If Indiana Jones were female, a wife and mother who lived in Victorian times, he would be Amelia Peabody Emerson, an archeologist whose extraordina...
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Jul 31, 2011
This series is NOT the series I thought it was. Either that, or, after enjoying the Vicky Bliss book I read, I wanted to read Peter's universe in order. Not quite sure why I got this instead of the first VB book, now.
For a historical fiction book, it's great. EXACTLY what people who enjoy Victorian era books would enjoy. I, however, am fickle and didn't enjoy just *how* historically accurate the tone of the book was. Because of this, I didn't enjoy the characters. Then there was the More...
For a historical fiction book, it's great. EXACTLY what people who enjoy Victorian era books would enjoy. I, however, am fickle and didn't enjoy just *how* historically accurate the tone of the book was. Because of this, I didn't enjoy the characters. Then there was the More...
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Jan 11, 2009
Suburbangardener
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In this book, the author has taken a departure from her usual style to pay homage to her heroine's favorite author, Rider Haggard, who wrote such classics as "King Solomon's Mines." It's a fun romp through the desert with less archeology than adventure.
Feb 11, 2009
Amanda
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 29, 2008
Donna
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I pecked away at the first half of this novel, dutifully reading a few pages a day—not high praise for a mystery novel. Of the various elements that can keep a reader engaged, (plot, character, theme, etc.), the only one that worked for me was setting. I was intrigued with insights into problems of survival in the Sahara, as well as information regarding ancient Egypt and archeology (which I presume was, to some degree, authentic). The plot picked up toward the end, and I was able to get engaged
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Apr 02, 2011
Elizabeth (Miss Eliza)
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Amelia and Emerson are all abuzz. Parts of the Sudan are once more under British control. All new archaeological sites are at their fingertips! All Amelia can think about is the pyramids. All those pyramids that have been not been studied due to political conflict and strife. But, never can the Emersons be allowed to just work, oh no. There must always be something more. That something more comes as a plea from a Mr. Forthright, who happens to pass out at Amelia's feet. Luckily Viscount Blacktow
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Aug 11, 2010
Kathy
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“…coyly delicate references to vigorously enjoyed connubial pleasures.” From goodreads summary... very aptly describes Emelia's frequent descriptions of sex with her husband.
This time the Emerson’s are heading for the Sudan, but get embroiled in the search for the Forths, a couple who disappeared 14 years earlier. They are approached by Mr. Forth’s nephew, who has received a map that makes his grandfather think that they are still alive… They did not intend to follow the clues, but More...
This time the Emerson’s are heading for the Sudan, but get embroiled in the search for the Forths, a couple who disappeared 14 years earlier. They are approached by Mr. Forth’s nephew, who has received a map that makes his grandfather think that they are still alive… They did not intend to follow the clues, but More...
Jul 09, 2011
Librarianforhim
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The Emersons are headed back to the field, this time to Napata in the Sudan. As usual they find themselves not doing excavation, but stuck in the middle of mystery and adventure. This one involves a missing man, an undiscovered culture, and political intrigue. The family emerges from it all with a young girl, the daughter of a friend, whom they take in to their home.
What kept me listening? As usual, it was Peters' use of language, humor, and knowledge of the Middle EAst. Rosenblatt's More...
What kept me listening? As usual, it was Peters' use of language, humor, and knowledge of the Middle EAst. Rosenblatt's More...
