Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters

 At last I made it to the final book of the series! Amelia Peabody is still feisty and even more domineering as she ages. This story gives us a peek into the fabulous tomb of Ramses. Many of the experts who excavated this tomb in real life are depicted in this novel. It was fun to read the story of these fascinating characters who spent their lives digging for Egyptian treasure.

This entry into the series is similar to others in that there is humor and interesting characters. Emerson's half-brother, Sethos, has softened considerably and plays a large role than usual. Ramses and Nefret are about to depart on some unknown direction of their own, so this book is a nice culmination of many threads that were started over the course of the series. 

I'm ready for the series to end; the adventures and miraculous rescues have become slightly redundant. I've enjoyed the ride, though, for sure, and feel like I've learned some basics about Egypt and what it must have been like to live and learn in that fascinating environment in the early part of the twentieth century. The attitudes and world events were interesting to learn about. These are fairly light entertaining stories with a healthy dose of humor and mystery. Now I'm ready to move on...

The Serpent and the Crown by Elizabeth Peters

 This is #18 in the series, and a very enjoyable one. It got me through a hard time! I was staying with my dad at the Meadows and the days were long as he gradually declined. The days were busy, too, and my reward at the end of the day was a little escape into Egypt with this book. I was pretty exhausted at the end of each day, so this was a welcome change of pace. I always enjoy the Emerson family, and they did not disappoint.

This episode centers around a beautiful golden statuette that astounds everyone who sees it. It's given to the Emersons in order to avoid being further cursed by its presence. From there, the story unfolds around the woman who gives it away, and her two step-children. It takes all of the Emersons to unravel the complicated series of events that lead to murder and explanations.

Radcliffe Emerson's brother, Sethos, is becoming more and more sympathetic as the series evolves. In this story, even Ramses is warming up to him by the end. As I near the end of the series, I see softening and aging and maturing of the adult characters, even as Ramses' and Nefret's twins emerge as precocious upstarts. 

I think I need to reread this one at some point, because my dad passed away right when I was in the middle. And the emotional upheaval was interfering with my comprehension. There were many times when I couldn't even read, and I knew I needed to just feel and reflect on my emotions and loss. And then I would need a break, like on my flight home to St. George, where I wanted to sleep, but couldn't, and read. So I missed quite a few details and it was hard to put all of the pieces together at the end. I'll give it another try sometime. This was less violent than many of hers, so it will be a lighter and more fun re-read. 

Children of the Storm by Elizabeth Peters

This installment in the series had some very unexpected and delightful humorous moments. I believe Peters’ writing has improved over the course of these stories. The characters are so entertaining and stay consistent over time. I’ve especially enjoyed the growing softening of the master criminal, Sethos, as he is influenced by time in the Emerson family.

This longer story was complicated, but I was able to stay with it. The criminals were women from earlier installments, except for one, and she was despicable. She was disguised as a special needs boy, and he and his servant, Francois, were uncomfortably evil. They were determined to steal the massive treasure that had been discovered in one of Cyrus’ digs. His disappointment and subsequent plan to turn it  over to M. Lacau was a central point in the plot. 

I felt like Peters spent a lot of words filling out the familial scenes to give us an idea of how this next generation would operate. Ramses and Nefret’s twins get the last word in this book, and they are hilarious. Obviously, history is about to repeat itself in the form of two precocious children.

I read the ending of this in Las Vegas as we were attending a Rod Stewart concert. The action and darkness here on the streets can be unsettling. It was a relief to get into my most comfy and clean bed here in the Flamingo Hotel, and sail away into the safety of this story! Len is sleeping, so I took my pillow and comforter to a crack in the drapes so I could read the ending before we depart! It, like most of the stories, ended with a violent and dramatic culmination of the heroes overcoming the criminals in force. Very satisfying ending!

The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters

 This is #16 in the series, and I'm enjoying them more as I go along. I feel like I know the characters well, and Peters does a fine job of keeping them fresh, funny, and consistent. This particular book continues with Egypt at war, and Ramses continuing some undercover spy work for the British military. 

I read most of this on our houseboat on Lake Powell, and it was the perfect book for a summer read. It's light, intriguing, and the characters are interesting. I know I wrote they are consistent (above), but they are also full of surprises. And the intrigue and situations are always new and different. The Emerson family always overcomes incredible odds and people, but the settings and descriptions are always engaging.

In this story, we get to know Sethos much better. His mysterious facade is coming away, piece by piece, and we see more of his humane side. Ramses is faced with some moral dilemmas as he is rescued by a Turkish tyrant's daughter, and of course Amelia is in the middle of everything. 

The new character of Jumana is an interesting mix of loyalty and intelligence and will probably continue on into the next installment. Sennia is developing into a mini-Amelia, which will make for interesting developments in future installments. Nefret doesn't get much air time, but she does end up pregnant, so that opens up some interesting possibilities too, for future books. And I kept wondering, why is Amelia "in charge" of Sennia rather than Ramses and Nefret? Just a wondering. 

