Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

A River in the Sky (Amelia Peabody #19)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 2,501 ratings · 424 reviews

New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Peters brings back beloved Egyptologist and amateur sleuth Amelia Peabody in an exciting tale set amid the ancient temples and simmering religious tensions of Palestine on the eve of World War I. . . .

August 1910. Banned from the Valley of the Kings by the Antiquities Service, Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, are relaxing...more

New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Peters brings back beloved Egyptologist and amateur sleuth Amelia Peabody in an exciting tale set amid the ancient temples and simmering religious tensions of Palestine on the eve of World War I. . . .

August 1910. Banned from the Valley of the Kings by the Antiquities Service, Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, are relaxing at home in Kent, enjoying the tranquil beauty of summer. But adventure soon beckons when they are persuaded to follow would-be archaeologist Major George Morley on an expedition to Palestine, a province of the crumbling, corrupt Ottoman Empire and the Holy Land of three religions. Searching for the vanished treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem, Morley is determined to unearth the legendary Ark of the Covenant.

The skeptical Emerson wants no part of the scheme until a request from the War Office and Buckingham Palace persuades him to reconsider. The Germans are increasing their influence in Palestine and British intelligence insists that Morley is an agent of the Kaiser, sent to stir up trouble in this politically volatile land. Emerson can't believe that the seemingly inept Morley is a German spy, but could he be mistaken?

Determined to prevent a catastrophically unprofessional excavation that could destroy priceless historical finds as well as cause an armed protest by infuriated Christians, Jews, and Muslims who view the Temple Mount, also known as the Dome of the Rock, as sacred, Amelia, Emerson, and company head to Palestine. Though it is not to her beloved Egypt, the trip to Jerusalem will also reunite her with her handsome and headstrong son, Ramses, working on a dig at Samaria, north of the holy city.

Before Ramses can meet his parents, however, he is distracted by an unusual party of travelers who have arrived in Samaria, including a German woman archaeologist and a mysterious man of unknown nationality and past. Unfortunately, Ramses's insatiable curiosity and his knack for trouble lead him to a startling discovery: information he must pass on to his parents in Jerusalem—if he can get there alive.

Once again the Peabody-Emerson clan must use all their skills and wiles to find the truth, prevent a bloody holy war, and save their son from the clutches of a nefarious enemy in this wonderfully engaging tale chock-full of thrills, mystery, and daring from the inimitable Elizabeth Peters.(less)

ebook, 400 pages

Published April 6th 2010 by HarperCollins e-books (first published 2010)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 13, 2010 Lorena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery

I really love the Amelia Peabody series, and this book was satisfying in that it's always nice to read Amelia's "voice." This book was interesting in that it takes place mainly in Palestine instead of familiar Egypt, and while I enjoyed seeing Amelia and family in different scenery, I was disappointed by the relative lack of archeology in the mystery...I would have liked to spend more time on a dig. I also can't say I'm crazy about Peters' attempts, in her later books, to revisit those times bef...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 11, 2012 Toni rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, “the greatest Egyptologist of this or any other century,” break ground by having this adventure—not in Egypt but in Palestine.
It is 1910, the Ottoman Empire rules the region, the Arabs resent it, Germany is building up for World War I, and there is religious contention among the three strongest faiths: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. (So, what’s changed?)
The British government is keeping tabs on people they have reason to believe might be German sp...more

like · see review

Mar 12, 2012 Doris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fun, lighthearted look at the Egyptologists of the turn of the 20th century, this book deviates a little from Peters' norm, in that the storyline is mostly in Palestine rather than Egypt.

Focusing, as is often the case, on Ramses and his exploits, this book had war looming in the background as the world heated up to "The Great War". Perhaps it was me, but I never quite was able to figure out what was so imperative about the information that needed to be passed on, but overall it was still one of...more

like · see review

Jan 10, 2011 Kathy Davie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: homey, history, mystery, archeology

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Dec 21, 2010 Joanna rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 100-books-2010, mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As much as I love the Amelia Peabody mysteries, A River in the Sky is a tepid and lackluster addition to the series. The only reason I am giving it two stars instead of one is because of the fondness I've built up for the characters over the course of Elizabeth Peters' previous novels.

