Sphinx [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Robin Cook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1979

It was the magic and mystery of an empire long past that beautiful Erica Baron came to explore. Innocently she cast her eyes in forbidden places and discovered the clue to a treasure beyond imagination. It was then that terror overtook her, as the most fearful curse of the ancient world and the most savage menace of the modern one threatened to detroy her. One dangerously attractive man offered Erica help...he offered her protection...he offered her love. And in this strange, exotic land of seductive evils, where no one could be trusted, desire became for Erica the deadliest snare of all...

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 490 pages
• Publisher: G K Hall & Co; First edition (June 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816130140
• ISBN-13: 978-0816130146
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,360,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Doctor and author Robin Cook is widely credited with introducing the word 'medical' to the thriller genre, and over twenty years after the publication of his breakthrough novel, Coma, he continues to dominate the category he created. Cook has successfully combined medical fact with fantasy to produce a over twenty-seven international bestsellers, including Outbreak (1987), Terminal (1993), Contagion (1996), Chromosome 6 (1997) and Foreign Body (2008).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drama and Adventure in Modern Egypt, February 2, 2002

By 

Imperial Topaz (Marrakesh, Morocco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sphinx (Mass Market Paperback)

When I saw this book in the library, I picked it up immediately as I am both a fan of Robin Cook, and interested in ancient Egypt. This book is not a medical thriller. I'd say it's half way between a drama and thriller.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and read the whole thing over two days. I could hardly put it down. I have personally spent time living in Egypt, and can tell you, Robin Cook has really done his research, making his Egyptian characters come to life, in the way that Egyptians REALLY DO think and act. Most novelists would miss this, as they don't understand the Egyptian personality. This really made the novel realistic to me. I absolutely loved the hereoine, and could really identify with her. I could imagine being an Egyptologist, and going to Egypt in her place. I also liked it that she stood up to her doctor boyfriend, had her fling there as well, and comes out in the end having learned a lot about herself, and about Egypt. A good mix of drama and adventure, sent in modern Egypt.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No Cook Medical Thriller, July 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sphinx (Mass Market Paperback)

From the back of the book "Amid the awesome temple in Egypt's Valley of the Kings a fabulous Treasure is waiting to be discovered, a treasure worth dying- or killing - for.

This book contains a little bit of something for everyone. It's a little mystery, adventure and romance. Like the title says, this is not a typical Robin Cook medical thriller. I found the book to be extremely enjoyable. It was easy reading and fascinating. Erica Baron travels to Egypt to escape/get away from a romance that she isn't sure she wants and to fulfil her dream as an Egyptologist what could go wrong. During a visit to an antique shop Erica meets Abdul Hamdi the proprietor who shows her an authentic life size statue of Seti I. But what she didn't bargain for was seeing Hamdi murdered before her very eyes. This starts a trail of intrigue, romance, and danger as Erica decides to help do something about the black market trading of Egyptian antiquities.

As usual, Mr. Cook's characters are colorful and seem so true to life. He brings the story alive and sets the various scenes without wasting words on descriptions. The characters are few and you don't really know who is friend or foe.

Again, don't be fooled. If you're a fan of Mr. Cook and are looking for his usual medical thriller this isn't one. Don't leave it off of your reading list though. For you die hard Cook fans, this is one of his earlier works and may be hard to find. I this book and read it in one day at the beach.

Mr. Cook, this book shows that you definitely have the ability to venture into other areas of writing rather than just medical thrillers. I will be placing this book on my shelf alongside your other novels. You are a great author in my opinion and greatly enjoy your works.

I gave this book 4 stars because I felt it could have been a little more exciting and was just a little slow starting. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mystery, romance and intrigue.

Other books I have read by this author include Fever, Brain, Outbreak to many others to list here.

Again don't leave this book off of your reading list.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The very best of Robin's books., September 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sphinx (Mass Market Paperback)

Once I started this book I didn't know if I would like it. I saw it in my school's libary and I thought to myself that I ought read this. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I finished it in less than a week. That is good for me because I am a slow reader. This book is the very best you can find on ancient Egypt and its mysteries.