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laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog
4 Stars
Amelia and Emerson, sans their son, Ramses, and ward, Nefret, travel to Egypt in search of Nefertiti's tomb. To Amelia's utter horror, Emerson is not only kidnapped but also loses his memories of their life together. In order to recover his past and revitalize their marriage, the couple returns to Amarna. However, a dangerous enemy is on their trail and will stop at nothing to complete their nefarious agenda
Series note: While the mystery itself is standalone, there are numerous references to events and characters from books 1, 2 and 3.
To begin with, the amnesia trope works well within the storyline as it adds an element of tension to an otherwise lackluster mystery. The investigation into the culprit behind Emerson's kidnapping takes a backseat to both the Egyptology/archeology of the setting and the rekindling of Amelia and Emerson's love-hate relationship. Their bickering and one-upmanship are as much of a highlight now as in the first book.
As said, the mystery itself is quite mundane, and the villain is predictable mainly due to heavy foreshadowing and a lack of other suspects. That said, there is an excellent twist at the end that may make future installments very interesting.
In terms of the audiobook narration, it took a few chapters, but Barbara Rosenblatt ultimately grew on me. There is no doubt that her distinct voices and diverse accents are significantly better than those of Susan O'Malley (whose work on the series ended with the previous book); nevertheless, she does have a tendency to swallow audibly every once in a while, although this was not often and it did not detract from the telling.
Overall, despite some rambling passages here and there, Amelia and Emerson's latest adventure is entertaining overall.
4 Stars
Amelia and Emerson, sans their son, Ramses, and ward, Nefret, travel to Egypt in search of Nefertiti's tomb. To Amelia's utter horror, Emerson is not only kidnapped but also loses his memories of their life together. In order to recover his past and revitalize their marriage, the couple returns to Amarna. However, a dangerous enemy is on their trail and will stop at nothing to complete their nefarious agenda
Series note: While the mystery itself is standalone, there are numerous references to events and characters from books 1, 2 and 3.
To begin with, the amnesia trope works well within the storyline as it adds an element of tension to an otherwise lackluster mystery. The investigation into the culprit behind Emerson's kidnapping takes a backseat to both the Egyptology/archeology of the setting and the rekindling of Amelia and Emerson's love-hate relationship. Their bickering and one-upmanship are as much of a highlight now as in the first book.
As said, the mystery itself is quite mundane, and the villain is predictable mainly due to heavy foreshadowing and a lack of other suspects. That said, there is an excellent twist at the end that may make future installments very interesting.
In terms of the audiobook narration, it took a few chapters, but Barbara Rosenblatt ultimately grew on me. There is no doubt that her distinct voices and diverse accents are significantly better than those of Susan O'Malley (whose work on the series ended with the previous book); nevertheless, she does have a tendency to swallow audibly every once in a while, although this was not often and it did not detract from the telling.
Overall, despite some rambling passages here and there, Amelia and Emerson's latest adventure is entertaining overall.
megancmahon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another of my favourite Amelia Peabodys. I think the best parts of this are Ramses, Evelyn, and Rose scheming to foil evil plots back in England. Amelia is a delightfully sort-of unreliable narrator, as always. Watching her try and win Emerson's heart back while Sethos quietly loses his mind in the background...I love it.
After having read the Vicky Bliss series, too, you really see John as Sethos' descendant too (which is great, since they're two of my favourite characters of all time).
After having read the Vicky Bliss series, too, you really see John as Sethos' descendant too (which is great, since they're two of my favourite characters of all time).
gooberdawn's review against another edition
5.0
The characters in Elizabeth Peters books are just wonderful. Each character has a tenacious and colorful personality which adds true vigor & vitality to each & every story by this author. LOVE THEM. If you like Indiana Jones, you will LOVE these books.
annieliz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
matteo_of_eld's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
turrean's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favorites of the Amelia Peabody series. Emerson has amnesia...can she win his affections again? The moments where Peters spoofs the overwrought prose of Victorian writers and the adventure novels of Rider Haggard and his ilk are delicious.
happywebdiva's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
2.0
I always find that the first hundred pages or so are the hardest to get through, and after that the Amelia Peabody books are rather amusing.
In this book, Peabody and Emerson return to Egypt to hide some artifacts they discovered in their previous adventure, only to "discover" them again. Before you start thinking how un-Peabody/Emerson this sounds, you have to know that in their previous adventure, they swore not to mention where they had been. So they can't very well turn up with artifacts that indicate they've been somewhere they have to claim doesn't exist.
So the plan is to hide them in a probably location, claim they found them this season, and then send them of to a museum, or whatever. But of course, plans go awry and the Peabody-Emerson party is randomly (or not so randomly) attacked, etc.
This is all fine, but Peters never returns to the issue of the artifacts at all. So, presumably they're still in Peabody's possession, but it really is an incomplete plot thread.
This book was entertaining, but not as well written as other Amelia Peabody adventures.
In this book, Peabody and Emerson return to Egypt to hide some artifacts they discovered in their previous adventure, only to "discover" them again. Before you start thinking how un-Peabody/Emerson this sounds, you have to know that in their previous adventure, they swore not to mention where they had been. So they can't very well turn up with artifacts that indicate they've been somewhere they have to claim doesn't exist.
So the plan is to hide them in a probably location, claim they found them this season, and then send them of to a museum, or whatever. But of course, plans go awry and the Peabody-Emerson party is randomly (or not so randomly) attacked, etc.
This is all fine, but Peters never returns to the issue of the artifacts at all. So, presumably they're still in Peabody's possession, but it really is an incomplete plot thread.
This book was entertaining, but not as well written as other Amelia Peabody adventures.
reganross's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mcquaden's review against another edition
4.0
Emerson's misogyny comes back - understandable yet unfortunate. However, it does get amended by the end, bless the heavens, and he once again drinks that sweet drink of Respect Peabody juice. Peabody is amazing as always and I strive to be her.