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Amelia Peabody #15
Children of the Storm
Once again, the New York Times bestselling author of the Amelia Peabody novels “kicks up a desert storm.”—People
The “grande dame of historical mystery” (Washington Post) is back with a thrilling new tale featuring America’s favorite archaeologist turned sleuth.
At last the Great War is over. Amelia Peabody, her distinguished Egyptologist husband Emerson, and their extended family are preparing for another season of excavation in Egypt. To everyone’s great joy, their son, Ramses, and his wife, Nefret, have become parents. Amelia, enjoying the role of fond (yet firm) grandmother, hopes that for once this will be a quiet year with Ramses no longer undertaking perilous missions for British intelligence and no old enemies on their trail.
Yet the hazards of the past will be overshadowed by new danger and a new adversary—unlike anything Amelia’s ever encountered—who will pursue her in a battle that puts innocent young lives at stake.
The “grande dame of historical mystery” (Washington Post) is back with a thrilling new tale featuring America’s favorite archaeologist turned sleuth.
At last the Great War is over. Amelia Peabody, her distinguished Egyptologist husband Emerson, and their extended family are preparing for another season of excavation in Egypt. To everyone’s great joy, their son, Ramses, and his wife, Nefret, have become parents. Amelia, enjoying the role of fond (yet firm) grandmother, hopes that for once this will be a quiet year with Ramses no longer undertaking perilous missions for British intelligence and no old enemies on their trail.
Yet the hazards of the past will be overshadowed by new danger and a new adversary—unlike anything Amelia’s ever encountered—who will pursue her in a battle that puts innocent young lives at stake.
576 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1997
282 people are currently reading
3178 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Peters
178 books3,296 followersElizabeth Peters is a pen name of Barbara Mertz. She also wrote as Barbara Michaels as well as her own name. Born and brought up in Illinois, she earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago. Mertz was named Grand Master at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986 and Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar Awards in 1998. She lived in a historic farmhouse in Frederick, western Maryland until her death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
September 29, 2020
The really bad thing is that I am getting so close to the end of this wonderful series which has really turned into a family saga. I am definitely going to suffer withdrawal symptoms when I finish.
Children of the Storm is made special by the fact that the entire family is gathered in one place including a whole gang of grandchildren and even Sethos. Remembering how in the early books Ramses was so garrulous, it was funny to see him concerned that his three year old twins babble in their own language but do not speak properly. This made the final paragraph of the book particularly precious!
As usual people keep turning up dead and there is a mystery for Amelia to solve. Emerson fails to get much archaeology done but there are many fun, family moments such as when he teaches the children to ride donkeys or when he attempts to show them the process of mummification using a broken doll.
Things get very exciting towards the end of the book and for once it is not Amelia who requires rescuing. The ending is perfect and I am going to savor it for a while before reading the next book.
Children of the Storm is made special by the fact that the entire family is gathered in one place including a whole gang of grandchildren and even Sethos. Remembering how in the early books Ramses was so garrulous, it was funny to see him concerned that his three year old twins babble in their own language but do not speak properly. This made the final paragraph of the book particularly precious!
As usual people keep turning up dead and there is a mystery for Amelia to solve. Emerson fails to get much archaeology done but there are many fun, family moments such as when he teaches the children to ride donkeys or when he attempts to show them the process of mummification using a broken doll.
Things get very exciting towards the end of the book and for once it is not Amelia who requires rescuing. The ending is perfect and I am going to savor it for a while before reading the next book.
November 9, 2014
In my opinion Barbara Mertz, who wrote the Amelia Peabody series as Elizabeth Peters, was an author few could hope to emulate. Her writing style, incredible vocabulary, gift of creating clear pictures, impeccable knowledge of Egypt & detailed research, comedic timing and love of the written word, made every one of her books an escape for me, and a journey into spontaneous laughter. I am gutted that I have completed the entire series, and that she is no longer with us to produce her magic for us. My sincerest thanks to her for sharing her wit and gift with us!
August 17, 2019
August 2019: I miss Elizabeth Peters awfully.
June 2017: This re-read, 5 stars because the family reunion is so terrific despite the fact that it takes up more of the book than the thin mystery. Plus, Barbara Rosenblat is incomparable.
June 2017: This re-read, 5 stars because the family reunion is so terrific despite the fact that it takes up more of the book than the thin mystery. Plus, Barbara Rosenblat is incomparable.
