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Amelia Peabody #12
He Shall Thunder in the Sky
1914 finds archaelogists Amelia Peabody, narrator, and husband Radcliffe Emerson back in Egypt for another dig, despite civil unrest. Defiantly pacifist son Ramses hides his spy activity with cousin David. He rescues Molly, and his dazzling smile conquers yet another female. An artifact from Giza confirms the return of archnemesis Sethos.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
312 people are currently reading
3168 people want to read
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 542 reviews
March 29, 2020
Easily five stars - maybe the best book in this series so far. Definitely the one with the best ending.
If I had been reading this book in 2000 when it was published I would have assumed it was going to be the last in the series. Many of the ongoing story lines were satisfactorily concluded and it reached an emotional level that the previous books have not done. However I read it in 2020 and I know I have still got lots of reading pleasure ahead of me.
He Shall Thunder in the Sky is about war and espionage and secrets, but it is also about the individual family members and they all have huge parts to play. I do not believe we have ever seen Emerson in such a strong role or Amelia so forthcoming with her emotions. And as for Ramses...….
I am now really looking forward to where the author will take the series next.
If I had been reading this book in 2000 when it was published I would have assumed it was going to be the last in the series. Many of the ongoing story lines were satisfactorily concluded and it reached an emotional level that the previous books have not done. However I read it in 2020 and I know I have still got lots of reading pleasure ahead of me.
He Shall Thunder in the Sky is about war and espionage and secrets, but it is also about the individual family members and they all have huge parts to play. I do not believe we have ever seen Emerson in such a strong role or Amelia so forthcoming with her emotions. And as for Ramses...….
I am now really looking forward to where the author will take the series next.
June 11, 2007
Book 12
This book deserves 6 stars
Left me in a daze of joy. Ramses is the hottest thing ever put in print. Damn.
This book deserves 6 stars
Left me in a daze of joy. Ramses is the hottest thing ever put in print. Damn.
February 14, 2017
This is my favorite Amelia Peabody adventure so far - but I've said that about the last several books. They keep getting better. The early books were amusing enough, but they were light, frivolous reads. Peters has gradually increased the drama and the emotional intensity. After I finished the previous book, The Falcon at the Portal, I was so caught up in the story that I immediately started this one.
It's set in 1914, during the Great War. Peabody and Emerson have been granted permission to excavate the cemeteries of Giza, largely because the German group who previously had the concession were unable to enter Egypt, which has been formally annexed by Britain. Ramses is ostentatiously playing the part of a conscientious objector, but as the reader must immediately suspect, he's secretly working to protect his beloved Egypt from a Turkish invasion.
I have not been much enamored of the Master Criminal who features in this series, but I very much enjoyed his presence in this novel, where his suitably shocking identity is revealed. Vile cousin Percy resumes his attempts to foil the Emersons, and Ramses and Nefret are again circling each other warily.
The book has a perfectly marvelous ending.
It's set in 1914, during the Great War. Peabody and Emerson have been granted permission to excavate the cemeteries of Giza, largely because the German group who previously had the concession were unable to enter Egypt, which has been formally annexed by Britain. Ramses is ostentatiously playing the part of a conscientious objector, but as the reader must immediately suspect, he's secretly working to protect his beloved Egypt from a Turkish invasion.
I have not been much enamored of the Master Criminal who features in this series, but I very much enjoyed his presence in this novel, where his suitably shocking identity is revealed. Vile cousin Percy resumes his attempts to foil the Emersons, and Ramses and Nefret are again circling each other warily.
The book has a perfectly marvelous ending.
August 4, 2011
Skip River in the Sky and read this one right now.
You can go back later if you want to, but I am *telling* you, go read it right now. I'll wait.
Okay, not really. I have to wonder if Elizabeth Peters thought this was going to be her last novel, because just a large number of stories get resolved here. (It took me forever to read this. I stayed up late. You have NO idea how much I like to sleep, and I GAVE IT UP to finish this book.)
I won't give away spoilers, because you'll just get mad at me. But let me just saw "Awwwwwwww."
I knew what was coming, and it was still a good and sweet ending. Since Abdullah died two books back, I believe I can be non-spoilery by saying that Amelia dreams of Abdullah sometimes, and they talk. And I cried at the end of every. single. one. of their conversations.
I'm going to read Eye of the Tempest by Nicole Peeler next--and if you haven't been reading that series, you really should--and then get back to the Family Emerson and Nefret and David and Lia and the end of WWI.
See ya in Egypt!
You can go back later if you want to, but I am *telling* you, go read it right now. I'll wait.
Okay, not really. I have to wonder if Elizabeth Peters thought this was going to be her last novel, because just a large number of stories get resolved here. (It took me forever to read this. I stayed up late. You have NO idea how much I like to sleep, and I GAVE IT UP to finish this book.)
I won't give away spoilers, because you'll just get mad at me. But let me just saw "Awwwwwwww."
I knew what was coming, and it was still a good and sweet ending. Since Abdullah died two books back, I believe I can be non-spoilery by saying that Amelia dreams of Abdullah sometimes, and they talk. And I cried at the end of every. single. one. of their conversations.
I'm going to read Eye of the Tempest by Nicole Peeler next--and if you haven't been reading that series, you really should--and then get back to the Family Emerson and Nefret and David and Lia and the end of WWI.
See ya in Egypt!
November 19, 2021
The Peabody Emersons are back two years after the shocking events of the previous novel. Ignoring the more recently published The Painted Queen, this story sheds light on what happens after the horrible cliffhanger. It's now 1914-1915 and the winter excavation season is complicated by world events. Britain has officially declared Egypt a protectorate and is at war with Germany. The Ottoman Turks threaten to join Germany in a war that will span in the globe and leave no family untouched. The native Egyptians are restless and eager for independence. Their leader, Warandi, has called for a jihad, a holy war and the British have cracked down on personal liberties. This means dear David has been exiled to India for his participation in the freedom movement. With his beloved Lia awaiting the birth of their first child back in England, the entire family is willing to fight to get David back where he belongs. Ramses refuses to join up with his Emerson cousins and has earned the enmity of the old ladies of Cairo. Nefret is happily working at her hospital while also assisting her foster family with their excavations. When political events start to affect the family, Amelia turns into mother bear to keep them safe. Then a surprising discovery at the dig site leads her to believe the Master Criminal is at work again and this time playing a deeper and more dangerous game that will have far-reaching consequences!
There is a LOT going on in this novel which makes me give it only 4 stars instead of 5. The archeology takes backseat to the political events of World War I and the romantic entanglements of young lovers. Add in Sethos and a mischievous young girl with a massive crush on Ramses and it becomes too much. There are so many plot twists I couldn't keep up! The plot was super slow to begin with. I easily put the book down at first to eat and sleep but then it got interesting around the halfway point (archeology -yeah! dead body - yes that's what we read for) and I could NOT put the book down. I read as late as I could keep my eyes open and finally shut off my light. I kept dreaming about the book so when I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep I had to finish it. The prologue that doesn't have anything to do with the story until the very end. I kept wondering about it and when all was revealed, all came out of thin air! What just happened? This one may merit a reread before moving on. The backstories of some characters are revealed but are so fantastical I had a hard time believing it. I wasn't surprised by the identity of the villain though it seemed improbable given the character's decided lack of intelligence. I didn't like the romance plot but the whole story came to a satisfying end. Did Peters intend for this to be the last novel in the series?
I just adore Amelia and Emerson. They are so real to me that they seem like friends. I adore their loving relationship and how affectionate they are even after so many years. My goodness they have a healthy marriage and they're in their 50s or so, which is quite old for the Victorian era. I was surprised Ramses didn't know or remember about his parents' private life behind closed doors. He DID know at one point when he was really too young to understand, if I remember correctly. Where does he think he came from? LOL! Nefret doesn't have a clue either and I would think Amelia would have had a little chat with her about such matters.
I also like how the characters continue to evolve even after so many books. Here Amelia becomes way more overprotective than she's ever been. She goes into mother bear mode to protect a son she doesn't really know or like. It turns out that public displays of affection are just too un-Victorian for the elder Emersons?! (Pretty sure Amelia has stated she doesn't have much maternal affection for her son). However, Ramses struggling to live up to his father's reputation and expectations due to the lack of affection is somewhat contradictory. When Ramses was small Emerson took great pride in his son. Emerson is just trying to please everyone and keep Ramses safe. He knows Ramses is a man and can take care of himself but he can't help but be wistful and long for adventure himself though this is never implicitly stated.
Nefret remains true to herself. It's funny just how alike Amelia, Emerson, Ramses and Nefret are in personality. Nefret has the sunniest nature of them all which is why I did not care for the romance plot. Ramses was cruel to her and almost abusive. She felt abused and that's what matters. I disagree with Amelia's pronouncement about what women want sometimes. The scene following the somewhat abusive scene was nice and I really liked the ending. Nefret is also secretive like her foster brother and I knew what she was up to long before the end of the book. If Ramses hadn't been so self-centered, he could have figured it out. She SAID she knew what she was doing and she was seen quarreling with Anna which means Ramses assumed wrong. I love Nefret and I want her to be as happy as Amelia after her tough beginning and the shocking events of 2 years earlier.
The Master Criminal is up to his old tricks. This time his identity was very difficult to guess even for Amelia and Ramses. I really do not like him or consider him a romantic figure. I like him as an interesting character but he complicated the story more than it had to be. I was happy to get answers as to who he is and why.
