Collection
Publication
Avon (2006), 512 pages
Description
New York Times bestselling master of suspense, Elizabeth Peters, brings an exotic world of adventure, intrigue, and danger to vivid life, in a tale as powerful as ancient Egypt. The Emersons have returned to the Valley of the Kings in 1922 and Amelia Peabody and her family look forward to delving once more into the age-old mysteries buried in Egypt's ever-shifting sands. But a widow's strange story -- and even stranger request -- is about to plunge them into a storm of secrets, treachery, and murder. The woman, a well-known author, has come bearing an ill-gotten treasure -- a golden likeness of a forgotten king -- which she claims is cursed. She insists it has taken the life of her husband and unless it is returned to the tomb from which it was stolen, more people will die. Amelia and her clan resolve to uncover the secrets of the statue's origins, setting off on a trail that twists and turns in directions they never anticipated -- and, perhaps, toward an old nemesis with unscrupulous new designs. But each step toward the truth seems to reveal another peril, suggesting to the intrepid Amelia that the curse is more than mere superstition. And its next victim might well be a beloved family member ... or Amelia Peabody herself. A novel filled with riveting suspense, pulse-pounding action, and the vibrant life of a fascinating place and time, The Serpent on the Crown is the jewel in the crown of a grand master, the remarkable Elizabeth Peters. Performed by Barbara Rosenblat.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member benfulton
A very good addition to the Amelia Peabody mysteries. Recent books have covered the adventures of her son Ramses or backed up to cover some of the "missing years" but this one extends the story through 1922 - which, if you know something about Egypt, you might know was the eve of a very important
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event in Egyptology... Show Less
LibraryThing member mont1ms
Wonderful as ever - I love Amelia!
LibraryThing member Darla
I absolutely love this series. I'd been letting the latest books pile up in my TBR pile for a while--kind of like... er, well, actually, it's exactly like hoarding treasure. Now I only have one left to be caught up.
In this 17th book in the series, the Emerson clan is back in Egypt after WWI:
Shortly after their arrival, a famous author of sensational novels arrives with a gold statue. She begs Emerson to take the statue and protect her from the curse she claims killed her husband. She seems genuinely frightened, but they're suspicious that it might just be a publicity stunt. Regardless of the existence of a curse or actual danger to the woman, the statue is genuine, and for the Emersons, the questions of where the statue came from--a lost tomb?!--is far more compelling.
Things become complicated, of course, starting with the widow's stepchildren barging into the Emersons' home demanding the return of the statue at gunpoint. There are several sightings of a black-robed "demon," prompting one of Emerson's famous exorcisms; the appearance of Emerson's half-brother Sethos, always suspicious when there's treasure around; kidnapping, disappearances, and murder.
As usual, the family adventure is just as important as the mystery--watching Peabody and Emerson growing older and Ramses and Nefret with the twins is like visiting with old friends.
Also as usual, the characters are their distinct selves--Amelia's not-completely-reliable narrator is a delight, and the sections from Ramses's point of view demonstrates his character well. But because their characters are so vivid, you really have to like the characters to enjoy the books.
In this 17th book in the series, the Emerson clan is back in Egypt after WWI:
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Emerson, Amelia, Ramses, Nefret, and their twins: David John and Carla.Shortly after their arrival, a famous author of sensational novels arrives with a gold statue. She begs Emerson to take the statue and protect her from the curse she claims killed her husband. She seems genuinely frightened, but they're suspicious that it might just be a publicity stunt. Regardless of the existence of a curse or actual danger to the woman, the statue is genuine, and for the Emersons, the questions of where the statue came from--a lost tomb?!--is far more compelling.
Things become complicated, of course, starting with the widow's stepchildren barging into the Emersons' home demanding the return of the statue at gunpoint. There are several sightings of a black-robed "demon," prompting one of Emerson's famous exorcisms; the appearance of Emerson's half-brother Sethos, always suspicious when there's treasure around; kidnapping, disappearances, and murder.
As usual, the family adventure is just as important as the mystery--watching Peabody and Emerson growing older and Ramses and Nefret with the twins is like visiting with old friends.
Also as usual, the characters are their distinct selves--Amelia's not-completely-reliable narrator is a delight, and the sections from Ramses's point of view demonstrates his character well. But because their characters are so vivid, you really have to like the characters to enjoy the books.
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LibraryThing member reeread
Even as she grows older, Amelia Peabody Emerson is unstoppable. Being presented with a valuable statuette which supposedly curses whoever is in possession of it, causes Emerson to try to trace its origin and its legal owner. A number of people are vying to buy the statuette, including Cyrus. The
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previous owner is murdered and this gives Amelia and Emerson ample opportunity to exercise their detective skills, the former ultimately revealing the culprit and the latter the statuette's origin. Show Less
LibraryThing member nolak
A woman arrives in Cairo and gives Emerson a very expensive Egyptian artifact, asking him to remove the curse from it. The serpent on the artifact is missing, and the source of its find is a great mystery. The family of the woman are a bit of a puzzle as well and there are a number of new faces
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that seem to appear for odd reasons, causing the Luxor residence to build a guardhouse with a guard. The antics of the grandchildren play favorably in the story with many new relationships being built. Ramses and Emerson stage an exorcism of an afrit in trying to get rid of the curse, but is there a real afrit who has kidnapped the woman who owns the artifact? The family team does it again in ferreting out the many criminals and their motivations, but the fun comes from the finding of the serpent that goes in the crown of the artifact. Show Less
LibraryThing member riverwillow
Its now 1921 and the extended Emerson-Peabody clan is once again excavating in Egypt. A woman gives Emerson a small golden statute because she is concerned that it is cursed, she subsequently disappears in strange circumstances. The usual shenanigans ensue and as family is inexorably drawn into
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investigating the disappearance. Amelia is on fine form, 'I instructed the driver of our hired carriage not to whip up the horses. We do not permit cruelty to animals. Besides, rapid motion raises a cloud of dust and I was wearing my second-best hat.' Superb. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwoman247
This installment of the Amelia Peabody series brings us back into chronological order.
The Emeraons are approached by a wealthy widow who is also a famous novelist. She appeals to them to accept a stunning golden statue which was bequeathed to her by her husband, and which she claims is cursed. She
Soon, the Emersons are thrust into the midst of a series of mysterious events involving dead bodies and black afrits. As they work to unravel the puzzle of who is behind these mysterious occurences, they never flinch from what may be the greatest danger they've ever faced.
Of course I loved this! It was one of the most suspenseful in the series.
The Emeraons are approached by a wealthy widow who is also a famous novelist. She appeals to them to accept a stunning golden statue which was bequeathed to her by her husband, and which she claims is cursed. She
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claims to believe that only Emerson can safely keep it, as his talents for escaping all kinds of danger and for excorcising evil spirits are well-known.Soon, the Emersons are thrust into the midst of a series of mysterious events involving dead bodies and black afrits. As they work to unravel the puzzle of who is behind these mysterious occurences, they never flinch from what may be the greatest danger they've ever faced.
Of course I loved this! It was one of the most suspenseful in the series.
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LibraryThing member mont1ms
Wonderful as ever - I love Amelia!
LibraryThing member mont1ms
Wonderful as ever - I love Amelia!
LibraryThing member GMac
Enjoying a busy period of excavation in 1921, the Emersons learn of a mysterious death that has been attributed to a curse, a situation that enables Amelia and her family to enter the banned Valley of the Kings in order to return a stolen statue.
