Thank you for allowing me to review this book. Lucy Lawrence is a very intrepid Victorian lady of means. She has travelled to Egypt to learn more about the Egyptian archaeology. As in the girst book she becomes involved in solving a murder. With the aid of her servant Mary she has some terrifying life threatening experiences.
This story was better than the first book with some interesting description of the pyramids and burial sites. The characters were also interesting
I can recommend this crime fiction book.

When Lucy Lawrence takes it upon herself to fund an archaeological dig, she hopes for a fresh start. However, the man to lead her dig is found murdered in the Great Pyramid. As thefts and danger plague the expedition, Lucy must rely on her wits to uncover the truth behind Moreau's death, facing corrupt officials and rival archaeologists in a race against time. With her life on the line and no one to trust, Lucy must unmask the killer before she becomes the next victim.

It was a delight to return to Lucy Lawrence once again and see what adventures were in store for her. Having recently read a book about women in the Gilded age thriving in the world of archeology, I was excited to see Lucy take it on. It was interesting to see her use her wits to navigate the politics of the profession.

If there was one thing that rubbed me the wrong way, it was her overconfidence. She took her previous success and insisted she could succeed where the police could not. Still, it was realistic to see her, not exactly humbled, but need help in the end.

Overall, this was a fun adventure. I look forward to the next book. Readers who enjoy historical mysteries will enjoy this one.

Romance and danger!

Ah Egypt! It’s 1887, Lucy Lawrence, now a woman of means travels to Paris and by chance meets renowned charismatic French Egyptologist Armand Moreau.
From that meeting it’s a small step to funding his dig at Sakkâra, Egypt, and sailing on to Cairo. Of course Mary is consumed by dark forebodings.
Cairo is everything Lucy dreamt of and more.
Unexplained deaths, uncovering a new tomb, stolen antiques and more greet Lucy. Meanwhile Phineas has disappeared, which unhappily coincides with his ex fiancé Alice Vaughan disappearance.
What is Lucy to think?
Ok, the adventures of Lucy Lawrence have sucked me in and I can but continue!

A Storm ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Footprints in the Sand by Pam Lecky is book two in the Lucy Lawrence Mysteries and picks up just shortly after the end of No Stone Unturned. Ms. Lecky gives her readers a surprise in book two by sending the heroine to Cairo, Egypt where she befriends several different people that call Egypt their home, both local and those that have worked there for years who call themselves Egyptologists. as well as one photographer.

Of course, life would be boring for the main character if there aren't any mysteries for her to solve, so she makes sure to involve herself in a museum robbery where priceless artifacts were taken. Then when the man (Egyptologist) she was funding is murdered, she goes off on her own to follow the person who she believes is the prime suspect to get evidence and take it to the police, only Ms. Lawrence is injured in the process and finds out the one she thought was guilty of murder was actually guilty of something else, and the murderer is in reality someone much closer to home.

Ms. Lecky such descriptive words that the readers feel like they are inside the Pyramids with the main character for the first time, exploring a carpet bazaar. While reading Footprints in the Sand, the readers don't have to have a passport to go to some exotic land, all they need to do is snuggle down and finish the book. Then be sure to read the third book, in the Lucy Lawrence Mysteries, The Art of Deception.

After the danger and deceit in the wake of her husband's violent death, Lucy is now in France, enjoying the sunshine and glamour. Still confused by her feelings for Phineas Stone, she is charmed by a French archaeologist who will soon return to Egypt. He harnesses her impulsive nature, and soon, she is in Egypt, an investor in his archaeological dig. Lucy is not the focus of gossip in Egypt and starts to enjoy it. Her maid, Mary, is less sure, but her loyalty to Lucy endures.
Romance beckons, but Moreau has a rakish reputation, and Lucy bides her time. A robbery and a brutal murder embroil Lucy in another dangerous mystery. I enjoyed the complex characters, the suspense, and the author's interpretation of the Egyptian historical setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Book 2 of Lucy's story. This time she is in Egypt with Mary. After connecting with a charming Frenchman, she decides to sponsor his archeological dig in the desert.