The villain is the most despicable excuse for a human being on the planet. I doubted they were intelligent enough to pull off such a plot and as it turns out, I was partly right. I sort of felt sorry for them being a pawn in a larger game but not so much because this person is supremely evil.
For once British officials do not act like fools and morons. They have finally learned to value the Emersons as they ought. Though the British are still patronizing to the locals, they have made slight progress. I liked Russell despite the fact he set up the plot. The Emersons would have become involved anyway.
The newest character here is Malinda "Molly" Hamilton, the spoiled teenage niece of Major Hamilton, a British officer stationed in Egypt. Molly is a girl on the cusp of womanhood and is very silly. This is what happens when old-fashioned chaperones try to restrict their charges. Molly is an example of the "Bright Young Things" generation that is to follow the war. She is headstrong, fearless and know what she wants. If she was a little older and Ramses wasn't so in love with Nefret, he would have finally met his match! I think she and Nefret could have been friends if Molly was older and didn't have a massive crush on Ramses.
This is a fabulous entry to the series and a good place to stop. Should I continue? What else can they get up to? I'd like to know what happens to everyone at the end of the war though so I will probably continue!
Reread November 2021
This was another tough one to reread remembering the dramatic conclusion. I decided to reread in publication order and the plots flow much better this way. Even though the story picks up two years later, it still picks up right where we left off with the romantic development to allow the action to unfold. That makes more sense this way without The Painted Queen.
I enjoyed trying to figure out who the Master Criminal was this time. I remembered but it was still fun to guess whether he had more than one persona and which one he was. I guessed or remembered correctly. His plotline came as a surprise the first time but this time I remembered.
Melinda aka Molly is a spoiled teenage girl with a crush on Ramses. She's annoying and I couldn't stand her. This time though, I have a LOT of questions about her backstory.
Amelia's show of maternal affection really touched me. She's usually so stoic and so certain that things will turn out all right. She's under the same strain as Katherine and Evelyn, perhaps even more so because she can't tell them what Ramses is up to and has to keep her fears to herself. I was surprised Ramses was surprised by her maternal devotion. She's always fussed but this time the reality has set in and she sees her son not just getting into scrapes but doing something deadly, something the authorities she trusted put him up to.
While Russell seems like a decent guy, he's still British and doesn't understand the Egyptians at all. The British are so smug and sure of their might and right to rule, they totally miss the point of Wardani's movement. Wardani exists because of the way the British have governed Egypt! My mom was confused by the Wardani plot and didn't quite get what was going on. I tried to remember to explain it to her but I had forgotten some of the details.
Emerson was too over the top in this novel. There's a heck of a lot of swearing- and sex in this novel! While I adore them as a couple and how much they love each other, I feel like Emerson wasn't being spontaneous affectionate but purposefully affectionate. Emerson uses sex as a diversion to keep Amelia out of trouble and I really hate that. I like it better when they communicate. Emerson seems to be up to something behind the scenes that he can't tell anyone about. He's learning to accept that his son is now a man and knows what he's doing. Emerson is learning to allow Ramses to take the lead and for himself to follow but still tries too hard to keep his son out of trouble. I wish he could bring himself to say "I love you and I'm proud of you!" He's too Victorian for that and before Amelia, the only person he ever loved was Walter and he stood as a father to Walter. I don't think he ever told Walter of his feelings either. Too Victorian for that.
I agree with Emerson and Ramses's sentiments about the war but they go a little too far publicly with their feelings and I think that gets them into trouble. There are multiple nations warring for the same territory and none of the options appeal to Emerson. While Ramses believes the Egyptians deserve to be self-governing.
Nefret is having a tough time in this novel. I can tell what she's thinking and feeling but I don't like some of her actions. She's trying to atone for the mistakes she made in the previous book and it's costing her mentally. She feels she can't confide her true feelings to Amelia because Amelia is too old-fashioned. It's funny how blind Amelia is about their relationship but when it comes to her son, she's for anything that will make him happy and keep him safe.
Is Farouk really the traitor Wardani is after? That seems too obvious. He's really dumb if he is the villain. I think it's someone else.
The Count is a hoot with his flirting. He's so cartoonish and so obvious. Who is Mrs. Fortescue? She's heavily veiled. Is she really a woman? She's not a lady for sure. Major Hamilton is a crochety old fellow. He needs a better governess for his niece and to show her some love and kindness rather than distant money throwing.
My mom had a few questions at the end Her first question left he wondering as well but the second is answered in the dramatic reveal.
The war takes its toll on the Emerson family. I had forgotten how much of the young man's character was revealed. Upon my first read it seems as if his death was a mere mention and I felt bad for the family but this time I got a better idea of who he was and what a horrible impact his death has on everyone who knew him and even those who never met him in person.
I adore Daoud. He's so sweet and lovable. Selim is funny and a good choice to be the leader even though he's the youngest son. He's modern and can bridge the gap between Emerson and Ramses well.
Sethos is hilarious. He's so theatrical in everything he does. I think he's turned into a lovable rogue more than a devious criminal. He can't help himself though.
I liked the Egyptology in this one and had to pause and look up where they were and who the statue was.
This was a good ending point and my mom didn't really feel the need to continue. Since she only has 4 more I pushed her to find out what happens to the characters after the war.
There is a LOT going on in this novel which makes me give it only 4 stars instead of 5. The archeology takes backseat to the political events of World War I and the romantic entanglements of young lovers. Add in Sethos and a mischievous young girl with a massive crush on Ramses and it becomes too much. There are so many plot twists I couldn't keep up! The plot was super slow to begin with. I easily put the book down at first to eat and sleep but then it got interesting around the halfway point (archeology -yeah! dead body - yes that's what we read for) and I could NOT put the book down. I read as late as I could keep my eyes open and finally shut off my light. I kept dreaming about the book so when I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep I had to finish it. The prologue that doesn't have anything to do with the story until the very end. I kept wondering about it and when all was revealed, all came out of thin air! What just happened? This one may merit a reread before moving on. The backstories of some characters are revealed but are so fantastical I had a hard time believing it. I wasn't surprised by the identity of the villain though it seemed improbable given the character's decided lack of intelligence. I didn't like the romance plot but the whole story came to a satisfying end. Did Peters intend for this to be the last novel in the series?
I just adore Amelia and Emerson. They are so real to me that they seem like friends. I adore their loving relationship and how affectionate they are even after so many years. My goodness they have a healthy marriage and they're in their 50s or so, which is quite old for the Victorian era. I was surprised Ramses didn't know or remember about his parents' private life behind closed doors. He DID know at one point when he was really too young to understand, if I remember correctly. Where does he think he came from? LOL! Nefret doesn't have a clue either and I would think Amelia would have had a little chat with her about such matters.
I also like how the characters continue to evolve even after so many books. Here Amelia becomes way more overprotective than she's ever been. She goes into mother bear mode to protect a son she doesn't really know or like. It turns out that public displays of affection are just too un-Victorian for the elder Emersons?! (Pretty sure Amelia has stated she doesn't have much maternal affection for her son). However, Ramses struggling to live up to his father's reputation and expectations due to the lack of affection is somewhat contradictory. When Ramses was small Emerson took great pride in his son. Emerson is just trying to please everyone and keep Ramses safe. He knows Ramses is a man and can take care of himself but he can't help but be wistful and long for adventure himself though this is never implicitly stated.
Nefret remains true to herself. It's funny just how alike Amelia, Emerson, Ramses and Nefret are in personality. Nefret has the sunniest nature of them all which is why I did not care for the romance plot. Ramses was cruel to her and almost abusive. She felt abused and that's what matters. I disagree with Amelia's pronouncement about what women want sometimes. The scene following the somewhat abusive scene was nice and I really liked the ending. Nefret is also secretive like her foster brother and I knew what she was up to long before the end of the book. If Ramses hadn't been so self-centered, he could have figured it out. She SAID she knew what she was doing and she was seen quarreling with Anna which means Ramses assumed wrong. I love Nefret and I want her to be as happy as Amelia after her tough beginning and the shocking events of 2 years earlier.
The Master Criminal is up to his old tricks. This time his identity was very difficult to guess even for Amelia and Ramses. I really do not like him or consider him a romantic figure. I like him as an interesting character but he complicated the story more than it had to be. I was happy to get answers as to who he is and why.
The villain is the most despicable excuse for a human being on the planet. I doubted they were intelligent enough to pull off such a plot and as it turns out, I was partly right. I sort of felt sorry for them being a pawn in a larger game but not so much because this person is supremely evil.
For once British officials do not act like fools and morons. They have finally learned to value the Emersons as they ought. Though the British are still patronizing to the locals, they have made slight progress. I liked Russell despite the fact he set up the plot. The Emersons would have become involved anyway.
The newest character here is Malinda "Molly" Hamilton, the spoiled teenage niece of Major Hamilton, a British officer stationed in Egypt. Molly is a girl on the cusp of womanhood and is very silly. This is what happens when old-fashioned chaperones try to restrict their charges. Molly is an example of the "Bright Young Things" generation that is to follow the war. She is headstrong, fearless and know what she wants. If she was a little older and Ramses wasn't so in love with Nefret, he would have finally met his match! I think she and Nefret could have been friends if Molly was older and didn't have a massive crush on Ramses.
This is a fabulous entry to the series and a good place to stop. Should I continue? What else can they get up to? I'd like to know what happens to everyone at the end of the war though so I will probably continue!
