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Amelia Peabody #3
The Mummy Case
Radcliffe Emerson, the irascible husband of fellow archaeologist Amelia Peabody, has earned the nickname "Father of Curses"—and in Mazghunah he demonstrates why. Denied permission to dig at the pyramids of Dahshoor, he and Amelia are resigned to excavating mounds of rubble in the middle of nowhere. But before long Amelia, Emerson, and their precocious son, Ramses, find themselves entangled in The Mummy Case
In Cairo, before setting out to the site, Amelia visits an antiquities dealer to inquire about some papyri for her brother-in-law, Walter. At the dealer's shop she interrupts a mysterious-sounding conversation. And then, even more alarmingly, the dealer attempts to refuse to sell her a scrap of papyrus Ramses discovers in the back room. When the dealer is found dead in his shop just a day later, Amelia becomes convinced that foul play is at hand, a suspicion that is further confirmed when she catches sight of the sinister stranger from the crime scene at her own excavation site.
But it takes more than Amelia's keen instincts to convince Emerson of dastardly deeds. When Ramses's scrap of papyrus is stolen from their camp, and a neighboring tourist is relieved of an entire mummy, Emerson concedes that they may be facing something more ominous than a simple grave robber. Aided (to their dismay) by Ramses and his preternaturally intelligent cat, Bastet, Amelia and Emerson turn their detective skills to investigating the neighboring suspects, including a trio of missionaries, a widowed German baroness, and even the head of the Department of Antiquities. But when the Emersons start digging for answers in an ancient tomb, events take a darker and deadlier turn—and there may be no surviving the very modern terrors their efforts reveal.
Filled with spine-tingling suspense, precise archaeological and historical detail, and Amelia Peabody's trademark witty, wry voice, Elizabeth Peters's The Mummy Case is a classic installment in the beloved Amelia Peabody series.
In Cairo, before setting out to the site, Amelia visits an antiquities dealer to inquire about some papyri for her brother-in-law, Walter. At the dealer's shop she interrupts a mysterious-sounding conversation. And then, even more alarmingly, the dealer attempts to refuse to sell her a scrap of papyrus Ramses discovers in the back room. When the dealer is found dead in his shop just a day later, Amelia becomes convinced that foul play is at hand, a suspicion that is further confirmed when she catches sight of the sinister stranger from the crime scene at her own excavation site.
But it takes more than Amelia's keen instincts to convince Emerson of dastardly deeds. When Ramses's scrap of papyrus is stolen from their camp, and a neighboring tourist is relieved of an entire mummy, Emerson concedes that they may be facing something more ominous than a simple grave robber. Aided (to their dismay) by Ramses and his preternaturally intelligent cat, Bastet, Amelia and Emerson turn their detective skills to investigating the neighboring suspects, including a trio of missionaries, a widowed German baroness, and even the head of the Department of Antiquities. But when the Emersons start digging for answers in an ancient tomb, events take a darker and deadlier turn—and there may be no surviving the very modern terrors their efforts reveal.
Filled with spine-tingling suspense, precise archaeological and historical detail, and Amelia Peabody's trademark witty, wry voice, Elizabeth Peters's The Mummy Case is a classic installment in the beloved Amelia Peabody series.
327 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
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About the author
Elizabeth Peters
180 books3,272 followersElizabeth Peters is a pen name of Barbara Mertz. She also wrote 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 lived in a historic farmhouse in Frederick, western Maryland until her death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,220 reviews
June 18, 2011
The Mummy Case is the third novel in the Amelia Peabody series and once again we open with the Emerson’s in England. They plan to return to Egypt and dig at the pyramids of Dahshoor, leaving behind their precocious son Ramses with Emerson’s brother Walter and his wife Evelyn. Evelyn has just suffered a ‘disappointment’ (miscarriage) and having Ramses comforts her. Plans are thwarted when Evelyn falls pregnant again and even Emerson and Amelia can see that it will be impossible for them to leave Ramses behind as he is far too much of a handful for someone in such a delicate condition. After some deliberation they decide that Ramses is at last old enough to come to Egypt, providing they take along one of their servants, John, to look after him.
Emerson is denied the dig he requests and is instead given the insulting location of Mazghunah, with periods in a state of disrepair and littered mostly with late-period graveyards, not at all Emerson’s expertise or preference. Because of his irascible temper, Emerson usually gets on the wrong side of those that give out the digging permits and this unattractive location is clearly destined to bring him down a peg or two. However before they can even arrive at their site, Amelia and Ramses visit an antiquities dealer in Cairo, and become caught up in a scam of illegal antiquities dealing. Amelia is looking for papyri for her brother-in-law Walter and just happens to enter the shop during the time of a suspicious conversation, which she interrupts. She manages to get the antiquities dealer to co-operate and tell her what is going on if she returns at midnight that night. When she and Emerson do return, they find the shop proprietor hanged.
Out at their digging site, Amelia is disturbed to recognise one of the workers that has been hired – she is convinced that she saw him in the antiquities shop and that he is involved somehow. She unfortunately involves Emerson straight away, who dismisses her suspicions as foolish and ends up alerting the worker to the fact that Amelia is curious about him. Emerson is determined for Amelia to forget her ‘silly detective ideas’ but too many strange things are going on at their new digging site for Amelia to really do this – someone attempts to steal something from Ramses’ room, a tourist docked nearby on one of the dahabeeyah’s has a Mummy stolen, switcheroo’s are played with that stolen mummy case and others Emerson has recovered from his dig. Add in two religious sects in the local village fighting to convert and claim the locals as their flock and Amelia has plenty to keep her occupied.
I really enjoyed the first two novels in this series but this one didn’t really do it for me and I think I can pin that down to two particular reasons. The first reason is that this one was incredibly slow to get going. I normally read an average paperback in a day or two but it took me at least a week with this one, I just could not stay interested. After some 200 pages, I have to admit I was still totally unsure of what the big mystery/drama was even going to be. The narrative is extremely dry, which hasn’t bothered me in the previous two because I think Amelia is a great teller of a story (the books are all written in first person) even though her brusque manner and dry tone could be trying to some. I enjoyed it up until now but this novel it just seemed like it was endless pages of Amelia talking but saying nothing at all. We rehashed how amazing and fabulous Emerson is and how he’s a fine speciman of a man who still can’t keep his hands off his wife (but don’t expect details, this is Victorian times, you won’t get any) and we talked an awful lot about how passionate they are about digging up the vast majority of Egypt and how Emerson is very bad-tempered and rude to people and then wonders why he doesn’t get good locations to dig up.
The other problem? Ramses. Their young child with several annoying speech impediments who speaks like a 35 year old PhD student in Egyptology and Archeology as well as Religious Theory and Just About Everything Else Under The Sun. I’m sorry I don’t care how intelligent some children are, Ramses is just completely unbelievable and so thoroughly annoying that I found myself skipping huge chunks every time he appeared and especially when he opened his mouth – which was far too often. Emerson dotes upon him and peers at him through rose coloured glasses and while Amelia seems thoroughly aware of how irritating Ramses actually is, cutting him off just about every time he takes a breath ready to deliver a lecture on well, anything, she doesn’t actually make much of an attempt to rein him in. He seems to outwit her at pretty much every turn with a “but Mama you didn’t tell me not to do this” which would really have me gagging him with duct tape if he were my child. And in the end of course Ramses saves the day despite the fact that he’s about six years old.
The mystery remained pretty much that to me – a mystery. I’m not even entirely sure what was supposed to be the point of whatever it was Amelia was investigating. It’s possible I just forgot it every time I had to read one of Ramses’ diatribes.
Emerson is denied the dig he requests and is instead given the insulting location of Mazghunah, with periods in a state of disrepair and littered mostly with late-period graveyards, not at all Emerson’s expertise or preference. Because of his irascible temper, Emerson usually gets on the wrong side of those that give out the digging permits and this unattractive location is clearly destined to bring him down a peg or two. However before they can even arrive at their site, Amelia and Ramses visit an antiquities dealer in Cairo, and become caught up in a scam of illegal antiquities dealing. Amelia is looking for papyri for her brother-in-law Walter and just happens to enter the shop during the time of a suspicious conversation, which she interrupts. She manages to get the antiquities dealer to co-operate and tell her what is going on if she returns at midnight that night. When she and Emerson do return, they find the shop proprietor hanged.
Out at their digging site, Amelia is disturbed to recognise one of the workers that has been hired – she is convinced that she saw him in the antiquities shop and that he is involved somehow. She unfortunately involves Emerson straight away, who dismisses her suspicions as foolish and ends up alerting the worker to the fact that Amelia is curious about him. Emerson is determined for Amelia to forget her ‘silly detective ideas’ but too many strange things are going on at their new digging site for Amelia to really do this – someone attempts to steal something from Ramses’ room, a tourist docked nearby on one of the dahabeeyah’s has a Mummy stolen, switcheroo’s are played with that stolen mummy case and others Emerson has recovered from his dig. Add in two religious sects in the local village fighting to convert and claim the locals as their flock and Amelia has plenty to keep her occupied.
