Guardian of the Horizon

March 1, 2004
Intrepid archeologists Amelia Peabody, husband Emerson and son Ramses have shared numerous exciting adventures, but the 16th volume in MWA Grand Master Peters's bestselling series will have particular appeal for fans. The author fills in a gap in the chronological record (1907–1908) and revisits the hidden city of the Lost Oasis, whose discovery was recounted in The Last Camel Died at Noon
(1991). The doughty explorers, including foster daughter Nefret, who is from the Lost Oasis, heed the call of a messenger purportedly from that realm's ruler, Tarek. Peters, as her many accolades would suggest, knows precisely what she is doing as she spins a tale of romance, derring-do, bravery and, of course, deceptions, betrayals and disguises in the classic tradition of H. Rider Haggard, if with tongue often in cheek. Familiar enemies surface (bureaucrats, soldiers of fortunes, despoilers of antiquities, etc.) and dog the group as they travel by ship, boat and camel from their English home to the remote desert location that will test their mettle once again. Peters's knowledge of ancient Egypt and the excavations and desecrations that accompanied early archeological attempts in the region allow her to dress her melodrama with authentic trappings that add greatly to the enjoyment. Agent, Dominick Abel. (One-day laydown Mar. 30)

FYI:
Peters received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Malice Domestic in 2003.

The grammatically correct, deliciously verbose Peabody-Emersons are back. Recently unearthed journals of a previously unexamined period in the family's timetable (1907-1908) tell of their return to the Lost Oasis (first explored in THE LAST CAMEL DIED AT NOON). Kidnapping, murder, political intrigues, and damsels in distress make this sixteenth episode in the Peabody Chronicles every bit as exciting as the others. Barbara Rosenblat's fully realized performance invests Emerson with a bumbling authority and the 20-year-old Ramses with the pomposity of youth. Rosenblat shines as the ever-loquacious Amelia tosses off bons mots, manipulating everyone and everything in sight. Rosenblat's tongue-in-cheek delivery and incomparable timing allow seemingly throwaway lines to snap with crocodile ferocity. Those new to the series will become instant fans, and devotees will be delighted. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine