Carstairs Considers....: Book Review: Death in Luxor by M. A. Monnin (Intrepid Traveler Mysteries #4)

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Book Review: Death in Luxor by M. A. Monnin (Intrepid Traveler Mysteries #4)

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: Fun characters and travel with a good mystery

Cons: Pacing slows down a couple of times

The Bottom Line:

Some threatening notes

Start intriguing Egypt trip

Kept me entertained

Are Thieves Targeting the New Museum?

I’ve enjoyed the arm chair travel and adventure of the Intrepid Traveler Mysteries, so when I found out that M. A. Monnin was writing a fourth, I couldn’t wait for it. As expected, I enjoyed Death in Luxor.

If you haven’t found this fun series yet, it features Stefanie Adams and Thomas Burkhardt. When we first met Stefanie, she was taking a long await vacation to Greece. But her plans went sideways when she found herself pulled into a case involving an art heist. That’s how her path crossed with Thomas. The two are now partners in life and working for Interpol trying to recover stolen artifacts or prevent them from being stolen in the first place.

Which is what takes the pair to Egypt. The brand new Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open, but they’ve been getting notes threatening one of their exhibits. Is someone planning a theft for opening night? The suspects are a group of Egyptian history enthusiasts who have the wealth to buy their way out of close inspection when leaving the country. As theft and murder swirl around them, can Stefanie and Thomas figure out what is truly going on?

This series is part travelogue, part mystery, and part caper. It’s a juggling act, but it’s rewarding.

Having said that, the plot was a little uneven since Stefanie and Thomas were spinning their wheels a couple of times. Fortunately, it wasn’t for very long. I did find the resolution satisfying, and there were some truly exciting moments as the story progressed.

The travel was wonderful. We got to visit so many fantastic places all without leaving our armchair. Of course, the travel doesn’t slow down the story, which always amazes me. We get some great scenes in some iconic locations. It makes me want to go visit Egypt. Also, I enjoyed the reference to some pop culture related to Egypt.

The series doesn’t feature a large cast of recurring characters. It’s pretty much just Stefanie and Thomas. While they are both equally involved in the case, we get it from Stefanie’s third person point of view. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship is continuing to grow. They are a fantastic duo. We get quite a collection of suspects here, and I also enjoyed getting to know them as well.

If you wish you could travel more than your budget allows, you’ll love the virtual trips you get with the Intrepid Traveler Mysteries. Death in Luxor is sure to please fans of this series.

Book more trips with the rest of the Intrepid Traveler Mysteries.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Author Bio:

M. A. Monnin writes the Intrepid Traveler Mysteries, including Agatha Best First Novel finalist DEATH IN THE AEGEAN. The fourth in the series, DEATH IN LUXOR, released in Aug 2026. Like her heroine Stefanie Adams, Mary loves the adventure of foreign travel. If there’s the chance to check out an archaeological site, so much the better for this avocational archaeologist and Air Force veteran. Mary’s short stories have appeared in Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, and numerous anthologies. She is the current President of the Guppy Chapter of Sisters in Crime.