Who would have thought that in gloomy and prim London, with its dampness, fog and social tea parties, such serious passions could flare up! The capital of Britain is stunned and frightened: a strange creature is walking through the streets, dressed as an ancient Egyptian priest and wearing a leopard print cape. And it would be okay to just walk around, but no - where an alien from ancient times appears, someone immediately dies, and even a violent death. Amelia Peabody, of course, is unable to ignore such mysterious events. Armed with her constant weapon - an umbrella, fighting off her inquisitive and energetic child and feeding her beloved husband fable after fable, she begins an investigation. Not only is she forced to visit the most obscene London slums and dens during the investigation, but a mysterious priest is also hunting her. And if it were not for the support of the beloved Emerson and the insight of the young Ramesses, her legs would not have been carried away...