This book is missing many of the staples that make the Amelia Peabody mysteries so enjoyable. Not only is it not set in Egypt, but there is little to no archeological excavation, and no specific crime to investigat...more As much as I love the Amelia Peabody mysteries, A River in the Sky is a tepid and lackluster addition to the series. The only reason I am giving it two stars instead of one is because of the fondness I've built up for the characters over the course of Elizabeth Peters' previous novels.

This book is missing many of the staples that make the Amelia Peabody mysteries so enjoyable. Not only is it not set in Egypt, but there is little to no archeological excavation, and no specific crime to investigate. Now, I feel that you could remove any one of these standard elements (even location - I enjoyed Deeds of the Distrurber being all in England, and the books dealing with the Lost Oasis that travel to the Sudan) without sacrificing the quality of the narrative, but divesting of all three at once leaves a lot of empty space that this story never actually fills.

The plot, such as it is, has the Emersons traveling to Palestine under the auspices of a British governmental organization to keep tabs on a fellow archeologist who is either an inept treasure seeker or possibly a German spy. Ramses randomly gets taken prisoner on his way to meet up with his parents, and David sets off to rescue him by (and this appears to be his actual plan) getting taken prisoner as well. As much as I was not a fan of the whole 'who is a spy? where is the spy?' business (especially since the actual spy might as well be strolling about wearing a coat with "I AM THE SPY" sewn in large letters on the back), the main thing that I disliked about this book was how weakly all of our favorite characters came off.

Ramses, who has been kidnapped in just about every book since he was born, spends most of this novel inexplicably not escaping from his captors. The rest of the Emersons, despite their fears that Ramses may have been kidnapped, do not rush off to search/find/rescue him, as they would have done/have done in virtually every other book. They remain in Palestine not solving mysteries, not excavating, and not doing a terribly good job on keeping an eye on either the suspected or actual German spies. Emerson manages to forget an extremely important secret code, then excavates for like, half of one day, makes a discovery, and then fails to immediately photograph/copy/secure the artifact or the site. He sets no guards over it. When he does ask Selim to guard the area (after a dead body turns up the following day) Selim and Dauod are not able(?!?!) to keep corrupt Turkish police away from the item in question, which is then stolen and never recovered. Nefret has nothing to do for the duration of the book except to exclaim that she is worried about Ramses and David, and coo over a washer womans baby.

Amelia, in what has to be the worst lapse of all, goes to visit the "Oh, now I've figured it out" German spy with no set plan of attack, without informing Emerson of where she is going or taking him with her, and without thoroughly checking how many guards are on duty outside the Welcome to Spy Central tent. She goes one step further, as well, by pulling out her pistol and basically yelling, "The gig is up!" instead of, as would have at that point been quite plausible, extricating herself from a slightly awkward social encounter and alerting the other members of her party/the British government of what she has discovered. This leads to an exceedingly lame climax wherein Amelia is taken prisoner, and has to be rescued by Ramses (who, apparently, is better at breaking into places than breaking out of them in this one). Ramses and Amelia, in turn, chase after their captor and must be rescued in turn by a giant and unexpected flood.

And it is not only the characters actions that seem off, their interactions with each other also feel askew. The exchanges between Amelia and the Professor come off more like passive aggressive sniping than their traditional witty banter and sly roles as adversarial equals.

The denouement seems both forced and rushed. And also, not worth the several hundred pages that have led up to it, in its unsatisfying conclusion.

In addition to all of these shortcomings, there is no appearance by Sethos, despite my hopes that he might be the carriage driver/government agent. Nonetheless, since all the characters have lost about fifty IQ points for this particular adventure, I choose to believe he might have actually been Sethos after all, and the rest of the party was simply too silly to realize it.

