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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