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Amelia Peabody #17
Serpent on the Crown
New York Times bestselling master of suspense, Elizabeth Peters, brings an exotic world of adventure, intrigue, and danger to vivid life, in a tale as powerful as ancient Egypt.
The Emersons have returned to the Valley of the Kings in 1922 and Amelia Peabody and her family look forward to delving once more into the age-old mysteries buried in Egypt's ever-shifting sands. But a widow's strange story -- and even stranger request -- is about to plunge them into a storm of secrets, treachery, and murder.
The woman, a well-known author, has come bearing an ill-gotten treasure -- a golden likeness of a forgotten king -- which she claims is cursed. She insists it has taken the life of her husband and unless it is returned to the tomb from which it was stolen, more people will die.
Amelia and her clan resolve to uncover the secrets of the statue's origins, setting off on a trail that twists and turns in directions they never anticipated -- and, perhaps, toward an old nemesis with unscrupulous new designs. But each step toward the truth seems to reveal another peril, suggesting to the intrepid Amelia that the curse is more than mere superstition. And its next victim might well be a beloved family member ... or Amelia Peabody herself.
A novel filled with riveting suspense, pulse-pounding action, and the vibrant life of a fascinating place and time, The Serpent on the Crown is the jewel in the crown of a grand master, the remarkable Elizabeth Peters.
Performed by Barbara Rosenblat
The Emersons have returned to the Valley of the Kings in 1922 and Amelia Peabody and her family look forward to delving once more into the age-old mysteries buried in Egypt's ever-shifting sands. But a widow's strange story -- and even stranger request -- is about to plunge them into a storm of secrets, treachery, and murder.
The woman, a well-known author, has come bearing an ill-gotten treasure -- a golden likeness of a forgotten king -- which she claims is cursed. She insists it has taken the life of her husband and unless it is returned to the tomb from which it was stolen, more people will die.
Amelia and her clan resolve to uncover the secrets of the statue's origins, setting off on a trail that twists and turns in directions they never anticipated -- and, perhaps, toward an old nemesis with unscrupulous new designs. But each step toward the truth seems to reveal another peril, suggesting to the intrepid Amelia that the curse is more than mere superstition. And its next victim might well be a beloved family member ... or Amelia Peabody herself.
A novel filled with riveting suspense, pulse-pounding action, and the vibrant life of a fascinating place and time, The Serpent on the Crown is the jewel in the crown of a grand master, the remarkable Elizabeth Peters.
Performed by Barbara Rosenblat
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First published January 1, 2005
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About the author
Elizabeth Peters
179 books3,303 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 381 reviews
March 3, 2021
Reading these books is like visiting old friends and I must admit I get much more out of the relationships and the dialogues than I do out of the mysteries.
Put it all together though and it is the complete package. Peters is able to conjure up the atmosphere of Egypt in a few phrases, then she adds a whole lot of fascinating archaeological knowledge and a murder or two, and wraps it all up with an extended family of completely charming characters. This is my kind of book.
In The Serpent on the Crown the family is engaged in excavation in the Valley of the
Kings. Not a lot of work is done as a mysterious artefact is found and lost again and people start to disappear and die. Emerson, Amelia, Sethos and Ramses are all their wonderful, amusing selves and consequentially more than 500 pages slipped by in no time.
Totally enjoyable!
Put it all together though and it is the complete package. Peters is able to conjure up the atmosphere of Egypt in a few phrases, then she adds a whole lot of fascinating archaeological knowledge and a murder or two, and wraps it all up with an extended family of completely charming characters. This is my kind of book.
In The Serpent on the Crown the family is engaged in excavation in the Valley of the
Kings. Not a lot of work is done as a mysterious artefact is found and lost again and people start to disappear and die. Emerson, Amelia, Sethos and Ramses are all their wonderful, amusing selves and consequentially more than 500 pages slipped by in no time.
Totally enjoyable!
March 15, 2018
I think my favorite part of this is when Amelia arranges a family meeting with all the chairs lined up in rows and herself behind a desk, and then pretends that it's a totally normal way to have a discussion.