February 11, 2019
At last the Great War is over and the Emersons (ALL of them) are reunited in Egypt for their biggest projects yet. Emerson can’t wait to have all hands helping with the temple site, while the scholars want to translate papyri and Cyrus Vandergelt needs help preserving the Queens’ treasure. With all that is happening, random events seem unrelated: Ramses makes an unusual new … er… acquaintance making Nefret seethe with jealousy; Hassan has become a holy man; Selim and Daoud are beset with accidents and a new friend has a very nasty sort of caretaker. Sethos wants Amelia to find his estranged daughter Maryam so father and daughter can reconcile and reunite. Then Abdullah admonishes Amelia and issues a dire warning about a web of evil being spun around them. Can Amelia put the clues together before it is too late?
This is another incredible Amelia Peabody mystery. The mystery kept me guessing even though I did pick up on some of the clues Amelia missed and something was on the tip of my brain. It makes sense from a realistic perspective that Amelia would be so busy with domestic matters she would miss the clues. Sometimes she’s a little too astute to be real. However, as a character, she usually figures something is going on and with their past history, she should have known better. The evil villain is so diabolical but actually very clever. There’s plenty of humor to balance out the story as well, most of which is provided by the third generation of Emersons. I am surprised the nature vs. nurture debate doesn’t come up here. This was a time when people were preoccupied with eugenics and went around measuring skulls and all that weird stuff. I thought it would when discussing Sethos and Maryam. Some of the characters slightly suspect Sethos is not reformed and his daughter takes after her father but thankfully that is as far as that debate goes.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery, I didn’t enjoy the characters as much as I usually do. Amelia is extra “managing” here and annoys Emerson (and me). Emerson is super cranky, losing his temper left and right at people who do not deserve it. He is incredibly rude to Walter and even curses in front of Sennia. By the last half of the novel, they revert back to their usual behavior patterns. I was dismayed at how changed Walter and Evelyn are. Yes they are elderly for their time but being used to Emerson and Amelia, who are older, it came as a shock. Walter is a bit too meek and too much of an old man already. I believe the loss of their son in the war has aged them more than Amelia realized from their letters. David and Lia are as lovely as ever but their children are rather annoying. I am heartbroken that Dolly is becoming a proper English gentleman and Evvie is horrid. I hate most children, especially children in books and Evvie is no exception. Sennia has grown up a lot and seems to have gotten over her crush on Ramses. She’s hardly in the story. Gargery is in the story a bit more but not as much as he would like to be. His rivalry with Fatima provides some humor in the story.
Sethos seems to have reformed. He’s actually serious about being a family man now! He still possesses his bizarre trademark sense of humor and may not be as reformed as Amelia thinks he is or his beloved Margaret would like. His concern for Maryam is touching. What does he think he will do with her? Maryam, last known as Molly, is a young adult now and is found in the most unlikely place. I did not expect THAT. I expected something else. She kept me guessing until the end.
Some of the story is told from the point-of-view of Ramses and Nefret. Ramses has changed so much! He’s more open and emotional now. Nefret has changed too and not in a good way. Now she’s the one who is brooding and jealous. Skip this next sentence if you don’t wish to be spoiled about their story.
I love Selim and Daoud more than ever. They get to play much larger roles here. Selim’s fascination with the motorcar, aeroplane and other mechanics makes the story funny.
The new characters here are Justin Fitzroyce, his grandmother and his caretaker, Francois. Mrs. Fitzroyce is a grand, but senile, old lady. She seems quite protective of her grandson and is horrid to her companion. She’s very very Victorian English gentry. Her grandson Justin must be in his early teens but has the mental capacity of someone much younger. He is downright weird and gives me the creeps. I know people with intellectual disabilities but none quite like Justin. He seems to be prone to fits so perhaps his seizures have damaged his brain. His caretaker, Francois, is built like a thug, acts like a villain and gets on the wrong side of the Emerson men. Why on earth is he a fitting companion for Justin? Finally, we have the mysterious woman dressed as the goddess Hathor. Who is she and what does she want?
I’m sad to be coming to the end of the series soon. Amelia and Emerson are very much real people who live forever having adventure after adventure.
