The Eye of Osiris by Raquel Zepeda Fitzgerald

by Raquel Zepeda Fitzgerald
(El Paso, Texas)

Synopsis:
Disturbing the dead is never a good idea. Stealing from the dead is an even worse idea. But opening the door to the wizardry of the Rosicrucian Order with ill-gotten spoils from the sands of Egypt -- that is definitely the road to hell.

Unsuspecting beneficiaries of a sacred Egyptian papyrus had no idea that this gift was the result of an unholy theft. Proudly displayed in the Rosicrucian Egyptian museum, the meanings within the papyrus's text had already taken hold. Bringing destruction to the thieves was just the beginning. Collateral damage was unavoidable.

It all seemed to culminate on the eve of March 14, while many of the leaders of the Rosicrucian Order were celebrating at a costume gala in the Santa Cruz mountains. Held at an elaborate mansion down the road from the enormous Cat statues off Highway 17, guests anticipated a great adventure. Dressed in Egyptian costumes, they were taken to the mansion on chariots driven by muscular men wearing scanty Egyptian slave costumes. Not since the filming of "Cleopatra" had such an elaborate depiction of Egyptian life been seen.

Consequence or curse? Semantics no longer mattered to the occupants of Suite 4800 in the Transamerica "Pyramid" Building in San Francisco. When employees of the law offices of McCormick, Redding and Patton fell victims to Egyptian sacrificial rituals, they were defenseless. No legal writ could protect them against the powers that had been unleashed.

Incarceration is no way to celebrate a twenty million dollar inheritance. However, this proved to be Moriah's luckiest moment because as she slept restlessly in her cell, the Egyptian sacrificial ritual continued its rampage through San Francisco.

Clearly, madness was no new plateau for this killer whose victims showed no signs of struggle. No human could possibly be that quick nor that cunning, concluded many of the Bay area citizens. Encrypted with bloody, mysterious messages, the trail again led to the Rosicrucian Order.

When the bodies started piling up, Lt. Mendoza and all San Franciscans were hoping it was the work of a serial killer because the thought that a supernatural force was committing these executions was much too unsettling. Finally, Lt. Mendoza had to unearth the question that plagued everyone's mind, "Is this the work of a supernatural power or super intelligent madman?

www.raquelzepedafitzgerald.com

Reviews:
A Lively and Stylish Story - Leaves us wanting more, Richard Gubitosa

All the great elements of a good read are here - real characters, murky motives, and a besieged heroine. Set in stylish San Francisco, a cultish interpretation of Egyptian mythology and modern hipness is blended to make a compelling story. We hopefully await the sequel, because it seems the potential to continue filling out these characters is there. Excellent debut by this author that should continue with confidence to develop an enduring, uniquely American heroine in Moriah Maizon.