LibraryThing member Carl_Alves
The story starts off with a woman bringing an ancient relic to the Peabody family for safekeeping. This relic is supposed to bring death to whoever holds it, including the woman’s family. To prevent this cycle from continuing, the relic has to be returned to its tomb. Naturally, Amelia and her
I found this novel a bit hard to get into. I thought the story was overwritten and long-winded. It also lacked believability. The characterization of almost all of the characters in the story was weak. The novel had a good bit of suspense as well as some twists and turns to keep it interesting, but for the most part it fell flat. The Egyptology in the novel is fairly well developed, but more often than not I wanted to put this novel down.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
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family take on the woman’s request, which starts a winding adventure filled with murder and treachery. This novel contained the usual tomb excavations and journeys through treacherous areas that Elizabeth Peters brings to her novels.I found this novel a bit hard to get into. I thought the story was overwritten and long-winded. It also lacked believability. The characterization of almost all of the characters in the story was weak. The novel had a good bit of suspense as well as some twists and turns to keep it interesting, but for the most part it fell flat. The Egyptology in the novel is fairly well developed, but more often than not I wanted to put this novel down.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
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LibraryThing member kayceel
Gold statue, purported to be cursed, makes for trouble, as Ramses and David chase a brother and sister and Amelia is very badly hurt. Entertaining, though the kids (Ramses') are irritating.
LibraryThing member GTTexas
Amelia does it again! Great entertainment.
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
One of the things I like the best about these later books in the series is getting Ramses point of view and of the tenderness that shows up unexpectedly between family members. This mystery was a bit complicated because there was more than one going on. A satisfying read.
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
One of the things I like the best about these later books in the series is getting Ramses point of view and of the tenderness that shows up unexpectedly between family members. This mystery was a bit complicated because there was more than one going on. A satisfying read.
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
It's 1922 and the Emerson family has returned to the Valley of the Kings. Before they can even get settled back into their daily life, a widow implores Emerson to accept a small golden statue, which she claims carries a curse that killed her husband, a collector of antiquities. Shortly thereafter
The story is nicely played out and several plots are woven together for complexity. Peabody’s Victorian rhetoric can go over the top but the author injects plenty of humorous banter, lots of bluster from Emerson, and enough swipes at Victorian propriety to keep the story lively. Veteran narrator Barbara Rosenblat doesn't miss any of the sly humor that readers/listeners have come to expect in the series. Ms. Rosenblat successfully inhabits diverse characters and presents distinctive voices that will entertain and amuse.
If you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this seventeenth book. I don't know if I would enjoy nearly as much if I was just reading it. I can't imagine a better narrator than Barbara Rosenblat who nails each one of the characters, book after book.
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the woman disappears and several attempts to steal the statue are attempted. Everyone claims the kidnapping was done by a black afrit, which is a bad spirit. Before long a body is discovered and the Peabody/Emerson household is back in the murder solving business. The story is nicely played out and several plots are woven together for complexity. Peabody’s Victorian rhetoric can go over the top but the author injects plenty of humorous banter, lots of bluster from Emerson, and enough swipes at Victorian propriety to keep the story lively. Veteran narrator Barbara Rosenblat doesn't miss any of the sly humor that readers/listeners have come to expect in the series. Ms. Rosenblat successfully inhabits diverse characters and presents distinctive voices that will entertain and amuse.
If you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this seventeenth book. I don't know if I would enjoy nearly as much if I was just reading it. I can't imagine a better narrator than Barbara Rosenblat who nails each one of the characters, book after book.
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LibraryThing member tkcs
I've read the whole series and have enjoyed them for an entertaining fast read. Unfortunately, this one fell flat. A friend loaned me the next one in the series so I'll give it a try and hope it's back to the level of the earlier books.
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
It's 1922 and the Emerson family has returned to the Valley of the Kings. Before they can even get settled back into their daily life, a widow implores Emerson to accept a small golden statue, which she claims carries a curse that killed her husband, a collector of antiquities. Shortly thereafter
The story is nicely played out and several plots are woven together for complexity. Peabody’s Victorian rhetoric can go over the top but the author injects plenty of humorous banter, lots of bluster from Emerson, and enough swipes at Victorian propriety to keep the story lively. Veteran narrator Barbara Rosenblat doesn't miss any of the sly humor that readers/listeners have come to expect in the series. Ms. Rosenblat successfully inhabits diverse characters and presents distinctive voices that will entertain and amuse.