This is another incredible Amelia Peabody mystery. The mystery kept me guessing even though I did pick up on some of the clues Amelia missed and something was on the tip of my brain. It makes sense from a realistic perspective that Amelia would be so busy with domestic matters she would miss the clues. Sometimes she’s a little too astute to be real. However, as a character, she usually figures something is going on and with their past history, she should have known better. The evil villain is so diabolical but actually very clever. There’s plenty of humor to balance out the story as well, most of which is provided by the third generation of Emersons. I am surprised the nature vs. nurture debate doesn’t come up here. This was a time when people were preoccupied with eugenics and went around measuring skulls and all that weird stuff. I thought it would when discussing Sethos and Maryam. Some of the characters slightly suspect Sethos is not reformed and his daughter takes after her father but thankfully that is as far as that debate goes.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery, I didn’t enjoy the characters as much as I usually do. Amelia is extra “managing” here and annoys Emerson (and me). Emerson is super cranky, losing his temper left and right at people who do not deserve it. He is incredibly rude to Walter and even curses in front of Sennia. By the last half of the novel, they revert back to their usual behavior patterns. I was dismayed at how changed Walter and Evelyn are. Yes they are elderly for their time but being used to Emerson and Amelia, who are older, it came as a shock. Walter is a bit too meek and too much of an old man already. I believe the loss of their son in the war has aged them more than Amelia realized from their letters. David and Lia are as lovely as ever but their children are rather annoying. I am heartbroken that Dolly is becoming a proper English gentleman and Evvie is horrid. I hate most children, especially children in books and Evvie is no exception. Sennia has grown up a lot and seems to have gotten over her crush on Ramses. She’s hardly in the story. Gargery is in the story a bit more but not as much as he would like to be. His rivalry with Fatima provides some humor in the story.
Sethos seems to have reformed. He’s actually serious about being a family man now! He still possesses his bizarre trademark sense of humor and may not be as reformed as Amelia thinks he is or his beloved Margaret would like. His concern for Maryam is touching. What does he think he will do with her? Maryam, last known as Molly, is a young adult now and is found in the most unlikely place. I did not expect THAT. I expected something else. She kept me guessing until the end.
Some of the story is told from the point-of-view of Ramses and Nefret. Ramses has changed so much! He’s more open and emotional now. Nefret has changed too and not in a good way. Now she’s the one who is brooding and jealous. Skip this next sentence if you don’t wish to be spoiled about their story.
I love Selim and Daoud more than ever. They get to play much larger roles here. Selim’s fascination with the motorcar, aeroplane and other mechanics makes the story funny.
The new characters here are Justin Fitzroyce, his grandmother and his caretaker, Francois. Mrs. Fitzroyce is a grand, but senile, old lady. She seems quite protective of her grandson and is horrid to her companion. She’s very very Victorian English gentry. Her grandson Justin must be in his early teens but has the mental capacity of someone much younger. He is downright weird and gives me the creeps. I know people with intellectual disabilities but none quite like Justin. He seems to be prone to fits so perhaps his seizures have damaged his brain. His caretaker, Francois, is built like a thug, acts like a villain and gets on the wrong side of the Emerson men. Why on earth is he a fitting companion for Justin? Finally, we have the mysterious woman dressed as the goddess Hathor. Who is she and what does she want?
I’m sad to be coming to the end of the series soon. Amelia and Emerson are very much real people who live forever having adventure after adventure.
October 16, 2021
After the slight disappointment of the previous book, and the more serious nature of all of the WWI volumes, this book is a delight. Not only is it fun - full of Amelia and Emerson in top form - but there's a return to the early style of "unearthly" activities when Ramses is kidnapped by a mythical goddess. That kind of outlandish event adds to the fun, I think.
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about David and Lia arriving with their two small children, but I enjoyed seeing the four married friends and their young kids. The time they spent together was delightful. Eventually the story settles down and our characters find themselves in serious peril. I listened to the last 2.5 hours without stopping, I was so engrossed in the plot. The final show down pleased me a lot - the stakes were high, everyone had an important part to play and the action rocketed along. In my opinion this is Peters at her best - fun and exciting. I was thoroughly delighted with this story.
Upon revisiting this series I found I still enjoyed this immensely. It's such a nice relief after the more serious WWI books, which are excellent but not nearly as much fun.
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about David and Lia arriving with their two small children, but I enjoyed seeing the four married friends and their young kids. The time they spent together was delightful. Eventually the story settles down and our characters find themselves in serious peril. I listened to the last 2.5 hours without stopping, I was so engrossed in the plot. The final show down pleased me a lot - the stakes were high, everyone had an important part to play and the action rocketed along. In my opinion this is Peters at her best - fun and exciting. I was thoroughly delighted with this story.
