This colorful novel by the author of Prague, set in the milieu of 1920's Egyptian archaeology, stars the engagingly odd (and probably lunatic), obscure egyptologist of the title, Ralph M. Trilipush. The name is a hint that this is a playful novel. Phillips deftly combines story lines, historical personages and events with wild invention. Trilipush does battle with Howard Carter, discoverer of Tut.  (EGY128, $13.95)