Robin Cook - Sphinx

[dem bones]

Robin Cook - Sphinx (Pan, 1980)

Robert Peers-Chapman

Blurb:
AMIDST THE AWESOME TEMPLES IN EGYPT'S VALLEY OF THE KINGS, A FABULOUS TREASURE IS WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED. A TREASURE WORTH DYING - AND KILLING - FOR...

No-one knew the great golden Pharaoh existed. Not even Erica Baron, an expert Egyptologist. But when the wily old antique dealer unveiled the centuries-old statue in the steaming little back street shop in Cairo, she knew rich men, evil men the world over, would be inexorably drawn to the dangerous beauty of this mysterious king.

Lost in a deadly maze of intrigue and murder, beset by others, more ruthless and corrupt than herself, who are determined to get there first whatever the cost, she races to unlock the secret of the unknown Pharaoh's tomb and seal the curse that has kept it intact since time began...

You'd think we'd have had at least one thread devoted to Robin Cook by now, but other than the occasional fleeting reference Coma, nothing! First time I've read him, and if the opening action-packed 50 pages of Sphinx are typical of Mr. Cook's work, it may not be the last.

Valley of the Kings, 1301 BC. Captured while looting the tomb of the insignificant King Tutankhamen, Emeni is first tortured then hideously done to death by order of Nenephata, chief architect of his majesty Pharaoh Seti I. The tomb is resealed. It remains undisturbed for over 3,000 years until Howard Carter and Lord Carnavon's triumphant but ultimately ill-fated expedition of 1922.

Cairo, 1980. Erica Baron, 28, an Egyptologist attached to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, is exploring the many dubious antique shops when she chances upon the premises of genial old rogue, Abdul Hamdi. Hamdi makes his living selling superior fake artefacts to tourists, but he has a keen eye for the genuine article and is well regarded as an authority by several of the world's leading archaeologists. Hamdi shows Erica his pride and joy, a six foot tall statue of Seti so magnificent, it makes the combined treasures of the Boy King seem like salvage from a Poundland bargain bin. Abdul would not normally have shared so wonderful a discovery with a stranger, but in two hours time it is to be collected by a mystery buyer.

While Erica studies some lesser relics, Abdul returns to the shop front to assist three Arab customers. An argument ensues. The old man is held down over the counter by the filthiest of the three for their leader to slit his throat with a scimitar. As a terrified Erica cowers behind a cabinet, the trio smartly make away with the priceless statue of Seti.

Thinking herself alone, Erica breaks cover. A strong hand reaches out for her in the darkness ...