Upon revisiting this series I found I still enjoyed this immensely. It's such a nice relief after the more serious WWI books, which are excellent but not nearly as much fun.
July 10, 2020
One of the best ones, I think. The Great War is over and the whole family is back in Egypt but jewellery is missing and Abdullah tells Amelia the children are in danger - what could possibly go wrong?
Enjoyed this very much. I thought the mystery was excellent, though I figured out the culprit early on (blame it on reading so many mysteries) and I loved following the whole family on their adventures. Nefret and Ramses are always a highlight but this felt very much like an ensemble novel, with everyone having their one little story. This also has quite a few interesting scenes about Egyptian nationalism and ownership of a country's treasures which I believe are still relevant today. This is really a series you have to read in order - every book spoils whatever came before and most of the twists come from family connections you never suspected.
Always great fun.
Enjoyed this very much. I thought the mystery was excellent, though I figured out the culprit early on (blame it on reading so many mysteries) and I loved following the whole family on their adventures. Nefret and Ramses are always a highlight but this felt very much like an ensemble novel, with everyone having their one little story. This also has quite a few interesting scenes about Egyptian nationalism and ownership of a country's treasures which I believe are still relevant today. This is really a series you have to read in order - every book spoils whatever came before and most of the twists come from family connections you never suspected.
Always great fun.
March 10, 2013
Every time I read an Emilia Peabody book it's like visiting family. The quirkiness of the characters makes them all so absolutely loveable and the story is always exciting. Emilia and Emerson are still passionate for each other, even as they explore grandparenthood, and Emilia's attitude toward the children is absolutely in keeping with her character...no ridiculous grandmothery sugar here (unless you count cakes at tea to keep the little ones occupied).
It was particularly fun reading this exact book at the same time as watching Downton Abbey as they take place during the same time period. It added something to my enjoyment of the book to know a little more about the historical setting and manners of the time, even as the Emersons are in Egypt. I let too much time go between the last two of the series. I won't make that mistake again.
It was particularly fun reading this exact book at the same time as watching Downton Abbey as they take place during the same time period. It added something to my enjoyment of the book to know a little more about the historical setting and manners of the time, even as the Emersons are in Egypt. I let too much time go between the last two of the series. I won't make that mistake again.
July 29, 2022
Finished an audio re-read of this and perhaps like it more than on my initial reading. I love that the entire Emerson clan is present for this book. And towards the end I also like that Ramses and Amelia spend time together working on the mysteries as do Nefret and Emerson. It was nice to see the depth of feelings they have for each other. I also enjoyed seeing Walter and Bertie come into their own a bit at the end.
And the ending? Best ending ever! (and will be completely meaningless if you haven't read the early books featuring a young Ramses).
September 27, 2020: Finished another audio re-read today. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and narration, and still think it's the BEST ending ever, featuring the words, "articulating with hideous precision."
07/28/2022: Finished another audio re-read today and thoroughly enjoyed it.
And the ending? Best ending ever! (and will be completely meaningless if you haven't read the early books featuring a young Ramses).
September 27, 2020: Finished another audio re-read today. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and narration, and still think it's the BEST ending ever, featuring the words, "articulating with hideous precision."
07/28/2022: Finished another audio re-read today and thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 14, 2018
I could never rate these books anything less than 5 stars. Or ten, if that was an option.
This installment adds the edition of The Children's Children, and what a delight they are. I especially have a fondness for little Charla, who bites. XD
I constantly found myself tearing up and laughing out loud throughout the narrative. Ms. Peters really knew how to throw a gut punch and then make you glad you took it, lol.
I love this gang of heroes and miscreants like they're my own family. I've been putting off finishing this series for a good decade, because clearly I have issues with saying goodbye. But I think I'll finally move on to the next one, because as Amelia always says, we will not say goodbye, but à bientôt.
This installment adds the edition of The Children's Children, and what a delight they are. I especially have a fondness for little Charla, who bites. XD
I constantly found myself tearing up and laughing out loud throughout the narrative. Ms. Peters really knew how to throw a gut punch and then make you glad you took it, lol.
I love this gang of heroes and miscreants like they're my own family. I've been putting off finishing this series for a good decade, because clearly I have issues with saying goodbye. But I think I'll finally move on to the next one, because as Amelia always says, we will not say goodbye, but à bientôt.