The setting of Gaza and other middle eastern cities and how they are situated was fascinating; as was the description of the homes and harem quarters, etc., These colorful details make this series even more interesting and hint at a rich culture and history. So many insights...

Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters

Another winner! Two in a row (at least). I'm enjoying these more and more. I think the humor is better, the plots are always interesting, and the characters are developing in interesting ways.

This is the first book after Ramses and Nefret are married, and they work well together as a team. We get almost equal time between these two and Amelia and Emerson, and that is a satisfying combination. It's fun to listen in as Emerson gives Ramses marital advice. And Sethos is becoming more and more sympathetic and plays a larger role than ever before. It seems like he and Miss Minton are on the brink of romance, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the next book.

Most of the action in this one involves trying to find a hidden tomb in the Luxor area, and trying to find out who the Master Criminal's rival is. Cyrus and Katherine are back, and we get to know Bertie, their son, trying to recover from his stint in the war. Jumana is a likely figure for the future, an ambitious Egyptian girl of 16 who wants to become an Egyptologist. All interesting and colorful characters. 

I'm going to start the next one on the houseboat in Lake Powell next week. These are perfect light, funny, and absorbing summer reads.  

He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters

 This is a good one! The series definitely improves at this point in the story. The setting is, as usual, Egypt, but this time it's during wartime in 1914. The Suez Canal is threatened. So the backdrop is an interesting history of how the Turks, for example, were involved. Ramses and Nefret finally get on the same page, Amelia and Ramses are able to appreciate each other, and Amelia is funnier (unintionally) than ever. 

I've really enjoyed watching the relationships develop over the series. Ramses has come into his own and we see how he is the perfect blend of his father's and mother's attributes. Nefret is becoming more scheming, along the lines of her guardian, Amelia. And finally, after years, Ramses and Nefret are able to be on the same page romantically. It was a long time coming! And since both characters are so sympathetic, it was great to finally have this happen.

There are also more subtle humorous bits that make the series so light-hearted and fun, despite the crimes and poverty all around. I think the series is improving; I'm enjoying these later books even more than the earlier ones. They are the perfect companion to take out to the pool on a hot summer day in St. George!

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!

The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters

 Well, I finally did it! I got tired of not remembering or tracking the intricacies of these plots, so I read this one twice. And I have to say, I enjoyed it much more the second time through. There were so many hints and ironic situations that were totally lost on me the first time around! It was amazing.

This is the story of Amelia and Emerson being chased by not one, but two villains. Both villains are after the information that will lead them to the "lost civilization" described in the previous book, The Last Camel Died at Noon. Their methods include kidnapping and abductions and even attacks on Nefret and Ramses back in England. One of the highlights of this book is Ramses' letters to his parents. They are so funny, and Amelia's reactions to them are great too. 

These books are the perfect lightness for my rather harried mind as we try to negotiate a new life in St. George, while I am still reluctant to leave the Black Hills. It's painful. But these books, when I awaken in the middle of the night, take me away to a fun place, though often violent. They take my concentration to track what's going on, and to keep the characters straight. It's a good diversion. Often the characters return from previous books, and one who I always enjoy is Kevin O'Connell, a journalist who embellishes his stories and infuriates Amelia. So fun having him around!

I think I might be near the end of my time with this series, though. I have one left in my stash and after that I might try some Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. Time for something different. 

The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters

 This was a departure from Peters' usual setting, and Ramses was along for the ride, and as usual, he was fascinating and funny. Amelia Peabody's reactions to her son were hilarious. And, as usual, the plot was complicated and I had trouble tracking some of the characters, but overall, it was a fun ride.

What made this story different was the peek into an early civilization that had miraculously survived hidden deep in the Sudan. The customs, mores, culture, and religion were all based on ancient Egyptian history and I could tell that Peters had had a great time imagining it all. It was a truly fascinating place with lots colorful descriptions. It's an important book in the series because the next book, The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog is based on "the secret" which is this ancient civilization. Plus, an important new character, Nefret, is introduced and returns to England with the Emerson family. Knowing her history is important in the next installation as well. 

One thing I enjoy about these books, besides the humor, is the that the characters are often unpredictable and not what they seem. Sometimes we discover this at the same time as Amelia and Emerson, and sometimes not... There's always some plot or identity to unravel and it's challenging to track them all. Still, I enjoy it!

The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters

 I just finished this one last night. It's the first one I've read in this series that is not set in Egypt, but relies on Egyptian antiquities. This novel is set in London, and revolves around Lord Liverpool and other aristocratic characters who don priestly robes to terrorize the public who are interested in mummies and other artifacts in the British Museum. Peabody's and Emerson's son Ramses takes on various disguises and continues to attract his mother's ire. At the end, though, she gives him an earned and sincere apology for some of her treatment of him in the course of the story.

