Customer Reviews

Crocodile on the Sandbank

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Whenever I read Elizabeth Peter's Amanda Peabody novels, I cannot help thinking of Eleanor Lavish (played by Dame Judi Dench in a Room With A View). Remember Eleanor Lavish during the picture, proclaiming the benefits of Mackintosh Squares? Or her descriptions of Florence to Charlotte Bartlett? If you found Eleanor Lavish entertaining, you will LOVE Amelia Peabody.

Armed with a parasol, a first-aid kit, and a formidable confidence in the superiority of the British Empire and its cultural conventions, Amelia Peabody sets out for an adventure in Egypt. On her way, she rescues a fainting Englishwoman, hires a dahabeeyah to take her down the Nile to view archaeological remains, and meets the Emerson brothers. While Walter Emerson falls for our fainting Englishwoman, his older brother Radcliffe Emerson--as curmudgeonly as Amelia--begins to do battle for control of his archaeological site. His rival? Parasol-wielding Amelia Peabody, of course.

The plot, as other reviewers suggest, is purely secondary to the characters--especially Amelia. If you want to learn a little about Egypt and in the process solve a completely unsurprising mystery then you can have no better companion than the forthright Amelia Peabody. How many mysteries make you laugh out-loud at the antics of the heroine?

I am always wanting new, entertaining books to read. So, when a friend recommended Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mysteries (starting with "Crocodile on the Sandbank"), I jumped right in.

As someone else pointed out, the mystery aspect of Crocodile on the Sandbank is not the strongest part of this novel. (Don't be surprise if you guess the purpose and identity of the stalking mummy well before it is revealed.)

In every other way, this book is excellent. The characters, plot and description are delightfully entertaining. Amelia Peabody, a Victorian-era spinster of means, embarks for a tour of Egypt. But first, while in Rome, she encounters Evelyn Barton-Forbes, who has been "ruined" by her former lover. Amelia insists that Evelyn accompany her. Once in Egypt, they meet Radcliffe and Walter Emerson. These four characters are incredible. They have strong personalities without becoming two-dimensional characatures. The way Amelia and Evelyn relate is touching, and the way Amelia and Emerson play off eachother is classic.

I don't know much about ancient Egypt, but Elizabeth Peters provides so much fascinating description. She really seems to know what she's talking about. (In fact, she got a Ph.D. in Egyptology.)

Crocodile on the Sandbank made me want to know more about Egyptology and archaeology. It certainly made me want to read more of the beautiful descriptions and wonderfully drawn characters.

Elizabeth Peters does a wonderful job of showing off her knowledge of ancient Egypt while writing an amusing mystery novel. This book transcends the mystery genre, expanding into romance and historical fiction. As a student interested in ancient Egypt, I found this book merged fact and fiction exquisitely. Peter's descriptions create wonderful images that help transport the reader to Egypt and the world of the pharaohs. The plot is excellent and I found myself reading this book every free moment I had. The story builds and there is never a dull moment. Not only was it full of historical facts, but also mystery and romance. Although the mystery and romance was a bit predictable, it in no way ruined the story. Every moment was full of intrigue and remarkable dialog reminiscent of Jane Austen. The characters are dynamic. Amelia Peabody is a charming heroine, full of energy and snide wit. The villains are charming as well and you will love to hate them. I highly recommend this novel especial for those interested in learning about ancient Egypt. In short, it is an adventurous treat that is fun and exciting. After reading this book you will want to take a trip to Egypt.

A friend recommnded this series to me as I was finishing the Aunt Dimity series (by Nancy Atherton). She knew of my Nancy Drew adoration as a child and thought I might enjoy a similarly enthusiastic and sharp heroine. Amelia Peabody is just that, a bright, energetic woman who enjoys life and the mysteries it offers. I was suprised at how the sights and scents of Egypt were carried out on the page and delighted at the character development. The best part has to be that I could not predict the ending within the first few chapters! Finally a writer who has a plot interesting enough that I am too busy enjoying the story to disect its destination! If you enjoy mysteries with a dash of humor brought to life by interesting characters who transcend the ink with which they have been created, I recommend this book and its subsequent series.

