I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a continuation of Frederick and Grace's story, which started in the Mistletoe Countess. They have decided to travel to Italy for their honeymoon, after their adventurous beginning to their marriage, which included a quite the gothic set of circumstances, including ghosts, and kidnappings. Frederick and Grace are basking in the glow of their newly discovered love for each other, rebuilding his estates, and growing closer in their relationship. Frederick has cousins in Egypt and they decide to take a few extra weeks for them to spend time with the cousins, and have an Egyptian adventure.

The description that this is Clue meets Indiana Jones is very apt. Grace continues to bring her wide eyed cheerful brand of sunshine, hope, faith, and zest for life to adventure, and she brings joy to Frederick's life in so many ways. She gives me joy too - there is just something so appealing about her (I likened her to Anne Shirley in the Mistletoe Countess, and I stand by that - another character who's world outlook bring me joy). In this story, I very much so enjoy how Frederick has grown to cherish and appreciate Grace and how she has given him back his faith and brightened his outlook on life. He does not try to stifle her zest for learning and adventure either, but appreciates her curiosity and intelligence, but with some caution for safety.

In this story, they go to Egypt and are drawn into the drama of the people around them... including a 2 year excavation of a tomb that is leading nowhere, a cousin trapped in a bad marriage, mysteriously missing jewelry, an antiquities theft ring, a variety of assaults and murders, and a missing heiress. There is the continuing romance of Frederick and Grace, and another sideline romance as well.

I was afraid Frederick and Grace could become trite fast, and perhaps be cloyingly sweet initially, but surprisingly not. I still enjoyed Grace's zest and verve for life, and Frederick's growth as a loving and hopeful man. There was quite a large cast of characters and initially I thought there were too many but they each played interesting roles, even when they were small and minor, and some not quite the predictable path I thought for them, such as Amelia Sinclair, whom I thought would play the seductress/femme fatale role that could cause strife between the newlyweds. I was rather glad it did not go that predictable path.

This couple and this book still feels sweet, fresh and joyful for me.

Well... in the context of assault, attempted murder, murder, kidnapping, theft, etc...

4 stars out of 5.

"The Cairo Curse" is a Christian mystery set in 1914 in England and Egypt. This is the second book in a series, and you can understand it without reading the first book. However, this book did refer to many events in the first book, including potentially spoiling that mystery.

Grace is full of enthusiasm and a lively imagination fueled by books. She gets a thrill from adventure, and I love how resourceful she is in the face of unexpected adventures. However, a couple of times, she came across as unexpectedly lacking in common sense. Near the beginning, she dashed off by herself into a crowd of Egyptians rather than taking the simple precaution of bringing one of the servants with her or taking a moment to step inside a shop to tell her husband what's going on. I'm not as adventurous as Grace, but having been in Cairo once, it felt unrealistic and foolish for her to dash off like that. I wasn't even clear as to why the carriage didn't just take her on to the hotel, which would have made sense. On the other hand, the bit near the end where Grace tried to bind a wound like in a novel (showing how novels aren't always realistic) was pricelessly funny to me.

The main characters were engaging, kind, and honorable. Grace and Frederick built each other up and supported each other. Both asked questions and looked for clues--Grace in ways reflecting the novels that she's read while Frederick did more based on life experience and trying to keep Grace safe while having her adventure. There were clues and whodunit was guessable, though who was responsible for exactly what wasn't always obvious until revealed.

Grace referred to God throughout the book in little comments related to what they were seeing or doing. She had confidence in what would happen to her if she died. There was no bad language. There were no sex scenes, though there was some extending kissing and undressing at the very end. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable, humorous novel.

“Gunfire erupted from outside, sending Frederick Percy, Earl of Astley, leaping from his chair.” With this opening line, I was immediately drawn into the book. I had to see what was going on and if my suspicion was correct in thinking that Grace (Freddie’s wife) was somehow involved.

Freddy and Grace are the perfect dynamic detective duo. Freddie is the “proceed with caution” type while Grace is, “let’s investigate, no matter the danger” type. Finding themselves embroiled in a case of murder, archaeological mishaps, and tomb robbing, I enjoyed seeing what was going to happen next and if I could figure out who was behind the nefarious activities.

Grace is my favorite! She seems to thrive on curiosity and imagination that leads her into some predicaments from which Freddie must rescue her. With her bold and risk-taking nature, clues are discovered that might not have been otherwise. I was sorry to see the Egyptian adventure end and am eagerly anticipating the next case that Freddie and Grace will need to solve.

This is the second book in the Frederick & Grace Mystery series. This can be read as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading The Mistletoe Countess to see the beginning of this wonderful series. I highly recommend this if you like sleuthing couples such as Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence or Dorothy Sayer’s Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane.

I received an ecopy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.

This author was new to me, so I read this book not knowing the back story of all the characters. No worries though - it was easy enough to pick up the dynamic of the newlyweds and the story itself was interesting enough on its own. I would describe the plot as mayhem and murder in 1914 Egypt - think Downton Abby mixed with Agatha Christi and The Thin Man.

