My coworker mentioned the character of Amelia Peabody one time when we were discussing books and I was a little intrigued. I enjoy a good hero/heroine and Peabody sounded like somebody up my alley. I was finally able to make a trip to the library AND remember the name of the author and book, so I was able to pick it up. I started reading it on the bus and then found myself reading it at home and finally finished it on a day that I had off when I woke up early. As I suspected, I enjoyed the character of Amelia Peabody and the situations she found herself in. It was a pretty quick read, what I would expect from a paperback mystery, but it was satisfying. I'm looking forward to reading more of her adventures, and will probably fit them in between other books as the mood takes me.
Plot: Amelia is the youngest child of a scholarly father. She grew up studying with him and gaining a pleasure out of learning about dusty tombs and ancient mummies. When her father died and left her with an unexpectedly large amount of money she decided to live her dream and winter in Egypt. Not quite a full feminist, but still rather progressive for the 1880s Amelia is a direct women that will not be swayed or moved if she doesn't want to be. She is delayed in Italy on her way to Egypt but it throws her in the path of Evelyn, a young English woman who has found herself in deplorable circumstance and who Amelia takes under her wing as a traveling companion. The two of them reach Egypt and begin their cruise down the Nile. But new friends and old acquaintances muddy the waters of Amelia and Evelyn's trip. When a mummy goes missing, only to reappear on its feet Amelia is determined to clear the waters and see that everything ends in proper fashion.
My personal favorites: Amelia and Evelyn were great period characters, showing two different personalities in similar situations. I liked the way the two played off each. The mystery was fun - not your classic murder mystery but still engaging. The Emersons, Lucas, and the other characters were all interesting. I really liked the setting and the historical events were all fun.
Considerations: It's important to remember that this is a period book, so the characters are concerned about some things that modern readers might consider important. Beyond this, there was nothing I would consider questionable.
I enjoyed Crocodile on the Sandbank and will undoubtably pick up more Elizabeth Peters' books in the future. I can see them as becoming a mystery Louis L'amour, something to grab when I'm in the mood or as a palette cleanser after a heavier novel. All in all it was a good read. The total length was 352 pages.
Plot: Amelia is the youngest child of a scholarly father. She grew up studying with him and gaining a pleasure out of learning about dusty tombs and ancient mummies. When her father died and left her with an unexpectedly large amount of money she decided to live her dream and winter in Egypt. Not quite a full feminist, but still rather progressive for the 1880s Amelia is a direct women that will not be swayed or moved if she doesn't want to be. She is delayed in Italy on her way to Egypt but it throws her in the path of Evelyn, a young English woman who has found herself in deplorable circumstance and who Amelia takes under her wing as a traveling companion. The two of them reach Egypt and begin their cruise down the Nile. But new friends and old acquaintances muddy the waters of Amelia and Evelyn's trip. When a mummy goes missing, only to reappear on its feet Amelia is determined to clear the waters and see that everything ends in proper fashion.My personal favorites: Amelia and Evelyn were great period characters, showing two different personalities in similar situations. I liked the way the two played off each. The mystery was fun - not your classic murder mystery but still engaging. The Emersons, Lucas, and the other characters were all interesting. I really liked the setting and the historical events were all fun.
Considerations: It's important to remember that this is a period book, so the characters are concerned about some things that modern readers might consider important. Beyond this, there was nothing I would consider questionable.
I enjoyed Crocodile on the Sandbank and will undoubtably pick up more Elizabeth Peters' books in the future. I can see them as becoming a mystery Louis L'amour, something to grab when I'm in the mood or as a palette cleanser after a heavier novel. All in all it was a good read. The total length was 352 pages.
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