Mar 09, 2010
F
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Only because this novel was selected by my reading group did I persevere to the end, reading every word. The novel dragged, bogged down by monotonous fluff. Toward the end of the novel, there was some interest as to which handmaiden was to be trusted, Amenit or Mentarit. Also, how Tarek would get Amelia and Emerson out of the Holy Mountain, a ancient civilization that the current 1897 world did not know existed. This is my first Amelia Peabody book to read. Therefore, based solely on this b
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Nov 12, 2011
Dayna
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The sixth book in the Amelia Peabody series. The Emerson's have been asked to look for a missing Viscount's son and daughter-in-law who disappeared in the Sudan ten years earlier. Neither believe the cryptic message, but the treasure map is irresistible. They soon find themselves captured by soldiers from a hidden city straight out of an H. Rider Haggard novel. Can they escape with their lives or will they be sacrificed to the ancient Egyptian gods they have researched for so long? Exciting, act
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Oct 27, 2010
Deanna
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With this book, Amelia introduces a new character to her family and sets in motion the tempestuous future for her son, Ramses. This one gets four stars because, although there are wonderful moments of action and suspense, the dialog and plot are a bit more melodramatic than I like. This is, obviously, quite deliberate on Ms. Peter's part, as she makes frequent illusions to that wonderful romance/adventure novel, "King Solomon's Mines," and the style, plot, and characters of this stor
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Mar 28, 2009
Kimberly
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Still fun, but a bit different from her previous books. Lots of humor, lots of adventure, and a new main character added to the mix. Instead of going to dig at an Egyptian archaeological site, the Emerson clan is abandoned by their workers in the Sudan and rescued by a group of people who still live according to ancient Meroitic traditions. It's just as cool as it sounds. The Emersons are much more excited about being able to study such a civilization up close and in person than they are wor
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Aug 10, 2011
Bridget
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The sixth installment in the Amelia Peabody mystery series, this takes place in 1897-98, a little more than a year after the last installment, The Deeds of the Disturber, and I think Ramses is around 10 or 11 years old now. This is in the style of H. Rider Haggard's works, such as King Solomon's Mines and She. I didn't enjoy this setup as well as the usual Amelia Peabody story, but it had its interesting parts. The Emersons go on a trip to the Lost Oasis in the desert and after lots of advent
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Sep 25, 2010
Angela
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You really need to point at Book 6 of the Amelia Peabodies, The Last Camel Died at Noon, as one of the pivotal books of the series--because it's here that arguably the most important character in the entire cast (aside from, of course, the Emersons themselves) is introduced. The Last Camel Died at Noon is the book that introduces Nefret, and it's the tale of how the Emersons discover and rescue her from a lost civilization deep in the Sudan.
It's this book as well where Peters starts More...
It's this book as well where Peters starts More...
Jul 11, 2010
Anne
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With the exception of the first one, this is my favorite Amelia Peabody mystery that I've read so far. I liked seeing the Emersons in true peril and how they worked together with real ingenuity to figure out a way to get out of it. Not so much a mystery as an interesting philosophical and historical puzzle--but then, most of them are like that. Also...now that I think about it, the book has almost nothing to do with why the camels died. I didn't realize that at the time. Oh well. An entert
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Mar 21, 2010
Anne Hawn
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This time Amelia and her husband, Radcliffe Emerson, are digging in the Sudan with their son, Ramses, who is 11 in this adventure. The have been asked to find out what happened to archeologist Willoughby Forth. Willoughby's father and his son need to know what has happened to him when he and his wife disappeared 14 years earlier. There exists a map to guide them in the wretchedly hot and featureless desert, but is it an accurate map? When the last of their camels dies, stranding them in the m
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Jul 05, 2008
Sandy
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This is my most favorite of the Amelia Peabody series. If you are in the mood for some high adventure, suspense, sleuthing and humor you will find it all in this book. This book differs in a way for most of the books in the series as it is more adventure centered. I believe I read once where she was modeling it around either King Solomon’s Mines or Lost Horizons. It is much fun and a great introduction to this series. The series is chronological, but it is not truly necessary to read them i
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Apr 18, 2008
Tara
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This is a great series starring Amelia Peabody Emerson. I loved the first book, Crocodile on the Sandbank, but since then they have gotten a little formulaic. This book was a refreshing departure from the norm. We find the Emersons discovering a modern-day (to them) civilization populated by the descendants of the ancient peoples this archaelogical family lives to study. And you can imagine the chaos that ensues with the introduction of the Father of Curses and the Sitt Hakim to this hidden
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Jun 08, 2010
Jamie
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The plot of this one didn't do much for me, but I nonetheless enjoyed another expedition with the Emerson-Peabodys. They continue to amuse me, and there's a particularly touching bit when the family has a closer than usual brush with death. And of course, the Egyptian scenery is always interesting.
I like that this book begins at a crisis point, then flashes back to tell how the family arrived there. It was a nice departure from the usual linear storytelling in this series.
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I like that this book begins at a crisis point, then flashes back to tell how the family arrived there. It was a nice departure from the usual linear storytelling in this series.