I felt this one was not as exciting as the first, or the third, but still enjoyable. It was almost like a closed door kind of mystery where the killers and thieves were all main characters and right there the entire time.

I missed her sparing with Stone but glad she had Mary around to help her realize she was being ridiculous at times.

Thank you netgalley and Storm for this arc.

Lucy is newly wealthy due to rewards earned during the first book in the series and she decides to travel. Unhappy with the prevalence of gossiping Brits in her travels, she heads to Egypt as the patron of a French archeologist. The Egypt craze is in full effect and Lucy unknowingly inserted herself into the fray, where there is tension between British and the French teams working in the area. At first, it seems like a jewel theft is going to take us down the same road as in the first book, but the head of Lucy's dig is found dead in one of the pyramids soon after and we're off on another murder investigation.

Another great story by Pam Lecky. This time Lucy Lawrence is in Egypt amongst the Pyramids and gets involved with theft and murder. Lots of action and puzzles to solve. Very mixed cast of characters, some very dubious. Great conclusion.

Lucy Lawrence and her maid Mary had recently arrived in Cairo, she as a patron to archaeologist, Frenchman Armand Moreau. Lucy's constant desire for excitement and adventure had seen her succumb to Armand's chivalry, and the draw of Egypt's ancient tombs kept Lucy enthralled. It was 1887 and Lucy enjoyed her time at the Excelsior in Cairo before they departed for the excavation site.

When Moreau was murdered in Giza she was devastated. She'd become fond of him and she was determined to discover his killer. The local police worked hard, but that was too slowly for Lucy. Her investigation took her into danger - but that was nothing new. Would she discover the killer before she lost her own life, buried in the tombs of Egypt forever?

Footprints in the Sand is the 2nd in The Lucy Lawrence Mysteries by Pam Lecky and I enjoyed it just as much as the first! Lucy's a courageous, determined and independent young woman - much to Mary's horror - and won't let others do for her, what she believes she can do herself. Whether safely or not! For that, she's an intriguing character. I'm very much looking forward to #3. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read.

Footprints in the Sand, the second The Lucy Lawrence Mysteries book by Pam Lecky has Lucy traveling to Egypt. She has improved her lot in life with the reward money from the case solved in book one. I honesty thought that she was still extremely naïve and too trusting in this book. Most of all she is missing Phineas Stone but so was I. The two of them has such chemistry and sparks that I missed them together. Lucy often thought of him but that is not the same. The new charming archaeologist was no match to Phineas.

The mystery surrounds missing or stolen artifacts then it leads to murder. Lucy and Mary are in the thick of things, perhaps not trusting the right ones. The guilty are some I had begun to suspect earlier on in the story but still there were surprises. I do so hope that Phineas and Lucy lock horns, then team up together in book three.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. This book picks up where the first left off with Lucy going on a grand tour. She ends up in Egypt when she agrees to fund an archaeological dig led by the charismatic Frenchman Armand Moreau. When an archaeologist is found murdered Lucy is determined to solve the case. This book started off very slowly for me. The first half of the book is mostly descriptions and learning about the characters. The mystery doesn't really get going until the last half , then it picks up speed. All in all an enjoyable read.

For fans of: Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily mysteries, Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey mysteries
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Historical Mystery
Violence: 🔪(off page)
Spice: 🔥

Synopsis: Egypt, 1887. Lucy has become patron to Moreau—archaeologist and handsome Frenchman—funding his dig with her reward for finding the Maharaja's sapphires. But her adventure takes a dark turn when Moreau is brutally slain. Lucy is as determined to find the killer—and perhaps the burglar behind a string of thefts—as she is to ensure the dig proceeds. Is it the Egyptologist with whom Moreau shared an acrimonious relationship? A former lover? His ambitious young assistant?