I really enjoyed the first two novels in this series but this one didn’t really do it for me and I think I can pin that down to two particular reasons. The first reason is that this one was incredibly slow to get going. I normally read an average paperback in a day or two but it took me at least a week with this one, I just could not stay interested. After some 200 pages, I have to admit I was still totally unsure of what the big mystery/drama was even going to be. The narrative is extremely dry, which hasn’t bothered me in the previous two because I think Amelia is a great teller of a story (the books are all written in first person) even though her brusque manner and dry tone could be trying to some. I enjoyed it up until now but this novel it just seemed like it was endless pages of Amelia talking but saying nothing at all. We rehashed how amazing and fabulous Emerson is and how he’s a fine speciman of a man who still can’t keep his hands off his wife (but don’t expect details, this is Victorian times, you won’t get any) and we talked an awful lot about how passionate they are about digging up the vast majority of Egypt and how Emerson is very bad-tempered and rude to people and then wonders why he doesn’t get good locations to dig up.
The other problem? Ramses. Their young child with several annoying speech impediments who speaks like a 35 year old PhD student in Egyptology and Archeology as well as Religious Theory and Just About Everything Else Under The Sun. I’m sorry I don’t care how intelligent some children are, Ramses is just completely unbelievable and so thoroughly annoying that I found myself skipping huge chunks every time he appeared and especially when he opened his mouth – which was far too often. Emerson dotes upon him and peers at him through rose coloured glasses and while Amelia seems thoroughly aware of how irritating Ramses actually is, cutting him off just about every time he takes a breath ready to deliver a lecture on well, anything, she doesn’t actually make much of an attempt to rein him in. He seems to outwit her at pretty much every turn with a “but Mama you didn’t tell me not to do this” which would really have me gagging him with duct tape if he were my child. And in the end of course Ramses saves the day despite the fact that he’s about six years old.
The mystery remained pretty much that to me – a mystery. I’m not even entirely sure what was supposed to be the point of whatever it was Amelia was investigating. It’s possible I just forgot it every time I had to read one of Ramses’ diatribes.
July 22, 2018
So glad I decided to read this series as it just keeps getting better and better.
In The Mummy Case we get more of the wonderful Amelia rampaging her way across Egypt with her equally wonderful husband, Emerson. Both characters are larger than life and always entertaining, especially in their dealings with each other. In this episode in the series their son, Ramses, joins them for the first time on an archaeological dig. He adds a whole new dimension to the humour partly because he falls into trouble at every possible opportunity and partly because he is the smartest child in the known universe. I love the way he interacts with his mother!
Of course there are a few murders along the way and Amelia does her usual sleuthing which causes the usual amount of chaos. It is all good fun and I laughed aloud at the best bits. I am already looking forward to the next book.
In The Mummy Case we get more of the wonderful Amelia rampaging her way across Egypt with her equally wonderful husband, Emerson. Both characters are larger than life and always entertaining, especially in their dealings with each other. In this episode in the series their son, Ramses, joins them for the first time on an archaeological dig. He adds a whole new dimension to the humour partly because he falls into trouble at every possible opportunity and partly because he is the smartest child in the known universe. I love the way he interacts with his mother!
Of course there are a few murders along the way and Amelia does her usual sleuthing which causes the usual amount of chaos. It is all good fun and I laughed aloud at the best bits. I am already looking forward to the next book.
July 11, 2014
**edited 01/27/14
WARNING: do not read this novel if you plan to maintain any awe of Victorian archaeologists such as DeMorgan, Petrie, Wilbour, or Wallis Budge. After reading this book, every time you see a mention of DeMorgan's hallowed name in a museum or article, you will start giggling about his pathetically eager desire (at least, that portrayed in this novel) to be portrayed heroically in the Illustrated London Times:
(I think the woman in the front might be Amelia herself.)
Petrie's illustrious name will conjure the man's tendency to eat canned peas after they had been left half-eaten, stewing and mouldering in the Egyptian sun. Wilbour will always be the amiable "father of the beard," working hard to smooth away the ire of the snappish Reverend Sayce. And Budge...oh, don't get me started on Budge's antics. The worst (or best) of it? Almost all the stories are true, and all the characters, if perhaps a little larger than life, are accurately portrayed. If you read these novels, you'll end up feeling like you know the Victorian archaeologists, bizarre eccentricities and all. And you'll always envision Amelia Peabody Emerson, flanked by her belligerent husband and Machiavellian son, poking her parasol into every political and social bee's hive in the archaeological world.
The Mummy Case is one of my absolute favourite stories in the entire series. The gleeful combat between Amelia and Emerson is still in full force, only heightened by their simmering and ever-present romantic passion. But yet another element of entertainment and conflict has appeared on the scene: the young Walter ("Ramses") Emerson is finally accompanying his parents on a dig. Young Ramses is one of my absolute favourite characters in the series. He is, as his mother once put it, "catastrophically precocious," constantly jumping from one debacle to the next and always just managing to avoid the edicts of his mother via his positively Jesuitical reasoning. His terrifying prolixity, paired with his inability to pronounce certain diphthongs, makes his dialogue a constant source of entertainment. Last, there is his ever-present shadow, "da cat Bastet", to add an additional flair to the novel.
...
Due to my disapproval of GR's new and rather subjective review deletion policy, The rest of this review can be found on Booklikes.
WARNING: do not read this novel if you plan to maintain any awe of Victorian archaeologists such as DeMorgan, Petrie, Wilbour, or Wallis Budge. After reading this book, every time you see a mention of DeMorgan's hallowed name in a museum or article, you will start giggling about his pathetically eager desire (at least, that portrayed in this novel) to be portrayed heroically in the Illustrated London Times:
(I think the woman in the front might be Amelia herself.)
Petrie's illustrious name will conjure the man's tendency to eat canned peas after they had been left half-eaten, stewing and mouldering in the Egyptian sun. Wilbour will always be the amiable "father of the beard," working hard to smooth away the ire of the snappish Reverend Sayce. And Budge...oh, don't get me started on Budge's antics. The worst (or best) of it? Almost all the stories are true, and all the characters, if perhaps a little larger than life, are accurately portrayed. If you read these novels, you'll end up feeling like you know the Victorian archaeologists, bizarre eccentricities and all. And you'll always envision Amelia Peabody Emerson, flanked by her belligerent husband and Machiavellian son, poking her parasol into every political and social bee's hive in the archaeological world.
The Mummy Case is one of my absolute favourite stories in the entire series. The gleeful combat between Amelia and Emerson is still in full force, only heightened by their simmering and ever-present romantic passion. But yet another element of entertainment and conflict has appeared on the scene: the young Walter ("Ramses") Emerson is finally accompanying his parents on a dig. Young Ramses is one of my absolute favourite characters in the series. He is, as his mother once put it, "catastrophically precocious," constantly jumping from one debacle to the next and always just managing to avoid the edicts of his mother via his positively Jesuitical reasoning. His terrifying prolixity, paired with his inability to pronounce certain diphthongs, makes his dialogue a constant source of entertainment. Last, there is his ever-present shadow, "da cat Bastet", to add an additional flair to the novel.
...
Due to my disapproval of GR's new and rather subjective review deletion policy, The rest of this review can be found on Booklikes.
August 21, 2021
“I was glad Emerson was with me, and even happier that he had not suggested I remain behind. In this, as in all our adventures, we were equal partners.”
The Mummy Case is a delightful cozy mystery and the third in the series that I’ve read. While the mystery in each book has interested me, this one no less so, it is the dynamics of Amelia Peabody and her curmudgeonly husband, Emerson, that keep me coming back for more. Add in their adorably precocious son, Ramses, to the mix and you get superb entertainment.
It’s the characters that I love about this series. Amelia was amusing with her logical application of intelligence to all matters that she handled with aplomb. Her skill for managing Emerson’s gruff ways demonstrated her sage knowledge of people. Although, little Ramses gave her a challenge. He never ceased to negotiate her dictates – sometimes the loophole was found in what was not said – and, on occasion, his help (or interference) proved to be timely. Ultimately, it was their loyalty and affection for each other that made them special to me.
This book was the first where I listened instead of reading. So, thankful that Julie mentioned the fantastic narration by Barbara Rosenblat in her review. The voices perfectly matched each character’s personality. It was exactly how I imagined them! Initially, to my chagrin, I misheard the name of Ramses’ cat, “de cat Bastet”; for a bit, I thought they were calling it something that started with a “b” and ended with a “d”.
The mystery takes place in Egypt during their latest dig that they, unfortunately, found disappointing. Nevertheless, things liven up when Amelia and Ramses stumble into a fraudulent antiquities operation. There was a subplot afoot that initially deceived Amelia and Emerson. Of course, at least, one corpse was found. Not to mention a few perilous situations that befell them. Connections and motivations surrounding the mystery were neatly explained by the book’s end.
