Customer Reviews

The Serpent on the Crown

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This latest Amelia Peabody installment may not be the most perplexing mystery novel in the series, but it certainly was a very well written, entertaining and engaging one. From the very first page, I was hooked, and enjoyed myself thoroughly as I followed the latest adventure that the Emerson family and their friends find themselves entangled in.

It's 1922, and with the long ban on archeological activities finally lifted, the Emerson family (noted archeologist Professor Emerson, his wife Amelia Peabody, their son, Ramses and Ramses' wife, Nefret, along with their precocious 4 year old twins) are back in Egypt, hoping to carry on their work of delving into the long hidden mysteries of the past. But their enterprise is soon interrupted when Mrs. Pringle Petherick, comes to them for help. Mrs. Petherick (otherwise known as Magda von Ormond, authoress of several sensational vampire novels), the widow of Pringle Petherick, a well known collector of ancient Egyptian artifacts, believes that one of her husband's acquisitions, is cursed, that her husband died of the curse, and that the curse has been transferred onto her. What Mrs. Pringle wants is to leave the artifact with Emerson to perform an exorcism, lifting the curse, and for Emerson to return the artifact to the tomb from which it was stolen. While neither Emerson nor his canny wife, Amelia, believe that the Petherick widow really believes in the curse, they are intrigued by the artifact itself: a golden figure of a crowned king, probably from time of the heretical king, Akhenaton. But which tomb did the unscrupulous thieves discover the artifact in, and where is it? As Emerson, Amelia and the rest hunker down to find the artifact's true place of origin, things become further perplexing when the widow's stepchildren demand the return of the artifact, and the widow goes missing. Is the widow a victim of the "curse?" Or is she playing some deeper game? Fortunately, Amelia and Emerson have a host of friends and relatives (most notedly, Emerson's rogue half-brother, Sethos) to help sift fact from fiction...

Never mind that compared to earlier works the mystery subplot is not very compelling, and that the suspicious characters are easy to pinpoint from the very beginning, "The Serpent of the Crown" was still a very suspenseful and intriguing read, and was just pure fun to read. I enjoyed catching up with the Emerson-Peabody clan and all their friends (will Bertie ever win Jumana's affections? I'm hoping that he finally does!); and this subplot to do with Akhenaton and Tutankhamon was a nice touch -- though I'd have liked it if there had been a little more on this. All in all though, "The Serpent on the Crown" was a very enjoyable, engrossing and engaging read, full of excitement and humour, and a real treat of a read. An enthralling read!

I confess there is a real comfort in finding a new book by a favorite author. Familiarity in these cases doesn't breed contempt, but surprise that a writer can continue a series of some sixteen volumes and still stir the interest of the reader. In fact, on reflection, some of Elizabeth Peters earlier efforts were the ones where one's patience was most tried. Gradually, as Amelia Peabody's clan took shape and developed both individual characters and a keen awareness of their own foibles the stories have developed a polish which has never faded in the intervening years.

The Serpent On The Crown brings us once again to Egypt and the Valley of the Kings, where the Emersons prepare for the 1922 season of excavation and research. As sudden visit in the night leaves Amelia, her husband Radcliffe, and their children Ramses and Nefret in the possession of a mysterious gold statuette of incalculable worth, Emerson having sworn to the woman who left it with them to end the curse by returning it to its rightful tomb.

Easier said than done in the Valley of the Kings where tombs are more common than camels. While the statuette is unmistakably from the era of Tutankhamon few such burials are known. Undaunted, Emerson sets about three excavations at once, starts investigation in Cairo and even far off London, and even goes so far as to bring in his brother Sethos, the master thief. With great scurrying on all fronts we know that, once again, the Emersons have found trouble, and sooner or later there will be a body.

As usual in a Peters mystery, comedy and the serious job is investigation mix perfectly. Chicanery abounds, there are villains under every rock, and secrets in even the most barren of tombs. This is a cozy, but a cozy in the best sense, with enough action and plot to carry the reader's interest straight through to the end. For those that are just starting out this book stands well on its own. Peters is quite good about slipping the reader just enough information to keep one from feeling lost. But by all means start from the beginning if you can and get to know one of the strangest families in detective fiction.

At last we know why Emerson did not discover Tutankhamon's tomb. In the recent books in the series, Howard Carter has been an apt pupil of the Emerson technique. Emerson's explosive temper has kept him out of the Valley of Kings, but this book finds them both excavating there. Details of the excavations and the setting in 1922 are exciting, but the saga of the Emerson family continues this fascinating story line. Amelia is still the hero with her characteristic feminism just as Emerson is the outstanding Egyptologist of this or any other age. Amelia's dream time with the dead reis Abdullah and the power of the stone in the serpent crown are well done. But it is Amelia's second outburst from her usual conservative and seemingly-staid mother-love that provide the exciting climax and the reason why. This is not the compelling love story of He Shall Thunder in the Sky and Lord of the Silent, but it has another kind of love that is quiet and equally powerful. If you find Amelia Peabody Emerson's adventures in Egyptian archeology fascinating, you will greatly enjoy this book.

