But there is a great evil in the wind that roils the hot sands sweeping through the bustling streets and marketplace of Cairo. Amelia is alert to the likely presence of her arch nemesis the Master Criminal -- notorious looter of the living and the dead. But it is far more than ill-gotten riches that motivates the evil genius this time around. For now the most valuable and elusive prize of all is nearly in his grasp: the meddling lady archaeologist who has sworn to deliver him to justice ... Amelia Peabody!