Once I read this one, I was hooked. A great series with fun mysteries, amazing settings and fantastic characters. I have given this book to many friends as gifts and all have loved it!

If you are new to this series, here are some things you might like to know...

Elizabeth Peters also writes under the name Barbara Michaels (not sure which is her real name). Personally, I have not been impressed by some of her other books outside of the Peabody mysteries. The Amelia Peabody books are adventure/mystery stories that take place in Egypt, in the late 1800's.

Here are the books featuring Amelia Peabody in order from first to last:
1) Crocodile on the Sandbank (1975)
2) The Curse of the Pharaohs (1981)
3) The Mummy Case (1985)
4) Lion in the Valley (1986)
5) The Deeds of the Disturber (1988)
6) The Last Camel Died at Noon (1991)
7) The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog (1992)
8) The Hippopotamus Pool (1996)
9) Seeing a Large Cat (1997)
10) The Ape Who Guards the Balance (1998)
11) The Falcon at the Portal (1999)
12) He Shall Thunder In The Sky (May 2000)
13) Lord of the Silent (May 2001)
14) The Golden One (April 2002)
15) Children of the Storm (April 2003)

Happy reading!

I'm not usually a mystery fan, but I absolutely LOVED the Amelia Peabody mystery series. They are very exciting and humourous, and I enjoy the fact that the author doesn't write down to you. I read the entire series (unfortunately out of chronological order) and found this first book to be one of my favorites. By the way, this is how the books are ordered chronologically: 1.Crocodile on the Sandbank, 2.The Curse of the Pharaohs, 3.The Mummy Case, 4.The Lion in the Valley, 5. The Deeds of the Disturbur, 6.The Last Camel Died at Noon, 7.The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog, 8.The Hippopatumus Pool, 9.Seeing a Large Cat, 10.The Ape Who Guards the Balance, and 11.Falcon at the Portal. All excellent books. I loved seeing the characters grow throughout the series. This first book was a good beginning to a great series. I encourage anyway who loves to read (mystery or otherwise) to give these books a try.

This is a wonderful , excellently written novel that begins the Amelia Peabody series. This novel establishes her relationship with Emerson & Evelyn. If you begin to read this you'll have a very hard time putting it down!

I must have given this book, to friends & family, probably 10 times this year alone; and most wind up reading the entire series. My husband just adored the novel (he has written 3 N.Y. Times best selling novels...so he is really PICKY). If you like anything to do with ancient Egypt, Victorian times, murder, mystery & intrigue.......This is your novel!!

I only have two complaints: I wish there was a life-time supply of fresh Amelia Peabody stories available. The other complaint is that there is nothing inside the book on any of the novels that helps create a `time line' of all the novels in the series. In other words, I read the fifth book first & had no clue as to what was the first book, second book, etc. in the series. I had to go & do a comparison between the dates when they were written and check the story lines to figure this out. Most series list the available novels in a chronological order somewhere in the book.

So...for all future & current lovers of the series, here a list of all her books for the Amelia Peabody series & the Vicky Bliss series:

Amelia Peabody Series
Book #1-Crocodile on the Sandbank
Book # 2- The Curse of the Pharaohs
Book # 3-The Mummy Case
Book # 4-Lion in the Valley
Book # 5-The Deeds of the Disturber
Book # 6-The Last Camel Died at Noon
Book # 7-The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog
Book # 8-The Hippopotamus Pool
Book # 9-Seeing a Large Cat
Book # 10-The Ape Who Guards the Balance
Book # 11-The Falcon at the Portal
Book # 12-He Shall Thunder in the Sky
Book # 13-Lord of the Silent
Book # 14-The Golden One

Vicky Bliss Series
Book #1 1-Borrower of the Night
Book #1 2-Street of the Five Moons
Book #1 3-Silhouette in Scarlet
Book #1 4-Trojan Gold
Book #1 5-Night Train to Memphis

