[Kathryn Black 02] • Death in Luxor

Death in Luxor is a modern day adventure set in an Egypt full of ancients. Kathryn Black, Kate to her friends, survived the first week of her holiday in Luxor, much against the odds and despite the best efforts of three thousand year old soldiers, whose only aim was to kill her. This is no holiday, this is a battle for life and death. Kate is now patently aware that Pharaoh Nakhtifi not only existed – he exists! The race is on to secure his position in the afterlife, a race made all the more personal for Kate because Nakhtifi is the most important member of her ancient family.

Kate has ‘seen’, so at only 13 her mind is an uncomfortable mix of her own traumas, such as the recent unexpected death of her mother, as well as a complete ancient life of which she has no knowledge of ever experiencing and also absolutely no understanding of. Her mind is in turmoil. This is not good for the people around her. It is a prerequisite for Kate to be in control. When she is not, even small things, a wrong word, a glance, can send her into a rage. This her friends, Alex and Cairo, can attest to. Alex even has the bruises to prove it!

The three friends are up against a warlock, who, though imprisoned in a tomb, has brought nothing except trouble to the afterlife for thousands of years. His ancient magic is very powerful, he has supporters who do his dirty work for him, and he, above anything else, wants to personally remove Pharaoh Nakhtifi from the afterlife. Help, or perhaps hindrance, comes in the form of the red wine drinking ancients Ramses II and Alexander the Great, and not forgetting the beautiful ancient cat god Bast. Ultimately though, this is a power struggle which only Kate, Alex and Cairo can resolve, because ancients can only see and travel the world as it was in their time.

Kate may have plenty of attitude, but she and Alex must weave their adventures between the needs of the “oldies”. Aggie, Kate’s guardian, enjoys nothing more than drinking and gossiping with the expat community. Alex’s father, a world renowned archaeologist, is in his element checking out a prospective dig. Though when not doing so he enjoys nothing more than showing off his knowledge of ancient Egypt to anyone who will listen, whilst his wife flounders.

Join Kate, Alex and their Egyptian friend Cairo as they meet ancient gods and pharaohs, and find out how modern academics got it all wrong. Visit tombs and temples with them, and experience fear, friendship and humour in equal parts. In the week when Kate should be celebrating her 14th birthday, not everyone will survive to enjoy the day!