The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody Book 2)

There are fewer mummies but more suspects in this Amelia Peabody book. I found it to be great fun by the end.

I gather from some of the reviews I have read that there are people who dislike Amelia Peabody Emerson, her husband Radcliffe, and the plot of "Curse of the Pharaohs."I, on the other hand, very much enjoyed this book by the late Elizabeth Peters. I like the fact that the book was set in late Victorian times and that it takes place - mostly - in Egypt. I like the fact that, during a period in English history (and American history, for that matter) when women were treated as little more than children that Amelia managed to forge a career alongside her husband. I like the fact that Peters took into account the manners and mores of upper-crust English society when writing this novel and that she remained faithful to the times when women of Amelia's standing did not raise their children but left much of that job to nannies and tutors. Finally, I like the fact that Amelia is tough physically, mentally, and emotionally: That she has the spirit and the spine to undertake an often-dangerous occupation that challenges not only her mind but also her body.The plot is a little convoluted, which is not a bad thing in my opinion, and revolves around the death of an English nobleman well known for funding archaeological digs in Egypt. The nobleman's widow appeals to Amelia and her husband to finish the work her late spouse was funding and before long the Emerson's are off to Egypt on an adventure. There they find themselves in the midst of thieves, murderers, and untrustworthy sorts of all kinds.To those that didn't like this book all I can do is apologize because I found that reading this novel was great fun; it's an enjoyable story set in an exotic locale with characters that resonate.Peters had a distinctive narrative style, often peppering her stories with interesting archaeological tidbits about the ancient pharaohs who ruled Egypt in the days when it was the preeminent power in Africa and the Middle East. Her writing always moved the story forward at a fairly rapid pace.My take: This is a 5-star read.

This is the second book in the Amelia Peabody series, written in the early 1980s and taking place in the late 1880s. Our Amelia was a liberated woman decades before such a term was in common use; she was a brilliant Egyptologist second only to her cranky and loveable husband, and her humor is eternal:“I do not recall precisely what he said next. The comment was brief. He kissed me. I was determined not to kiss him back; but Emerson kisses very well. It was some time before I was able to speak. My suggestion that I call my maid to help me out of my frock was not well received. Emerson offered his services. I pointed out that his method of removing a garment often rendered that garment unserviceable thereafter. This comment was greeted with a wordless snort of derision and a vigorous attack upon the hooks and eyes.After all, much as I commend frankness in such matters there are areas in which an individual is entitled to privacy. I find myself forced to resort to a typographical euphemism.” Priceless, I must say.Unable to resist the adventure surrounding the death of Lord Baskerville while excavating a tomb, Emerson and Amelia take up the grieving widow’s offer to continue the excavation and possibly even solve the murder. There is quite a cast of supporting characters and a lively and convoluted mystery before our intrepid heroine figures it all out—though almost not in the nick of time. I found it a little hard to follow but that didn’t decrease my enjoyment; I was along for the ride!

I was frankly embarrassed to be seen reading a book with such a silly title. But don't worry. The curse isn't real, and the reader knows it from the beginning.Rumors of a curse make it easier for grave robbers to scare people off in nineteenth century Egypt, where Elizabeth Peters' intrepid Victorian archeologists are at work.Before reading this book, I'd suggest reading Crocodile on the Sandbank, the first book in the series. Then you'll know how the marriage of archeologist Radcliffe Emerson and adventure traveler Amelia Peabody came about. They are equally opinionated, clever, unconventional and courageous. They bicker constantly - and are mad about each other.In this book Emerson and Amelia are taking over an excavation launched by Lord Baskerville in the Valley of the Kings. When Lord Baskerville dies suddenly and for no apparent reason, his beautiful widow hires Emerson. Amelia accompanies him.The reader has several murders to look forward to, and a whole host of well-drawn characters to suspect. But the real appeal of these books is the lively narration by Amelia Peabody Emerson, who is the opposite of the Victorian ideal.Amelia is in great shape from laboring side by side with workman at the tomb site. When danger threatens her husband, she thinks nothing of running through the night to his rescue, a revolver in one hand and an almost equally lethal parasol in the other.This is pure escapist reading, but wittily written and authentic as to its archeological details. Elizabeth Peters is an archeologist. I'll eventually read the next book in the series, and deal as best I can with another embarrassing title (The Mummy Case).

