Tag Archives: archaeology

The Serpent on the Crown – Elizabeth Peters

Neither Emerson nor Amelia have ever been able to abide hysterical females, although Emerson and Ramses both feel a gentlemanly sense of obligation to assist them out of their hysteria. When the dramatic and yes, hysterical, Mrs. Petherick approaches the family and tells them of a black afrit (spirit) who stole the life of her husband and is now trying to kill her, they find her story interesting but aren’t inclined to believe her. What does hold their fascination is a solid gold statue she gives into their care, telling them she believes the statue is cursed, and if she … Continue reading →

The El Dorado Adventure – Lloyd Alexander

As you’ll recall from the first book in the “Vesper Holly Adventures,” Vesper is a seventeen-year-old orphan who has been turned over to Brinton Garrett and his wife Mary to be their ward. Although Brinnie, as she calls him, is getting on in years, he finds himself feeling somewhat enlivened through spending time with the youthful and exuberant Vesper, and it’s a good thing, too – she keeps dragging him into the most hair-raising adventures. In “The El Dorado Adventure,” Vesper has invited Brinnie and Mary to come live on her Philadelphia estate for the purposes of helping her sort … Continue reading →

Children of the Storm – Elizabeth Peters

World War I has come to an end, and it’s no longer dangerous to travel to Egypt. Walter and Evelyn are glad of this – they’ve been away for too long and can’t wait to return to the land of the Pharaohs. Amelia and Emerson are no less delighted that they are coming, and they’re bringing with them David and Lia. The whole group will be reunited at last. One peculiar addition to the party is Sethos, Emerson and Walter’s half-brother. Walter doesn’t know he’s related to the Master Criminal himself – there just never has been a good time … Continue reading →

The Illyrian Adventure – Lloyd Alexander

In “The Illyrian Adventure,” Lloyd Alexander kicks off a new series which is combination fantasy and archaelogy. Think Indiana Jones meets Amelia Peabody meets Arabian Nights, starring a teenage girl in the late 1800’s, and you’ve pretty much got it. Vesper Holly is that sixteen-year-old girl, and she’s just been informed that she’s an orphan. Her father was a great archaeologist, and she frequently studied alongside him, and so has quite a grasp on the subject matter. When her father’s good friend Brinton Garrett and his wife Mary are given the unfortunate task of telling Vesper that her father has … Continue reading →

The Golden One – Elizabeth Peters

As we begin “The Golden One,” World War I is ramping up. Submarine attacks are becoming more and more common, and the Emersons are torn between staying at home in England and making their yearly journey to Egypt. They aren’t torn for long, however – the lure of sun and sand, not to mention the possibility of undiscovered tombs and treasure – makes the decision an easy one. Emerson, Amelia, Ramses, Nefret, and Sennia set off for the land of the Pharaohs, leaving David and Lia behind in England with Walter and Evelyn. It’s just as well – Lia is … Continue reading →

The Lord of the Silent – Elizabeth Peters

As we continue the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters, our path leads us to “The Lord of the Silent.” World War I is still raging, making travel between England and Egypt more difficult. This, however, does not stop the Emersons from their yearly gallivant in the tombs. Emerson is as keen as ever to get on with his beloved occupation, and Amelia is no less excited to help him. However, a different type of danger lurks for Ramses. He served his country as a double agent in our last adventure, and there are those who know his true identity. … Continue reading →

The Last Camel Died at Noon – Elizabeth Peters

Our next installment in the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters takes us to the home in England where Emerson and Amelia live during the summer months. A stranger named Forthright shows up unannounced, proceeds to faint dead away on the hearth, and revives to tell a strange tale of his aunt and uncle who have disappeared in the Egyptian desert while searching for a lost civilization. He asks Emerson to undertake a search, which Emerson flatly refuses to do, until the grandfather shows up, equally unannounced, and presents Emerson with a strange object: a page from Emerson’s own notebook, … Continue reading →

The Mummy Case — Elizabeth Peters

In “The Mummy Case,” Ramses, the only child of Emerson and Amelia, is now old enough to accompany them on an archaeological dig in Egypt. While still very young, his grasp of all things Egyptian is astounding, as is his vocabulary, and he can’t wait to get out in the sand and begin a dig of his very own. Emerson is also itching to return. The pyramids at Dashoor are calling to him, their riches just waiting to be discovered, catalogued, and turned over to the museum with Emerson’s name proudly displayed as the finder. But when they arrive in … Continue reading →