Reread November 2021
This was another tough one to reread remembering the dramatic conclusion. I decided to reread in publication order and the plots flow much better this way. Even though the story picks up two years later, it still picks up right where we left off with the romantic development to allow the action to unfold. That makes more sense this way without The Painted Queen.
I enjoyed trying to figure out who the Master Criminal was this time. I remembered but it was still fun to guess whether he had more than one persona and which one he was. I guessed or remembered correctly. His plotline came as a surprise the first time but this time I remembered.
Melinda aka Molly is a spoiled teenage girl with a crush on Ramses. She's annoying and I couldn't stand her. This time though, I have a LOT of questions about her backstory.
Amelia's show of maternal affection really touched me. She's usually so stoic and so certain that things will turn out all right. She's under the same strain as Katherine and Evelyn, perhaps even more so because she can't tell them what Ramses is up to and has to keep her fears to herself. I was surprised Ramses was surprised by her maternal devotion. She's always fussed but this time the reality has set in and she sees her son not just getting into scrapes but doing something deadly, something the authorities she trusted put him up to.
While Russell seems like a decent guy, he's still British and doesn't understand the Egyptians at all. The British are so smug and sure of their might and right to rule, they totally miss the point of Wardani's movement. Wardani exists because of the way the British have governed Egypt! My mom was confused by the Wardani plot and didn't quite get what was going on. I tried to remember to explain it to her but I had forgotten some of the details.
Emerson was too over the top in this novel. There's a heck of a lot of swearing- and sex in this novel! While I adore them as a couple and how much they love each other, I feel like Emerson wasn't being spontaneous affectionate but purposefully affectionate. Emerson uses sex as a diversion to keep Amelia out of trouble and I really hate that. I like it better when they communicate. Emerson seems to be up to something behind the scenes that he can't tell anyone about. He's learning to accept that his son is now a man and knows what he's doing. Emerson is learning to allow Ramses to take the lead and for himself to follow but still tries too hard to keep his son out of trouble. I wish he could bring himself to say "I love you and I'm proud of you!" He's too Victorian for that and before Amelia, the only person he ever loved was Walter and he stood as a father to Walter. I don't think he ever told Walter of his feelings either. Too Victorian for that.
I agree with Emerson and Ramses's sentiments about the war but they go a little too far publicly with their feelings and I think that gets them into trouble. There are multiple nations warring for the same territory and none of the options appeal to Emerson. While Ramses believes the Egyptians deserve to be self-governing.
Nefret is having a tough time in this novel. I can tell what she's thinking and feeling but I don't like some of her actions. She's trying to atone for the mistakes she made in the previous book and it's costing her mentally. She feels she can't confide her true feelings to Amelia because Amelia is too old-fashioned. It's funny how blind Amelia is about their relationship but when it comes to her son, she's for anything that will make him happy and keep him safe.
Is Farouk really the traitor Wardani is after? That seems too obvious. He's really dumb if he is the villain. I think it's someone else.
The Count is a hoot with his flirting. He's so cartoonish and so obvious. Who is Mrs. Fortescue? She's heavily veiled. Is she really a woman? She's not a lady for sure. Major Hamilton is a crochety old fellow. He needs a better governess for his niece and to show her some love and kindness rather than distant money throwing.
My mom had a few questions at the end Her first question left he wondering as well but the second is answered in the dramatic reveal.
The war takes its toll on the Emerson family. I had forgotten how much of the young man's character was revealed. Upon my first read it seems as if his death was a mere mention and I felt bad for the family but this time I got a better idea of who he was and what a horrible impact his death has on everyone who knew him and even those who never met him in person.
I adore Daoud. He's so sweet and lovable. Selim is funny and a good choice to be the leader even though he's the youngest son. He's modern and can bridge the gap between Emerson and Ramses well.
Sethos is hilarious. He's so theatrical in everything he does. I think he's turned into a lovable rogue more than a devious criminal. He can't help himself though.
I liked the Egyptology in this one and had to pause and look up where they were and who the statue was.
This was a good ending point and my mom didn't really feel the need to continue. Since she only has 4 more I pushed her to find out what happens to the characters after the war.
January 2, 2016
*Much* better than book #11 in terms of plot, though also enjoyable because of the way the Emersons interact. This is the most caring I've ever seen them toward each other, and it's adorable. Amelia and Ramses have some especially lovely moments, but there are some nice Emerson-Ramses and Emerson-Amelia moments, as well.
Of course, there are lots of things to chuckle at, too.
The plot was deliciously complicated, and several things that seemed extraneous at first ended up being important. There was also a largely successful effort to make up for Nefret's previous lapse in judgment.
It still felt a little too long at times, a little bit padded. And I do have to wonder where Peters goes from here, having tied up a couple of ongoing plot threads. But I'm not ready to give up on this series yet, after all.
Of course, there are lots of things to chuckle at, too.
The plot was deliciously complicated, and several things that seemed extraneous at first ended up being important. There was also a largely successful effort to make up for Nefret's previous lapse in judgment.
It still felt a little too long at times, a little bit padded. And I do have to wonder where Peters goes from here, having tied up a couple of ongoing plot threads. But I'm not ready to give up on this series yet, after all.
June 14, 2015
I literally just finished this book and I can not even begin to write how amazing it was. My favorite book of the series hands down. I am having a hard time even putting it into words. I am a bit of a history geek so when the events were set during World War I I was already excited, but then Ramses and Emerson's involvement made it all the better. This novel was also a lot more emotional and suspenseful than the other ones in the series which I loved, but also almost gave me a heart attack. There is only one criticism that I have and that is the death of Johnny. We never really met him in any of the books and though his death was felt by the reader, it was more something to spur Ramses along. I would have liked it to be a bit more meaningful then that, but seriously that is my only complaint with this novel.
My favorite part of this novel had to be the fact that Ramses and Amelia were finally affectionate with one another. When Amelia started crying by his bed I had to close the book so I wouldn't get the pages wet. Ramses has slowly and effectively made himself my favorite male character of all times. I am hopelessly in love with his wit, courage, compassion, and everything else about him. I was very unfair to Nefret in this novel because when we got to the end she had more courage and intelligence about some of the matters then the rest of them. I love her and Ramses together and I am so glad that they finally are together. They might even be more entertaining then Amelia and Emerson together. This novel also put my all time favorite villain, Sethos, and the character I hate with all my being, Percy, together. If I thought I hated Percy at the end of the last novel, it was taking to new heights in this one. There are very few characters I have been happier to see die then him, which says a lot about how wonderful Peters is in character development. I thought his death was a little too quick, but at least he is dead. On the other side of that coin Sethos has always been one of my favorite characters and he solidified his place there with this novel. By the end of the novel I had completely forgotten the prologue so when Sethos revealed who he really was at the end my mind was blown. It explained so much, why Emerson wasn't close to his family other than Walter for one, and also why Sethos hated Emerson so much. When I first read it I thought it was a bit too easy, but now I really love it.
I don't know how any of the future books can top this one, but I believe I have said that before. This series is literally going to kill me when it ends. I can't imagine not reading about the Emersons' anymore.
My favorite part of this novel had to be the fact that Ramses and Amelia were finally affectionate with one another. When Amelia started crying by his bed I had to close the book so I wouldn't get the pages wet. Ramses has slowly and effectively made himself my favorite male character of all times. I am hopelessly in love with his wit, courage, compassion, and everything else about him. I was very unfair to Nefret in this novel because when we got to the end she had more courage and intelligence about some of the matters then the rest of them. I love her and Ramses together and I am so glad that they finally are together. They might even be more entertaining then Amelia and Emerson together. This novel also put my all time favorite villain, Sethos, and the character I hate with all my being, Percy, together. If I thought I hated Percy at the end of the last novel, it was taking to new heights in this one. There are very few characters I have been happier to see die then him, which says a lot about how wonderful Peters is in character development. I thought his death was a little too quick, but at least he is dead. On the other side of that coin Sethos has always been one of my favorite characters and he solidified his place there with this novel. By the end of the novel I had completely forgotten the prologue so when Sethos revealed who he really was at the end my mind was blown. It explained so much, why Emerson wasn't close to his family other than Walter for one, and also why Sethos hated Emerson so much. When I first read it I thought it was a bit too easy, but now I really love it.
I don't know how any of the future books can top this one, but I believe I have said that before. This series is literally going to kill me when it ends. I can't imagine not reading about the Emersons' anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2011
Finally! Finally Finally Finally Finally!! :D
I won't leave it at that, though. There were parts of this book that were hard to read because they were too real. War is hard, and painful, and sometimes seems pointless to those involved in it. I agree with much that Ramses had to say about the pagentry of war, especially at the time and place they were. Also, my overwhelming hatred for Percy really made some parts hard to stomach, but the end more than made up for those, to be honest. So, what did I love? Obviously, I love that After the heartbreak that was The Falcon at the Portal, seeing Nefret finally admit to her stupidity was quite gratifying, and now I can go back to my squeeeing and irrational grinning.
Also, I will admit that, as much as I adore Amelia and Emerson together, I've always been a bit of a Sethos fan, so it was nice to see him get some loving, too. The shocker at the end about his true identity was suitably surprising - I had just been thinking that the prologue was completely irrelevant, when there they went and make it all make sense. I'm just sad that I'm just glad that in the name, his true efforts were known and his name, whatever it really is, was cleared.