Recommended for those who enjoy tidy murder, bantering characters, and amusing children/pets.
The Mummy Case is a delightful cozy mystery and the third in the series that I’ve read. While the mystery in each book has interested me, this one no less so, it is the dynamics of Amelia Peabody and her curmudgeonly husband, Emerson, that keep me coming back for more. Add in their adorably precocious son, Ramses, to the mix and you get superb entertainment.
It’s the characters that I love about this series. Amelia was amusing with her logical application of intelligence to all matters that she handled with aplomb. Her skill for managing Emerson’s gruff ways demonstrated her sage knowledge of people. Although, little Ramses gave her a challenge. He never ceased to negotiate her dictates – sometimes the loophole was found in what was not said – and, on occasion, his help (or interference) proved to be timely. Ultimately, it was their loyalty and affection for each other that made them special to me.
“Emerson bent a tender look upon his son and heir. ‘Very well, Ramses; Papa will find you all the dead bodies you want.”
This book was the first where I listened instead of reading. So, thankful that Julie mentioned the fantastic narration by Barbara Rosenblat in her review. The voices perfectly matched each character’s personality. It was exactly how I imagined them! Initially, to my chagrin, I misheard the name of Ramses’ cat, “de cat Bastet”; for a bit, I thought they were calling it something that started with a “b” and ended with a “d”.
The mystery takes place in Egypt during their latest dig that they, unfortunately, found disappointing. Nevertheless, things liven up when Amelia and Ramses stumble into a fraudulent antiquities operation. There was a subplot afoot that initially deceived Amelia and Emerson. Of course, at least, one corpse was found. Not to mention a few perilous situations that befell them. Connections and motivations surrounding the mystery were neatly explained by the book’s end.
Recommended for those who enjoy tidy murder, bantering characters, and amusing children/pets.
September 8, 2021
9/3/21 Re-reading with my daughter while in Boston. We settle down at the end of each evening with a cup of tea, or hot chocolate and an electronic jigsaw puzzle to enjoy listening to this audiobook together.
One of our greatest joys in this volume is that Ramses accompanies his parents on their trip to Egypt. Ramses is referred to as a "meddlesome imp of Satan" by some and as his "dearest boy" by his father. He is always getting into some scrape or other!
Favorite quotes:
"Wilkins [the butler] is perfectly hail and hearty, but he makes a point of tottering in order not to be asked to do anything he doesn't want to do. I took the telegram and again the shadowy forbidding brushed my spirit.Wilkins quavered, he quavers for the same reason he totters."
"Tea is regarded in these islands and elsewhere as a restorative."
"Ramses was as usual incredibly dirty [...] His small and sticky person was redolent of dog, chocolate, straw (used straw from the stables), and stagnant water."
"He was looking as pious as only Ramses can look when he is contemplating some reprehensible action and he was smeared with dust from his once white collar to his buttoned boots. Ramses is the only person of my acquaintance who can get dirty sitting perfectly still in a church."
""He [Ramses] unwound the cub's leash from the legs of the table and those of his father. "I will walk the lion and then retire."
One of our greatest joys in this volume is that Ramses accompanies his parents on their trip to Egypt. Ramses is referred to as a "meddlesome imp of Satan" by some and as his "dearest boy" by his father. He is always getting into some scrape or other!
Favorite quotes:
"Wilkins [the butler] is perfectly hail and hearty, but he makes a point of tottering in order not to be asked to do anything he doesn't want to do. I took the telegram and again the shadowy forbidding brushed my spirit.Wilkins quavered, he quavers for the same reason he totters."
"Tea is regarded in these islands and elsewhere as a restorative."
"Ramses was as usual incredibly dirty [...] His small and sticky person was redolent of dog, chocolate, straw (used straw from the stables), and stagnant water."
"He was looking as pious as only Ramses can look when he is contemplating some reprehensible action and he was smeared with dust from his once white collar to his buttoned boots. Ramses is the only person of my acquaintance who can get dirty sitting perfectly still in a church."
""He [Ramses] unwound the cub's leash from the legs of the table and those of his father. "I will walk the lion and then retire."
May 4, 2023
I have to give this 5 stars simply for the fun I had reading...
February 4, 2016
The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters is a 2007 William Morrow publication. (This book was originally published in 1985)
It’s always embarrassing when I have to admit I never realized Elizabeth Peters was a pseudonym for the one and only Barbara Michaels, until about five years ago. When I made that connection, I was determined to get know this side of this talented author.
Although Elizabeth Peters wrote two other series, the Amelia Peabody series has to be the most beloved of her characters.
This third book in the long running series has Amelia, Emerson, and their aptly named son, Ramses excavating mounds, not where they had wanted to, but in the middle of nowhere. Bored to death with their work, the couple find themselves investigating the suspicious death of an antiquities dealer.
After reading the first two books in the series, which I enjoyed immensely, I got sidetracked, and this series fell to the wayside. But, I have been determined to get back on track with it.
While Amelia, her parasol, Ramses, and Emerson are as hilarious as always, the mystery was pretty thin, and very slow moving, and while the usual colorful characters are here, they are not as interesting as in the first two books.
Still, the banter between Peabody and Emerson is just hilarious, and for that reason alone, this book is worth a read, it was their son, Ramses who stole the show. Now that he is able to join his parents on their excavations, he has adjusted as only a child of Emerson and Amelia would. He still suffers with a slight speech problem, but his disposition is just like his mother’s. It is so funny to see Emerson doting on the boy, while Amelia is not moved by his cuteness, staying firm and practical as a mother. This dynamic made the books a lot of fun to read.
But, don’t give up on the mystery. The last three chapters or so are pretty quick paced and there is a bit of action and adventure involved.
Once again the author, who has since passed away, did an excellent job of drawing upon her own experiences as an Egyptologist to give the reader a very detailed and authentic description of the areas Peabody visits. Told from Amelia’s first person perspective, in the form of journals, we get a well-rounded story that is humorous, unique, and delightful.
Although this one was a tad bit sluggish, it was still quite enjoyable. Overall this one gets a 3.5 rounded to 4
It’s always embarrassing when I have to admit I never realized Elizabeth Peters was a pseudonym for the one and only Barbara Michaels, until about five years ago. When I made that connection, I was determined to get know this side of this talented author.
Although Elizabeth Peters wrote two other series, the Amelia Peabody series has to be the most beloved of her characters.
This third book in the long running series has Amelia, Emerson, and their aptly named son, Ramses excavating mounds, not where they had wanted to, but in the middle of nowhere. Bored to death with their work, the couple find themselves investigating the suspicious death of an antiquities dealer.
After reading the first two books in the series, which I enjoyed immensely, I got sidetracked, and this series fell to the wayside. But, I have been determined to get back on track with it.
While Amelia, her parasol, Ramses, and Emerson are as hilarious as always, the mystery was pretty thin, and very slow moving, and while the usual colorful characters are here, they are not as interesting as in the first two books.
Still, the banter between Peabody and Emerson is just hilarious, and for that reason alone, this book is worth a read, it was their son, Ramses who stole the show. Now that he is able to join his parents on their excavations, he has adjusted as only a child of Emerson and Amelia would. He still suffers with a slight speech problem, but his disposition is just like his mother’s. It is so funny to see Emerson doting on the boy, while Amelia is not moved by his cuteness, staying firm and practical as a mother. This dynamic made the books a lot of fun to read.
But, don’t give up on the mystery. The last three chapters or so are pretty quick paced and there is a bit of action and adventure involved.
Once again the author, who has since passed away, did an excellent job of drawing upon her own experiences as an Egyptologist to give the reader a very detailed and authentic description of the areas Peabody visits. Told from Amelia’s first person perspective, in the form of journals, we get a well-rounded story that is humorous, unique, and delightful.
Although this one was a tad bit sluggish, it was still quite enjoyable. Overall this one gets a 3.5 rounded to 4
December 4, 2017
“Catastrophically precocious”—this is how Amelia Peabody Emerson describes her young son, Walter Emerson (better known as Ramses, for his demanding nature). Several times during this novel, a chill runs down her spine when she wonders just where her darling son is and what mischief he has found in which to embroil himself!
The fact that the author herself is an Egyptologist really makes these books fun. She uses all the historical archaeologists as characters for Emerson to roar and bellow at when he is not debating archaeological issues with vicious thrust-and-parry.
I still love Amelia, armed with her parasol, seeking out clues. Ramses is lawyer-like in his reasoning, endeavouring to manoeuvre around her prohibitions. But “da cat Bastet” really steals the show in this installment—somehow I picture her as a haughty Siamese.
The fact that the author herself is an Egyptologist really makes these books fun. She uses all the historical archaeologists as characters for Emerson to roar and bellow at when he is not debating archaeological issues with vicious thrust-and-parry.
I still love Amelia, armed with her parasol, seeking out clues. Ramses is lawyer-like in his reasoning, endeavouring to manoeuvre around her prohibitions. But “da cat Bastet” really steals the show in this installment—somehow I picture her as a haughty Siamese.
March 5, 2019
.
I listened to this gem of a story through Hoopla, which I access through my local library. It is thrilling when I discover that a series I enjoy in audio as much as I did this one, by the talented and versatile narrator, Susan O'Malley.
This is the third book of the series and commences the year after Radcliff and Amelia Emerson came out of retirement. Together, they decide to take their amazingly precocious child with them on a dig in the pyramids of Egypt for the winter season, where they are personally acquainted with may of the locals. This child is so advanced, that he knows as much about the dig as his highly educated parents, which is totally unbelievable, but extremely entertaining. It produced such a comically, vivid picture of this family with their superior attitudes, geological adventures, and warped mysteries. that it had me laughing out loud. I have finally found a clean book series that provides wit, humor, and tons of new words to devour.
This historical romance inspires clean and wholesome entertainment with a cast of quirky characters working together to catch a murderer and solve this historical mystery at an excavation of an ancient Egyptian tomb, filled with Egyptian antiquities. This time the willful and witty duo, comprised of Radcliff and Amelia, are involved in catching another murderer at another excavation of an ancient Egyptian tomb, where they also contend with the antics of their precious son, Ramses.
The author expresses herself so dramatically that it captures the reader's attention. Just when you may begin to feel a little lost or bored, her personal outburst will recapture your attention, or she might strike someone with her trusty parasol and then, just continue the story. She has a distinct way of portraying each intrinsically humorous experience, giving the reader a unique and uncommon perspective to observe.
This is a historical romance that inspires clean and wholesome entertainment, bringing Radcliff and Amelia Emerson out of retirement. Each book in the series is a stand-alone mystery which can be read without previous knowledge. However, the characters age throughout the series and events in previous books (including spoilers concerning some of the main characters) are referenced in later books. I am enjoying this clean book series immensely, I thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the wit, humor, and tons of new words waiting to be devoured. In my opinion, any romantic insinuations were referred to as charmingly in a discreet manner. Although this book does not always follow the social protocol, instead of taking leaps in many directions, the entertainment delivers great entertainment. The sparkling gems of dry wit were fabulous and plenty to be had! Oddly enough, there will most assuredly be reviews all over the chart for this writing, depending on the different perspectives from multi-faceted readers.
Elizabeth Peters is quite the storyteller and expresses herself so dramatically that it captures the reader's attention and compels them to journey on. Just when you may begin to feel a little lost or bored, her personal outburst will recapture your attention, or she might strike someone with her trusty umbrella, defend those she loves with her pistol, or slash away at whatever offends. I was delighted with the notes within the book to the reader to explain what the author was trying to convey. I hope you enjoy this experience s much as I did!
You may be interested in more of this author's many other novels in the future. She writes under her pen names Elizabeth Peters, Barbara Michaels, and her real name - Barbara Mertz.
I listened to this gem of a story through Hoopla, which I access through my local library. It is thrilling when I discover that a series I enjoy in audio as much as I did this one, by the talented and versatile narrator, Susan O'Malley.
This is the third book of the series and commences the year after Radcliff and Amelia Emerson came out of retirement. Together, they decide to take their amazingly precocious child with them on a dig in the pyramids of Egypt for the winter season, where they are personally acquainted with may of the locals. This child is so advanced, that he knows as much about the dig as his highly educated parents, which is totally unbelievable, but extremely entertaining. It produced such a comically, vivid picture of this family with their superior attitudes, geological adventures, and warped mysteries. that it had me laughing out loud. I have finally found a clean book series that provides wit, humor, and tons of new words to devour.
This historical romance inspires clean and wholesome entertainment with a cast of quirky characters working together to catch a murderer and solve this historical mystery at an excavation of an ancient Egyptian tomb, filled with Egyptian antiquities. This time the willful and witty duo, comprised of Radcliff and Amelia, are involved in catching another murderer at another excavation of an ancient Egyptian tomb, where they also contend with the antics of their precious son, Ramses.
The author expresses herself so dramatically that it captures the reader's attention. Just when you may begin to feel a little lost or bored, her personal outburst will recapture your attention, or she might strike someone with her trusty parasol and then, just continue the story. She has a distinct way of portraying each intrinsically humorous experience, giving the reader a unique and uncommon perspective to observe.
This is a historical romance that inspires clean and wholesome entertainment, bringing Radcliff and Amelia Emerson out of retirement. Each book in the series is a stand-alone mystery which can be read without previous knowledge. However, the characters age throughout the series and events in previous books (including spoilers concerning some of the main characters) are referenced in later books. I am enjoying this clean book series immensely, I thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the wit, humor, and tons of new words waiting to be devoured. In my opinion, any romantic insinuations were referred to as charmingly in a discreet manner. Although this book does not always follow the social protocol, instead of taking leaps in many directions, the entertainment delivers great entertainment. The sparkling gems of dry wit were fabulous and plenty to be had! Oddly enough, there will most assuredly be reviews all over the chart for this writing, depending on the different perspectives from multi-faceted readers.
Elizabeth Peters is quite the storyteller and expresses herself so dramatically that it captures the reader's attention and compels them to journey on. Just when you may begin to feel a little lost or bored, her personal outburst will recapture your attention, or she might strike someone with her trusty umbrella, defend those she loves with her pistol, or slash away at whatever offends. I was delighted with the notes within the book to the reader to explain what the author was trying to convey. I hope you enjoy this experience s much as I did!
You may be interested in more of this author's many other novels in the future. She writes under her pen names Elizabeth Peters, Barbara Michaels, and her real name - Barbara Mertz.
March 29, 2016
Each time I read a new book in this series, I fall in love with the characters more and more. Amelia & Emerson are one of the best couples in fiction and I end up laughing so much, that I usually bookmark half the book.
As usual with the series, this book is set in an archeological dig in Egypt but for the first time, the Emersons have brought their precocious son Ramses. Soon enough, Amelia & Emerson find a dead body which Amelia cannot leave well enough alone.
Emerson and Amelia are a very singular couple, with a perfect understanding of one another. Not only that, but they are madly in love with each other and it shows.
Emerson's tastes in this area, as in most others, are highly original...and his remarks about my figure, which is unfashionably slender in some areas and overly endowed in others, cannot be reproduced, even here."
I'm totally in love with Emerson, who is a most devoted parent (unlike Amelia, who is constantly suspicious of Ramses). At some point, Emerson - who is super irascible - is told to apply the tenets of the Bible and keep his wife silent. His response? A roar of laughter. He's not threatened by his wife and he likes the fact that she's strong and opinionated.
And not only is Emerson extremely bright and clever, he's also a hunk of a man!
"He's a very handsome man, your husband. "Mucho macho" as the Spanish would say."
The mystery at the end turned out to be too convenient but the dialogue was so clever and funny that I really didn't care that much.
Totally looking forward to the next in the series.
As usual with the series, this book is set in an archeological dig in Egypt but for the first time, the Emersons have brought their precocious son Ramses. Soon enough, Amelia & Emerson find a dead body which Amelia cannot leave well enough alone.
Emerson and Amelia are a very singular couple, with a perfect understanding of one another. Not only that, but they are madly in love with each other and it shows.
Emerson's tastes in this area, as in most others, are highly original...and his remarks about my figure, which is unfashionably slender in some areas and overly endowed in others, cannot be reproduced, even here."
I'm totally in love with Emerson, who is a most devoted parent (unlike Amelia, who is constantly suspicious of Ramses). At some point, Emerson - who is super irascible - is told to apply the tenets of the Bible and keep his wife silent. His response? A roar of laughter. He's not threatened by his wife and he likes the fact that she's strong and opinionated.
And not only is Emerson extremely bright and clever, he's also a hunk of a man!
"He's a very handsome man, your husband. "Mucho macho" as the Spanish would say."
The mystery at the end turned out to be too convenient but the dialogue was so clever and funny that I really didn't care that much.
Totally looking forward to the next in the series.
September 13, 2018
Definitely my least favourite of the series so far, primarily because so much of it focuses on Christianity with so little understanding. The view Peters takes of late 19th-century missions in Egypt doesn't jive with what I've heard before in other places about the very real social services they provided; the dismissal of the 3,000 or so years of Egyptian history since the pharoahs seemed snobbish; and the idea that a scrap of a gnostic gospel would be at all challenging to sincere believers is, frankly, hilarious. Personally as a writer, even though I have definite opinions and beliefs of my own, I would never want to provide such a one-sided and dismissive treatment of someone else's religion. This book is only meant to be a light comedy, but a better author would have written with more grace and nuance.
