An Egyptologist investigates a death at the British Museum in this “charming” historical mystery by the New York Times-bestselling author of The Painted Queen (The Denver Post). Back in London after an archaeological dig, adventurous sleuth Amelia Peabody–“rather like Indiana Jones, Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple all rolled into one”–discovers that a night watchman at the museum has … night watchman at the museum has perished in the shadow of a mummy case (The Washington Post Book World).
There are murmurings about an ancient curse, but a skeptical Amelia is determined to find an all-too-human killer. Soon, she’s balancing family demands, including the troubles of her precocious son, Ramses (aka Walter), with not just one unsolved crime, but two . . .
From a recipient of multiple honors including the Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award, this murder mystery set in Victorian-era England is a witty, rollicking, and “deeply satisfying” romp (Entertainment Weekly) in a “jewel of a series” (The New York Times Book Review).
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Love her books! I miss her
I did a happy dance the day this book was FINALLY available for Kindle. It was the only one from Elizabeth Peters’ wonderful Amelia Peabody series that hadn’t been. . . and I was holding onto a very dog-eared copy of it.
Peters is a brilliant writer, and I fell in love with Amelia Peabody in the very first book in this series, Crocodile on the Sandbank.
In real life, Peters (real name Barbara Mertz) was an Egyptologist, so she’s extraordinarily knowledgeable about archaeology and Egyptology. Her settings are always believable, although Amelia’s and her family’s sometimes stretch credibility.
If you haven’t discovered this series, dive in! You’ll be glad you did.
What can I say? I absolutely love Amelia Peabody character, she is strait laced funny and I love all the books in this series. I would recommend these books to anyone who loves ancient Egypt and archaeologists.
I never miss a chance to buy a NOOK book with these characters! Emerson, Peabody and their son Ramses always attract trouble wherever they are. Usually they are digging in tombs in Egypt but this story took place in London while Emerson does some writing. I missed the tombs in Egypt, and that’s why I only gave it 4 stars. It doesn’t matter what order these books are read because enough past is brought up to keep everything understood.
The main characters have become too goody-goody to be believable.
As usual, Amelia Peabody (Elizabeth Peters) books are always entertaining. Clean enjoyable reads.
Another great adventure for Amelia Peabody and lovers of ancient Egypt and early archeology.
Elizabeth Peters is always a delight to read!
I love this series! Warm, humorous, informative, and suspenseful clean reads that any age can enjoy. I am enjoying this series again, in audio.
3 stars – I liked it
Back in London, Amelia and Emerson discover that the night watchmen at the museum have been killed and rumors of a mummy’s curse is the cause. Between spending time with her son and niece and nephew, she does some sleuthing to try and solve the mystery.
This mystery was different from all the previous ones because it wasn’t in Egypt. This is the first focused solely in London and around the London museums collection. I enjoyed the mystery on this one because it wasn’t easy to figure out and I was surprised by who the bad guy was. I also liked the introduction of Miss Minton, who is trying to survive in the male centered journalistic world.
My issues with this book were, one, the children again. Amelia’s niece and nephew just took away from the mystery and were instantly annoying to me. I didn’t mind Ramses so much since it was clear he was being used as a scapegoat for all the bad things those two did. And two, Amelia and Emerson weren’t working together on the case again. There are even some very emotional, on Amelia’s part, sections about the possibility of infidelity which was upsetting and, in the end, felt unnecessary.
Overall, this was a good book but I want to see these two work together again to solve the mystery. They are a great team and it isn’t being utilized.
Under the pseudonym of Elizabeth Peters, Barbara Mertz wrote an intriguing series of books usually set in Egypt. It is interesting to note that the author earned a PHD in Egyptology from the University of Chicago so when her books describe archeological digs and climate, peoples and culture of this area of the world, she knew what she was about. All of the Amelia Peabody books are excellent reads. Fascinating in detail, humorous as she describes the characters and interactions between Peabody and her husband Emerson and their precocious son Ramses and filled with murder and mayhem. Delicious!
This book’Deeds of the Disturber’ (number 5) is set in England, which is unusual for the series. Each book is a stand alone but I recommend reading them in order. Each one is historical fiction with mystery and a little romance mixed in. This book contains a mummy curse, visiting evil niece and nephew, helping Scotland Yard solve a murder and being saved by a corset. Happy reading!
You never go wrong with Ameila Peabody.
Love the series. This book was excellent.
Egypt comes alive in all her books in this series
Love the series
I own and have read multiple times this entire series. They are some of my favorite books. Each is a stand alone, although there is development of the characters from book to book. If you have any interest in Egyptology, or Egyptian culture of the late 19th, early 20th century, and like mysteries, you can’t go wrong with this series.
Not one of favorites from author
I read this entire series and loved it!
Outstanding mystery!
This series was very good.