This is the fifth in Doherty's series of murder mysteries set in ancient Egypt. The protagonist is Pharaoh's Chief Judge, Amerotke, and criminals are a dangerous sect of killers and grave robbers known as the Sebaus. Grave robbing during these times was extremely lucrative as the ancient Egyptians filled their tombs with unbelievable riches. Pharaoh, Hatusu, is extremely angry at the desecration of her ancestor's tombs, which she has avowed to protect. The leader of the Sebaus is a powerful person who calls himself or herself the Khetra. This person has a pass that enables the transportation of stolen antiquities out of Egypt. Is it one of the priests of the Temple of Isis where four young temple maidens have disappeared? Or perhaps someone from the house of General Suten, who met his death by being bitten by a nest of vipers? Amerotke must question dozens of witnesses and sift the information to begin to guess at the answers to these riddles. As always Doherty provides his readers with a great thriller.