Rating: 
Summary: Adventure in the Desert
Review: The Amelia Peabody series, of which this is the 6th, is one of my favorites in mystery fiction. By all means, if you haven't already done so, begin with the first book of the series, Crocodile on the Sandbank. This one, The Last Camel ..., is a little different from the previous five mysteries. This is an adventure story in the tradition of H. Rider Haggard, set in one of Earth's unexplored corners, the deserts of Sudan. Giving us a change of pace, as well as introducing a new character, who (I assume) will be important in succeeding volumes, this installment is not to be missed by Peabody fans. With regret, however, I felt that some of the touches that added to the delight of the previous volumes became a bit stale in this one, such as Amelia's admiration of Emerson's physique and her often repeated coy Victorian references to bedtime activities. At 10, Ramses seems hardly older than he was at a precocious seven. Even so, I can't wait to find out what happens next.
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Summary: Humorous Mystery with Archaeology on the Side
Review: The Last Camel Died at Noon is a delightful entry into the Amelia Peabody series of books. Elizabeth Peters hit upon a magic formula like other mystery and adventure writers before her. Peters' formula is to combine exotic North African locations, late-19th Century/early 20th Century settings, which we can all look at with a combination of superiority and nostalgia, truly eccentric characters, and small bits of archaeology and history for good measure. It works every time.
In this book, Peabody and her husband Emerson are sent to the Sudan to find out what has happened to a long-disappeared archaeologist and his young bride. The story evokes not only the books of H. Rider Haggard, as many reviewers have commented, but the saga of Henry Stanley searching for Doctor Livingstone (Stanley actually is discussed briefly in the book).
Peabody and Emerson's quest quickly runs into problems when all of their camels die in the desert far away from water. They are rescued and led to a wonderful, if implausible, area in which the natives are descendants of ancient Egyptian/Sudanese royalty and continue to worship the ancient gods and live according to ancient traditions.
Peabody and Emerson's reaction to their archaeological finds as well as their work to solve the mystery of their predecessor's disappearance makes for a great read.
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Book in the Series
Review: The Last Camel Died at Noon is by far the worst book in the series. I am an avid fan of Amelia Peabody and her adventures, but this particular book drags... The only redeeming feature of this novel is that it introduces Nefret. To add to the boring story line, the pages of my book fell out of the binding while I was reading it the first time (I have never read it again...)
Rating:
Summary: Worst Book in the Series
Review: The Last Camel Died at Noon is by far the worst book in the series. I am an avid fan of Amelia Peabody and her adventures, but this particular book drags... The only redeeming feature of this novel is that it introduces Nefret. To add to the boring story line, the pages of my book fell out of the binding while I was reading it the first time (I have never read it again...)
Rating: 
Summary: Egyptology's best mystery yet!
Review: The totally unbelievable becomes the realistic setting for another excellent book by Elizabeth Peters. I love Amelia and this was her most exciting adventure yet! This book is for anyone who has ever wondered about entering an ancient world. You won't be able to put it down
Rating:
Summary: Amelia Peabody is like a mature Indiana Jones.
Review: This book is about what you fantasize about at work. It's too incredulous to be true but that is the charm of it. You wish it were true and that you were in Amelia Peabody's place. Instead of being one of those confounded tourists. In The Last Camel Died at Noon, Amelia and Emerson (along with the irrepressable Ramses) set out to do something but I forget what since it has been so long since I've read it. Anyway, just read it simce that was what you were going to do in the first place. What's the point of knowing all about it before you read it?
Rating:
Summary: A Pretty Good Adventure Story, if a Little Long.
Review: This book is more of an adventure story than it is a mystery. Although it gets a bit slow in the middle, it still is pretty good. Amelia and Emerson are wonderful as usual in this. The thing I really like about these stories is the way these two complement each other when they are solving their mysteries or pursuing their adventures together. In this book, we see Amelia and Emerson as well as their son Ramses on a wild hunt through the desert. They are going to find out what happened to a friend of Emerson's that disappeared with his wife about 10 years ago. Everyone thought they had died, but his father is sure that he's alive. The humour is just as apparent in this book as in others, and the story is fun. Amelia and her family are placed in danger again, but they manage to overcome as usual. This was not my favourite Peabody mystery, if only because I had figured out the plot twists and turns before they happened, but it's still fun nevertheless.
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Summary: A grand tale chock full of the best of the genre.
Review: This book is one of her best works, full of amazing lost
civilizations, last second escapes, grueling detective work,
and everything else she's known for.
Rating:
Summary: Amelia Peabody soars
Review: This has to be said to be my favorite Peabody mystery so far. This tale is pure adventure, and never fails to surprise or dissapoint. I could not put it down. A must read for Peters fans.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth your time!
Review: This is an excellent book, both hilarious and thought-provoking. In the beginning, I found her character's references to the Arabic myths (?) and ancient manuscripts absolutely fascinating. I was tempted to rush out and see if I could find a copy of The Book of Hidden Pearls or about Zerzura, "The Place of the Little Birds." However, you will probably find the family's dialogue and some of the situations they get into slightly caricatured. I find that this makes the story all the more enjoyable, and, sometimes it's so blatant, it makes you laugh out loud. All in all, I would highly recommend this Rider Haggard-esque adventure to anyone. Enjoy!
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