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bunnycherry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
heckate's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
5.0
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
I adore Amelia Peabody and her husband Radcliffe Emerson. There’s a lot of humor and exaggeration in their characters that makes them so lovable. My husband occasionally exclaims, “Good gad, Peabody,” because he’s heard me listen to this series so many times over the past 25 years.
It’s been four years since the happenings of Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1), and Amelia and Emerson have had a son, whom they legally named Junior but soon gained the nickname of Ramses, after the great Pharaoh. He’s a precocious little bugger, too smart for his own good, and a little terror. Amelia has a certain fondness for him, but she’s not naturally a nurturer, so she’s a rather distant mother. Emerson, however, is unconventionally for the times, a doting father who enjoys teaching the boy about Egyptology. The couple has not been back to Egypt since Ramses was born, but a situation arises where they feel they can leave him with Emerson’s brother Walter and wife Evelyn, who have several children by this time.
Lord Baskerville has died, and murder is suspected, so naturally Amelia wants to investigate. Emerson on one hand, chastises her for thinking herself a detective, yet gladly joins in as they gather clues and suspects. The mystery is secondary to the characterizations of the main players. We meet Cyrus Vandergelt for the first time, a wealthy American who quickly becomes friends with the Emersons as they try to figure out the solution to the mystery.
I highly recommend listening to the audiobook versions of the Amelia Peabody mysteries narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. She has such a feel for the characters and makes each voice unique.
I adore Amelia Peabody and her husband Radcliffe Emerson. There’s a lot of humor and exaggeration in their characters that makes them so lovable. My husband occasionally exclaims, “Good gad, Peabody,” because he’s heard me listen to this series so many times over the past 25 years.
It’s been four years since the happenings of Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1), and Amelia and Emerson have had a son, whom they legally named Junior but soon gained the nickname of Ramses, after the great Pharaoh. He’s a precocious little bugger, too smart for his own good, and a little terror. Amelia has a certain fondness for him, but she’s not naturally a nurturer, so she’s a rather distant mother. Emerson, however, is unconventionally for the times, a doting father who enjoys teaching the boy about Egyptology. The couple has not been back to Egypt since Ramses was born, but a situation arises where they feel they can leave him with Emerson’s brother Walter and wife Evelyn, who have several children by this time.
Lord Baskerville has died, and murder is suspected, so naturally Amelia wants to investigate. Emerson on one hand, chastises her for thinking herself a detective, yet gladly joins in as they gather clues and suspects. The mystery is secondary to the characterizations of the main players. We meet Cyrus Vandergelt for the first time, a wealthy American who quickly becomes friends with the Emersons as they try to figure out the solution to the mystery.
I highly recommend listening to the audiobook versions of the Amelia Peabody mysteries narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. She has such a feel for the characters and makes each voice unique.
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Audiobook performed by Susan O’Malley.
2.5**
Book two in the Amelia Peabody series, featuring the intrepid Victorian lady Egyptologist. She’s back in Egypt on another dig, which seems to have stirred a mysterious spirit – “a lady in white.” I don’t want to say much more because it would spoil book # 1.
I read the first book in the series a few years back and was not a fan. I had heard so many good things about the series and was looking forward to it but found the first-person narrative and constant asides to the reader irritating. But after I posted my review some people commented that the books are meant to be a sort of satire of the genre. So, when I needed a book set in Egypt and a “series # 2” for different challenges, I decided to give the series another look.
Much of what irritated me in the first book happened again. Peters gives us a lot of back story and we’re well into the book before a murder occurs. The asides to the reader, and the foreshadowing, continue to annoy me. But … I’m beginning to see the humor and satire in Peters’ style. I’m starting to appreciate Peabody’s manner and her relationships with the other characters. This is a strong, independent-minded, intelligent woman who does not suffer fools gladly.
Susan O’Malley does a fine job performing the audiobook. She has clear diction and I really like the way she interprets Amelia.
2.5**
Book two in the Amelia Peabody series, featuring the intrepid Victorian lady Egyptologist. She’s back in Egypt on another dig, which seems to have stirred a mysterious spirit – “a lady in white.” I don’t want to say much more because it would spoil book # 1.
I read the first book in the series a few years back and was not a fan. I had heard so many good things about the series and was looking forward to it but found the first-person narrative and constant asides to the reader irritating. But after I posted my review some people commented that the books are meant to be a sort of satire of the genre. So, when I needed a book set in Egypt and a “series # 2” for different challenges, I decided to give the series another look.
Much of what irritated me in the first book happened again. Peters gives us a lot of back story and we’re well into the book before a murder occurs. The asides to the reader, and the foreshadowing, continue to annoy me. But … I’m beginning to see the humor and satire in Peters’ style. I’m starting to appreciate Peabody’s manner and her relationships with the other characters. This is a strong, independent-minded, intelligent woman who does not suffer fools gladly.
Susan O’Malley does a fine job performing the audiobook. She has clear diction and I really like the way she interprets Amelia.
mbbb72's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
4.0
roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
This book lacks the depth of character that is present in the first book. Because Amelia suspects a murder from the beginning, we do not get to see her compassion and generosity, as everyone is a suspect. So much of the interaction between her and Emerson in this one, it was easy to understand his frustration with her and see his right, that much of the humor was mocking her, instead of the back-and-forth before that gave the reader immense respect for her as well. I enjoyed the story, but I hope the characters return to multi-dimensionality in future installments.
mollie17smith's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laure_anne's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5