If you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this seventeenth book. I don't know if I would enjoy nearly as much if I was just reading it. I can't imagine a better narrator than Barbara Rosenblat who nails each one of the characters, book after book.
Show More
the woman disappears and several attempts to steal the statue are attempted. Everyone claims the kidnapping was done by a black afrit, which is a bad spirit. Before long a body is discovered and the Peabody/Emerson household is back in the murder solving business. The story is nicely played out and several plots are woven together for complexity. Peabody’s Victorian rhetoric can go over the top but the author injects plenty of humorous banter, lots of bluster from Emerson, and enough swipes at Victorian propriety to keep the story lively. Veteran narrator Barbara Rosenblat doesn't miss any of the sly humor that readers/listeners have come to expect in the series. Ms. Rosenblat successfully inhabits diverse characters and presents distinctive voices that will entertain and amuse.
If you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this seventeenth book. I don't know if I would enjoy nearly as much if I was just reading it. I can't imagine a better narrator than Barbara Rosenblat who nails each one of the characters, book after book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member etxgardener
It’s such a shame that Elizabeth Peters died because I loved the way this series was heading with Ramses and Nefret with their own children (who naturally resemble themselves in their formative years), and Amelia and Emerson tasking on the role of detectives emeritus and Sethos the rather
In this volume it’s 1922 and the family has returned to the Valley of the Kings However, before they can begin, a well-known author appears with a small, golden statue that she claims is cursed. Of course the Emersons are determined to discover the origins of this treasure leading them into yet another convoluted adventure. This book was a delight from start to finish.
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unpredictable eccentric uncle.In this volume it’s 1922 and the family has returned to the Valley of the Kings However, before they can begin, a well-known author appears with a small, golden statue that she claims is cursed. Of course the Emersons are determined to discover the origins of this treasure leading them into yet another convoluted adventure. This book was a delight from start to finish.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
It is 1922 and the Emersons are in Egypt when the widow of an antiquities collector asks Emerson to take charge of an artifact from his collection. She is convinced that the golden statue is cursed. Emerson is intrigued by the statue and wants to find out where it came from. It is of a time period
Emerson was long since banned from excavating in the Valley of the Kings but has gotten a toehold when he was allowed to reexamine KV55 which had been excavated in a haphazard manner years earlier. Meanwhile, Ramses is intrigued by papyrus fragments from one the other sites that Emerson has charge of.
When the widow disappears Amelia's first thought is that it is a publicity stunt designed to reignite her career as the author of sensational novels. It leaves her stepson and stepdaughter as suspects in her disappearance.
Then the attacks begin on Ramses' life. There are other suspicious incidents too regarding both the woman and the statue. Even with many "little lists" Amelia and her family are having trouble figuring out who wants what.
This was another enjoyable episode in the Amelia Peabody series.
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that is the same as Tutankhamun's though his tomb has yet to be discovered. Common wisdom believes that there are no undiscovered tombs remaining in the Valley of the Kings.Emerson was long since banned from excavating in the Valley of the Kings but has gotten a toehold when he was allowed to reexamine KV55 which had been excavated in a haphazard manner years earlier. Meanwhile, Ramses is intrigued by papyrus fragments from one the other sites that Emerson has charge of.
When the widow disappears Amelia's first thought is that it is a publicity stunt designed to reignite her career as the author of sensational novels. It leaves her stepson and stepdaughter as suspects in her disappearance.
Then the attacks begin on Ramses' life. There are other suspicious incidents too regarding both the woman and the statue. Even with many "little lists" Amelia and her family are having trouble figuring out who wants what.
This was another enjoyable episode in the Amelia Peabody series.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2006)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005-03-29
Physical description
512 p.; 4.19 inches
ISBN
006059179X / 9780060591793
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Pages
512