PEACE is about to break out between Ancient Egypt and Libya when three of the leading scribes of the Pharcah Hatusu (Hatshepsut) are poisoned in the temple of Ptah as the peace treaty is about to be signed.

Chief Judge Amerotke is assigned to find the murderers, save the peace and avenge Egypt's honour, a task which brings him into contact with a powerful lord of the underworld, a guild of assassins and a poisoner who seems to have returned from the dead.

Middlesbrough-born Doherty effortlessly recreates the power, majesty, brilliance and mystery that was Egypt, while also revealing a civilisation with secrets as dark and dangerous as the grave.