March 12, 2019
It's 1922 and the Emersons are ready to begin another season of excavations. When a Mrs. Petherick arrives breathless at the Emersons' home begging to see Professor Emerson and rambling about her husband's breath being sucked from him, a priceless artifact and a curse, the Emersons are less than impressed. Mrs. Petherick, a writer of gothic novels, believes a golden statuette of an ancient god has cursed her family and she is the next to die. Emerson promises to keep the object and remove any curses, doubting the woman's sanity. Amelia believes the woman is searching for publicity for her latest novel. Emerson is more concerned about where this artifact came from. He decides to resume digging at Tomb 55 and with Howard Carter not around just yet, Emerson thinks perhaps he can "keep an eye on things" in the West Valley... just in case. Then Mrs. Pretherick's stepson, Adrien, breaks into the Emerson compound brandishing a pistol. The Emersons are less intrigued than annoyed. Confounded journalists are everywhere and there's work to be done. Amelia knows Ramses would rather be translating papyri and Nefret would prefer to work in the hospital than sift rubble. It's up to her to suggest Emerson hire more staff. Who can they trust? When shots ring out, the Emersons think they must be on the verge of some discovery but what and how are they going to figure it out with so few clues? Alas, another dead body turns up and the Emersons are on the hunt for a killer.
This mystery is one of the weaker ones in the series. The mystery is fairly thin. The story starts off slow and centers mainly on the Emersons' scholarly pursuits with the mystery of the statue relegated to the background. The story picks up about halfway through when a fresh dead body turns up in the most unlikely place. There are some mild elements of danger but nothing worried me until it seemed like the mystery was over. Then there's more action that made my heart jump into my throat. I didn't stay up all night reading the book but I did wake up early to finish it. I suspected certain characters based on their nationalities but not much in the way of global politics made it into the mystery. I was surprised by everything that was revealed. Those interested in the history and treatment of mental illness will enjoy some of the plot of this novel.
Personal plot lines revolve around the usual relationships between Amelia and Emerson and Ramses and Nefret. I ADORE Amelia and Emerson together but I don't like her sexist belief that an angry man is an irresistible one. Nefret seems to believe the same. Nefret manages not to annoy me too much in this story. She has stopped brooding and started practicing medicine again. I admire her confidence and her skill. Amelia and Emerson don't show their feelings easily but they've learned how precious life is and to show and tell their son how much they love him and are proud of him. I'm not sure why Abdullah is surprised Amelia loves Ramses best next to Emerson. Isn't that the way it should be? Ramses behaves rather stupidly in the course of this investigation. I also think he's too naive and trusting-tenderhearted- his mother would say. He stumbles into some difficult situations-again.
The four-year-old twins, Carla (not Charla as in the previous book) and David John are so much like their parents. Carla is feisty like her mother and David John is annoyingly precocious like his father. A 4-year-old is incapable of reading about Egyptology. At least Charla stopped "murdering her dipthongs." They exist in the background of the story but don't play a major role, except for one scene.
Bertie is still trying to convince Jumana to marry him. Bertie is a nice young man but not right for Jumana. I love how dedicated Jumana is to scholarship and how enthusiastically she has taken to archeology. I'm sure she can go far on her own merits without Bertie. Cyrus and Katherine seem to be doing all right. I don't get much of a romantic vibe between them. She's very very English. Sethos is still wooing Margaret Minton but she refuses to marry him until he gives up his current occupation. I don't blame her but an unemployed Sethos is a bored Sethos and a bored Sethos could be a dangerous one. I'm impervious to his charm and find him a little annoying in this book.
As always, the servants add a lot of humor to the story. I just adore Daoud, the village gossip and storyteller. He's so sweet and devoted to the Emersons. In his determination to protect them, Daoud brings the Emersons a "watch dog" they name Amira. Amira is so adorable and dog-like. She adds some comic relief. Selim is as devoted as his father was before him but also more modern. Selim isn't above gossip. He's quick to figure out what is going on and develops a network of spied and informers to help the Emersons.
The new characters here are Mrs. Petherick and her stepchildren. Mrs. Petherick doesn't sound like a trophy wife. She may be silly and romantic, but she's smart enough to write and market gothic novels to legions of admiring women. She knows who to give the statue to and how it will complicate matters. Her stepchildren Adrien and Harriet are not appealing. Adrien may or may not be suffering from shell shock or some form of mental illness. As the modern study of and treatment of mental illness was only just beginning, some characters believe he is faking his symptoms. I'm not sure what to believe. Harriet is tough. She seems more intelligent than her brother. She understands actions and consequences but she would do ANYTHING to protect her brother. Does that include murder? She seems capable of it. I don't like how cold she is.
