8 High-Stakes Archeological Adventure Books 

With a PhD in Egyptology and a penchant for writing suspense, Elizabeth Peters captivated the world with her Amelia Peabody series of historical mystery novels. Entertaining and lively, The Deeds of the Disturber is perfect for lovers of mysteries and ancient Egypt. 

The fifth book in the series unfolds entirely in a Victorian-era England and follows sleuth and archeologist Amelia Peabody try to get to the bottom of not one but two unsolved crimes while also raising a son and amidst whispers of ancient curses. 

As the title suggests, Carol McCleary’s No Job for a Lady takes place in a patriarchal world where the odds are stacked against women, especially for Nellie Bly, determined to be a foreign correspondent, despite defiance from the editor. 

She travels to Mexico investigating Aztec myths, even as she’s stalked by killers and cultists. With a cast of colorful characters, No Job for a Lady is an enticing read that will surprise you at every turn. 

Plenty of mysteries lead to Egypt, and it’s the same case with Clare Langley-Hawthorne’s engrossing new novel, The Serpent and the Scorpion. Carefully balancing romance, mystery, and intrigue, this is quite the delightful read.  

It follows Ursula Marlow, an amateur sleuth who’s also the heiress to a huge textile empire, who’s determined to seek justice for the mysterious murders of women in her vicinity, even as there’s someone out there determined to damage her reputation. 

If you prefer short stories or just shorter reads in general, you can pick up a copy of The Locked Tomb Mystery and Other Stories, which collects some of the most engaging mystery shorts by a skilled writer in a single volume. 

The title story deals with the violation of a West Bank tomb, while another story involves a thriller writer solving a real-life whodunit. The author’s beloved characters from other series, including Amelia Peabody, also reappear in one of the stories. 

Overall, a satisfying and well-written collection. 

Those who like their historical mystery platters sprinkled with fantasy and an enemies-to-lovers romance arc will surely enjoy the taste of What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez. 

Filled with ancient Egyptian history, archeological digs, old-world magic, and characters hiding secrets, What the River Knows is an unforgettable adventure.. 

Ellie Mallory is an educated woman determined to succeed as an archeologist, but Victorian society isn’t well-known for providing opportunities to ambitious women.

 But when she gets her hands on a mysterious map, she’s off on a mad-cap, swash-buckling adventure on the trail of an ancient artifact that might revolutionize history—as long as her many enemies don’t get there first. 

Smartly written with engaging banter, plenty of romance, and high-stakes action, Empire of Shadows is an extremely fun read and a worthwhile start to the author’s Raiders of the Arcana series. 

From the promise of sunken treasure to the passions of forbidden love, The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner is an utterly enchanting read, with elements of magic realism and mystery carefully woven in. 

Narrated through two intertwined timelines, the book follows the story of witches tasked with protecting the Amalfi coast and a woman archaeologist on the hunt for buried treasure. Evocative and intriguing, The Amalfi Curse is a definite page-turner. 

Finally, this Egyptian-myth-inspired book infuses historical elements, time travel, and steamy romance in an enthralling adventure that follows Tarset, a modern pop superstar who somehow wakes up in ancient Egypt and must find a way to survive there.

With evocative worldbuilding and morally grey characters, Song of Scarabs and Fallen Stars is a pretty immersive read.