The Deeds of the Disturber

Amelia Peabody #5

by Elizabeth Peters, Susan O'Malley (Narrator)

When the body of a night watchman is found sprawled in the shadow of a rare Nineteenth-Dynasty mummy case, panic ensues. For no one doubts that the guard's untimely demise is the work of an ancient Egyptian curse. No one, that is, except that tart-tongued Victorian Egyptologist, Amelia Peabody, whose remarkable talent for criminal investigation has frustrated villains from London to Cairo.

Now fresh from her daring exploits in exotic Egypt, Amelia, her sexy archaeologist husband, Emerson, and their catastrophically precocious son, Ramses, have returned to their native England just in time to get wrapped up in the intrigue. It's a mystery worthy of Amelia's superior sleuthing, but can she elude the vile clutches of the real perpetrator long enough to uncover his identity . . . or is she destined to wind up as his next victim?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Egypt, Historical Mystery

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Elizabeth 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.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The difficulty with reviewing a series is finding something new to say with each book. Failing that can I just say that all the things I like are still there in this fifth book about Amelia Peabody.

* Amelia is still a credit to womankind and still subject to self delusion.
* Ramses remains my favourite character by far and is still never allowed to finish a sentence.
* The cat Bastet is sadly absent for most of the book but she has much more important issues on her mind.
There are some different things - this book takes place in London for example, far away from the usual pyramids and desert.
And there are some new things - Gargery the butler was marvellous. I really hope he gets a role in future books.

I am still left loving this series and am very happy I have plenty more to read.

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

.
Mrs. Amelia "Peabody' Emerson shares her charming wit and eccentric humor in this enthralling series. The tale produced such a comically, vivid picture of this family with their superior attitudes, geological adventures, and warped mystery solving spats. that it had me laughing out loud. I am thoroughly enjoying this clean book series that provides wit, humor, and tons of new words to devour. 

This is the fourth book of the series and by this time, Ramses was eight years old.  This amazingly precocious child is so advanced, that he knows as much about Egyptology as his highly educated parents, if not more sometimes, which is totally incomprehensible, but extremely entertaining. This tale takes them on an adventure throughout London and again they are ensconced in the investigation of another set of murders. Then there is also the enlargement of their charges as Ameilia's brother deposits his two children into their care for the summer they had scheduled to complete a book and article about their previous work in Egypt. What devious reason could have inspired him to do so?

Amelia has the utmost respect, love, and desire for her dear husband, Emerson, even though they enjoy their witty banter and try to outdo one another. However, she shockingly comes face to face with a new emotion, jealousy. Does she have reason to fear?
 
This historical romance delivers clean and wholesome entertainment with a cast of quirky characters working together to catch a murderer.  This time the willful and witty duo, comprised of Radcliff and Amelia, are involved in catching murderer and both end up prisoners of the devious villain. What a unique experience being held hostage with her husband and the inspector. Oh, but don't underestimate the involvement of Ramses.

The author expresses herself so dramatically that it captures the reader's attention. Just when you may begin to feel a little lost or bored, her personal outburst, usually toward Emerson or Ramses, will recapture your attention, or she might strike someone with her trusty parasol and then, just continue the story.  She has a distinct way of portraying each intrinsically humorous experience, giving the reader a unique and uncommon perspective to observe. Ms. Peters is the only one who could aptly describe it the way she was able to.

Each book in the series is a stand-alone mystery which can be read without previous knowledge. However, the characters age throughout the series and events in previous books (including spoilers concerning some of the main characters) are referenced in later books. I am enjoying this clean book series immensely,

In my opinion, any romantic insinuations were referred to in a charmingly and discreet manner.  Although this book does not always follow the social protocol, instead of taking leaps in many directions, the content delivers great entertainment. The sparkling gems of dry wit were fabulous and plenty to be had!  Oddly enough, there will most assuredly be reviews all over the chart for this writing, depending on the different perspectives from multi-faceted readers.

I listened to this incredible story through Hoopla, which I access through my local library. It is thrilling when I discover a series I enjoy in audio as much as I did this one, by the talented and versatile narrator, Susan O'Malley.

