|
"Just when the Editor believed she was nearing the end of her arduous task of editing the Emerson papers, a new lot of them turned up. They include most of the journals from the so-called missing years…"
If you have been following the adventures of Amelia Peabody and husband Radcliffe Emerson, you will realize the excitement these papers have stirred up. Their lively chronicles thus far have omitted 1907 and 1908, but Ms. Peters has now filled in the gap.
In the spring, Emerson, Peabody, their son Ramses and foster daughter Nefret were on an archaeological hunt in Egypt. But Emerson's famous temper --- the very one that earned him the moniker Father of Curses --- got them not only evicted from their site, but evicted with the stern order not to return. While figuring out how to spend their time back at home in England, a young messenger who claims to be their friend Tarek's brother arrives with an urgent plea for help. Tarek, from the Lost Oasis, is in desperate need of medical treatment for a mysterious illness that has afflicted his son. Despite some misgivings, they cannot say no.
Once they put together their supplies and gather their trusted hands, they set out on a treacherous --- and, unfortunately, not so secret --- trek back to the Lost Oasis. Traveling at first by boat, tension mounts with a series of "accidents." Days later, while riding the rails in an effort to throw off any suspicious types, they loudly discuss plans to explore farther south and then quickly abandon the train at an early opportunity.
Through blowing sand, riding cantankerous camels and avoiding marauding ambushers, they make their way, led by the stranger calling himself Tarek's brother. But as one might fear, all is not what it appears. Emerson, Peabody and their entourage meet with disheartening deceit and betrayal. When they left a decade before, Tarek ruled the land. Now, they are not sure what to expect. Once in the holy city, they find themselves fighting for their old friend, their ward Nefret, and their very lives. To complicate matters, Ramses is behaving like a lovesick puppy.
Amelia Peabody is an infinitely spunky woman. A gutsy man of around 20 and a chip off the old block, Ramses marvels at his mother's ability to find excellent solutions to seemingly impossible problems. He has no qualms about carrying out her plans. Quite the opposite, he intrepidly embraces action over inaction --- at least, when he's not pining over the girl. And Emerson, undeniably no coward, boldly goes wherever he wishes, blustering and swearing his way through any and all blockades. Between them, they keep their enemies busy.
Elizabeth Peters writes an intriguing mystery teeming with authentic touches. Her Ph.D. in Egyptology makes her story come alive. And her sense of adventure jumps out from every page.
--- Reviewed by Kate Ayers
• Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.
© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
