After narrowly escaping a kidnapping in London, Amelia Peabody travels to Cairo during the 1907 archaeological dig season. After arriving in Egypt, Amelia and her unconventional family soon encounter a mystery involving stolen treasures. And when a rare papyrus of the Book of the Dead falls into their hands, Amanda and her family are pursued by murderous cults. Ultimately, Amanda once again comes face to face with Sethos, a criminal mastermind, who both confounds and intrigues the eccentric archaeologist.