Richard Palmer is devastated when he loses both his spouse and best friend in murderous circumstances. After returning to the murder scene with his friend's daughter, they discover an ancient casket hidden beneath the floorboards. Hieroglyphics inscribed within the casket describe a sphynx pendant that offers mystical powers to its owner. Meanwhile, the pendant's new guardian, Dave Fletcher, has embarked on a killing spree that is not entirely of his own making. Can our hero outwit Fletcher while doing battle with an enemy as old as time itself? Book contains approximately 93,000 words.