Scan barcode
sjgochenour's review against another edition
3.0
More charming than I recalled! It made me miss Scotland. When I read it first I hadn't been to any of the places mentioned, and now I've tramped through a few of the glens and gotten tea in Edinburgh, at least. The pace is absolutely frantic throughout -- this is one of Peters' "chase" novels.
loribeth1961's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
I had another book in mind to read on a recent flight to visit my family over Christmas holidays... but I set it aside in favour of a real "comfort (re)read" for me, and one I've been meaning to re-read for a long time now -- one of my favourite novels by one of my favourite authors, Elizabeth Peters (whose real name was Barbara Mertz, and who also wrote thrillers under the name Barbara Michaels). I've long been a fan of Peters/Michaels and her books, and I was lucky enough to see her speak and get her to sign a book for me in November 1998.
Peters (who died in 2013) was probably best known for her Amelia Peabody books, about the adventures of a feisty Egyptologist and her family in the late 1800s/early 1900s, but she had two other series that were also a lot of fun -- about Vicky Bliss, an American historian working in a German museum, and Jacqueline Kirby, librarian turned romance novelist -- plus a lot of standalone books too (including this one).
I first remember reading -- and loving -- "Legend in Green Velvet" when I was in high school, from our local library. Our young American heroine, Susan, has also been obsessed with Scotland and Scottish history and legends her entire life -- and now she's scraped together enough money to spend the summer in Scotland, working on an archeological dig in the Highlands. It's a dream come true for her. But shortly after her arrival in Edinburgh, a strange old man slips her a cryptic message -- then her hotel room is ransacked -- and Susan finds herself being framed for murder, and on the run with a handsome (if rather cynical) young Scottish laird -- who (once he reluctantly shaves his lavish beard) bears a striking resemblance to a certain well-known public figure (then and now -- who was, at the time, one of the world's most eligible bachelors). This becomes a running joke throughout the book.
I hadn't re-read this book in years. It's not very long, and it's a light read, full of lessons about Scotland and its history, and (as with most Peters novels) a lot of humour along with the action. (Romance too!) It's dated in many respects, but I still enjoyed it and (for me) it was the perfect way to kick off the holidays. :)
4 stars.
Peters (who died in 2013) was probably best known for her Amelia Peabody books, about the adventures of a feisty Egyptologist and her family in the late 1800s/early 1900s, but she had two other series that were also a lot of fun -- about Vicky Bliss, an American historian working in a German museum, and Jacqueline Kirby, librarian turned romance novelist -- plus a lot of standalone books too (including this one).
I first remember reading -- and loving -- "Legend in Green Velvet" when I was in high school, from our local library. Our young American heroine, Susan, has also been obsessed with Scotland and Scottish history and legends her entire life -- and now she's scraped together enough money to spend the summer in Scotland, working on an archeological dig in the Highlands. It's a dream come true for her. But shortly after her arrival in Edinburgh, a strange old man slips her a cryptic message -- then her hotel room is ransacked -- and Susan finds herself being framed for murder, and on the run with a handsome (if rather cynical) young Scottish laird -- who (once he reluctantly shaves his lavish beard) bears a striking resemblance to a certain well-known public figure (then and now -- who was, at the time, one of the world's most eligible bachelors). This becomes a running joke throughout the book.
I hadn't re-read this book in years. It's not very long, and it's a light read, full of lessons about Scotland and its history, and (as with most Peters novels) a lot of humour along with the action. (Romance too!) It's dated in many respects, but I still enjoyed it and (for me) it was the perfect way to kick off the holidays. :)
4 stars.
