‘A Mystery from the Mummy-Pits’ tells ‘The Amazing Journey of Ankh-Hap’, Frank L. Holt tells a captivating tale of the journey surrounding one mummy, set against the backdrop of the experiences of Ancient Egyptian Mummies in our modern age.  This is informative experience that I feel even seasoned Historians will learn something new from. 

 

The audiobook experience was incredibly enjoyable, Nigel Patterson is an eloquent narrator who speaks clearly and with feeling as he narrates Holt’s experiences with Ankh-Hap and as he enlightens the audience on the indignities experienced by mummies in the name of modern entertainment and ‘science’. 

 

This volume is a really appropriate length, it is a quick listen which means that nothing is drawn out into unnecessary detail, each facet of the story is engaging.  The personal aspect of this History sets it apart from many others (which conform to the tradition history of being detached from personal experiences) and adds an element of investment for the audience as we too seek to find answers on Ankh-hap.  This personal quest has been integrated with the general history of the treatment of mummies quite well, weaving between both in equal measure.  It was delivered in a fashion that was accessible to those with only a minimal understanding of Egyptology and Archaeology, but, not also not basic enough to bore or even patronise those with a more comprehensive understanding of those fields. 

 

As a consumer of film and literature, I particularly enjoyed the analysis of the changing role mummies played in popular culture.  As it examined their presence in literature, film, TV and comic books from the 19th through to the 21st century. 

 

My one criticism would be that I wish a pdf of the figures was distributed with the audio, they are referenced as being “available with the physical and ebook versions” throughout the audio.  While their absence certainly didn’t detract heavily from the experience, it would have been nice to refer back to some of the images that were deemed important enough to be included in the other versions of this text. 

 

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for giving me access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.