Thoughts: Lecky captures the essence of time and place, making one feel the warmth of the Egyptian sun, the chafe of sand on skin, cringe from the odor of tombs long closed. The book took some time to get to the core mystery. But the first third laid important groundwork and the story kept me engaged. I did anticipate the main resolution—an outcome I attribute to studying how to write mysteries rather than any flaw in the plotting—but I found the interwoven mysteries pleasingly complex. I highly enjoyed the novel, would definitely recommend it and immediately started reading book #3. I did miss Phin—Lucy’s love interest from the 1st book—but his absence was necessary to the plot and hints reassured me that we have not seen the last of him. I look forward to seeing how Lucy's independence develops, her confidence in investigating grow, and her relationship with Phin resume.

Lucy goes solo on thsi murder mystery, this time in Egypt. After the murder of her husband, Lucy inherits some money and decides to travel. She sponsors an Egyptian dig. Between stolen antiquities, a dead archeology leader, a rivalry between the English and French teams, there's plenty of mystery and intrigue for Lucy to poke her nose into and solve. We do not get to see Phin in this book so that was my one gripe.

Another exciting fast paced read done brilliantly.

#netgalley #footprintsinthesand #pamlecky #historicalmystery

Lucy Lawrence and her faithful companion Mary are on somewhat of a grand tour!
On the French Riviera she met the handsome amc worldly Egyptologist Monsieur Armand Moreau! He has persuaded her to be one of the financial backers for his next dig in Egypt!
For some reason Lucy becomes fascinated by Egypt and the archeological community! This may just be her undoing!
There is much competition among the patrons and archeologists!
Egypt and its desserts has a strange beauty that can turn deadly with the heat and dessert!
Lucy on this trip has bitten off far more than ever imagined! There is robbery, murder, explosions and of course Lucy with her curiosity confront a deranged murderer in a tomb!
This story has so many twists and turns and some decisions Lucy makes is when she hears unwelcome news about Phin from England! The news is pure gossip and she almost makes a terrible mistake! Moreau is not the person Lucy thinks he is! This one keeps you in the edge of your seat near the end as Lucy is totally unaware of who her true enemies are! Bravo

Thank you NetGalley and publisher. This is the second book in The Lucy Lawrence Mysteries. Lucy is confused with how things ended with Phineas Stone and has decided to use her new money and explore the continent for the summer with her trusty maid Mary. While in the French Rivera she meets M. Moreau, a French Egyptologist, who tells her about Egypt and his dig. Since Phineas had given her the little painting in the last book, she has wanted to see the actual area. Lucy decides to join Moreau in Cairo as his patron and fund his dig. Venturing out to the dig site she discovers the beauty of the desert and understands why Moreau loves the desert. She also discovers that not all is as it seems with her new friends. Lucy has a new mystery to involving murder and theft.

Excerpt:

Footprints in the Sand by Pam Lecky is a captivating historical mystery set in 1887 Egypt, where young widow Lucy Lawrence seeks a fresh start by funding an archaeological dig led by the charismatic Armand Moreau. When Moreau is found murdered in the Great Pyramid, Lucy must navigate a web of thefts, corruption, and hidden agendas to uncover the truth. Lecky’s vivid descriptions and brisk pacing make this a thoroughly engaging read, with Lucy’s intelligence and determination shining as she faces perilous challenges.

Full Review:

Footprints in the Sand by Pam Lecky is an enthralling historical mystery set against the captivating backdrop of 1887 Egypt. The novel follows young widow Lucy Lawrence, who hopes to leave her troubled past behind by funding an archaeological dig led by the charming Armand Moreau. However, her dreams of a fresh start are shattered when Moreau is found murdered in the Great Pyramid, with a ceremonial dagger buried in his heart.

Lecky expertly weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue as Lucy, thrust into the role of detective, navigates through a maze of thefts, corruption, and hidden agendas. The richly detailed setting, from Cairo’s bustling streets to the mysterious desert tombs, immerses readers in the exotic and perilous world of late 19th-century Egypt.