Elizabeth Peters is quite the storyteller and expresses herself so dramatically that it captures the reader's attention and compels them to journey on. Just when you may begin to feel a little lost or bored, her personal outburst will recapture your attention, or she might strike someone with her trusty umbrella, defend those she loves with her pistol, or slash away at whatever offends.   I was delighted with the notes within the book to the reader to explain what the author was trying to convey.  I hope you enjoy this experience as much as I did!

You may be interested in more of this author's many other novels in the future.  She writes under her pen names Elizabeth Peters, Barbara Michaels, and her real name - Barbara Mertz.

..

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I delight in this series, which brings me joy and makes me laugh. This time around, I am sharing the experience with my daughter.

The main protagonists are a husband and wife team. Mr and Mrs Emerson truly love each other and share a passion for Egyptology and act as rivals in solving mysteries. There is an energy and affection between them that inspires, and they get into all kinds of scrapes together. Their son, Ramses is a 'chip off the old block' and keeps them fully on their toes.

Favorite quotes:

"Once a man has taken refreshment in your home and a chair in your sitting room, you are less likely to pitch him into a pond" ~ Amelia Peabody Emerson re: inviting the journalist Kevin O'Connell to drinks in their home to try to foster a better relationship between him and her irascible husband, Radcliffe Emerson.

"I returned to the house early, for I felt I needed a brief time of repose and contemplation before the teatime encounter with the children" ~ Amelia Peabody Emerson re: preparing herself for teatime with her son, Ramses and her dreadful niece and nephew, Violet and Percy.

"Well, at least we have never failed to foil a foe" ~ an example of Amelia Peabody Emerson's splendid gift of repartee.

"There's only one of her," Emerson said, in tones of intense satisfaction. "Just as well, I expect" ~ Radcliffe Emerson said tongue-in-cheek re: his wife.

"The walls are 8-feet thick. Fortunately, I brought along a little nitro-glycerin" ~ Ramses, always ready with a novel solution.

[Algernon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth episode in the Egyptian Mystery investigations of Amelia Peabody.
What sets this volume apart from the usual formula of the family going for excavations of ancient tombs in the desert is the movement of the action to London, where bodies are starting to crop up around the British Museum and its latest mummy exhibit. There is no dearth of suspects and mysterious personages - a priest with supernatural powers, colleagues from the arhelogical field, journalists, concerned friends and relatives, gypsies, janitors, members of the high society :

- It appears, my dearest Emerson, that the aristocratic element has entered the case after all.
- Yes, curse it, Emerson grumbled. I had believed myself safe from journalists, at least. Do your long-suffering spouse one favour, Peabody. Do not take the young lady under your wing. I have resigned myself to danger and distraction, but I cannot endure another of your sentimental rescues of young lovers.

Elizabeth Peters is confident enough of her material to poke fun at her own clichees and mannerism. Of course there are some romantic entaglements, and Amelia is ready to jump into the fray with her trusted umbrella and confuse the issues further with her signature aplomb:

Reader, I spoke the truth. I never have and never will meddle in other people's affairs. It is a word I abhor. There are times when a gentle hint or a helpful suggestion may save unnecessary suffering, and this I would not scruple to employ. But meddle - never.

While I was less favorably impressed by the actual plot of this fifth book, I continue to enjoy the humour and the family dynamics of the Emersons, each of them out to prove that he or she is the best detective, with precocious Ramses winning my vote for the most subversive and hilarious of the team.

There is little to comment or to analyze beside the holiday entertainment vibe of the offering and the delights of Amelia's precious phrasing. We can still find the occasional feminist rant from Amelia, but it is more subdued than usual:

I digress. I am unable to refrain from doing so, for the wrongs of my opressed sisters must always waken a flame of indignation in my bosom. How far are we even now, from the emancipation we deserve? When, oh when will justice and reason prevail, and Woman descend from the pedestal on which Man has placed her (in order to prevent her from doing anything except standing perfectly still) and take her rightful place beside him?

These exclamations are usually followed by our heroine blissfully succumbing into the strong arms of her faithful husband, but that in no way negates the truth of the issues.

All in all, a decent addition to the series, but not one my favorite episodes. I plan to continue reading the adventures of Amelia, Emerson and Ramses.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series is one of my guilty pleasures and this outing that sees the Emerson family back in London while Emerson is writing an overdue manuscript is one of my favourites. With shenanigans at the British Museum, random curses, deaths and a mummy to be unwrapped as well as an insight into Emerson's past love life there is a huge amount happening - but Amelia is more than up to it! This book also introduces the Emerson cousins, Percy and Violet, who are to reappear later in the series - and an adorably precocious Ramses who is already showcasing so many of his talents and chacracteristics that drive some of the plots in the later books.

Peters herself was an Egyptologist and while the books are huge fun, they're also build on a solid foundation of scholarly history and knowledge, featuring real-life characters like Wallis Budge and Flinders Petrie alongside the fictional creations. Amelia herself is a tour de force of proto-feminist energy, refusing to be cowed by the late Victorian culture that seeks to constrain her, with her trusty parasol at the ready!

I listened to the audiobook and would highly recommend Susan O'Malley's reading over that of Barbara Greenblatt with her American accent.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Never, I venture to say, has there been a more suitable ambience for eerie adventure than the reeking murky muddy streets of dear old London..."

I love Amelia Peabody. I especially love Barbara Rosenblat, the distinguished english voice of Amelia. She can (and does) inject innuendo, sarcasm, indignation or whatever she wants into any sentence.
The plots are good, but I read for the characters. Amelia, whose "brain works to swiftly to be organized", her darling Emerson that "magnificent specimen of manhood" and their darling, precocious boy Ramses never fail to entertain.

[shakespeareandspice · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFd at pg 142 because of this nonsense:

I set out at a brisk stride, looking with contempt and pity at the other ladies I saw; laced into tight stays and teetering on high-heeled shoes, they were almost incapable of motion, much less a good healthy walk. Poor foolish victims of society’s dictates –but (I reminded myself) willing victims, like the misguided females of India who fought to fling themselves into the funeral pyres of their bigamous husbands. Enlightened British laws had put an official end to that ghastly custom; what a pity British opinion was so unenlightened with regard to the oppression of English women.

Not only is Amelia Peabody, the supposed “feminist”, disregarding “foolish” English women by how they dress but further states that they were “willing victims” who don’t seem to understand what’s good for them. As if that wasn’t bad enough she follows it up with something as ignorant as a statement that says Indian women were “misguided” by misogyny who “fought to fling themselves into the funeral pyres of their bigamous husbands” and that their problems were resolvable only by the “enlightened British laws.” This screams to me of ignorance and white superiority complex.

I didn’t expect this kind of air of superiority coming from Amelia Peabody. I know she has strong opinions but her anti-everything-that-doesn’t-meet-my-approval attitude is shit. I expect things like this in English classics that I read. But not from a modern author. I have no tolerance for this.

[C. (Don't blank click my reviews, comment please! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barbara Mertz was an Egyptologist who exchanged book accolades with my heroine, Phyllis A. Whitney. Although not as prolific as Phyllis: her novels are popular and widespread, as both Barbara Michaels and Elizabeth Peters. “The Deeds Of The Disturber”, 1988, shows signs of this series improving. Elizabeth excelled at memorable characters, witty, colloquial dialogue, and fantastic plots. Her weakness was getting started, which was evidenced again.

When we come around to the point, this mystery is about identifying who killed personnel of the British Museum and who is posing as an Egyptian priest. Eventually, readers are taken on suspenseful investigations, to an impressively broad array of places and people, which keep interest high. However, this novel should easily be 100 pages shorter. Many pages were wasted on their return home from Egypt, visiting Walter and Evelyne, and setting up a borrowed house in London. Radcliffe, whose temper I never liked, a worn out shtick, scoffed at newspaper articles about a curse. Elizabeth fumbled for a pretext for their involvement, instead of sending Amelia and Radcliffe directly to investigate.