There are a few new people in the archeological community. Sir Malcolm Page Henley de Montague is a collector of antiquities. He wants the golden statue. What is he willing to do to get it? I bet anything. Mr. Lidman is a new friend and Cyrus's new assistant. Tubby, fair skinned and middle aged, Mr. Lidman is not cut out to be an archeologist. He seems to be an Egyptologist of the academic sort. Mikhail Katechenovsky is a linguists scholar known to Ramses. Ramses seems to enjoy having another scholar around who appreciates the papyri and can help translate. The children like him and the dog seems to like him. That's usually good enough for me but I have a foreboding as Amelia would say! Emerson would dismiss it, of course.
I look forward to concluding the series but am sad to see it end. I can never let go of the Emersons and I keep listening for their name as I watch Tut's Treasures Hidden Secrets on the National Geographic Channel. It's worth watching to see the Emersons' world in modern day and see the latest developments in the field. What would Emerson think of ground penetrating radar? (BAH!) What about a new museum to view King Tut and his treasures in one place? (Hmm... would Emerson be for it or wish the cursed tourists would leave the tomb alone and let it be as it was built so scholars can study it?)
This mystery is one of the weaker ones in the series. The mystery is fairly thin. The story starts off slow and centers mainly on the Emersons' scholarly pursuits with the mystery of the statue relegated to the background. The story picks up about halfway through when a fresh dead body turns up in the most unlikely place. There are some mild elements of danger but nothing worried me until it seemed like the mystery was over. Then there's more action that made my heart jump into my throat. I didn't stay up all night reading the book but I did wake up early to finish it. I suspected certain characters based on their nationalities but not much in the way of global politics made it into the mystery. I was surprised by everything that was revealed. Those interested in the history and treatment of mental illness will enjoy some of the plot of this novel.
Personal plot lines revolve around the usual relationships between Amelia and Emerson and Ramses and Nefret. I ADORE Amelia and Emerson together but I don't like her sexist belief that an angry man is an irresistible one. Nefret seems to believe the same. Nefret manages not to annoy me too much in this story. She has stopped brooding and started practicing medicine again. I admire her confidence and her skill. Amelia and Emerson don't show their feelings easily but they've learned how precious life is and to show and tell their son how much they love him and are proud of him. I'm not sure why Abdullah is surprised Amelia loves Ramses best next to Emerson. Isn't that the way it should be? Ramses behaves rather stupidly in the course of this investigation. I also think he's too naive and trusting-tenderhearted- his mother would say. He stumbles into some difficult situations-again.
The four-year-old twins, Carla (not Charla as in the previous book) and David John are so much like their parents. Carla is feisty like her mother and David John is annoyingly precocious like his father. A 4-year-old is incapable of reading about Egyptology. At least Charla stopped "murdering her dipthongs." They exist in the background of the story but don't play a major role, except for one scene.
Bertie is still trying to convince Jumana to marry him. Bertie is a nice young man but not right for Jumana. I love how dedicated Jumana is to scholarship and how enthusiastically she has taken to archeology. I'm sure she can go far on her own merits without Bertie. Cyrus and Katherine seem to be doing all right. I don't get much of a romantic vibe between them. She's very very English. Sethos is still wooing Margaret Minton but she refuses to marry him until he gives up his current occupation. I don't blame her but an unemployed Sethos is a bored Sethos and a bored Sethos could be a dangerous one. I'm impervious to his charm and find him a little annoying in this book.
As always, the servants add a lot of humor to the story. I just adore Daoud, the village gossip and storyteller. He's so sweet and devoted to the Emersons. In his determination to protect them, Daoud brings the Emersons a "watch dog" they name Amira. Amira is so adorable and dog-like. She adds some comic relief. Selim is as devoted as his father was before him but also more modern. Selim isn't above gossip. He's quick to figure out what is going on and develops a network of spied and informers to help the Emersons.
