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Amelia Peabody #10
The Ape Who Guards the Balance
The prospects for the 1907 archaeological season in Egypt seem fairly dull to Amelia Peabody. Despite her adored husband's brilliant reputation in his field, his dashing-yet-less-than-diplomatic behavior has Professor Radcliffe Emerson ignominiously demoted to examining only the most boring tombs in the Valley of the Kings -- mere leftovers, really. All the Peabody Emersons profess stiff upper lips and intend to make the best of a bad situation, but this year the legendary land of the pharaohs will yield more than priceless artifacts for the Emerson expedition. For the desert guards even deeper mysteries that are wrapped in greed -- and sealed by murder.
In a seedy section of Cairo, the youngest members of the expedition purchase a mint-condition papyrus of the famed Book of the Dead, the collection of magical spells and prayers designed to ward off the perils of the underworld and lead the deceased into everlasting life. But for as long as there have been graves, there have also been grave robbers -- as well as those who believe tomb violators risk the wrath of gods like Thoth, the little baboon who protects the scales used to weigh such precious commodities as hearts and souls.
Besides facing the ire of ancient deities, their adventure into antiquity also puts Amelia and company in the sights of Sethos, the charismatically compelling but elusive Master Criminal whose bold villainies have defied the authorities in sever countries. In truth, Amelia needn't have worried: this season is about to turn from dull to deadly. Soon, she will need all her remarkable skills of detection and deduction to untangle a web woven of criminals and cults, stolen treasures and fallen women -- all the while under the unblinking eye of a ruthless, remorseless killer.
In a seedy section of Cairo, the youngest members of the expedition purchase a mint-condition papyrus of the famed Book of the Dead, the collection of magical spells and prayers designed to ward off the perils of the underworld and lead the deceased into everlasting life. But for as long as there have been graves, there have also been grave robbers -- as well as those who believe tomb violators risk the wrath of gods like Thoth, the little baboon who protects the scales used to weigh such precious commodities as hearts and souls.
Besides facing the ire of ancient deities, their adventure into antiquity also puts Amelia and company in the sights of Sethos, the charismatically compelling but elusive Master Criminal whose bold villainies have defied the authorities in sever countries. In truth, Amelia needn't have worried: this season is about to turn from dull to deadly. Soon, she will need all her remarkable skills of detection and deduction to untangle a web woven of criminals and cults, stolen treasures and fallen women -- all the while under the unblinking eye of a ruthless, remorseless killer.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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3499 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Peters
179 books3,297 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 456 reviews
July 6, 2019
I enjoy every book in this series but this was one of the really, really good ones! It appears that someone out there is trying to get to Amelia for evil purposes and the whole family is drawn into the action.
I love the way the author is developing all her characters in these latest books. The children are definitely children no longer and have their own agenda, some of which we learn about from Ramses' own manuscript. We get to see their view of Amelia too which is fun since previously we only had Amelia's own opinion of herself.
As usual the story is convoluted and way beyond my attempts at guessing who is doing what and why. I just go with the flow and enjoy the overall effect. In this book several baddies from the past show up and one at least is removed permanently. I am sure the others will return in a future book! I am already looking forward to it:)
I love the way the author is developing all her characters in these latest books. The children are definitely children no longer and have their own agenda, some of which we learn about from Ramses' own manuscript. We get to see their view of Amelia too which is fun since previously we only had Amelia's own opinion of herself.
As usual the story is convoluted and way beyond my attempts at guessing who is doing what and why. I just go with the flow and enjoy the overall effect. In this book several baddies from the past show up and one at least is removed permanently. I am sure the others will return in a future book! I am already looking forward to it:)
July 12, 2021
Average rating: 3.55 stars
London 1906: Amelia Peabody Emerson has become involved in the Women's Social and Political Union. She is looking forward to chaining herself to the fence of 10 Downing Street and being arrested for protesting for the right to vote. Something strange happens and she discovers that an MP notorious for being anti-woman suffrage has invited a friend to come to his home to present a petition. Therefore, Amelia is not entirely surprised when the police report the MP and his staff were tied up and impersonated while his collection of antiquities was stolen. This can only be the work of one man-The Master Criminal himself-Sethos. It seems he is alive and well with a new network in Europe. How could this be? Does this mean their upcoming dig in Luxor will be uneventful? Hardly. Amelia is abducted before she even leaves for Egypt and Emerson fears Sethos is after his wife again. In Egypt, Ramses and David meet a devious antiquities dealer who sells them an ancient scroll of the dead which sets off a chain reaction of events that may or may not be connected to the mysterious happenings back in London before their departure. No one is going to take any chances this time. The only hope of thwarting the criminal/s is to stick together. They can only do this with full cooperation and trust on all sides, which only works when the adults treat the children like the adults they now are. Meanwhile, Emerson is seriously annoyed when he is denied yet again a permit to dig for tombs and an amateur dilettante is allowed to ruin a potentially important site!
Some characters refuse to leave a reader even long after the book is finished. Amelia Peabody Emerson is one of those characters. I often find myself thinking "What would Amelia say to that? What would Amelia do?" and "Emerson would blow a gasket!" or "Emerson would be so excited to learn..." So naturally, I needed to pick up their adventures once again. The book title confused me, not being familiar with this particular Egyptian myth. It refers to the god Thoth, a divine scribe, who waits for the heart of the dead to be weighed on a scale and judged. He then records its fate. Thoth is usually represented as having the head of an ibis, but also appears as a baboon or ape with the balancing scales. In this novel, the ape that guards the balance is a symbol of an emerging women's rights organization in Egypt.
This story incorporates a lot of religious teachings from Ancient Egyptian stories to the Koran to the Christian Bible. The point is to show how the Peabody Emersons reconcile the different beliefs and how each family member has their own personal idea of faith (or none at all). I found it all a bit confusing and unnecessary to the plot. I also found Amelia to be a little more sanctimonious than usual. She can't help being a woman of her time and place and it gives her a certain amount of prejudice than she usually reserves for bossing around the "natives." This time her beliefs affect her family. I lost some admiration for her because of it.
The only other thing I really didn't like about the story was the teen angst. Ramses is 19 now, a man by Egyptian standards. Nefret has come of age and inherited a fortune and a rebellious attitude from her foster brothers. As is typical with an older generation, they refuse to admit their babies are grown up and capable of handling serious situations and understanding everything that is happening around them. The young adults are rebellious, lovesick and have secrets of their own. I didn't like the parts of the book that were not told by Amelia. The switch in viewpoint is a bit jarring and the young people annoyed me. Ramses especially did not appeal to me. I could have done without his strong emotions. Then there's another romantic subplot that took everyone by surprise. It's not very believable or interesting.
However, I couldn't put the book down. I kept getting interrupted and distracted by the rest of the household (which is why I usually stay up all night reading because it's the only uninterrupted quiet time I have). The disruptions prevented me from fully understanding everything that happened in the story so I need to reread parts of it. The plot contained enough suspense and red herrings that I didn't know how to connect the dots. I connected the dots to the villain after Amelia realized who it must be. I suspected another person and was surprised at their motivation for hanging around the Peabody Emersons. I did not suspect THAT at all! The conclusion was a little too neat and tidy to want to immediately read the next book in the series. That will have to wait for spring break or next winter's break. The research is top notch as always but I wish there was a timeline to understand which dynasty corresponds to how many years before Common Era and a cheat sheet of the Egyptian pharaohs, family members and deities. I have to read an e-book next time so I can look up references as I read.
I love Amelia and Emerson so much. They're so fleshed out and believable. They live inside my head perceptually. I adore their loving relationship. I like that they're still romantic and in love after all these years. They had better be after what they went through! They still want to be intimate. Emerson is gruff as always but he loves his family and would do anything to protect them. It's clear Nefret is a Daddy's girl! I didn't like how she uses typical feminine wiles to get what she wants, even if it's for a good reason. Most of her behavior represents the "New Woman" of the 20th century: physically fit, fearless and free. Her reform efforts are admirable and the debate and discussion is one that is relevant today. Amelia wants to be a New Woman but is held back by her Victorian morals. Ramses is possibly even more annoying than he was as a 7 year old. He's a know-it-all like his parents and very angsty. David is the only one of the children who didn't annoy me at some point, for most of the novel anyway.
Almost all the characters have been met before. Cyrus Vandergelt makes a few appearances, along with his wife Katherine. I didn't remember her at all but I remember the American cowboy type Cyrus. He still has a big heart and open, friendly nature. The newest characters are Ned, a novice archeologist in the pay of Theodore M. Davis, a rich dilettante Egyptologist. Ned is a nervous type and every time he was on page I cringed because he couldn't stand up to Emerson's temper and it wasn't his fault proper procedure wasn't followed. Davis is a British chap of the old school "jolly good, what ho" and all that. (er apparently he's American but sounds British). He knows nothing about Egypt and cares nothing for actual scholarship. I can empathize with Emerson. (If I were a man of that time, I would probably be a lot like Emerson).
Read this series if you like humorous mysteries, Ancient Egypt and Victorian/Edwardian unconventional suffragette heroines. Don't start here though! Read them in order.
Content:
Lots of curses and not from Emerson, but his children! They toss off the D-word a lot. The "children" are also asserting their independence by drinking and smoking.
The Emerson-Peabodys/Peabody-Emersons (depending on the book) drink a lot of whisky-for medicinal purposes you know!
reread July 2021
This one was a tough reread because I remembered very well what happened. I couldn't believe it took them that long to figure out who their deadly enemy was. Even Ramses dismissed that person. On my first read, I didn't have any memory of that person AT ALL. I underestimated them the way Amelia did. Before you attack me for forgetting the Egyptian women, I also forgot Enid and Katherine too the first time around. I also forgot Enid again. (She's not in this one). This time, Amelia's underestimating the enemy has deadly consequences. Oh how I cried at the ending! It was heartbreaking. When asked, Mom says she cried too.
Mom and I both found Amelia hard to take in the beginning of this novel. Amelia is very sanctimonious to the point of being rude and annoying. I wasn't liking her as much as I normally do. By the end though, she was humbled and admitted she was wrong! Juppin' Josephat! I thought I'd never read THAT! Amelia loves her family but is blind to the fact the "children" are now adults with lives of their own and minds of their own. Amelia and Emerson are as much in love as ever but his jealously is ridiculous. He KNOWS how much Amelia loves him! They demonstrate their love for one another a LOT in this novel! As in this book has a ton of sex without any of it being overt or mentioned as such, as Amelia IS a proper Victorian British lady. Emerson kind of annoyed me here too but his anger was truly justified. Davis is an awful person. He's not a real scholar at all and not even an archeologist. He leaves poor Ned Ayrton to do his dirty work. Ned is a nice young man but he can't stand up to Emerson. Poor kid is just trying to make a living and Davis pays well.
Like Amelia, I find Sethos a lovable rogue. His obsession with Amelia is a bit ridiculous by this point. I also think his profession is just awful but in this case, Davis deserved it and the artifacts are better off with someone else. Sir Edward is nice enough and kind to the Emersons. He even comes around to their way of treating the "natives."
I really like the theme of women's rights in this novel. The two different perspectives are interesting. While I agree with Amelia, what works for western women doesn't necessarily work in Egypt and if women can empower themselves in ways Amelia doesn't approve of, then good for them. Of course, it gets taken way too far by Amelia's deadly enemy. I have heard modern women say they like wearing burkas because it makes them feel protected and safe from men and also removes the pressure to have their hair and makeup perfectly done. I think the women in this book might agree with that. I like the way Fatima is working hard to improve her lot by her own choice. I appreciate that it's her decision and not Amelia browbeating her to do it. Education is truly the key. Fatima is much better off without her husband.
We get to know more members of Abdullah's family better. I just adore Daoud. He's so sweet. A gentle giant. He may not be the brightest member of the family but he might be the most loyal. Selim's character is starting to emerge. We see his interest in modern machinery and electricity. He's young and eager to embrace all the 20th-century has to offer so far but he also respects his father and the family traditions.
The Emerson clan are reunited here. Little 'Melia is now 17 and prefers to be called Lia. She's a young woman of determined principle and has her parents' stubbornness. Amelia attributes it to Emerson but Evelyn can be stubborn when she wants to. It was tough to see Evelyn and Walter behave in such a Gothic manner. Amelia's reaction to Lia's news surprised me and didn't make me feel too kindly towards her. I was so happy the "children" called her on it. It's not easy to overcome the things one was taught, the prejudices one believes in, especially for Victorian British Christians who were especially nasty people at times-present company excluded of course. I would have liked more conversation about that at the end to hear what Amelia had to say. I think if Elizabeth Peters was still alive and writing now she might have included that discussion in a new book going back to that time.
I still found the "children" largely annoying aside from that one moment. Nefret is such a rebel and I don't like the way she's purposefully doing harmful things like drinking and smoking just to keep up with the boys. Still, she's a sweetheart and wears her heart on her sleeve. The injustices they experience in Gurneh would upset me too but I'm old enough to know you can't save the whole world. If anyone CAN it will be Amelia and Nefret though! I really like David but now he's brooding like Ramses. Annoying boys! It was nice to see some human emotion from Ramses once in awhile in this book- assuming blinking a few times when he learns of Amelia's fate means he's trying not to cry from relief. Or perhaps he was just astonished!
I wish the Emersons would go to Sakaara as there are some TV programs (and a Netflix documentary) about modern archeological excavations there. The recent finds are too late in Egyptian history for Emerson's interest though so I don't know if he would have been happy there.
Mom didn't enjoy this book as some of the others so she still wants to keep going. If it keeps raining I'll probably end up rereading the books too after she's done or at the same time if I can get the e-book.
London 1906: Amelia Peabody Emerson has become involved in the Women's Social and Political Union. She is looking forward to chaining herself to the fence of 10 Downing Street and being arrested for protesting for the right to vote. Something strange happens and she discovers that an MP notorious for being anti-woman suffrage has invited a friend to come to his home to present a petition. Therefore, Amelia is not entirely surprised when the police report the MP and his staff were tied up and impersonated while his collection of antiquities was stolen. This can only be the work of one man-The Master Criminal himself-Sethos. It seems he is alive and well with a new network in Europe. How could this be? Does this mean their upcoming dig in Luxor will be uneventful? Hardly. Amelia is abducted before she even leaves for Egypt and Emerson fears Sethos is after his wife again. In Egypt, Ramses and David meet a devious antiquities dealer who sells them an ancient scroll of the dead which sets off a chain reaction of events that may or may not be connected to the mysterious happenings back in London before their departure. No one is going to take any chances this time. The only hope of thwarting the criminal/s is to stick together. They can only do this with full cooperation and trust on all sides, which only works when the adults treat the children like the adults they now are. Meanwhile, Emerson is seriously annoyed when he is denied yet again a permit to dig for tombs and an amateur dilettante is allowed to ruin a potentially important site!
Some characters refuse to leave a reader even long after the book is finished. Amelia Peabody Emerson is one of those characters. I often find myself thinking "What would Amelia say to that? What would Amelia do?" and "Emerson would blow a gasket!" or "Emerson would be so excited to learn..." So naturally, I needed to pick up their adventures once again. The book title confused me, not being familiar with this particular Egyptian myth. It refers to the god Thoth, a divine scribe, who waits for the heart of the dead to be weighed on a scale and judged. He then records its fate. Thoth is usually represented as having the head of an ibis, but also appears as a baboon or ape with the balancing scales. In this novel, the ape that guards the balance is a symbol of an emerging women's rights organization in Egypt.
This story incorporates a lot of religious teachings from Ancient Egyptian stories to the Koran to the Christian Bible. The point is to show how the Peabody Emersons reconcile the different beliefs and how each family member has their own personal idea of faith (or none at all). I found it all a bit confusing and unnecessary to the plot. I also found Amelia to be a little more sanctimonious than usual. She can't help being a woman of her time and place and it gives her a certain amount of prejudice than she usually reserves for bossing around the "natives." This time her beliefs affect her family. I lost some admiration for her because of it.
The only other thing I really didn't like about the story was the teen angst. Ramses is 19 now, a man by Egyptian standards. Nefret has come of age and inherited a fortune and a rebellious attitude from her foster brothers. As is typical with an older generation, they refuse to admit their babies are grown up and capable of handling serious situations and understanding everything that is happening around them. The young adults are rebellious, lovesick and have secrets of their own. I didn't like the parts of the book that were not told by Amelia. The switch in viewpoint is a bit jarring and the young people annoyed me. Ramses especially did not appeal to me. I could have done without his strong emotions. Then there's another romantic subplot that took everyone by surprise. It's not very believable or interesting.
However, I couldn't put the book down. I kept getting interrupted and distracted by the rest of the household (which is why I usually stay up all night reading because it's the only uninterrupted quiet time I have). The disruptions prevented me from fully understanding everything that happened in the story so I need to reread parts of it. The plot contained enough suspense and red herrings that I didn't know how to connect the dots. I connected the dots to the villain after Amelia realized who it must be. I suspected another person and was surprised at their motivation for hanging around the Peabody Emersons. I did not suspect THAT at all! The conclusion was a little too neat and tidy to want to immediately read the next book in the series. That will have to wait for spring break or next winter's break. The research is top notch as always but I wish there was a timeline to understand which dynasty corresponds to how many years before Common Era and a cheat sheet of the Egyptian pharaohs, family members and deities. I have to read an e-book next time so I can look up references as I read.
