The Museum Detective
Apr 2025 · Soho Press
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About this ebook
This gripping series debut introduces whip-smart Pakistani archaeologist Dr. Gul Delani, whose investigation into the discovery of a mummy gets complicated—and personal—when it collides with her years-long search for a missing family member. This gritty crime thriller inspired by a real-life antiquities scandal is perfect for fans of Sue Grafton and Elsa Hart.
In the large, diverse, and densely populated city of Karachi, a young girl can vanish and never be found. This, Dr. Gul Delani understands well: It’s been three years since her niece, Mahnaz, went missing, and the investigation has been called off. Gul does her best to distract herself through work—she is a talented and trusted archaeologist and museum curator, Pakistan’s preeminent Egyptologist—but try as she may to keep her mind on the ancient past, somehow the thought of Mahnaz always sneaks back in.
When Gul receives a call in the middle of the night from the Sindh police, she thinks they may finally have an answer. Instead, Gul is summoned to a narcotics investigation in a remote desert region, many hours away. There, in a cave, they find a mummy—intact, seemingly authentic, its sarcophagus decorated with symbols from the ancient city of Persepolis. Gul is astonished. If it’s a genuine archaeological discovery, it will rewrite history.
Taking matters into her own hands, Gul will stop at nothing to authenticate the mummy—even as her quest brings her into the throes of a black-market scramble and a high-level conspiracy, and at last, just maybe, closer to the truth of what happened to Mahnaz, however difficult it is to face.
In the large, diverse, and densely populated city of Karachi, a young girl can vanish and never be found. This, Dr. Gul Delani understands well: It’s been three years since her niece, Mahnaz, went missing, and the investigation has been called off. Gul does her best to distract herself through work—she is a talented and trusted archaeologist and museum curator, Pakistan’s preeminent Egyptologist—but try as she may to keep her mind on the ancient past, somehow the thought of Mahnaz always sneaks back in.
When Gul receives a call in the middle of the night from the Sindh police, she thinks they may finally have an answer. Instead, Gul is summoned to a narcotics investigation in a remote desert region, many hours away. There, in a cave, they find a mummy—intact, seemingly authentic, its sarcophagus decorated with symbols from the ancient city of Persepolis. Gul is astonished. If it’s a genuine archaeological discovery, it will rewrite history.
Taking matters into her own hands, Gul will stop at nothing to authenticate the mummy—even as her quest brings her into the throes of a black-market scramble and a high-level conspiracy, and at last, just maybe, closer to the truth of what happened to Mahnaz, however difficult it is to face.
This gripping series debut introduces whip-smart Pakistani archaeologist Dr. Gul Delani, whose investigation into the discovery of a mummy gets complicated—and personal—when it collides with her years-long search for a missing family member. This gritty crime thriller inspired by a real-life anti...
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Ratings and reviews
10 reviews
Mary Bell
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March 26, 2026
Interesting book and background story. Details of life in Pakistan and the blatant corruption under the current adminstration.
Lynne Stanshine
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November 19, 2025
a wonderful book! mommifed persian women.
J&M Saehlenou
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February 5, 2026
Excellent
About the author
Maha Khan Phillips was born in Karachi, Pakistan. She is the author of Beautiful from This Angle, The Mystery of the Aagnee Ruby, and The Curse of Mohenjodaro. She is a multiple award-winning financial journalist and editor who writes across a number of different journals and magazines. She lives in London with her husband and son and frequently visits Pakistan, where she has a keen interest in exploring archaeological sites.
Maha Khan Phillips was born in Karachi, Pakistan. She is the author of Beautiful from This Angle, The Mystery of the Aagnee Ruby, and The Curse of Mohenjodaro. She is a multiple award-winning financial journalist and editor who writes across a number of different journals and magazines. She lives...
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