February 13, 2009
Yet another fun mystery featuring Amelia Peabody. While I have to admit the mystery didn't interest me much, the repartee between the indomitable Amelia and Emerson, and Ms. Peabody's (or Mrs. Emerson's) narration, more than made up for it. Ramses can be amusing also, but he can be a bit too much sometimes, probably because he is too precocious and smart to be believed. How many languages does this five-year-old know? Although I do think this specific example is the whole point of these books and how they should be seen: as a farcical look on adventure books in the Victorian era, but that's just a guess. Also, the book was a bit too long and would have been a better book had thirty or so pages been taken out. However, Amelia and her exploits are still a fast and fun way to pass the time.
February 22, 2018
Amelia Peabody is back! Yay! She and Emerson haven’t gotten the dig they were hoping for. Instead they feel like they are working on a trash heap. So a bored Amelia looks for trouble and finds it.
Now here is the problem with reviewing a mystery; how to talk about it without giving anything away. 🤔
Since I’m a character reader, I’ll take that route.
Amelia is a bluestocking. She loves to be in control of everyone and everything. Her favorite things to try to control are the men in her life. They, of course, are hard to control. Especially their 4 year old son, Ramses.
Now having been an adventurous little girl and having spent time as the mother of an adventurous little boy, I can sympathize with Amelia’s parenting. Like Ramses, my son would work his way around whatever rules I put out. Who would have thought I would have to tell a 4year old it was against the rules to climb out the window of his second floor bedroom so he could sit on the roof?
But Ramses really reminds me of my 4 year old grandson, Mr. H. The long lectures on scientific stuff is all Mr. H. He is still determined that Pluto needs to be a planet. Don’t be surprised if someday his arguments win and it changes back.
Anyway, this book is not the best in the series, but little Ramses saves the story for me. 😊💕📖
Now here is the problem with reviewing a mystery; how to talk about it without giving anything away. 🤔
Since I’m a character reader, I’ll take that route.
Amelia is a bluestocking. She loves to be in control of everyone and everything. Her favorite things to try to control are the men in her life. They, of course, are hard to control. Especially their 4 year old son, Ramses.
Now having been an adventurous little girl and having spent time as the mother of an adventurous little boy, I can sympathize with Amelia’s parenting. Like Ramses, my son would work his way around whatever rules I put out. Who would have thought I would have to tell a 4year old it was against the rules to climb out the window of his second floor bedroom so he could sit on the roof?
But Ramses really reminds me of my 4 year old grandson, Mr. H. The long lectures on scientific stuff is all Mr. H. He is still determined that Pluto needs to be a planet. Don’t be surprised if someday his arguments win and it changes back.
Anyway, this book is not the best in the series, but little Ramses saves the story for me. 😊💕📖
April 25, 2025
2⭐️ = Below Average.
Audio.
Oh dear, Amelia really didn’t appear to like her son Ramses at all!😃
Now, I started off really liking this series but unfortunately as I’ve gone along my interest has dipped.
This audio version had a narrator with a slightly irritating voice( well to me anyway!🤪).
I don’t think I’ll be overly keen to read the next one.
Audio.
Oh dear, Amelia really didn’t appear to like her son Ramses at all!😃
Now, I started off really liking this series but unfortunately as I’ve gone along my interest has dipped.
This audio version had a narrator with a slightly irritating voice( well to me anyway!🤪).
I don’t think I’ll be overly keen to read the next one.
February 3, 2018
Oh, dear.
It just doesn't get any better. And I don't mean that as a complimentary phrase.
No indeed.
Someone told me that vol 3 was much better than vol 2. It is not. It's worse. Not even listening to it as an audiobook helped. Barbara Rosenblat underwhelmed me greatly as the reader, with her horrid rendering of the despicable little dwarf Ramses, and making Amelia sound as arch as the St Louis monument. Again, I was too busy to stop and delete it, so I bore with it. Ehhhh.
Who takes a four-year-old on an archaelogical dig? Even a four-year-old who acts and talks like a 54 year old? Especially a turn of the century English family. No, dear, he would have been packed off to boarding school, or foisted onto his godparents. Because, the constant Christianity-ridiculing in this book notwithstanding, the unbearable "Ramses" does have Anglican godparents. But no--we are subjected to the insupportable little Gary Stu at every turn. And if I hear "the cat Bastet" one. more. time....I really will not be responsible for my actions. A child would humanise his pet and call it by its name...but then nasty little Ramses is anything but a normal human child. I think he's a kobold. Only once, or at the most twice, is it called "the cat", but never "Bastet". Always, unaccountably, "the cat Bastet." Ugh. I've had pets most of my life. You refer to them as "Rover" or "the dog" or "Fluffy" or "the cat." I've read 19th century family stories since I could read, and none of them referred to their pets as "the dog Rover" or "the cat Fluffy" in every sentence. It's obvious to me that Amelia doesn't even like her son much. Frankly, I see her point.
The big pyramid adventure was almost fun, in a Perils of Pauline sort of way, but Peters took faaaaar too long getting there. Instead she self-indulgently presents this volume as a "secret diary" only to be revealed after the authoress' death--why? To allow Amelia to give free rein to her pomposity? The device served no narrative purpose, rather the reverse, because it meant she padded the book out with all kinds of extraneous characters and subthreads. There are lots of first-person novels out there that don't present themselves as diaries (the first two in this series, for example). I got the impression the authoress really wasn't sure where she was going, which was odd, as the entire thing was so ridiculously predictable from Chapter 2 on.
Will I bother with any more of this series? I wonder. If Ramses gets sent off to school, maybe it will get better.
It just doesn't get any better. And I don't mean that as a complimentary phrase.
No indeed.
Someone told me that vol 3 was much better than vol 2. It is not. It's worse. Not even listening to it as an audiobook helped. Barbara Rosenblat underwhelmed me greatly as the reader, with her horrid rendering of the despicable little dwarf Ramses, and making Amelia sound as arch as the St Louis monument. Again, I was too busy to stop and delete it, so I bore with it. Ehhhh.
Who takes a four-year-old on an archaelogical dig? Even a four-year-old who acts and talks like a 54 year old? Especially a turn of the century English family. No, dear, he would have been packed off to boarding school, or foisted onto his godparents. Because, the constant Christianity-ridiculing in this book notwithstanding, the unbearable "Ramses" does have Anglican godparents. But no--we are subjected to the insupportable little Gary Stu at every turn. And if I hear "the cat Bastet" one. more. time....I really will not be responsible for my actions. A child would humanise his pet and call it by its name...but then nasty little Ramses is anything but a normal human child. I think he's a kobold. Only once, or at the most twice, is it called "the cat", but never "Bastet". Always, unaccountably, "the cat Bastet." Ugh. I've had pets most of my life. You refer to them as "Rover" or "the dog" or "Fluffy" or "the cat." I've read 19th century family stories since I could read, and none of them referred to their pets as "the dog Rover" or "the cat Fluffy" in every sentence. It's obvious to me that Amelia doesn't even like her son much. Frankly, I see her point.
The big pyramid adventure was almost fun, in a Perils of Pauline sort of way, but Peters took faaaaar too long getting there. Instead she self-indulgently presents this volume as a "secret diary" only to be revealed after the authoress' death--why? To allow Amelia to give free rein to her pomposity? The device served no narrative purpose, rather the reverse, because it meant she padded the book out with all kinds of extraneous characters and subthreads. There are lots of first-person novels out there that don't present themselves as diaries (the first two in this series, for example). I got the impression the authoress really wasn't sure where she was going, which was odd, as the entire thing was so ridiculously predictable from Chapter 2 on.
Will I bother with any more of this series? I wonder. If Ramses gets sent off to school, maybe it will get better.
August 15, 2017
It has been decades since I’ve read any of the novels by Elizabeth Peters. In the 1970s and 1980s they were among my chiefest delights when in the mood for light reading—though her Egyptian novels were always the ones I liked the least. Her heroines were pure liberation for a young woman born in the 1950s, swashbuckling and self-confident, cutting themselves a swath through the world.
I found myself a little less amused this time around, though Amelia Peabody is still a delightful character (to read about, at least, not necessarily to know personally). This story (I believe the third in the series, so don’t read on if you haven’t read any of them and think you want to) finds her married to her Emerson and bringing her precocious son Ramses with her for his first digging season. As usual, murder, mayhem, and mystery surround her and she must divide her focus between archaeology and detection.
The story has lots of entertaining twists and intriguing characters, but I felt the plot meandered and the solution to the mysteries was a bit half-hearted. Many people have faulted the character of Ramses as implausible, and that cannot be denied; but I wasn’t looking for realism and would have been disappointed had I found it! This was a pleasant diversion for a few stressful days.
I found myself a little less amused this time around, though Amelia Peabody is still a delightful character (to read about, at least, not necessarily to know personally). This story (I believe the third in the series, so don’t read on if you haven’t read any of them and think you want to) finds her married to her Emerson and bringing her precocious son Ramses with her for his first digging season. As usual, murder, mayhem, and mystery surround her and she must divide her focus between archaeology and detection.