Lucy is a compelling protagonist, using her intelligence and determination to uncover the truth behind Moreau's murder. The tension is palpable as she faces rival archaeologists, corrupt officials, and a relentless foe. The novel's pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that keep readers engaged until the very end.

While the absence of Phineas Stone leaves Lucy to fend for herself, it also allows her character to shine as she relies on her own wits and resourcefulness. Footprints in the Sand is a well-crafted mystery that fans of historical fiction and adventure will thoroughly enjoy.

I enjoyed this mysteries featuring a clever and brave woman, a mysterious investigating partner, and plenty of twisty/action/mysteries.
They're very entertaining and I liked both Lucy and Phineas.
The historical background is vivid and the solid mystery kept me hooked.
This is a review for the three novels: The Art of Deception, No Stone Unturned, Footprints in the Sand
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Footprints in the Sand by Pam Lecky is the second in the Lucy Lawrence Mysteries series. Lucy Lawrence has overcome her tragedies from book one and in now in Egypt. I was excited to read the sequel to No Stone Unturned and was not disappointed. Cannot wait to read the third in the series The Art of Deception.
Releases July 25th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the second installment of the Lucy Lawrence series, written by Pam Lecky. Unfortunately, I do not think it was a good as the first.

This book picks up right where the first left off. We find Lucy Lawrence on a new adventure, this time to Egypt. Now wealthy after the events of the first book, she is patron to renown Egyptologist M. Moreau. The book follows Lucy on her adventures in Egypt, from the marvelous hotel she is staying at in Cairo, to the desert dig site where she is hopeful that Moreau will find an intact tomb.

When the local museum is robbed and an archaeologist murdered, old friendships and hidden rivalries come to light. Can Lucy crack the case?

As said above, I did not enjoy this book as much as the first. The writing is good, however, the first half of the book and the second half felt very different. The first half is very dialogue heavy and focuses on character development which at times I struggled to get through. The murder in question does not take place until about halfway through the book, and at that point the pace does pick up and is more like the first novel.

Also—a main character from the first novel is entirely absent in this one aside from being mentioned a few times.

Still, I will continue to read the series as I find it enjoyable and charming.

As always, thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review before release day.

3.75 Stars
This is the second book in the historical mystery series about Lucy Lawrence. Lucy has been traveling in Europe while she heals from the betrayal and death of her husband. She is also missing Phinneus Stone, the investigator with whom she has feelings for, but is uncertain of where they stan. She meets M. Moreau, a renowned archeologist who will be heading to Cairo to head up a dig and decides to be his patron and fund the dig. Lucy decides to travel to Cairo with her maid Mary and stay for the winter so that she can experience the sights and history of Egypt. As the different groups arrive to start digging, there is tension between the French and English in regards to who truly has the official rights to dig there. There is also theft at the sites and the black market. All this leads to theft of artifacts, and then murder. However, are the 2 linked?

I enjoyed reading about the rights to dig in Egypt at this time. The English have control over rights, but the French control the digs. I also enjoyed the description of the Egyptian history of kings and burial traditions. There were many characters, and it was an enjoyable puzzle to try and figure out who was involved and how it all connected. I really liked the descriptions of the markets!

This was a well paced book, and I liked the mystery. However, I figured out one part at about 75% in.

I struggled a little with Lucy in this book. She came across a little more self-righteous. She seemed to assume that since she helped solve the previous case in England, then she should be privy to information the police had, and was offended when they did not share information. She questions the ability of those around her. However, at the end she is a bit humbled, and I am hoping that the author will continue to grow Lucy in a graceful way because I do enjoy these books, and even Lucy most of the time.

I also wish that Mary had been more "plucky" in this story. She seemed a different character- fearful and worrisome. This was not the same maid that was in the previous book! I hope as they return to England she will return to who she is.

There are a few times when there is repetitiveness in conversations, especially between Lucy and the Detective.

I did like that she reconnected with Phinneus Stone, and am looking forward to see how this pans out.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with characters I like. It is a cozy historical mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.