This clever who-done-it has enough supporting characters that there is always some question as to who the villain might be, and the ending certainly sets up some more adventures. Of course, the reader, knowing that WWI is looming later in the summer, I already feel a sense of dread for all the young people in the story. The world as they know it is about to change tremendously.

With that said, it is a fun book! I will definitely be checking out the first book, The Mistletoe Countess, and watching for the next installment.

Once again, I enjoyed another Pepper Basham novel!
I was so happy to see that she has written another Grace and Lord Astley book that I knew I had to have it! This book didn't disappoint!
This adventure had me going to "Egypt " without leaving the comfort of my home. This is why I love to read. It's authors like Pepper that brings me joy when I read their books.
This book has everything mystery, romance, and adventure! Those are the kind I like best! Indiana Jones lol ( Romancing the Stone my favorite).
I finished it in one sitting.
5 stars for a well written story! I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Yes, God had given him much more than he deserved, and sometimes, he wondered if God had given him more than he could manage. ~ Freddie

In true Pepper fashion, The Cairo Curse is filled with laughs, danger, sighs and plenty of faith. This story is like Indiana Jones, The Jewel of the Nile, Enola Holmes, and Clue all rolled in to one. Mystery and menace abound in a fascinating tale of whodunnit. I felt like Vizzini saying to myself,“Inconceivable!” each time a new layer of plot was revealed.

Freddie and Grace are the cutest and they most certainly have an interesting life together. Trouble seems to follow Grace around like a lost puppy and Freddie has learned to take it in stride.

You can’t help but love Grace and all her vivacity, quirkiness, and innocence. I liken her to a whirlwind, mind and thoughts constantly churning, never slowing. She has a wild imagination, sweet, loving demeanor and always the best of intentions. Grace definitely grabs life by the horns and lives it to the fullest. More often than not, finding herself in a pickle. Her capacity to love, live and enjoy knows no bounds. Everyone is better for knowing her.

If you like adventure, history, romance, mystery, and some “peppering” of faith, then this story is for you!


Thank you Netgalley! I received an ARC of The Cairo Curse in exchange for my honest review.

#pepperbasham #thecairocurse #netgalley #christianhistoricalfiction #christianhistoricalromance #historicalfiction #bookreview #arc

Grace and Frederick, along with Elliott, from "The Mistletoe Countess" are back and on another wild adventure. This time to the pyramids of Egypt.

There is so much going on in this story, but it still took me a bit to get into it - I so loved their first book and really wanted to love this one, but it just didn't hit the same notes. It's a great story, full of wonderful characters - lots of intrigue, mystery, and mummies. It was nice reading more about Elliott and his life in this book. And Grace is just such a fun character to follow!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

What a delightful sequel! I adored Freddie and Grace in The Mistletoe Countess and I am so happy they are back for another adventure! "Within a month since Christmas, his American wife had learned how to drive the car and throw knives, two skills she appeared to excel in more than knowing the fashion of the season or how to address the complicated hierarchy of the aristocracy." "She was the oddest assortment of acute observation and lack of pretense he'd ever seen." Grace and her bookish ways have brought a breath of fresh air into the life of her new husband Frederick Percy, Lord Astley.

On their postponed honeymoon to Venice, Lord Astley brings his wife to Egypt where his cousins are part of an archeological dig. What ensues is chaos, murder, and mayhem. And laugh out loud humor. Another completely enjoyable book by Pepper Basham! I highly recommend The Cairo Curse and Mistletoe Countess, and cannot wait for the next adventure.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy of The Cairo Curse. All opinions are my own.

Now married, he still hasn’t gotten used to the drama that seems to follow his wife.
His butler now mentions she was asking about pistols. What’s next she excelled at
throwing knifes. His mother was under house arrest. A detour on a trip leads them to Egypt,
an adventure that draws them closure together. A mystery of a tomb, secrets, antiquities,
along with danger, can they solve.
A delightful second book in this series, with good details of the setting of Egypt.
Given ARC for Net Galley and Barbour for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

Wow! What a ride in this who-done-it suspense.
I first met Grace in The Mistletoe Countess. She is young, extremely energetic, loves to read and learn, and is a mix of fictional daydreams and a Sherlock Holmes detective want-to-be.
Travel to Egypt. Taste the sand, feel the heat, ride a camel, stand in awe of the pyramids, experience the wonder of archeological finds and hold your breath as murders and mayhem explode.
Because of my patriarchal background, I love how Grace and her husband are equal partners in their marriage.

I am a hardcore Pepper Basham fan, and dearly love her books. So I wanted to love this one, but couldn't quite connect with this one. It took awhile to read because I kept losing interest and setting it aside. Bottom line: I didn't connect with the characters, but most fans of the era and Pepper will enjoy it. She made sure to give enough intro that even if you haven't read the first book in the series, you will not be lost. However I think I would have benefitted from reading the books in order, as I might have felt better about the characters. The setting is what initially drew me and I did appreciate the vivid descriptions of such a unique time period and location.

