Let me just say that Elizabeth Peters aka Barbara Michaels/Mertz is one of my all time favorite authors! I absolutely love all of her books but this series is my most favorite because of its ancient Egypt and archaeology theme. Plus I fell in love with Amelia Peabody and her family from book one. It literally has some of everything that I enjoy- exotic locales, mystery, espionage, war, suspense, adventure and travel, archaeology, Egyptology etc.etc. It just resonates with me on so many levels. I'm going to be so sad when I reach the end of the series! I actually stopped reading it a year or so ago because I was getting close to the end and I wasn't ready for that at all, but for one of our Summer Book Bingo squares we had to read a book by an author that has passed away so I figured this was my cue to suck it up and just savor the few remaining books. I'm very glad I did. I've missed their family dynamics and their scheming... 

In this particular book they have just arrived at their home in Luxor, Egypt for an extended stay because the war is on and traveling back to England by ship is too dangerous because of the military submarines. They are working at the site of Deir el Medina; speculation about the possible location a royal tomb is running rampant and British Intelligence is seeking out Ramses for another mission. As always there is never a dull moment and the story is highly entertaining. If you haven't read any of Peters' books yet you should give them a try one day. Just a word of caution though, I would stay away from the audio of this particular series. I don't care for the narrator at all. In my opinion, she doesn't do the series or characters the justice they deserve.

In this fourth entry in the Amelia Peabody series, the Emersons (with Ramses and Bastet, of course) return to Egypt, and this time they get to excavate at the pyramids of Dashoor. Amelia is in raptures, with a chance to have a pyramid of her very own to explore. But when an adversary is discovered murdered in their Cairo hotel, things start to get a bit complicated. And it doesn't stop once they get to Dashoor, what with nosy American toursts (parasol fencing!), a young man named Nemo who appears to be more trouble than he is worth, and the mystery mastermind that wants to see the Emersons dead or at the very least, removed from Egypt. Clever writing, smart plot, and plenty of fun. Four stars overall and very much recommended.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Lion_in_the_Valley_by_Elizabeth_Peters_and_read_by_Susan_O_Malley/content_646787993220

Last year I started to read the Amelia Peabody series by the late Elizabeth Peters, and discovered that I liked it. In the third book in the series, the Emersons are returning to Egypt, but this time they have their young, precocious son Ramses in tow, along with the cat Bastet. Assigned a distant, unremarkable site to excavate, the digging season starts out uncomfortable, but soon enough there are plenty of eccentricities to complicate matters, from several American missionaries, an overstuffed overbearing German baroness who fancies herself an ancient Queen, and something peculiar about a coffin. But it is Ramses who is the real star of this novel who keeps finding more trouble and dirt than any young child should. Great fun, real archaeology, and a painless way to see the birth of modern Egypt. Four stars overall and recommended.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/the_mummy_case_no_3_by_elizabeth_peters_2011_paperback/content_645854039684

bookshelves: published-1975, spring-2013, series, mystery-thriller, historical-fiction, fraudio, archaeology, adventure, afr-egypt, african-continent, victoriana, flufferoonies, tbr-busting-2013

Arch but quick fun.

TBR Busting 2013

Amelia Peabody, indomitable Victorian, embarks for Egypt armed with confidence, journal, and umbrella. Enroute to Cairo, she rescues dainty Evelyn, abandoned by her lover. They sail up the Nile to the archeological dig of the Emerson brothers - irascible but dashing Radcliffe and amiable Walter. A lively mummy, visitations, accidents, kidnap attempt - evil is afoot.

bookshelves: series, afr-egypt, mystery-thriller, victoriana, tbr-busting-2013, summer-2013, amusing, archaeology

Running time 12:14:56