1. Where do you think Faisal got the strength to stand up against Khaled since he had been such a timid character? Why do you think Faisal did it?

2. Throughout the book Egypt is described as having a corrupt government and legal system. Can you name examples? How do rights and justice vary in different countries?

3. Why do you think Knox and Gaille are so careful not to let their relationship go beyond professional colleagues? When/why do you think they changed their minds?

4. How is it that Knox is so often able to escape death and elude capture? Do you think it is skill or luck? Why?

5. Because of his working relationship with Gaille’s father, Knox is perceived to be a homosexual. This is untrue, but he says “I never bothered to put them right. Let them think what they want, right?” Why is it not important to him that people’s perception of him be accurate? What does that say about him as a character?

6. How did Lily’s birthmark affect her when she was growing up? Do you think she would have been a different person had she not been born with it? How would her relationship with Stafford have been different?

7. Most of Stafford’s staff quit before departing for the shoot in Egypt. Why didn’t Lily? Do you think it was strong or weak of Lily to have stayed with him?

8. Secretary General of the Supreme council for Antiquities, Yusuf Abbas, called Knox a “glory-hunting sensationalist, not a serious archaeologist.” What do you think of that assessment? Do you agree or disagree? Why?