Egypt, 1912—Amelia Peabody and her dashing archeologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, are once again in danger as they search for a priceless, stolen bust of legendary Queen Nefertiti and Amelia finds herself the target of assassins in this long-awaited, eagerly anticipated final installment of Elizabeth Peters’ bestselling, beloved mystery series.
Arriving in Cairo for another thrilling … excavation season, Amelia is relaxing in a well-earned bubble bath in her elegant hotel suite in Cairo, when a man with knife protruding from his back staggers into the bath chamber and utters a single word—“Murder”—before collapsing on the tiled floor, dead. Among the few possessions he carried was a sheet of paper with Amelia’s name and room number, and a curious piece of pasteboard the size of a calling card bearing one word: “Judas.” Most peculiarly, the stranger was wearing a gold-rimmed monocle in his left eye.
It quickly becomes apparent that someone saved Amelia from a would-be assassin—someone who is keeping a careful eye on the intrepid Englishwoman. Discovering a terse note clearly meant for Emerson—Where were you?”—pushed under their door, there can be only one answer: the brilliant master of disguise, Sethos.
But neither assassins nor the Genius of Crime will deter Amelia as she and Emerson head to the excavation site at Amarna, where they will witness the discovery of one of the most precious Egyptian artifacts: the iconic Nefertiti bust. In 1345 B.C. the sculptor Thutmose crafted the piece in tribute to the great beauty of this queen who was also the chief consort of Pharaoh Akhenaten and stepmother to King Tutankhamun.
For Amelia, this excavation season will prove to be unforgettable. Throughout her journey, a parade of men in monocles will die under suspicious circumstances, fascinating new relics will be unearthed, a diabolical mystery will be solved, and a brilliant criminal will offer his final challenge . . . and perhaps be unmasked at last.
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I thought Joan did a great job finishing this book. The characters stayed true to Elizabeth Peters.
I was sorry to hear that we will no longer enjoy new books about Amelia Peabody….she will be missed. I have absolutely loved the entire series!!
Nothing like Elizabeth Peters books. It doesn’t seem like the author read any Amelia Peabody (the heroine) books. Or maybe she just decided to change the characters & most relationships.
Joan Hess took a mighty chance in finishing Elizabeth Peters last and unfinished manuscript, given the thousands of her Amelia Peabody fan, but Ms Peters knew where to place her confidence! Joan Hess, an hysterically funny writer in her own right, took up Amelia’s umbrella and delivered a beauty of a book with all our favorite characters doing just as they ought. Congratulations, Ms. Hess and thank you, Ms. Peters, for the unknown multitude of hours that I’ve spent in Egypt with the Peabodys, their crew and the nemesis.
I particularly like Elizabeth Peter’s AMELIA PEABODY series and have read all of them more than once. This one did justice to the originals. These have always been rooted in solid research and the characters are unusual enough to keep this reader interested in reading nineteen of these books.
Peters is the best
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all of Elizabeth Peters’ novels, especially the Amelia Peabody Emerson series, and was saddened when I found out that she had passed away. When “The Painted Queen” came out, it was not only a pleasant surprise but a refreshing blast from the past. Joan Hess did a fantastic job of bringing Peters’ last book to life from her notes, capturing the essence of Peabody, Emerson, Rhamses, Sethos, and all the rest of the Peters’ zany panoply of characters to perfection. My only regret about this book is that there will never be another. Oh well, I can still spend many entertaining hours reading them all once again!
Live the history in it
joan hess did a good job adopting the voice and tone of elizabeth peters. there were no jarring notes and the book was interesting to the end
It’s her last Amelia Peabody book, which made it bittersweet to me, and you could tell where Joan Hess took over the writing (although she stayed true to the characters & overall style), but I still enjoyed it. Elizabeth Peters will be greatly missed by me and many other fans!!
I adore Elizabeth Peters and absolutely teared up when I heard they were publishing her last work. Joan Hess did a bang up job taking over. I love all these characters as if they’re my friends. I even have a “nod” to Amelia in my upcoming book, The Silver Gun. Her books have inspired me for decades. This is a wonderful, wonderful read for all of us Amelia, Emerson, and Ramses fans.
Wonderful way to end a fantastic series.