THIRD TRANSLATION, THE

Walter Rothschild is an American Egyptologist living in London and charged by the British Museum with the task of unlocking the riddle of the Stela of Paser, one of the last and most important hieroglyphic mysteries in existence. Estranged from his wife and grown daughter, alone in the world except for his dead languages and dreams of ancient worlds, Rothschild becomes the dupe in a seduction, robbery, and developing conspiracy engineered by a cult devoted to ancient Egyptian mysticism. Aided as well as hindered by a group of highly idiosyncratic Londoners, Walter must force his middle-aged body to perform acts of heroics to defeat the plotters and take back what rightfully belongs to the museum—and most importantly to save his career. In the process, two friends will end up dead, and Walter will find himself allied with a young, distinctly English librarian who becomes as unlikely a heroine as Walter is a hero. Extensively researched and utterly original, the novel is told in electric prose that weaves together a novel of self-discovery and the inner yearnings of men, with a fast-paced plot about ancient mystery and modern conspiracy. This is a novel to savor and to urge on all your friends—read it and be amazed.