I can't wait for the next one - luckily, I already have it waiting in my car! :)
I won't leave it at that, though. There were parts of this book that were hard to read because they were too real. War is hard, and painful, and sometimes seems pointless to those involved in it. I agree with much that Ramses had to say about the pagentry of war, especially at the time and place they were. Also, my overwhelming hatred for Percy really made some parts hard to stomach, but the end more than made up for those, to be honest. So, what did I love? Obviously, I love that After the heartbreak that was The Falcon at the Portal, seeing Nefret finally admit to her stupidity was quite gratifying, and now I can go back to my squeeeing and irrational grinning.
Also, I will admit that, as much as I adore Amelia and Emerson together, I've always been a bit of a Sethos fan, so it was nice to see him get some loving, too. The shocker at the end about his true identity was suitably surprising - I had just been thinking that the prologue was completely irrelevant, when there they went and make it all make sense. I'm just sad that I'm just glad that in the name, his true efforts were known and his name, whatever it really is, was cleared.
I can't wait for the next one - luckily, I already have it waiting in my car! :)
April 5, 2016
Holy fuck this book is amazing.
February 2, 2022
***Update: This re-read was just as fantastic as every other time I've read this book. Now that I'm (slowly) completing a chronological re-read of the series, I was dancing around shouting "Yes! Finally!" and reveling in the revelations of this book. In terms of series progression, it is as satisfying as its predecessor is angst-inducing. I'll likely return to it many more times over the years, it's simply one of those beloved books you circle back to again and again.***
I basically can't write anything about this book without what I consider to be spoilers, so I'll tell you about the series and my feelings for it instead. This is probably my favorite book series, not least of which because I started it as a child and it holds a certain aspect of nostalgia. In fact, it almost seems inappropriate to use it for my 2016 reading challenge because (1) It's not the first time I've read it and (2) I almost always listen to the audiobooks for this series. However, it had been so long since the last time I "read" it that I couldn't remember the plot or the ending, and I will definitely be listening to other audiobooks for this reading challenge so I decided to count it anyway. I just needed a good Amelia Peabody mystery.
The reason I prefer the audiobooks is because I am not an expert in Egyptology, the geography of Egypt, or the pronunciation of Arabic names and phrases, so the books make much more sense to me when I hear the words pronounced correctly. Also, by this stage in my relationship with these books, I can't imagine the characters' voices any way other than how Barbara Rosenblat produces them... I hear them like that in my head when I do read the books, but it's much more fun to hear her do them, particularly because of the aforementioned pronunciations. (A side note: I highly recommend that if you listens to these audiobooks, make sure that Barbara Rosenblat is the narrator, because any other narrator is tragic and ruins half the fun.)
This series follows a strong female lead during the British victorian period, although most of the series takes place in Egypt. It was written by a woman who lived just down the street from me, and although I never personally meet her, I always knew her as "that eccentric, reclusive author," which I can assure you only made her seem more awesome. There was also something wonderful to me as a child about a 70's era feminist with a PhD in egyptology who got bored being a stay-at-home mom and wrote mystery books to keep herself entertained. In retrospect, this series was probably one of my earliest introductions to feminism, all wrapped up in a Victorian era period piece where the main character thinks women in general-and herself in particular-far more capable than society gives them credit for. This is made all the more delightful by her endearing character flaws, including overestimating her own abilities and competence. In fact, the flaws of all the main characters: Emerson's temper and inability to recognize his limitations, Ramses' refusal to express his emotions and propensity to get into trouble, Neferet's impetuousness, and everyone's tendency not to confide in one another when doing so would resolve difficulties so much easier... it all just makes them more endearing to me.
The series is at times predictable, but only in a way that makes the characters seem like old friends. In fact, the mystery in each book drives the plot, but the character development drives the series and is what makes me enjoy it so much. He Shall Thunder In The Sky is particularly good for bringing about some character development that I had been waiting for as well as some interesting and unexpected revelations. I do highly recommend this book (it's one of the better books in the series), but I would suggest that anyone interested start at the beginning of the series. Each book stands alone, but reading them in chronological (not publication) order makes it much more fun.
*I read this as part of my 2016 Reading Challenge for the category "A mystery or detective novel"
I basically can't write anything about this book without what I consider to be spoilers, so I'll tell you about the series and my feelings for it instead. This is probably my favorite book series, not least of which because I started it as a child and it holds a certain aspect of nostalgia. In fact, it almost seems inappropriate to use it for my 2016 reading challenge because (1) It's not the first time I've read it and (2) I almost always listen to the audiobooks for this series. However, it had been so long since the last time I "read" it that I couldn't remember the plot or the ending, and I will definitely be listening to other audiobooks for this reading challenge so I decided to count it anyway. I just needed a good Amelia Peabody mystery.
The reason I prefer the audiobooks is because I am not an expert in Egyptology, the geography of Egypt, or the pronunciation of Arabic names and phrases, so the books make much more sense to me when I hear the words pronounced correctly. Also, by this stage in my relationship with these books, I can't imagine the characters' voices any way other than how Barbara Rosenblat produces them... I hear them like that in my head when I do read the books, but it's much more fun to hear her do them, particularly because of the aforementioned pronunciations. (A side note: I highly recommend that if you listens to these audiobooks, make sure that Barbara Rosenblat is the narrator, because any other narrator is tragic and ruins half the fun.)
This series follows a strong female lead during the British victorian period, although most of the series takes place in Egypt. It was written by a woman who lived just down the street from me, and although I never personally meet her, I always knew her as "that eccentric, reclusive author," which I can assure you only made her seem more awesome. There was also something wonderful to me as a child about a 70's era feminist with a PhD in egyptology who got bored being a stay-at-home mom and wrote mystery books to keep herself entertained. In retrospect, this series was probably one of my earliest introductions to feminism, all wrapped up in a Victorian era period piece where the main character thinks women in general-and herself in particular-far more capable than society gives them credit for. This is made all the more delightful by her endearing character flaws, including overestimating her own abilities and competence. In fact, the flaws of all the main characters: Emerson's temper and inability to recognize his limitations, Ramses' refusal to express his emotions and propensity to get into trouble, Neferet's impetuousness, and everyone's tendency not to confide in one another when doing so would resolve difficulties so much easier... it all just makes them more endearing to me.
The series is at times predictable, but only in a way that makes the characters seem like old friends. In fact, the mystery in each book drives the plot, but the character development drives the series and is what makes me enjoy it so much. He Shall Thunder In The Sky is particularly good for bringing about some character development that I had been waiting for as well as some interesting and unexpected revelations. I do highly recommend this book (it's one of the better books in the series), but I would suggest that anyone interested start at the beginning of the series. Each book stands alone, but reading them in chronological (not publication) order makes it much more fun.
*I read this as part of my 2016 Reading Challenge for the category "A mystery or detective novel"
September 1, 2014
This is by far my favorite Amelia Peabody mystery yet. I am absolutely floored.
November 5, 2024
Twelfth in the Amelia Peabody amateur sleuth historical mystery series and revolving around the archeologically minded and colorful Emersons. It's the fall of 1914, set in Cairo, and World War I has broken out.
It's been two years since The Falcon at the Portal , 11.
My Take
Ho, ho! Do be sure to read the prologue as it provides insight into Emerson's childhood when his father died. Later, omigod, much later, more truth about Emerson's childhood comes out. A real shocker!!!
Peters makes a good point about those useful occupations that provide a cover for spying. Social expectations come under fire, especially with regard to Ramses' upbringing. Yes, children should not have independent thoughts, good heavens.
We learn this from Peters' use of first person protagonist point-of-view from Peabody's perspective, which does make her an unreliable narrator. The other perspective is from Ramses' third person protagonist point-of-view, providing his side of events as well as his opinions on war and the Great Game.
With World War I on, the Emersons look mighty attractive to the British in Egypt. They have a reputation amongst the Egyptians for integrity, which the British want to use. That Emerson. He's got quite the temper and flares up easily. He adores drama and desperately wants to work undercover, much too appealing to the British.
Oh, man. That Percy is such a crowing scum bucket. He's manipulative and thinks nothing of betrayal. Wait'll you read Ramses' version of Percy's kidnapping, lol.
The British fear an uprising in Cairo to throw off the British yoke and that the Nationalists will ally with the Germans. Who can blame them, really? No one wants to be subject to a foreign power, and it seems politicians will never learn this. No one wants their culture put down.
I do enjoy reading about Emerson's driving — the type of thing that led to our need for so many traffic laws.
It's a fascinating tale complete with action, adventure, ambushes, petty gossips, and betrayals.
The Story
The Emersons are back in Egypt with permission to dig at Giza. But it's war, and fear runs throughout of spies, uprisings, and war with Germany over the Suez Canal.
Scorned for his pacifist statements, Ramses goes undercover to aid British intelligence with unexpected help.
The Characters
Amelia Peabody Emerson, a.k.a. Sitt Hakim (Lady Doctor) is an emancipated woman in her own right, and her husband, Professor Radcliffe Emerson, a.k.a. the Father of Curses, supports her completely, partly out of "fear". Peabody (and Emerson agrees) that he is the greatest Egyptologist who has ever lived and will ever live. There's no shyness here. (Emerson is asked to be the Adviser on Native Affairs.) Walter "Ramses" Emerson, a.k.a. the Brother of Demons, is their brilliant son, now engaged in spying for Britain.
The wealthy Dr Nefret Forth, a.k.a. Nur Musir (Light of Egypt), has been their unofficial ward and still lives with them, especially since the tragedy of her marriage to Geoffrey in The Falcon at the Portal . Narmer is the dog Nefret took in, in Cairo; she calls him a watchdog.
