Bound 4 Escape

Book Title: THE SECRET OF THE LOST PHARAOH

Author: Carolyn Arnold

Series: Matthew Connor Adventure series, Book 2

Emerald Tablets. Myth says that they possess the knowledge of the universe, allowing humankind to traverse Heaven and Earth, and have the power to bestow wealth and wisdom upon whoever possesses them. But if they fall into evil hands, it could cause a global disaster.

So when a former colleague stumbles across an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic map that promises to lead to a pharaoh’s tomb and the Emerald Tablets, there’s no way he’s turning down her invitation to join the dig. He only has one stipulation: his best friends Robyn Garcia and Cal Myers come with him.

The road ahead isn’t going to be an easy one, and their shared dream of recovering the Emerald Tablets is being crushed at every turn. And just when they think it’s all over, they learn there are a few clues they have overlooked. But they’re no longer the only ones searching for the Tablets. Now, the fate of the world hangs in the balance, and soon they’ll find out that when it comes to hunting legends, they can’t trust anyone.

Buy Links

Amazon US * Amazon International * Barnes & Noble

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My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. This is the second book in the Matthew Connor Adventure series. Since I’d read the first book, City of Gold, I was looking forward to reading this book.

Matthew Connor is a world-renowned explorer and when he is contacted by a former colleague about possibly finding an unknown pharaoh’s tomb, he’s ready to take a plane to Egypt the following day. Because of the intrigue of such a find, he’s able to talk his best friends, Robyn and Cal, into going with him even though their last adventure had been so dangerous.

The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh is full of adventure and with that adventure is, of course, danger. It also has murder, mystery, and suspense. The characters are unique and interesting but they irritated me a little at times. There’s a love triangle, kind of, that made me think of teenagers rather than adults. And although Cal has the right to be scared at times, his negativity doesn’t help things. They had their good points too, though. I like Cal’s sense of humor even though it isn’t appreciated by the others most of the time.

I enjoy Carolyn Arnold’s writing and look forward to the next Matthew Connor book. If you like adventure and suspense, you’ll like these books.

Excerpt

Excerpt from chapter 9 of The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh (Matthew Connor Adventure series)

Robyn had woken up in a hotel room in Cairo. The time difference had messed with her and disrupted her sleep, but she was infused with energy regardless. Or her mind was anyhow. One of her lifelong dreams had finally manifested. She was really in Egypt. At the moment, she was in the hotel restaurant with Cal and Matthew, their luggage beside their table. Matthew’s contact, Alex Leonard, was going to pick them up in the lobby about seven o’clock. They had about half an hour until then.

Robyn sucked back her coffee, hoping that the caffeine would jolt her body into submission.

“Are you going to make it?” Cal quirked an eyebrow, looking at her over his mug.

I’m in Egypt.

“Of course, I will.” She found herself smiling despite her exhaustion.

“Maybe we should have skipped the nightcap,” Matthew teased and smiled back at her. She envied how rested he looked. He was drinking coffee, too, but didn’t have a death grip on his mug like she and Cal did.

“No.” She shook her head. “Being here deserved a toast…or two.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this until now, especially with everything going on with Sophie, but don’t pharaohs’ tombs have curses?” Cal asked out of nowhere. “I know there was one on King Tut’s tomb.” His words relayed more concern than his expression, but maybe that was just because he wasn’t awake enough to project it. He was prone to paranoia, though.

Maybe she could have some fun with this…

Robyn turned to Matthew. “Is now a good time to tell him that curses are standard for Egyptian tombs?”

Matthew frowned. “Probably not.”

“What?” Cal leaned across the table and threw his arms up in the air. “Are you guys being serious?”

Now he was waking up. It took all of Robyn’s self-control not to burst out laughing. What she had said was the truth, but reality had a way of invalidating the curses’ sway.

Cal scowled, and his shoulders sank. “You think I’m being crazy.”

Matthew pinched his fingers together, leaving a small space between them. “Just a little.”

Robyn glanced at Matthew. His belief that some ancient tablets had the power to destroy the world was about as far-fetched as any pharaoh’s curse. Not that she was going to voice her disbelief out loud at the risk of hurting him the way she had in her office.

About the Author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.

Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives in London Ontario with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.