veronica4242's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Lion in the Valley
3 Stars
Amelia Peabody and her husband, Radcliffe Emerson, and their precocious son, Ramses, become involved in another murder in Egypt when a noted con artist is found dead in a young English heiress's hotel room and she is nowhere to be found.
Series note: The plot in this book is a direct continuation of events in book #3 - The Mummy Case. As such, it should be read in order.
This is definitely one of the more farcical installments in the series. The twists and turns of the mystery are ridiculously obvious and could have been solved in five minutes if Peabody had allowed her son to complete a sentence. Annoying child characters are usually a no-no for me, but Ramses is rapidly growing on me. His inquisitive personality and comments on human nature are very insightful.
In terms of character development, there is a small change in tone in the relationship between Peabody and Emerson. To begin with, the references to their sex life are more overt, and it is intriguing to see Emerson experience episodes of jealousy when he is usually too immersed in his antiquities to notice. There are some particularly intense moments, especially during the scenes at the end.
The real highlight of these books is the focus on Egyptology and the subtle critique of British imperialism and superiority. The history, geography and archeological details are fascinating and add an element of realism to an otherwise silly story. Moreover, the tongue-in-cheek references to classic mystery tropes, such as the inept detective, the master criminal, and the comely heiress courted for her fortune, are also entertaining.
Overall, this book is entertaining despite the clichéd tropes and overexaggerated characterization.
3 Stars
Amelia Peabody and her husband, Radcliffe Emerson, and their precocious son, Ramses, become involved in another murder in Egypt when a noted con artist is found dead in a young English heiress's hotel room and she is nowhere to be found.
Series note: The plot in this book is a direct continuation of events in book #3 - The Mummy Case. As such, it should be read in order.
This is definitely one of the more farcical installments in the series. The twists and turns of the mystery are ridiculously obvious and could have been solved in five minutes if Peabody had allowed her son to complete a sentence. Annoying child characters are usually a no-no for me, but Ramses is rapidly growing on me. His inquisitive personality and comments on human nature are very insightful.
In terms of character development, there is a small change in tone in the relationship between Peabody and Emerson. To begin with, the references to their sex life are more overt, and it is intriguing to see Emerson experience episodes of jealousy when he is usually too immersed in his antiquities to notice. There are some particularly intense moments, especially during the scenes at the end.
The real highlight of these books is the focus on Egyptology and the subtle critique of British imperialism and superiority. The history, geography and archeological details are fascinating and add an element of realism to an otherwise silly story. Moreover, the tongue-in-cheek references to classic mystery tropes, such as the inept detective, the master criminal, and the comely heiress courted for her fortune, are also entertaining.
Overall, this book is entertaining despite the clichéd tropes and overexaggerated characterization.
catreynolds28's review
2.0
I’m really disappointed in this book - it went completely off track in the last 1/8th of the book. Amelia becomes a weirdly thirsty damsel in distress. And while I don’t think a child of Emerson and Amelia could be any different Ramseys annoys the crap out of me. And Sethos just fading into the background and becoming a pouty bitch? Give me a break. Maybe I’ll be less bitter tomorrow but, upon finishing this book, I’m not happy. I still love Amelia though so I’ll try the next one.
bargainsleuth's review
5.0
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“Another year, another dead body.” It’s an oft-quoted line from the Amelia Peabody mysteries, and it came from this book. Amelia and Emerson are back in Egypt with their son, Ramses, who is now 8 years old. He is slightly less precocious than he was when he was younger, and much more palatable. Emerson finally gets to dig at the pyramids of Dahshoor and is practically giddy with excitement.
Amelia once again is up to her ears in Miss Marple-like activities. She doesn’t listen to her son when she really should, as he knows more than her about what is going on. The Master Criminal is back with a vengeance, and he’s gunning for Amelia. How will she avoid his evil grasp?
This is one of the strongest Amelia Peabody mysteries, with ample twists and turns and references to Egyptology and even Sherlock Holmes references for the most casual mystery reader. As always, I highly recommend listening to the book series because the narration by Barbara Rosenblat cannot be beat. Her growling Emerson is such a delight; my husband frequently imitates her with a “Good gad, Peabody” every once in a while. These books are what sold me on audiobooks after years of resistance. These books are great stuff on audio.
If you love cozy mysteries set in the Victorian period and have an interest in Egyptology, this series has aged remarkably well. Highly recommended!
“Another year, another dead body.” It’s an oft-quoted line from the Amelia Peabody mysteries, and it came from this book. Amelia and Emerson are back in Egypt with their son, Ramses, who is now 8 years old. He is slightly less precocious than he was when he was younger, and much more palatable. Emerson finally gets to dig at the pyramids of Dahshoor and is practically giddy with excitement.
Amelia once again is up to her ears in Miss Marple-like activities. She doesn’t listen to her son when she really should, as he knows more than her about what is going on. The Master Criminal is back with a vengeance, and he’s gunning for Amelia. How will she avoid his evil grasp?
This is one of the strongest Amelia Peabody mysteries, with ample twists and turns and references to Egyptology and even Sherlock Holmes references for the most casual mystery reader. As always, I highly recommend listening to the book series because the narration by Barbara Rosenblat cannot be beat. Her growling Emerson is such a delight; my husband frequently imitates her with a “Good gad, Peabody” every once in a while. These books are what sold me on audiobooks after years of resistance. These books are great stuff on audio.
If you love cozy mysteries set in the Victorian period and have an interest in Egyptology, this series has aged remarkably well. Highly recommended!
becksus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book reminded me of why I love Amelia and Emerson in the first place! The central mystery was more engaging that in the previous instalment, and the mixture of Ramses' hijinks + growing up, and the salacious meeting with Sethos, this had me smiling lots. I must also add, Amelia's shameless thirsting over her husband is an added bonus.
gooberdawn's review
5.0
The characters in Elizabeth Peters books are just wonderful. Each character has a tenacious and colorful personality which adds true vigor & vitality to each & every story by this author. LOVE THEM. If you like Indiana Jones, you will LOVE these books.
megancmahon's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love Amelia P. Emerson. And this book of hers introduces us to one of the best loveable villains in all of literature, in my humble opinion - Sethos!
suzannalundale's review
3.0
If these books were coming out now, there would absolutely be #TeamSethos stans - Peabody/Sethos fanfic as far as the eye can see! I perversely hope we shall see him again.