Neither Emerson nor Amelia have ever been able to abide hysterical females, although Emerson and Ramses both feel a gentlemanly sense of obligation to assist them out of their hysteria. When the dramatic and yes, hysterical, Mrs. Petherick approaches the family and tells them of a black afrit (spirit) who stole the life of her husband and is now trying to kill her, they find her story interesting but aren’t inclined to believe her. What does hold their fascination is a solid gold statue she gives into their care, telling them she believes the statue is cursed, and if she gives it to them, they’ll know how to remove the curse.
The Emersons are delighted to see the statue, but wonder where it might have come from. The uraeus symbol on the front is missing the head of the snake, but other than that, it’s in excellent condition, and obviously genuine. Mrs. Petherick has no idea where her husband got it, but Emerson is champing at the bit to find out.
Meanwhile, Amelia has noticed, with sadness, that the children are finally grown and ready to go out on their own. Ramses is an expert at languages and prefers to spend his time translating characters than digging, and Nefret is being pulled more and more to her clinic. David wants to study his art, and while none of the three have come right out and said so, Amelia can tell that they would like to go on their own. She and Emerson will have to hire new staff members, and they won’t be together every season like they have been for almost twenty years, but, she realizes, things do change.
With more shirts ruined than ever before, the Emerson clan is thrown into another mystery, this time with Sethos working at their side as a friend and ally. It may be true that the children are grown, but the family members do still need each other, and always will.
(This book was published in 2005 by Harper Collins.)
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