The story has lots of entertaining twists and intriguing characters, but I felt the plot meandered and the solution to the mysteries was a bit half-hearted. Many people have faulted the character of Ramses as implausible, and that cannot be denied; but I wasn’t looking for realism and would have been disappointed had I found it! This was a pleasant diversion for a few stressful days.
October 3, 2015
I first picked up this series on the recommendation of a friend because of my love for Gail Carriger's Soulless. I can see the similarities, minus supernatural creatures, but I've never liked this series quite as much.
And of a series that I've thought to be entertaining enough, but not great, this was the worst of the lot so far.
Now, I do mostly like Amelia and Emerson. Their love/rivalry thing is kind of cute, and the banter is cute, but it got a bit wearying by the end that they're just constantly trying to one up each other. (Not to mention really, really tired of Emerson's constantly dismissing and doubting Amelia's detective hunches and theories. For a couple which is meant to be loving and supporting, they never seem to actually trust each other except when forced to by circumstance.)
The biggest character issue I had in this book, though, is Ramses, the "catastrophically precious" 8-year-old who spouts out encyclopedic entries and constantly dictates and lectures to everyone.
I can get down with a precocious child - lord knows I've read enough MG books with kids beyond their ken - but this kid was just blooming irritating and completely unrealistic. (And of course he ends up saving the day.)
I do, however, like the cat Bastet.
But, at the end of the day, that's not really did this book in. It was mostly the fact that the case was just completely uninteresting to me. It didn't feel like it had any real stakes, I didn't care that much about any of the major players, and just didn't really care about much of any of it, to be honest.
I haven't written off the series entirely - I do generally like the writing style, despite the character annoyances, and the Egyptology stuff is interesting - but I will say that the next book is the last test - if I feel about it the way I felt about this one, then I think I'll be over it.
And of a series that I've thought to be entertaining enough, but not great, this was the worst of the lot so far.
Now, I do mostly like Amelia and Emerson. Their love/rivalry thing is kind of cute, and the banter is cute, but it got a bit wearying by the end that they're just constantly trying to one up each other. (Not to mention really, really tired of Emerson's constantly dismissing and doubting Amelia's detective hunches and theories. For a couple which is meant to be loving and supporting, they never seem to actually trust each other except when forced to by circumstance.)
The biggest character issue I had in this book, though, is Ramses, the "catastrophically precious" 8-year-old who spouts out encyclopedic entries and constantly dictates and lectures to everyone.
I can get down with a precocious child - lord knows I've read enough MG books with kids beyond their ken - but this kid was just blooming irritating and completely unrealistic. (And of course he ends up saving the day.)
I do, however, like the cat Bastet.
But, at the end of the day, that's not really did this book in. It was mostly the fact that the case was just completely uninteresting to me. It didn't feel like it had any real stakes, I didn't care that much about any of the major players, and just didn't really care about much of any of it, to be honest.
I haven't written off the series entirely - I do generally like the writing style, despite the character annoyances, and the Egyptology stuff is interesting - but I will say that the next book is the last test - if I feel about it the way I felt about this one, then I think I'll be over it.
September 6, 2021
I’ve read this series several times over the years, always amused and entertained by the crime-solving Egyptologists. For me, it was always about the fierce and feisty, no-nonsense Victorian lady, Amelia Peabody Emerson, and her brilliant, handsome, but irascible husband; they are extremely devoted, yet strike sparks off each other constantly! That’s where much of the humor comes from - I wouldn’t want to live with them, perhaps, but they’re never dull.
This is book 3, so son Ramses is now old enough to accompany his parents on an archeological dig season in Egypt. He can be a sneaky, pedantic little boy, and affects an annoying speech impediment to irritate his mother. Since I listen to the audiobook, excellently narrated by Barbara Rosenblat, this affectation was particularly noticeable. However, as a longtime fan of the series, I know that Ramses eventually grows into one of my favorite characters, and quite the dashing young man in his own right.
But that’s years away - this time, the Emersons are digging at a minor site with collapsed pyramids and Roman cemeteries - a period of no interest to Emerson. Apparently a “master criminal” has entered the illicit antiquities market, and Amelia is determined to catch the bad guy; a skeptical Emerson just wants to dig...a few break-ins and one dead worker, who had behaved suspiciously, brings him around to the idea that there may be something to Amelia’s criminal conspiracy theories. Throw in an obnoxious American missionary antagonizing the local Coptic priest by trying to convert his flock, a patronizing French Egyptologist at the site Emerson covets nearby, and a German baroness collecting antiquities, and things are hopping.
These books aren’t really about the mystery for me, as much as the humor and adventure and fascinating look at Egyptology in the Victorian era. I found the humor and adventure a delight when I first discovered the series, and I still do.
This is book 3, so son Ramses is now old enough to accompany his parents on an archeological dig season in Egypt. He can be a sneaky, pedantic little boy, and affects an annoying speech impediment to irritate his mother. Since I listen to the audiobook, excellently narrated by Barbara Rosenblat, this affectation was particularly noticeable. However, as a longtime fan of the series, I know that Ramses eventually grows into one of my favorite characters, and quite the dashing young man in his own right.
But that’s years away - this time, the Emersons are digging at a minor site with collapsed pyramids and Roman cemeteries - a period of no interest to Emerson. Apparently a “master criminal” has entered the illicit antiquities market, and Amelia is determined to catch the bad guy; a skeptical Emerson just wants to dig...a few break-ins and one dead worker, who had behaved suspiciously, brings him around to the idea that there may be something to Amelia’s criminal conspiracy theories. Throw in an obnoxious American missionary antagonizing the local Coptic priest by trying to convert his flock, a patronizing French Egyptologist at the site Emerson covets nearby, and a German baroness collecting antiquities, and things are hopping.
These books aren’t really about the mystery for me, as much as the humor and adventure and fascinating look at Egyptology in the Victorian era. I found the humor and adventure a delight when I first discovered the series, and I still do.
October 11, 2016
The five-star scale is unsatisfactory and should change to ten. I give three but this novel is superior to others that have received that designation from me. It doesn't reach four stars because Ramses, estimated at six years-old, was annoying and this mystery merely happened arbitrarily around us. Its theme was Amelia's compulsion to sleuth. There wasn't even any archaeological coup, just a lovely look at the family, including loyal and intelligent cat Bastet, whose constant presence I certainly approve. There are wonderful moments between Amelia and Radcliffe.
The ultimate crux of "The Mummy Case", an explosive religious text that was discovered in real life, was neither foreshadowed nor built-up at all. The denouement of this mystery could have inserted any character and any back story, into the explanatory pages. No plotting leaned adeptly in any direction. The story comprised suspicion and mishaps, as if leaving an opening for Elizabeth Peters to eventually decide to whom she would attribute them. This is a nice excursion, well-written in terms of humorous dialogue and narrative but not a tautly-plotted case. I would prefer seeing more of Evelyn, Walter, and their children freshly augmented to five. Amelia's intolerance of Ramses' know-it-all ravings bring me laughter and I love that there is no sting in the family's civil address of one other.
What was crafted intelligently, with engagingly witty language along with Amelia's observations: was the trio's methodical escape from subterranean entrapment. This was the Emerson family's most poignant scene and the most riveting and exciting of all. I have been a fan from the first novel, with criticisms for long segments without purpose. I anticipate that better volumes are to come. I am a stronger Vicky Bliss fan. Even though the author herself preferred it more than her publisher did, several await me.
The ultimate crux of "The Mummy Case", an explosive religious text that was discovered in real life, was neither foreshadowed nor built-up at all. The denouement of this mystery could have inserted any character and any back story, into the explanatory pages. No plotting leaned adeptly in any direction. The story comprised suspicion and mishaps, as if leaving an opening for Elizabeth Peters to eventually decide to whom she would attribute them. This is a nice excursion, well-written in terms of humorous dialogue and narrative but not a tautly-plotted case. I would prefer seeing more of Evelyn, Walter, and their children freshly augmented to five. Amelia's intolerance of Ramses' know-it-all ravings bring me laughter and I love that there is no sting in the family's civil address of one other.
What was crafted intelligently, with engagingly witty language along with Amelia's observations: was the trio's methodical escape from subterranean entrapment. This was the Emerson family's most poignant scene and the most riveting and exciting of all. I have been a fan from the first novel, with criticisms for long segments without purpose. I anticipate that better volumes are to come. I am a stronger Vicky Bliss fan. Even though the author herself preferred it more than her publisher did, several await me.
January 19, 2020
This third of the Amelia Peabody mysteries establishes itself in the shape which the later books follow. The ever-intrepid Amelia, parasol at the ready, gives the lie to the idea that all Victorian ladies were constantly swooning. With her large and brash archaeologist husband, her troublesome young rapscallion of a son Ramses, and the start of what will become a veritable menagerie, our heroes find themselves tangled in a complex case of missing mummy cases, strange papyri, and a dastardly Master Criminal.