The Crocodile in the Sandbank includes suspense, history, and romance in one novel. I found Elizabeth Peters' character development to be the strongest aspect of her writing. Protagonist Amelia Peabody, our audacious heroine, is quite the contrast to her counterpart in the novel, the kind and feminine Evelyn Barton-Forbes. In addition to the characters' witty and delightful dialogue, I enjoyed Peters' successful incorporation of Egyptian history and fact. Knowing some background of ancient Egyptian history, I appreciated the author's references to hieroglyphics, pyramids, and mummies. However, I felt that the plot became a bit predictable as the novel progressed. The story's setting starts in the city of Rome and takes place in the city of Tell-el-Amarna, Egypt. Most of the action and mystery focuses on the plight of a stalking mummy---the ultimate cliché of Egyptian horror stories. The more I read, the more I realized possible story endings to this novel. Peters attempts to show, by concealing the mummy's identity until the end, that "looks can be deceiving." However, this conventional way to end a novel is dry and ho-hum. But, as the story progressed, I did find myself enjoying the novel for other reasons than its storyline. The playful relationship between Radcliffe Emerson and Amelia Peabody was a very entertaining aspect of the book. The descriptions of the famous Pharaoh Khuenaten (or Akhenaten) were also of particular interest. Lastly, the insights into Egyptian archeology and its role within the novel further enlightened me with small, but new ways of looking at Egyptian history.

I had looked at this book a number of times before buying it...I can't believe I waited so long! I am now completely hooked on Amelia Peabody. She is a heroine for all ages.

Set in 1884, Crocodile on the Sandbank presents the first person account of Amelia Peabody, 32, unmarried and independent after inheriting her father's estate. Amelia is sharp, witty, wryly humorous, and very intelligent. She sets off on an adventure travelling from her home in England through Europe to Rome where she comes to the rescue of Evelyn Barton-Forbes. Abandoned and penniless Evelyn is humbled but she still maintains her common sense and courage. The two immediately hit it off, and Evelyn becomes a companion to Amelia as they set off for Egypt.

Once in Egypt, the two meet the Emerson brothers, archaeologists working on a dig in Amarna. The four join forces to contend with grave-robbers, the ever present Egyptian sun and wind, and a mysterious mummy stalking them by night.

Laugh-out-loud funny in parts, romantic (though not romance-novel-esque), as well as thrilling and suspenseful, Crocodile on the Sandbank combines the best of mystery, history, and great characters. I have since read every one of the Amelia Peabody books and am anxiously awaiting the new one coming out May 1st.

The first novel in Elizabeth Peters' series of Amelia Peabody mysteries in which she uses the stolid common good sense of Amelia to solve crimes and at the same time make comment on the wonders of Archaelogical digs in Egypt during late Victorian days. Peters has a Phd in Egyptology (or something similar) and so she is able to blend her knowledge rather well using her characters. Its a very satisfying and fun way to learn about Egypt, and about those early enthusiastic - but sometimes less than careful digs, which were conducted during this period.

The Crocodile on the Sandbank introduces us to Amelia Peabody, rich, independent, early to mid thirties and restless English traveller. While in Rome she stumbles across Evelyn - a fellow English woman who has 'ruined' her reputation. Amelia, undaunted by convention, hires her as a companion and travels on to Egypt. There they meet the brooding bad-termpered Radcliffe Emerson and his charming younger brother Walter. The Emerson's are conducting a dig which Amelia and Evelyn visit - Amelia usefully saves Radcliffe's life when he falls into a fever, an act to which he is singularly unappreciative. Unfortunately forces greater than themselves appear to be converging on the dig site - for a mummy is haunting the site - and even worse - appears to have a taken a great liking for the beautiful Evelyn. In the meantime Evelyn's own past is catching up with her at the same time that Walter is falling in love with her.

Nothing is quite straightforward - and while neither Radcliffe (who prefers to be known as Emerson) nor Amelia believe in the supernatural, still there are a great number of dead ends and complicated overlaying of motives to find it difficult to figure out just what the mummy is up to. In all of this I just can't help liking Amelia Peabody - she is so practical and in using her to provide the narrators voice Peters is able to set up a great many wonderfully ironic observations.