Review: The Egyptian by Layton Green

Title:		The Egyptian
Author:		Layton Green
Pub. Date:		08/27/2011
Pages:		327

At a mausoleum in Cairo’s most notorious cemetery, a mercenary receives a package containing a silver test tube suspended in hydraulic stasis. 

An investigative reporter tracking rogue biomedical companies is terrified by the appearance of a mummified man outside her Manhattan apartment. 

A Bulgarian scientist who dabbles in the occult makes a startling discovery in his underground laboratory. 

These seemingly separate events collide when Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, are hired by the CEO of an Egyptian biomedical firm to locate stolen research integral to the company’s new life extension product. However, after witnessing the slaughter of a team of scientists by the remnants of a dangerous cult thought long abandoned, Grey and Viktor turn from pursuers to pursued. 

From the gleaming corridors of visionary laboratories to the cobblestone alleys of Eastern Europe to a lost oasis in the Sahara, Grey and Viktor must sift through science and myth to uncover the truth behind the Egyptian and his sinister biotech – before that truth kills them.

(Summary and cover via Goodreads)

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Dominic Grey works for an investigator specializing in cults. Their new case involves a test tube full of a mysterious substance that has disappeared from Egypt. With the help of an investigative reporter, Dominic follows the trail to Bulgaria. Threw a series of twists and turns Dominic and crew try to figure out where the test tube is, what is in it, and why someone wants it bad enough to kill for it.

This book starts off with excitement, and it never really lets up. The action takes you from New York to Bulgaria and then on to Egypt. I enjoyed that. There were also many surprises, which made for some fun. I enjoyed the combination of science and the discussions of different cults. Some of the most interesting parts for me involved the discussion with the Egyptologist. That was fascinating. Dominic was an interesting character, but I felt like I was missing something about him having not read the first book in the series. I liked that everyone seemed to be a little grey. There were many reasons for the people doing what they did, and it was all very complex.

I was slightly disappointed in the end, but overall I thought it was a good book. There is mystery, action, and adventure. If you have an interest in Egypt or in the science of aging, you will also find things of interest in here. So if you're ready for a fast-paced story with lots of intrigue, definitely pick up this book.

Book provided by author for review.