The Camelot Caper (Unabridged)

Rating:
Summary: Full of Thrills
Review: Jessica Tregarth is unwillingly towed into a mystery when two sinister and mysterious men follow her throughout England on her vacation to her grandfather's house. For unknown reasons the men say that they want an ancient ring Jessica processes, and Jessica confused, refuses to give in. She meets up with David Randall, a novelist, who decides to take her under his wing as they set out to solve the mystery of the ring, her grandfather's strange conviction that the remains of Camelot lie on his property, and the motives of the two villains that pursue her. With all it's action and adventure this book is definitely hard to put down. The reader is thrown into the mystery and adventure from the book's very beginning. Elizabeth Peters does a terrific job of creating the character of David. He's wit, charm, and daring all woven into one. The romance and Peter's blended in sense of humor are a refreshing bonus throughout "The Camelot Caper".

Rating:
Summary: Good story, but kind of disappointing
Review: Since this book was written in the late 1960's, I guess the heroine was still in the process of becoming the strong female character typical of Peter's work. This book disappointed me and I couldn't stand the passive heroine at times. In fact, once I set the book down in disgust at her behavior, although that may seem like an overreaction to some people. It seemed like she was always submitting to the "hero." Aaargh! However, for those of you that aren't as sensitive about these issues as I am, it's a great, funny tale to curl up in front of the fireplace with. It's also a tie-in with one of Peter's other series, the Vicky Bliss mysteries (which I love), giving some background to the elusive "Sir John's" origins.

Rating:
Summary: Sir John's bad beginnings
Review: The very early prequel to the Vicky Bliss series. The villian and his sidekick thug - the beautiful tourist - the confused hero - all the ingredients for an exciting and fun read. Jessica visits England to return THE RING to her grandfather....alas, once she reaches England annoying and progressively more dangerous things happen to her. She meets her "Knight" in a red Jag and he thinks it all a joke,,,until the "Villians" pay him a visit and leave him bruised and believing. The dark and gloomy castle, THE RING, the villians unmasked and the exciting conclusion to the story. Remember Cousin John and read "The Street of the Five Moons". It is always pleasant to find a favorite villian move his base of operations....I do love a great "villian/hero" ..Hooray for Cousin John Tregarth

Rating:
Summary: Sir John's bad beginnings
Review: The very early prequel to the Vicky Bliss series. The villian and his sidekick thug - the beautiful tourist - the confused hero - all the ingredients for an exciting and fun read. Jessica visits England to return THE RING to her grandfather....alas, once she reaches England annoying and progressively more dangerous things happen to her. She meets her "Knight" in a red Jag and he thinks it all a joke,,,until the "Villians" pay him a visit and leave him bruised and believing. The dark and gloomy castle, THE RING, the villians unmasked and the exciting conclusion to the story. Remember Cousin John and read "The Street of the Five Moons". It is always pleasant to find a favorite villian move his base of operations....I do love a great "villian/hero" ..Hooray for Cousin John Tregarth

Rating:
Summary: Peters takes all the Gothic novel cliches and runs with them
Review: This novel was an enormous amount of fun. All of the standard gothic novel cliches are here. A young woman alone, travels to England to visit relatives that she has never met at a gloomy manor house. The relatives turn out to be after an heirloom ring left to her by her late father, and a dashing stranger saves her and provides a bit of romance. Peters brings all of these elements together with a sense of humor and an element of excitement. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Peters takes all the Gothic novel cliches and runs with them
Review: This novel was an enormous amount of fun. All of the standard gothic novel cliches are here. A young woman alone, travels to England to visit relatives that she has never met at a gloomy manor house. The relatives turn out to be after an heirloom ring left to her by her late father, and a dashing stranger saves her and provides a bit of romance. Peters brings all of these elements together with a sense of humor and an element of excitement. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Do try it...
Review: This was the first Elizabeth Peters book I ever read, and I give thanks for the day I did so <grin> since it introduced me to this wonderful writer. I read it as a teenager, and it is still one of my favorite books to re-read. I simply enjoy all of the characters, and the dialogue always amuses me.

Rating:
Summary: Fun, but don't expect more than that
Review: To know Elizabeth Peters is not to know this book. I think there can be general agreement that her Amelia Peabody series (although I dearly wish she would write a new Vicky Bliss book) is her best work but some of her other stand alone books can be great fun. The kind of think that is good to pack when you have a long flight ahead of you.

It is best to go into these books expecting nothing more than a little lighthearted fun. With that said though I must note that this is not the best one in that class- you would be better off with Peters' Summer of the Dragon or Naked Once More.