On the day of Djoser’s coronation, a priest of Ptah is found dead inside the temple—his body posed to mask a brutal murder as a tragic accident. The timing is no coincidence, and someone will do anything to keep the truth buried. Across the city of Mennefer, Ankhwah—a former boat builder known as the King’s Ghost—stumbles home in a drunken haze, unaware he’s being followed through the shadows. When Ankhwah turns up missing, Imhotep, now a rising court official, and his quick-witted cousin Ani are pulled into the investigation. As they follow a trail of hidden motives and political deception, Ani’s childhood friend Khepri arrives with secrets of his own—and a connection to the case that could prove fatal to them all. As the killers close in and time runs out, Imhotep and Ani must uncover the truth before they become the next victims.
Set in the glittering and dangerous world of ancient Egypt, The King’s Ghost, is a tense, atmospheric mystery where loyalty is fragile, power is deadly, and nothing is as it seems.

Praise for The Imhotep Chronicle series

“As a big fan of Al Sirois’s novel Murder in Mennefer, an absorbing and briskly paced coming-of-age story set in ancient Egypt, I was delighted to learn of a forthcoming sequel to it: Imhotep and the Quest to Kush. Like its predecessor, this new novel immerses us in the adventures and travails of an intellectually curious young man, Imhotep, who has developed a special interest in herbs and spells that can heal or improve the health of the sick. Imhotep’s interests and abilities bring him into the orbit of the politically powerful and those acting against them, which at times puts him in grave danger. In Imhotep and the Quest to Kush, challenges and dangers introduced in the first novel ratchet up to more perilous heights, creating an engrossing and suspenseful reading experience… Although the book can be described as a young-adult novel, it should appeal to adventure-story fans of all ages, and to anyone interested in what life was like in ancient Egypt, not just for the wealthy and powerful but also for everyday people. It is a pleasure to recommend this novel”

—Small Press Picks

“In this second novel in his intriguing YA historical series set in ancient Egypt, author A. L. Sirois brilliantly blends all the right elements to produce a first-rate saga that will thrill young (and older) readers. The main characters are famous ancient historical personalities brought back to life by A. L. Sirois in this dramatic story. Imhotep as a thirteen-year-old orphan is connected in high circles, including with the ailing Pharao King Sanakhe of the Two Lands, and with a powerful friend (Djoser) who will soon become pharaoh upon Sanakhe’s death. In this quest to Kush, Imhotep travels up the Nile to Nubia where he gathers powerful medicines and prayer scripts to bring back to Mennefer (Memphis) to try and save old King Sanakhe. Along the way, Imhotep encounters several romantic involvements with young women. He also encounters danger from conspiracies to overthrow the king, as well as thrills on the Nile on poetically named ships like The Beautiful Ibis. Savor the sunshine, the fresh air, and the adventures as A. L. Sirois brings ancient Egypt, 4600 years ago, during the Old Kingdom in one of history’s most ancient civilizations, back to life.”

—John T. Cullen, author of YANAPOP: Run For Your Life, a Love Story