Book cover of The Shabti

Book description

Can you flimflam a ghost?

It's 1934. Former medium Dashiel Quicke travels the country debunking spiritualism and false mediums while struggling to stay ahead of his ex-business partner and lover who wants him back at any cost. During a demonstration at a college campus, Dashiel meets Hermann Goschalk, an Egyptologist…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Shabti as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The might of Ancient Egypt, even in the form of one little Shabti, should never be questioned. This book charmed me on so many levels. The haunted artifact in the museum's collection is a force to be reckoned with and provides more than enough intrigue to carry the adventure forward. The two protagonists, Dashiel and Hermann, are flawed, past their prime, and used to living on the fringes of society. I fell in love with both of them, as I did with the larger cast of characters–flim flam or otherwise.

The emotional story is very sweet, which suits the characters…

This was a fun story with likable main characters (one grumpy, depressed coward trying to do better and one cinnamon roll Jewish Egyptologist).I often couldn't predict what would happen. Despite the horror vibes of an ancient Egyptian spirit, not to mention an unsettling bad guy, the overall feel is quite cozy.

If you love The Shabti...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Shabti?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Shabti.

Browse books like The Shabti

Book cover of Crocodile on the Sandbank
Book cover of The Mummy
Book cover of The Ring of Thoth

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

164

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Shabti, you might also like...

Book cover of The Tao of Poison

The Tao of Poison by Isham Cook,

A poisonous maiden, a Daoist sex cult, and a violent insurgency.

The polyandrous Yan family in China's rural Shaanxi Province takes in two carpenter brothers. When one brother is convicted of murder after killing their neighbor in a dispute, a constable threatens to expose the family's rumored polyandry and extorts…

Book cover of Big Ideas... For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow

Big Ideas... For Small Businesses by John Lamerton,

Big Ideas… for Small Businesses is a straight-talking, no-nonsense guide to growing a small business without sacrificing your lifestyle. Written by a former civil servant turned entrepreneur, the book challenges hustle culture and instead champions the idea of an "ambitious lifestyle business" - one that provides freedom and financial stability,…

5 book lists we think you will like!