The Golden One
by Elizabeth Peters
Amelia Peabody [Publication order] (14), Amelia Peabody [Chronological Order] (17, 1916–17)
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A new year, 1917, is dawning, and the Great War that ravages the world shows no sign of abating. Answering the siren call of Egypt once more, Amelia Peabody and her family arrive at their home in Luxor to learn of a new royal tomb ransacked by thieves. Soon an even more disturbing outrage concerns the intrepid clan of archaeologists: the freshly and savagely slain corpse of a thief defiling the ancient burial site. Yet this is nothing compared with the lethal fate that threatens Ramses. show more Besieged by the British and defended by formidable Turkish and German forces, the fortified seaport of Gaza guards the gateway to the Holy Land. Answering a call he cannot refuse from British military intelligence, Ramses must journey to this ancient, fabled city to undertake a mission as personal as it is perilous. Death will surely be his lot if he is caught or exposed. Meanwhile, Ramses's wife, Nefret, guards a secret of her again the incomparable and bestselling carries us to a breathtaking realm of ancient wonders and crumbling splendor -- from the hectic bustle of the Cairo markets to remote, sand-swept corners of the Egyptian desert where the gods of antiquity sleep. Returning visitors to the world of Amelia Peabody will be enthralled by the latest mesmerizing adventure from the award-winning grandmaster, and newcomers will succumb to her wiles as they are caught up in the tantalizing spell of the remarkable Elizabeth Peters and The Golden One. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Deir el Medina & The God's Wives...
Let me just say that Elizabeth Peters aka Barbara Michaels/Mertz is one of my all time favorite authors! I absolutely love all of her books but this series is my most favorite because of its ancient Egypt and archaeology theme. Plus I fell in love with Amelia Peabody and her family from book one. It literally has some of everything that I enjoy- exotic locales, mystery, espionage, war, suspense, adventure and travel, archaeology, Egyptology etc.etc. It just resonates with me on so many levels. I'm going to be so sad when I reach the end of the series! I actually stopped reading it a year or so ago because I was getting close to the end and I wasn't ready for that at all, but for one of our Summer Book show more Bingo squares we had to read a book by an author that has passed away so I figured this was my cue to suck it up and just savor the few remaining books. I'm very glad I did. I've missed their family dynamics and their scheming...
In this particular book they have just arrived at their home in Luxor, Egypt for an extended stay because the war is on and traveling back to England by ship is too dangerous because of the military submarines. They are working at the site of Deir el Medina; speculation about the possible location a royal tomb is running rampant and British Intelligence is seeking out Ramses for another mission. As always there is never a dull moment and the story is highly entertaining. If you haven't read any of Peters' books yet you should give them a try one day. Just a word of caution though, I would stay away from the audio of this particular series. I don't care for the narrator at all. In my opinion, she doesn't do the series or characters the justice they deserve. show less
Let me just say that Elizabeth Peters aka Barbara Michaels/Mertz is one of my all time favorite authors! I absolutely love all of her books but this series is my most favorite because of its ancient Egypt and archaeology theme. Plus I fell in love with Amelia Peabody and her family from book one. It literally has some of everything that I enjoy- exotic locales, mystery, espionage, war, suspense, adventure and travel, archaeology, Egyptology etc.etc. It just resonates with me on so many levels. I'm going to be so sad when I reach the end of the series! I actually stopped reading it a year or so ago because I was getting close to the end and I wasn't ready for that at all, but for one of our Summer Book show more Bingo squares we had to read a book by an author that has passed away so I figured this was my cue to suck it up and just savor the few remaining books. I'm very glad I did. I've missed their family dynamics and their scheming...
In this particular book they have just arrived at their home in Luxor, Egypt for an extended stay because the war is on and traveling back to England by ship is too dangerous because of the military submarines. They are working at the site of Deir el Medina; speculation about the possible location a royal tomb is running rampant and British Intelligence is seeking out Ramses for another mission. As always there is never a dull moment and the story is highly entertaining. If you haven't read any of Peters' books yet you should give them a try one day. Just a word of caution though, I would stay away from the audio of this particular series. I don't care for the narrator at all. In my opinion, she doesn't do the series or characters the justice they deserve. show less
More than any other volume of the fourteen I've read so far, this Amelia Peabody book was a serial installment rather than a freestanding novel. There was not enough exposition to orient new readers to significant character interactions, and the superimposed plots, while all braiding nicely with the those established earlier in the series, did not cohere with each other in a way that would give the book a sense of unity. The usual archaeological intrigues, the family drama, and the World War I espionage all fit together nicely--only if you had been reading earlier books. It was also quite long, perhaps the longest of them so far.
I did enjoy it, though. A lot happened, including the introduction of some entertaining new characters, and show more the final 20 pages or so were full of portents for the volumes to come. show less
I did enjoy it, though. A lot happened, including the introduction of some entertaining new characters, and show more the final 20 pages or so were full of portents for the volumes to come. show less
This 14th book in the Amelia Peabody series takes place during 1917. The Emersons have decided to stay in Egypt for the duration of the war rather than taking the risk of German submarines while traveling back and forth to England. They plan to keep working on their archaeological digs. However, tomb robbers including an old enemy are making things difficult. Since so many archaeologists are not in Egypt because of the demands of the war, tomb robbers seem to have free range.
