Lord of the Silent

Barbara Rosenblat, who reads all of Peters's Amelia Peabody archaeological mysteries, again demonstrates her ability as a vocal quick-change artist. Continuing characters include the self-assured Peabody, her crusty, aristocratic husband Emerson, son Ramses, his wife Nefret, and an international group of lesser folk, including tomb robbers, assassins, and a meddling reporter. The plot, set against the background of WWI Cairo, is as complicated as the relationship among the players. There's lots of action, but explication may have been lost in the abridgment. Rosenblat's skill as a reader is unquestioned, though fans of this series may prefer her unabridged narration for Recorded Books. J.B.G. 2002 Audie Award Finalist. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

Starred review from April 23, 2001
In Egypt, 1915, the redoubtable English archaeologist Amelia Peabody Emerson and her eccentric and closely knit group of family and friends are up to their old tricks. The Emersons may believe that they are merely engaging in another season of excavation, but legions of devoted readers know that Amelia's archaeological fervor has never stopped her from charging into another thrilling episode of crime-solving, dragging her husband and children enthusiastically along. Amelia's son, Ramses, and his new wife, Nefret, are trying to settle into their married life and find ways to build a more equal relationship with their overwhelming and irrepressibly adventurous parent. Amelia is worried, however, that an officious British army officer might try to recruit Ramses again as a spy (as in the previous book, 2000's He Shall Thunder in the Sky). To keep him out of the spymaster's clutches, she sends Ramses and Nefret off to Luxor to investigate a series of thefts from archaeological sites. As always in this series of uproarious Egyptological mysteries, plenty of strange doings are afoot in the desert, and readers will find all the delicious trappings of a vintage Peters extravaganza—lost tombs, kidnappings, deadly attacks, mummies and sinister villains. (May 1)Forecast: Her large and faithful following will ensure that Peters, a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, once again reaches the lofty heights of the bestseller lists.

February 15, 2001
If Amelia Peabody is back, there's got to be another dead body among the tombs.

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.