I love Amelia and Emerson so much. They're so fleshed out and believable. They live inside my head perceptually. I adore their loving relationship. I like that they're still romantic and in love after all these years. They had better be after what they went through! They still want to be intimate. Emerson is gruff as always but he loves his family and would do anything to protect them. It's clear Nefret is a Daddy's girl! I didn't like how she uses typical feminine wiles to get what she wants, even if it's for a good reason. Most of her behavior represents the "New Woman" of the 20th century: physically fit, fearless and free. Her reform efforts are admirable and the debate and discussion is one that is relevant today. Amelia wants to be a New Woman but is held back by her Victorian morals. Ramses is possibly even more annoying than he was as a 7 year old. He's a know-it-all like his parents and very angsty. David is the only one of the children who didn't annoy me at some point, for most of the novel anyway.
Almost all the characters have been met before. Cyrus Vandergelt makes a few appearances, along with his wife Katherine. I didn't remember her at all but I remember the American cowboy type Cyrus. He still has a big heart and open, friendly nature. The newest characters are Ned, a novice archeologist in the pay of Theodore M. Davis, a rich dilettante Egyptologist. Ned is a nervous type and every time he was on page I cringed because he couldn't stand up to Emerson's temper and it wasn't his fault proper procedure wasn't followed. Davis is a British chap of the old school "jolly good, what ho" and all that. (er apparently he's American but sounds British). He knows nothing about Egypt and cares nothing for actual scholarship. I can empathize with Emerson. (If I were a man of that time, I would probably be a lot like Emerson).
Read this series if you like humorous mysteries, Ancient Egypt and Victorian/Edwardian unconventional suffragette heroines. Don't start here though! Read them in order.
Content:
Lots of curses and not from Emerson, but his children! They toss off the D-word a lot. The "children" are also asserting their independence by drinking and smoking.
The Emerson-Peabodys/Peabody-Emersons (depending on the book) drink a lot of whisky-for medicinal purposes you know!
reread July 2021
This one was a tough reread because I remembered very well what happened. I couldn't believe it took them that long to figure out who their deadly enemy was. Even Ramses dismissed that person. On my first read, I didn't have any memory of that person AT ALL. I underestimated them the way Amelia did. Before you attack me for forgetting the Egyptian women, I also forgot Enid and Katherine too the first time around. I also forgot Enid again. (She's not in this one). This time, Amelia's underestimating the enemy has deadly consequences. Oh how I cried at the ending! It was heartbreaking. When asked, Mom says she cried too.
Mom and I both found Amelia hard to take in the beginning of this novel. Amelia is very sanctimonious to the point of being rude and annoying. I wasn't liking her as much as I normally do. By the end though, she was humbled and admitted she was wrong! Juppin' Josephat! I thought I'd never read THAT! Amelia loves her family but is blind to the fact the "children" are now adults with lives of their own and minds of their own. Amelia and Emerson are as much in love as ever but his jealously is ridiculous. He KNOWS how much Amelia loves him! They demonstrate their love for one another a LOT in this novel! As in this book has a ton of sex without any of it being overt or mentioned as such, as Amelia IS a proper Victorian British lady. Emerson kind of annoyed me here too but his anger was truly justified. Davis is an awful person. He's not a real scholar at all and not even an archeologist. He leaves poor Ned Ayrton to do his dirty work. Ned is a nice young man but he can't stand up to Emerson. Poor kid is just trying to make a living and Davis pays well.
Like Amelia, I find Sethos a lovable rogue. His obsession with Amelia is a bit ridiculous by this point. I also think his profession is just awful but in this case, Davis deserved it and the artifacts are better off with someone else. Sir Edward is nice enough and kind to the Emersons. He even comes around to their way of treating the "natives."
I really like the theme of women's rights in this novel. The two different perspectives are interesting. While I agree with Amelia, what works for western women doesn't necessarily work in Egypt and if women can empower themselves in ways Amelia doesn't approve of, then good for them. Of course, it gets taken way too far by Amelia's deadly enemy. I have heard modern women say they like wearing burkas because it makes them feel protected and safe from men and also removes the pressure to have their hair and makeup perfectly done. I think the women in this book might agree with that. I like the way Fatima is working hard to improve her lot by her own choice. I appreciate that it's her decision and not Amelia browbeating her to do it. Education is truly the key. Fatima is much better off without her husband.
We get to know more members of Abdullah's family better. I just adore Daoud. He's so sweet. A gentle giant. He may not be the brightest member of the family but he might be the most loyal. Selim's character is starting to emerge. We see his interest in modern machinery and electricity. He's young and eager to embrace all the 20th-century has to offer so far but he also respects his father and the family traditions.
The Emerson clan are reunited here. Little 'Melia is now 17 and prefers to be called Lia. She's a young woman of determined principle and has her parents' stubbornness. Amelia attributes it to Emerson but Evelyn can be stubborn when she wants to. It was tough to see Evelyn and Walter behave in such a Gothic manner. Amelia's reaction to Lia's news surprised me and didn't make me feel too kindly towards her. I was so happy the "children" called her on it. It's not easy to overcome the things one was taught, the prejudices one believes in, especially for Victorian British Christians who were especially nasty people at times-present company excluded of course. I would have liked more conversation about that at the end to hear what Amelia had to say. I think if Elizabeth Peters was still alive and writing now she might have included that discussion in a new book going back to that time.
I still found the "children" largely annoying aside from that one moment. Nefret is such a rebel and I don't like the way she's purposefully doing harmful things like drinking and smoking just to keep up with the boys. Still, she's a sweetheart and wears her heart on her sleeve. The injustices they experience in Gurneh would upset me too but I'm old enough to know you can't save the whole world. If anyone CAN it will be Amelia and Nefret though! I really like David but now he's brooding like Ramses. Annoying boys! It was nice to see some human emotion from Ramses once in awhile in this book- assuming blinking a few times when he learns of Amelia's fate means he's trying not to cry from relief. Or perhaps he was just astonished!
I wish the Emersons would go to Sakaara as there are some TV programs (and a Netflix documentary) about modern archeological excavations there. The recent finds are too late in Egyptian history for Emerson's interest though so I don't know if he would have been happy there.
Mom didn't enjoy this book as some of the others so she still wants to keep going. If it keeps raining I'll probably end up rereading the books too after she's done or at the same time if I can get the e-book.
December 7, 2010
Very entertaining. I'm enjoying the later books in this series even more than the earlier ones. I am entirely amused by the teen-aged Ramses, now sometimes addressed as "Mr. Emerson" and sometimes dressed in the height of fashion for an Edwardian English gentleman. But mostly he is in Egypt with his parents and his adopted sister and cousin, excavating ancient Egyptian tombs and investigating murders.
Amelia Peabody is still deservedly the star of the story, but I think the scenes that are written from the point of view of the "children" add a nice dimension. I enjoy the way Ramses thoroughly understands his parents.
Amelia Peabody is still deservedly the star of the story, but I think the scenes that are written from the point of view of the "children" add a nice dimension. I enjoy the way Ramses thoroughly understands his parents.
April 19, 2019
April 2019: on audio, read by Samantha Eggar. This is the first Amelia Peabody where I cried, and I cry every time. There is so much absurdity in this one too, from the hijacking of the votes for women movement by antiquities thieves onward. Magnificent.
June 2017: It is odd to be reading this one amid the later Amelia Peabodys (Peabodies?) but gosh is this one good! The cast is perfect, the mystery is sharp, and outside of The Falcon at the Portal there's not another Peters book with as believable strong emotion.
I'm feeling the need to read them all again, maybe in chronological-to-the-Emersons order, or maybe in published order so I can be startled at how a genre author developed her style...or just at random as I have been since I really ought to know the story arc anyway by now.
June 2017: It is odd to be reading this one amid the later Amelia Peabodys (Peabodies?) but gosh is this one good! The cast is perfect, the mystery is sharp, and outside of The Falcon at the Portal there's not another Peters book with as believable strong emotion.
I'm feeling the need to read them all again, maybe in chronological-to-the-Emersons order, or maybe in published order so I can be startled at how a genre author developed her style...or just at random as I have been since I really ought to know the story arc anyway by now.
August 18, 2018
This story was different than the previous books because of the bad guys this time around.
I love listening to the audiobooks so much!
I loved the author and the narrator discussion at the end of the audiobook. What a treat!
Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
I love listening to the audiobooks so much!
I loved the author and the narrator discussion at the end of the audiobook. What a treat!
Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
August 21, 2017
I bought this at a recent book fair as it was one I had not read. I really enjoyed this series years ago. I liked that this author was grounded in everything Egypt with a firm foundation at Univ of Chicago; I liked the family dynamics and witty dialogue; I liked Amelia's ever-present tool belt, her intelligence and determination mixed with dedication; I enjoyed the archaeological info and adventures as well as the many imprisonments/kidnappings of this crazy pair of Emerson and his wife.
This one finds Ramses (Amelia's son) as 6-foot young man plus top hat outside a certain Downing St address where lady suffragettes have asked him to help with constable management when his mother arrives with her chains and parasol ready to be chained to iron fencing. It works out quite differently from what the suffragettes had anticipated as a disguised gang breaks into the house to steal the prime minister's collection of Egyptian artifacts.