Then there are the American tourists who buttonhole the Emersons asking for introduction to tomb raiders so that they can buy illegal artifacts or who plan to set up their own excavations without permission.
There are also substantial rumors of a new tomb to be show more found too. Jamil gives a hint while he is dying that leaves both Emerson and Cyrus puzzled yet determined to find this missing tomb. However, just as they are settling in to searching, British Intelligence makes Ramses an offer that he can't refuse: go to Gaza to see if a man the whole Emerson family knows is there and is also a traitor to the British.
Naturally, the Emersons aren't willing to let Ramses go alone. They also plan to make their way in disguise - giving Emerson a chance to wear a fake beard - in order to be there if Ramses is in need of rescue. Amelia and Nefret refuse to be left behind despite needing to be disguised as well.
This story had an interesting arrangement. It begins in Egypt and deals with archaeological detail, then the middle takes place in Gaza and becomes a political intrigue, and then it finishes back in Egypt resolving the issue of the missing tomb.
This was another excellent addition to the Amelia Peabody series. show less
Then there are the American tourists who buttonhole the Emersons asking for introduction to tomb raiders so that they can buy illegal artifacts or who plan to set up their own excavations without permission.
There are also substantial rumors of a new tomb to be show more found too. Jamil gives a hint while he is dying that leaves both Emerson and Cyrus puzzled yet determined to find this missing tomb. However, just as they are settling in to searching, British Intelligence makes Ramses an offer that he can't refuse: go to Gaza to see if a man the whole Emerson family knows is there and is also a traitor to the British.
Naturally, the Emersons aren't willing to let Ramses go alone. They also plan to make their way in disguise - giving Emerson a chance to wear a fake beard - in order to be there if Ramses is in need of rescue. Amelia and Nefret refuse to be left behind despite needing to be disguised as well.
This story had an interesting arrangement. It begins in Egypt and deals with archaeological detail, then the middle takes place in Gaza and becomes a political intrigue, and then it finishes back in Egypt resolving the issue of the missing tomb.
This was another excellent addition to the Amelia Peabody series. show less
I'm addicted to this series of books, Amelia Peabody and her clan are a fantastic creation. The family once again gets entangled in murderous mayhem. Ramses gets sucked back into the Great Game, this time in Gaza and the family comes too. Along the way Ramses inadvertently manages to ensnare the heart of yet another susceptible young woman - Peters description of their parting is superb. Oh yes and there is a new addition to the family as Horus, surely the most superbly bad tempered cat in literature, brings home a kitten. Superb.
The Golden One, by Elizabeth Peters
★★★★★ and a ♥
Synopsis: A new year, 1917, is dawning, and the Great War that ravages the world shows no sign of abating. Answering the siren call of Egypt once more, Amelia Peabody and her family arrive at their home in Luxor to learn of a new royal tomb ransacked by thieves. Soon an even more disturbing outrage concerns the intrepid clan of archaeologists: the freshly and savagely slain corpse of a thief defiling the ancient burial site.
Yet this is nothing compared with the lethal fate that threatens Ramses. Besieged by the British and defended by formidable Turkish and German forces, the fortified seaport of Gaza guards the gateway to the Holy Land. Answering a call he cannot refuse from show more British military intelligence, Ramses must journey to this ancient, fabled city to undertake a mission as personal as it is perilous. Death will surely be his lot if he is caught or exposed. Meanwhile, Ramses's wife, Nefret, guards a secret of her own....
Once again the incomparable and bestselling carries us to a breathtaking realm of ancient wonders and crumbling splendor -- from the hectic bustle of the Cairo markets to remote, sand-swept corners of the Egyptian desert where the gods of antiquity sleep. Returning visitors to the world of Amelia Peabody will be enthralled by the latest mesmerizing adventure from the award-winning grandmaster, and newcomers will succumb to her wiles as they are caught up in the tantalizing spell of the remarkable Elizabeth Peters and The Golden One.
In A Sentence: Yet another good one from the Amelia Peabody Series
My Thoughts: Of course this series is always fun, and this book is no exception. I read this book years back, and I remembered that the series started to deteriorate at around this book. So I had lowered expectations when I started reading this novel. Perhaps it was because of this lowered expectation, but I really enjoyed this installment in the series. It was split into two separate problems; one was related to tomb-robbing, the other was related to spies and World War I. I felt that the story was split and put back together nicely; it made it more interesting and action-packed, and I was able to enjoy both stories without getting bored. The story also kept a lot of the original humor that made me fall in love with Amelia Peabody in the first place.
My only issue with the story is the interactions between Sethos and Amelia. It is implied that there is something more going on, and it bothers me. I don’t think it adds anything to the story; as a matter of fact, I feel it detracts from the story. But that’s the only thing I really don’t like about this book.