January 22, 2018
A splendid fifteenth in this series. Much skilful recapping woven into the start, for new readers, and then both an exciting adventure and a substantial and welcome amount of character history and development, and resolution. And, of course, the usual humour, and the wry fun poked at the pomposity of our hero and heroine.
The GR blurb:
'The fifteenth adventure for Amelia, Emerson and the whole Peabody-Emerson clan!
At last the Great War is over. Amelia, her distinguished Egyptologist husband Emerson and their extended family are preparing for another season of excavation in Egypt. To everyone's great joy their son Ramses and his wife Nefret have become parents. Amelia, enjoying her role of fond (yet firm) grandmother, hopes that for once, this will be a quiet year with Ramses no longer undertaking perilous missions for British intelligence and no old enemies on their trail.
Amelia is sadly mistaken. Past dangers cast shadows across the seemingly peaceful present, and a new adversary - unlike any Amelia has ever encountered - will chart a course that puts her beloved family directly in the path of destruction.'
The GR blurb:
'The fifteenth adventure for Amelia, Emerson and the whole Peabody-Emerson clan!
At last the Great War is over. Amelia, her distinguished Egyptologist husband Emerson and their extended family are preparing for another season of excavation in Egypt. To everyone's great joy their son Ramses and his wife Nefret have become parents. Amelia, enjoying her role of fond (yet firm) grandmother, hopes that for once, this will be a quiet year with Ramses no longer undertaking perilous missions for British intelligence and no old enemies on their trail.
Amelia is sadly mistaken. Past dangers cast shadows across the seemingly peaceful present, and a new adversary - unlike any Amelia has ever encountered - will chart a course that puts her beloved family directly in the path of destruction.'
November 11, 2025
Quite a rampageous adventure! We get glimpses of Hathor. There's a weird/evil young boy, Justin. Maryam is interesting to have around, joining in the family adventures (daughter of Sethos). And speak of the devil -- herein this volume, we discover Sethos' true name. My, my!
*As always with this series, I caution conservative readers that this book contains some mild language, and some implied adult themes.
*As always with this series, I caution conservative readers that this book contains some mild language, and some implied adult themes.
September 22, 2018
WWI is over, and all of the Emersons are in Egypt again. But so are old villains, resulting in much of the prior, over the top silliness of the earliest books in the series and less of the archaeological ventures.
March 22, 2022
This one took a while to get going, and I must admit that I lost interest in it for several months - but once I picked it up again, the pace of the novel also picked up. I enjoyed it, but it is not one of the best of the series.
February 17, 2017
I'm a huge Sethos fan, so this one's a big favorite
May 23, 2021
At this point in the Peabody/Emerson family saga there are just so many family members that you can get dizzy just trying to recall all of them. Peters brings them (almost) all together in this post-WWI tale (I can only think of one or two absent characters I'd have liked to have seen), a sort of restorative banquet after the tough war years. By "family" I (and Peters) also mean the Egyptian characters who have been there all along to serve, protect, and criticize the Emerson clan; like the Emersons they are also on the third generation. And then there are old friends and English servants . . . quite a cast list.
Within the Emerson family young children abound, in particular Ramses' and Nefret's twins who are just old enough to start to get interesting. Unlike some readers I was a fan of Ramses in his earlier years so I loved the ending of this book.
As for the mystery, did it even matter apart from giving the Emersons (and extended family) lots of chances to spring into action? It was, as Peters' mysteries generally are, preposterous and entertaining, and didn't stray too far from the family reunion theme.
I felt that Peters really nailed the ending of this one and enjoyed the last two or three chapters a great deal. It would have made a lovely final book in the series had she not gone on to write more.
Within the Emerson family young children abound, in particular Ramses' and Nefret's twins who are just old enough to start to get interesting. Unlike some readers I was a fan of Ramses in his earlier years so I loved the ending of this book.
As for the mystery, did it even matter apart from giving the Emersons (and extended family) lots of chances to spring into action? It was, as Peters' mysteries generally are, preposterous and entertaining, and didn't stray too far from the family reunion theme.
I felt that Peters really nailed the ending of this one and enjoyed the last two or three chapters a great deal. It would have made a lovely final book in the series had she not gone on to write more.
