Barbara Steiner - The Mummy

[dem]

Barbara Steiner - The Mummy (Scholastic, 1995)

Blurb:
Lana's passionate about ancient Egypt. She's read everything about the subject, decorates her room with hieroglyphics and even wears her hair like Cleopatra. She'll make the perfect guide for the museum's Egyptian exhibition.

Someone's also convinced she'll make the perfect bride for Prince Nefra. Lana's not so sure. But she is strangely drawn to him, and seems to hear him calling out to her ... Maybe they really should be together for ever ... The only thing is, Nefra's been dead for thousands of years ...

The Denver Museum of Natural History exhibits a consignment of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the mummy of Prince Nefra and the sarcophagus of his bride-to-be, Princess Urbena. Prince Nefra died of a mystery sickness on the eve of their wedding, whereupon the Princess reputedly killed herself. Somewhere down the centuries, tomb-looters made away with her remains.
Among the volunteer guides, Lana Richardson, 17, aspiring archaeologist, whose new retro haircut, everyone agrees, makes her look like a Princess of the Nile. Evidently the mummy — or someone swathed in mouldering bandages — agrees, as they've taken to following her home after work as has a stray black cat she names Seti.

Lana is dating Josh Benson, but lately she's taken to Rod Newland, a well-travelled, fellow volunteer who — just her luck! — has been bagged by Darrah Bey, a gorgeous Egyptian exchange student.

Disaster! A wedding necklace, with an emerald symbolising Osiris, god of the Underworld, is stolen from Urbena's coffin while Lana is on duty. Blair Vaugn, whom she idolises as a respected female archaeologist, accuses Lana, demanding she "give it back!" Lana, mortified, suspects the curator, Antef Raum, an unctuous creep who reeks of Brut.

The mummy pursues Lana through the fogbound park, whispering "Urbena," pronouncing her eternally cursed. That night she dreams of premature burial ...

[helrunar]

This one sounds quite the choice bit of camp crumpet. One of your Little Free Library finds? There's an electronic edition available for a cheap price on a popular online retail site.

Thanks for the amusing recounting of the story--you always choose the best details to note. And I needed a smile this morning.

cheers, Hel.

[dem]

Jun 2, 2024 14:15:55 GMT helrunar said:

One of your Little Free Library finds?

No, but great value for £2. Takes a bit to get going but things pick up over second half of book, though Lael Littke Prom Dress remains my Point favourite.

"She was starting to suspect that getting her hair cut to deliberately imitate classic Egyptian style was a mistake."

Lana wakes to find Nefra — or someone in a mummy suit — stood over her bed. The following night, as she dreams of attending a funeral procession, someone lets loose three scorpions in the bedroom. Mum flushes them down the toilet. The intruder leaves a note in block capitals.

ADMIT YOU ARE THE PRINCESS
I WOULDN'T WANT TO MAKE A MISTAKE

Drama at the museum as Lara, her confidante Marge, the retired schoolteacher, and dreamy Rod Newland rescue Antif Raum from inside Princess Urbena's sarcophagus. He, too, has received a message from beyond!

RETURN MY NECKLACE
IT BELONGS TO MY PRINCESS
THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING
NEFRA

Lana confronts Antif over the theft. She knows it was him lifted Urbena's necklace because she ripped a button from the staff vest of her scandalously flagrant assailant. Raum denies all - "Why should I steal from my own government?" - but his feeble protests butter no parsnips with the young tour guide. He stays high on her list of suspects.

Lana lunches with Rod. He shyly thrusts his wonderful sketches in her face, asks her advice on his next career move. Does he follow in Egyptologist stepfather's footsteps or pursue his dream, try make it as an artist? She is adamant he should do what makes him happy. Exonerating Newland of involvement in the sinister goings-on, she confides in him, the stalking mummy, the nightmares. Darrah bursts in, sees them together, and storms off, furious. Rod, unfazed, asks Lana for a date. She'll consider it after the exhibition.

Darrah jumps her love rival in the bathroom. "I'll make you regret you ever met him or me. I'll get you when you're least expecting it."

To be concluded ....

[dem]

The exhibition is over, the relics - the royal necklace, returned to its glass case by person unknown, included - crated and readied for return to Cairo. To celebrate a successful season, the organizers host a costume party for staff and volunteers. Despite all she's been through, Lana can't resist the opportunity to play Egyptian Princess. She fits Seti a rhinestone collar and leads him on a leash. Boyfriend Josh gamely wraps himself in bandages. Rod effortlessly outshines him in a short skirt and rounded gold headpiece.

Dr. Walters apologises for suspecting Lana of the theft and insists she model the necklace for the Rocky Mountain News photographers. A morose Antif Raum warns, "Bad luck Lana. Everyone who touches that piece is cursed or is dead." She slips away from the crowd for a last look at Nefra.

The lights go out.

The mummy rises.

.... and when Lara reawakens she is shut inside Urbena's coffin.

Were Antif and Darrah right all along? Has Nefra returned to claim his soul mate?



More Point Horror. Prom Dress remains my favourite, but The Mummy no slouch. At times felt like I was reading a very restrained shudder pulp.