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ercm's review against another edition
4.0
Again, the audiobook is fabulous. I loved the tension between Peabody and Emmerson in this one. And, as always, I laughed out loud more times than I can remember...
smarkies's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lifefullofwords's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is book was such a fun read, as are all the Amelia Peabody books. I wasn't sure I would enjoy reading one set in London but I somehow forgot how much I love Victorian London. And there was plenty of Egyptology. I disliked all of the unwarranted jealousy Amelia felt in this book. It could have been resolved by having a single conversation with her husband but instead the subplot dragged on and on. It was nice to see Amelia develop as a mother. I appreciate that Peters doesn't force her to place her role as a mom above her role as an Egyptologist, detective, and wife but it was also good to see her learn to pay attention to Ramses. The mystery was a little better than they are in some of the books but I don't really read the books for the mystery, more for the characters and the humor. It was annoying that Peters didn't resolve the romantic subplot in this book. That's been true in some of the past books and it's gotten annoying. But overall I found this entry in the series to be a good read.
shakespeareandspice's review against another edition
1.0
DNFd at pg 142 because of this nonsense:
Not only is Amelia Peabody, the supposed “feminist”, disregarding “foolish” English women by how they dress but further states that they were “willing victims” who don’t seem to understand what’s good for them. As if that wasn’t bad enough she follows it up with something as ignorant as a statement that says Indian women were “misguided” by misogyny who “fought to fling themselves into the funeral pyres of their bigamous husbands” and that their problems were resolvable only by the “enlightened British laws.” This screams to me of ignorance and white superiority complex.
I didn’t expect this kind of air of superiority coming from Amelia Peabody. I know she has strong opinions but her anti-everything-that-doesn’t-meet-my-approval attitude is shit. I expect things like this in English classics that I read. But not from a modern author. I have no tolerance for this.
I set out at a brisk stride, looking with contempt and pity at the other ladies I saw; laced into tight stays and teetering on high-heeled shoes, they were almost incapable of motion, much less a good healthy walk. Poor foolish victims of society’s dictates –but (I reminded myself) willing victims, like the misguided females of India who fought to fling themselves into the funeral pyres of their bigamous husbands. Enlightened British laws had put an official end to that ghastly custom; what a pity British opinion was so unenlightened with regard to the oppression of English women.
Not only is Amelia Peabody, the supposed “feminist”, disregarding “foolish” English women by how they dress but further states that they were “willing victims” who don’t seem to understand what’s good for them. As if that wasn’t bad enough she follows it up with something as ignorant as a statement that says Indian women were “misguided” by misogyny who “fought to fling themselves into the funeral pyres of their bigamous husbands” and that their problems were resolvable only by the “enlightened British laws.” This screams to me of ignorance and white superiority complex.
I didn’t expect this kind of air of superiority coming from Amelia Peabody. I know she has strong opinions but her anti-everything-that-doesn’t-meet-my-approval attitude is shit. I expect things like this in English classics that I read. But not from a modern author. I have no tolerance for this.
bookphile's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit, Peters threw me in a loop, and just like Amelia and Emerson I had no clue about who the culprit might be. In fact, I gasped and I think I said "Nooo!" When the person was revealed. Otherwise, I was quite mad at Amelia for letting Ramses get bullied for as long as he'd been. Both Percy and Violet are despicable children. I hated both of them. Though I understand that they were too busy solving a crime, but still, you'd think they'd give poor Ramses a chance to say something.
stefwithanf's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
allisoncc's review against another edition
4.0
Otherwise known as:
The one where they're in England the whole time
OR
The one where Amelia's jealous
The mystery is good, and the introduction of new characters is essential to later books, but how I MISS Egypt and excavations.
The one where they're in England the whole time
OR
The one where Amelia's jealous
The mystery is good, and the introduction of new characters is essential to later books, but how I MISS Egypt and excavations.
emmalg's review against another edition
4.0
Amelia Peabody and Emerson solve another interesting case, this time in London. As usual there seem to be peculiar leaps made in reasoning but it means the twists are usually preserved until the end.
I particularly enjoyed the development of Ramses' character and his relationship with his mother in this book. I've adored his peculiar verbosity since he was first introduced but this time his peculiarities and precocity are offset by a growing maturity.
I was quite surprised by what I considered to be a change in Emerson's attitude to the investigation, usually I have felt he is a very reluctant participant but he seems more than willing to get involved.
Ramses' cousin, Violet, was one of the most ridiculous yet amusing characters I've come across. Her dialogue is very limited but her cries of "Dead, dead" and"Nasty" add a funny element to many scenes.
I particularly enjoyed the development of Ramses' character and his relationship with his mother in this book. I've adored his peculiar verbosity since he was first introduced but this time his peculiarities and precocity are offset by a growing maturity.
I was quite surprised by what I considered to be a change in Emerson's attitude to the investigation, usually I have felt he is a very reluctant participant but he seems more than willing to get involved.
Ramses' cousin, Violet, was one of the most ridiculous yet amusing characters I've come across. Her dialogue is very limited but her cries of "Dead, dead" and"Nasty" add a funny element to many scenes.