The Serpent on the Crown

New York: William Morrow. Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 2005. First Edition. Hardcover. Protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. Dark green boards with black spine imprinted in gold with title and author. Map of Thebes on endpapers. Full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. . 350 pages. An Amelia Peabody Mystery, No. 17. A priceless relic has been delivered to the Emerson home overlooking the Nile. But more than history surrounds this golden likeness of a forgotten king, for it is said early death will befall anyone who possesses it.The woman who implores the renowned family of archaeologists and adventurers to accept the cursed statue insists the ill-gotten treasure has already killed her husband. Further, she warns, unless it is returned to the tomb from which it was stolen, more will surely die. With the world finally at peace--and with Egypt's ancient mysteries opened to them once more--Amelia Peabody and her loved ones are plunged into a storm of secrets, treachery, and murder by a widow's strange story and even stranger request. Each step toward the truth reveals a new peril, suggesting this curse is no mere superstition. And the next victim of the small golden king could be any member of the close-knit clan--perhaps even Amelia herself. .