As much as I love these characters and this series, this book adds nothing to the either, except possibly a sense of great disservice. (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 11, 2010 Peggy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the latest book in a series by Elizabeth Peters. The main character is always Amelia Peabody Emerson, a sleuth and archeologist in Egypt in the early 1900's. The adventures are exciting and Amelia is a stitch.
Her attitude toward her husband, son, criminals, and the general public is that of a very liberated woman, especially in 1910. For instance, her parasols are specially made, reinforced with steel, and have tips which have been sharpened to dagger points (just in case).
The stories...more

like · see review

Oct 13, 2010 Pamela rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It is 1910, archaeologists Amelia and Emerson are at loose ends. They’ve been banned from digging in Egypt so there’s no going back there. Then George Morley shows up on their doorstep and talks to them about the Ark of the Covenant. He believes he knows where it is located. Of course, Amelia is intrigued, while Emerson lets it be known that anything associated with the Bible is hogwash.

This is the 19th outing for the archaeologists. It was hard to tell what the story was really about. The Ark...more It is 1910, archaeologists Amelia and Emerson are at loose ends. They’ve been banned from digging in Egypt so there’s no going back there. Then George Morley shows up on their doorstep and talks to them about the Ark of the Covenant. He believes he knows where it is located. Of course, Amelia is intrigued, while Emerson lets it be known that anything associated with the Bible is hogwash.

This is the 19th outing for the archaeologists. It was hard to tell what the story was really about. The Ark was introduced in the first chapter and then ignored for 150+ pages. Yes, Amelia and Emerson head to Jerusalem ostensibly to keep an eye on Morley as he excavates at the Temple Mount. Yes, there is some intrigue when suspected German spies are introduced, but that is really never substantiated. Amelia and Emerson essentially ignore Morley except for Emerson ordering Morley to have another archaeologist present. It is never explained why Emerson believes he can order Morley about or why Morley would pay any attention what so ever to him or why that more experienced archaeologist isn’t Emerson.The more experienced archaeologist is a German woman whose credentials are not to be believed. Emerson, in the meantime, has decided to dig in the vicinity of Morley’s dig, but it takes a long time to get to the whys of his decision and even then the reader is left wondering what made him choose that site.

There is so little of substance in this book, including archaeology and mystery. The only mystery is who two of the minor characters really are. Saying that this outing has anything to do with archaeology and/or mystery and the Ark of the Covenant is a doing the potential reader a huge disservice.

It didn’t take long to be annoyed with Emerson. He was rude, whiny, overbearing, and a curmudgeon. Somewhere in the first chapter, I really wanted Amelia to tell him to shut up, but she didn’t. By the final chapter, I was so tired of being told that his nickname was the “Father of Curses,” I wanted to throw the book across the room.

By far the most interesting character was Ramses, their son, especially since he was nothing like his father. At least his actions made sense even when they turned out not to be in his best interest.

All in all a very disappointing read. (less)

like · see review

Sep 30, 2010 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My mom is a real connoisseur of mystery novels. She reads several a week, and despite that speed, she can remember them all. One of her favorite writers is Elizabeth Peters (not to be confused with Ellis Peters, who she also loves), so when I saw an Elizabeth Peters book on the library shelf, I thought I’d enjoy a little virtual time with Mom and pick it up.

A River in the Sky tells the story of Amelia Peabody Emerson, her husband “Emerson,” and their children – Ramses (they are Egyptologists), D...more

like · see review

Jun 22, 2010 Aaron rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Amelia Peabody, her beloved Emerson, and the rest of her extended family are back for a 19th adventure. The years in 1910, and Amelia and Emerson are preparing for another expedition to the Middle East, though this time, they will not be in their beloved Egypt. Instead, they are planning to work in Palestine, largely because they have been banned from Egypt by the Antiquities Service becomes of prior disagreements.

They are not the only archaeologists eying sites in Palestine. They are planning o...more Amelia Peabody, her beloved Emerson, and the rest of her extended family are back for a 19th adventure. The years in 1910, and Amelia and Emerson are preparing for another expedition to the Middle East, though this time, they will not be in their beloved Egypt. Instead, they are planning to work in Palestine, largely because they have been banned from Egypt by the Antiquities Service becomes of prior disagreements.

