The Last Camel Died at Noon (Amelia Peabody, Book 6) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Elizabeth Peters (Author) "and there was not a pyramid or a broken wall to be seen, much less a tree or a sign of habitation. What indeed were..." (more)
Key Phrases: last camel, Father of Curses, Holy Mountain, Elizabeth Peters (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
If Indiana Jones were female, a wife and mother who lived in Victorian times, he would be Amelia Peabody Emerson, an archeologist whose extraordinary adventures are guaranteed entertainment. This time Amelia, her handsome, fearless husband, Radcliffe, and their precocious 11-year-old son, Ramses, are in the Sudan, searching for archeologist Willoughby Forth, who disappeared 14 years earlier with his new wife. Rescued in the desert after every camel in their caravan dies, the Emersons are taken to a lost city where ancient Egyptian customs have been carried into modern times. There, entangled in two half-brothers' battle for the throne, Amelia and family fight for the freedom of the slave class while ferreting out the fate of Forth and his bride, and arranging to escape with their lives. Peters ( The Deeds of the Disturber ), who also writes as Barbara Michaels, laces her usual intricate plotting with Amelia's commonsense approach to hygiene and manners, and coyly delicate references to vigorously enjoyed connubial pleasures. Combining a fierce affection for her family with indefatigable independence, stalwart Amelia proves once again an immensely likable heroine. 35,000 first printing; Mystery Guild selection; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
YA-- Another interest-holding and humorously told Amelia Peabody Victorian suspense tale. It's absurd to believe that an archaeologist missing for years is still alive, but the mysterious plea for help, written on ancient papyrus, appeals to this Egyptologist and her husband. Traveling across the desert in search of Willoughby Forth and his bride is a danger that increases as the camels die and native porters flee with the supplies. YAs who relish a good mystery and detailed storytelling will enjoy this one. The foreign settings of Egypt, Sudan, and England add to the pleasure. --Linda Vretos, West Springfield High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446363383
• ISBN-13: 978-0446363389
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,328 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 6 in The Amelia Peabody Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enter Nefret..., June 17, 2000

By	drdebs (CA United States) - See all my reviews

In this engaging mystery Amelia Peabody Emerson, her husband Radcliffe, and their son "Ramses" journey once more to Egypt in search of artifacts and adventure, armed with a mysterious map and a commission from an English aristocrat to search for his long lost son and his wife. As in all Peabody mysteries, these goals intertwine with complexity and speed.

Elizabeth Peters here gives a nod to the romantic adventure stories of the late nineteenth century (such as She, by Rider Haggard) when the Peabody-Emerson caravan begins to suffer from the mysterious deaths of their camels. When all looks dark and desperate, the group are rescued and whisked off to a fabulous Shangrila where the ancient rites of Egypt are still practiced. By the end the Emerson's have solved the mystery of the missing nobleman and his wife, have amassed quite a collection of artifacts for study, and Ramses is suffering from a bad case of puppy love for Nefret, who returns with them to England.

This is the first story to feature Nefret, and fans of the later books will like to read how she enters the story. If you enjoyed Romancing the Stone (a similar tale with elements of late 19th century adventure) and have never tried the Amelia Peabody mysteries, this would be a great place to start!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wild jaunt through the desert with Amelia Peabody., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

I collect the Amelia Peabody books faithfully. Often I don't read them at once, but wait for a few to accumulate and settle down for an enjoyable interlude with Peabody, her redoubtable husband Emerson, and their son, Ramses. I've had this book for quite some time (four more have been published since its release), and was only sorry that I'd waited to read it. Surely this is the best Peabody yet. The book is a send up of the Haggard novels, King Solomon's Mine and SHE, complete with erudite and noble natives, riots, wars, ancient mysteries, improbable situations and the incomparable Amelia and her belt with things that she's sure that she'll need, attached, including a revolver, sewing kit, knife, compass, and mini-surgery kit. Peabody's companions are her husband, Emerson, who has a meteoric temper but considers himself a mild fellow (the natives call him the Father of Curses) and their son, called Ramses (who inherited this name because his young profile resembled that great Pharoah, complete with 'rather largish features'). In this installment, they're off to search for a missing Englishman and his bride, who have been missing for 14 years. Their camels mysteriously die and it looks as though they will, too, but then, things really get interesting. Nothing compares with the humor in this series and although you may find yourself thinking that the language is a little too like a Bronte novel to suit you, you'll more regularly find that you've awakened your sleeping spouse, again, by laughing too hard. All of the main characters are admirable, certainly people you'd like to meet - that luncheon engagement would surely be riotous. Run out now, buy this book, and settle in for several hours of pure fun.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth your time!, September 12, 1999

By A Customer

This is an excellent book, both hilarious and thought-provoking. In the beginning, I found her character's references to the Arabic myths (?) and ancient manuscripts absolutely fascinating. I was tempted to rush out and see if I could find a copy of The Book of Hidden Pearls or about Zerzura, "The Place of the Little Birds."

However, you will probably find the family's dialogue and some of the situations they get into slightly caricatured. I find that this makes the story all the more enjoyable, and, sometimes it's so blatant, it makes you laugh out loud.

All in all, I would highly recommend this Rider Haggard-esque adventure to anyone. Enjoy!