Name: The Seventh Scroll
ISBN: 9780312945985

Wilbur Smith

Discovering the possible whereabouts of the lavish crypt belonging to the Egyptian Pharaoh Mamose, Egyptologist Royan Al Simma and Sir Nicholas Quention-Harper begin a desperate race against greedy assassins. Reissue.

The Seventh Scroll

Wilbur A. Smith

The seventh scroll is nearly 4000 years old. Within it lies the clues to a treasure from an almost forgotten time. Duraid Al Simmu and his wife, Royan, were the first to discover the scrolls. When Duraid is murdered, Royan seeks refuge in England but she must find the courage to return to Ethiopia.

Alexandra Mellas

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Publication Date: November 10, 1995
Publisher: MacMillian
Country: United States of America
ISBN: 0333637704
Original Language: English
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical, Thriller
Buy the Book: Amazon
Lootability: Grab it and go

The Seventh Scroll is Wilbur Smith's 25th book and the second in his popular Egyptian series featuring the enigmatic slave Taita. A modern look at the events of River God, The Seventh Scroll follows the archaeological rediscovery of Pharaoh Mamose's tomb. 

What I liked: Taita was such an enthralling protagonist in River God and it was a pleasure to revisit him. It was cleverly designed for us to see the results of Taita's work instead of hearing him boast about his genius - and we get to delight and despair with Nicholas and Royan as they play his game and struggle to discover the location of Mamose's tomb. 
I also like the way that Smith teases himself as writing books full of "sex and violence" who takes liberties with history. 
Like in River God, Smith creates a believable world of Egyptian archeology and, from what I remember of my ancient history lessons, seems to recreate the culture beautifully. 

What I didn't like: There really is a lot of sex and violence in Wilbur Smith's books. It's for that reason that I can't reread the third book in series, Warlock. Sometimes it just becomes overwhelming - too many people are tortured, injured or killed carelessly for my tastes. 
Some of the phrasing seems odd to me, a lot of extra justs and verys.

There are another two books in the series, featuring Taita and returning to ancient times. However, from memory I found the story-lines rather violent and far-fetched.