slferg's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorites. I read it some time ago, so I read it again. A stand alone mystery of a young woman, Susan, who loves everything about Scotland and it's history (well, most of it). She has gotten a chance to work an archeological dig in Scotland. One of her professors knows Dr Campbell who is doing the survey very well and has gotten her a spot on it. So she has worked and saved her money to come work on the archeological site and intends to enjoy her time in Scotland. But it doesn't start very well. A crazy old man, Tammas, (Tammas is harmless everyone says) put a piece of paper in her purse. She finds it when she's sorting things out in her bag. It's a quote from an old poem about Scotland. She's rather annoyed, but decides to keep the note as a souvenir. She takes a bus tour and when she returns finds that her room has been ransacked - and the note has been taken. She decides to have it out with Tammas and tries to track him down and finds he's been murdered. Then she finds she's wanted by the police. So she and the guy she met looking for Tammas take off to try to find out what's going on and who and why someone wanted harmless old Tammas dead. Lots of fun chases and escapes.
bookhero6's review against another edition
5.0
A great stand-alone novel, light suspense, a little bit of adventure, comedy, romance, and mystery. Well-paced, engaging, and utterly charming. I could easily see it being made into and action-comedy film, complete with cutely and happily resolved ending.
hopeevey's review against another edition
2.0
I know it was published in1976, but starting a relationship with sexual assault just doesn't work for me.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mermaidkatie's review against another edition
2.0
I think somebody stole Elizabeth Peters name for this ridiculous attempt at a Scottish Highland, mystery solving co-ed romance/archaeology treasure hunt, a la Scooby Doo, but without the lovable dog. Our heroine, Susan, is a know it all ass, a la Velma. I did a lot of eye-rolling listening to this audiobook. At least it was better than the radio.
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
I have been ripping through audiobooks of Elizabeth Peters' standalones. Most of them hold up really well with humor and awesome, feminist heroines. This is not one of the better ones but it did have the rampant history involved and echoes of the other books that have held up better to the inevitable tramp of time.
We are following along with Susan, an archeological student who has gotten the lifelong opportunity of being able to go on a Pictish dig in Scotland. She's just arrived in the country when she meets a busker/doomsday prophet/revolutionary who gives her a coded note and then ends up dead. Luckily, she runs into Jamie Erskine, a laird who takes her under his wing. And it's a good thing they are together because someone is looking for a treasure and they are not above framing Susan and Jamie for murder in order to get what they want.
The sexism of the time that Peters usually avoids is pervasive in this book (though not as bad as the Jackal's Head which I couldn't even finish) I did enjoy Grace Conlin as the narrator. Two and a half stars rounded up.
We are following along with Susan, an archeological student who has gotten the lifelong opportunity of being able to go on a Pictish dig in Scotland. She's just arrived in the country when she meets a busker/doomsday prophet/revolutionary who gives her a coded note and then ends up dead. Luckily, she runs into Jamie Erskine, a laird who takes her under his wing. And it's a good thing they are together because someone is looking for a treasure and they are not above framing Susan and Jamie for murder in order to get what they want.
The sexism of the time that Peters usually avoids is pervasive in this book (though not as bad as the Jackal's Head which I couldn't even finish) I did enjoy Grace Conlin as the narrator. Two and a half stars rounded up.
jesm98's review against another edition
2.0
I listened to the audio version of this book via the Libby app.
Really 2.5 stars, but I didn't want to put it at 3.
I have read a number of Elizabeth Peters' books about Egypt and Amelia Peabody and I really enjoyed them. I thought that this book being about Scotland would be amazing, but it was just okay. The pace of the book seemed to go slower than I anticipated. In some parts, I felt like I kept waiting for something to actually happen. The end of the book was more action-packed, but it seemed too little too late. Additionally, the characters were fine, but I didn't find them as engaging and personable as I found the author's other characters.
I think I'll just stick with the Egypt series.
Really 2.5 stars, but I didn't want to put it at 3.
I have read a number of Elizabeth Peters' books about Egypt and Amelia Peabody and I really enjoyed them. I thought that this book being about Scotland would be amazing, but it was just okay. The pace of the book seemed to go slower than I anticipated. In some parts, I felt like I kept waiting for something to actually happen. The end of the book was more action-packed, but it seemed too little too late. Additionally, the characters were fine, but I didn't find them as engaging and personable as I found the author's other characters.
I think I'll just stick with the Egypt series.
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
4.0
I simply love the fact that Jaime was supposed to look like a young Prince Charles.