starts to deteriorate as the sect tries to get the land from the owner and the author bombards us with unnecessary facts and history of Imhotep and the sect's time. He seemed to think that he could cram everything he knows about ancient Egypt into a "thriller" would work but it just makes the book go downhill about halfway through. |
Sharing in the Mystery of Immortality
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| Review Date: July 24, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Erika Borsos, Gulf Coast of FL, USA |
Derek Adie Flower creates an eery feeling of mystery and intrigue right from the beginning. It turns into an irresistible reading experience straight through to the end. First, there is an ancient Egyptian ceremony which takes place near Turin, Italy attended by the heads of several multi-national corporations. Next, the author takes the reader to a villa near Memphis, just outside of Cairo where Christopher Grant an archaeologist is contemplating making a carefully worded announcement about his discovery: the ancient tomb of Imhotep. The tomb was *not* located near the burial grounds of royal tombs as expected but instead it was in a remote area, on property of the villa where he was renting. Unknown to the archeaologist, sinister, opposing forces would prevent him from achieving the fame and recognition he richly deserved for this amazing and unique discovery. Christopher Grant died unexpectedly, presumably of natural causes. Dr. Eweiss, the local physician, certified he had passed out from a heart attack and hit his head on the tub. Found near his body was a partially empty bottle of heart pills. The owner of the villa flew to Egypt to handle legal matters related to his property and also to attend the funeral of his friend, the archeaologist. He was puzzled because Christopher Grant never mentioned having a health problem. He learned from Jim Collings, a reporter for the United Kingdom Guardian, that Grant had found Imhotep's tomb on the owner's estate. The villa owner is faced with some puzzling circumstances which points to foul play. Overall, the novel is superbly written and totally absorbing but it does contain one minor flaw which is, the name of the main protaganist is never mentioned in the book. It is a bit disconcerting but does not diminish the enjoyment or overall quality of the book.
The villa owner is haunted by several things, first the death of his friend, second, the statement by the UK reporter, that a famous Egyptian tomb is located on the grounds of his estate and third, by several pronouncements related to the discovery of Imhotep's tomb from a psychic, Madame Serafim, known as Simha for short. The author weaves fascinating facts from Egyptian history into the plot. He describes the climate, the landscape and the Nile superbly. The reader learns of Egyptian burial customs and political intrigues of the times. However, most fascinating is how the author weaves two secret opposing societies into the plot. Each has a vested interest in locating Imhotep's tomb but for vastly different reasons. Not long after Christopher Grant's funeral, the villa owner receives an offer of five million dollars for his villa and estate. It is a huge sum but highly suspicious because the villa and the property have not been asssessed at that high a value.
The owner researches the life of Imhotep at the library in Cairo. He learns Imhotep had achieved fame in his lifetime and received the following titles from his Pharaoh: "Chancellor of the King of Lower Egypt", "Chief under theKIng of Upper Egypt", "Adminstrator of the Great Mansion", "Hereditary Noble", and "Heliopolitan High Priest". He was also, Vizier, Lector Priest or Ritualist, Royal Scribe, Astronomer, Magician and Healer. He learns it was Imhotep's achievements as a healer which granted him immortality and recognition as a god. While at the library, the villa owner bumped into a beautiful and exotic woman, named Madame Meri de Rougemont. There is an unspoken electrical charge which passes between them. The author carefully weaves romance into the story along with another murder or two, and some complex political intrigues within the secret societies. The novel is fast-paced and exciting. It is difficult to put down once started. There is a richness and depth which keeps the reader wanting more. Also, subtle twists in the plot provide a spicey flavor. The author's superior knowledge of Egyptology is evident throughout. The characters in the novel are well fleshed out and realistic. The author provides harrowing escapes from the dark forces with a very satisfying resolution but the evil forces are not totally eliminated. Instead, they undergo a transition and morph into a different version of themselves. This is an intense and fun reading experience. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]
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Thrilling story, but lacking stability
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| Review Date: July 11, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Lori Robson, Texas |
Hey, I'm all for tombs and mummies and Egypt and anything related, but if you have to go through this much trouble to disturb the resting place of an Egyptian god, you begin to wonder if it's really worth it.
When an archaeologist gains possession of a expansive piece of property in Egypt that potentially houses the lost tomb of Imhotep beneath its ground, it becomes the target of a pharoah-worshipping religious sect named the Sons of Set, whose Head Priest sees it more as a cash cow than the inner sanctum of a religious entity. Their overwhelming desire to gain ownership of the tomb - which they're not even sure is actually there - drives them to kidnap the archaeologist's newfound love and fiancee, track them with a nosy, hash-addicted servant, and pose as the local electricity company. Ah, such rowdy hi-jinx.
The story starts off slow, and if no interest lies in Egypt or its ancient gods, you'll be pretty much put off from the beginning. But gradually, a slipshod story forms that gains more stability and purpose, even though the occasional murder or sacrificial ritual will confuse it a bit. Those looking for an Egyptian-based thriller may pass this one by for a more fluid and sensible tale, but if Egypt is really your thing, Imhotep is worth a look.
- T.C. Robson |
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