August 28, 2019
Having read several in the series I love the exact use of language and enjoy the family dynamics. It has a slow leisurely pace, which means although I want to finish the series I need to take a break and read something a little faster paced for a while. Come the holidays the easy rythms will be the perfect way to destress.
September 1, 2023
I particularly enjoyed this volume in the Amelia Peabody series. There was very little archaeology, but more consideration of the colonization issues and the artifact issues that are getting so much attention now. This was delightfully full of all the characters, with plenty of plot and action and growth. My only disappointment was how much Sennia disappeared as an older child.
December 16, 2019
I have been reading Elizabeth Peters from the beginning series and every last one is and will always be my favorite characters - Peabody and Emerson. Love that couple and their adventures. I re-read or listen to these books constantly.
May 16, 2021
Another nice entry in the Emerson saga. The plot seems to be rather a collection of plots, though they do come together for the most part in the end, but the delight of these books is the interactions between the various members of the Emerson family and their close associates. Egypt just after World War I is also well-depicted
August 5, 2019
Perfect light vacation reading!
September 19, 2019
I’m very much enjoying re-reading this series by listening to the audio books. The narrator is very good and the stories are great.
June 22, 2024
I haven’t read one of these for Years, maybe Decades! But what Fun it was to rediscover old friends again! Great laughs, my favorite is Ramses description of Birth! Loved it! I’m off to the next book!
September 28, 2025
Another example of brilliant, engaging story writing and story telling.
February 2, 2022
Love, love, love this series. It's so entertaining and enjoyable. When I listen to them, it's like talking with an old friend who is telling about her travels. Thoroughly enjoyable and always entertaining.
January 21, 2022
Children Of The Storm (Amelia Peabody #15), by Elizabeth Peters
★★★★ and a ♥ for the series as a whole
Synopsis: At last the Great War is over. Amelia, her distinguished Egyptologist husband Emerson and their extended family are preparing for another season of excavation in Egypt. To everyone's great joy their son Ramses and his wife Nefret have become parents. Amelia, enjoying her role of fond (yet firm) grandmother, hopes that for once, this will be a quiet year with Ramses no longer undertaking perilous missions for British intelligence and no old enemies on their trail.
Amelia is sadly mistaken. Past dangers cast shadows across the seemingly peaceful present, and a new adversary - unlike any Amelia has ever encountered - will chart a course that puts her beloved family directly in the path of destruction.
In A Sentence: Yet another decent novel from one of my favorite series, but I’m looking forward to the end.
My Thoughts: I confess that while I really love this series, I’ve reached the point where I’m getting tired of the books. The last 3 or 4 novels are really not Elizabeth Peter’s best works. The story, while a little different from the first few, is a bit more tedious than the previous ones. Either it’s because I’ve been reading the stories back-to-back, or it’s because the book isn’t as amazing as her earlier works.
Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this book. Like all the other stories, this mystery had elements of excitement, humor, and intrigue. There is a bit of a plot twist that I hadn’t anticipated when I first read this novel several years ago, and the action is fairly fast-paced, but after having read over a dozen books before this one, all with the action, humor, and mystery, I’m exhausted and I’m ready to move on. But I’m determined to finish the series, and there are only 3 books left, one of which I haven’t read yet. So moving on and moving forward! On to the next Amelia Peabody adventure!
★★★★ and a ♥ for the series as a whole
Synopsis: At last the Great War is over. Amelia, her distinguished Egyptologist husband Emerson and their extended family are preparing for another season of excavation in Egypt. To everyone's great joy their son Ramses and his wife Nefret have become parents. Amelia, enjoying her role of fond (yet firm) grandmother, hopes that for once, this will be a quiet year with Ramses no longer undertaking perilous missions for British intelligence and no old enemies on their trail.
Amelia is sadly mistaken. Past dangers cast shadows across the seemingly peaceful present, and a new adversary - unlike any Amelia has ever encountered - will chart a course that puts her beloved family directly in the path of destruction.
In A Sentence: Yet another decent novel from one of my favorite series, but I’m looking forward to the end.
My Thoughts: I confess that while I really love this series, I’ve reached the point where I’m getting tired of the books. The last 3 or 4 novels are really not Elizabeth Peter’s best works. The story, while a little different from the first few, is a bit more tedious than the previous ones. Either it’s because I’ve been reading the stories back-to-back, or it’s because the book isn’t as amazing as her earlier works.
Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this book. Like all the other stories, this mystery had elements of excitement, humor, and intrigue. There is a bit of a plot twist that I hadn’t anticipated when I first read this novel several years ago, and the action is fairly fast-paced, but after having read over a dozen books before this one, all with the action, humor, and mystery, I’m exhausted and I’m ready to move on. But I’m determined to finish the series, and there are only 3 books left, one of which I haven’t read yet. So moving on and moving forward! On to the next Amelia Peabody adventure!
January 28, 2024
4.5, rounded up.
This book has always been a favorite because of the huge cast of characters. In addition the the usual players, we have Walter and Evelyn, David and Lia, Sethos, the Vandergelts, and the children.
There were so many moving pieces in this book. I also enjoyed Ramses POV more than usual because of the trouble between him and Nefret. Of course, he is less interesting to me so, while I wasn't subjected to too many fawning description of Nefret, he did bore me a little somtimes. Usually when Emerson or Amelia weren't present LOL.
There was also a stretch in the middle where Emerson and Amelia didn't have many scenes together.
Now, i don't think of these books as strictly mysteries, like Agatha Christie, they have elements of adventure novels and romance and egyptology. Ramses and Nefret get too many of the romantic moments as the series goes. They are no subsitute for Emerson and Amelia. This is a problem I have with most of the latter half of the series. There were some nice moments between Emerson and Amelia in this one and some nice moments of Emerson or Amelia talking to someone else about the other- which isn't as satisfying but is better than nothing.
As for the mystery, I did not find it to be particularly satisfying, namely because I did not think our villain's motives were adequacy explained- granted this happened in Nefret's POV which I skimmed and read nothing but dialogue during. But even previous read throughs, where I suffered through her narration, left me unsatisfied as to the pattern of behavior the villain displayed.
All in all, this is definitely one of my favorites from latter half of the series.
This book has always been a favorite because of the huge cast of characters. In addition the the usual players, we have Walter and Evelyn, David and Lia, Sethos, the Vandergelts, and the children.
There were so many moving pieces in this book. I also enjoyed Ramses POV more than usual because of the trouble between him and Nefret. Of course, he is less interesting to me so, while I wasn't subjected to too many fawning description of Nefret, he did bore me a little somtimes. Usually when Emerson or Amelia weren't present LOL.
There was also a stretch in the middle where Emerson and Amelia didn't have many scenes together.
Now, i don't think of these books as strictly mysteries, like Agatha Christie, they have elements of adventure novels and romance and egyptology. Ramses and Nefret get too many of the romantic moments as the series goes. They are no subsitute for Emerson and Amelia. This is a problem I have with most of the latter half of the series. There were some nice moments between Emerson and Amelia in this one and some nice moments of Emerson or Amelia talking to someone else about the other- which isn't as satisfying but is better than nothing.
As for the mystery, I did not find it to be particularly satisfying, namely because I did not think our villain's motives were adequacy explained- granted this happened in Nefret's POV which I skimmed and read nothing but dialogue during. But even previous read throughs, where I suffered through her narration, left me unsatisfied as to the pattern of behavior the villain displayed.
All in all, this is definitely one of my favorites from latter half of the series.
July 26, 2019
This was a complete delight!!! FIVE STARS! It’s been far too long since I spent time with Amelia Peabody and the Emersons. The recap in the beginning (it was the beginning of the audiobook, but it’s an “editors note” tucked at the end of the ebook) was perfect, I was right back in the saddle with ease, no trouble keeping all of the characters straight.
Yes, I guessed who the bad guys were, but Amelia properly admonishes the readers to not feel too cocky:
(I will confess that I remained confused about why But that’s just a little detail.)
Barbara Rosenblat was exquisite as the audiobook reader. She captured Amelia perfectly and did a phenomenal job creating distinct voices for all of the many characters. Sometimes I forgot this was all just one person’s voice!
Yes, I guessed who the bad guys were, but Amelia properly admonishes the readers to not feel too cocky:
We had overlooked one “peculiar incident,” which would prove to be the key to the entire mystery. If my more astute Readers have spotted it, allow me to deflate their self-esteem by pointing out that they are sitting at ease reading this journal—not trying to deal with four active children, an unpredictable brother-in-law, an archaeological dig, and a thousand household chores. Not to mention Emerson.
(I will confess that I remained confused about why But that’s just a little detail.)