The new characters here are Mrs. Petherick and her stepchildren. Mrs. Petherick doesn't sound like a trophy wife. She may be silly and romantic, but she's smart enough to write and market gothic novels to legions of admiring women. She knows who to give the statue to and how it will complicate matters. Her stepchildren Adrien and Harriet are not appealing. Adrien may or may not be suffering from shell shock or some form of mental illness. As the modern study of and treatment of mental illness was only just beginning, some characters believe he is faking his symptoms. I'm not sure what to believe. Harriet is tough. She seems more intelligent than her brother. She understands actions and consequences but she would do ANYTHING to protect her brother. Does that include murder? She seems capable of it. I don't like how cold she is.
There are a few new people in the archeological community. Sir Malcolm Page Henley de Montague is a collector of antiquities. He wants the golden statue. What is he willing to do to get it? I bet anything. Mr. Lidman is a new friend and Cyrus's new assistant. Tubby, fair skinned and middle aged, Mr. Lidman is not cut out to be an archeologist. He seems to be an Egyptologist of the academic sort. Mikhail Katechenovsky is a linguists scholar known to Ramses. Ramses seems to enjoy having another scholar around who appreciates the papyri and can help translate. The children like him and the dog seems to like him. That's usually good enough for me but I have a foreboding as Amelia would say! Emerson would dismiss it, of course.
I look forward to concluding the series but am sad to see it end. I can never let go of the Emersons and I keep listening for their name as I watch Tut's Treasures Hidden Secrets on the National Geographic Channel. It's worth watching to see the Emersons' world in modern day and see the latest developments in the field. What would Emerson think of ground penetrating radar? (BAH!) What about a new museum to view King Tut and his treasures in one place? (Hmm... would Emerson be for it or wish the cursed tourists would leave the tomb alone and let it be as it was built so scholars can study it?)
August 17, 2019
The more of these books I read, the more beloved and precious the Emerson family (and friends) become to me! They have kept me company through these last 18 months! I will be saddened when I finish the last book in the series!
July 8, 2019
This book is very, very racist. Quite sexist too but on reflection the racism was the biggest flaw. The problem is it sort of tries to get away with being progressive on the grounds that the white (never described as white) people love, trust and appreciate their servants who are portrayed as happy and devoted in their exploitation. Fatima loves "flirting with" the dodgy uncle
FFS!!!!
In terms of the way the book is written I can understand pragmatic reasons for the author wishing to switch between first and third person but I cannot see a justification for it. WTF is this "manuscript H" third person thing? Unless it's explained in one of the other books (this is 17th in a series) but I don't care enough to ask.
Most of the sexism and classism I can read in an "Agatha Christie larger than life setting" sort of a way but it still rankles to some degree. The author's obsession with hinting smugly whenever a married couple in her story get it on, and having Nefret (otherwise a capable and sensible doctor) drape herself over Ramses lap a fair bit. The "shouting at each other stuff" is both stupid and overplayed and basically gender relations in the book are a complete nightmare.
There's (unsurprisingly) no reflexivity from anywhere in the book about how harmful this sort of archaeology is. There are "bad people" who steal things (many of them locals) and there are decent, respectful archaeolgists...early on in the book that all looks like it is heading in a reflexive direction but the author loses her nerve or something.
It's an easy read, I wish it was a little less offensive. I wanted to like it.
FFS!!!!
In terms of the way the book is written I can understand pragmatic reasons for the author wishing to switch between first and third person but I cannot see a justification for it. WTF is this "manuscript H" third person thing? Unless it's explained in one of the other books (this is 17th in a series) but I don't care enough to ask.
Most of the sexism and classism I can read in an "Agatha Christie larger than life setting" sort of a way but it still rankles to some degree. The author's obsession with hinting smugly whenever a married couple in her story get it on, and having Nefret (otherwise a capable and sensible doctor) drape herself over Ramses lap a fair bit. The "shouting at each other stuff" is both stupid and overplayed and basically gender relations in the book are a complete nightmare.
There's (unsurprisingly) no reflexivity from anywhere in the book about how harmful this sort of archaeology is. There are "bad people" who steal things (many of them locals) and there are decent, respectful archaeolgists...early on in the book that all looks like it is heading in a reflexive direction but the author loses her nerve or something.
It's an easy read, I wish it was a little less offensive. I wanted to like it.
