"Tutankhamun, The Book of Shadows," Nick Drake's much anticipated second episode featuring Medjay policeman Rahotep, is well worth the wait. Drake's foray into a familiar historical period (18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt) with the first, "Nefertiti, The Book of the Dead," clearly established himself as a viable--and worthwhile--author of historical police procedurals.
In this episode, the young King Tut is relatively new as the leader of the Two Lands. Having ascended at around the age of eight, it is now some eight or nine years later. The government has been ruled by Ay, the regent, but a fierce struggle for power with the general of the armies, Horemheb, makes this novel indeed a relevant political novel as well. The intrigues mount, the pressure builds, and, alas, as this is a murder mystery, the bodies begin to pile up.
Rahotep, officially the Seeker of Mysteries and chief detective of the Thebes Medjay (police), is called to investigate a particularly gruesome murder of a young boy. The clues left behind are not only puzzling but mysterious. Not long after, another body is found with additional clues. Rahotep sees a pattern and that pattern leads him to the royal family. Both the King and his Queen request his special help and attention, owing to his successes in the first book.
From this point on, politics provides the foundation, as bitter--and deadly--rivalries begin to focus. The country has a young, untried, king and there are enemies within and without. It is a time of great confusion and frustration.
Still, Drake sidesteps the obvious political sermons and concentrates on presenting an exciting story line, one filled with excellent characterization, historically-based plot developments, and a style of writing that moves well. He seems to capture the atmosphere of the time and place (his research seems well-founded). Students of history certainly know the time-line--the young king doesn't live forever (at least not in Egypt) and there seems to be enough "mystery" historically to provide Rahotep and Drake with follow up stories. We hope so.