Ooooo Elizabeth Peters finally got it right again!! I have to admit, I have been fairly disappointed in the last two...the plots seemed crazy, one actually recessed to a plot that didn't add anything to the whole Emerson family history, and I feel that the written language in the last two were a little too flat for me. But here, we have Ramses back to some of his old tricks, the children coming into their own personalities, a great plot that is about EGYPTOLOGY, and an excellent ending. If you have bought any of the last several Amelia Peabody series this is the one to buy and if you haven't, well pick this one up.

After nearly forty years of exploration in the Valley of the Kings, the Emersons have returned for another season to dig for artifacts. Intrepid archaeologists Amelia Peabody Emerson and her esteemed husband, Emerson, aka Father of Curses, are rudely interrupted at a family supper when a famous romance writer bursts onto their terrace. Wielding a valuable golden statuette, Magda Petherick staggers into the family bosom eagerly wishing to rid herself of the accursed item that she is convinced was responsible for her husband's untimely death.

Dr. Emerson's dubious fame for dispelling curses and Amelia's reputation for her medical skills and for solving mysteries have drawn Mrs. Petherick to the Emerson estate on the Nile. Soon after, Mrs. Petherick vanishes. Has the curse struck again? Word spreads of the infamous statuette's location, placing the entire Emerson household --- which includes their son Ramses, his wife Nefret, and four-year-old twins --- in jeopardy.

Ramses has matured into an expert hieroglyphics translator whose two children are every bit as precocious as he was, much to his mother's delight. His wife is trained as a physician, and both are carrying on the family tradition.

Nefret's medical skills will be called upon as Amelia faces a crisis that threatens her life. Is the statuette really cursed? Will Emerson's exorcism drive away all, human or otherwise, who seek to reclaim the treasure and return it to its rightful home?

THE SERPENT ON THE CROWN is #17 in this enormously popular mystery series that spans the Victorian era through World War I. While the series is not strictly a roman a clef, Elizabeth Peters injects so many actual events, famous archaeological sites, ancient rulers, and even real archaeologists into the story that they ring with authenticity. I was surprised and pleased to find a former neighbor, Ambrose Lansing, who was an Egyptologist with the New York Metropolitan Museum in the early 20th century, making cameo appearances in the last few books.

Peters holds a Ph.D. in Egyptology and recently published a coffee table book, AMELIA PEABODY'S EGYPT: A Compendium, which is part fiction and part history about the Valley of the Kings. Her credentials on Egyptian exploration are impeccable, which makes these cozy mysteries all the more entertaining and informative. For new readers, the search for early editions should start with CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK where the young, single and adventurous Amelia Peabody first alights in Egypt in the late 1800s. Longtime fans have followed her romance with the dashing Emerson, birth of the impossible son, Ramses, and cheered as Amelia triumphs over mischief, evil and an insufferable husband to become one of mystery fiction's most popular heroines.

In the last five books, Elizabeth Peters has invoked a third-person narrative she calls "Manuscript H," which is an opportunity for her grown son and his wife to make observations from a different point of view. This device allows the reader to see the action outside of the first-person voice, which helps to create a broader perspective on the action.

--- Reviewed by Roz Shea

Veteran voice performer Barbara Rosenblat doesn't miss an iota of the sly humor that readers/listeners have come to expect in the popular Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. Ms. Rosenblat successfully inhabits diverse characters and presents distinctive voices in this return to 1922 Egypt.

As fans hoped they would, Amelia Peabody, Emerson, her archaeologist spouse, and her retinue have returned to Egypt for one more excavation. The 17th in a highly popular series, the story once again provides listeners with an extended visit to another time and a mysterious place. Almost upon arrival a quiet afternoon is interrupted by a visit from writer Magda Petherick who comes bearing a small treasure, a golden image of a king, which she claims is cursed. Magda further claims that the image is responsible for the death of her husband, and more deaths will follow unless the object is returned to the tomb from which it was taken.

Of course, Amelia and her group don't quite believe Magda but they can't resist a challenge. So, they set off to try to find the secrets of the statue's origins only to uncover a former enemy and imminent danger for themselves.

"The Serpent On The Crown" is exotic adventure at its best - don't miss it!

- Gail Cooke

World War I is over, Egypt seethes with revolution, and the great Egyptologists are busy at work, stuck in the middle of the transformation between pure treasure-finders and serious archeologists. The now-aging Amelia Peabody and her family are confronted with a mysterious woman who insists that her husband was killed by a curse--a curse attached to a mysterious gold statue. Peabody, her husband Emerson, and her extended clan know plenty about curses, but something about this curse seems faked--perhaps to draw attention to the widow--a famous author. Still, there's no doubting the authenticity of the statue. More to the point, the statue seems connected to that mysterious period in Egyptian history when the ancient religion underwent a revolution.

