It is almost 1917 as THE GOLDEN ONE begins. If it were not for the war in the Middle East, the Emerson family would be en route to Luxor, Egypt with light hearts. As it is, they are apprehensive.

Luxor, a vibrant city and second home for Amelia Peabody Emerson's family, is vitally important to her husband Radcliffe, her son, Ramses, and Ramses' wife Nefret. Every year, Radcliffe hopes to unearth a magnificent royal tomb, to catalog its riches and astonish and outdo his colleagues in the field. He knows how humiliating it is to be outdone.

Ramses is in more peril than anyone in this family of Egyptologists. The English War Office has a need for bright young men to use as spies, especially if they can speak several languages and are masters of disguise. Amelia and Emerson are too recognizable to be useful as agents, but if the occasion demands it, they are ready to don false beards and flowing native robes. Amelia, armed with her usual weapon of choice, a lethal umbrella, is a fierce opponent in a battle of wits. A fearless woman, she sails into danger without a second thought for her own safety. It is a given that THE GOLDEN ONE will call for the expertise of the entire Emerson clan.

The Master Criminal, Sethos, appears on the scene in his own flashy way. Inordinately fond of Amelia, Sethos arrives whenever there is a dreadfully tense moment and then disappears like the mists over the Nile. Nefret and Ramses admire Sethos and welcome his eccentric behavior. His newest disguise is a dangerous one, but he will bring important information to the British if his plans work. When Ramses is taken prisoner, it is to nobody's surprise. This whole sequence is as exciting as any chase movie, and there are elements of comedy as well.

The success of Elizabeth Peters's novels rests on her use of humor, history, and wonderful characters. The warmth and color of Egypt permeate the stories as much as the feeling of gritty dust and aridity. THE GOLDEN ONE is the 14th in a series in which each book adds to the mystique of the land of the pharaohs.

   --- Reviewed by Jean Marchand

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