A good salary and an all-expenses-paid summer spent a sprawling Arizona ranch is too good a deal for fledgling anthropologist D.J. Abbott to tur... read full description
reviews
Mar 24, 2009
Tracy
rated it: 
This was just a regular mystery with a regular romance woven in that resolved in the regular way. Hints at the culprit were there all along, and in the end we find one character knew the truth the whole time. It was an easy and quick read. I thought this novel was entertaining without straining any brain cells.
The characters made this book enjoyable for me. Elizabeth Peters gives us whole people to read about, not just personality traits and hodge-podge histories. Her books are More...
The characters made this book enjoyable for me. Elizabeth Peters gives us whole people to read about, not just personality traits and hodge-podge histories. Her books are More...
May 05, 2011
Samantha
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D.J. signs up to do an internship for an eccentric millionaire down in Arizona. When she gets to the mansion where she’s to spend her summer working she finds a bunch of weirdo’s whose professions range from alien hunters to past life readers. These nuts are all there for one thing, Hank –the millionaire’s- money. After some strange events happen in the mansion Hank turns up missing and D.J., Tom, and one of the maids are the only people who are worried. So they start looking for him and recruit
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Sep 26, 2009
Laina
rated it:
I was hesitant when I first started this book. For some reason it has always annoyed me when the narrator talks directly to the reader about "reading this book." From the first chapter, I prepared myself to think the voice was forced and not enjoy it at all.
However, it grew on me. I started to understand the humor, and soon I found myself laughing out loud. The main character and narrator D.J. was spunky, blunt, and quite frankly hilarious. I loved the story that invol More...
However, it grew on me. I started to understand the humor, and soon I found myself laughing out loud. The main character and narrator D.J. was spunky, blunt, and quite frankly hilarious. I loved the story that invol More...
Jun 01, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
I liked the archaeological details of the plot in this one--always one of Peters' strongest points. I also enjoyed all the colorful characters, and the lovely descriptions. What I didn't buy, unfortunately, was the romance between the main characters. Maybe because arguing is not my favorite form of flirtation--I just don't find it sexy. I also don't think it's EVER right for a man to spank a woman just because he's frustrated with her. Just, ew.
Sep 03, 2010
Carolyn F.
rated it: 
I've read a Barbara Michaels book (aka Elizabeth Peters) about a smart aleck woman who eats constantly large amounts of food and talks about food all the time. So guess what this book is about, a smart aleck woman who eats constantly large amounts of food and talks about food all the time. Also in both books the heroes are dark skinned, meanies, that fall in love in the last 10 pages. Can you say formulaic?
From the above, I guess you can tell I didn't care for the book. I rarely More...
From the above, I guess you can tell I didn't care for the book. I rarely More...
Sep 15, 2010
Kristina
rated it: 
This is one of my favorite "cozy" books. Whenever I want to read a book that I found comforting and familiar, I turn to Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels and read one of her books. This book is just about perfect: D.J. and Tom have a funny and sarcastic friendship and the adventure/mystery is great. Even though I have almost every sentence memorized, I still love this book. I have 2 different paperback copies of it and I've read it a million times.
Jan 26, 2012
Margaret
rated it:
It was enjoyable quick read( actually a listen in this case). Even though written in the 1979, it does not feel particularly dated, except couple of time I did have this voice going in the back of my mind "next time use a GPS instead of a compass....". The book is not as good as the Amelia Peabody series but still humorous and enjoyable.
Jan 25, 2012
Nicole
rated it:
Delightful! Take a graduate student escaping Classical archeology into anthropology, add Arizona sunsets and glowing turquoise, and you have a fun read. It's a mystery and a light romance, but mostly it's an excuse to remember Arizona and wallow in the richly described experiences.
Feb 09, 2009
Carissa
rated it:
I enjoy just about anything from Elizabeth Peters and this was no different. I'm constantly amazed at her characters, and the slow reveal of the danger to them and the final resolution of the mystery.
It's nice to read a story that ends on an upbeat, too. A good summer read.
It's nice to read a story that ends on an upbeat, too. A good summer read.
Nov 10, 2010
Judy
rated it:
Young woman working on PhD leaves Ohio to work at an exclusive ranch in Arizona to help a rich man with his search for antiquities. Gutsy, smart woman and an antagonistic male scholar butt heads trying to figure out what is happening and who is sabotaging the work.