June 22, 2021
A fairly routine Peabody mystery that improves toward the end. Far less of the little kids this time, and right back to the classic adventure format with various family members, especially Ramses, getting into scrapes over a golden statuette.
This particular artifact points forward to the next book, which although not the last published was the last one chronologically in terms of the characters' lives. If I read Tomb of the Golden Bird I can't remember doing so, and I suspect this might be one I missed--so I'm certainly looking forward to what I hope will be a grand finale, particularly now that I've seen so many of the artifacts involved.
I don't think I've ever read so many books in a series, and I find myself rather glad that Peters was able to draw a line, even if she did give into the temptation to write some further books to fill in gaps. The Serpent on the Crown suffered somewhat from predictability as far as the characters, both major and minor, were concerned. In this kind of series it's the lives of the characters themselves that we're ultimately hooked on, not the mystery elements, and you've got to ask yourself what the point of each book is if every single character remains static. There was definitely an opportunity to do something with Sethos, but I suspect Peters is saving that plot line for the next book. Onwards, and then I can lay down the series and finally say I've read it in its proper order.
This particular artifact points forward to the next book, which although not the last published was the last one chronologically in terms of the characters' lives. If I read Tomb of the Golden Bird I can't remember doing so, and I suspect this might be one I missed--so I'm certainly looking forward to what I hope will be a grand finale, particularly now that I've seen so many of the artifacts involved.
I don't think I've ever read so many books in a series, and I find myself rather glad that Peters was able to draw a line, even if she did give into the temptation to write some further books to fill in gaps. The Serpent on the Crown suffered somewhat from predictability as far as the characters, both major and minor, were concerned. In this kind of series it's the lives of the characters themselves that we're ultimately hooked on, not the mystery elements, and you've got to ask yourself what the point of each book is if every single character remains static. There was definitely an opportunity to do something with Sethos, but I suspect Peters is saving that plot line for the next book. Onwards, and then I can lay down the series and finally say I've read it in its proper order.
July 11, 2015
Amelia Peabody and her vast and varied family face one of their final mysteries, when a woman gives them a cursed statue and demands they save her from the black affrit that's been haunting her. Of course, someone dies and there's a great deal of danger and early 20th century daring-do.
This is not really my type of book, so I suspect the hardcover made it into possession by way of my mom. This is definitely a Mom Book; there's danger, violence and romance without being shockingly graphic. One could call this a Beach Read, except the idea of sitting on the sand in the sun seems like a bad idea for the skin and the book, so I just don't "beach."
It seemed like this book took me approximately 50 billion years to finish. Every time I would attempt to read a few pages, I'd fall into a deep sleep. This book didn't precisely bore me, but a combination of the huge cast of characters - none of which I particularly cared about - and the deep descriptions of Egyptology and excavations created a sort of mental white noise while I was reading. I just couldn't absorb the story. Honestly, I can't really say if the mystery made any sense or not because the pieces just didn't coalesce as a plot for me. I felt like that internet Mom, trying to explain the Matrix and failing hilariously.
This is not really my type of book, so I suspect the hardcover made it into possession by way of my mom. This is definitely a Mom Book; there's danger, violence and romance without being shockingly graphic. One could call this a Beach Read, except the idea of sitting on the sand in the sun seems like a bad idea for the skin and the book, so I just don't "beach."
It seemed like this book took me approximately 50 billion years to finish. Every time I would attempt to read a few pages, I'd fall into a deep sleep. This book didn't precisely bore me, but a combination of the huge cast of characters - none of which I particularly cared about - and the deep descriptions of Egyptology and excavations created a sort of mental white noise while I was reading. I just couldn't absorb the story. Honestly, I can't really say if the mystery made any sense or not because the pieces just didn't coalesce as a plot for me. I felt like that internet Mom, trying to explain the Matrix and failing hilariously.
February 1, 2018
I have enjoyed rereading this series over the last several months after enjoying The Painted Queen, Joan Hess’ completion of an unfinished Elizabeth Peters novel. I decided to reread the books from around that point in the series to see if they held up for me after so many years.