The biggest time-waster is Walter Junior. I cannot stand the know-it-all brat. His parents must ask him to shut up. However, I shared everyone’s compassion, when uninvited cousins gave him trouble. It was a lovely moment, for his parents to find Walter-Ramses not to blame for the worst incidents. I hope he sets a precedent for trusting him hereon in. However, the youth being on-hand to save people in peril, was a cliché stretched thin.

Second to Walter-Ramses being cast in better light, I loved this story setting away from Egypt for a change. There is much other archaeological heritage to explore. I hope Elizabeth desisted from redundantly reminding readers that Bastet is their cat. I wish this series were actually paranormal.

[Linniegayl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first reread of the fifth in the Amelia Peabody series, and this time I did it in audio. As always, Barbara Rosenblat was a delightful narrator of the series, lending each of the characters a unique voice.

This book is unique in the series in that it's set primarily in England (although most of the others allude to the Emersons spending their summers in England). This time Amelia, Emerson, and a young Ramses are in London. They become involved in an odd series of mysteries and murders related to a mummy. We also get an early introduction to Amelia's nephew Percy, as she becomes convinced by her horrible brother to have his children Violet and Percy stay with them for a period of time.

This is an A for me for the narration and an A-/B+in the story, so five stars here.

NOTE: Finished another audio re-listen of this on 06/18/20. It was once again delightful. In addition to Percy, we're also introduced to Margaret Minton for the first time, who comes to play a much larger role as time goes on in the series.

October 18, 2021: Finished another relisten to this book. I agree with my above rating. Not my favorite in the series, but definitely worth a reread .

December 8, 2025: Another relisten. I definitely agree with everything I wrote above.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite in the series.

[Jamie Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying these, but I think I need to space them out a little more. It's starting to feel like I'm reading the same novel over and over again. The Emerson-Peabody family is subjected to kidnappings, beatings, bullets and threatening letters; ancient artifacts appear and disappear; there are young lovers in distress; there's a supposedly cursed mummy; and Ramses is still never allowed to finish a sentence.

The setting is at least different this time: Amelia and family are in London. They are highly unsuited for living in London, which they realize. The mystery is very weak, but the characters are a lot of fun.

For whatever reason I was annoyed by the contrived references to the previous novels, complete with footnotes giving the titles.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites in the series! The Emersons are in England and crime finds them even through the fog of London, this time starting with a death at the British Museum and a weird Ancient Egyptian Priest impersonator. On top of that, Amelia foolishly agreed to take in the execrable children of her awful brother while their mother recovers from illness, and Ramses seems unhappy. This book is crazily vivid in my memory but Barbara Rosenblat makes it even better. Hurrah for Inter-Library Loan and no more attempts to listen to a sub-par reader.

[Kate Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite in the series thus far!

[LeeNichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, I'll be straight with you. I love this series, but this is my least favorite book in it so far. I should probably rate it lower, but I'm giving it three stars out of longstanding Emerson family solidarity.

This is what it has that I liked:
1) Ramses Emerson, my favorite character in the series. Someday, that boy will actually be allowed to finish a sentence.
2) Gargery the butler. That's it. That's the sentence.

This is what it had that I didn't like:
1) Marital suspicion and jealousy as plot devices. The villain's ability to maintain secrecy relies heavily on the fact that the main characters don't trust each other. It's lazy storytelling, and it doesn't even try to be convincing.
2) Horrid children being horrid. Amelia's niece and nephew come to stay for awhile in this one and it's the worst. I daresay that writing children is not a strong suit of Elizabeth Peters.' You're seriously telling me that a six-year-old is just going to say "Nasty! Dead!" over and over instead of speaking in sentences? Nah, fam.
3) A very convoluted plot involving sex magic, dead bodies, and a very poorly explained motive for anybody to be murdered. I still don't really understand what this book was about.

And it's not even set in Egypt!

I didn't like it very much. BUT I do like the series overall, so I'm going to keep on keeping on.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read any of Elizabeth Peters books for a long time and I really enjoyed this one. I've about decided to go back to the beginning of the series and read them again. As with all of her books, they interactions between the main characters is just as interesting as the mystery. In this book, Peabody's unpleasant brother, James, has foisted off his children on her. As the book proceeds, the boy and girl make Ramses life miserable and the reader is waiting desperately for Amelia to see through them.

