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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I love all of Elizabeth Peters’ books. I recommend reading the Amelia Peabody series in order.
Tedious – not nearly as engaging as her other books.
I’m a great fan of Amelia Peabody! Just can’t resist any of her escapades.
One of my favorite series – so sorry there won’t be more. The characters are wonderful. I love that the books are set in Egypt and centered around Egyptology. I have all the books and reread them. They are great fun!!
Elizabeth Peters always delivers!
Words on the pages too small to read! Couldn’t get very far-
I’ve read most of Peters Amelia Peabody books and enjoyed them all. This one takes place in England instead of Egypt, so the very interesting background of pyramids and tombs and Egyptian customs is missing. Besides that, I think she carried Ramses erudite speech and activities a little too far. Still it was a pleasant read with some unexpected twists.
Too cutesy.
Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody is sure to delight; I have enjoyed all of the Egypt books and go to them when I want a familiar yet interesting reread.
Lively romp through Victorian era England with a female archaeologist, precocious son and fair-minded frank-speaking husband. Formulaic but fun mystery with an unexpected ending. Witty, humorous throwback that will entertain across generations.
As always, Amelia Peabody triumphs over evil in a sassy and erudite manner!
I read the entire Amelia Peabody series years ago and decided to reread this one to see how she held up over time. I’m pleased to say that, from my perspective, she and her family have held up well. The author’s knowledge of archaeology and Egyptology permeate the book and it’s plot. But it’s never excessive. If it’s included, it’s necessary for some reason.
Having read a lot of mysteries based in the contemporary world, I also found Peabody’s eccentricities very satisfying and entertaining. She was raised in the 1800s at a time when her mother’s death and father’s total indifference resulted in a young woman with few filters regarding how a proper young woman should think, act, and behave. Were she a main character in a contemporary mystery with a comparable background, she probably would drag around the baggage of multiple personality disorders. Not in the sense that she’d act like an adult, a child, a beggar, or a hooker, depending on her mood. But rather bemoaning the fact that she lacked the necessary wherewithal to socialize properly with others of her higher station. But not Amelia Peabody.
In this book Peabody and her archaeologist husband Emerson–a.k.a. the Father of Curses–and their maddening intelligent young son Ramses–a prodigious reader with a photographic memory and master of who aspires to be like his father immediately if not sooner–find themselves embroiled in a mystery in London. Peabody thinks it’s her mystery to solve because they’re stuck in London, which none of them like, until Emerson finishes his book. Emerson joins, in he says to protect his wife, but primary to avoid the drudgery of doing rewrites. Ramses joins in, uninvited of course, to fine-tune his disguises. Meanwhile the family also copes with the presence of two obnoxious children belonging to Peabody’s toad of a brother who make all three Emersons want to spend as much time away from the London house as possible.
But when people start dying, including a mysterious woman from Emerson’s past, and the moldy underbelly of London’s upper crust oozes to its surface, the mystery builds for a rollicking good close as all those in the series do.
These books probably aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, if your pardon the pun. But if you yearn for eccentricity without angst and a fast-paced read with memorable characters that will make you laugh out loud, this is a good introduction of the exquisitely detailed world of Elizabeth Peters’s Amelia Peabody.
I loved this whole series. It is for people who are interested in Egypt and the victorian ages.
great read
Great addition to the Egyptian archeological series. Amelia and her family are never dull.
You’ll either like the characters or not.
Amelia Peabody Emerson is an opinionated Victorian lady married to a British Egyptologist. The series, circa 1890-1920, is her view of their many adventures while trying to go about the business of archaeology in Egypt.
Naturally, in each of the volumes, there are mysterious events and murders which impede their prime objective. Books are best read in chronological order (not necessarily in order of publication as Elizabeth Peters filled in some time gaps near the end of her writing career).
The audio versions are excellently produced and very enjoyable.
Clever use of words with a great dry British sense of humor.
I absolutely love the Amelia Peabody stories, and this one with Ramses as a little boy is just a pleasure all the way around.
Love this series. Great book to re-read.
I was sorry when Elizabeth Peters passed on, but we can be happy knowing her wonderful world of Amelia Peabody will continue. Deeds of the Disturber is one my favorites, though it is set in England rather than Egypt.