I love this series – while it has all the hallmarks of a ‘cosy’, the writing is far more literate than is usual in the genre, and the Egyptology is always both accurate and central to the book. Peters has huge fun in these books but they also say things about academic archaeology, about the status of women, and about the relationships that tie people together.
This can certainly be read as a stand-alone, but it’s worth starting at the beginning of the series (Crocodile on the Sandbank, Curse of the Pharoahs) to establish the groundwork. This is one of my favourite of the early Peabody series before the second generation of Ramses, David and Nefret come to the fore. And anyone who is half in love with the older Ramses of the later books (me, for sure!) will find this portrait of his seven-year-old self both hysterically funny and also poignant.
I love this series – while it has all the hallmarks of a ‘cosy’, the writing is far more literate than is usual in the genre, and the Egyptology is always both accurate and central to the book. Peters has huge fun in these books but they also say things about academic archaeology, about the status of women, and about the relationships that tie people together.
This can certainly be read as a stand-alone, but it’s worth starting at the beginning of the series (Crocodile on the Sandbank, Curse of the Pharoahs) to establish the groundwork. This is one of my favourite of the early Peabody series before the second generation of Ramses, David and Nefret come to the fore. And anyone who is half in love with the older Ramses of the later books (me, for sure!) will find this portrait of his seven-year-old self both hysterically funny and also poignant.
May 14, 2021
This is now the third in the Amelia Peabody series which I have read and, to be honest, it was quite similar to the previous title. Radcliffe Emerson and his wife, Amelia, head out to Egypt to spend a season excavating; this time accompanied by their extremely precocious son, Ramses, and servant, John. There is much - constantly, in fact - musing from Amelia on how much she adores her husband which begins as amusing, but becomes more than a little wearing.
Once in Egypt, the irascible Emerson upsets everyone and finds himself with a less prestigious dig than he had hoped. Worse, when he and Amelia arrive at their allotted place, they find trouble brewing in the local village, involving missionaries. They then become embroiled in a mystery involving a Master Criminal, stolen antiquities and a side story where John becomes mysteriously enamoured of a near-silent missionary in a bonnet...
I am at a point where I am unsure whether or not to read on in the series, to be honest. Had this not been a buddy read I might have given up. I will await the discussion and see what others in my group thought.
Once in Egypt, the irascible Emerson upsets everyone and finds himself with a less prestigious dig than he had hoped. Worse, when he and Amelia arrive at their allotted place, they find trouble brewing in the local village, involving missionaries. They then become embroiled in a mystery involving a Master Criminal, stolen antiquities and a side story where John becomes mysteriously enamoured of a near-silent missionary in a bonnet...
I am at a point where I am unsure whether or not to read on in the series, to be honest. Had this not been a buddy read I might have given up. I will await the discussion and see what others in my group thought.
September 17, 2020
I wanted to like this book. I love mysteries that are set around Egyptian antiquities, archeological digs, or even museums. But I couldn’t finish this book, and I knew that from the first few pages but kept at it until I was halfway or two-thirds of the way through the book. I chose to start this series a few books in after reading that the later books are much better than the first couple. If they were weaker books than this one, I’m glad I gave them a pass. Following is a list of reasons that lead to my quitting the book, and probably not trying the rest of the series.
First, the narrator’s strident feminism was extremely grating. There was far more lecturing about the inequalities of society than there was a mystery. If I had wanted a screed about Victorian problems, I would have picked a book dedicated to that topic instead of a mystery story.
Second, Amelia’s abandonment of her child to the loving care of relatives so she can pursue her dreams is horrendous. For the first chapters of this book, she views her own flesh and blood as nothing more than an unintended consequence or a bothersome hindrance. Then after it becomes impossible for her to shunt him off any longer, all she does is disparage and criticize him.
Third, the absolutely intolerable combative snobbery displayed by both Emmerson and Amelia to absolutely every person they come in contact with is extremely off-putting. They have to be two of the most self-centered, egotistical people I have ever read about. And that child! Precocious isn’t the right word for him. I’m not sure there is one word to describe how unrealistic, tiresome, and infuriating he is. He speaks with the vocabulary and understanding of a university professor but acts like a thoroughly spoiled five-year-old. It’s all very aggravating.
Fourth, I still don’t know what the mystery is about, and by this point in the book, I really don’t care.
Fifth, the thinly veiled references to marital intimacy. Just about every conversation between Amelia and Emmerson contains at least one.
Sixth, And by far the most important, the virulent anti-Christian jabs. I knew it was a non-Christian book, but I didn’t expect them to be such militantly anti-Christian. Everything from belief in God to reading the Bible and evangelization is mocked repeatedly. Again, more is said in disparagement of Christianity than there is about the elusive mystery plot. Protestant missionaries come in for the brunt of this abuse, but that might, ever so slightly, be mitigated by the fact that if any character isn’t married to Amelia they are disparaged brutally.
It was not a pleasant read. Are any of the other books better than this one?
First, the narrator’s strident feminism was extremely grating. There was far more lecturing about the inequalities of society than there was a mystery. If I had wanted a screed about Victorian problems, I would have picked a book dedicated to that topic instead of a mystery story.
Second, Amelia’s abandonment of her child to the loving care of relatives so she can pursue her dreams is horrendous. For the first chapters of this book, she views her own flesh and blood as nothing more than an unintended consequence or a bothersome hindrance. Then after it becomes impossible for her to shunt him off any longer, all she does is disparage and criticize him.
Third, the absolutely intolerable combative snobbery displayed by both Emmerson and Amelia to absolutely every person they come in contact with is extremely off-putting. They have to be two of the most self-centered, egotistical people I have ever read about. And that child! Precocious isn’t the right word for him. I’m not sure there is one word to describe how unrealistic, tiresome, and infuriating he is. He speaks with the vocabulary and understanding of a university professor but acts like a thoroughly spoiled five-year-old. It’s all very aggravating.
Fourth, I still don’t know what the mystery is about, and by this point in the book, I really don’t care.
Fifth, the thinly veiled references to marital intimacy. Just about every conversation between Amelia and Emmerson contains at least one.
Sixth, And by far the most important, the virulent anti-Christian jabs. I knew it was a non-Christian book, but I didn’t expect them to be such militantly anti-Christian. Everything from belief in God to reading the Bible and evangelization is mocked repeatedly. Again, more is said in disparagement of Christianity than there is about the elusive mystery plot. Protestant missionaries come in for the brunt of this abuse, but that might, ever so slightly, be mitigated by the fact that if any character isn’t married to Amelia they are disparaged brutally.
It was not a pleasant read. Are any of the other books better than this one?
October 3, 2020
If you like Egyptology and spirited women in the Victorian era then this series might be for you. Amelia Peabody and Emerson now have an extremely precious son named Ramses who is smarter than many an Oxford don. This is where it gets a wee bit strained and unbelievable for me, but some might find it entertaining or endearing. I find I like the cat Bastet better, but I'm a curmudgeon so there's that to take into consideration.
September 15, 2024
The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters is the 3rd book in the Amelia Peabody Mystery series. An antiquities dealer is killed shortly after selling a papyrus to Amelia Peabody and she becomes involved in hunting down a master criminal. A magnificent entry into the series. Emerson, Peabody and their son Ramses are a wonderful team and I love their interactions and the affection that they share and how they work so well together. A very entertaining adventure and mystery.
March 29, 2022
I have been accused of having no sense of humor. It's true that I often don't find funny what those accusers do find funny. But I do laugh out loud, and not just occasionally. This book was one where if I wasn't laughing, I was smiling. Who would have thought a mystery series could be heavily laced with humor? OK, so probably the primary reason for this series *is* its humor and not the mysteries, but still ...
This installment has Amelia and Radcliffe ready to head to Egypt for another season. They decide to take their son Ramses with them. At first I'll admit that this 4-year old child was a bit much, precocious or not. His willingness to adhere to the literalness of the rules and skirt the spirit of them was a tad annoying. It wasn't long, however, before I found him more than just amusing. He is so much smarter and more intuitive than his parents! I choose to believe he will become even more of a star in future installments.
Amelia, of course, is really the star of the show. OK, it's just possible this is a series women will appreciate more than men, for this is her attitude:
This installment has Amelia and Radcliffe ready to head to Egypt for another season. They decide to take their son Ramses with them. At first I'll admit that this 4-year old child was a bit much, precocious or not. His willingness to adhere to the literalness of the rules and skirt the spirit of them was a tad annoying. It wasn't long, however, before I found him more than just amusing. He is so much smarter and more intuitive than his parents! I choose to believe he will become even more of a star in future installments.