While Emerson attempts to pursue multiple digs, partially motivated by a wish to find the source of the beautiful statue, his son, Ramses, works with ancient papyrus. Peabody tries to help everyone, at the same time looking to explore the mystery of the author--who suddenly vanishes. And, as Peabody's long-dead dream-advisor reminds her, a season in Egypt is never complete without at least one body--sure enough, a body shows up.

Author Elizabeth Peters writes evocatively of the interwar period. World War I is a recent memory and its damage is still felt by many of its survivors. Modern grave looters and treasure finders are everywhere, even among respected archeologists. The role of women is changing, but Victorian morals and definitions of 'society' are still strong and only slowly fading.

THE SERPENT ON THE CROWN is an entertaining and funny mystery, especially for fans of the Elizabeth Peters series. Peters tones down the frequent admiration of Emerson's broad chest (although giving us enough of it to recognize Peabody's voice) and concentrates on family, Egypt, and mystery. I greatly prefer the Amelia Peabody mysteries that deal directly with archeology and Egypt rather than ranging abroad, and SERPENT fits this mold. SERPENT might not be the best book as an introduction to the Emerson/Peabody adventure, but it's a welcome addition to the family.

As bizarre as it may seem to devoted fans, this was my first Amelia Peabody mystery. I enjoyed the book immensely and recommend the author. I have ordered several more books by Peters, i.e. Mertz who writes under a pen name.

I believe the novice can begin the Amelia Peabody series with this book. This particular mystery is not so devious, but I found the characters extremely likeable, and this is a true "cozy mystery." Also, as a fan of British film, tv, etc. and having experienced archeological "digs", I can appreciate the life style of 19th-early 20th Century British archeologists working in Egypt.

True, I did not find this plot as complex as those of Marple or Poirot, and was not a bit frightened by various events, but in time I am confident I will find the author's earlier books quite riveting. Although I did not understand some of the references to events in the previous books--why for example is Emerson called "The Father of Curses"?--I caught a few of the "inside" jokes, such as references to the melodramatic Romance writer turned victim, as I happen to know Barbar Mertz not only writes as Elizabeth Peters, but has a successful romance series written under the pseudonym "Michaels". I like this author very much, and as I said am reading more of her works.

I love when a new Amelia Peabody mystery come out I must read it right a way. This one was good as always. It will be very intersting to see how the Emerson handle the discover of King Tut tomb. Like all of Elizabeth Peters mysteries that get brought home if my Jack Russell Terrier see that I have one and it smells new she must hear it to and she listen very well she growls when she heres the cats names but she puts up with them and she like me just love to here what the lastest misadventures of the Emerson clan. As always from the begin you get to certain people that don't seem right and they become number one on the list of people that have some thing to do with what ever the crime is it always fun to take some one off the list that could not have done the crime. The one character that I have a problem trusting is Sethos I know that he may have be refromed be Amelia but I really don't trust him and I really don't think that Emerson or Ramses trust him very much. I still think that he is stealing on the side. And the Emerson clan just have not heard any thing because they don't kept up with trading of stolen objects. I just love her books.

It's 1922 and the Emerson's are back in Egypt eager to begin excatating again after the interruption caused by the Great War (WWI). The family, Emerson rennouned archeologist, his wife, the irrepresible Amelia, their son Ramses, a respected Egyptologist in his own wright, his wife Nefret, a skilled surgeon, and their four year old twins as well as assorted extended family, friends and pets are glad to be back but in true Emerson fashion they no sooner settle in when they are plunged into a new adventure. A well-known woman author of Gothic romances insists that Emerson, aka Father of Curses, take small statue from her and remove it's curse, a curse that she is certain caused the death of her husband. Soon after her departure a gun brandishing young man arrives demanding the statue, followed closely by a determined young woman demanding his safe return - they are the step children of the author. The situation becomes even more confused with kidnappings, mysterious strangers, impersonations, various attacks, home invasions and assorted other activities quite familiar to fans of this long running series. Ultimately of course, All is Revealed, Emerson is allowed to do a bit of work and life goes on.

This is about the 17th entry into this series, and while it could be read and enjoyed in and of itself, reading at least some of the previous books would add to the experience. Despite the exotic setting this is very much a cozy mystery and the appeal is as much in the characters and their adventures as the mystery. Fans of the series will be anxious to catch up on the 'latest gossip' of their old friends and to hear of their latest adventures.

As always with long running series, at some point the magic begins to fade a bit and this had sadly begun to happen with this one but the magic is back this time.