Reviews

Pericolo nella Valle dei Re by Elizabeth Peters

rach's review against another edition

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5.0

This particular Amelia Peabody book is distinct from all the others so far because it serves as an important transition in the series, both with the characters and with the narration.

Speaking of the later, all previous Peabody mysteries have been told exclusively from the perspective of Amelia, as if we are getting a glimpse of her journals, perhaps edited down. For the first time, we get to see some of what is going on when Amelia isn't there, adventures told from Ramses' perspective (hypothetically, of course). This leads us to the other major change I mentioned.

In this book, Ramses becomes more than just an annoyingly precocious little kid, who you sometimes want to hug and pat on the head and other times want to gag and duct tape to a chair. Not only is he suddenly a man in appearance (look! He has muscles! And girls/women are attracted to him!), but we finally get to know who he is as a person. Gaining insight into his thoughts and feelings forced me to see him in a different light. Ramses was always old beyond his years, but it was merely quirky as a child. Now that wisdom translates as maturity and strength. His actions also force his parents to recognize him as a mature adult, and one of the most touching moments of the book is when Amelia finally hands Ramses his own whiskey and soda. My delight could only be beaten by Ramses's own.

Also of note, and quite squeeee-worthy, are Ramses revelations to David at the end about his feelings for Nefret. From the beginning, Ramses had adored Nefret, but it always seemed like a boyish crush, one he would grow out of eventually, whether due to seeing her as a sister or growing up in too close proximity. Hearing the depth of his emotions, though, and the lengths he plans on going through so that she doesn't know how he feels, is quite eye-opening. The last section from "Manuscript H" was perhaps my favorite part of the book (other than the final confrontation). I love how Ramses opened up to Nefret and David, as much as he is able to, and hopefully they continue to be close.

There was one drawback to this increased insight into Ramses's character, however: it seemed like Emerson got much less "screen time" than in previous books. I'm assuming this is because some of his time was transferred to Ramses, but whatever the reason, I'm sad we didn't see more of him. I almost gave this book a 4-star rating. To be honest, I felt the first half was really only 3-star worthy, as I was still feeling awkward about this whole Ramses-growing-up situation, and missing seeing more of Emerson. Eventually, though, it picked up, and the ending was one of my favorites, with a dramatic exit and an emotional payoff. The ending pulls this one up into 5 (ok, 4.5) star territory. Definitely a fun read.

melbsreads's review against another edition

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4.0

I love this series a lot. It's utterly ridiculous and totally silly, but I honestly don't care. Because ultimately? It's a hell of a lot of fun.

The mystery in this one is less fascinating than some, but it's the first time we get excerpts from Manuscript H (aka Ramses' narrative), and I've always adored seeing Amelia's slightly rose coloured glasses take on what the kids are doing when she's not around, and then getting Ramses' "And then we snuck out of the house and fucked shit up" version a couple of pages later. Because how can you not love that?!

In short, this series never fails to entertain, and while I didn't really care about the mystery in this particular book, the characters are just so damned great that I didn't mind a bit.

hollie313's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

krisrid's review against another edition

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5.0

The Emerson family never disappoints! Yet again they get themselves embroiled in the affairs of others, leading to murder, mayhem and shenanigans, and delight to the reader!

This time around, the Emersons have been warned away from a non-existent tomb, which of course makes Amelia determined to find it!

They've also been begged for assistance by an old acquaintance, who's husband has become obsessed with a charlatan spiritualist.

And if all that isn't enough, a plea arrives from an American military colonel, who's daughter appears to be in danger from unknown villians. Although, the girl doesn't seem to need protection from anyone, but Ramses may need protection from HER!

As always, the so, so clever banter among the Emerson extended family - which now includes Nefret, and David - Abdullah's grandson - as well as the irrepressible Ramses - offers laughter and entertainment to the "gentle reader" as Amelia calls us.

I never tire of the wonderful, interesting characters Elizabeth Peters has created, in these stories, and with each new installment of the series, the characters grow and develop and become even more charming and engrossing. I loved this and can't wait until the next book!

writerlibrarian's review against another edition

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4.0

Started to read this during my NY visit. I started it after visiting the Met. We find Amelia Peabody Emerson with her "tribe" : husband Radcliffe aka Emerson (whom I've cast with Michael Shanks' face for a number of years now), her son, Ramses who's a young man now, David, Ramses' best friend, Abdullah's grand son from the Hippopotamus pool that Evelyn and Walter took in, Nefret, Amelia adoptive daughter who ends the trio of young characters that from this book forward will drive more and more of the narrative. I don't mind. I find Ramses quite intriguing and fun to read about. There are the cats of course.

