THE MUMMY SMUGGLERS OF CRUMBLIN CASTLE BY PAMELA RUSHBY AND ILLUSTRATED BY NELLÉ MAY PIERCE

This is an enchanting old-fashioned adventure story. Orphan Hattie Lambton, (her real name is Hatshepsut as her parents were Egyptologists) has been sent to live with her great aunt Iphigenia and great uncle Sisyphus Lambton in their tumbling down Castle in the English countryside. It is a vast but collapsing building that is cared for by a magical cat called Sekhmet and a number of charming kittens. Also in the household, are Iphigenia’s assistants Edgar and Edwina Raven though they are nowhere near as charming as the cats, plus there is something about the two that leaves Hattie feeling troubled.

The tale takes place in the year 1873 when things were very different in the world and when the idea of having Mummy Unwrapping Parties was exotic and exciting. Great aunt Iphigenia and the Ravens, travel to London regularly to present to wondrous groups of society folk the curious and slightly scary experience.

Hattie’s aunt must perform these parties as Crumblin Castle is always in need of repair and great uncle Sisyphus’ work translating hieroglyphs doesn’t bring in much money.

Hattie is initially happy to be included in this eccentric family as she dislikes boarding school and boring lessons. She joins her great aunt in her mummy unwrapping parties but becomes more and more unsettled as she learns about how Ancient Egyptians viewed their Afterlife.

When the law changes and it becomes impossible to source mummies for the parties, the group decide to travel to Egypt to find their own. Will they be able to sneak the mummies out illegally or will they get caught? What is it exactly that the Ravens are up to and why are they so keen for Hattie to not meddle in their affairs?

Pamela Rushby is the author of over 200 children’s books and the combination of facts and mysterious fiction in this novel are beautifully blended here. The numerous illustrations by Nellé May Pierce also help bring the characters alive. The story is on one hand an adventure and on the other, an entertaining way to learn about the Ancient Egyptians.

For Ages: 8-12 years

Number of Pages: 336

Published: July 2020

Themes: honesty, spirituality and family

Rating: 3.5/5

I wish: I could travel back in time to Ancient Egypt