Paneb the Ardent — Christian Jacq

In a mysterious village in the desert on the West Bank of the Thebes, lives a small group of craftsmen whose task is to excavate and decorate the splendid tombs of the pharaohs. It's name is The Place of Truth
While Egypt struggles in a state of unrest, one ruler following another in quick succession, the Place of Truth, under the leadership and protection of Nefer and his wife Ubekhet should remain a place of peace and harmony. But panic ha gripped the inhabitants and the situation is going from bad to worse in the face of mounting catastrophe. Drinking water is poisoned, food is contaminated, and there have been several attempts by evildoers to scale the walls of the Place of Truth, which have been thwarted thenks to the courage of Paneb the Ardent
But as the first rumblings of rebellion echo throughout Egypt, there seems to be no reason why Mehy, Chief Finance Minister of Thebes and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, should not finally seize the Stone of Light and obtain the power he has craved for so long...