The mystery centers around some murders happening at the British Museum. Various people try to get the Emerson's involved, which they eventually do. After some trips to an opium den and a country manor house, Peabody and Emerson manage to get to the bottom of the mystery and, with Ramses help, unmask the killer.

Amelia Peabody Emerson is one of those characters that seem to take on a life of their own. Her matter of fact attitude in the face of danger and her fussy attention to detail are delightful. As a Victorian woman, she is refreshing in her no nonsense approach to life.

[Elizabeth (Alaska) · Rating 3 out of 5]

On Goodreads, sometimes you get a "Request took too long" result. The message then says "there are many reasons for reading a book." My reasons for choosing to read this book at this time are not included on that screen. I thought it was time to read another in this series and besides, it fit a task in my seasonal challenge and I thought I ought to get on with it.

So, I don't know if this simply isn't the best in the series or if my reasons for reading at this time were all wrong. Amelia Peabody is her forthright self and I had no reason to expect anything else. I was more than willing to embrace her as such for about 100 pages. And then the joke got old. All of the jokes got old. I didn't care about the mystery and I didn't care about the domestic issues.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been years since I read this series, I was happy to revisit it on audio with the capable Susan O'Malley as narrator. The Amelia Peabody historical mystery series brings to vibrant life a world of Egyptological adventure, romance, and hilarious mayhem as reader-listeners follow along the antics of the Emerson family.

The Deeds of the Disturber is the fifth book in the series that work best in order, but in a pinch, can standalone.

The story comes hard on the heels of the events in the previous book, Lion in the Valley. The Emersons' work at Dashur took a backseat to solving a murder, bringing together a pair of thwarted lovers, tracking the trail of a Master Criminal, and Amelia holding her own until Emerson's rescue could arrive. Naturally, the sensational newspapers reported all this and the Emersons make good fodder. Their return to England after the excavation season happens right when a museum watchman's death gets tied in with a mummy curse and the journalists from a few papers happily merge the Emerson arrival with this sensational mystery.

Emerson just wants to work on his overdue book to Oxford University, write up their field notes for the journals, and relax with family. Amelia has other ideas and they involve the museum mummy mystery, young lovers, and getting to the bottom of an evocative and mysterious woman from Emerson's past. Meanwhile, their reluctant agreement to take in Amelia's niece and nephew while their parents are otherwise occupied seemed like it was working out well if one didn't look too closely into Ramses more unusual that usual behavior.

I forgot a lot about this one so it was practically like experiencing the story fresh. It is the first one that mostly takes place in London and didn't depend so much on exotic setting. Though, the museum, the parts of London, and seeing the Emersons at home wasn't even close to insipid and colorless. The author gave them some family and marital drama t distract them from their usual pursuits. Amelia doesn't do well when she gets truly jealous for the first time in her life and has to battle through if she wants to save the amazing marriage she has. Then, there is a more subtle attack on their household that Peabody and Emerson are too distracted to notice much about until the end. I was angry on Ramses behalf because he took the brunt of this, but no worries, the lad held his own. I forgot how awful were Percy and Violet Peabody. And yes, the first appearance of Gargery (sp) the hilarious and eccentric butler who was as colorful as the Emersons. Bastet the cat get ups to a feline amorous encounter and is not to be left out of the drama.

The mystery was solid and had some good twists to it. It balanced well with all the internal drama plot going on beside it. I thought that made this a much more engaging read than the book that came before that went all over the place with a similar amount of plot threads.

So, in summary, I was enthralled and enthused. I have not lost my fervor for more Amelia Peabody historical adventure mysteries. If you haven't had the chance to start and love light, humorous historical mystery, take the plunge soon.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be delightful with Amelia and her succinct observations that are laugh out loud funny many times!

From the first book, I love the relationship that Peabody and Emerson share, given the time period the series is set in. Ramses, their precocious and knowledgeable heir is such a great addition. The poor kid isn't allowed to finish any of his utterances though to be fair, he does have a lot to say all the time!

