Vicky Bliss is the assistant curator at the Munich National Museum. Her friend, Fiesal, inspector of antiquities for Upper Egypt, has informed her that King Tut's mummy has been stolen from its tomb in the Valley of the Kings. He tells her that her long time lover John Tregarth, formerly the notorious art thief Sir John Smythe, is the prime suspect, as the theft has all the earmarks of Smythe's capers.

John protests his innocence. He is now retired and the owner of an antique shop in London. Vicky and John, along with Vicky's boss Schmidt as their debonair companion, set out to prove his innocence and to recover the mummy. The theft of the mummy will damage the reputation of the Egyptian government. Their quest finally leads them into the Egyptian desert and the final, surprise confrontation with the thief.

Vicky Bliss has returned. The last book featuring her came out 15 years ago, but she is still as enjoyable now as she was then. The plot is an intriguing one with twists to keep the reader in suspense. There are light moments and laughs, with Vicky's boss Schmidt providing many of them. As always is the case with Elizabeth Peters there are vivid descriptions of Egyptian landmarks.