Jun 28, 2011
Terri
rated it:
A fun quick read with a bit of romance and a bit of mystery and a ton of humor. The mystery isn't obvious, but it isn't rocket science either - just my style. I didn't have to strain my brain to figure out esoteric clues and I got to enjoy the ride.
Apr 07, 2011
Bronwyn
rated it:
Another good read :)
Stand alone set in the desert outside of Arizona. An anthropologist has a summer intern job with a fabulously wealthy eccentric. Fun characters. Nice mystery and a little romance. The heroine loves to eat and is funny.
Stand alone set in the desert outside of Arizona. An anthropologist has a summer intern job with a fabulously wealthy eccentric. Fun characters. Nice mystery and a little romance. The heroine loves to eat and is funny.
Jun 27, 2011
Chris
rated it:
Such a fun read! The main character DJ is one of the most likeable ones I've come across. I loved the wonderful narrative. She is delightful The mystery was interesting. There were some great characters.
Aug 02, 2009
Karis
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My first EP book, and one of my absolute faves. Originally read sometime in the 80s and re-read many times more. Who doesn't love heroines whose jeans are too tight because of too many of those little cream puffs!
Jan 09, 2011
Elizabeth Peters was warming up to her creation of Amelia Peabody when she wrote this in 1979. This was fun to read. It is strange to revist the world before computers, cell phones and GPS.
Dec 14, 2008
Christy
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I love Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series. I cannot get into her other series books, however. The Vickie Bliss series couldn't keep my attention long enough to even move on to the second book in the series. This book didn't have the same lovely character development as the Peabody series. It wasn't endearing, and the romantic progression was weird, and abrupt.
Dec 11, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
I love when I get to go on an adventure with Elizabeth Peters. I find myself smiling every time I pick up one if her books to read. What fun it would be to forage around in her brain!
Sep 22, 2011
Linda
rated it:
Poorly crafted, cardboard characters who act in unrealistic ways, constant unnecessary bickering between characters wears on the nerves.
Jan 02, 2009
Melissa
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Of all of Elizabeth Peters stand-alone books, this is by far my favorite, probably because I love a girl who loves to eat.
Apr 06, 2010
Barbara
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I really enjoyed this book - the mystery was engaging and I loved the central character with all her outrageous attitudes.
Mar 21, 2009
Nona
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A really good read. Gripping despite the fact that it takes place almost entirely in one setting, of the mansion.
Oct 30, 2010
JC
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I really thought this book was going to be a 5 after the first few pages. I love the sarcastic attitude that D.J. takes to everything. It made me laugh. Unfortunately, things slowed down quite a bit during the course of the book and while I still enjoyed it quite a bit, it wasn't as good as my first impressions led me to believe. D.J. is a funny girl who is a bit of an oddball, but she gets pretty lucky in this story where she has to find out what happened to Hank, her summer employer. A fun rea
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Mar 22, 2011
SJuhl4
rated it:
An eccentric AZ rancher gets help from an archeologist. The ranchers discovery ends up deadly and he doesn't even know for sure what he found. I love the way she gives you many suspects, sends you looking in all directions and always wrappes up the mystery and romance beautifully.
Jan 27, 2012
Jenn
rated it:
I am a great fan of Elizabeth Peters. Amelia Peabody ranks among my most beloved characters in literature. This Peter's novel is the first I have ventured to read outside of the Peabody series. I liked it. But that is it. There was nothing to set it above the realm of average. The lead character was spunky, but that is it. They story itself was mediocre.
Audio review: Listening to this novel didn't take away or add to my enjoyment. It was read well enough, but nothing astound
Audio review: Listening to this novel didn't take away or add to my enjoyment. It was read well enough, but nothing astound
Jul 21, 2011
Laura
rated it:
Not quite as suspenseful as some of her other books - it was particularly easy for me to figure out who the culprit was.
Jan 28, 2011
Warnie B.
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This is another one of those silly books that I just read over and over again. D.J. is so dang likable, what with her smart mouth and her love of food (well, you know, I can relate), and I find the history and romance of turquoise fascinating. And there are just so many silly characters and situations, that I just can't help but love it!
