Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful book.
Review: Having been an avid Barbara Mertz (a.k.a. Elizabeth Peters, a.k.a. Barbara Michaels) fan for over a decade, I must say that this is her funniest story. D.J. is a wonderfully satirical character, with a typically quirky personality and not inconsiderable intelligence. The southwest, where I was born and raised, is a terrific setting for a mystery. If you are a laughing skeptic of the stories of "mystical" psychics and alien "abductions" that plague sensational journals, you will appreciate the abundant humor in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely hilarious
Review: Having been an avid Barbara Mertz (a.k.a. Elizabeth Peters, a.k.a. Barbara Michaels) fan for over a decade, I must say that this is her funniest story. D.J. is a wonderfully satirical character, with a typically quirky personality and not inconsiderable intelligence. The southwest, where I was born and raised, is a terrific setting for a mystery. If you are a laughing skeptic of the stories of "mystical" psychics and alien "abductions" that plague sensational journals, you will appreciate the abundant humor in this book.
Rating:
Summary: This is my favorite book
Review: I am a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Peters, and I have to say that this is my favorite. D.J. is the funniest of all of her characters, and I have read this book again and again.
Rating:
Summary: A great book, perhaps the best I have ever read.
Review: I have always been a fan of Barbara Michaels (though for this book she writes under the name Elizabeth Peters, and Barabara Michaels is a pen name as well) but I think this is my favorite of all her books. I love the style, and I LOVE the characters, especially D.J. and Tom. I have read this book again and again since the first, and it never looses its humor or its quirky charm. Everyone should read it, it's great.
Rating: 
Summary: One of her best
Review: I really loved this book and read it entirely in one sitting. DJ is such an interesting character (and not thin, thank god!) it would be nice to see her in a possible sequel. The only criticism I would make is that the ending is a little vague. I had to read it a couple of times before I realised exactly what it was everyone was running around trying to find. Also the development of the relationship between DJ and Tom was a bit unreal. At first they hate each other, then out of the blue he declares his love for her, and in the last few pages DJ is talking marriage! I'm surprised Tom wasn't heading for the hills. It would have been nicer if there had been a bit more buildup between the two, but other than that, I'd rate "Summer of the Dragon" as one of Ms. Peters' best.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book.
Review: If there was ever a time I wanted so badly to be an anthropologist, this was it. I can attest to the fact that it's never easy for students to find summer work. The fact that D.J. found one so singularly fun and interesting is great luck in itself. But then I'm sure that Elizabeth Peters, who no doubt has led an interesting life, lends its experiences to her stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Peters' best work, but a nice light read
Review: Purchased this when desperate for new Vicki Bliss mystery and couldn't wait any longer. This is a somewhat older book.In some respects, perfect summer reading. Light romance, a little mystery, some good funny lines--all what you'd expect from Peters. I also like that the heroine is depicted as not your typical romance heroine, she's both intelligent and plump. Where it doesn't get my higher rating, is with the predictability of the plot (seems like a cross between recycled Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie), not enough zingy action, and a bit dated. But still, not a bad read.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, humorous, but not the best.
Review: SUMMER OF THE DRAGON was a good book. It had the humor to keep u giggling at even intervals. The frustration to keep u turning the pages to found out what Hank Hunnicut's big find was. The action and suspense to make u hold your breath and gasp frequently.
Over-all it was a good book. Though, it wasn't up to Peters' standards. The narrative seemed a little flippant at the beginning, but as Peters gained confidence (i guess) it became more and more bold. At times, i was waiting for the herione (D.J. Abbot) to say "Another shirt ruined!!" I can see how this book came before our revered Amelia, there are things that happen to be similiar, as well as the physical description of Tom De Karsky.
D.J. is a unique heroine, one that actually ate something and wasnt petite and well, girly. She had a mind of her own, and voiced her opinion when and not when asked. About the characters, they were amusing and helped to further the plot, but they werent well-deveolped. Physical descriptions were great (except for D.J. i can only remember her heigth) but the general personality of Tom, Hank, Jesse, The Stockwells, wasnt believable.
If u want to read something over the summer that is light and funny, w/ suspense, mystery, and action... then by all means this book is for u. I read it in one sitting. IT WAS GOOD!!
but not the best
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, humorous, but not the best.
Review: SUMMER OF THE DRAGON was a good book. It had the humor to keep u giggling at even intervals. The frustration to keep u turning the pages to found out what Hank Hunnicut's big find was. The action and suspense to make u hold your breath and gasp frequently.
Over-all it was a good book. Though, it wasn't up to Peters' standards. The narrative seemed a little flippant at the beginning, but as Peters gained confidence (i guess) it became more and more bold. At times, i was waiting for the herione (D.J. Abbot) to say "Another shirt ruined!!" I can see how this book came before our revered Amelia, there are things that happen to be similiar, as well as the physical description of Tom De Karsky.
D.J. is a unique heroine, one that actually ate something and wasnt petite and well, girly. She had a mind of her own, and voiced her opinion when and not when asked. About the characters, they were amusing and helped to further the plot, but they werent well-deveolped. Physical descriptions were great (except for D.J. i can only remember her heigth) but the general personality of Tom, Hank, Jesse, The Stockwells, wasnt believable.
If u want to read something over the summer that is light and funny, w/ suspense, mystery, and action... then by all means this book is for u. I read it in one sitting. IT WAS GOOD!!
but not the best
Rating:
Summary: Elizabeth Peters' funniest mystery
Review: The heroine is a young anthropologist, D.J. Abbott (named after Deanna Durbin, but strangely embarrassed by this, why?)She takes a summer job working for eccentric millionaire Hank Hunnicut, who fills his beautiful Arizona home with a variety of charlatans, mediums, experts on Atlantis etc. She finds herself at daggers drawn with Hank's gorgeous assistant, Tom De Karsky, Elizabeth Peters' sexiest hero. Permanently hungry, she munches her way through the lavish and delicious meals served at the ranch, while cheerfully goading Hank's preposterous guests. Her spirited denounciations of the drivel spouted by these charlatans are some of the most amusing passages in the book. Some of the guests at least are up to no good, hank dissapears and D.J., Tom, and Debbie, the beautiful indian girl who loves Hank, embark on a desperate search. humour, suspense, romance, and wonderful descriptions of the desert, this book has everything you need for a pleasurable read.
|