This time the Professor and his inimitable wife are in London where he is trying to finish the manuscript of his book but of course they cannot escape getting embroiled in a murder investigation at the British museum, particularly when an Egyptian mummy and its curse are supposedly involved. From Scotland Yard to parrying with a pair of reporters to disguising themselves and sneaking into 'unsavoury' haunts, they do it all and in such an entertaining way too.

The Peabody Emerson household has some new additions in this one, in the form of Amelia's niece and nephew who are under her care and a new staff including the wonderful butler Gargery who wants to be a part of their shenanigans.

Always fun to read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amelia, Emerson and Ramses return to England after their Egyptian adventure turned nightmare. They're greeted not just by Evelyn (in delicate condition again and Walter, but also Amelia's older brother James, who must want something. They're also greeted by the press with the sensational news story about a cursed mummy. The press naturally assumed Amelia and Emerson would be investigating. Emerson doesn't believe in curses and neither does Amelia but the mysterious appearance and disappearance of a lunatic masquerading as an Egyptian priest does get Amelia's attention. When she makes the acquaintance of a lady journalist, Amelia feels more compelled to investigate. Meanwhile, on the domestic front things are not going very well. Ramses is experimenting with mummification and there are two extra children in the house to cause more drama.

This novel did not excite or interest me as much as the Egyptian set books. The London setting was not as interesting and the mystery was fairly obvious. Of course I have read other Victorian mystery novels with similar plots so I had the advantage of knowing what the end would bring. I also figured out who the chief villain was before Amelia. She should have figured it out from the subtle clues. At first I thought it was someone else but then it became obvious to me who it was. I was a little surprised by some of the events in the big dramatic scene but not entirely. I also knew what was going on with the children and Amelia should have known based on her childhood experiences. I disliked how Amelia and Emerson HAVE to have marital relations EVERY single time they're alone. Amelia doesn't need to mention it every time. It gets tedious. I hated the jealousy that sprang up in Amelia. She should know that gentleman always have a past and it doesn't do to inquire too closely. It seemed out of character for her.

There are several new secondary characters and one returning secondary character. Kevin O'Connell is back and Amelia is as friendly as ever while Emerson is ready to throttle the man. I actually liked Kevin despite his sensational journalistic style. He's only doing his job. He's not the editor or owner of the paper. I liked Miss Minton at first. Her journalistic integrity needs work but I admire her for going out and getting a job on her own merit and succeeding. Then there's the young Lord Liverpool. He's suffering from a social disease and faced with his own mortality. Like Amelia, I felt rather sorry for him, but not really because he did bring the affliction on himself. He's not too bright, either because of the disease or in addition to it. His friend St. John sends off bad vibes. I didn't like him. There's also Mr. Budge from the British Museum, who isn't very bright or good at his job. Emerson's hatred of him is understandable. Then there's Budge's assistant Mr. Wilson. I feel bad for him because he's been taught the wrong thing. Finally, Ayesha, a mysterious Egyptian woman piques Amelia's curiosity. I didn't like her at first but when the full story came out, I felt sorry for her but I didn't like the affect she had on Amelia.

I'll read the next book in the series since they return to Egypt. I will grab it later this week or read the e-book if I run out of things to read.

***Re-read audio book Oct. 2025**

Not as good the second time around. Amelia should have known what was going on with the children but she was distracted by her jealousy. I didn't like jealous Amelia and I didn't like jealous Emerson. He's a real dog in this one, making Amelia prove her love to him every night, all night. They have their rivalry going and Emerson insists he's right all the time. Book club friends don't like Amelia. They love Ramses. They don't love the social snobbery even though we all know that was normal for the period.

I forgot about the Egyptological mystery but Amelia's prophetic dream pinged my memory but I wasn't sure if that was this book or another one. The denouement is too funny, especially on audio book. I'm now a convert to Barbara Rosenblat's narration!

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Continuing my Audible journey with this puerile nonsense. Returned home to England from their latest dig the Emersons are soon into the thick of a suspicious death followed by a murder and some strange rituals in the British museum surrounding a mummy. Sounds good at the outset but the whole tale was thinly disguised with a whole measure of padding. Even when the culprit is unmasked the book rambles on, past the stage where a print book might have been thrown down.

