The Pharaoh's Curse Murders

The Pharaoh's Curse Murders is the third book in the Merry Widow Murders historical mystery series. Set on a small ocean liner that is on its way to Egypt in 1929, this mystery has an array of characters with connections to archaeology and a story full of suspicion of stolen relics and murder.

The Gist: When a young archeologist suddenly dies during a cocktail party game onboard, Lucy needs to figure out if the death was caused by human hands or the effects of a long-held Egyptian curse. Curses, clairvoyance and murder, oh my!

It has an interesting premise with an Egyptian focus and a new ship to change things up, but the things that I made the first two books stand out for me (Lucy's backstory and humour from Elf, Lucy's unconventional lady's maid) felt subdued in this book. There's a large cast of potential culprits, but I struggled to keep a few of them straight, especially when some characters were referred to by their first name and also their last name in different scenes. 

This was a good read with more of a slow burn feel and a little less tension than the first two books. It took a bit for me to be pulled into the story, but things pick up later with a good twist and a satisfying ending.  

I love the Egyptian antiquities back drop and reuniting with Lucy and Elf in this third book. While this wasn't my favourite book of the series, I think readers who enjoy a locked room whodunnit with a side of 1920's Egyptomania craze will enjoy this historical mystery.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Cormorant Books for the complimentary digital advanced copy that was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3.25 stars

Author: Melodie Campbell

Genre: Mystery, Historical

Series: Merry Widow Murders 3

Type and Source: ebook from publisher

Publisher: Cormorant Books

First Published: April 11, 2026

Read: March 15-22, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: It’s the winter of 1929, and Lady Lucy Revelstoke and her pickpocket-turned-maid, Elf, are back in the third installment of The Merry Widow Murders — this time voyaging to Egypt. Lucy is particularly interested in the ancient sites, and Elf — well, Elf is keen to find out how the tomb raiders mastered their trade!

The voyage should be a treat, as two rival teams of archeologists will give lectures while on route to their digs. Old-school Doctor Phineas King and his daughter, Isla, make up one team, while the other’s led by flamboyant, privately funded American adventurer Anton Margolis. Both teams seek to discover a prized tomb, despite local whispers of a curse that befalls upon all those who dare to disturb the pharaoh’s grave.

Soon, an archeologist drops dead at a cocktail party. Is this the work of the pharaoh’s curse, or someone with a personal motive? As accusations of antiquity smuggling come to light and a distraught clairvoyant predicts more violence, Lucy and Elf race to find the fiendish murderer before they strike again.