Tomb of the Black Pharaoh (Danforth—Eldritch Tales of WWII, #1)

Tomb of the Black Pharaoh follows Robert B. Danforth, a former Miskatonic University scholar still reeling from the horrific events in At the Mountains of Madness. Now part of the newly formed Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI), Danforth is dispatched to Cairo to thwart a Nazi plot to recover the Talisman of Nephren-Ka, buried deep within the lost tomb of the Black Pharaoh himself. Said to grant unspeakable power, the artifact could tip the scales of World War II in the Nazis' favor. As Danforth delves into the ancient tomb, he faces cults devoted to Nephren-ka, Nazi occultists, and cosmic horrors that strain the limits of his sanity.

Danforth must battle not only the looming threat of the Nazis but also the terrifying implications of the Amulet’s power. As eldritch forces close in and the boundaries between reality and madness begin to crumble, Danforth realizes the cost of failure may be far greater than even the war—humanity itself may be at stake.

K.C. Finn, author of the Skin series and Shadeborn

" Eldritch Tales of Tomb of the Black Pharaoh by Christopher Michael is a gripping horror novel that follows Robert B. Danforth, a former Miskatonic University scholar, now working for the Office of the Coordinator of Information during WWII. Sent to Cairo to stop a Nazi plot to recover the Amulet of the Black Pharaoh, Danforth faces occultists, ancient cults, and cosmic horrors that threaten his sanity. As he discovers the terrifying powers of the amulet, he must confront the horrifying stakes, not just the war's outcome, but the survival of humanity itself. The author brilliantly blends historical espionage with Lovecraftian horror, creating a unique and immersive narrative that is sure to thrill both history and horror fans alike.

Christopher Michael's portrayal of cosmic terror is masterfully atmospheric, evoking the creeping dread and psychological tension of the genre and then putting his own unique spin on it with a brilliant combination of historical settings, cultural beliefs, and fantasy horrors described with vivid, visceral language. Michael's deep understanding of WWII history and occult mythologies brings an enthusiastic level of detail to the plot, grounding supernatural elements in a believable historical context that makes them stand out as all the more traumatic for the characters to endure. The heroic Danforth is brought to life with intelligent, charming dialogue and strong descriptions of physical action and his innermost thoughts. The complexity of Danforth's character, grappling with trauma and sanity, brings huge emotional depth to the high-stakes action, making the novel a profound psychological exploration where he's put to the test, and we root for him every exciting step of the way. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Eldritch Tales of Tomb of the Black Pharaoh to fans of exciting fantasy horror tales as an absolute must-read."

Jamie Michele, author of An Affair of Deceit and An Affair of Vengeance:

" Eldritch Tales of Tomb of the Black Pharaoh by Christopher Michael follows Robert B. Danforth, a PhD in Sociology with a focus on Occult Studies, as he embarks on a dangerous journey through World War II-era Egypt. His initial fascination with the occult begins with a childhood encounter with a ghost and deepens through the discovery of the Necronomicon during his studies. While serving in the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence Division, Danforth investigates Nazi interests in occult artifacts, leading him to Cairo, where he uncovers a plot involving Dr. Otto von Hexer and the pursuit of dark knowledge. As things start to get out of hand, he becomes embroiled with Nazis who are convinced of the ancient powers within the tomb of Nephren-Ka and will do anything to access it.

'You, who have been brought here by the will of the Outer Gods, are destined to fulfill that purpose.' Tomb of the Black Pharaoh introduces readers to Christopher Michael's Eldritch Tales of WWII series, delivering a fresh mix of historical fiction and the supernatural. Michael's atmospheric writing is frequently textured and beautifully depicted, such as a scene where Danforth is journeying through a canyon, with only an eerie silence disrupted by distant camel cries. In a tomb, I felt like I was inhaling the stale air. While the narrative occasionally leans toward much detail, Michael does well in providing a strong backdrop to the period, the landscape, and even life in a British camp in Heliopolis during the Second World War. Overall, this is an engaging read that promises to entertain fans of Egyptology, suspense, and good old-fashioned period horror. Very highly recommended."

Olga Markova, author of Coronavirus Loses the A Story About Fighting COVID-19:

"Da...