Hemiunu is the grand vizier to Khufu, his cousin and the Pharaoh. He has long dreamt that he would hold the position, the same position of his father, and his dreams are finally realized. Thus, it is his responsibility to create a final resting place for his Pharaoh. He envisions a Great Pyramid, a pyramid that will grace the landscape of Egypt for centuries. He is in the process of accomplishing his dream when things begin to go wrong. His friend is murdered. He believes it is related to something that happened in the past. Can he seek justice for his friend and finish the pyramid on schedule? Or will this murder change the course of everything?

Hemiunu is haunted by dreams of the past, of a wrongful death, and of his role in it. He and six others share a secret, a secret they were ordered to never speak about, a secret that is about to be unearthed. It seems as though someone is taking their vengeance out on those seven friends one by one. Hemiunu makes it his responsibility to set things right and restore the balance. His journey to the truth leads him to Neferet, and a group of people who worship the one true God. Has he found a place to truly fit in? Or will he uncover the truth before it is too late for any of them?

T. L. Higley has written an intriguing inspirational mystery. She draws her readers back into ancient Egypt, and takes them on a scenic tour. She gives us a fascinating look at Egyptian culture and an interesting insight into the hard work and amazing talent that went into the building of the Great Pyramid. Her characters are amazing and it is easy to become lost in Hemiunu's world. I was easily captivated by the mystery, allured by the romance, and caught up in the action. I applaud Ms. Higley for incorporating a belief in God throughout the story. CITY OF THE DEAD certainly contains all the elements that create a wonderful novel, and this one deserves to go on the keeper shelf. I will be looking forward to the next installment in the Seven Wonders series.