This one is the darkest of the series that I have read so far. The ceremony and debauchery of the aristocrats is darkly disturbing and crazy. Peters does not get graphic, however, so it's somewhat less disturbing than it could be.  A major theme in this story is Peabody's jealousy of an Egyptian courtesan who runs an opium den. Opium addiction is a sad side story in this novel as well. Still, an enjoyable and often funny read, due to Emerson's temper and Peabody's uber-confidence. 

I'm having trouble tying all the complicated threads together, largely because there are so many of them, and some quite obscure. It could also be that I am sometimes very tired when I read, and have to reread the previous section the next night because I can't remember what I read before. Am I sleep deprived or losing my memory? Ha! I don't know, but this book helped entertain me and keep me light while I cared for Leonard during his recovery from knee surgery. A very helpful diversion during a busy time!

I should also not that this is the second in the Amelia Peabody series, and the sixth one that I have read. 

The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters

 This is the fifth book in the series that I have read, and number 2 in the series itself. In this one, Amelia Peabody, and her husband, Radcliffe Emerson, travel to Egypt to help solve the mysterious death of Lord Baskerville. As usual, I enjoyed Peabody's humor and arrogance, but missed a few of the clues and summations along the way. Still, an enjoyable read, with a new Irish character: Mr. O'Connell who has a lively personality and is a refreshing foil for Amelia. 

These are the perfect "put me to sleep quickly" mysteries because they are light and funny. I'm not in the mood for anything heavy while we are figuring out our future in St. George! They make me laugh and are good for my brain to try to follow the threads and red herrings. I have a few more to read, but will probably not pursue reading the entire series. The plots, settings, and characters are still interesting, but not captivating, if you know what I mean. I feel I need to raise the bar somewhat, and soon.

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

 This is the first in the Amelia Peabody series, and it sets the stage for the rest. This is the fourth one I've read, and it was fun to read about the beginnings of Amelia and Emerson's relationship, and about how Evelyn was befriended by Amelia. The romances between Evelyn and Walter and between Amelia and Emerson were delightful and humorous as they unfolded. This is a bright story with lots of Egyptian color and culture. Probably the best one I've read so far. She started strong! Both the author and Amelia...it's fun to see the beginnings. 

I don't know if it's because I'm better-rested or if in the beginning of the series the plots were easier to follow...but at any rate I didn't get lost in the characters or the plot like I have in some of her other books. This was more manageable for my little brain!

And...there's something so funny about Amelia's confidence and arrogance. And I love how she grows to absolutely admire Emerson and his physique. It's clean writing with subtle and fun messages.

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!

The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters

This is another fun mystery set in Egypt by Elizabeth Peters. This is the second one for me, but third in the Amelia Peabody series. That number is from a list in the front of the book; I doubt it's this late in the series, though, because Ramses, the main character's son, is only six or seven years old. Still, he's precocious, and is able save both Peabody and Emerson at the climax of the mystery.  

Like in the first one I read, the heart of the fun is the relationship between Peabody and her husband, Emerson. They are hilarious and competitive. What was new for me was the outright jealousy of Peabody of her young son, Ramses. He's brilliant, tries to help, but she can't stand to let him talk! It's funny because it highlights her arrogance and confidence. 

The mystery aspects and characters were too convoluted to follow... That could be because of my declining cognitive abilities, or perhaps they were meant to be cryptic? Not sure...I just decided not to let the details derail me and enjoy the characters. Which I did. This is the perfect kind of a book to read while "on vacation" in St. George...Light and fun. 

A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters

 Not long after arriving in St. George, Len found the nearest Deseret Industries store and I joined him. They had a great used book selection, and this one looked interesting. It was a $1.00 paperback, so I jumped on it.

I'm so glad I did! It's the middle of the Amelia Peabody series, but I didn't feel hampered by jumping in the middle. Amelia Peabody is a great character--stern, hilarious, in love with her archeologist husband, and prim English lady, as well as an accomplished archeologist in her own right. 

I enjoyed the interactions of Amelia and her mercurial husband, Emerson and their constant battles with each other and the other characters. It's refreshing and fun writing with nothing too heavy or gruesome or in bad taste. The mystery aspects of the story were interesting, but not --for me--the center of the story. The setting and the people of the Middle East are fascinating aspects of the story as well. It's set in the 1920s, so many of the attitudes and even racism are context-appropriate. But Amelia is a modern heroine with great strengths and champions women and certain impoverished "lower class" people beautifully.

I liked this so well that I ordered the first two in the series, so I can go back to the beginning. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that Amazon is shipping them to Rapid City. AAARRRGGHH. So, I ordered two more, earlier ones, and had them shipped here. I'll read them all mixed up, but that's okay. I will keep laughing!