Amelia, of course, is really the star of the show. OK, it's just possible this is a series women will appreciate more than men, for this is her attitude:
Gazing upon them [pyramids] I knew how Eve must have felt when she looked back at the flowers and lush foliage of Eden, from which she was forever barred. (Another example of masculine duplicity, I might add. Adam was under no compulsion to eat of the fruit, and his attempt to shift the blame onto his trusting spouse was, to say the least, unmanly.)I don't get to this series often enough. To make sure I rectify that, I have, in the last 3 days, picked up 2 more of the series when they were on special for the Kindle. If I rated only as to enjoyment, this probably should be 5-stars, but I always hope that rating has something a little extra in terms of characterization or writing style. Nothing truly wrong with those elements here, but it's toward the top of my 4-star group nonetheless.
July 31, 2012
This 3rd book in the Amelia Peabody series was a huge disapointment. The first two were hilarious and fun to read, despite the weakness of a having a pretty vague or unremarkable mysterie at their core. Peters seems to not have had much of a thought as to who the perpetrators or the mytery should be whe sitting down and writing this book. It feels like at the end whe we find out what was going on and who the villains are, she is half heartedly trying to fit the persons in as the criminals rather then having built the story from the start with them in mind as the perpetrators.
I had a hard time staying engaged with this book. It took a long time to get going and nothing really remarkable happaned through out the book. Amelia was actually a bit annoying in this book, very pompus and repetitive, especially when it came to her husband and their relationship. Their kid, Ramses was incredibly annoying and hard to believe. Several times throughout the book I felt the boy should have gotten a good spanking or at least be cuffed to his bed. The way his speech was writen was really starting to grind my nerves and the fact he rarely got to finish what he was saying was almost worse.
Very dissapointed with this installment of the series.
I had a hard time staying engaged with this book. It took a long time to get going and nothing really remarkable happaned through out the book. Amelia was actually a bit annoying in this book, very pompus and repetitive, especially when it came to her husband and their relationship. Their kid, Ramses was incredibly annoying and hard to believe. Several times throughout the book I felt the boy should have gotten a good spanking or at least be cuffed to his bed. The way his speech was writen was really starting to grind my nerves and the fact he rarely got to finish what he was saying was almost worse.
Very dissapointed with this installment of the series.
November 13, 2018
4 enjoyable stars
I like this series - I really do. I bought some of them on sale on Audible and they work for me when driving on road trips. Time passes quickly when you aren't thinking with your 6yr old self - "when will we get there?", "are we there yet?". I find myself speaking in a slight upper crust English accent when I arrive at my destination. The dry humor has me chuckling and I like the insights into ancient Egypt, culture, etc.
So why 4 stars? I loved the narrator in book 1 - she nailed both Ameilia's and Emerson's voices. Book 2 - they changed narrators and I was not a fan of the her performance. In book 3, the narrator from book 2, tries this as if Amelia is reading her memoirs, and while I could accept Amelia's voice (kind of), she made Emerson sound like Nigel Bruce's Watson in the old Sherlock Holmes movies. Ugh - it is not Emerson - even older.
Yes, I will continue to read/listen to the series with Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, and the cat Bastet. I enjoy their adventures together.
I like this series - I really do. I bought some of them on sale on Audible and they work for me when driving on road trips. Time passes quickly when you aren't thinking with your 6yr old self - "when will we get there?", "are we there yet?". I find myself speaking in a slight upper crust English accent when I arrive at my destination. The dry humor has me chuckling and I like the insights into ancient Egypt, culture, etc.
So why 4 stars? I loved the narrator in book 1 - she nailed both Ameilia's and Emerson's voices. Book 2 - they changed narrators and I was not a fan of the her performance. In book 3, the narrator from book 2, tries this as if Amelia is reading her memoirs, and while I could accept Amelia's voice (kind of), she made Emerson sound like Nigel Bruce's Watson in the old Sherlock Holmes movies. Ugh - it is not Emerson - even older.
Yes, I will continue to read/listen to the series with Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, and the cat Bastet. I enjoy their adventures together.
June 6, 2024
Loved the precocious Ramses in this one. Emerson and Peabody are delightful as always as they navigate the perils of excavating in Europe.
I just love the mix of humour, mystery and mythology in these books. The relationship between this husband and wife is so unusual for the time. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
I just love the mix of humour, mystery and mythology in these books. The relationship between this husband and wife is so unusual for the time. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
February 22, 2022
And, the Emersons are off on another Egyptian archeological adventure and this time take the precocious Ramses to excavate near Mazghuna and Dashur. Stolen antiquities, roving mummy cases, religious eccentrics and more distract them from their work and I couldn't be more entertained.
The Mummy Case is the third of the Amelia Peabody adventures. I find it works the best in order, but I suppose one could try it as a standalone without too much trouble.
Amelia is convinced while still in Cairo that there is a master criminal behind the recent death of an antiquities dealer and the advent of a mysterious intruder ransacking their rooms. Emerson is convinced this is her way of distracting herself from the disappointment of getting stuck with an obscure firman in the shadow of the very pyramids she is dying to explore. So, the family goes about both work and detecting in equal fervor and mayhem abounds.
I love this series for the humorous, but exciting adventure quality, the colorful cast of characters and especially the engaging threesome that make up the Emerson family. Emerson and Peabody have the most delightful dialogue exchanges and their precocious son Ramses' antics are hilarious. They upstage the plot most of the time and I don't even mind. But, I so enjoy the tidbits of archeological work and discussion thrown in for good measure.
Susan O'Malley narrates and does a wonderful job. I am not sure if this is true of other people's copies, but my digital had some production issues with the sound jumping between listening modes (it sounded like the voice actor getting closer or more distant to the mike). Other than this, I loved the audiobook experience for this re-read.
All in all, this was high entertainment and historical mystery fans who like it light and more of an adventure should give this series a go.
The Mummy Case is the third of the Amelia Peabody adventures. I find it works the best in order, but I suppose one could try it as a standalone without too much trouble.
Amelia is convinced while still in Cairo that there is a master criminal behind the recent death of an antiquities dealer and the advent of a mysterious intruder ransacking their rooms. Emerson is convinced this is her way of distracting herself from the disappointment of getting stuck with an obscure firman in the shadow of the very pyramids she is dying to explore. So, the family goes about both work and detecting in equal fervor and mayhem abounds.
I love this series for the humorous, but exciting adventure quality, the colorful cast of characters and especially the engaging threesome that make up the Emerson family. Emerson and Peabody have the most delightful dialogue exchanges and their precocious son Ramses' antics are hilarious. They upstage the plot most of the time and I don't even mind. But, I so enjoy the tidbits of archeological work and discussion thrown in for good measure.
Susan O'Malley narrates and does a wonderful job. I am not sure if this is true of other people's copies, but my digital had some production issues with the sound jumping between listening modes (it sounded like the voice actor getting closer or more distant to the mike). Other than this, I loved the audiobook experience for this re-read.
All in all, this was high entertainment and historical mystery fans who like it light and more of an adventure should give this series a go.
May 11, 2021
After enjoying the previous two (and having every intention of reading the entire series), I was very disappointed with this third installment of the Amelia Peabody mystery series. I'd heard that this was the book where Peabody's nemesis made his first appearance, and being a sucker for archenemy plots I was greatly looking forward to it. I also was interested when the aspect of Coptic (Egyptian Christian) characters was introduced.
I was really disappointed in this latter issue because instead of elucidating a part of Egyptian history that usually is glossed over in history books, Peters and Peabody spend the entire book disdaining "Roman" artifacts as being inferior and uninteresting. While obviously the later Greco-Roman era of Egypt was not as glorious and its antiquities lack the wealth and craftsmanship of the earlier Golden Eras, that doesn't mean it completely lacks value. All antiquities teach us something about the past, even if it's just some broken pottery instead of gold caches in marble tombs. It's a little annoying that an actual archaeologist like Peters (and her protagonist) would ignore this aspect of actual archaeological work.
What was most off-putting for me, though, was how Peters was so biased against the Copts and the Christian missionary characters. At every opportunity she ridicules these characters without even attempting to flesh out their motivations. Peters isn't always very good at multidimensional characters or avoiding stereotypes, but in this case it's the mystery itself that suffers.
I was really disappointed in this latter issue because instead of elucidating a part of Egyptian history that usually is glossed over in history books, Peters and Peabody spend the entire book disdaining "Roman" artifacts as being inferior and uninteresting. While obviously the later Greco-Roman era of Egypt was not as glorious and its antiquities lack the wealth and craftsmanship of the earlier Golden Eras, that doesn't mean it completely lacks value. All antiquities teach us something about the past, even if it's just some broken pottery instead of gold caches in marble tombs. It's a little annoying that an actual archaeologist like Peters (and her protagonist) would ignore this aspect of actual archaeological work.
What was most off-putting for me, though, was how Peters was so biased against the Copts and the Christian missionary characters. At every opportunity she ridicules these characters without even attempting to flesh out their motivations. Peters isn't always very good at multidimensional characters or avoiding stereotypes, but in this case it's the mystery itself that suffers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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