From Publishers Weekly
The legions of Amelia Peabody Emerson fans will be overjoyed with this 14th in the series (after 2001's Lord of the Silent), for they're getting two books in one. First, MWA Grandmaster Peters offers another amusing if wordy Egyptian archeology mystery, set in 1917 and replete with grave robbers, a murder, the discovery of a richly furnished tomb and a cast of thousands. Halfway through the book, this plot is annoyingly left dangling when the British recall the Emerson's brilliant son, Ramses, for an espionage assignment in Gaza, where he must determine if a newly powerful figure, Ismail Pasha, is really the Emerson family black sheep, Sethos, master criminal and secret agent. The redoubtable Amelia; her eccentric husband, Radcliffe; Ramses's adventurous wife, Nefret; and their faithful foreman, Selim, follow him in disguise. Captured by Sahin Pasha, head of the Turkish secret service, Ramses later escapes, fulfilling his mission with his family's help. Then it's back to Egypt, where the Emersons and their friends the Vandergelts solve the murder and subdue the villains. Radcliffe even ejects intrusive tourists from fragile archeological sites. Peters's books divide the mystery-reading public. With a Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago, she provides an authentic historical backdrop. However, her long-winded explanations and preposterous plots frustrate many. Those who enjoy romance and find the hubbub of the Emersons and their devoted entourage entertaining will forgive the faults.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Amelia Peabody Emerson returns for another entry in a long-running series that never seems to run out of steam, and, as her journals (edited, of course) reveal, she hasn't changed a bit. She's still a witty, intelligent Egyptologist, a lady ahead of her time, whose aphorisms, fierce loyalty, and unusual parasol serve her well. On arriving in Luxor for a season of archaeological investigation, Amelia and her family discover that war (it's 1917) has taken its toll on their beloved Egypt. Before too long, the conflict intrudes on their plans and embroils them in an adventure, complete with double agents, Turkish spies, derring-do, and the ever-puzzling Sethos. At the same time, they must reckon with tomb robbers, killers, and antiquities fraud. Joining Amelia once again are her dashing, hot-tempered husband, Radcliffe Emerson, Father of Curses ("Curse it, Amelia"); brave, beloved son, Ramses; and Ramses' beautiful wife, Nefret; plus an assortment of cats, friends, and foes. Series fans will relish the underlying humor, which is particularly good here, and recognize the characters as old friends who continue to improve and delight with age. Stephanie Zvirin
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Review
“Unputdownable...the wily charm isn’t flagging.” -- The Guardian (London)
From the Back Cover
New York Times bestselling Grand Master Elizabeth Peters is at her stylish and suspenseful best in a richly woven tale of greed, treachery, and murder set against the tumultuous backdrop of wartime intrigue.
A new year, 1917, is dawning, and the Great War that ravages the world shows no sign of abating. Answering the siren call of Egypt once more, Amelia Peabody and her family arrive at their home in Luxor to learn of a new royal tomb ransacked by thieves. Soon, a more disturbing outrage concerns the archaeologists: the freshly and savagely slain corpse of a thief defiling the ancient burial site.
Besieged by the British and defended by formidable Turkish and German forces, the fortified seaport of Gaza guards the gateway to the Holy Land. Answering a call he cannot refuse from British military intelligence, Amelia's son Ramses must journey to this ancient, fabled city to undertake a mission as personal as it is perilous. Death will surely be his lot if he is caught or exposed. Meanwhile, Ramses's wife, Nefret, guards a secret of her own ...
Performed By Barbara Rosenblat
About the Author
Barbara Rosenblat is a multi-award-winning voice actor for audiobooks. On Broadway, she created the role of 'Mrs. Medlock' in 'The Secret Garden'.
Elizabeth Peters earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago’s famed Oriental Institute. During her fifty-year career, she wrote more than seventy novels and three nonfiction books on Egypt. She received numerous writing awards and, in 2012, was given the first Amelia Peabody Award, created in her honor. She died in 2013, leaving a partially completed manuscript of The Painted Queen.
From AudioFile
Victorian adventuress Amelia Peabody is back in the fourteenth of this popular series, read with giddy brilliance by Barbara Rosenblat. It's 1917, the Great War is ravaging throughout Europe and Asia, and Peabody and her husband, Egyptologist Radcliffe Emerson, are chasing tomb robbers in Luxor. Meanwhile, their son, British spy Ramses Emerson, travels to Gaza on a dangerous mission of his own. Plot-wise, the story is weak and somewhat muddled. But Peters's real talent is in creating lovably eccentric characters whom Rosenblat nimbly brings to life. Rosenblat displays her versatile talents by giving voice to British explorers, American scoundrels, Egyptian muftis, and Turkish spies. A very entertaining romp in the Middle East. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
