The Golden One (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The legions of Amelia Peabody Emerson fans will be overjoyed with this 14th in the series (after 2001's Lord of the Silent), for they're getting two books in one. First, MWA Grandmaster Peters offers another amusing if wordy Egyptian archeology mystery, set in 1917 and replete with grave robbers, a murder, the discovery of a richly furnished tomb and a cast of thousands. Halfway through the book, this plot is annoyingly left dangling when the British recall the Emerson's brilliant son, Ramses, for an espionage assignment in Gaza, where he must determine if a newly powerful figure, Ismail Pasha, is really the Emerson family black sheep, Sethos, master criminal and secret agent. The redoubtable Amelia; her eccentric husband, Radcliffe; Ramses's adventurous wife, Nefret; and their faithful foreman, Selim, follow him in disguise. Captured by Sahin Pasha, head of the Turkish secret service, Ramses later escapes, fulfilling his mission with his family's help. Then it's back to Egypt, where the Emersons and their friends the Vandergelts solve the murder and subdue the villains. Radcliffe even ejects intrusive tourists from fragile archeological sites. Peters's books divide the mystery-reading public. With a Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago, she provides an authentic historical backdrop. However, her long-winded explanations and preposterous plots frustrate many. Those who enjoy romance and find the hubbub of the Emersons and their devoted entourage entertaining will forgive the faults.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Amelia Peabody Emerson returns for another entry in a long-running series that never seems to run out of steam, and, as her journals (edited, of course) reveal, she hasn't changed a bit. She's still a witty, intelligent Egyptologist, a lady ahead of her time, whose aphorisms, fierce loyalty, and unusual parasol serve her well. On arriving in Luxor for a season of archaeological investigation, Amelia and her family discover that war (it's 1917) has taken its toll on their beloved Egypt. Before too long, the conflict intrudes on their plans and embroils them in an adventure, complete with double agents, Turkish spies, derring-do, and the ever-puzzling Sethos. At the same time, they must reckon with tomb robbers, killers, and antiquities fraud. Joining Amelia once again are her dashing, hot-tempered husband, Radcliffe Emerson, Father of Curses ("Curse it, Amelia"); brave, beloved son, Ramses; and Ramses' beautiful wife, Nefret; plus an assortment of cats, friends, and foes. Series fans will relish the underlying humor, which is particularly good here, and recognize the characters as old friends who continue to improve and delight with age. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380978857
• ISBN-13: 978-0380978854
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #833,916 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 14 in The Amelia Peabody Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Golden One is one of the best!, April 2, 2002

By A Customer

Elizabeth Peters' gets it right and The Golden One is right at the top of her best style of writing. All the usual old friends, family, and bad guys show up. The Emersons are all over the place finding villians and Egyptian treasures. Nefret is much more pleasing following her 'confused' state in the past. Marriage has done much to calm her and Ramses, but not in their adventures. By the end of the book, we know a little more of what's to come and there is the introduction of a new villian. I hope Ms. Peters continues to write more just like this one.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Golden Book, April 8, 2002

By	delta (Memphis) - See all my reviews

I read the other reviews saying the plot wandered or Ms Peters doesn't know what to do with WWI. So not true. The people who said the series got stale after Ramses and Nefret got married are also off the beam.

I have enjoyed equally the different nuances the series has taken at all junctions. I loved Ramses when he was a tiny boy. The descriptions of him in his little nightshirt with toes peeking out lisping were hysterical. The description of him dumping a smelly old bone onto the lap of a snobby woman Amelia wanted to get rid of were a riot. The descriptions of Ramses as he got older lecturing ponderously as his mother would interrupt him were great. I loved it when Ramses, Nefret and David got older and got their own lives. The parts where Ramses was in complete shambles because Nefret had touched him, or made an innocent remark but his family could not see his agony were great. I enjoyed the between the lines parts of Ramses and David having adventures in the suks that was only hinted at. The book that left Nefret and Ramses hanging in mutual agony over misunderstandings was agony. I was so overjoyed at their happiness when they finally discovered each other. I am enjoying their marriage very much. The between the lines bits of marital life as their parents look on at a distance are great. In this book, the bit in which Ramses and Nefret are reunited in the harem and their mother reminds them as they totter off to bed there are peep holes she may not have found and covered up; and they had better just...sleep, was so apropos. When they finally have children, I will love that as much.

Yes, I miss David and Lia. But as Ms Peters has pointed out in answer to where they have been the past couple of books, she can only manipulate so many characters in one book without it spilling into thousands of pages.

This book, The Golden One, has the war intrigue, the murder ingrigue, the interworkings of characters from past books. In short, it has it all. I liked the minor characters, Lord Edward, Jumana and Jamil, and the pimp (I forget his name) pop up to become bigger characters in this book. I will not go into the ins and out of characters and plots the other reviewers have covered. I will close by saying, if you have not experienced Amelia Peabody and Elizabeth Peters, do yourself a favor and do so. Start with "Crocodile on the Sandbanks."

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EAGERLY AWAITED ADVENTURE, May 1, 2002

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Few tales are as eagerly awaited as another in the addictive Amelia Peabody mystery series. After all, what other heroine is intrepid, tastefully dressed, and secretes a sword in her parasol - just in case.

When first introduced in the 1975 "Crocodile On The Sandbank," Amelia Peabody was a stalwart spinster who determined to use her hefty inheritance in pursuit of her overriding interest - Egyptology. It was 1884, yet she set out for Egypt where she was to be confronted with a number of perplexing circumstances.

With "The Golden One" it is 1917, and Amelia is married to Radcliffe, the most famous archeologist in Egypt. Ramses, their son is a chip off the old blocks; he is an investigator wed to Nefret, who is, of course, beautiful. Choosing to overlook German submarines lurking in the waters, this encourage sets out for Egypt.

Their plans for an anticipated excavation are interrupted with the appearance of Sethos, Radcliffe's ne'er-do-well brother. Matters are further complicated when they hear that royal tombs have been robbed, and a body is found.

Those who have read the Amelia Peabody series in the past will be thrilled with this latest adventure. Those who have not have a treat in store.

- Gail Cooke