Barbara Rosenblat was exquisite as the audiobook reader. She captured Amelia perfectly and did a phenomenal job creating distinct voices for all of the many characters. Sometimes I forgot this was all just one person’s voice!
July 20, 2014
I read the first Amelia Peabody novel a long time ago. I do not normally read romances, they irritate me. But stroppy 'old' Miss Peabody rescuing Evelyn and then clashing with such obvious deliberate fun with Emerson made for hilarious reading. And Elizabeth Peters was in no danger of getting her historical details or Egyptology wrong. I hate authors who can’t do their research, or only do superficial research.
Over the years novels have followed as the Emerson clan produced children who grew up and now it is the fifteenth novel, 'Children of the Storm', WWI is over, everyone hopes for peace, Amelia has grandchildren to guard and the archaeology continues. The plot this time I felt a little melodramatic but still the characters are good fun, and the events exciting - I am afraid I laughed when the boat sank! - and Amelia brings it all together and gets her precious family and friends home in nearly one piece.
A cheerful, cheering read and definitely one for the Miss Peabody fans. Just the sort of novel to curl up with for a cosy night in. I would suggest that anyone who really wants to get the most out of the novels start with the first because it gives you clear insight in to Amelia Peabody and that is where you will either love her or she will drive you nuts. Diving into the later novels without understanding Amelia means you may well be annoyed by her bossy and managing ways and miss out on all the fun when she needles Emerson and he needles her.
Over the years novels have followed as the Emerson clan produced children who grew up and now it is the fifteenth novel, 'Children of the Storm', WWI is over, everyone hopes for peace, Amelia has grandchildren to guard and the archaeology continues. The plot this time I felt a little melodramatic but still the characters are good fun, and the events exciting - I am afraid I laughed when the boat sank! - and Amelia brings it all together and gets her precious family and friends home in nearly one piece.
A cheerful, cheering read and definitely one for the Miss Peabody fans. Just the sort of novel to curl up with for a cosy night in. I would suggest that anyone who really wants to get the most out of the novels start with the first because it gives you clear insight in to Amelia Peabody and that is where you will either love her or she will drive you nuts. Diving into the later novels without understanding Amelia means you may well be annoyed by her bossy and managing ways and miss out on all the fun when she needles Emerson and he needles her.
September 29, 2015
I must say, I thought this was one of the better Amelia Peabody mysteries in the whole series. As the children are grown, with Amelia and Emerson as grandparents, I sort of thought the best was behind us, but I was (thankfully) wrong! As usual, everyone is in Luxor and odd things begin to happen. Old faces from the past resurface and for once, there was an actual plot! I love these books, but let's face it, the plots are usually loosely woven around the humorous antics of Amelia and Emerson - and their expanding family, with a mystery and dead body thrown in for good measure. I'm not criticizing, I think they're great, but this one was actually very good! Walter and Amelia, David and Lea and Cyrus and Sethos are on the scene, so it's all one big happy family as they fend off kidnappings and missing treasure - and amorous women (mostly Ramses these days). I really enjoyed it, and on audiobook it is the best. Barbara Rosenblat is spot on with all the voices, each one is just right and perfect, no matter the accent or dialect - whether Egyptian or Cyrus's twangy Western American. So, in the world of Amelia Peabody Emerson - yes there is life after 50!
4.5/5
4.5/5
July 5, 2020
This is a thoroughly entertaining continuation of the Emerson/Peabody clan's decades-long tale, with plenty of violence and implied lovemaking to keep readers breathlessly glued to the pages right to the end. It would have gotten four stars from me but for a scene in the middle of the book when it seems to that Peters puts a character in the house of Ramses and Nefret who simply doesn't belong there. And it's all to further a plot line that didn't need that furtherance.
It's more an observation than a criticism, but it's worth noting that this paperback is, at 458 pages, almost 200 pages longer than the first book in this series, Crocodile on the Sandbank, which came in at 262 pages. I acknowledge that the cast of characters has grown significantly over the years, but some tighter editing would have resulted in a better, shorter book.
All in all, any book in this series counts as a good read in my book.
It's more an observation than a criticism, but it's worth noting that this paperback is, at 458 pages, almost 200 pages longer than the first book in this series, Crocodile on the Sandbank, which came in at 262 pages. I acknowledge that the cast of characters has grown significantly over the years, but some tighter editing would have resulted in a better, shorter book.
All in all, any book in this series counts as a good read in my book.
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