Desperately Seeking Nerfertiti

I actually saw the third and final installment, Egypt: Land of Chaos at my local library. Not wanting to start at the end, I checked out Nefertiti first and will look for Tutankhamun when I return Nefertiti. I thought this book started slowly. However, this may just be because of my expectations from reading authors like James Patterson or Dan Brown. Drake's not the type of writer who is going to go at breakneck speed with his narrative, at least not in this book. Still, he does create a credible and interesting fictional world set in Ancient Egypt. 
I think the issues with pacing might also have to do with Drake trying to find a voice for his protagonist, Rai Rahotep. Rahotep as he is called and referred to throughout the novel, is a rising young detective in Thebes when he is called by the Emperor, Akhenaten himself to investigate the disappearance of his wife and empress, Nefertiti in the new city, Akhetaten, they have created in the Egyptian desert as a monument to the new religion of the Aten that Akhenaten is trying to establish. 
When Rahotep meets the Emperor, there has already been a threat issued to him on the boat that transported him from Thebes. During his audience with Ankenaten, he is told that he has about a week to either find Nefertiti or if she is dead to find her abductors and killers. If he fails, Rahotep and his family will be killed. Knowing that your wife and two young daughters are at stake, would certainly make me attentive to my task. 
Unfortunately, Rahotep is a stranger in this town and though he has the authority of Akhenaten, he does not know who he can trust since someone has already attacked the royal family. He is given an office with the local Medjay authority. The man in charge of this office, Mahu, is intimidating and resentful that the royal family did not trust him to solve this mystery. Khety, one of the officials assigned to Rahotep, does not seem to be particularly useful and Rahotep cannot be certain that he is not actually finding every lead and clue back to Mahu. 
Other potential subjects include Ramose, who was formerly much more important under the old religion, a young and ambitious military leader who has married into the royal family, Horemheb, and a mysterious, but seemingly powerful figure named Ay.
Setting a story in ancient times has many advantages. Readers are likely somewhat familiar with the setting, though many have only limited knowledge of ancient Egypt that doesn't go far beyond pyramids, sphinxes, and pharaohs. So Drake has ample room to create his own fictional world. What I really like is the undercurrent that allows Drake to discuss issues like religion, politics, change, belief, and power. We do know that Akhenaten tried to overthrow the cult of Amun, though this attempt did not survive his reign. 
We also know that King Tut had some connection to this family, which allows for Drake to set the stage for his second novel in this trilogy. 
Overall, I did find this to be an enjoyable read. It was well-written, the characters were credible, and the mystery itself was well-crafted. The manner in which Rahotep goes about solving his mystery reminded me of the monk/detective from The Name of the Rose who is often questioned and ridiculed for his newfangled ways of investigation. It you like good historical detective novels, this is one worth reading.