Part of Rizzoli & Isles, book 7
First published 2008
Medical examiner Maura Isles examines what appears to be an ancient Egyptian mummy recently discovered in the Boston Crispin Museum's basement. Museum staff celebrated the find as salvation for their struggling institution. Maura's forensic analysis reveals the shocking truth. This "Madam X" died recently, not centuries ago. Someone murdered her and preserved her body to mimic ancient mummification. Detective Jane Rizzoli joins Maura as more preserved corpses surface throughout the museum. The killer targets archaeologist Josephine Pulcillo with cryptic messages and leaves a third victim's body in her car. His knowledge of preservation techniques suggests scientific training. Josephine harbors a dark secret that connects her to the murderer. The killer's methods earn him the name "Archaeology Killer" as he continues building his collection of preserved victims. Maura must decode ancient death rituals to understand his plan. When Josephine disappears, Maura and Jane race against time to stop him from adding another body to his grotesque museum.
Genres: fiction, medical, crime, archaeology, detective, academic
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, enemies-to-lovers, race-against-time
Setting: Boston, Crispin Museum
Period: 21st-century
349 pages · Hardcover · Ballantine Books
Content warnings: body-horror, death, graphic-violence, murder