Unfortunately, the narrator was continuously heard swallowing and smacking their lips. The voice used to convey Emerson, the bronzed "Adonis" of the story had him sounding like an old man with a throat ailment. The character of Amelia purports to be a modern style woman but spends much of the story fawning over Emerson in a most subservient manner. The least said about Ramses the better.

You may have guessed that I did not enjoy this book at all. 2 stars.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely a change of pace for Peabody and Emerson. Instead of being set in Egypt, like the first four books in the series, this one takes place in London, though the mystery still centers around Egyptology.

Ramses became infinitely more interesting to me in this book. Before he was a fun sort of curiosity, but now i'm taking him much more seriously as a character. His cousins? Are horrid.

I particularly liked the insertion of jealously on the part of both Peabody and Emerson. It's about time we had a little conflict in their otherwise fantastic relationship, heh.

The mystery itself was great; I actually gasped when the villain was revealed.

[Ruthiella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Amelia Peabody series. I listened to this on audio as narrated by Susan O’Malley. She was very good but doesn’t hold a candle to Barbara Rosenblat’s performances. Alas, I am subject to the vagaries of my libraries in terms of which narration is available. This book finds the Emersons in London instead of Egypt. When the sensationalist press promotes the idea that a cursed mummy is causing British Museum employees to die, Amelia, Emerson and Ramses get involved in their accustom manners to solve the mystery. These books are like chocolate cake. They go down easy.

[Brittany McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The constant annoyance of motherhood still grates on me. I can't tell if it is partially meant to be humorous, and I know it was a different time period, but really why have children then? Ramses is one of my favorite characters, and at least he is getting older and "more useful" to his parents. He has got to be autistic, haha.

The mystery was pretty good, and it was interesting to see the jealousy scale slip more to Amelia's side in this one.

Radcliffe was also more likable here, and the new butler is likely to be a future teammate if Amelia can share the limelight.

4 Stars

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining encounter with Amelia Peabody and family. There's always something to laugh at or find amusing throughout the book.
This is a wonderful continuation of this family's adventures and antics in murder, family life and social commentary.
Amelia and Emerson continue to bicker, love and support. Ramses continues to be a source of amusement.
I really liked the new character of Gargery. I hope his character continues in future episodes.

Highly entertaining.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love for the narrative voice of Amelia Peabody grows with every book I read. When I grow up, I'd quite like to be her, please.

[Tempo de Ler · Rating 3 out of 5]

“This has proved to be one of
the strangest cases I—we—have ever investigated—a peculiar blend of vulgar
crime and exotic trimmings, if I may put it that way.”

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am informed by a person no less acquainted with the subject than my dear mother that Amelia's emotions throughout this novel are entirely understandable to a married person. Being an easily bored, stubborn, extremely single young person...I found her irritating enough to take a 4.5 star mystery and drop it to 3. Come on can she really be that dense? She's almost as annoying as Emerson when he starts getting jealous.
*sigh*
Loved Ramses. He's my favorite character in this book. Now that he's "lost" his annoying lisp-thing his ramblings are amusing and his actions are awesome. I look forward to more of him.
It was nice to have the mystery in England instead of Egypt. Broke up the familiar pace of the story and made for an interesting and entertaining read.

[Emma Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a different installment from the here as this one takes place in England. Enjoyed it but it's not a favourite, I think overall Egypt provides a more interesting setting for these characters. It was fun to have Amelia be a bit jealous though for once.

[Satu Kantti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite worth five stars this time. Maybe I didn't enjoy London as much as Egypt?
However, the writing style and the characters are superb as always in Amelia Peabody books.

[W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed: 08-07-22

The Deeds of the Disturber
The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 5
By: Elizabeth Peters
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Emerson , Peabody and Ramses stayed in London 

 And this change of location, as all other books have been in Egypt , give us a better understanding of their home life, family interactions, daily activities etc., Therefore the series world building continues layering and enriching.

The cousins plot line was one of my favorite things of the tale as we see Ramsey interactions with children of his own age and social class. Ramsey is wise beyond his years.

Barbara Rosenblatt is espectacular as always .