Guardian of the Horizon by Elizabeth Peters

 This is one of the best in the series, I think. I had taken a little break and it was fun to get back into the humor and fun of this author. This story was also easier for me to follow; some of Peters' plots get kind of complicated, and this one was easier.

Another reason I enjoyed this one is because Ramses and Nefret played major roles in the story. They are coming into their own, and we learn a lot more about Ramses' character and abilities. His unfailing politeness to his parents cracked me up, even when he was often underestimated by them. He is the reason this particular mission (a return to the Lost Oasis) is a success. I was surprised when he succumbed to the advances of the beautiful Daria, and wondered how that would turn out. I like that he's ever the gentleman and yet also a human. Translation: not perfect! 

I'm beginning to think that Amelia is a real control freak and it cracks me up how she handles Emerson (her husband). He's definitely not the star here, and she criticizes him for not having ideas. She still admires his musculature, but she is ever more assertive in driving the action. She's also beginning to appreciate Ramses' abilities and has less complaints about him. There are lots of allusions to previous characters and situations, and it was fun to be "in the know" about them. In particular, it was fun to have Sethos (the master criminal) reappear. I'm not sure this scene would have been as funny if I hadn't read the earlier encounters. Amelia is keeping more of this relationship to herself and not letting Emerson know...It will be interesting to see if this trend continues. 

I want to read the next in the series to continue to enjoy Ramses' development, in particular. And how will Nefret turn out? Will they ever declare their love for each other? Will Amelia ever guess at it? And will Daria and Tarek (king in the Lost Oasis) have a child and will she wonder if its Ramses'? So many questions! It's so fun to have the time to pursue the next one...

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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Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters

 This was a fun one! And I actually followed the plot and the characters without any trouble. Maybe I'm getting used to Peters' style or maybe I was just more alert. Whatever the case, this plot was less complex than others, there were fewer surprises, and I could track all of the interesting characters. There was less about Egyptian history and tombs, and more about Ramses, Nefret, and David. They are older teenagers now, and are learning about life, love, and maturing. An interesting device introduced in this book is some departures (italicized) written from Ramses' point of view. Peters is setting the stage for romance, and it will be fascinating to see where it goes from here! There is also a seance in this book, and the players and the scene is pretty dramatic. There isn't a whole lot of violence, either, which I appreciated. Just intrigue and Amelia Peabody's usual great "unintentional" humor!

Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters

 This is fourth in the Amelia Peabody series, but third one for me. For the first time I could follow most of the threads of the mystery. However, it's still the characters that are the draw for me. In this one, Ramses, Amelia Peabody's son, is eight years old. She is still jealous of him, gives him a hard time when he talks too much, but ultimately has to acknowledge his insights into the mystery.

Emerson, Peabody's husband, continues to show his lion-like temper, and it's fun to listen to Peabody both admire and admonish him! The Master Criminal, Sethos, makes multiple appearances in this story, in various disguises. This one might be fun to tackle again, just to know ahead of time who is whom. I also enjoyed the young opium addict character, Ronald or Donald (I get them mixed up too, like Emerson does), whom Amelia is determined to reform. 

Maybe I'm just getting on Peters' wavelength, but I enjoyed this one the most so far. There were also threads of earlier stories continued in this one that helped me make sense of all the characters. Peters uses lots of characters and sometimes keeping track of them is hard for me. Still, I can always enjoy the dialogue, and of course, Peabody's inner dialogue of utmost confidence in herself!