The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters

 At this point in the series, Ramses has become a man, along with David, his adopted brother. They were taken under the wing of an Arab sheik or someone similar and learned manly things. This novel begins in England, with a suffragist theme and meeting, introducing the mysterious people and crimes, which then follow the family into Egypt. The sheik also gifts the young men with beautiful and talented horses. 

Nefret, David, and Ramses become a strong force in their own right, and Ramses confesses to David his lovesickness for Nefret. Amelia and Emerson are oblivious to this development, and still call them "the children." This plot involves "the children" more, and Nefret uses her charms to get into tombs and other places that Emerson, for example, can't go. There is also the character of Layla, who intrigues Ramses and ultimately rescues him. The notorious "master criminal" whom I thought was killed in an earlier book, reappears, as well as the evil Bertha. The Egyptian scenes are interesting and culturally enlightening. This plot was fairly easy to follow, and I especially enjoyed the character of Sir Edward. It turns out he was in league with the master criminal and gives up (I think?) his aspirations of winning Nefret's affections.

This book also continues the device introduced earlier that gives Ramses/Nefret's point of view every few chapters. It's a nice contrast and contributes to understanding the different threads unweaving. 

All in all a satisfying read, a fun romp, and the perfect light book to help me transition from Rapid City to St. George during the hot summer of 2021. I'm ready for a break in this series now, especially since we have now moved into our new home in St. George, and I have access to some of my favorite books. Next up, one I've longed to re-read ever since Bismarck: Prodigal Summer. 

It's a little confusing to know what book to read next...there is a published order and a chronological order.  Here's a list I recently found on Amazon that is the chronological order. Since this one is the last one I have, I want to read the next ones (if I do) in chronological order. There is definitely some confusion... at the end of this book is a "teaser" from A River in the Sky, as if it's the next one in the series! 

Amelia Peabody Mysteries in Chronological Order:

1. Crocodile on the Sandbank (1884-1885)
2. Curse of the Pharaohs (1892-1893)
3. The Mummy Case (1894-1895)
4. Lion in the Valley (1895-1896)
5. Deeds of the Disturber (1896)
6. The Last Camel Died at Noon (1897-1898)
7. The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog (1898-1899)
8. The Hippopotamus Pool (1899-1900)
9. Seeing a Large Cat (1903-1904)
10. The Ape Who Guards the Balance (1906-1907)
11. Guardian of the Horizon (1907-1908)
12. A River in the Sky (1910)
13. The Falcon at the Portal (1911-1912)
14. He Shall Thunder in the Sky (1914-1915)
15. Lord of the Silent (1915-1916)
16. The Golden One (1916-1917)
17. Children of the Storm (1919-1920)
18. Serpent on the Crown (1921-1922)
19. Tomb of the Golden Bird (1922-1923)

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