They are not the only archaeologists eying sites in Palestine. They are planning on following Major George Morley has a theory that the Ark of the Covenant may be in the area of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Emerson and Amelia's interest in the amateur archaeologist is not solely in regard to his historical hunt. Instead, there is a concern that Morley may be working as a spy for the Germans, who seem to have a growing connection to the Ottoman Empire, of which Palestine is a territory. The patriotism and archaeological skills of the Emersons make them perfect choices for just an assignment as the British secret service wants to get the scoop, protect important historical sites, and avoid any awkward entanglements that could occur in such a volatile region.

Rameses, Amelia and Emerson's son,finds himself on a bit of a side adventure when he is kidnapped. In the process, he is able to obtain some important information that his parents will need for their assignment, but getting that information to them will be quite the challenge. Will he escape in time to contact them? Will the Emerson-Peabody clan be able to sort out what they need to protect their home and adopted countries?

Reading a book from this series is always like visiting old friends. Amelia and Emerson are a model Victorian/Edwardian couple. Readers have seen Ramses and his adopted sister Nefret grow and mature. Their cousins Lia and David have followed suit, allowing the next generation to follow in the steps of their intelligent, talented, and problem-solving parents.

As with some of the more recent books in the series, Peters has pulled her characters away from a basic mystery, though a body definitely turns up. Instead this novel brings them into the world of political and military intrigue. That does not make the book any less interesting, and a change of pace can always be a little refreshing. Fans of the series will love this new addition, and newcomers will probably find it an interesting introduction.(less)

like · see review

May 13, 2010 Morgen rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

May 13, 2010 Donna rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library, historical, mystery

After an appeal from a source they can't refuse, Amelia and Emerson take their archeological crew to the Holy Land, where Ramses is currently working, rather than to Egypt. Emerson is interested in Egyptian influence in the area, but their real purpose gets derailed by worry when Ramses doesn't join them on schedule.

I love this series, and was happy to travel with the family during this time period again. But I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed because the story seemed thin compared ea...more After an appeal from a source they can't refuse, Amelia and Emerson take their archeological crew to the Holy Land, where Ramses is currently working, rather than to Egypt. Emerson is interested in Egyptian influence in the area, but their real purpose gets derailed by worry when Ramses doesn't join them on schedule.

I love this series, and was happy to travel with the family during this time period again. But I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed because the story seemed thin compared earlier books.

Their archeological work was nearly nonexistent, and I found the references to sites and history more confusing and dry than the Egyptian ones. The other archeology-light books in the series still worked for me because of the mystery and adventure aspects, but those weren't deep enough in this case.

Everyone seems so passive. Ramses first stumbles into danger almost by chance, and then he just drifts along until someone else he cares about is endangered. But then even after getting out of the initial bad situation, he's guided through the plot to an unsatisfying degree by mysterious allies. Amelia's indecision is understandable, but since we, as readers, know what's happening with Ramses, some of her actions come across as just killing time. And sadly, her chemistry with Emerson fell a bit flat for me, if I didn't already know them so well I don't know if I'd be that interested in them.

The between-earlier-books setting means that there are no surprises in terms of the characters, which is fine, but several story aspects (like a discovery by Emerson) seemed tacked on just to punch things up. The sides of the mystery appeared to be completely separate. But we know that the book wouldn't really be focusing on two wildly different plots, so the quick resolution at the end feels rushed.

I love these characters and their world, but I'm starting to wonder if the series shouldn't move on from the main group. I'd love to see, for example, a couple of books about the things that Sethos got up to.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 26, 2010 Natalie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: british-books, mysteries

Elizabeth Peters has been a long time favorite author and her Amelia Peabody books are one I pick up again and again to relive the adventures.

