I am super excited to be sharing my publication day review of The Nile Priestess by Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead. For those who follow the blog, you will already be very aware of how much I love The de Chastelaine Chronicles and I am always so excited to be sharing the latest book with you all – even though this is a sad one as this book is the last in the trilogy 😭. Firstly, a quick thank you to Lori at Totally Bound Publishing for my arc copy.
about the book
The Nile Priestess by Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead.
Series: The de Chastelaine Chronicles #3
Genre: Historical Mystery, Paranormal Romance
Amid the shifting sands of Egypt, is an ancient evil stronger than even the most timeless bonds?
In the heat of 1920’s Cairo, Raf and Cecily are looking forward to making their honeymoon one to remember. Instead, they find themselves caught between a British nobleman on a mission to loot Egypt’s ancient tombs and a mysterious local woman who will do whatever it takes to protect the land she loves.
When a foreboding pyramid rises from the sands and the scent of decay fills the air, Raf and Cecily find themselves caught in a terrifying race against time to vanquish a murderous mummy and put right the wrongs of the past. But is evil stronger than even the most timeless bonds?
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/
Review
Oh my giddy aunt, how much do I love this series?
The third and final *sobs loudly* The de Chastelaine mystery is here, oh, Gawd, I am a mess an absolute mess. I knew that this series was only going to be three books, so was expecting the last book to come along sooner or later, but it doesn’t soften the blow when it is actually here. I closed the last page with two thoughts…
1. Wonderful book, gorgeous series and a perfect ending for Raf and Cecily. My heart is melting!
2. Nooooo!!! This can’t be it!!! I need more from my favourite inky backed Yorkshireman (even though he was far too overdressed for my liking – I NEED to see that Inked back one last time 😉 ) I need more from the de Chastelaine’s, I need more Bat action. (Those who have read the previous books, will understand)
Plus an extra nod to the gorgeous cover…go, on have a look!!… Isn’t it fabulous? It ties in with the story perfectly, the eye the pyramid, the gold sands, absolutely spot on!!
1920’s Egypt, Raf and Cecily de Chastalaine are on their honeymoon they are both due a good old rest ab relaxation after the last year or so of drama, I love the opening, it hints of something to come it’s alluring and intriguing and makes me think of Death on the Nile (who knows why as this is far removed from Poirot as you can get). Raf and Cecily just happen to become entangled in a dig for a lost Pharaoh’s legendary tomb with a lunatic who has his sights set on Egyptian gold and beautifully enchanting Dina; a woman with more secrets than MI5.
Once settled into their ever so romantic honeymoon suite, Raf and Cecily are soon drawn into the mystery and the goings-on in the desert. Dina has asked for their assistance and being the kind, wonderful and out for an adventure sort of people they are (being from Yorkshire is it any wonder?) they agree – which is where the fun starts. All sort of hell breaks loose in the desert, with secrets being uncovered along with a hidden tomb and the undead shuffling about, plus not to mention the exploits of the fruit-loop who’s in charge of the dig, well there is a lot for our adorable couple to get their heads around. But as ever, with Cecily’s gift and Raf’s unique-ness, they go head to head with the devil, but nothing can get the better of our unwavering, solid and compassionate duo. I am not going to say more, you HAVE to read it for yourselves, but I can guarantee if you love The Mummy (with Brendan Fraser) then you will love this book!!!!
This has a wonderful cast of characters from a true evil, narcissistic villain, a lovely and incredibly mysterious lady who holds the attention of a couple of the undead and of course our gorgeous couple. We loyal readers have watched them grow and fall in love before our very eyes from that very first book when Raf de Chastelaine stole Cecily’s heart – and mine too.
There are moments that will make you jump and there is one particular scene with the locusts which gave me the creepy tingles, and as always Raf faces everything without batting an eyelid, he bats something else, but you must read the book to find out, have I mention how much I love this man? I have, well I do!!