I love this series and have read the entire series multiple times. The characters seem “ real” to me, like old friends! They never grow old, always entertaining.

Book 2 continues with the Archaeological duo being called back to Egypt to resume work on a Royal Tomb. It's Lordly sponsor has died mysteriously and a curse is possibly involved. The other murders that follow do not help in getting or keeping workers. Of course Peabody and Emerson are at their finest.

5 stars for this one.A good follow up to Crocodile on the Sandbank although it is not quite as entertaining. Curse of the Pharaohs does not disappoint and is a fine mystery that brings back the intrepid Emerson's for our reading pleasure. It has a lot of humor and some LOL moments and I must say I had no idea who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end. A great read for all Elizabeth Peters and Peabody/Emerson fans.I'm off now to read the next in the series.

I liked this one's plot better than the first. At least, I didn't know (well, at least, for sure) the murderer within 20%. However the plot was convoluted and the explanation was a lot of happenstance.On the other hand, as with the first book, the tone, description, and characterizations were marvelous.

Wegen ihres frühreifen Sprösslings Ramses sind Peabody und Emerson zum Dasein in England verdammt - doch zum Glück gibt ihnen die junge Witwe Lady Baskerville den Auftrag, die Ausgrabungen ihres verstorbenen Gatten im Tal der Könige weiterzuführen. Doch auf den Ausgrabungen lastet ein Fluch, und es kommt zu mysteriösen Todesfällen...Glänzte der erste Band der Reihe mit liebevollen Details zu Ägypten in der damaligen Zeit, so ist davon in diesem Roman nur wenig zu spüren. Elizabeth Peters versucht, stattdessen den englischen Provinzadel witzig zu beschreiben, doch hier verbleibt die amerikanische Autorin im oberflächlichen Klischee, das für mich gerade in seiner Übertreibung durch Amelia Peabody zur Groteske verkam, aber mich nur selten zum Schmunzeln gebracht hat. Auch der oberintelligente und eigensinnige Ramses wirkt wie ein übertriebenes Zerrbild.Die Storyline um die Morde in Ägypten war größtenteils solide, hat mich aber nicht vom Sockel gerissen, dafür ab und zu gelangweilt und auch angenervt.Fazit: Ich fürchte, die Übertreibung und das Groteske hat sich für mich in diesem Roman etwas totgelaufen, und ich würde mich freuen, wenn die nächsten Peabody-Krimis dreidimensionaler wären. Nur 2 Sterne.

I started this book with a sense of trepidation. Having enjoyed the first of the series, I was worried that having returned to England, marriage and motherhood, Amelia would be more concerned with domesticity rather than Egyptology and detective work. However, it appears that her first child has inherited the characteristics of both his formidable parents and is deemed more than capable, after some soul-searching, of being left with family as Amelia and Emerson return to their beloved Egypt. Here, a newly discovered tomb and a murder mystery await them and Amelia is forced to take matters in hand. The excavation of the tomb, Amelia's sleuthing and the majestic Egyptian scenery provide a rich and varied backdrop to this second book and ensures that I will be looking forward to the next in the series.

I don't read many mystery books and probably don't have the interest in the mystery portion that many do (although it's fun to guess who the culprit may be). I enjoy the antics of Amelia, the camaraderie between herself and Emerson, the characters we meet in the book, the description of Egyptian life, culture & beliefs and the addition of a bit of Egyptian history. All mixed together for a fun, funny, delightful, mysterious and interesting read. Amelia is a hoot!