Outside the prison, Vincent D’Agosta keeps vigil along with Pendergast’s chauffeur, Proctor, and Eli Glenn, trying to find a way to break Pendergast out of an escape-proof prison. He has a disciplinary hearing coming up that will decide whether or not he keeps his badge.

At the Museum of Natural History, Nora Kelly has been called away from her research project to oversee the reopening of the ancient Egyptian tomb of Senef, which was walled off in the depression era. It is hoped that the gala event will distract the public from the scandal over the museum's diamond collection being stolen by Diogenes, then returned reduced to powder. A sound and light show has been planned to recreate the moment when the tomb was robbed centuries before.

As usual, Preston and Child have woven a story that keeps the listener on the edge of his or her chair waiting to see how Special Agent Pendergast will extract himself from this predicament. Also, just what does Diogenes have in mind as he visits Pendergast’s ward, Constance Green? Will Pendergast be convicted of his diabolical brother’s perfect crime? Or does Diogenes have another thing in mind? Listen to The Book of the Dead. It’s a horror thriller you won’t easily forget.