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Nov 09, 2010
Liarbyrd
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This book is entirely different than the other Amelia Peabody novels, being more an adventure in the style of Rider S. haggard than a mystery, and it is my favorite of all the Amelia Peabody series. It has everything: secret cities, lost civilizations, handsome princes, beautiful maidens to be rescued, conspiracies, political turmoil and a dramatic escape. It is just plain fun and I often reread it when I'm in the mood for a good adventure story.
Jun 25, 2010
Lady
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Another great installment! I really liked this volume! The plot this time is much more farcical in nature and rather than a true-blue mystery, it is much more along the lines of "Indiana Jones" or "King Soloman's Mines". Also it introduces Nefret Forth, who becomes quite an important character later on in the series. Easily one of my favorites!
The other reviewer has given a fantastic plot summary, so I won't bother with another one!
The other reviewer has given a fantastic plot summary, so I won't bother with another one!
Oct 20, 2010
Angela
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I didn't finish this because the 7th disc in the 14 disc set from the library didn't work so I returned the audio set. I enjoyed the premise and themes and especially the historical content but tired of the main characters' arrogance and elitess attitudes. I agree those attitudes are probably correct for the time location and their perceived social station but maybe it was the narrators voice that leaves with no desire to listen to the rest of the book.
I am open to reconsidering if s More...
I am open to reconsidering if s More...
Oct 25, 2011
Helen
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Sometimes authors take risks with their characters and their chosen world. I was worried Elizabeth Peters had taken too big of a risk with broadening her field outside of her usual Nile valley, but this book has opened up the potential for so much more development for her characters and her plots for future books. This is a "lost world" sort of book as the Emersons stumble into a veritable paradise--with the usual dangers, threats, and despotic rulers trying to kill them. It's a wil
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Jan 05, 2010
BJ Rose
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Instead of solving a mystery that develops as they're excavating, Amelia & Emerson are off to find out what happened years ago to a missing archaeologist and his wife. There is much mention of H. Rider Haggard and King Solomon's Mines. After a grueling trek through the desert, which almost kills Amelia, there is a hidden city and of course information about the missing archaeologist (did we ever doubt that they would be successful?!) An interesting conclusion to their search, and of course Amel
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Jan 29, 2012
JC
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These books are officially done for awhile for me. I'm not sure what it is but they aren't able to entertain me and I don't relate to any of the characters very well. It's tough for me to give up a series or even a book, but this will have to be an exception as nothing is really happening that interests me and I just get upset with Amelia's stupidity sometimes...
Jun 01, 2011
Carrie
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The characters in Elizabeth Peters books are just wonderful. Each character has a tenacious and colorful personality which adds true vigor & vitality to each & every story by this author. LOVE THEM. If you like Indiana Jones, you will LOVE these books.
Also, this is the best book of the series. If you don't read any other - be sure to read this one!
Also, this is the best book of the series. If you don't read any other - be sure to read this one!
Aug 06, 2011
Virginia
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I think Elizabeth Peters really hit her stride in "The Last Camel Died at Noon." The story was the most engaging in the series so far, Emerson finally became a bit comical, quipping such remarks as, "I seem to have ruined another shirt...not my fault this time, Peabody," and we finally meet a character who keeps Ramses quiet.
One thing I really like about the series is how Peters illustrates Peabody and Emerson's relationship. Peabody states that they are frequen More...
One thing I really like about the series is how Peters illustrates Peabody and Emerson's relationship. Peabody states that they are frequen More...
Mar 02, 2009
Terri
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Another fun Peabody book. The relationship between Amelia and Emerson is probably one of the best parts of each book. In this book, Ramses moves from being just a pesky, verbose, trouble finding boy to someone who takes an active part in the adventures. Before this book, I have to admit that mostly I was just annoyed by Ramses.
Jan 25, 2011
Nate
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This was the first book from Elizabeth Peters that I have read, and it sounds like it's in the middle of a continuing series. I love the characters and their personalities are so powerful they pull you in. I listened to the Audio book version, and the reader, Barbara Rosenblat, really made the book a joy to listen too.
Apr 14, 2009
Nan
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Book gets five stars, again an audio download. Unfortunately a different reader who is unaware of differences between French, and British English pronunciations of words, pretty much spoiled the voice of the narrator. amazing how powerful the voice can be to change the character of the characters of the book.