Overall, this was yet another decent read from an enjoyable series. As always, I strongly recommend you try this series. show less
★★★★★ and a ♥
Synopsis: A new year, 1917, is dawning, and the Great War that ravages the world shows no sign of abating. Answering the siren call of Egypt once more, Amelia Peabody and her family arrive at their home in Luxor to learn of a new royal tomb ransacked by thieves. Soon an even more disturbing outrage concerns the intrepid clan of archaeologists: the freshly and savagely slain corpse of a thief defiling the ancient burial site.
Yet this is nothing compared with the lethal fate that threatens Ramses. Besieged by the British and defended by formidable Turkish and German forces, the fortified seaport of Gaza guards the gateway to the Holy Land. Answering a call he cannot refuse from show more British military intelligence, Ramses must journey to this ancient, fabled city to undertake a mission as personal as it is perilous. Death will surely be his lot if he is caught or exposed. Meanwhile, Ramses's wife, Nefret, guards a secret of her own....
Once again the incomparable and bestselling carries us to a breathtaking realm of ancient wonders and crumbling splendor -- from the hectic bustle of the Cairo markets to remote, sand-swept corners of the Egyptian desert where the gods of antiquity sleep. Returning visitors to the world of Amelia Peabody will be enthralled by the latest mesmerizing adventure from the award-winning grandmaster, and newcomers will succumb to her wiles as they are caught up in the tantalizing spell of the remarkable Elizabeth Peters and The Golden One.
In A Sentence: Yet another good one from the Amelia Peabody Series
My Thoughts: Of course this series is always fun, and this book is no exception. I read this book years back, and I remembered that the series started to deteriorate at around this book. So I had lowered expectations when I started reading this novel. Perhaps it was because of this lowered expectation, but I really enjoyed this installment in the series. It was split into two separate problems; one was related to tomb-robbing, the other was related to spies and World War I. I felt that the story was split and put back together nicely; it made it more interesting and action-packed, and I was able to enjoy both stories without getting bored. The story also kept a lot of the original humor that made me fall in love with Amelia Peabody in the first place.
My only issue with the story is the interactions between Sethos and Amelia. It is implied that there is something more going on, and it bothers me. I don’t think it adds anything to the story; as a matter of fact, I feel it detracts from the story. But that’s the only thing I really don’t like about this book.
Overall, this was yet another decent read from an enjoyable series. As always, I strongly recommend you try this series. show less
As usual, I enjoyed the book, but couldn't keep track of the plot. Overall, the series gets a bit darker as time goes by, although you could hardly call it noir. Now that I have a slightly better handle on Egyptian mythology, the titles and epigraphs seem to relate to the plot a bit better. The book starts with tomb robbing, there is a long interlude of secret agent antics, and then back to the tomb robbing and a significant discovery, a tomb of four of the wives of Amun. I wonder if that discovery is real, but by another?
I loved the more complicated plot line - the intrigue of the war and the archaeological mystery. Ms. Peters did a good job of creating ambiguity in one of the newer recurring characters and she delivered satisfying resolutions to a number of on-going personal sub plots. A good entry in the series.
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- Canonical title
- The Golden One
- Original title
- The Golden One
- Original publication date
- 2002-04-02
- People/Characters
- Joe Albion; Sebastian Albion; Basima [Amelia Peabody character]; Esin Bey; Sahin Bey; Algernon Bracegirdle-Boisdragon (Mr. Smith) (show all 31); Major Cartright; Lieutenant Algernon Chetwode; Daoud; Ibrahim el-Gharbi; Amelia Peabody Emerson (Sitt Hakim); Radcliffe Emerson (Father of Curses); Ramses Emerson (Walter Peabody Emerson); Nefret Forth Emerson (Nur Misur); Sennia Emerson; Fatima [Amelia Peabody character]; Gargery; The Great Cat of Re; Horus the cat; Jamil [Amelia Peabody character]; Bertie Jones; Jumana; Kadija [Amelia Peabody character]; Moonlight [horse]; Ismail Pasha; Risha [horse]; Selim ibn Abdullah ibn Hassan al Wahhab; Sethos; Cyrus Vandergelt; Katherine Vandergelt; Sir Edward Washington
- Important places
- Africa; Egypt; Gaza, Palestine; Luxor, Egypt; Middle East; Palestine
- Important events
- World War I (1914 | 1918)
- Dedication
- To Tracey
- First words
- When I am in one of my philosophical moods, I am inclined to wonder if all families are as difficult as mine.
- Quotations
- We praise the Golden One,
the Lady of Heaven, Lady of Fragrance,
Eye of the Sun, the Great Goddess,
Mistress of All the Gods,
Lady of Turquoise, Mistress of Joy, Mistress of Music...
that she may give us five c... (show all)hildren,
happiness, and a good husband.
-Epithets of Hathor,
compiled from various sources - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The young serpent also has poisoned fangs.
- Original language
- English
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- Reviews
- 28
- Rating
- (3.97)
- Languages
- 8 — Czech, English, French, German, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil)
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 36
- UPCs
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- ASINs
- 12