Rating:  Summary: The Best Book of Elizabeth Peters! Review: This book is an amazing mystery. I am a hopelesss romantic, which makes it all the better. But for those of you aren't that into romance, don't worry. It's not only appealing to those of us who feed of romance. It also has a VERY intricate plot that must have used a very tight plot outline. Vicky is a delightful heroine: clever, beautiful, stubborn and perfect for John. John is the romantic crook who is- was- in love with Vicky. Vicky is in love with John and he was supposed to contact her every so often. Vicky is worried or should I say panicked about John; he hasn't contacted her in 6 weeks. Vicky is then asked to go on an Egyptian cruise to discover the criminals involved in a plot that I will not go into. When Vicky sees John on board, she knows instantly who the crooks must be. To her horror, she finds out that John is married to a cute bubbly young woman named Mary. When Vicky's nosy boss, Schmidt joins the cruise, Vicky is very annoyed. Schmidt though, may be more helpful than everyone thinks. I know that I am writing a review, not a summary, so I will go back to that. Schmidt is a lovable old man, a classic character. Vicky, on the other hand, beautiful as she is, actually makes you feel sorry for her for being beautiful. John would be a wonderful character, if it had been told from someone else's point of view. But Vicky is unforgivably furious with him throughout most of the book. Other characters may be much be more than they seem- Feisal, the handsome guide, Sweet and Bright, who Vicky discovers are her security, the unsociable German urologist. I am not in any way saying that these characters are necessarily special, for indeed some of them are not and others that are not mentioned definitely are very evil or very good. You would never guess who they are until Elizabeth Peters reveals it- Vicky's impressions are so fixed. Anyhow, all I'm saying is if you don't read this thriller, you're missing out on one of the greatest books of all time. Ages 13+ up
Rating:  Summary: A Must Read! Review: This book is one of the best written mysteries I have ever read. The main character Vicky Bliss is surrounded by some of the most entertaining secondary characters ever put into a novel. Her lovable boss Schmidt and deceptive love intrest John will you keep you reading Elizabeth Peters books untill all hours of the night. This is a fast paced adventure that will take you to Egypt and back, it is impossible to walk away from!
Rating:  Summary: Wonderful! Lovely! One of the best books I have ever read! Review: This is a wonderful book whether you are an avid mystery reader or a fan of suspenful and witty romance. Both will keep you from putting this book down. I have to read the others in the series now, but I would reccomend reading the ther in the seried before this one. You will be more interested in the romance part of the novel. It is not a romanctic book by any strech of the meaning, but there is just enough to keep you wondering, hoping, and waiting for it. I love this book. I cannot say anything more except that you, whoever you are must read this book. I reccomend it to anyone. I woke up early in the morning so that I could read for an hour before going to work. It is amazing.
Rating:  Summary: this book is not to miss Review: This is my favorite book of all time. I have read it close to a dozen times and I love it each and every time. Vicky Bliss is gorgeous, and brilliant. Best of all is her dry sense of humor and her undescribable wit. Don't start the series with this book though, first read Borrower in the Night, Street of 5 moons, Silhouette in scarlet and trojan gold. This is one series you will fall in love with.
Rating:  Summary: Delightful Review: This is one of my favorite Elizabeth Peters books. I love all the Vicky Bliss books. I just wish Ms. Peters would write more of them. I enjoy all her books but this one is by far the best.
Rating:  Summary: keeps getting better! Review: This series is amazing. When I read Borrower of the Night, I thought it was a good book. Street of the Five Moons was better, and so forth. After Trojan Gold, I thought I had just read the best book this author was capable of producing- and, let me tell you, it was good. But then I came across Night Train To Memphis. The book was so gripping I read it twice in one night and then kept it for a week, refusing to return it to the friend I had borrowed it from. Let me warn you, without having read the rest of the series you will not appreciate everything that happens. This book will leave you dazed and in love. I await a sequel with great expectations!
Rating:  Summary: A triumph of mystery and romance from a peerless maestro. Review: Vicky Bliss is back again for a rousing adventure! A suspicious message planted on the dead body of a known
crook leads Vicky on a hair-raising trek to Egypt. Fans of
John Smythe and Schmidt will be thrilled to know that both
play major parts in this fifth novel in the Vicky Bliss series, and those rooting for Vicky and John will be happily
surprised at the new twist in their romance. Throw in the
usual cast of wacky supporting characters and a sexy guide
named Feisal and you're guaranteed to be hooked. Peters has
done it again--this one is honestly so good you don't want to read the last page.