And that's just the first few pages.
Villains and friends from old make their appearances and it was pleasant to drop in on old friends, but the immediacy of the series is a lost thing for me.
This one finds Ramses (Amelia's son) as 6-foot young man plus top hat outside a certain Downing St address where lady suffragettes have asked him to help with constable management when his mother arrives with her chains and parasol ready to be chained to iron fencing. It works out quite differently from what the suffragettes had anticipated as a disguised gang breaks into the house to steal the prime minister's collection of Egyptian artifacts.
And that's just the first few pages.
Villains and friends from old make their appearances and it was pleasant to drop in on old friends, but the immediacy of the series is a lost thing for me.
May 1, 2007
If you've never read Elizabeth Peters, you should begin with the first in this series (Crocodile in the Sandbank) and work your way up as this is one of the later novels. Amelia Peabody Emerson is a fantastically stereotypical Victorian heroine- snappy, sharp, and utterly convinced of her own take of the world. Set in turn of the 19th/20th Century Egypt against the backdrop of the heyday of the great ancient Egyptian discoveries by the likes of Carter and his cohorts, these books are fast paced, fun, and have enough mystery to keep the reader interested all the way through. The escapades of Amelia's hot-tempered and verbally gifted husband, her pharoanically nicknamed son, Ramses, and their extended family and household provide comic relief without being corny or contrived. A great read in an amazing series.
November 17, 2021
I love this MC Amelia Peabody and her family too. Ramses is turning into quite the young man, and Amelia always finds herself in what appears to be an untenable situation, and yet she finds a way out. I just love it and I love the historical Egypt aspect.
May 20, 2018
Elizabeth Peter's Ape in the Balance is the 10th of her Amelia Peabody series. Peabody – as she is mostly called – is both an Egyptologist and a detective, as is the rest of her family. She is both privileged (social class, financially, intellectually) and also concerned with issues of social justice – from the perspective of the times (about 1905). In fact, this concern with social justice and the rights of women is one of the factors contributing to the book's received its name:
I adored the bantering in the first 40 or so pages:
Even more tiresome, other characters are also drawn dichotomously: foolish or wise and compassionate. I didn't feel like I learned more about the people, archaeology, or Egypt, where this book and series are largely set. In fact, most people outside the family were only sketched.
The mystery itself was interesting, but not interesting enough. The relationships are interesting, but I wanted to take Peabody's and Emerson's adult children aside to inform each of the other's interest. (Their one blindspot.)
In sum, a good read, but after its early promise, was disappointing.
I adored the bantering in the first 40 or so pages:
“I suspect, however, that what puts her off is the fact that your father is inclined to call me Amelia only when he is vexed with me. He generally uses my maiden name as a term of commendation and— er— affection. Now, Emerson, don’t glare at me, you know it is true; I have seen the poor child start convulsively when you bellow ‘Curse it, Amelia!’ in that tone of voice.” (p. 27)After that, both the book and the banter tiresome. This is a handsome, talented, courageous, intelligent family who make some mistakes, but very few of these. The Greek and Roman gods made more.
Even more tiresome, other characters are also drawn dichotomously: foolish or wise and compassionate. I didn't feel like I learned more about the people, archaeology, or Egypt, where this book and series are largely set. In fact, most people outside the family were only sketched.
The mystery itself was interesting, but not interesting enough. The relationships are interesting, but I wanted to take Peabody's and Emerson's adult children aside to inform each of the other's interest. (Their one blindspot.)
In sum, a good read, but after its early promise, was disappointing.
November 1, 2025
The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters is the 10th book in the Amelia Peabody Mystery series. Amelia Peabody is attending a suffragettes's rally outside a home when it is found that valuable Egyptian antiquities are stolen from it, with further attacks following the Emersons on their return to Egypt. Another brilliant and exciting addition to the series where again the book is split into writings from Peabody, Ramses and Nefret. I love the affection and care shown between the family members for each other and their close friends. It is interesting learning about ancient Egyptians and their beliefs and it is nicely interwoven into the mystery. A captivating and enthralling mystery.
July 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this. The landmarks and the character interactions were reminiscent of Agatha Christie and the Mrs. Pollifax series. I enjoy mysteries, Ancient Egypt and archeology, so this was a definite win. I will read more of this series featuring the family and friends of the plucky Amelia Peabody.
December 19, 2021
Just finished an audio re-read of this. As part of the "dark" internal series, I have avoided re-reading this for years. I am so glad I finally read it again. First, the audio version is fantastic, but more importantly, the story is just wonderful. Yes, there are definitely sad -- very sad -- moments. But there is so much growth in all the characters. I love how Ramses, Nefret, and David are coming into their own.
Okay, it's a mystery, and there are numerous mysteries, and they're rather more complicated in the earlier books in the series. But for me, the series is all about the characters, and I love where they are at the end of this book. On to the next in the series.
NOTE: Finished another re-listen on 06/22/19. Still love this and definitely give it an A, but definitely much sadness. On to Falcon at the Portal, before I can tackle the glory of He Shall Thunder in the Sky (yes, I skip Guardian of the Horizon in my re-read order because it was written much after both Falcon and Thunder).
NOTE: Finished another re-listen on 08/19/19. Agree with everything written above.
NOTE: Finished another re-listen on 12/19/21. Still love this one. I think what helps is that while there's quite a bit of sadness, we have a few chapters after the very, very bad things happen that foreshadow later books. Going to do something different this time and instead of moving on to the next in the "dark internal trilogy," am going to listen to Guardian at the Horizon, which follows this one in time, but was written years after the original internal trilogy.
Okay, it's a mystery, and there are numerous mysteries, and they're rather more complicated in the earlier books in the series. But for me, the series is all about the characters, and I love where they are at the end of this book. On to the next in the series.
NOTE: Finished another re-listen on 06/22/19. Still love this and definitely give it an A, but definitely much sadness. On to Falcon at the Portal, before I can tackle the glory of He Shall Thunder in the Sky (yes, I skip Guardian of the Horizon in my re-read order because it was written much after both Falcon and Thunder).
NOTE: Finished another re-listen on 08/19/19. Agree with everything written above.
NOTE: Finished another re-listen on 12/19/21. Still love this one. I think what helps is that while there's quite a bit of sadness, we have a few chapters after the very, very bad things happen that foreshadow later books. Going to do something different this time and instead of moving on to the next in the "dark internal trilogy," am going to listen to Guardian at the Horizon, which follows this one in time, but was written years after the original internal trilogy.
April 19, 2016
This series is so silly and so completely ridiculous, and I love everything about it. Amelia is such an oblivious and endearing character so much of the time, and it's so great to see all the different ways in which she can claim she 100% knew exactly what was happening the whole time.
This one is great because:
a) it features the return of Sethos, and he cracks me up.
b) I love Manuscript H. Like, a lot. It's hands down my favourite thing about the series.
c)
d)
e) cat ridiculousness.
Essentially, this was thoroughly enjoyable and full of hilarious moments, and I loved everything about it. Except for that one spoiler, obviously...
This one is great because:
a) it features the return of Sethos, and he cracks me up.
b) I love Manuscript H. Like, a lot. It's hands down my favourite thing about the series.
c)
d)
e) cat ridiculousness.
Essentially, this was thoroughly enjoyable and full of hilarious moments, and I loved everything about it. Except for that one spoiler, obviously...
September 21, 2013
Dear Barbara Mertz:
Thank you for Amelia Peabody and all her hangers' on. You'll be missed.
Thank you for Amelia Peabody and all her hangers' on. You'll be missed.
November 5, 2024
Tenth in the Amelia Peabody amateur sleuth in an historical mystery series revolving around a feminist archeologist in 1906/7 Egypt.
In 1998, The Ape Who Guards the Balance was nominated for the Agatha Award for Best Novel.
My Take
Oh, man, talk about melodrama! And a false one at that, for Percy is writing tales of his bravery, roflmao.
Peters combines first person protagonist point-of-view from Peabody's perspective as the primary POV and third person protagonist points-of-view from Ramses' and Nefret's perspectives, providing us with their sides of the story.
Emerson is a crack-up. Yes, he is brilliant in archeology and passionate about the knowledge rather than the grave goods, although he's not averse to any objects that are found. He's also renowned for the temper he claims he doesn't have, lol. Yeah, I know Emerson can be a pain, but he is known for his honesty, and I cannot believe Davis' actions!!!
Peabody is another great character with her knowing-all attitude, her description of her and Emerson's nightly activities as well as how she manipulates everyone around her, and her holding forth on her "great" knowledge of psychology and yet missing some very obvious relationship issues. She despises in others what she herself does, and those familiar with her either laugh silently, roll their eyes, and accept.
Ramses, David, and Nefret are the three musketeers with Nefret insisting that what they can do, so can she. A little blackmail. I must say Ramses is my favorite character. Intelligent, charming, considerate with a passion for adventure, including disguises. He does follow his parents in acceptance of people no matter their nationality or social circumstances. As for his ability with language . . . I am so envious!