I adored Dina, she is a wonderful character, I felt her sadness and anger at what was happening, I did have an inkling about her, those first few pages with the de Chastalaine’s and her on the boat got the little grey cells working but I didn’t see what was to come, my heart burst with so much emotion over Dina I would love for her and Ido to pop again in another book (hint, hint).
It’s incredibly fast-paced I literally read this in two days – for a notoriously slow reader, a reader who can be reading the same book for weeks at a time, that is pretty good going for me. I was spellbound and completely hooked, the story leaps of the page the characters are so real, you feel as though Raf and Cecily have dragged you out of your chair and whisked you through the book to plonk you onto the burning sands of Egypt. I also like the mention of the Egyptian food, I am a huge foodie full stop so I am always happy whenever food is discussed in a scene. 😉
I am going to miss these two, I am hoping that there will be more, a second-generation or another branch of the de Chastelaine’s family popping up or even Raf and Cecily coming out of retirement to solve the last case before handing over the baton. A girl can hope, right?
Cecily and Raf are easily my all-time favourite couple, Raf – oh, Raf! My goodness, no man will ever compare to this one, I love how tender and loving he is, warm, adoration, sex-appeal, respect and affection oozes from that perfect body – I may have mentioned how this man gets to me!! Cecily has become a beautifully confident,, fun, flirty and sympathetic woman. I love how they work together as a team, they are absolute equals. It’s been quite a journey for them and what a joy to be able to follow and watch them blossom and grow into the incredible people they are I adore them.
For those who haven’t a clue what I am talking about in regards to the perfection that The de Chastelaine Trilogy then allow me to fill the gaps, this is the third book in the glorious series which follow Raf and Cecily de Chastelaine as they forge their way through life, solving mysteries and dealing with the Undead (The Ghost Garden), Demons (The Glass Demon) and Mummies as they go. Each book can be read easily as a stand-alone, yet I suggest that you read them in order as each one peels back another layer of the character’s story and you will understand them and know how far they have come as people. And to be perfectly honest, why wouldn’t you want to devour each one of these gorgeous books? (That is a rhetorical question, btw).
The Nile Priestess is a wonderful adventure (with camel rides too, I am in my Egyptian dream) it’s exciting, fun, romantic, imaginative and unexpected. It’s got mystery and magic set in one of the most beautiful places in the world (outside of Yorkshire) a definite must-read for anyone who loves The Mummy, Poirot, Egyptian Mummies, Mysteries a little fantasy and of course a charming, charismatic, other-worldly, seductive Yorkshireman with no shoes on. What’s there not to love? 🥰
Now, I will go and cry a river of tears (it won’t be pretty) that my favourite series is at an end, another reason to read the series all over again, after all, how else will I get my Raf de Chastelaine fix? 😉
about the authors
Eleanor Harkstead
Eleanor Harkstead likes to dash about in nineteenth-century costume, in bonnet or cravat as the mood takes her. She can occasionally be found wandering old graveyards. Eleanor is very fond of chocolate, wine, tweed waistcoats and nice pens. Her large collection of vintage hats would rival Hedda Hopper’s.
Originally from the south-east of England, Eleanor now lives somewhere in the Midlands with a large ginger cat who resembles a Viking.
You can follow Eleanor on Facebook and Twitter
Author Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eleanorharkstead
Twitter: https://twitter.com/e_harkstead
Catherine Curzon
Catherine Curzon is a royal historian who writes on all matters of 18th century. Her work has been featured on many platforms and Catherine has also spoken at various venues including the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, and Dr Johnson’s House.
Catherine holds a Master’s degree in Film and when not dodging the furies of the guillotine, writes fiction set deep in the underbelly of Georgian London.
She lives in Yorkshire atop a ludicrously steep hill.
Author Links
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/madamegilflurt
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/madamegilflurt
Website: http://www.madamegilflurt.com/
Chicks,Rogues and Scandals 
One thought on “The Nile Priestess by Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead ~ Publication Day Review.”