I was so excited when I saw this book was coming out as it meant that I would get to visit again with old friends. I was even more excited to find out that this book took place in 1910, well before the last The Serpent and the Crown which sees the Emmerson family all grown up and well onto the next generation. I was however disappointed. Though I did feel...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 25, 2010 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Set in Jerusalem in 1910, this 19th installment in the Amelia Peabody series has the intrepid Amelia and Emerson embroiled in the spy games of pre-World War I Britain and Germany. The crumbling and corrupt Ottoman Empire controls Palestine, and Germany is hoping to exploit the Palestinians desire for independence to move in and gain a foothold while Britain remains occupied in Egypt and India. Britain, of course, is alarmed by the Kaiser's saber rattling and hopes to check the Germans at every m...more Set in Jerusalem in 1910, this 19th installment in the Amelia Peabody series has the intrepid Amelia and Emerson embroiled in the spy games of pre-World War I Britain and Germany. The crumbling and corrupt Ottoman Empire controls Palestine, and Germany is hoping to exploit the Palestinians desire for independence to move in and gain a foothold while Britain remains occupied in Egypt and India. Britain, of course, is alarmed by the Kaiser's saber rattling and hopes to check the Germans at every move. In an ancient land amid such modern tensions, Amelia astutely observes, archeologists, botanists, ornithologists and other scientists make excellent spies - they can move and dig around without arousing suspicion. The British War Department suspects a German spy of operating a dig outside the walls of Jerusalem, and send the Emersons in to find out what's really going on.

I agree with some reviews I've read that this installment seemed shorter and lacking in detail in places, but as much as I enjoy the older Ramses and Nefret stories, and found the development of their relationship sweet and romantic, this book reminded me of what got me hooked in the first place 20 years ago - Peabody and Emerson!

Peabody's "little lists", her parasol, her self-confidence, her steely, take-no-prisoners mentality - all wrapped up in the perfect decorum of a Victorian British lady, of course . . . And the passionate yet loving relationship she shares with Emerson, her hunky, hilarious, brilliant and outspoken husband, "the greatest Egyptologist of this or any other age". They are a delicious pair, with their "refreshing discussions", charging in where angels fear to tread, fighting the good fight against spies, criminals, inept bureaucrats, archeologists and hypocrites everywhere (Emerson's comments throughout the series, and especially in this book set in 1910 Jerusalem, against the religious hypocrisy of those claiming to follow the example of the Prince of Peace with a sword or club in one hand and a bible in the other are particularly apt).

So, while I agree that this might not be up to the excellent standards Ms. Peters set for herself in previous books, her middling best is still better than a lot of what is out there for mystery buffs - especially those of us who enjoy a large dollop of humor in the mix - so I liked it and gave it four stars accordingly. I only hope there are more Peabody and Emerson adventures to come, whether they are set after 1922 or during the "in-between years"!(less)

1 like · like · see review

May 10, 2012 Jen rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don't understand why Peters is going backward chronologically in the series. Book #18 ended in 1922. This book (#19) takes place in 1910, which puts it between books #16 and #11, book #16 having taken place betweenbooks #10 and #11. I could understand if the events of this book gave us insight to later events, or developed characters more, but this book did neither. In fact, the characters seemed to act OUT of character. Nefret had barely any role, and why on earth didn't Amelia and Emerson go...more

like · see review

Oct 24, 2010 Rebekah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

Of the 19 novels in the series, this is not one of the best. Did not enjoy the change of location to Palestine, and the characters--their dialogue and interactions--didn't seem as sharp and witty as times past. Instead of using elements like her "master criminal" or making fun of other overly used plot devices, much of the humor this time seemed based on carryovers from past novels. The mystery and spy tactics were not enough to pull me in the way they usually do. And with this novel being out o...more

like · see review

Aug 10, 2012 Mindy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great Amelia Peabody Emerson adventure. This book goes back in time before Ramses and Nefret are married. The family is in the Ottoman Empire and embroiled in intrigue and spy vs. spy. The villains are particularly vicious--a team of a german woman and an indian who was educated in England. Ramses unwittingly discovers a clue that would ruin their plot to undermine relations in the region--Ramses is kidnapped and David tries to rescue him. Amelia and Emerson are not far away, in Jerusalem, and A...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 14, 2010 Brenda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery

I find Amelia Peabody mysteries infinitely comforting. I read my first one when I was in middle school, bored to death without any reading material (curse of a future librarian), and I came across my mother's copy of Seeing a Large Cat. At that point in my life, I was not what anyone would call a mystery buff and I probably still am not - police procedurals and the sort are not my cup of tea, but I gave it a chance since it featured Egypt and archaelogy. What I didn't expect was such a charming...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 12, 2010 Jean rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This Amelia P. Emerson mystery was enjoyable, but reads like a bit of a minor effort. I can't really tell if it's because the story is a bit thin or if it's because it is out of chronological order with the rest of the series - it fills in a gap in the sequence of events, and deals with Ramses' work with Reisner in Palestine before the start of WWI.
As usual, the characters are charming and fun and kind of oddball, and the plotting is assured and moves along at a quick pace, but there doesn't see...more

like · see review

May 04, 2010 Sandy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book came out just as I was leaving for a tour of the Holy Lands and Egypt. In this book, which happens earlier than the most recent Amelia events, the family goes to Jerusalem to solve a mystery. I, unfortunately, did not get to see Jerusalem as I got really seasick and stayed behind. However, with the boat docked (not moving!) and a sunny, quiet deck to myself, I happily read Barbara Michael's descriptions of what Jerusalem used to be like. Sadly, modern historical sites are a bit of a le...more

like · see review

Jan 25, 2010 Athena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters

Elizabeth Peter’s new fiction novel, A River in the Sky, is due to be released in April 2010 by William Morrow Publishing.

For the first-time reader of Elizabeth Peters’ works, Ms. Peters is best known for her “Amelia Peabody Series” which features Amelia Peabody (amateur sleuth and archaeologist) and Radcliffe Emerson (purist archaeologist)--among others. The series begins in the late 1800’s and continues through the early 1900’s.

A River in the Sky covers th

...more

like · see review

Jul 09, 2010 Dorothy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cozy-mysteries, historical-mysteries

Elizabeth Peters is an old reliable, comfortable as an old shoe, but a lot more exciting. This is her 19th book featuring Amelia Peabody Emerson and her Professor Emerson and all their extended clan. She knows these characters so well by now that the reader can be excused, perhaps, for feeling that the books almost write themselves. They seem effortless, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Peters actually works very hard to make them seem that way. She is mistress of all the minute details that...more

like · see review

Jun 04, 2010 Carolyn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The year is 1910, and Germany is trying to establish a foothold in the Ottoman Empire. The Emersons, except for Ramses, are at home in England. They are visited by would-be archeologist Major George Morley, who attempts to persuade Emerson to join him in searching for the Ark of the Convenant in Palestine. Additional pressure is applied by the British Intelligence Service, who suspect Morley is actually spying for Germany.

Emerson agrees to go to keep an eye on the Major, not because he thinks th...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 18, 2010 Ronald Roseborough rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the nineteenth book in the Amelia Peabody series. Mrs. Peabody and her husband Emerson are very British archeologists who specialize in Egyptology in the early 1900's. This book, unlike the others, takes our adventurers to Palestine, otherwise known as the Holy Land, on a mission for the Crown. Even in these strange lands, loyal readers will find many of the familiar characters they have come to expect. Ramses, their son, has preceded them to a dig near Jerusalem, with a promise to stay...more

like · see review

May 17, 2010 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, mystery

This latest addition to the Amelia Peabody collection just doesn't quite do the Emerson family justice. For those entrenched in the series, this book takes the reader back to 1910-before Ramses and Nefret are together and the third generation of Peabodys is born. Which means that we aren't really covering any new terrain. The plot is a pastiche of all the other plots (Ramses is held hostage, Ramses is pining for Nefret, Emerson and Peabody are working with the government on a archeological/spy m...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 11, 2010 Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

