The Last Camel Died at Noon

Rating:
Summary: I truly wasted my ...on this CD
Review: This review concerns the unabridged audiobook of The Last Camel Died at Noon read by Susan O'Malley. I have read that book before and I am a fan of the Amelia Peadody-series which I have read completely. The books vary in quality but they are always enjoyable. The present title is one of the most unique stories - best explained as being a satirical citation of Henry Rider Haggards SHE. I also like audiobooks and last year I first heard a Peabody-novel narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. It was quite a treat. I wasn't able to get "The last Camel.." read by her then, but was content to order this unabridged version read by Susan O'Malley. However, it was the worst audiobook I ever listened to. ...I therefore recommend that if one ever want's to listen to an Elizabeth Peters audiobook than only if Barbara Rosenblat is the narrator. Anything else would be selfdeceit. Rosenblat even turns the weaker episodes into celebrations (all by Recordedbooks).

Rating:
Summary: Back on form
Review: Three and a half stars is what this really deserves, but it's not possible to give it that. This is a good fun read, made better than some of its recent predecessors by a reduced emphasis on how good Amelia thinks she is, a less annoying Ramses, and a stronger plot. Emerson is the same as ever, but I'm not complaining about that.
This is high melodrama and adventure, with plots and mysteries abounding as the Peabody-Emersons set off into the desert in search of a missing explorer and find themselves in the midst of a power struggle in a hidden kingdom. Really enjoyable and with a good setting, though I did think the ending fell a bit flat. Perhaps I should have read my Rider Haggard directly before reading "The Last Camel Died At Noon", to fully appreciate all the references and jokes?