David Todros, Abdullah's grandson and Selim and Fatima's nephew, is a qualified artist and Egyptologist. He's also Ramses' best friend and blood brother who is married to Lia Emerson. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm for Egyptian independence sees him incarcerated in India. Sennia is Percy's illegitimate daughter whom the Emersons have taken in. Seshat is one of the current cats (another of the cat Bastet's offspring) with a decided preference for Ramses. The surly, spoiled Horus still adores Nefret but now prefers Sennia. Fatima is their housekeeper in Cairo. Jamal is the gardener and handyman (another relative of Selim's). Reis Hassan is the captain of the Emersons' dahabeeyah, the Amelia .
Walter, Emerson's younger brother, a brilliant philologist, has been married to Evelyn, an excellent artist, for years. Their children include Raddie, Lia, and the twins, Willy and Johnny (he's engaged to Alice Curtin), who have gone to war.
Captain Percival "Percy" Peabody, Ramses' horror of a cousin ( The Deeds of the Disturber , 5), and the suck-up has joined the Egyptian Arm and is on the General's staff.
A wealthy American, Cyrus and Katherine "Cat" Vandergelt are the Emersons' good friends working Abusir. Bertie, Cat's son, was wounded at Mons. Anna is Cat's unhappy daughter.
Egypt
Cairo is . . .
. . . under martial law with censoring, forbidden gatherings, and the Khedive deposed. Shepheard's is Peabody's favorite hotel. Nefret's clinic for fallen women in The Falcon at the Portal has evolved into a women's hospital. Dr Sophia is in charge, although Nefret is the only surgeon. Some of the English-only clubs include the Turf Club where Cartwright and Jenkins join in with Simmons. Bassam's is a favorite restaurant of the Emersons.
General Sir John Maxwell is in charge of Egypt and Commander of the Army. Kitchener was replaced by Sir Henry MacMahon, the new High Commissioner. Lord Edward Cecil, the Financial Adviser, is Simmons' chief. Simmons is in Finance and another fire-eater. The young Lieutenant Pinckney hovers. Philippides is the head of the political CID. The corrupt Harvey Pasha, Philippieds' superior, is under the command of the Cairo Police force. Thomas Russell, also under Harvey's command, is the assistant commissioner of police with great respect for the Emersons. Gilbert Clayton heads up the new intelligence department as well as being the Cairo representative of the Sirdar of the Sudan with Newcombe, Lawrence (of Arabia??), and Leonard Woolley, who all did an archeological (and military) survey of the Sinai a few years ago, are under Clayton. As is the boastful, Aubrey Herbert, the once honorary attaché in Constantinople and a friend of Woolley's and Lawrence's. Dalip Singh is on the camel patrol.
Major Evan Hamilton is an engineer consulting on Canal defenses. The spoiled and impetuous Melinda "Molly" Hamilton is his precocious twelve-year-old niece. Miss Nordstrom is her governess.
M Maspero has retired from the Services des Antiquités, an organization which oversees archeological digs; his son, Jean had been wounded in France. His successor is fighting in France, leaving archeological sites, such as Zawaiet el 'Aryan, vulnerable. Quibell is the highest ranking Egyptologist in Cairo and an old friend of the Emersons. Annie is Quibell's talented artist wife. Reisner, an American, is still allowed to dig. Herr Professor Junker, a German, has been banned. Howard Carter is still in Luxor. Lord Carnarvon is Howard's patron and has the firman for the Valley of Kings. (The incompetent Theodore Davis gave it up.) Karl von Bork, Rex Engelback, and Guy Brunton had enlisted. Petrie's staff still suffers from food poisoning. Clarence Fisher will work in the West Cemetery field.
Kamil el-Wardani is the leader of the Young Egypt Party and the only still-free Nationalist. His aides include Kamil, Farouk, the terrified Asad who sticks, Mukhtar, and Rashad. Nuri al-Sa'id and the scented sodomite el-Gharbi, who runs most of the whorehouses in Was'a (Kalaan had been a former rival and an ally in Percy's plot about Sennia), are in sympathy although they're more interested in profit. Musa is one of el-Gharbi's servants. Aslimi Aziz, an antiquities dealer, runs the Khan el Khalili. He's aided by Said al'Beitum. Mahira is the old woman who rents a room to Ramses.
Mrs Fortescue is a handsome widow who has the men of Cairo eating out of her hand. The Witherspoons provide her with a letter of introduction. Mrs Pettigrew is but one of the women who present Ramses with white feathers. Her husband is a jerk and in the Ministry of Public Works. Madame Villiers and Sylvia Gorst are nasty gossips. Mrs Fitz and Mrs Canley Tupper are part of Lord Edward's set. Count de Sevigny is cutting a swath through Cairo. Mr and Mrs Poynter.
Giza
Abdullah had been their friend and brilliant reis ( The Ape Who Guards the Balance , 10) whom Peabody meets with in dreams. His youngest son, Selim, is their current reis. Daoud, Abdullah's nephew, is his second-in-command and married to the formidable Kadija. Ibrahim is their carpenter. One of the tombs belongs to Prince Sekhemankhor and his wife Hatnub. Sheikh Hassan is the chief of the guides here.
Sethos is the Master Criminal, a swindler who specializes in stealing Egyptian artifacts and is a master of disguise. Oddly enough, he keeps popping up to save Peabody. Hamza is Sethos' servant.
Germany
General von Kressentstein is a brilliant military strategist and an adviser to the Syrian Army. Heinrich Fechter's father is a banker in Berlin. Von Überwald appears to be in charge of spies in Egypt. Sayyid Ahmad is with the Germans.
Turkey
Jemal Pasha is in command of the Turks. Von Kressentein is his chief of staff. Sahin Bey is a legend in Syria and high in Enver Pasha's (the Ottoman War Minister) favor.
Syria
A Germany ally, Sherif el Senussi knows Percy.
Britain annexed Egypt, and with the Turks controlling Palestine, only the Sinai lay between the Suez Canal that was Britain's lifeline to the east.
Helen McIntosh is the head of a girls' school in England and a friend of Peabody's. Bertha, Sethos' mistress, had killed Abdullah ( The Ape Who Guards the Balance , 10). Baedeker is the tourist Bible. Abu-Zayd, a.k.a. Barakat, is the subject of stories. Hakim the Seer of Mysteries, a.k.a. Alfred Jenkins, does a mind-reading stunt in London.
Emerson's childhood
The fourteen-year-old Emerson is in the prologue. Emerson's mother, a daughter of the Earl of Radcliffe, is a right old witch. Old Jenkins mans the gates. Thomas is the coachman. William had been the butler. Emerson's upbringing certainly explains his views on schools.
The Cover and Title
The cover is grim with a grayish purple sky, lightning in the distance and a thin line of orange in the distant horizon. The orange-red jackal, in profile, represents the god Set, sitting in the rippled sand of the desert, a pair of stone columns with a lintel in the distance. The author's name is at the very top in a combination of an embossed pale yellow and gray. Below the jackal, in brown, is the series info. The title is at the very bottom in white.
The title is from an Egyptian quote about Set, that He Shall Thunder in the Sky.
It's been two years since The Falcon at the Portal , 11.
My Take
Ho, ho! Do be sure to read the prologue as it provides insight into Emerson's childhood when his father died. Later, omigod, much later, more truth about Emerson's childhood comes out. A real shocker!!!
Peters makes a good point about those useful occupations that provide a cover for spying. Social expectations come under fire, especially with regard to Ramses' upbringing. Yes, children should not have independent thoughts, good heavens.
We learn this from Peters' use of first person protagonist point-of-view from Peabody's perspective, which does make her an unreliable narrator. The other perspective is from Ramses' third person protagonist point-of-view, providing his side of events as well as his opinions on war and the Great Game.
With World War I on, the Emersons look mighty attractive to the British in Egypt. They have a reputation amongst the Egyptians for integrity, which the British want to use. That Emerson. He's got quite the temper and flares up easily. He adores drama and desperately wants to work undercover, much too appealing to the British.
Oh, man. That Percy is such a crowing scum bucket. He's manipulative and thinks nothing of betrayal. Wait'll you read Ramses' version of Percy's kidnapping, lol.
The British fear an uprising in Cairo to throw off the British yoke and that the Nationalists will ally with the Germans. Who can blame them, really? No one wants to be subject to a foreign power, and it seems politicians will never learn this. No one wants their culture put down.
I do enjoy reading about Emerson's driving — the type of thing that led to our need for so many traffic laws.
It's a fascinating tale complete with action, adventure, ambushes, petty gossips, and betrayals.
The Story
The Emersons are back in Egypt with permission to dig at Giza. But it's war, and fear runs throughout of spies, uprisings, and war with Germany over the Suez Canal.
Scorned for his pacifist statements, Ramses goes undercover to aid British intelligence with unexpected help.
The Characters
Amelia Peabody Emerson, a.k.a. Sitt Hakim (Lady Doctor) is an emancipated woman in her own right, and her husband, Professor Radcliffe Emerson, a.k.a. the Father of Curses, supports her completely, partly out of "fear". Peabody (and Emerson agrees) that he is the greatest Egyptologist who has ever lived and will ever live. There's no shyness here. (Emerson is asked to be the Adviser on Native Affairs.) Walter "Ramses" Emerson, a.k.a. the Brother of Demons, is their brilliant son, now engaged in spying for Britain.