It's 1903. Emerson is being kept out of digging in the interesting parts the Valley of the Kings and can only clean up old, known tombs. A modern mummy, a duo of father-daughter that are up to no good and a con artist. Peters writes an entertaining tale and wonderful portraits of strong love (Amelia-Emerson); rediscovered love (Enid and Donald); love that you don't expect (Cyrus) and unrequited love (Ramses). Howard Carter is excavating Hatshepsut's tomb. It was very appropriate to read this during my NY trip.

pussreboots's review against another edition

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2.0

Seeing a Large Cat marks a change in the narrative style of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. Starting with this volume the mysteries balloon from two hundred fifty pages to almost five hundred pages. The main source of these extra pages is the "manuscript H" which is apparently written by Walter "Ramses" Emerson.

Over the course of the second half of the series (where Ramses, Nefret and David are adults), the writing style of "manuscript H" improves as does the manner in which it is integrated into the over all narrative. In this first attempt, though, the "manuscript H" inserts interrupt the flow of the story and stall the start of the actual mystery until page 125.

The mystery itself is rather simplistic once all the family drama of the early days of the rivalry and romance of Ramses and Nefret and the historical background of 1903 Egypt are pared away. A woman is found in an unknown side tomb of KV-20 (called tomb 20-A in the novel). The woman is mummified but her modern dress quickly gives away the fact that she was only recently murdered. Eventually the plot progresses enough for Amelia et al to investigate, get in trouble, need rescuing and finally escape of their own accord. Unfortunately these action scenes are buried under long dull passages. There are times when Amelia Peabody needs to be gagged.

A huge hindrance to the pacing is the tedious attention to detail. Peters (Barbara Mertz) is a trained Egyptologist and probably knows the Valley of the Kings as well as I know my local neighborhood. It helps to come to these later novels with a basic knowledge of the history (both ancient and recent) and geography of Egypt.

The other problem with the novel is Peter's growing love affair with her characters. She has become so enamored with the Emersons and their kith and kin that every single character has to be lovingly followed and described. This love affair only gets worse as the series progresses.

hyzie's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

3.0

hopeevey's review against another edition

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3.0


Another fun installment

thepickygirl's review against another edition

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4.0

From thepickygirl.com:

Reminiscent in many ways of Agatha Christie’s The Man in the Brown Suit, Seeing a Large Cat is a novel of high adventure and mystery. The Emerson family is cobbled together, and Amelia Peabody and her husband Emerson do their best to keep everyone safe and grounded, even though they’ve had a slightly unorthodox upbringing as Egyptologists. Ramses, David, and Nefret have been raised as siblings, though Ramses is Peabody and Emerson’s only biological child. Together after a summer apart, Emerson plans to reopen previously discovered tombs until a mysterious note warns him off Tomb Twenty-A. Romantic hijinks and near misses lead to mummies of all varieties.

After seeing Yvette review an Elizabeth Peters book last week, I decided I needed to track down some of these books. I’m so glad I did as I enjoyed everything about Peabody and Nefret’s ranting for equal treatment, Ramses’ secretive exploits, David’s loyalty, and Emerson’s spluttering rages. The family is so thoroughly entertaining that the lack of true mystery didn’t upset me in the least.

Not to say there isn’t a mystery, it’s just that unlike a Poirot novel, the bodies aren’t piling up, which is why I’d classify this as more of an adventure novel. Entertaining and full of interesting insight into Egypt at the turn of the century, including the long-held prejudices, Seeing a Large Cat is a fantastic escapade, and I’m so glad my library had several more books by Elizabeth Peters.

allimoose37's review against another edition

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4.0

Seeing a Large Cat is when Manuscript H first appears, which signifies a change in the narrative and the progression of time in the Emerson family.

A fun tale, in which the who-dunnit portion is my least favorite. The introduction of “Mrs Whitney Jones” is fun, but the most rewarding part of this book is Ramses, Nefret, and David, and well, Amelia coping with the children, not being, well, children.