Sethos is another fabulous character, who also knows all. And usually does, lol. He has promised not to harm Amelia or any of her family, so that notice that gets into the paper apologizing was an absolute crack-up.
Ooh, Evelyn Emerson is growing in strength — Peabody notes that she has learned to stand up to both Emersons! I do like that Fatima! She's determined to improve herself. And it gives Katherine an excellent idea! Do keep in mind that women are restricted in doing any number of things, and I loved it when both Nefret and Layla make a point about the hypocrisy of men when their rules force women into a very few occupations, and then punish them for it.
Oh, boy. Oh. Boy. Lia has a confession to make, and Walter and Evelyn's reaction to it certainly shows up their hypocrisy! As for Amelia's reaction . . . hooey.
Oy! Ramses, David, and Nefret whine on about how their parents keep them in the dark to protect them. It's a bit hypocritical, as Peabody and Emerson have no problem with plunging into action. Whoa, Ramses' series arc picks up when he confesses his feelings and reasons to David.
It's the usual fun and games of all those strong personalities pursuing mysteries, cursing archeological incompetence, and the complex human interactions...that Sir Edward..!
Don't worry about the place names in Luxor. They are confusing, and I pay no attention to them. The real story is in the characters and their reactions and actions, as we're exposed to family and friend interactions colored by Edwardian-era Egypt.
Better danger than boredom, as Peabody says.
The Story
The suffragettes' rally in London was quite exciting, and that will have to suffice for Amelia Peabody when the Emersons head to Egypt, for the season promises to be quite dull. After all, Emerson's behavior has found them banned from the more exciting digs to examining only the most boring tombs in the Valley of Kings.
But then a murdered body is found and Ramses and David acquire a copy of "The Book of the Dead". An ominous premonition that leads to kidnappings and murders!
The Characters
Amelia Peabody Emerson, a.k.a. Sitt Hakim, is an insufferable woman with a heart of gold who knows all. Her most recent hobby is translating Egyptian fairy tales. She's married to Professor Radcliffe Emerson, a.k.a. the Father of Curses (Abu Shitaim), who is passionate about knowledge through excavation. The hideously precocious Walter "Ramses", a.k.a. Brother of Demons, is their nineteen-year-old son with an intense interest in philology. The twenty-one-year-old David Todros, Abdullah's grandson, is his best friend and blood brother with great artistic talent. Nefret Forth, a.k.a. Nur Misur, is the teen they rescued in The Last Camel Died at Noon , 6; she is of age and in control of her fortune, studying medicine at the University of London and other places. The snarling Horus (who has adopted Nefret) is the only cat they bring with them to Egypt, for Anubis is getting old.
Their home, Amarna House, in Kent, England, is staffed by Gargery, their fascinated butler; Rose is the maid; and, Bob, Jerry, and John are footmen.
Professor Walter Emerson, an eminent philologist, is married to Evelyn who has a professional reputation for her own work ( Crocodile on the Sandbank , 1), and their children include the seventeen-year-old Amelia, a.k.a. Melia or "Lia" wants to come to Egypt with her aunt and uncle. Chalfont House is their city mansion where Peabody and Emerson are always welcome to stay. Mrs Watson is the housekeeper. Chalfont Castle is their country estate in Yorkshire.
Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women's Social and Political Union along with her two daughters, Sylvia and Christabel Pankhurst. Geoffrey Romer is a representative in the House of Commons and vehemently opposed to women's rights. Mrs Markham is an old friend of Romer's. Kevin O'Connell is a star reporter with the Daily Yell and sometimes a friend of the Emersons, if he's not angling for a story.
Sir Reginald Arbuthnot is the assistant commissioner of Scotland Yard. Constables Jenkins, Murdle, and Skuggins are known to Ramses.
Cairo
The Amelia is the Emersons' dahabeeyah with Hassan as its reis. Fatima is Abdullah's daughter-in-law, the widow of his son Feisal who had died last year. She's determined to be independent and will take over the housekeeping of the dahabeeyah. She's also continuing to take classes. Mohammed is part of the crew.
Cyrus Vandergelt is a wealthy American who is passionate about archeology and a great friend of the Emersons. He's married to Katherine "Cat", a former medium ( Seeing a Large Cat , 9). She has two children, Bertie and Anna. The Valley of the Kings is his dahabeeyah. Sekhmet is now the Vandergelts' cat; she prefers living at the Castle than with the Emersons, lol ( Seeing a Large Cat ). Queenie is Cyrus' favorite horse. Willy Amherst had been Cyrus' assistant in The Hippopotamus Pool , 8.
Ali the Rat is one of Ramses' alter egos while Achmet is one of David's. The Fish Market is infamous for the items for sale at all hours. Kyticas and Yussuf Mahmud, who is offering The Book of the Dead for sale, are dealers in illegal antiquities. Shepheard's is Peabody's favorite hotel and is owned by M. Baehler.
M. Maspero is the director of the Service des Anitquités, a department of the museum that controls Egyptian artifacts and deals out firmans. Arthur Weigall is the inspector for Upper Egypt and a wimp; Hortense is his wife. Part of a couple, Mr Smith is a painter and copyist staying with Weigall. Harold Jones is another painter. Archeologists of whom Emerson disapproves include Theodore Davis who has the concession in the Valley of Kings — and claims he's found Queen Tiyi's tomb (the daughter of Yuya and Thuya, Tiyi had been the chief wife of Amenhotep III. Tiyi's son had been Khuenaten, a.k.a. Akhenaton); Mrs Andrews is Davis' cousin and accompanies him everywhere; Quibell had done the excavation for Davis until Edward "Ned" Ayrton took over; Naville; Mr Currelly; M. Lacau; and, the Reverend Mr Sayce. Mr Paul is a photographer Davis insists on using.
Those whom Emerson finds acceptable include Howard Carter, the American Reisner, and Mr Breasted of Chicago who is a linguist.
Thebes / Luxor
Abdullah ibn Hassan al Wahhab is their friend and reis of the excavation team. Selim is his youngest son; Daoud is his nephew (Kadija is Daoud's strong wife whose green ointment we're exposed to; Mustafa is their second son); Ibrahim is the carpenter; Hussein; and, Mohammed. Tetisheri is the goat Nefret rescued last year. Risha and Asfur are Ramses' and David's Arabians, gifts from Sheikh Mohammed ( Seeing a Large Cat ). The horses became parents last year, Moonlight, who will be Nefret's. Raschid is the son of Abdullah's cousin Mohammed. Sayid is the Emersons' gatekeeper.
This is the first I've heard of the Foundation for the Exploration and Preservation of Egyptian Antiquities, funded by Nefret and with the family part of the board.
Sir Edward Washington shows up again, after six years ( The Hippopotamus Pool , 8) when he had done photography for Emerson, and he is still interested in Nefret. This time, he has a small inheritance but wants to be of use.
Sethos is a Master Criminal specializing in Egyptian artifacts . . . and he's in love with Peabody. Madame Bertha is/had been Sethos' mistress as well as Vincey's ( The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog , 7). Matilda is Bertha's bodyguard and lieutenant. Gurnah is a village on the West Bank that is notorious for its tomb robbers, including the Abd er Rassuls. Abd el Hamed had been a brilliant forger who had taught David. Layla had been Hamed's third wife and is back to prostitution. The House of Doves is a brothel. Mohassib is the most respected of the antiquities dealers. Ali Yussuf had originally been missing the first two joints of the third finger of his left hand.
Ramses read classics with Professor Wilson for a term at Oxford. That suck-up Percy and Violet Peabody are Ramses' vicious cousins whom we met in The Deeds of the Disturber , 5. Some of Ramses' girlfriends include Miss Verinder. Mrs Marija Stephenson loves cats, including her own Astrolabe. Madame Hashim provides classes for whoever is interested. Miss Buchanan is the head of the American School for Girls. Miss Whiteside of Boston is Buchanan's companion; both are more interested in God than Emerson likes. Sayyida Amin is another teacher. Mrs Louisa Ferncliffe is a rude nouveau riche snob! Mustafa Karim has a daughter who can read and write. The Winter Palace is one of the hotels in Luxor.
The Cover and Title
The cover is red! It's a red background with some texturing at the bottom to suggest eddies of sand. At the top are two irregular yellow triangles on either side with deep, deep red shadows providing a sense of depth for the pyramids. At the very top is an info blurb in white with the author's name immediately below it, also in white. The remaining two-thirds of the cover include a dark pyramidal inset with the bronze statue of a baboon sitting on a tray-like scale on the left with a heart between his feet. On the right, is the title in the same bronze with black shadowing and black horizontal rules between each word. Below these is a testimonial in white.
The title references Thoth, the recorder of the deities, master of knowledge, and patron of scribes, who is frequently represented as a baboon or The Ape Who Guards the Balance.
In 1998, The Ape Who Guards the Balance was nominated for the Agatha Award for Best Novel.