The wealthy Dr Nefret Forth, a.k.a. Nur Musir (Light of Egypt), has been their unofficial ward and still lives with them, especially since the tragedy of her marriage to Geoffrey in The Falcon at the Portal . Narmer is the dog Nefret took in, in Cairo; she calls him a watchdog.
David Todros, Abdullah's grandson and Selim and Fatima's nephew, is a qualified artist and Egyptologist. He's also Ramses' best friend and blood brother who is married to Lia Emerson. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm for Egyptian independence sees him incarcerated in India. Sennia is Percy's illegitimate daughter whom the Emersons have taken in. Seshat is one of the current cats (another of the cat Bastet's offspring) with a decided preference for Ramses. The surly, spoiled Horus still adores Nefret but now prefers Sennia. Fatima is their housekeeper in Cairo. Jamal is the gardener and handyman (another relative of Selim's). Reis Hassan is the captain of the Emersons' dahabeeyah, the Amelia .
Walter, Emerson's younger brother, a brilliant philologist, has been married to Evelyn, an excellent artist, for years. Their children include Raddie, Lia, and the twins, Willy and Johnny (he's engaged to Alice Curtin), who have gone to war.
Captain Percival "Percy" Peabody, Ramses' horror of a cousin ( The Deeds of the Disturber , 5), and the suck-up has joined the Egyptian Arm and is on the General's staff.
A wealthy American, Cyrus and Katherine "Cat" Vandergelt are the Emersons' good friends working Abusir. Bertie, Cat's son, was wounded at Mons. Anna is Cat's unhappy daughter.
Egypt
Cairo is . . .
. . . under martial law with censoring, forbidden gatherings, and the Khedive deposed. Shepheard's is Peabody's favorite hotel. Nefret's clinic for fallen women in The Falcon at the Portal has evolved into a women's hospital. Dr Sophia is in charge, although Nefret is the only surgeon. Some of the English-only clubs include the Turf Club where Cartwright and Jenkins join in with Simmons. Bassam's is a favorite restaurant of the Emersons.
General Sir John Maxwell is in charge of Egypt and Commander of the Army. Kitchener was replaced by Sir Henry MacMahon, the new High Commissioner. Lord Edward Cecil, the Financial Adviser, is Simmons' chief. Simmons is in Finance and another fire-eater. The young Lieutenant Pinckney hovers. Philippides is the head of the political CID. The corrupt Harvey Pasha, Philippieds' superior, is under the command of the Cairo Police force. Thomas Russell, also under Harvey's command, is the assistant commissioner of police with great respect for the Emersons. Gilbert Clayton heads up the new intelligence department as well as being the Cairo representative of the Sirdar of the Sudan with Newcombe, Lawrence (of Arabia??), and Leonard Woolley, who all did an archeological (and military) survey of the Sinai a few years ago, are under Clayton. As is the boastful, Aubrey Herbert, the once honorary attaché in Constantinople and a friend of Woolley's and Lawrence's. Dalip Singh is on the camel patrol.
Major Evan Hamilton is an engineer consulting on Canal defenses. The spoiled and impetuous Melinda "Molly" Hamilton is his precocious twelve-year-old niece. Miss Nordstrom is her governess.
M Maspero has retired from the Services des Antiquités, an organization which oversees archeological digs; his son, Jean had been wounded in France. His successor is fighting in France, leaving archeological sites, such as Zawaiet el 'Aryan, vulnerable. Quibell is the highest ranking Egyptologist in Cairo and an old friend of the Emersons. Annie is Quibell's talented artist wife. Reisner, an American, is still allowed to dig. Herr Professor Junker, a German, has been banned. Howard Carter is still in Luxor. Lord Carnarvon is Howard's patron and has the firman for the Valley of Kings. (The incompetent Theodore Davis gave it up.) Karl von Bork, Rex Engelback, and Guy Brunton had enlisted. Petrie's staff still suffers from food poisoning. Clarence Fisher will work in the West Cemetery field.
Kamil el-Wardani is the leader of the Young Egypt Party and the only still-free Nationalist. His aides include Kamil, Farouk, the terrified Asad who sticks, Mukhtar, and Rashad. Nuri al-Sa'id and the scented sodomite el-Gharbi, who runs most of the whorehouses in Was'a (Kalaan had been a former rival and an ally in Percy's plot about Sennia), are in sympathy although they're more interested in profit. Musa is one of el-Gharbi's servants. Aslimi Aziz, an antiquities dealer, runs the Khan el Khalili. He's aided by Said al'Beitum. Mahira is the old woman who rents a room to Ramses.
Mrs Fortescue is a handsome widow who has the men of Cairo eating out of her hand. The Witherspoons provide her with a letter of introduction. Mrs Pettigrew is but one of the women who present Ramses with white feathers. Her husband is a jerk and in the Ministry of Public Works. Madame Villiers and Sylvia Gorst are nasty gossips. Mrs Fitz and Mrs Canley Tupper are part of Lord Edward's set. Count de Sevigny is cutting a swath through Cairo. Mr and Mrs Poynter.
Giza
Abdullah had been their friend and brilliant reis ( The Ape Who Guards the Balance , 10) whom Peabody meets with in dreams. His youngest son, Selim, is their current reis. Daoud, Abdullah's nephew, is his second-in-command and married to the formidable Kadija. Ibrahim is their carpenter. One of the tombs belongs to Prince Sekhemankhor and his wife Hatnub. Sheikh Hassan is the chief of the guides here.
Sethos is the Master Criminal, a swindler who specializes in stealing Egyptian artifacts and is a master of disguise. Oddly enough, he keeps popping up to save Peabody. Hamza is Sethos' servant.
Germany
General von Kressentstein is a brilliant military strategist and an adviser to the Syrian Army. Heinrich Fechter's father is a banker in Berlin. Von Überwald appears to be in charge of spies in Egypt. Sayyid Ahmad is with the Germans.
Turkey
Jemal Pasha is in command of the Turks. Von Kressentein is his chief of staff. Sahin Bey is a legend in Syria and high in Enver Pasha's (the Ottoman War Minister) favor.
Syria
A Germany ally, Sherif el Senussi knows Percy.
Britain annexed Egypt, and with the Turks controlling Palestine, only the Sinai lay between the Suez Canal that was Britain's lifeline to the east.
Helen McIntosh is the head of a girls' school in England and a friend of Peabody's. Bertha, Sethos' mistress, had killed Abdullah ( The Ape Who Guards the Balance , 10). Baedeker is the tourist Bible. Abu-Zayd, a.k.a. Barakat, is the subject of stories. Hakim the Seer of Mysteries, a.k.a. Alfred Jenkins, does a mind-reading stunt in London.
Emerson's childhood
The fourteen-year-old Emerson is in the prologue. Emerson's mother, a daughter of the Earl of Radcliffe, is a right old witch. Old Jenkins mans the gates. Thomas is the coachman. William had been the butler. Emerson's upbringing certainly explains his views on schools.
The Cover and Title
The cover is grim with a grayish purple sky, lightning in the distance and a thin line of orange in the distant horizon. The orange-red jackal, in profile, represents the god Set, sitting in the rippled sand of the desert, a pair of stone columns with a lintel in the distance. The author's name is at the very top in a combination of an embossed pale yellow and gray. Below the jackal, in brown, is the series info. The title is at the very bottom in white.
The title is from an Egyptian quote about Set, that He Shall Thunder in the Sky.
December 26, 2023
He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters is the 12th book in the Amelia Peabody Mystery series. Amelia Peabody and her family are continuing their archaeological excavations while war is breaking out and they become involved in looking into illegal weapons acquisitions. A delightful adventure told from various points of view and I especially loved the ending. Plenty of fun and thrills and we finally find the identity of the master criminal. A superb mystery with plenty of romance and suspense.
June 18, 2022
He Shall Thunder in the Sky takes place two years after the previous book, The Falcon at the Portal. World War I has started, and Amelia’s nephews are headed to the front. Meanwhile, in Egypt, Ramses is being given feathers by young women, designating him a coward for not enlisting and joining the fight. David is being held in India, as punishment for his involvement in the Egyptian freedom movement. Amelia’s evil nephew Percy one again is causing problems for Ramses in Egypt. After the grim ending of the last book, this seems to start off with things even more grim for everyone in the Emerson family. But never fear, in He Shall Thunder in the Sky the reader gets the ultimate reward at the end of the internal quartet of rather dark books!
As usual, there are mysteries aplenty. From Ramses and David’s secret involvement as undercover spies, to attempts on various Emerson family members’ lives, to trying to figure out just which person in Cairo might be Sethos, the mysteries are varied, interesting, and often interconnected.
This is one of my absolute favorites in the series. I love the insights we get into Ramses’ feelings and movements through Manuscript H. And I like the hints at what Nefret is really thinking in Letter Bs to Lia. We also get to see, perhaps more than in any other of the books to date, just how much Amelia and Emerson love their son Ramses, and how much he loves them. And the ending? Just fantastic! I listened to this in audio for the first time on this reread, and give both the narration and the story an A. On to the next in the series!
NOTE: Re-listen finished June 29, 2019. I just adore this book! So much happens both in terms of plot and character development for a whole host of characters. And the insights into Amelia and Ramses' relationship continues to be fantastic. This absolutely would not work as a standalone, so much would be meaningless. But if you've enjoyed the series this is just wonderful!
NOTE: Re-listen finished September 3,2020. GLORIOUS! This book is absolutely GLORIOUS! And as I said above, it will have nowhere near the impact if you start the series here. The payoffs are just fantastic for so much that's happened through the rest of the series. How much do I love this one? I could listen to it again right now ....but I won't .... well, probably not.
