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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This was an exciting book which made me want to go back and read the others in the series. There’s a lot of insight into archaeological digs in Egypt. It’s unpredictable and full of great characters. I really enjoyed this book.
A fine last book in this very entertaining and often informative series
I was disappointed in book. Realize some authors can just take over and continue on with book. Just wasn’t the same read without Elizabeth Peters.
A little different from the usual Amelia but interesting non the less. I recommend it if you area already reading the series. But not as a first book.
I didn’t want this book to end because it’s was the final one from a favorite author. As wonderful as all her other books. Read it and enjoy because there will be no more “ruined shirts”. Thank you Ms. Peters.
Excellent, entertainment
Great book. Nice end to the series
I love the Amelia Peabody books! They are fun, funny, informative, clearly a witty commentary, or one could say a satiric commentary, on the society of the times and other romantic series. You will enjoy this series.
I have read her whole series, this was a disappointment, I don’t recommend this.
What a delight to read! My highest praise and thanks go to authoress Joan Hess, and to Elizabeth Peters’editors and family who helped make the publication of this final installment a possibility. I doubt fans would guess, if not told, that it was completed posthumously.
Rating: Middle School to Adult
Limited strong language by male characters in keeping with the time period between WWI and WWII – more often than not the character catches himself before saying a word and substitutes a euphemism instead. This serves to add to the wit and charm of the story.
No sex
Action-style violence (no gross-outs)
The famous bust of Queen Nefertiti, historically whisked away and displayed in Berlin, has been found, has disappeared, and the stolen antiquities market is being inundated with fakes.
Amelia and Emerson are determined to find the original’s whereabouts and turn it over to the proper authorities.
Meanwhile a group of assassins are plaguing Amelia with attempts on her life.
Avid readers will get a smile at how the titles of several of Elizabeth Peters’ novels are slipped into the dialog.
Farewell to our good friend, Elizabeth. We will miss your wit, your style, and how you’ve inspired us to travel-travel-TRAVEL!
Everything that Peter’s writes is number one! Love rereading old favorites!
I’d forgotten how mind-numbing Elizabeth Peters and the Edwardian period can be. The protagonists always have the moral imperative, Europeans always know what’s best for the poor, backward Arabs, the protagonistas are always above the law because it just doesn’t apply to them, and the the story line just drags and drags. If I wasn’t a history major I’d have put a pencil through my eye for reading this.
I miss Elizabeth Peters. I’ve read all of her books & always looked forward to the next one.
I enjoy the play on words and nuances..but I lived in England for 7 years and enjoy the British play on words.
Fans of the late Elizabeth Peters’ “Amelia Peabody” series will welcome this addition, which fills a gap (1912) in the saga of the Emerson family as they pursue archeological adventures in late 19th- & early 20th-century Egypt. “The Painted Queen” (unfinished at the time of Ms Peters’ death & completed by her friend Joan Hess) combines fact & fiction, speculating as to the story behind the discovery of the iconic bust of Nefertiti & how it wound up at its present home in a German museum. Readers who have followed the series may, however, have mixed feelings as this novel–though a gallant effort at completing the series & reasonably enjoyable on its own– seems a little bit “off” at times & does not quite capture the distinctive narrative voice of Peters’ Amelia.
You can tell it’s not 100% Elizabeth Peters but it’s still so good. She does her best to finish it the way she would have and respects the characters and their qualities and relationships. One last adventure with Peabody and Emerson, et al. Previous books will be cherished, new ones will be missed.
Fi was a fan of Elizabeth peters and read all of Peabodys stories . It saddens me to have to say goodbye to her.
Not quite as good as the other Amelia Peabody novels, but I definitely wanted to find out what was going to happen
Joan Hess did a magnificent job on this book. She stayed true to the original characters and improved on them. I loved this book!
Enjoyed this. Some degree of predictability but it is part of a series. This one goes back a bit in time. Always enjoyable to “visit” Amelia and company.