Elizabeth Peters earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute. During her fifty-year career, she wrote more than seventy novels and three nonfiction books on Egypt. She received numerous writing awards and, in 2012, was given the first Amelia Peabody Award, created in her honor. She died in 2013, leaving a partially completed manuscript of The Painted Queen.
In the latest and welcome addition to Peters's popular Amelia Peabody mystery series, World War I has finally ended, and the Emerson clan has returned to their excavations in Egypt. The family has expanded a bit, with the addition of Ramses and Nefret's precocious (naturally) two-year-old twins, Charla and Davy. Amelia, not one to let being a grandmother slow her down, immediately plunges into investigating the sudden disappearance of an archaeologist, along with valuable jewelry stolen from an excavation. The jewelry was promised to the museum in Cairo, and Amelia hopes to retrieve it before the authorities discover the theft. Meanwhile, a nemesis from the past reemerges: the "young serpent who also had poisoned fangs." This wickedly entertaining tale from the prolific Peters is an essential purchase for all public libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 12/02].-Laurel Bliss, Yale Arts Lib., New Haven, CT Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
A fast-moving, intrigue-filled plot propels MWA Grand Master Peters's 15th novel (after 2002's The Golden One) to feature beloved archeologist and amateur sleuth Amelia Peabody Emerson. The end of WWI offers Amelia, now a grandmother, and her family little respite when mysterious events start to plague friends, allies and coworkers. One person dies after suddenly turning to religion, while others fall victim to sabotage. Valuable artifacts go missing, and Amelia's son Ramses is lured into a bizarre encounter with a woman who appears to be the living embodiment of the goddess Hathor. Given the growing unrest against British rule in Egypt, Amelia has to wonder if politics are behind the strange occurrences. In addition, the clan has made many enemies over the course of their adventures. While the preface does a good job of outlining the characters and their complicated connections, the previous 14 novels covered a lot of ground that new readers will find challenging to master. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable read in its own right, powered by evocative depictions of 1919 Egypt and the engaging voice of Amelia herself-a bright, independent woman, who relishes her role as family matriarch. Her affectionate, give-and-take relationship with her Egyptologist husband, Emerson, continues to enchant. Agent, Dominick Abel. (Apr. 1) Forecast: To honor Barbara Mertz (aka Elizabeth Peters), the publisher will kick off the publicity campaign with a party at "Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo" (aka New York City's Plaza Hotel). Expect another run up bestseller lists. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Adult/High School-World War I has ended and the Emerson family now includes several children of an entirely new generation. Everyone comes together in Egypt to work on the Emersons' newest dig. The adults are puzzled as strange, seemingly unrelated events occur: a theft, a murder, the appearance of a woman dressed as a goddess, the sinking of a boat, and attacks on a cousin. This complex series continues with witty dialogue, mysterious twists and turns, and delightful characters. A brief introduction summarizes relationships and provides a broad overview of the series, but it will serve best as a review for fans. Purchase where earlier titles have been popular.-Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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