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kccrewdson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
3.75
khoerner7's review against another edition
4.0
My opinions of the Amelia Peabody books have gone up and down over the years. This one is certainly up. It is out of sequence being about 5 years earlier than the book that came out last year. It covers an experience before WWI and in the Jerusalem area which is new for this group. Ramses gets in over his head and the family pulls together to save him and discover who is doing wrong in the area. Fast paced and fun story.
plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
3.0
Elizabeth Peters is an old reliable, comfortable as an old shoe, but a lot more exciting. This is her 19th book featuring Amelia Peabody Emerson and her Professor Emerson and all their extended clan. She knows these characters so well by now that the reader can be excused, perhaps, for feeling that the books almost write themselves. They seem effortless, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Peters actually works very hard to make them seem that way. She is mistress of all the minute details that create the atmosphere of the book and that must take some research.
In this book, we find ourselves not in the Emersons' beloved Egypt but summering in Kent, having been banned from Egypt by the antiquities authorities there. Of course, we know this won't last long, and soon Radcliffe Emerson, archaeologist, is being inveigled into serving his country by going to Palestine to shadow one Major Morley, would-be archaeologist, who may be planning to stir up some mischief there.
It is 1910, a tense time in Palestine (when has it ever not been?) and Germany seems bent on extending its influence there, possibly in preparation for war at some future date. Meantime, the corrupt Ottoman Empire is crumbling, leaving a political vacuum to be exploited.
A trip to Palestine is attractive to the Emersons because their son, Ramses, is already there helping with a dig in Jaffa. Very soon, they are packing up and on there way, but Ramses, ever curious, has managed to attract the attention of some very nasty characters who detain him from meeting the Emerson entourage in Jerusalem. Now, our intrepid duo and their faithful compatriots will not only have to determine what Major Morley is up to and try to prevent a brewing "holy war" but they must ride to the rescue of their only son and his friend David. All in a day's work for the Emersons!
In this book, we find ourselves not in the Emersons' beloved Egypt but summering in Kent, having been banned from Egypt by the antiquities authorities there. Of course, we know this won't last long, and soon Radcliffe Emerson, archaeologist, is being inveigled into serving his country by going to Palestine to shadow one Major Morley, would-be archaeologist, who may be planning to stir up some mischief there.
It is 1910, a tense time in Palestine (when has it ever not been?) and Germany seems bent on extending its influence there, possibly in preparation for war at some future date. Meantime, the corrupt Ottoman Empire is crumbling, leaving a political vacuum to be exploited.
A trip to Palestine is attractive to the Emersons because their son, Ramses, is already there helping with a dig in Jaffa. Very soon, they are packing up and on there way, but Ramses, ever curious, has managed to attract the attention of some very nasty characters who detain him from meeting the Emerson entourage in Jerusalem. Now, our intrepid duo and their faithful compatriots will not only have to determine what Major Morley is up to and try to prevent a brewing "holy war" but they must ride to the rescue of their only son and his friend David. All in a day's work for the Emersons!
debraisretired's review against another edition
4.0
Yes for returning to the fun and archeology. No only because it doesn't continue the timeline for Nefret and Ramses.
mskyle's review against another edition
3.0
Not a particularly memorable entry in the series. As much as it pains me to admit it, following the exploits of the Emerson family has reached a point of diminishing returns.
sarah_gapkent's review against another edition
3.0
This is a series that I've been reading since I was 12 - yeah its probably cheesy but the 12 year old in me will keep reading it.
bethb3's review against another edition
3.0
You can tell this was toward the end of the series because it doesn't have quite the panache of the earlier narratives. It was still enjoyable, especially with Rosenblatt's narration, but not as well plotted or written as the others.
catsbah's review against another edition
3.0
This one slips in between some earlier ones. I enjoyed it, although I missed the setting in Egypt.
chgoange's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely little pleasure read that makes me want to wrap a turban aroumd my head and jump on a camel.
sarahconnor89757's review against another edition
3.0
A genuinly charming book for those who like Indiana Jones and Sherlock Holmes but it's just not my thing.