Bird in a Snare

When a useful bandit leader is assassinated, Egyptian diplomat Hani is sent to Syria to investigate. But he soon finds himself caught up in a grudge more than fifty years old, where good and evil are hard to tell apart. 2021 Grand Prize Winner, Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction Before 1750

"Hani and Maya are instantly likeable protagonists, and there are enough twists, turns, and court intrigues to satisfy all lovers of historical mysteries. Holmes’s writing is simultaneously colorful and informative, blending vivid depictions of Hani’s surroundings with subtle cultural histories ... Readers will find it hard to put down this tale of ancient intrigue." --BookLife Review (Publishers Weekly)
“A rich, authentic mystery set in ancient Egypt brought by one who knows her stuff. Archeologist, N.L. Holmes offers up a political thriller that will have readers clamoring for more. One of our new favorites. Highly recommended!”--Chanticleer Reviews
"A fine mystery tale."--Kirkus Reviews