He Shall Thunder in the Sky

Starred review from May 29, 2000
The latest superb installment in this renowned series is one of Peters's best. Amelia Peabody Emerson and her husband are the sort of dauntless archeologists who would never let a minor event like a world war distract them from their work. After all, they've been digging in the mild Egyptian winters for years. Now the younger members of the family--son Ramses and foster son and daughter David and Nefret--join their intrepid elders in their adventures, and the saga is all the richer for the new blood. As the Middle Eastern front of World War I develops during the excavation season of 1914-1915, the British are determined to hold Egypt and the Suez Canal against the Turks, who are allies of Germany. Ramses is loudly proclaiming pacifist sentiments, even as elderly ladies are handing him white feathers as a symbol of cowardice. Amelia and husband Emerson are doggedly trying to continue their usual work schedule in the face of the growing horrors of the war and the machinations of villains as evil as they have ever encountered. Even Lawrence of Arabia has a minor part to play. Despite having produced 11 previous tales of Egyptological mystery and detection, Peters still writes a deeply satisfying story that combines elements of espionage, mystery and romance. Some big surprises are in store for readers while Peters deftly ties her subplots together, but a few threads are left dangling enticingly at the end, leaving fans to expect another installment in this extraordinary series. Dual Selection of the Mystery Guild.

Amelia Peabody Emerson and her family are up to their necks in the intrigue, disguises and arms sales of WWII. Beyond the plot are the inevitable romances that might come to fruition, the evil nemesis who might turn up and kidnap somebody, and the final revelation at the costume ball. As for narrator Barbara Rosenblat--can we even imagine anyone else as Amelia Peabody? She captures each accent, each distinct family member, each of Emerson's monosyllables, which in her capable hands become whole sentences. But most of all she is Amelia Peabody, whose haughty tone, self-deprecation (but never apology), and passion for her husband still shine through after 12 books. Like chocolate and peanut butter, Barbara Rosenblat and Elizabeth Peters are a perfect match. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine