Reviews

The Laughter of Dead Kings by Elizabeth Peters

celiapowell's review against another edition

2.0

Oh, I just couldn't get into this. It probably wasn't a good idea to read the last book in a series first - there's a lot of history and established relationships I didn't really connect with. There's also an odd sort of cameo of the author herself (as the author of the Amelia Peabody series) which was rather strange. I would try some of the earlier books in this series, but this wasn't great to start with.

librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition

4.0

Elizabeth Peters brings back Vicky Bliss in a modern setting, this time heading to Egypt to solve the theft of King Tutankhamun's mummy from his tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor (ancient Thebes). I started this book about a month and a half before I actually went to Egypt, and although it took me too long to read it (in snippets during lunch breaks, mostly), I really enjoyed it. I got about 3/4 of the way through it before I went on vacation and finished the rest once I got home. Having just been there and seen the places Peters describes, I have to say I got SO much more out of the book once I came home! Before my trip, I'd have rated the book probably at about 3 or 3 1/2 stars. Afterward--particularly after reading the ending where Peters writes herself into the story, which tickled my fancy--I'd have to give it 4 or even 4 1/2 stars. I now want to purchase a copy to reread and savor, knowing, for example, exactly what the Karnak Temple complex looks like at night and how enormous it is and how easy it would be to hide in the shadows (and how difficult to find or follow anyone!).

Peters does refer numerous times to previous Vicky Bliss novels, so if it's been a while since you've read them, it could be helpful to reread them before beginning this one. Also--don't expect it to follow chronologically with the earlier Vicky Bliss novels, which were written years ago. Peters just jumps ahead to present day as though the other books took place within the previous few years. Neither Vicky nor Schmidt nor John have aged significantly.

melissa_who_reads's review against another edition

3.0

A Vicky Bliss novel -- and a fun romp through Egypt: nice to have a somewhat modern day Egyptology novel from Peters. Fun and light, but well-written.

ali_enza's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed going back to the Vicky Bliss series. I love the characters involved in the series, always have. In this newest book, they have not lost their charm.
I did have some pacing issues with the book though. It seemed to drag for a good portion, as they hopped countries and got chased by the bad guys.
The last 1/3 of the book really picked up and I loved some of the twists and turns.
I do love Peters' sense of humor towards the end of the book. I couldn't help laughing at the dialogue and character interaction (in a GOOD way. The little twist at the end had me actually cracking up.

mamap's review against another edition

3.0

a fun romp where our main character always seems to be a step behind. still, the mystery unveils itself as these things do. pg-13! vicky, john, and dr. schmidt (who is not all he seems(a-z)) head to egypt to find a stolen mummy and clear john's name since he doesn't steal .... anymore. a descendant of amelia peobody - the series i got tired of --

cimorene1558's review against another edition

4.0

It's a little self-conscious--but any series book written after so long an interval is likely to be that way--but it's still awfully fun. And has a better ending than most of the other Vicky Bliss books!

bponsford's review against another edition

3.0

I thought I had read this, but turns out I hadn't. Or my memory is really going. But I'm pretty sure I would've remembered the connection between John and the Emersons. In the end it was fun, but not one of my faves.

mthorley23's review against another edition

3.0

I love Elizabeth Peters so I am always happy to read another book by her. The Amelia Peabody series is really where my loyalty lies though. This was a fun, fluffy read and I chuckled at the author's highly intelligent use of language, which works for Victorian Egyptologists but somehow just seems like a quirk of the author in the current now. Peters seems new to technology herself, emphasizing the characters' use of the "Net" and the "World Wide Web." I found it charming though because I am a fan. I was also highly amused, as I believe Peters intended, by her cameo. It was a fun read but not Peters' best work.

karen62's review against another edition

5.0

Reading this for the second time after reading the Amelia Peabody books was much better. I missed a lot the first time - where the diaries that the Amelia Peabody series is based on came from, Elizabeth Peters making a cameo appearance and other Peabody related references. I enjoyed seeing Feisal make another appearance and Schmidt was at his best in this book, his sword fight was excellent!

lakesbecky's review against another edition

4.0

I haven't read any Elizabeth Peters for years but was tempted by this in the library. It is part of a series featuring Vicky Bliss but the first one I have read. It starts with an audacious heist of a priceless Egyptian artifact that her boyfriend is accused of taking. They travel across Europe and to Egypt with their friends trying to clear his name and recover the item. Lots of people aren't quite what they seem and her boyfriend doesn't appear to be telling the truth all the time...

I found it hard to put down at times. An interesting cast of characters with their idiosyncrasies and quirks. I will have to look out for the earlier novels.