I love the humor, the mysteries, the recurring cast of characters, the exotic locale of Egypt, the archeological information (Peters had a PhD in Egyptology), and especially the main character of Amelia Peabody Emerson and her dashing and brilliant husband, Radcliffe Emerson. Their “refreshing discussions” (vehement arguments) and Amelia’s “little lists” are a delight - they’ve yet to meet a criminal who could best them, and I’m so glad I bought all of these books as they were published so I could reread at leisure. I won’t wait so long for another visit, they are real feel-good, pick-me-up reads for me!
I love the humor, the mysteries, the recurring cast of characters, the exotic locale of Egypt, the archeological information (Peters had a PhD in Egyptology), and especially the main character of Amelia Peabody Emerson and her dashing and brilliant husband, Radcliffe Emerson. Their “refreshing discussions” (vehement arguments) and Amelia’s “little lists” are a delight - they’ve yet to meet a criminal who could best them, and I’m so glad I bought all of these books as they were published so I could reread at leisure. I won’t wait so long for another visit, they are real feel-good, pick-me-up reads for me!
August 26, 2019
August 2019: A crisscrossed many-villained book eclipsed by the ending scenes so that by the time you are done it is easy to forget the earliest mysteries. Peters is definitely setting up for the next book here (Tutankhamen!) and it’s easy to see she was thinking about how to end the series even if she never did so. Continues the simplification of Amelia and Emerson’s characters and some of their less appealing aspects are more clear too. Still four stars and five for Barbara Rosenblat whose deepening voice expands her range which seems almost unfair.
June 2017: A bit repetitious, but a fine tantalizing episode with no young lovers.
June 2017: A bit repetitious, but a fine tantalizing episode with no young lovers.
December 9, 2018
It's 1922 and the Emerson clan is back excavating in Egypt after the war. Mrs. Petherick gives Emerson a statue of an Egyptian king that she claims is cursed so the "black afrit" won't kill her too. Someone also seems intent on harming Ramses. I enjoy this series and loved having nearly the whole family together again for a mystery filled with lots of humor. I'm sad there are only two more books in the series that were entirely written by Peters, the last book was completed by Joan Hess. When I finish I'll probably restart the series so I can enjoy Emerson and Peabody's romance all over again.
June 23, 2008
Ms. Peters has obviously never dwelt upon a crucial writing rule: don't include scenes that do not serve a useful purpose such as plot or character development. You can get away with this type of rambling in literature if you're good enough, but I certainly wouldn't call this literature.
May 16, 2019
I feel that Elizabeth Peters is an intelligent writer and I could see how many would love the snobbish humor of her heroes. Yet, I found myself getting tired of the book and wanting more to happen.
August 1, 2020
Mrs. Petherick, a popular novelist, gives the Emersons a statuette she believes is cursed. She's found dead soon after and it's up to our beloved characters to find out who killed her.
The culprit is obvious from page 1 but no matter - I read these books because they're wonderfully domestic and this was no exception. I loved following Amelia and Emerson on their adventures (the ending is quite romantic), Nefret and Ramses (so interesting to see how Amelia sees their relationship as very similar to hers yet very different), even the granchildren as well as Cyrus, Sethos and David. We get to see Nefret exercize her medical skills too.
Such a cosy series.
The culprit is obvious from page 1 but no matter - I read these books because they're wonderfully domestic and this was no exception. I loved following Amelia and Emerson on their adventures (the ending is quite romantic), Nefret and Ramses (so interesting to see how Amelia sees their relationship as very similar to hers yet very different), even the granchildren as well as Cyrus, Sethos and David. We get to see Nefret exercize her medical skills too.
Such a cosy series.
August 15, 2022
I really enjoy reading about the Egyptology and the mysteries to be solved, however, this book in the series fell a little flat for me. I felt it didn't have as much of the normal humor and it was a very slow start. It revved up towards the end, and I did enjoy it. I especially love the relationship with Emerson and Amelia.
November 29, 2018
This was a much better story than the last.
January 1, 2015
First read April 10, 2010
If you like this series, then you'll love this one. Same scenario, same people (Peabody, Emerson, Ramses, Nefret and Cyrus) but different mystery and different tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Of course, you know someone is going to be in mortal danger - no difference here. As predictable as it is, it's enjoyable anyway. I love the edition of Ramses and Nefret's four year old twins. They're a hoot!
Second read August 22, 2014
Now I'm following the series in order and it's much more enjoyable this time around since I now know the background of each character and how and when they did certain things. This is definitely a series to read in order. I particularly like Sethos - his wit and repartee are unparalleled.