NOTE: Re-listen funished June 17, 2021. I so love this book!
As usual, there are mysteries aplenty. From Ramses and David’s secret involvement as undercover spies, to attempts on various Emerson family members’ lives, to trying to figure out just which person in Cairo might be Sethos, the mysteries are varied, interesting, and often interconnected.
This is one of my absolute favorites in the series. I love the insights we get into Ramses’ feelings and movements through Manuscript H. And I like the hints at what Nefret is really thinking in Letter Bs to Lia. We also get to see, perhaps more than in any other of the books to date, just how much Amelia and Emerson love their son Ramses, and how much he loves them. And the ending? Just fantastic! I listened to this in audio for the first time on this reread, and give both the narration and the story an A. On to the next in the series!
NOTE: Re-listen finished June 29, 2019. I just adore this book! So much happens both in terms of plot and character development for a whole host of characters. And the insights into Amelia and Ramses' relationship continues to be fantastic. This absolutely would not work as a standalone, so much would be meaningless. But if you've enjoyed the series this is just wonderful!
NOTE: Re-listen finished September 3,2020. GLORIOUS! This book is absolutely GLORIOUS! And as I said above, it will have nowhere near the impact if you start the series here. The payoffs are just fantastic for so much that's happened through the rest of the series. How much do I love this one? I could listen to it again right now ....but I won't .... well, probably not.
NOTE: Re-listen funished June 17, 2021. I so love this book!
March 13, 2022
Amelia and Emerson’s yearly excavations are considerably darkened by the arrival of World War I. Men are going to the front and dying in the trenches; women are anxiously waiting at home and dreading the arrival of telegrams. War fever has taken over Egypt as well, where the British finally given up on pretenses and annexed the country. The British police are worried about a local uprising in favor of the Turkish sultan. The Turks are flaming the resentment of the Egyptians against the British occupiers who treat them as inferiors.
War fever is high in among the European expats, who disdain Ramses for being a pacifist and not enlisting in the army. His cousin, the abonimable Percy, however, makes the society rounds decked out in Egyptian army officer uniform, impressing the ladies with his good looks and stories of his valor. What they don’t know is that Percy is lying, and that Ramses is secretly impersonating the local resistance leader in order to stop the weapon shipments and find out about the Turkish invasion plans.
This is the longest, darkest, and most complex of the series yet. For the first time, the shenanigans do not involve murders or the stealing of artifacts, but a bona fide wartime spy story. Ramses and David are pushed to the edge of their abilities in disguise, and the family is torn because they have to hide the activities from Nefret. Due to the troubles from the previous book, the relationship between Nefret and Ramses is tense, and they are both suffering from having to keep their feelings, and other secrets, from each other.
Peters clearly borrows from the melodramatic traditions of early 20ieth century adventure stories, but she is aware and often makes fun of it, like when Emerson tells Amelia she should not indulge in her romantic fantasies inspired by the novels she reads. Of course she ignores him and indulges, which is what makes these so much fun. Sometimes the romantic melodrama is indeed a bit too far - like the revelations about Sethos’s identity at the end - but overall it is all in good fun, even if the narrative here is darker by necessity. Oh yes, Sethos gets an impressive, and unexpected, turn in this one as well.
The series is continued to be narrated by one-woman-all-ensemble cast Barbara Rosenblatt. She elevates them to a completely new level. Hoopla has all of the audiobooks for those whose library has access to them.
War fever is high in among the European expats, who disdain Ramses for being a pacifist and not enlisting in the army. His cousin, the abonimable Percy, however, makes the society rounds decked out in Egyptian army officer uniform, impressing the ladies with his good looks and stories of his valor. What they don’t know is that Percy is lying, and that Ramses is secretly impersonating the local resistance leader in order to stop the weapon shipments and find out about the Turkish invasion plans.
This is the longest, darkest, and most complex of the series yet. For the first time, the shenanigans do not involve murders or the stealing of artifacts, but a bona fide wartime spy story. Ramses and David are pushed to the edge of their abilities in disguise, and the family is torn because they have to hide the activities from Nefret. Due to the troubles from the previous book, the relationship between Nefret and Ramses is tense, and they are both suffering from having to keep their feelings, and other secrets, from each other.
Peters clearly borrows from the melodramatic traditions of early 20ieth century adventure stories, but she is aware and often makes fun of it, like when Emerson tells Amelia she should not indulge in her romantic fantasies inspired by the novels she reads. Of course she ignores him and indulges, which is what makes these so much fun. Sometimes the romantic melodrama is indeed a bit too far - like the revelations about Sethos’s identity at the end - but overall it is all in good fun, even if the narrative here is darker by necessity. Oh yes, Sethos gets an impressive, and unexpected, turn in this one as well.
The series is continued to be narrated by one-woman-all-ensemble cast Barbara Rosenblatt. She elevates them to a completely new level. Hoopla has all of the audiobooks for those whose library has access to them.
December 31, 2019
Mother. Archaeologist. Detective.
That is Amelia Peabody.
Quite possibly, this is my favorite in the series to date. Things finally come to a head with Ramses and his one and only true love (romantic sigh)... but no spoilers here! You'll have to read to discover what Nefret thinks...
It's 1914, and the war is heating up politics in Egypt. I felt like this added another dimension to the story. Everybody has secret missions for the war effort, it seems.
And to topple it all... Sethos. This book is the ONE. Hear ye, hear ye... Read all about Sethos! Right here, folks! The mystery is cracked.
In other related news, Emerson thinks up the most romantic Christmas gift -- he picks out the perfect gift for his darling Peabody.
I could literally start reading this whole book over again right now. It's full of surprises!
That is Amelia Peabody.
Quite possibly, this is my favorite in the series to date. Things finally come to a head with Ramses and his one and only true love (romantic sigh)... but no spoilers here! You'll have to read to discover what Nefret thinks...
It's 1914, and the war is heating up politics in Egypt. I felt like this added another dimension to the story. Everybody has secret missions for the war effort, it seems.
And to topple it all... Sethos. This book is the ONE. Hear ye, hear ye... Read all about Sethos! Right here, folks! The mystery is cracked.
In other related news, Emerson thinks up the most romantic Christmas gift -- he picks out the perfect gift for his darling Peabody.
I could literally start reading this whole book over again right now. It's full of surprises!
June 9, 2021
I'm having to think about this review. I love this series because they're good stories with interesting historical details and they're fun. This book wasn't fun. Perhaps that's only right, as it's about the build up to WWI, which wasn't funny at all. But I really missed the sense of humor and joy that I usually get from reading about Amelia and her family. I also missed the incredibly unlikely events that the earlier books were filled with.
I rated what I thought it deserved as a book, but it really disappointed me by being so dark and serious.
Upon revisiting the entire series I found I thought this book was really excellent. I'm sure that's because I already knew it wouldn't be light-hearted and fun. So I could appreciate it for what it is. An excellent mystery/war novel.
I rated what I thought it deserved as a book, but it really disappointed me by being so dark and serious.
Upon revisiting the entire series I found I thought this book was really excellent. I'm sure that's because I already knew it wouldn't be light-hearted and fun. So I could appreciate it for what it is. An excellent mystery/war novel.
June 27, 2019
June 2019: This time, electrifyingly good.
June 2012: Re-read. Can't recapture the joy I felt in this book after the last (Falcon at the Portal) was such a cliffhanger, but this holds up pretty well with lots of interconnected plots and Peters poking fun at her own series. Ah, that Ramses! especially as voiced by Barbara Rosenblat...
June 2012: Re-read. Can't recapture the joy I felt in this book after the last (Falcon at the Portal) was such a cliffhanger, but this holds up pretty well with lots of interconnected plots and Peters poking fun at her own series. Ah, that Ramses! especially as voiced by Barbara Rosenblat...
June 20, 2019
Probably the best Amelia Peabody book I've read yet!! So satisfying!!
August 28, 2018
Excellent, my Dear!
August 28, 2013
The last time I read a book in this series I thought it was my last because of rubber stamp formula had left me bored. I went ahead & grabbed this one off my shelf for another go with Emerson, Amelia, Ramses, & Nefret. After all I had paid for the darn thing already. Well, the formula was there, but the start of WWI brought a new dimension & opportunities for characters. Yes, the dry British wit weaving about the melodramatic late 19th/early 20th century theatrics continue the formula of strong as suffragette women, stout men, & oh so wicked villains (muhahahahaha). The jumping back & forth between Peabody's journal, Manuscript H's 3rd person, & a smattering of letters has appeared in previous volumes & is still slightly disconcerting. I did find myself longing for the manuscript. The journal would be a good percentage shorter if there weren't the constant & repetitious descriptions of how handsome & broad shouldered her son & husband are. But because the book did have that extra dimension of wartime tensions & dilemmas, plus the fact that some serious family secrets are revealed & the culmination of a long longed for situation manifests garnered this volume of this series a bonus star.
June 12, 2016
4.25 stars because the last 75 pages are so tense.
This is the last of the handful of books I own in this series, and it's probably the one I've reread the most. There's less humour in it than others in the series, but considering it's set during World War I, it's only appropriate that the humour be dialled back.
Where the previous Amelia Peabody books have been pretty much straight up murder mysteries with a side of archaeology, this one is far more political. It's tense and fast paced and full of twists and turns. It's a lot darker than the others, with major characters in almost constant danger. It's also the book that contains a significant "OH THANK GOD FINALLY" moment, even if it comes with a side of ow-my-feels .
