Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, a bustling metropolis and home to some 20 million people, is a major center for trade and industry. It is also known for lawlessness, rising crime rate, and high levels of political corruption. All of this makes it an ideal setting for a suspense novel.
In The Museum Detective, an intricate new thriller, author Maha Khan Phillips showcases the city, its complexity, and various issues it faces. She also offers a complex plot with historical significance, a believable protagonist who faces insurmountable difficulties, and a glimpse into the unequal treatment women receive in Pakistani society. The story, as stated by the author, got its inspiration from a real-life incident.
Single, middle-aged, Dr. Gul Delani, curator of the Heritage and History Museum, is dedicated to her work. As to be expected, she has had a difficult time proving her worth to her male colleagues. A new challenge arises when she’s awakened in the middle of the night by a call from the police, asking her to visit a remote site. Despite the lack of a convincing reason, Gul finds that her sense of professionalism is compelling her to accept the obvious risk.
In a cave frequented by drug runners, in what would be considered a questionable neighborhood, she makes a startling discovery: A mummy, still in its sarcophagus emblazoned with a message written in ancient cuneiform script lies there. Gul, an archaeologist with an interest in Egyptology, makes the assessment that this is a startling and important discovery that needs further examination. She arranges for the mummy to be brought to the museum, knowing full well the care and protection it will require. Controversy follows her decision, with opposition arising from unsympathetic colleagues as well as the larger community, particularly those influenced by conservative clerics.
Further analysis suggest that the mummy is that of a young woman of royal blood. Although mummified in the Egyptian tradition, she was potentially a Persian princess.
Who brought the mummy to the cave? What’s the true story behind it? Although a dangerous drug runner is suspected, no proof can be found. Other important questions arise: Is the mummy authentic or a hoax? If the former, it’ll surely be a treasure. Might the mummy have any connection to Gul’s missing niece, Mahnaz? Some physical details indicate so.
Before long, the mummy is stolen. To get to the bottom of it all, Gul assembles a team of several assistants. These include a pair of bright grad students who work for her and a few young people she meets at an organization where she volunteers.
Gul, who has a strained relationship with her status-seeking brother and sister-in-law, nonetheless goes to visit them. The visit raises questions in her mind, particularly as it concerns their runaway daughter, Mahnaz. Gul loved Mahnaz, a bright, spirited teenager with a variety of interests. She disappeared several months ago, leaving no trace. After a perfunctory investigation, the police closed the case, much to Gul’s chagrin.
Following the visit, Gul begins to peruse the diaries Mahnaz has left behind, searching for clues and painstakingly pursuing them.
What follows is non-stop action on Gul’s part as she fights police corruption and betrayal on the part of people she trusted. After endangering her own life on more than one occasion, Gul cracks the case. She provides answers to the question of the authenticity of the mummy, while unearthing the truth about what happened to Mahnaz. Despite errors in judgement made during the process, Gul endears herself to the reader.
In fact, the in-depth portrayal of Gul is the best feature of this riveting mystery.
Bharti Kirchner is the author of nine novels and four cookbooks, her latest being, Murder at Jaipur: A Maya Mallick Mystery.