If you like this series, then you'll love this one. Same scenario, same people (Peabody, Emerson, Ramses, Nefret and Cyrus) but different mystery and different tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Of course, you know someone is going to be in mortal danger - no difference here. As predictable as it is, it's enjoyable anyway. I love the edition of Ramses and Nefret's four year old twins. They're a hoot!
Second read August 22, 2014
Now I'm following the series in order and it's much more enjoyable this time around since I now know the background of each character and how and when they did certain things. This is definitely a series to read in order. I particularly like Sethos - his wit and repartee are unparalleled.
July 21, 2018
So much egyptological mystery goodness....
I love it that Sethos is part of The Family in these later books, its so delightful.
And the Children! Omg they're too much!
I love it that Sethos is part of The Family in these later books, its so delightful.
And the Children! Omg they're too much!
August 24, 2017
I love this series! I've been saving it because I don't want it to end. I like the return of all the good characters. It was a feel good, cozy book to me after all the years I've gone on an adventure with them.
August 22, 2022
October 2, 2020: Another re-listen finished of this wonderful book .... second to the last in the series in chronological order.
August 11, 2022: Another re-listen. Still love it.
August 11, 2022: Another re-listen. Still love it.
May 16, 2021
I must admit I forget the plots of these almost as soon as I finish them; they ARE somewhat predictable, but this one did start out well with a mysterious if unlikely visitor (who lets random people into their house like this?) and climaxed with an even closer brush with death than usual for Amelia. Excellent night-time reading.
March 25, 2019
I can always step into Amelia's world and feel right at home!
Loved it!
Loved it!
October 1, 2019
3.5 Somewhat confusing, and for once, the person "whodunit" came somewhat out of left field for me!
October 9, 2019
Such fun re-reading this series by listening to the audiobook. So well read.
January 1, 2020
It’s 1922. Howard Carter pops up now and again in the book. Emerson has theories about a missing tomb. What marvelous suspense!!!
April 13, 2023
I love this series! It’s especially fun to walk through the early days of excavations in Luxor, prior to finding “King Tut’s” tomb. I love the British voice, full of wonder and awe of Egypt, the culture, and the people at a time when the British Empire’s elitism was plundering the treasures of the world. I want to believe there were Peabody’s out there who loved and respected the wonders of those buried cultures. Delightful!
September 7, 2020
It’s been a great ride!
September 25, 2017
I love this series so much. We're very nearly to the Tutankhamen discovery I think, I can't wait to experience that with my favorite archaeological family!
December 12, 2017
Another fun entry in the Peabody/Emerson adventures. I love the twins and I especially love not having to deal with a lovesick, whiny Ramses. This is one of my favorites, as it has plenty of action, some fun twists, all my favorite recurring characters, and some great new secondary characters.
November 25, 2020
The Amelia Peabody series must be read in chronological order. I have three books left in the series, and I am in no hurry to leave this very unique family and their adventures. I highly recommend these books.
February 21, 2023
I read #20 (The Painted Queen) in this series out of order and later found out that it was only begun by Peters and finished by Joan Hess. I'm glad to say that I've backtracked to where I left off and was so relieved to hear the "voice" of Elizabeth Peters shining through.
Peabody and the gang are up to their normal shenanigans solving mysteries, vying for dominance in the archeological field and supporting one another through thick and thin. Great character development and interpersonal relationships as always. The murder/mystery is totally extra.
The twins are precocious 4-year olds and David and Ramses are still bro-ing it around Egypt putting on disguises and getting into scrapes and there's a new watchdog on duty. Sethos is lying around being intentionally annoying and as charming as ever. I'm really glad he's there.
Still a favorite series of mine.
Libby audio
Peabody and the gang are up to their normal shenanigans solving mysteries, vying for dominance in the archeological field and supporting one another through thick and thin. Great character development and interpersonal relationships as always. The murder/mystery is totally extra.
The twins are precocious 4-year olds and David and Ramses are still bro-ing it around Egypt putting on disguises and getting into scrapes and there's a new watchdog on duty. Sethos is lying around being intentionally annoying and as charming as ever. I'm really glad he's there.
Still a favorite series of mine.
Libby audio
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