So yes. It gave me far more feels than I was expecting, and while it was a slow start, I loved this.
This is the last of the handful of books I own in this series, and it's probably the one I've reread the most. There's less humour in it than others in the series, but considering it's set during World War I, it's only appropriate that the humour be dialled back.
Where the previous Amelia Peabody books have been pretty much straight up murder mysteries with a side of archaeology, this one is far more political. It's tense and fast paced and full of twists and turns. It's a lot darker than the others, with major characters in almost constant danger. It's also the book that contains a significant "OH THANK GOD FINALLY" moment, even if it comes with a side of ow-my-feels .
So yes. It gave me far more feels than I was expecting, and while it was a slow start, I loved this.
June 27, 2019
Whew, this book is intense! The Emersons spend the epic winter of 1914-1915 in Egypt, while Britain is at war with Austro-Hungary and Germany. Although nobody has a clue what they’re fighting about, brave young men (including two of Walter and Evelyn’s sons) are flocking to the muddy trenches of France, willing to die for their respective countries.
Meanwhile, the Emersons are fighting their own battle in the back streets of Cairo, undercover, in true Emerson style.
“[Ramses is] walking a tightrope, Aunt Amelia; there’s a river filled with crocodiles under it, and vultures hovering overhead, and now it looks as if somebody is sawing at the rope.”
“Poetic but uninformative, my dear,” I said uneasily. “Precisely who is after him?”
So many plot lines are resolved in this book, and so many unspoken thoughts and feelings are finally expressed; it could have ended the series, but I’m so glad that it didn’t. I have 8 more Amelia Peabody books to savor.
Meanwhile, the Emersons are fighting their own battle in the back streets of Cairo, undercover, in true Emerson style.
“[Ramses is] walking a tightrope, Aunt Amelia; there’s a river filled with crocodiles under it, and vultures hovering overhead, and now it looks as if somebody is sawing at the rope.”
“Poetic but uninformative, my dear,” I said uneasily. “Precisely who is after him?”
So many plot lines are resolved in this book, and so many unspoken thoughts and feelings are finally expressed; it could have ended the series, but I’m so glad that it didn’t. I have 8 more Amelia Peabody books to savor.
November 30, 2020
One of my favorite Peabody books; in fact probably the best one of the books involving the adult "children", Ramses in particular. Ramses, in fact, improves dramatically in this book and attains full Romantic Hero status, notably because Amelia finally sees him as the kind of heroic man she likes rather than the difficult child over whom she's spent years despairing.
This one is set in World War I so we have German spies and the Great Game to entertain us rather than the usual mix of sinister Master Criminals and antiquities thieves, Action, rather than mystery, dominates the plot.
Peters' writing is on top form, mixing humor with poignant moments so beautifully that it was hard to tear myself away.
This one is set in World War I so we have German spies and the Great Game to entertain us rather than the usual mix of sinister Master Criminals and antiquities thieves, Action, rather than mystery, dominates the plot.
Peters' writing is on top form, mixing humor with poignant moments so beautifully that it was hard to tear myself away.
February 7, 2014
Ramses - “You used to sing me to sleep. When I was small. Do you remember?”
Amelia - “I remember.” I had to clear my throat before I went on. “I always suspected you pretended to sleep so you wouldn’t have to listen to me sing. It is not one of my greatest talents.”
“I liked it.”
Agh! So adorable! Amelia and Emerson have truly raised a remarkable child. Ramses is such an incredible young man. I just melted whenever he was sweet to his mother. Even though throughout the series Amelia seems to be less affectionate to her son compared to Emerson, her motherly instincts are just in full force in this one.
Of course she loves all the children that she has adopted but Ramses, her only begotten son? She'd do anything for him.
Another challenge! I was up to it! I would see those two wed if I had to lock Nefret up on bread and water until she agreed.
Amelia - “I remember.” I had to clear my throat before I went on. “I always suspected you pretended to sleep so you wouldn’t have to listen to me sing. It is not one of my greatest talents.”
“I liked it.”
Agh! So adorable! Amelia and Emerson have truly raised a remarkable child. Ramses is such an incredible young man. I just melted whenever he was sweet to his mother. Even though throughout the series Amelia seems to be less affectionate to her son compared to Emerson, her motherly instincts are just in full force in this one.
Of course she loves all the children that she has adopted but Ramses, her only begotten son? She'd do anything for him.
Another challenge! I was up to it! I would see those two wed if I had to lock Nefret up on bread and water until she agreed.
June 17, 2013
I don't really have anything else to say except that these books are flawless. It's been a while since I visited this series, and this one immediately made my Elizabeth Peters fever flare up again. I want to reread all the previous books, I want the next one in my hands immediately. I can't even contemplate reading another book by another author right now.
Elizabeth Peters represents an epitome of talent to me. She knows how to balance humor, romance, and danger in a way that no other author I've ever read manages. The books only get better and better throughout the series. This is a world I want to live in so badly, I dream about it. If any series ever comes close to the significance and affection I give Harry Potter, this is it.
Peabody and Emerson forever. <3
Elizabeth Peters represents an epitome of talent to me. She knows how to balance humor, romance, and danger in a way that no other author I've ever read manages. The books only get better and better throughout the series. This is a world I want to live in so badly, I dream about it. If any series ever comes close to the significance and affection I give Harry Potter, this is it.
Peabody and Emerson forever. <3
March 6, 2020
A visit with Amelia Peabody, Emerson, Ramses and friends and loved ones is always entertaining. This one was not as much of an archaeological discovery as were previous Amelia Peabody books. Peabody and others have traveled to Egypt for their usual archaeological dig, but double agents and those from both sides of the soon to be global conflict are present in Egypt as WWI begins to spread across the region. This one is more of a spy thriller than the typical historical mystery of the others in the series.
October 18, 2020
The best in the series so far.
May 3, 2020
The whole Emerson clan, back in Egypt, tries to save each other from various plots having to do with WWI.
I'll be quick - the ending is insane and it's so satisfactory for everyone involved that it felt like the ending to the whole series. I mean, where else do you go now? However, WWI is the main plot of this book (and it was hard to follow everything) and while it was interesting to read about Egypt's fight for independence and have different perspectives, there was hardly any archeology involved. Curious to see what could possibly come next.
I'll be quick - the ending is insane and it's so satisfactory for everyone involved that it felt like the ending to the whole series. I mean, where else do you go now? However, WWI is the main plot of this book (and it was hard to follow everything) and while it was interesting to read about Egypt's fight for independence and have different perspectives, there was hardly any archeology involved. Curious to see what could possibly come next.
August 23, 2018
I don't know what to think about this book. There are some parts of this book that are really great. I continue to love Amelia and Emerson individually and as a couple. They are both funny and courageous and loving and I would probably read a story about them going to the grocery store just because I think they are so great. I also loved how this book really showcases how much they love each other and how much they love Ramses, something that they have always had trouble expressing. The moment where Ramses and Emerson are trying to get past their "English male in the Victorian era" barriers and tell each other that they love each other was surprisingly touching and just a bit funny. I also thought it was interesting to see the impact of WWI both on the characters themselves and on the country of Egypt. This novel had a lot of suspense and was very fast paced.
However, I think I've figured out why I haven't enjoyed the more recent Amelia Peabody books. I can't stand Nefret. I've noticed a downturn in my reviews since she showed up. For some reason I just find her really annoying and I can't stand fighting=love and will they or won't they? storylines. I've also found that Ramses and Nefret's inevitable relationship is like a watered down version of Amelia and Emerson's. I've said on numerous occassions that I love Amelia and Emerson. In fact, in this book I love them more than usual. They have such a great respect for each other. They're fully aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses and they still seem to genuinely enjoy spending every moment with each other. Nefret and Ramses on the other hand are ALWAYS fighting! I know that this is supposed to show that they are not afraid to challenge each other, but it just comes across as annoying.
The other thing that I found kind of irritating was how Sethos' story was wrapped up. The big reveal seems like it was thrown out of nowhere. Sethos has been a major character in this series for a long time now. I feel like Peters could have laid the groundwork throughout the series a little better. This ending suspended my belief a bit more than necessary.
This book has pros and cons, but overall it was enjoyable and it is an improvement over the last book. I'm hoping that the next book in the series will focus a bit more on Egyptian archaeology and provide a more traditional mystery.
However, I think I've figured out why I haven't enjoyed the more recent Amelia Peabody books. I can't stand Nefret. I've noticed a downturn in my reviews since she showed up. For some reason I just find her really annoying and I can't stand fighting=love and will they or won't they? storylines. I've also found that Ramses and Nefret's inevitable relationship is like a watered down version of Amelia and Emerson's. I've said on numerous occassions that I love Amelia and Emerson. In fact, in this book I love them more than usual. They have such a great respect for each other. They're fully aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses and they still seem to genuinely enjoy spending every moment with each other. Nefret and Ramses on the other hand are ALWAYS fighting! I know that this is supposed to show that they are not afraid to challenge each other, but it just comes across as annoying.
The other thing that I found kind of irritating was how Sethos' story was wrapped up. The big reveal seems like it was thrown out of nowhere. Sethos has been a major character in this series for a long time now. I feel like Peters could have laid the groundwork throughout the series a little better. This ending suspended my belief a bit more than necessary.
This book has pros and cons, but overall it was enjoyable and it is an improvement over the last book. I'm hoping that the next book in the series will focus a bit more on Egyptian archaeology and provide a more traditional mystery.
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