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...

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!

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.