Rating:  Summary: Vicky takes a cruise and discovers murder,love,and anger. Review: Vicky Bliss takes a nile cruise and runs into her lost love, John,and he's married!She's too busy to deal with it because Dr.Max is back and a new scandel is aloof. Will all end well?Does John still love Vicky.Is the marriage for real,and will Dr. Bliss escape the hands of evil? Find out for yourself!The only disapointment is the book has to end
Rating:  Summary: Where, Oh Where Review: Where, oh where, is another Vicky Bliss novel? Although I'm a major fan of the Amelia Peabody series, beginning with Crocodile On A Sandbank, I'm also a fan of Vicky Bliss (is it just me, or do others find her last name amusing, given her determination to be taken seriously?). Vicky and her fellow characters are an incredible bunch, and I've always enjoyed her adventures. This time it's off to Egypt, where she begins to doubt her own sanity, and as always, the sincerity of her some time lover, John Smythe. But fear not, gentle reader, all will be explained. Usually with the wit and humor this series is famous for. Elizabeth Peters writes wonderfully amusing dialogue, and the scenes crackle. My only complaint is that we haven't seen Vicky in a long time, and I, for one, miss this series. This one is a roller coaster in the manner of Indiana Jones. Don't miss this one, it's a real treat for fans!
Rating:  Summary: Tale of the Egyptian Cowboy Review: While I'm a long term fan of Elizabeth Peters and her delightful stories of Amelia Peabody and her mad, archeological family, I have never thought to pick up one of the Vicky Bliss mysteries. Due, I think to cover blurbs that played up the romance and played down the mystery. Faced with a long trip I decided to try 'Night Train to Memphis' on audio tape. The tape failed at a crucial juncture, and I had to pick up a copy of the book in order to finish the novel, so this review actually covers both media.Peters has a great affection for quirky, unforgettable lead women. They are always strong characters and frequently outdo their male counterparts. Vicky Bliss is no exception. She is an attractive woman, an American who has the intelligence and knowledge to hold a position at the National Museum at Munich working with Professor Anton Schimdt. The latter is one of those characters that combine inestimable knowledge with an almost irritating roly-poly cuteness. Vicky is considerably less saccharine and lacks his compulsive fascination with American country music, the lyrics of which haunt this novel. Vicki is asked by German intelligence to take part in a fabulous cruise of the Nile River, posing as a lecturer in Egyptian history. They have information is that something unpleasant was due to happen on that cruise, but, do to the death of their agent, they have no idea what. Vicky's job was to help keep whatever it is from happening. When they refuse to accept her lack of knowledge of ancient Egypt as an excuse, Vicki gives in. A chance to escape Schmidt for a bit if nothing else. To her chagrin, she finds that one of the passengers on the cruise is her lover, noted jewel thief John Smythe. She hadn't heard from him is six weeks, but she didn't expect him to turn up with a new wife, Mary, as well as Mary's mother. Also on board is a cast of characters, from Larry Blenkiron, the fabulously wealthy aficionado of Egyptian artifacts and lore, to Luisa Ferncliffe, a romance novel maven. Oh, lest I forget, Professor Schmidt shows up at the last moment. What follows is comedy and seeming chaos. Vicky finds herself the object of falling flowerpots, missing attendants, and dead archeologists. While the pattern points to a master thief preparing to abscond with a fortune in Egyptian museum pieces almost anyone could fill the part or be working in aid of the plot. Vicky shows a knack for disastrous heroics that inevitably get herself and her two timing jewel thief into deadly fixes. By the time they have identified the guilty party most of Egypt is chasing them down the Nile. Peter's really outdoes herself, coming up with one plot gimmick after another, each character more astounding than the next. Often, in a Peter's novel, we are lulled into thinking that chaos is the rule, but 'Night Train to Memphis' shows a sure hand at the helm. While I survived this being the first Vicky Bliss novel I would suggest that the reader consider reading something earlier in the series, a significant number of characters actually received their development in earlier novels, and that knowledge would greatly increase ones enjoyment. A word on the audio tapes. Kathleen Turner does a wonderful job being the voice of Vicky Bliss, managing to bring out many nuances that one might miss in reading. While she does have a good ear for speech patterns and accents she overplays this slightly too much. I did not care at all for her Professor Schmidt, who comes over as an overly comic Dutch uncle. And John Smythe's voice is a bit more upper class than need be. On the other hand, few actresses or actors have the range of voice necessary to do justice to such a diverse set of characters. That Turner can come as close as she did is admirable.
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