WhenSedlessor Lloyd Marsden is found murdered in the Museum of Victoria, Special Detective Sam Diamond is assigned to catch the killer.

Thrown into a world of obsessive collectors, strange poisons, funerary rites and ancient artefacts, Sam's photographic memory and cryptic crosswords skills are invaluable tools in her investigation. But when archaeologist Dr Maggie Tremaine whisks her halfway round the world in pursuit of the truth, Sam finds more questions than answers.

Was the murder an attempt to sabotage the international museum conference?

Is the Rites of Life and Death exhibition a front for something more sinister?

Why have Marsden's colleagues also died of unnatural causes?

And who is the man in the fez following their every move?