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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I want to love these books; I am, after all, a historian and a Classicist, and I have great respect for Peters' academic work. But Amelia is just so bloody irritating, arrogant, and, frankly, a bit selfish. Emerson is usually more amusing than annoying, but Ramses... Oh, dear heavens, Ramses. Tone it down a bit, ok? I cannot believe that even a genius 10-year-old would have many "improvements" or corrections to make to his father's work--his father, we are reminded, who is a genius himself, and has had 30+ more years of experience than his son.
The mystery itself also took rather too long to get started and progressing, as it did, on the backs of a cast of irritating people--including James the idiot brother and a rather maddening journalist--was simply not intriguing enough to make the book worthwhile. Add in too many coincidences and convenient events, and it's just not a very good mystery, either--too much parody of the genre and Victorianism and too little actual mystery.
I have heard that the style of the books changes soon and is less in the tone of Amelia's journals; I'll maybe try another book or two in the series to see how that affects things, but I am, alas, not in any hurry. I still love the Egyptology angle, but some of the more outlandish plot twists that I know are approaching in future books don't really inspire me with confidence.
You can love Egypt, archaeology, and history without loving these books, and it appears that's going to be the case for me. :(
The mystery itself also took rather too long to get started and progressing, as it did, on the backs of a cast of irritating people--including James the idiot brother and a rather maddening journalist--was simply not intriguing enough to make the book worthwhile. Add in too many coincidences and convenient events, and it's just not a very good mystery, either--too much parody of the genre and Victorianism and too little actual mystery.
I have heard that the style of the books changes soon and is less in the tone of Amelia's journals; I'll maybe try another book or two in the series to see how that affects things, but I am, alas, not in any hurry. I still love the Egyptology angle, but some of the more outlandish plot twists that I know are approaching in future books don't really inspire me with confidence.
You can love Egypt, archaeology, and history without loving these books, and it appears that's going to be the case for me. :(
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
My first Elizabeth Peters mystery
I found this a fun enjoyable mystery that kept me engaged to the end. I love the character of Ramses and am glad to have him in this book as a contributing character. Look forward to reading more by this author.
I found this a fun enjoyable mystery that kept me engaged to the end. I love the character of Ramses and am glad to have him in this book as a contributing character. Look forward to reading more by this author.
Another good Amelia Peabody mystery! Not my favorite but entertaining nonetheless.
If all the Amelia Peabody books were available in audiobook format from my library, that might be all I'd read for a while! :) What does that tell you? Still loving these books many years after the first time I read them.
The Amelia Peabody series just isn't my favorite mystery series. I try one every year or so and come to the same conclusion. :(
Amelia and Emerson are back in England for the season, but a mystery in the Egyptian section of the British museum has attracted their attention. A security guard has died beside the case of a mummy and the press has started to resurrect stories about ancient Egyptian curses. Nonsense as far as the Emersons are concerned, but then an Egyptologist is murdered by an Egyptian statue in London and they begin to wonder who could be behind this.
At the same time that they are dealing with threats from a mysterious murderer they are also caring for Amelia's niece and nephew who are frankly dreadful little children. Additionally they have an entirely new staff because they are borrowing Walter's London home. It seems this staff might be as enthusiastic about mysteries as the Emersons themselves.
I liked this book, but I just didn't love it as much as some of her others. It's well-written, as are all of her books, but it just has never drawn me in the way the rest of the series does.
At the same time that they are dealing with threats from a mysterious murderer they are also caring for Amelia's niece and nephew who are frankly dreadful little children. Additionally they have an entirely new staff because they are borrowing Walter's London home. It seems this staff might be as enthusiastic about mysteries as the Emersons themselves.
I liked this book, but I just didn't love it as much as some of her others. It's well-written, as are all of her books, but it just has never drawn me in the way the rest of the series does.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
I loved this book despite finding the ending incomprehensible. It was nice that they stayed in London for a change.
In this 5th book the family is stuck in London whilst Emerson tries to finish a book. Mystery and intrigue still manage to find them though as suspicious things occur at the British Museum. I liked this, but a bit less than the other books as the plot is a bit simpler. It’s funny and pokes some fun at the English cultural mores of the day.