Radcliffe Emerson, the irascible husband of fellow archaeologist and Egyptologist Amelia Peabody, has earned the nickname “Father of Curses” — and at Mazghunah he demonstrates why. Denied permission to dig at the pyramids of Dahshoor, he and Amelia are resigned to excavating mounds of rubble in the middle of nowhere. And there is nothing in this barren area worthy of their interest — until an … an antiquities dealer is murdered in his own shop. A second sighting of a sinister stranger from the crime scene, a mysterious scrap of papyrus, and a missing mummy case have all whetted Amelia’s curiosity. But when the Emersons start digging for answers in an ancient tomb, events take a darker and deadlier turn — and there may be no surviving the very modern terrors their efforts reveal.
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Not a bad ending to the Amelia Peabody series. I will miss Elizabeth Peters’ entertaining imagination and writing style.
I read an early book and enjoyed the story and characters, but how quickly the characters became tedious in this story. The author’s attempt at creating a believable child’s voice – mimicking “baby talk”, was most annoying. I love a good archaeology story, especially about Egypt, but again the characters got in the way of me awarding a higher …
Elizabeth Peters fan. Not quite as interesting as previous novels
Interesting setting, but I felt as if the author was trying too hard to be amusing. The characters’ (caricatures’ ?) reactions were a little too predictable.
I am obsessed with Elizabeth Peters, archeology, and all things Egypt. I have read the whole series a couple of times, but didn’t have a hard copy of this one. Now I have to read them all again!
I loved it! Joan Hess took on the very difficult task of writing in the voice of Elizabeth Peters to finish a book she started before her death. While I am beyond sad to see the end of perhaps the best mystery series evet, Joan Hess did a good job. All Elizabeth Peyers fans on the planet must read it.
I love Elisabeth Peters–a wonderful author who knows how to write!
Elizabeth Peters out does herself with the creation of Ramses, the son of our intrepid archeologists Peabody and Emerson. He certainly adds precocious comic relief to the adventures in Egypt. He is so much fun and a loquacious chip off the old block, and they brought with them Ramses pet “the cat Bastet” always said as if it were a title.
All …
The whole Peabody series of books is a great read and the characters are a real hoot!
I like Elizabeth Peters books about Egypt. they are entertaining and I like following the characters as they age in the stories.Ramses at a different age in each book. It paints a picture of a time gone by.
I really wanted to like this book but the characters are so unlikeable I almost didn’t bother to finish it! The son of the two main characters was so annoying and SO overwritten! What four year old has that kind of vocabulary? Ridiculous.
Her books all made me want to go to Egypt which I did in 2015
I think this one of her earlier books on Amelia Peabody. Not as good as later books but still enjoyable. Ramses is a kick!
Elizabeth Peters is always a joy to read. I love to see how her characters get themselves out of precarious situations — which they always manage to do. That is, end up in some kind of trouble and then get out of it at the last minute by some whimsical play.
Elizabeth Peters is superb. Her Amelia Peabody books are best read in order, but each is so good that it can stand on its own. Her characters are fabulous, eccentric, brilliant, inventive….cannot say enough good (true) things about this book!
Repetitious narrative with trite, stereotypical or unbelievable characters.
This series…develops and follows characters throughout two generations. Narration is excellent and is wonderfully played! Have read this volume at least twice, maybe more! Never tire of this author! Magnificent!
The Amelia Peabody Emerson series is addictive. The plot keeps your attention, the time period with customs and styles add, the humor is wonderful and the setting in Egypt seems authentic. I read anything by Elizabeth Peters that I can get my hands on.
Love Elizabeth Peter books.
A great book by a great author!