The Curse of the Pharaohs

The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters was published six years after The Crocodile on the Sandbank and takes place five years after the events described therein.

In those five years, Amelia and Radcliffe have gotten married and had their one child — a precocious (and sometimes strangle worthy) son, Walter Peabody "Ramses" Emerson. In this book, thankfully, he's still in his infancy and toddlerdom, and unable to travel with his folks when they are called back to Egypt to finish the work of the late Lord Baskerville.

After a lengthy introduction, highlighting the Emersons trying to live a domestic life in Kent, the book moves to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Along with the tomb with its unusual construction and long sprung booby-traps, the Emersons take on an odd cast of characters — a morbidly obese psychic who claims to be Emerson's lover from a previous lifetime (think a plot borrowed from The Mummy), a reporter who has invented a curse, a photographer with a big secret, a wealthy American, the psychic's meek daughter and an Egyptian mau, who is probably the most sensible character in the lot.

For anyone who as read The Laughter of Dead Kings, the last of the Vicky Bliss novels, will recognize the setting. In that novel, Vicky, unknowingly, retraces Amelia's footsteps. For me, this connection between the two series was the most fun part of the mystery.

As this was also a re-read via Barbara Rosenblat's audio performance, I already knew who had done it and why. It didn't matter. It was a fun re-read. ( )

As good as I remembered. Amelia and Emerson tackle a curse or is it a curse? This is the adventure when we meet Mr O'Connell, the tabloid journalist. The young Irishman is the first of many strays that Amelia adopts along the way, also Cyrus Vandergelt, the rich American amateur Egyptologist that we will encounter many times along the books.

Of course this is Ramses' bow too. I have to say I fell for Ramses even as an unbelievable 3 years old but he is such a strong character (even at 3).

Of course the case of the Pharaoh's curse is 'inspired' by Lord Carnarvon's King Tut curse. Peters is very good at teasing the knowledgeable reader with little hints that Emerson and Amelia are so close but not close enough to King Tut's tomb. The scene with Grébault hiding behind curtains at the Museum, priceless. ( )

Original review - in French - on my blog:
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I don't read Amelia Peabody books for the intrigue. Fun ones, of course, but a bit predictable. On the other hand, I just love the characters and the atmosphere. Amelia, for me, is hilarious with her confidence and very English ways. I love to follow her and Emerson in Egypt. This intrigue is a bit similar to the first one... but as I said... I don't really care! I just want to read with a big smile on my face. ( )

The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters: The second Amelia Peabody mystery. To be honest, I think I’m content to leave the series here. I know people who really enjoy it, and Amelia is a fun character. But it already felt repetitive, which is not good, in the second book of a series! ( )

The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters: The second Amelia Peabody mystery. To be honest, I think I’m content to leave the series here. I know people who really enjoy it, and Amelia is a fun character. But it already felt repetitive, which is not good, in the second book of a series! ( )