The Pharaoh and his Queen command Senara, a dwarf and musician, to capture the murderer of their daughter. When her own unborn child is threatened, she must confront her fears and self-doubt to apprehend the monster who is terrorizing Ancient Egypt. Recalling Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs in character and style, The Pharaoh’s Dark Garden portrays an unlikely hunter in search of dangerous prey.
— “Sponaugle’s plot and characters are absolutely sublime.” Meaghan Wood, Reedsy Discovery
Harlie Sponaugle was born and raised in the Appalachian mountains into a family that valued music and education. Singing and reading entertained her in an environment where imagination was a necessity for survival. After retiring from a career as a classical singer, she decided to combine her love of singing and her fascination with ancient Egyptian culture into a new career in writing.
Harlie’s main character sprung to life in the form of Senara, the Overseer of Musicians in the court of Pharaoh Sneferu’s Great Royal Wife. She published The Pharaoh's Dark Garden in February 2023 and is working on a sequel.
