The Golden One is the 14th in a series of historical mystery novels, written by Elizabeth Peters and featuring fictional sleuth and archaeologist Amelia Peabody.

The first story deals with the search for an unknown tomb whose artifacts have started to appear on the black market.

After arriving in Egypt in January, 1917, Amelia acquires a magnificent cosmetic jar with the cartouche mainly rubbed off, strong evidence for the truth behind the rumors of a new, previously untouched tomb.

They encounter Joe Albion and his family, a wealthy American collector of antiquities, who makes no secret of his desire to deal on the black market.

Early in their excavations, the Emersons discover one looted shrine with links to Jamil, a former employee and Jumana's brother (Lord of the Silent).

They learn that he is manipulating a number of people; he attempts to kill Emerson and Peabody in the shrine space.

The Emersons deal with an army major and soon see Sahin appear from a hiding space, hoping to regain his status by returning with both his daughter and Ramses.

Bertie, with help from Jumana, has found the tomb in the hills above Deir el Medina, near a rock formation that looked like a fist, the "Hand of the God".

Caught by Emerson and Vandergelt, the Albions are forced to give up the items they had bought from Jamil, and then leave Luxor.

"[3] The Albany Herald said the characters in this series "remain fresh because Peters allows the hands of time to mold" them.

"[1] Mary Campbell, writing for Associated Press and appearing in many newspapers, said of this novel, "Among the charms of the books in this series are Amelia's personality and the words she uses to express herself."

But she can even make descriptions of mundane sifting of earth interesting, and her writing is splendidly arch – for readers who find that fun.