I happily received this uncorrected proof copy of A River in the Sky, Amelia Peabody's 19th archeology mystery-adventure, as a First-Reads giveaway.
This story is presented as two 1910 journal accounts, one by Amelia Peabody and the other by her now adult son, Ramses. It is introduced in a foreword as their accounts of an adventure that chronologically occur between 2 previously published novels, Guardian of the Horizon (1907-08) and The Falcon at the Portal (1911). The mystery contains most of...more

like · see review

Mar 13, 2013 Denise rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'd forgotten how much I love Elizabeth Peters' books. It's been awhile since I've read one, and I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself once again in the world of Amelia Peabody Emerson, one of my favorite characters ever written.

This book, although the most recently written in the series, is actually a prequel to some of the books, being set midway through the Emersons' adventures. While it's perfectly readable on its own, it helps to be familiar with the earlier books to understand some of the...more

like · see review

May 23, 2010 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobooks, readin10

I can not say that I have read any of the 19 Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizbeth Peters but I have listened to quite a few. Barbara Rosenblat is such an amazing reader. Her victorian British accent of Amelia is so enjoyable to hear. Often, I'm sure that it is the way Rosenblat says the line that makes me laugh more than the humor in the line itself.
Amelia is a pretty wise lady and often much more on top of things than her well-muscled (this is mentioned quite a bit) Egyptologist husband and th...more

like · see review

Mar 10, 2012 Librarianforhim rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: archaeology-fiction, family-relationships, father-son-relationships, friendships, historical-fiction, husband-wife-relationship, mother-son-relationships, read-in-2012, set-in-britain, set-in-egypt, read-on-e-audiobook

Plot: Amelia, Emerson & Nefret are at home in Ken when an aspiring archaeologist asks Emerson's help in finding the Ark of the Covenant. At first he vehemently declines, but circumstances dictate otherwise. Ramses is in Egypt working with another archaeologist when he stumbles upon a German spy ring. He and his parents find themselves embroiled not so much in a mystery, but a dangerous political situation. Will they be in time to prevent a national crisis?

Why I picked it up: This is a great...more

like · see review

Aug 17, 2010 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

May 04, 2010 Elizabeth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Amelia Peabody series is one that I come back to time and time again. I was so excited to read this book and to find out that it is set in 1910 before The Falcon and the Portal but after Guardian of the Horizon.

A River in the Sky begins with Amelia and Emerson at their home in England with Ramses off in Samaria on an expedition all his own. As to be expected, Amelia and Emerson encounter a bit of a mystery that leads them to an area not far from where Ramses is staying. With Nefret and othe...more

1 like · like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Emerson...	11	27	Feb 14, 2013 06:33pm
Which of the pharaohs?	3	15	Jun 24, 2012 03:23pm

combine
Other Editions (15)

More editions...

Genres

Mystery

266 users

Historical Fiction

62 users

Mystery > Historical Mystery

24 users

Cultural > Egypt

17 users

Adventure

13 users

Humor

10 users

Womens

8 users

Mystery > Detective

8 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

6 users

Mystery > Cozy Mystery

5 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Elizabeth Peters

Elizabeth Peters is a pen name of Barbara Mertz. She also writes as Barbara Michaels as well as her own name. Born and brought up in Illinois, she earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago. Mertz was named Grand Master at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986 and Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar Awards in 1998. She lives in a historic farmhouse in Fred...more

More about Elizabeth Peters...

Books by Elizabeth Peters

Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1)

The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody, #2)

The Last Camel Died at Noon (Amelia Peabody, #6)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About River In The Sky

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from A River in the Sky

“I had refused Emerson's well-meant offers of assistance, knowing his efforts would be confined to moving the furniture to the wrong places and demanding how much longer the process would take.” — 8 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: A River in the Sky
avg rating	preview: A River in the Sky Goodreads rating: 3.83 (2501 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7889527-a-river-in-the-sky?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1270172330l/7889527.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7889527-a-river-in-the-sky?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters[/url]

A River in the Sky (Amelia Peabody #19)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website