Reviews

3.5

Reading to prep for an upcoming trip so I appreciate the sense of place and the sprinkling of real knowledge of Egypt.

I enjoy Peabody … firm, smart, resourceful. Emerson gives off Holmes vibes … with a temper.

The conclusion was pretty easy to anticipate but fun nonetheless.

Cozy with a brain.

timinbc's review against another edition

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3.0

I hope this is a parody, because if it isn't, it's a dreadful book. I'm going to assume that it is.

So ... the 1880s viewed from a mid-70s author's perspective.

Amelia and Emerson are great characters. The rest are, predictably, cardboard. Buffoons, cads, mysterious Arabs, etc.

Alberto? Eyebrow raise. The only thing he didn't do was talk-a like-a thees. In fact he came across more like Tonto in 1950s novels.

Plot? Don't fuss yourself with that. It's weak and predictable, and this story isn't about that anyway. It's Amelia and Emerson. Knowing this turned out to be a series, I wonder if it contains more setup than it might have had as a one-off.

Details? Pah. In the middle of the desert, the characters produce dinner jackets, champagne and what have you out of nowhere. Probably Acme products. At one point one hero is running UP a steep pebbly hill in great leaps while carrying an unconscious colleague, while just yards away another is leaping DOWN the same hill while carrying an unconscious woman. What is this, the Justice League?

All in all it's a pretty crummy book, but if you read quickly and don't think too hard it's an enjoyable way to spend some time. I might look for another one to see how it develops. But I'd rather go and read some more Gail Carriger and meet Lord Akeldama again.

fatalamelia's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

thenovelbook's review against another edition

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5.0

First read March 8-21, 2010.
On my second read through I loved it more. Probably because of being already familiar with Amelia's personality. The first time through she may have rubbed me slightly the wrong way, but after a close acquaintance with the rest of the books I can now just enjoy. And oh how I do. This budding Victorian lady archaeologist is a transparently unreliable narrator, but she's also right on point a lot of the time! Funny, exotic, and a ripping good yarn to introduce the Emerson archaeological dynasty, what more can you ask for?

cecile87's review against another edition

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4.0

Quaint. Definitely from the first half of the 20th century, but with a few modern feminist touches. The only bore was the glorification of blondes and fair-skinned maidens. I may read more if I can find one with less normalized white superiority. I like the use of language.

pothosethos's review against another edition

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5.0

Ok so I love Amelia Peabody so much! This book is for anyone who loves mysteries, strong women and sassiness.

miareads3000's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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