Rating: 
Summary: Amelia Peabody's contemporary alter ego debuts
Review: Yes, Elizabeth Peters writes about a world other than Amelia Peabody (not that Peabody isn't wonderful). This book, written in 1972, introduces Jacqueline Kirby, a middle aged librarian with more than a few eccentricities. It's set in Rome, where Kirby befriends a group of graduate fellows. One of the students dies suspiciously in the catacombs. What follows is a mixed of locked room mystery (one of the seven students must have done the deed) and lots of early Christian archeology/history.Overall, the book has a bit of a dated tone. It reminded me of the Disney interpretations of Mary Stewart's mysteries. There's nothing wrong with the tone, it's just a bit different. Also, I've read later books in this series and Kirby evolves into a much wittier sleuth in later volumes. In other words, Peters hasn't quite found her wonderful, sarcastic wit in this book. Still, a solid cozy of a read.
Rating:
Summary: Amelia Peabody's contemporary alter ego debuts
Review: Yes, Elizabeth Peters writes about a world other than Amelia Peabody (not that Peabody isn't wonderful). This book, written in 1972, introduces Jacqueline Kirby, a middle aged librarian with more than a few eccentricities. It's set in Rome, where Kirby befriends a group of graduate fellows. One of the students dies suspiciously in the catacombs. What follows is a mixed of locked room mystery (one of the seven students must have done the deed) and lots of early Christian archeology/history. Overall, the book has a bit of a dated tone. It reminded me of the Disney interpretations of Mary Stewart's mysteries. There's nothing wrong with the tone, it's just a bit different. Also, I've read later books in this series and Kirby evolves into a much wittier sleuth in later volumes. In other words, Peters hasn't quite found her wonderful, sarcastic wit in this book. Still, a solid cozy of a read.
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