My Take
Oh, man, talk about melodrama! And a false one at that, for Percy is writing tales of his bravery, roflmao.
The following sums up Peabody, lol . . .How unexpected . . . a tale that complains about a government making promises and not fulfilling them. Yeah, sarcasm runs amuck.
"I am hoping to be thrown into the Black Maria and perhaps handcuffed."
"Gargery remarked, 'I'd like to see the chap who could do it.'"
"'So would I,' said my husband."
Peters combines first person protagonist point-of-view from Peabody's perspective as the primary POV and third person protagonist points-of-view from Ramses' and Nefret's perspectives, providing us with their sides of the story.
Emerson is a crack-up. Yes, he is brilliant in archeology and passionate about the knowledge rather than the grave goods, although he's not averse to any objects that are found. He's also renowned for the temper he claims he doesn't have, lol. Yeah, I know Emerson can be a pain, but he is known for his honesty, and I cannot believe Davis' actions!!!
Peabody is another great character with her knowing-all attitude, her description of her and Emerson's nightly activities as well as how she manipulates everyone around her, and her holding forth on her "great" knowledge of psychology and yet missing some very obvious relationship issues. She despises in others what she herself does, and those familiar with her either laugh silently, roll their eyes, and accept.
Ramses, David, and Nefret are the three musketeers with Nefret insisting that what they can do, so can she. A little blackmail. I must say Ramses is my favorite character. Intelligent, charming, considerate with a passion for adventure, including disguises. He does follow his parents in acceptance of people no matter their nationality or social circumstances. As for his ability with language . . . I am so envious!
Sethos is another fabulous character, who also knows all. And usually does, lol. He has promised not to harm Amelia or any of her family, so that notice that gets into the paper apologizing was an absolute crack-up.
Ooh, Evelyn Emerson is growing in strength — Peabody notes that she has learned to stand up to both Emersons! I do like that Fatima! She's determined to improve herself. And it gives Katherine an excellent idea! Do keep in mind that women are restricted in doing any number of things, and I loved it when both Nefret and Layla make a point about the hypocrisy of men when their rules force women into a very few occupations, and then punish them for it.
"I do not allow Miss forth to do a good many things, Sir Edward. She does them anyhow."I do love the relationships amongst the Emersons and with their friends in Egypt. They go their own way no matter how deplorable other Europeans find their fraternization with their Arab friends. Emerson's attitude about other archeologists and his rambunctiousness and stubbornness to adhere to his standards does cause him some major problems with museum authorities.
Oh, boy. Oh. Boy. Lia has a confession to make, and Walter and Evelyn's reaction to it certainly shows up their hypocrisy! As for Amelia's reaction . . . hooey.
Oy! Ramses, David, and Nefret whine on about how their parents keep them in the dark to protect them. It's a bit hypocritical, as Peabody and Emerson have no problem with plunging into action. Whoa, Ramses' series arc picks up when he confesses his feelings and reasons to David.
It's the usual fun and games of all those strong personalities pursuing mysteries, cursing archeological incompetence, and the complex human interactions...that Sir Edward..!
Don't worry about the place names in Luxor. They are confusing, and I pay no attention to them. The real story is in the characters and their reactions and actions, as we're exposed to family and friend interactions colored by Edwardian-era Egypt.
Better danger than boredom, as Peabody says.
The Story
The suffragettes' rally in London was quite exciting, and that will have to suffice for Amelia Peabody when the Emersons head to Egypt, for the season promises to be quite dull. After all, Emerson's behavior has found them banned from the more exciting digs to examining only the most boring tombs in the Valley of Kings.
But then a murdered body is found and Ramses and David acquire a copy of "The Book of the Dead". An ominous premonition that leads to kidnappings and murders!
The Characters
Amelia Peabody Emerson, a.k.a. Sitt Hakim, is an insufferable woman with a heart of gold who knows all. Her most recent hobby is translating Egyptian fairy tales. She's married to Professor Radcliffe Emerson, a.k.a. the Father of Curses (Abu Shitaim), who is passionate about knowledge through excavation. The hideously precocious Walter "Ramses", a.k.a. Brother of Demons, is their nineteen-year-old son with an intense interest in philology. The twenty-one-year-old David Todros, Abdullah's grandson, is his best friend and blood brother with great artistic talent. Nefret Forth, a.k.a. Nur Misur, is the teen they rescued in The Last Camel Died at Noon , 6; she is of age and in control of her fortune, studying medicine at the University of London and other places. The snarling Horus (who has adopted Nefret) is the only cat they bring with them to Egypt, for Anubis is getting old.
Their home, Amarna House, in Kent, England, is staffed by Gargery, their fascinated butler; Rose is the maid; and, Bob, Jerry, and John are footmen.
Professor Walter Emerson, an eminent philologist, is married to Evelyn who has a professional reputation for her own work ( Crocodile on the Sandbank , 1), and their children include the seventeen-year-old Amelia, a.k.a. Melia or "Lia" wants to come to Egypt with her aunt and uncle. Chalfont House is their city mansion where Peabody and Emerson are always welcome to stay. Mrs Watson is the housekeeper. Chalfont Castle is their country estate in Yorkshire.
Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women's Social and Political Union along with her two daughters, Sylvia and Christabel Pankhurst. Geoffrey Romer is a representative in the House of Commons and vehemently opposed to women's rights. Mrs Markham is an old friend of Romer's. Kevin O'Connell is a star reporter with the Daily Yell and sometimes a friend of the Emersons, if he's not angling for a story.
Sir Reginald Arbuthnot is the assistant commissioner of Scotland Yard. Constables Jenkins, Murdle, and Skuggins are known to Ramses.
Cairo
The Amelia is the Emersons' dahabeeyah with Hassan as its reis. Fatima is Abdullah's daughter-in-law, the widow of his son Feisal who had died last year. She's determined to be independent and will take over the housekeeping of the dahabeeyah. She's also continuing to take classes. Mohammed is part of the crew.
Cyrus Vandergelt is a wealthy American who is passionate about archeology and a great friend of the Emersons. He's married to Katherine "Cat", a former medium ( Seeing a Large Cat , 9). She has two children, Bertie and Anna. The Valley of the Kings is his dahabeeyah. Sekhmet is now the Vandergelts' cat; she prefers living at the Castle than with the Emersons, lol ( Seeing a Large Cat ). Queenie is Cyrus' favorite horse. Willy Amherst had been Cyrus' assistant in The Hippopotamus Pool , 8.
Ali the Rat is one of Ramses' alter egos while Achmet is one of David's. The Fish Market is infamous for the items for sale at all hours. Kyticas and Yussuf Mahmud, who is offering The Book of the Dead for sale, are dealers in illegal antiquities. Shepheard's is Peabody's favorite hotel and is owned by M. Baehler.
M. Maspero is the director of the Service des Anitquités, a department of the museum that controls Egyptian artifacts and deals out firmans. Arthur Weigall is the inspector for Upper Egypt and a wimp; Hortense is his wife. Part of a couple, Mr Smith is a painter and copyist staying with Weigall. Harold Jones is another painter. Archeologists of whom Emerson disapproves include Theodore Davis who has the concession in the Valley of Kings — and claims he's found Queen Tiyi's tomb (the daughter of Yuya and Thuya, Tiyi had been the chief wife of Amenhotep III. Tiyi's son had been Khuenaten, a.k.a. Akhenaton); Mrs Andrews is Davis' cousin and accompanies him everywhere; Quibell had done the excavation for Davis until Edward "Ned" Ayrton took over; Naville; Mr Currelly; M. Lacau; and, the Reverend Mr Sayce. Mr Paul is a photographer Davis insists on using.
Those whom Emerson finds acceptable include Howard Carter, the American Reisner, and Mr Breasted of Chicago who is a linguist.
Thebes / Luxor
Abdullah ibn Hassan al Wahhab is their friend and reis of the excavation team. Selim is his youngest son; Daoud is his nephew (Kadija is Daoud's strong wife whose green ointment we're exposed to; Mustafa is their second son); Ibrahim is the carpenter; Hussein; and, Mohammed. Tetisheri is the goat Nefret rescued last year. Risha and Asfur are Ramses' and David's Arabians, gifts from Sheikh Mohammed ( Seeing a Large Cat ). The horses became parents last year, Moonlight, who will be Nefret's. Raschid is the son of Abdullah's cousin Mohammed. Sayid is the Emersons' gatekeeper.
This is the first I've heard of the Foundation for the Exploration and Preservation of Egyptian Antiquities, funded by Nefret and with the family part of the board.
Sir Edward Washington shows up again, after six years ( The Hippopotamus Pool , 8) when he had done photography for Emerson, and he is still interested in Nefret. This time, he has a small inheritance but wants to be of use.
Sethos is a Master Criminal specializing in Egyptian artifacts . . . and he's in love with Peabody. Madame Bertha is/had been Sethos' mistress as well as Vincey's ( The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog , 7). Matilda is Bertha's bodyguard and lieutenant. Gurnah is a village on the West Bank that is notorious for its tomb robbers, including the Abd er Rassuls. Abd el Hamed had been a brilliant forger who had taught David. Layla had been Hamed's third wife and is back to prostitution. The House of Doves is a brothel. Mohassib is the most respected of the antiquities dealers. Ali Yussuf had originally been missing the first two joints of the third finger of his left hand.
Ramses read classics with Professor Wilson for a term at Oxford. That suck-up Percy and Violet Peabody are Ramses' vicious cousins whom we met in The Deeds of the Disturber , 5. Some of Ramses' girlfriends include Miss Verinder. Mrs Marija Stephenson loves cats, including her own Astrolabe. Madame Hashim provides classes for whoever is interested. Miss Buchanan is the head of the American School for Girls. Miss Whiteside of Boston is Buchanan's companion; both are more interested in God than Emerson likes. Sayyida Amin is another teacher. Mrs Louisa Ferncliffe is a rude nouveau riche snob! Mustafa Karim has a daughter who can read and write. The Winter Palace is one of the hotels in Luxor.
The Cover and Title
The cover is red! It's a red background with some texturing at the bottom to suggest eddies of sand. At the top are two irregular yellow triangles on either side with deep, deep red shadows providing a sense of depth for the pyramids. At the very top is an info blurb in white with the author's name immediately below it, also in white. The remaining two-thirds of the cover include a dark pyramidal inset with the bronze statue of a baboon sitting on a tray-like scale on the left with a heart between his feet. On the right, is the title in the same bronze with black shadowing and black horizontal rules between each word. Below these is a testimonial in white.
The title references Thoth, the recorder of the deities, master of knowledge, and patron of scribes, who is frequently represented as a baboon or The Ape Who Guards the Balance.
March 13, 2020
Very good (this one has quite a bit about the female suffrage movement) and very moving. I feel like most Amelia Peabody books can be read out of order but you're really going to miss out on the awesome family dynamics she creates here if you do. This book wouldn't be the same without the group Amelia has got - Emerson, Ramses, Nefret, David, Abdullah. The ending is really touching as she realises that she's found the family she never had. Most of the time, these books are business as usual but this was special.
August 14, 2017
What a dramatic book! My, my. Even if you don't get the chance to read every single Amelia Peabody book, you should definitely READ THIS ONE. For some of the characters, it's a bit life-changing...
"Why can't you and Emerson have a single season of excavation without becoming involved with desperate criminals?"
...Good question, Evelyn. Excellent question. But one that we readers don't wish actually answered.
Amelia Peabody is a female Sherlock Holmes. This lady is so good at detect clues, it's crazy. One particular speech of hers (around page 30) resounded with such Holmesian logic that it was just so good.
SPOILER! There's a death, one that hits close to the family, and will resonate with fans of the series too. I myself found it a bit shocking.
Don't miss this book!
Best recommended for adult readers.
"Why can't you and Emerson have a single season of excavation without becoming involved with desperate criminals?"
...Good question, Evelyn. Excellent question. But one that we readers don't wish actually answered.
Amelia Peabody is a female Sherlock Holmes. This lady is so good at detect clues, it's crazy. One particular speech of hers (around page 30) resounded with such Holmesian logic that it was just so good.
SPOILER! There's a death, one that hits close to the family, and will resonate with fans of the series too. I myself found it a bit shocking.
Don't miss this book!
Best recommended for adult readers.
June 8, 2023
Brilliant as always ,I love Amelia Peabody books
February 1, 2013
Another excellent visit with the Emerson-Peabody family! I adore these characters, and the adventures they always get immersed in!
In this outing, the family, now including not only Ramses, but Nefret and David, are back in Egypt for the new season. While they expect a dull season, since Emerson's offending everyone "official" in the excavation game has led to his being given the most boring tombs in the Valley to excavate, as usual with the Emersons, dull is not to be.
Not only do Ramses, Nefret and David purchase a rare papyrus of the Book of the Dead, which it seems someone is willing to kill to retrieve, but Sethos is once again plaguing Emerson by pursuing Amelia.
The best thing about this series is how natural and enjoyable the evolution of the characters is - both main and secondary - as the family grows and changes, and the events of life season them. Elizabeth Peters is masterful at fleshing out a character and making you feel like you know them personally.
As always, the family members manage to get themselves into all manner of scrapes and dangerous situations. Ramses has always followed in the footsteps of his parents in this area, and now it seems Nefret plans to do the same, as she has some exciting experiences in this outing. The younger generation come into their own in this book as intrepid adventurerers extraordinare every bit as accomplished as Emerson and Amelia.
I cannot get enough of the Emerson-Peabodys and love each new chapter in their lives more than the last. Great reads!
In this outing, the family, now including not only Ramses, but Nefret and David, are back in Egypt for the new season. While they expect a dull season, since Emerson's offending everyone "official" in the excavation game has led to his being given the most boring tombs in the Valley to excavate, as usual with the Emersons, dull is not to be.
Not only do Ramses, Nefret and David purchase a rare papyrus of the Book of the Dead, which it seems someone is willing to kill to retrieve, but Sethos is once again plaguing Emerson by pursuing Amelia.
The best thing about this series is how natural and enjoyable the evolution of the characters is - both main and secondary - as the family grows and changes, and the events of life season them. Elizabeth Peters is masterful at fleshing out a character and making you feel like you know them personally.
As always, the family members manage to get themselves into all manner of scrapes and dangerous situations. Ramses has always followed in the footsteps of his parents in this area, and now it seems Nefret plans to do the same, as she has some exciting experiences in this outing. The younger generation come into their own in this book as intrepid adventurerers extraordinare every bit as accomplished as Emerson and Amelia.
I cannot get enough of the Emerson-Peabodys and love each new chapter in their lives more than the last. Great reads!
October 27, 2021
This is the tenth book in the Amelia Peabody historical mystery series. The entire family, including Amelia, her husband Professor Emerson, their son Ramses, and adopted daughter Nefret, are preparing to return to Egypt. They have had some bad luck trying to secure a choice excavation site in the Valley of the Kings, primarily due to Emerson's combative nature. Nevertheless, Amelia is determined to be back in her beloved Egypt.
Once they arrive, the three youngest members of the team, Ramses, Nefret, and Ramses best friend, David, disguise themselves and head into one of the most dangerous parts of Cairo. They purchase a copy of The Book of the Dead, an ancient collection of prayers and spells that will help guide the deceased through the underworld. The mystery surrounding this book will soon find Amelia dealing with the usual assortment of criminals and grave robbers.
I found this book to be enjoyable, but not quite as good as the previous books in the series. Most of the action was done by the three younger characters, but I did enjoy seeing Ramses, Nefret and David becoming more important parts of the story. I particularly found the parts dealing with the Emerson's realization of their prejudice to be quite interesting and well done. I enjoyed the audio version of the series, narrated by Barbara Rosenblat, and will continue to check in periodically on the Emerson clan.
Once they arrive, the three youngest members of the team, Ramses, Nefret, and Ramses best friend, David, disguise themselves and head into one of the most dangerous parts of Cairo. They purchase a copy of The Book of the Dead, an ancient collection of prayers and spells that will help guide the deceased through the underworld. The mystery surrounding this book will soon find Amelia dealing with the usual assortment of criminals and grave robbers.
I found this book to be enjoyable, but not quite as good as the previous books in the series. Most of the action was done by the three younger characters, but I did enjoy seeing Ramses, Nefret and David becoming more important parts of the story. I particularly found the parts dealing with the Emerson's realization of their prejudice to be quite interesting and well done. I enjoyed the audio version of the series, narrated by Barbara Rosenblat, and will continue to check in periodically on the Emerson clan.
June 27, 2019
A wall at one's back prevents antagonistic individuals from creeping up on one, but it also prevents one from eluding such individuals when they are standing directly in front of one.
Narrated by spunky Amelia Peabody, with excerpts from Manuscript H (by Ramses) and Letter Collection B (by Nefret), and filled with forebodings that Sethos is back in the game, this novel is great fun. Amelia believes that her "detectival" talents and keen intuition (or what Emerson calls her "rampageous imagination") can penetrate everyone's thoughts and motives and unravel any mystery. So it's quite amusing to learn from the accounts of Ramses and Nefret that Amelia really has no clue about what's going on right under her nose.
At the end of the book, there are a couple of serious events which force Amelia to confront her own prejudices (of course, she has always thought herself free from all bias). It's quite endearing and beautifully written.
I listened to the audio book, narrated by the brilliant Barbara Rosenblat.
September 30, 2015
Another in this wonderful series of mysteries mainly in Egypt. This mystery saw the return of some old adversaries and also drew on a real life event in Egyptology during this season. As with the last book the younger members of the family come to the fore with insertions into Amelia's narrative from Nefret's letters and Ramses' writings about various events.
As with others in the series this was my audiobook-in-the-car for about six weeks and I then read the corresponding pages on my Kindle at the end of the week. As always Rosenblat did a brilliant job of narrating. The audiobook ended with an interview with Peters and Rosenblat, which provided some interesting background information.
As with others in the series this was my audiobook-in-the-car for about six weeks and I then read the corresponding pages on my Kindle at the end of the week. As always Rosenblat did a brilliant job of narrating. The audiobook ended with an interview with Peters and Rosenblat, which provided some interesting background information.
January 1, 2021
This series was one of my favorites growing up, but this book didn’t exactly live up to expectations and it’s far from
the best. Spoilers ahead.
For starters, there’s the ridiculous idea that the villainess only wanted to kill as many people as possible because she was jealous of the heroine. Then there’s the fact that the plot moved wayyy too slowly with people consistently rehashing what little they know and that enormous sections of the novel (the tomb being spoiled?) turned out to have barely anything to do with the main plot.
Good points: I really miss Ramses and Nefret’s will-they-wont-they, I didnt realise just how many books that spanned! Abdullah 😢. David and Lia setting their cross-culture marriage on track. And Emerson being hilarious as usual.
the best. Spoilers ahead.
For starters, there’s the ridiculous idea that the villainess only wanted to kill as many people as possible because she was jealous of the heroine. Then there’s the fact that the plot moved wayyy too slowly with people consistently rehashing what little they know and that enormous sections of the novel (the tomb being spoiled?) turned out to have barely anything to do with the main plot.
Good points: I really miss Ramses and Nefret’s will-they-wont-they, I didnt realise just how many books that spanned! Abdullah 😢. David and Lia setting their cross-culture marriage on track. And Emerson being hilarious as usual.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2023
The tenth installment in the Amelia Peabody series. It's 1907 and the Emerson clan is heading back to Egypt for another season of archeology. This season promises to be very boring, as Emerson is stuck in the already excavated tombs in the Valley of the Kings, but the life of an Emerson is never boring. There is an attempt made to kidnap Amelia, an attempt to harm Nefret, and Ramses and David are abducted. It appears the Master Criminal has returned, but what is he really after? Fans of this series will not be disappointed.
June 25, 2019
Emerson and Peabody once again face danger in Egypt while busy with their archaeological work. Ramses, Nefret, and David are older now and more involved with sleuthing.
February 28, 2024
The Ape Who Guards the Balance
3.5 Stars
After a short sojourn in England during which Amelia witnesses a daring robbery at a suffragette protest and is later the victim of an attempted abduction, the Emersons, including their son, Ramses, their ward, Nefret Worth, and the adopted nephew, David Todros, return to Egypt. Once in Cairo, the intrepid trio, stumble across a rare papyrus and "acquire" it from a dealer in illegal antiquities thereby setting in motion a series of events that bring danger and death to the Emerson's door in Luxor where they are excavating for the season.
Series note: The abundance of recurring characters and references to people and events from previous books necessitate reading this series in order.
This is another entertaining addition to Amelia Peabody's adventures although it is somewhat long-winded in places and could have been ~50 pages shorter.
Peters maintains the narrative style first introduced in Seeing a Large Cat with the majority of the story presented from Amelia's first-person perspective with some chapters depicting Ramses third person POV in"Manuscript H", and others providing Nefret's POV in the form of letters addressed to "my darling". These intertwined perspectives provide both insight into Ramses and Nefret's relationship and clarity to a rather convoluted plot.
Speaking of which, there is, as always, a lot going on, and the reader is forced to follow many twists and turns involving numerous settings, characters and events. The return of one particular character, namely , and the revelation of the identity of their current accomplice are very intriguing and opens new directions for subsequent installments. That said, the actual mystery is quite obvious, and it is easy to guess the culprit and motive as .
The most compelling aspect of these books is, of course, the characterization. Whether it is Emerson's passion for Amelia and archeology (in that order), Amelia's stubborn determination, Ramses increasing interest in or David's compelling secret - each and every one is delightful. The secondary characters, allies and villains alike, are just as well-developed and compelling. One particular twist, however, was quite sad, and will be sorely missed.
In sum, another engaging installment in the ongoing adventures of the Emerson clan. The next book in chronological order is Guardian of the Horizon, which is book 16 in publication order.
3.5 Stars
After a short sojourn in England during which Amelia witnesses a daring robbery at a suffragette protest and is later the victim of an attempted abduction, the Emersons, including their son, Ramses, their ward, Nefret Worth, and the adopted nephew, David Todros, return to Egypt. Once in Cairo, the intrepid trio, stumble across a rare papyrus and "acquire" it from a dealer in illegal antiquities thereby setting in motion a series of events that bring danger and death to the Emerson's door in Luxor where they are excavating for the season.
Series note: The abundance of recurring characters and references to people and events from previous books necessitate reading this series in order.
This is another entertaining addition to Amelia Peabody's adventures although it is somewhat long-winded in places and could have been ~50 pages shorter.
Peters maintains the narrative style first introduced in Seeing a Large Cat with the majority of the story presented from Amelia's first-person perspective with some chapters depicting Ramses third person POV in"Manuscript H", and others providing Nefret's POV in the form of letters addressed to "my darling". These intertwined perspectives provide both insight into Ramses and Nefret's relationship and clarity to a rather convoluted plot.
Speaking of which, there is, as always, a lot going on, and the reader is forced to follow many twists and turns involving numerous settings, characters and events. The return of one particular character, namely , and the revelation of the identity of their current accomplice are very intriguing and opens new directions for subsequent installments. That said, the actual mystery is quite obvious, and it is easy to guess the culprit and motive as .
The most compelling aspect of these books is, of course, the characterization. Whether it is Emerson's passion for Amelia and archeology (in that order), Amelia's stubborn determination, Ramses increasing interest in or David's compelling secret - each and every one is delightful. The secondary characters, allies and villains alike, are just as well-developed and compelling. One particular twist, however, was quite sad, and will be sorely missed.
In sum, another engaging installment in the ongoing adventures of the Emerson clan. The next book in chronological order is Guardian of the Horizon, which is book 16 in publication order.
August 10, 2024
This is one of my favorite historical mystery series, and I'm going to have to start spreading the remaining books out a bit more to make the series last longer :)
I love Amelia and the people around her. Her relationship with Emerson is great, and she knows her kids well, although she's soon going to have to admit that they're growing up. Many of the Egyptians who work with them feel like family too, to the Emerson family and to the reader. They all work well together and take the time to conduct an excavation properly, something that is addressed in this book.
There are several deaths and other puzzles to investigate in this story, with several different theories and bad guys to consider. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something happened to prove that theory wrong. Eventually, I gave up trying to solve it and just followed along as Amelia and the rest uncovered additional clues. I wasn't surprised when the culprit was revealed near the end of the book, something I should probably have figured out before then.
I have most of the rest of this series in my audio library, but I have to decide whether to listen to them in publication order or the chronological order listed on GR's series page. Either way, I can't wait for my next visit with Amelia and the rest.
I love Amelia and the people around her. Her relationship with Emerson is great, and she knows her kids well, although she's soon going to have to admit that they're growing up. Many of the Egyptians who work with them feel like family too, to the Emerson family and to the reader. They all work well together and take the time to conduct an excavation properly, something that is addressed in this book.
There are several deaths and other puzzles to investigate in this story, with several different theories and bad guys to consider. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something happened to prove that theory wrong. Eventually, I gave up trying to solve it and just followed along as Amelia and the rest uncovered additional clues. I wasn't surprised when the culprit was revealed near the end of the book, something I should probably have figured out before then.
I have most of the rest of this series in my audio library, but I have to decide whether to listen to them in publication order or the chronological order listed on GR's series page. Either way, I can't wait for my next visit with Amelia and the rest.
October 5, 2017
I love the self-confident, sometimes self-righteous, always amusing Amelia and her family. I especially love the growth of the "children" as they are called by Amelia and Emerson, although their son and two wards are now adults. Ramses, David, and Nefret are awesome characters and the inclusion of their letters and Ramses' private diary along with Amelia's journal as source material is just delicious, as events are described differently and we get alternate perspectives. These are fun mysteries with recurring characters and villains, but they are more fun as character studies. I thoroughly enjoy Barbara Rosenblat as the reader. Her many voices and her often sardonic take on various characters is sometimes laugh-out-loud. She is a very talented voice actress and makes the characters totally come alive.
May 2, 2020
I am gradually rereading all of the books in The Amelia Peabody series, and they truly fall within the category of comfort reads. This particular book is one of the best. It does have its moments of melodrama but overall it is a great addition to the series. I wonder if Elizabeth Peters cried when she wrote it? Because I cry every time I read it. Pure enjoyment.
March 23, 2022
These books are just like a pair of well loved, well worn, comforting pajamas (to me at least). But also one of the darker books where we first see the death of a major character.
If you get the audiobook narrated by Rosenblatt, the author interview at the end is the cherry on top.
If you get the audiobook narrated by Rosenblatt, the author interview at the end is the cherry on top.
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