Murdoch Foyle, on the loose from prison, is suspected in the deaths of several people tied to an archaeological expedition in Egypt - and has Phryne squarely in his sights.
Tropes:
- Affably Evil: Foyle, as usual, being as polite and mild as milk while committing his awful crimes, and assures Phryne that her sister did not suffer, even telling the truth about her location (though he did think that Phryne was about to die) and having every apparent intention of letting Jane and Jack go as promised
- Artistic License – Pharmacology: The drug Foyle uses to incapacitate his victims causes rapid paralysis of skeletal, but not respiratory muscles. There is no neuromuscular blocking agent that has that effect (it's all-or-none paralysis, meaning very rapid death by asphyxiation unless the victim is being mechanically ventilated), and none that has an effect when taken orally. (The whole point of curare as a hunting poison was that it was deadly if injected in an arrow or blow dart, but had no effect on the animal's meat when eaten.)
- Bridal Carry: Jack carries Phryne this way after she quite literally collapses into his arms, having been forced to drink a powerful sedative.
- Broken Ace: Phryne is well and truly broken by the discovery of Janey's grave.
- Crucified Hero Shot: Theresa Cavalli is found in a crucified pose on the floor of the church where she deposited the one victim of Murdoch's who got away.
- Egyptian Mythology: All over the place.
- Insane Troll Logic: Arguably, Foyle's whole ancient Egyptian murder-suicide plot, which was dependent upon 1) Foyle having the same birthday as an Old Kingdom pharaoh - never mind dating differences across multiple calendars; 2) locating a large number of children with the same birthday; 3) assembling a large number of highly valuable ancient Egyptian trinkets in one location; and 4) convincing all his colleagues to commit ritual suicide along with him, all for the purpose of rather dubious academic fame. Phryne even lampshades it in the climax: there's nothing stopping the last man living from simply brooming the whole plot and claiming all the loot and publishing the others' discoveries for himself.
- Instant Sedation: Whatever was in the concoction Foyle dosed the milk bottle with causes more or less instant skeletal muscle paralysis. See Artistic License – Pharmacology above.
- Kind Restraints: Jack eventually winds up arresting and jailing Phryne to keep her from going after Foyle. Both he and Hugh are noticeably apologetic about it.
- Never Trust a Title: There is no King Memses' curse.
- Nightmare Fuel: How does having your brain pulled out through your nose with a hook sound? While you're still alive and fully conscious?
- Sad Clown: Despite having recently made plans to bury her sister, Phryne insists on celebrating her birthday, hiding her grief with a party full of dancing and champagne. Jack sees right through it.
- Take Me Instead: Phryne eventually winds up playing this to get Foyle to release Jane. It doesn't work.
- ...At least, not directly. (She simply helpfully points out Foyle's Chronic Backstabbing Disorder to his would-be associate and lets the chips fall.)
- Taking the Veil: Theresa Cavalli, racked with guilt over being Foyle's accomplice, becomes a nun and spends the rest of her life praying for the victims.
- Villains Never Lie: Foyle turns out to be entirely honest, in his own, bizarre sort of way, telling Phryne exactly where he buried her sister (though he does assume at this point that Phryne is about to die).
