THE DEATH MASK by Iris Johansen

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Snowbound secrets, shifter wars, family lies, and epic battles — September delivers it all.

THE DEATH MASK
Iris Johansen

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko
Posted June 26, 2025

Eve Duncan has plans for the summer and they have nothing to do with THE DEATH MASK that someone really evil wants her to do. Celine Kelly is a medical intern and a part-time artist model who finds herself pulled into a situation that is more than she can handle alone. Chosen as the face of the mask that Eve is to make brings these women together but the men in their lives must end the danger.

Ezra Caldwell, a man involved in gunrunning, trafficking and murder is now partnered with African tribal chief Masini Zakira to use Eve and Celine in another nefarious deed. These men will do whatever it takes to get what they want, and they want Eve to make THE DEATH MASK of a long-lost queen found in a recently discovered burial site in Africa. These men make a big mistake in forcing their will on these women. The biggest mistake of their lives.

THE DEATH MASK is the 31st Eve Duncan book by author Iris Johansen. In this book, another lost queen is found in an archeological dig in Africa and someone wants to make a fortune out of the find. Eve wants to spend the summer with her family, her son Michael, husband Joe, daughter Jane and her baby Cira. A nice relaxing family-oriented time – evil had other plans. Eve finds herself in Africa along with a new character in this series, Celine. Celine is a beautiful woman who knows how to take care of herself but finds that this time she needs help. To that end, bring in Alex Dominic, a millionaire mercenary, who along with Quinn will go to any length to protect the women in their lives.

THE DEATH MASK is a fast-paced thriller that will have old fans and new readers enjoying the intrigue and romance. Though a bit darker than some of the others in this series, Ms. Johansen adds touches of lighter dialogue and family and romantic love to keep the story balanced. She also has a way of bringing enigmatic men and strong-willed women together so that they realize they belong together, despite themselves. This author likes to bring back past favorite characters in supporting roles to help the family that readers enjoy the chance to see again.

THE DEATH MASK has everything that fans of Eve Duncan books are used to reading. Danger, intrigue, romance, action, drama, family and some really evil bad guys that certainly deserve to get theirs. And boy does that happen!

SUMMARY

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen comes a new thriller starring Eve Duncan as she races against time to protect her beloved family from a merciless killer.

World-renowned forensic sculptor Eve Duncan’s skills frequently make her a target. And in this epic adventure, they make her the first choice to create an Egyptian death mask for a nefarious potential client. But Eve cannot be bought, not for all the riches in a gold mine. Her would-be employer soon realizes that he must threaten the lives of those she holds dear to procure Eve’s services and force her to travel to Africa to mold the priceless mask.

Eve knows that her husband, Joe Quinn, is out there somewhere, searching tirelessly for a way to help. Joe has back-up from Alex Dominic, a mercenary for hire, but nothing will make it easier to set his emotions aside in order to navigate the impenetrable jungle and mastermind a breathtaking escape.

Against an unpredictable enemy, Eve and Joe must each focus on their own unique abilities to get out alive. The future of their love and their family depends upon it.