You will definitely want to read The Mistletoe Countess before this book, since you need the introduction to Freddie and Grace from that book to fully appreciate this one. Now they’re ready for their belated honeymoon, and look forward to a lovely, peaceful trip… I thoroughly enjoyed the irrepressible Grace as she collides with Egypt! The mystery is well-crafted, and there are lots of possible villains to choose from. The plot twists kept me reading long into the night. I was thankful for the hope that Freddie and Grace bring to hopeless situations as their faith keeps them balanced and able to face the challenges that come.
I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book with no obligation to post a review
#TheCairoCurse #NetGalley

The Cairo Curse
Pepper Basham
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Series: Sequel to The Mistletoe Countess
Rated: 3
Obtain: Borrow

Back of the Book: “Clue meets Indiana Jones with a fiction-loving twist only Grace Percy can provide.
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair-share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store. From an assortment of untrustworthy adventure-seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret, Frederick and Grace must lean on each other to navigate their dangerous surroundings. As the suspects mount in an antiquities’ heist of ancient proportions, will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands?”

Impressions: If you have watched the recent Agatha Christie film, Death on the Nile, this book will feel familiar. That being said, I wanted to like this book more than I did. I felt that Lord Astley’s tone with his wife was condescending. I think the goal was to be endearing but I found it otherwise. Lady Astley desires to be seen for more than her red hair but her husband continually refers to her red hair as to why she is beautiful to him. She wants to be taken seriously but she is flighty and thoughtless to the consequences of her actions. I didn’t care for the verbiage and dialogue used in this book as it made the characters and plot fall flat for me. All in all, when you don’t care for the characters, it is challenging to enjoy much else. I have enjoyed other books by this author, so I’ll keep on reading.

Quotes: “‘But poor choices tend to gather poor company…’” – A lesson we must all learn.

“‘ I’m afraid my knowledge is more broad brush strokes than details.’”- I enjoyed this comparison and will probably try to use it in conversation somewhere.

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

Last page read
Sigh.
Oh how I love Freddy and Grace.
Sigh again.
It’s bittersweet.

After becoming acquainted with aforementioned characters in The Mistletoe Countess, I practically squealed aloud on seeing this new book, which tells of their honeymoon travels to Egypt.
Pepper Basham has a way of bringing those sights and sounds to life right before your eyes.
Grace is still the same humorous and adorable Grace. Freddy is kept on his toes just keeping track of her and keeping her safe.
This story abounds with mystery and danger.
I loved it from beginning to end.
The end was bittersweet because I don't want to leave these newfound friends....(is there a chance that there will, perhaps, be another book about them? I do not know, but oh how I wish for it!)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romance, mystery, and lots of Pepper.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Review Cairo Curse
This was my first Pepper Basham novel. I wanted to try new authors and I appreciate this advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher. The Cairo Curse was not the first in the series, but the author did a good job at sliding me into the story. I do wish I started with the beginnings of this series including an interesting couple and could have understood what began their story and caused this trip to Egypt. I appreciated the mixture of humor thrown in with mystery and romance. It was fun to see how the heroine was influenced by novels she had read. I am not a fan of mainly romantic stories, so the mystery added to my enjoyment. Pepper Basham seems to have a refreshing take on the mystery/romantic combo. I would try this author again if I could start with the beginning of a series. I give it a 3 because I struggled at the beginning a bit, but perhaps her next one will be a 4 for me.
#NetGalley; # BarbourFiction

Haven't read the first book, YET but I shall be very shortly. This was pure delight. Quirky, fun, uplifting, humorous, and a mystery to be solved. I will be eagerly seeking out the author's back catalogue and working my way through.

I loved this next book in the Frederick and Grace Mysteries so much. Grace is my favorite of all Pepper’s characters and this book had perfect growth for her. We got to learn so much more about Elliot and his background. Definitely a must read if you already read and enjoyed The Mistletoe Countess!

If you loved Pepper Basham’s Mistletoe Countess and want more of Grace and Freddy, then this is your book! Primarily a adventure and mystery that takes place in Egypt, you will find yourself trying to put all the pieces together and figure out whodunnit. I never did. I often got the characters mixed up so I was relieved when it was all explained to me near the end of the book. But if you’re looking for more of these characters and a romp with captivating Grace then you’ll want to read this one. But I don’t think any will replace my love for the Mistletoe Countess which I plan on rereading soon. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

Grace and Freddie are back for another adventure!!! The Cairo Curse is the sequel to Pepper Basham’s The Mistletoe Countess, but this one can be read as a stand alone without any trouble.
When dear, sweet Frederick plans a trip to Egypt for his mystery loving, knife throwing, gun shooting wife, Grace, he has to know the trip won’t go as planned. They don’t even get unpacked before things start happening!
This is such a fun read and so different than most of Pepper’s books! It had a wonderful feel of Nancy Drew!
I highly recommend this one to anyone that loves a good mystery with a touch of sweet romance! I can’t wait to see what other adventures Grace and Freddie get into!!!

I received an early copy of this book via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine and given freely!

Pepper Basham’s books are like a vacation! In this book, an exotic one! I appreciated her attention to historical detail and the foray into such a foreign setting. Much like a murder mystery, this book is a fun one especially since some of my favorite characters return!