The Nameless King

** The horror slumbers buried under many meters of rubble and desert sand. Nameless cartouches, desecrated relics, and a sarcophagus containing an ancient riddle. **

"Ancient lands lost in time.
Storms of sand, walls of lime
Surround this mask of death that I wear
Awakened by invading souls
The curse of Pharaoh upon you
Who dares to invade his holy ground
The gods rise to destroy you."
- Symphony X -

When young student and photography enthusiast Arabella Redcliffe visits her uncle at an excavation site in Egypt anno 1922, ancient secrets are uncovered that should have remained hidden forever.

The men and women of the archaeological excavation stumble upon a still-sealed burial chamber. But not only its condition and location raise questions. Who was buried here, why was his name erased from all records and reliefs, and why were many grave goods wantonly desecrated?

Together, Arabella and the dashing archaeological assistant Miles Thornton try to get to the bottom of the mysteries. But then, inexplicable and terrible events begin to take their course. If they don't figure out what's going on in this cursed place fast enough, this tomb could become theirs, too.

*****
My entry for the Open Novella Contest 2023
Cover by Me
*****
🥇TheGemstoneBooksAwards - Mystery
🥇 1st Place The Aster Awards - Paranormal
🥇 1st Place Rose Book Award - Mystery
🥇 1st Place Crown Awards - Mystery
🥇 1st Place Luminous Award - Best Title
🥇 1st Place Starlight Mini Awards - Best Prologue
🥇 Grad Prize Starlight Mini Awards
🥇 1st Categories Awards 2023 - Best Cover
🥇 1st Place Astania Awards - Mystery
🥈 2nd Place Starlight Mini Awards - Best Cover
🥈 2nd Place Megawatt Awards - Paranormal/Horror
🥈 2nd Categories Awards 2023 - Best Blurb
🥈 2nd Place Dazzle Awards - Thriller/Horror
*****