The Curator

Synopsis

'Dark, sharp and compelling' PETER JAMES

'Fantastic' MARTINA COLE

'Britain's answer to Harry Bosch' MATT HILTON

'If you haven't read M W Craven yet, now is the time to start' Abir Mukherjee
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It's Christmas and a serial killer is leaving displayed body parts all over Cumbria. A strange message is left at each scene: #BSC6

Called in to investigate, the National Crime Agency's Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are faced with a case that makes no sense. Why were some victims anaesthetized, while others died in appalling agony? Why is their only suspect denying what they can irrefutably prove but admitting to things they weren't even aware of? And why did the victims all take the same two weeks off work three years earlier?

And when a disgraced FBI agent gets in touch things take an even darker turn. Because she doesn't think Poe is dealing with a serial killer at all; she thinks he's dealing with someone far, far worse - a man who calls himself the Curator.

And nothing will ever be the same again . . .

Praise for Black Summer:

'Truly mind-blowing' A. A. Dhand

'A book that shines with tension, wit and invention' William Shaw

'Washington Poe - a rising giant in detective fiction' Alison Bruce

'A twisty thriller with a killer plot Ed James

'I loved this book!' Jo Jakeman

'One of the best British crime novels I've read in a long time . . . Simply an unputdownable page-turner' Nick Oldham

'Grabs you from the very first page. A dark and brilliantly twisted crime thriller, bringing back the inimitable Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw' Colin Falconer

'Dark and twisted in all the right places. Poe is a great mix of compelling, complex & charismatic, and well on his way to becoming one of the standout characters in crime fiction' Robert Scragg

'In Tilly and Poe, MW Craven has created a stand-out duo who are two of the most compelling characters in crime fiction in recent years. They deserve to join the ranks of Holmes and Watson, Rebus and Clarke, Hill and Jordan . . .' Fiona Cummins

'Dark, thrilling and unputdownable with sharply drawn characters that stride off the page' Victoria Selman

'Gleefully gory and witty, with a terrific sense of place' Sunday Times

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Curator's Apprentice

A young woman named Sarah is offered a job as an apprentice to the enigmatic Curator, a legendary collector of rare and valuable artifacts. Intrigued, Sarah accepts and is introduced to the Curator's vast collection, including a mysterious artifact that draws her attention.

Real-world example: The Mona Lisa, a renowned painting housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, is an example of a rare and valuable artifact that attracts numerous visitors.

Chapter 2: The Treasure of the Sphinx

Sarah and the Curator embark on a dangerous quest to find the hidden treasure of the Great Sphinx of Giza. Along the way, they encounter treacherous traps and encounter the enigmatic Sphinx itself, which guards the secret of the treasure.

Real-world example: The lost city of Petra, an ancient Nabatean settlement located in modern-day Jordan, is an example of a hidden treasure that was discovered through archaeological excavations.

Chapter 3: The Curse of the Golden Scarab

Sarah is entrusted with a cursed golden scarab that holds the power to grant wishes. However, the scarab comes with a price, and Sarah soon realizes that her wishes are turning against her.

Real-world example: The Hope Diamond, a legendary blue diamond from India, is believed to be cursed and has brought misfortune to its owners throughout history.

Chapter 4: The Enigma of the Lost Tomb

Sarah and the Curator race against time to solve the enigma of an ancient lost tomb. They decipher cryptic clues and navigate perilous underground chambers to uncover the secrets buried within.

Real-world example: The tomb of Tutankhamun, an Egyptian pharaoh, was discovered in 1922 and contained a wealth of artifacts and treasures that provide insights into ancient Egyptian civilization.

Chapter 5: The Final Chapter

Sarah faces her greatest challenge yet as she confronts the Collector, a shadowy figure who seeks to acquire the Curator's collection for his own sinister purposes. The fate of the artifacts and Sarah's own life hang in the balance.

Real-world example: The acquisition of rare artifacts by collectors and museums can raise ethical questions about the preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage.