Summer of the Dragon

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book.
Review: Having been an avid Barbara Mertz (a.k.a. Elizabeth Peters, a.k.a. Barbara Michaels) fan for over a decade, I must say that this is her funniest story. D.J. is a wonderfully satirical character, with a typically quirky personality and not inconsiderable intelligence. The southwest, where I was born and raised, is a terrific setting for a mystery. If you are a laughing skeptic of the stories of "mystical" psychics and alien "abductions" that plague sensational journals, you will appreciate the abundant humor in this book.

Rating:
Summary: One of her best
Review: I really loved this book and read it entirely in one sitting. DJ is such an interesting character (and not thin, thank god!) it would be nice to see her in a possible sequel. The only criticism I would make is that the ending is a little vague. I had to read it a couple of times before I realised exactly what it was everyone was running around trying to find. Also the development of the relationship between DJ and Tom was a bit unreal. At first they hate each other, then out of the blue he declares his love for her, and in the last few pages DJ is talking marriage! I'm surprised Tom wasn't heading for the hills. It would have been nicer if there had been a bit more buildup between the two, but other than that, I'd rate "Summer of the Dragon" as one of Ms. Peters' best.

Rating:
Summary: Not Peters' best work, but a nice light read
Review: Purchased this when desperate for new Vicki Bliss mystery and couldn't wait any longer. This is a somewhat older book.

In some respects, perfect summer reading. Light romance, a little mystery, some good funny lines--all what you'd expect from Peters. I also like that the heroine is depicted as not your typical romance heroine, she's both intelligent and plump.

Where it doesn't get my higher rating, is with the predictability of the plot (seems like a cross between recycled Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie), not enough zingy action, and a bit dated.

But still, not a bad read.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, humorous, but not the best.
Review: SUMMER OF THE DRAGON was a good book. It had the humor to keep u giggling at even intervals. The frustration to keep u turning the pages to found out what Hank Hunnicut's big find was. The action and suspense to make u hold your breath and gasp frequently.
Over-all it was a good book. Though, it wasn't up to Peters' standards. The narrative seemed a little flippant at the beginning, but as Peters gained confidence (i guess) it became more and more bold. At times, i was waiting for the herione (D.J. Abbot) to say "Another shirt ruined!!" I can see how this book came before our revered Amelia, there are things that happen to be similiar, as well as the physical description of Tom De Karsky.
D.J. is a unique heroine, one that actually ate something and wasnt petite and well, girly. She had a mind of her own, and voiced her opinion when and not when asked. About the characters, they were amusing and helped to further the plot, but they werent well-deveolped. Physical descriptions were great (except for D.J. i can only remember her heigth) but the general personality of Tom, Hank, Jesse, The Stockwells, wasnt believable.
If u want to read something over the summer that is light and funny, w/ suspense, mystery, and action... then by all means this book is for u. I read it in one sitting. IT WAS GOOD!!
but not the best

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, humorous, but not the best.
Review: SUMMER OF THE DRAGON was a good book. It had the humor to keep u giggling at even intervals. The frustration to keep u turning the pages to found out what Hank Hunnicut's big find was. The action and suspense to make u hold your breath and gasp frequently.
Over-all it was a good book. Though, it wasn't up to Peters' standards. The narrative seemed a little flippant at the beginning, but as Peters gained confidence (i guess) it became more and more bold. At times, i was waiting for the herione (D.J. Abbot) to say "Another shirt ruined!!" I can see how this book came before our revered Amelia, there are things that happen to be similiar, as well as the physical description of Tom De Karsky.
D.J. is a unique heroine, one that actually ate something and wasnt petite and well, girly. She had a mind of her own, and voiced her opinion when and not when asked. About the characters, they were amusing and helped to further the plot, but they werent well-deveolped. Physical descriptions were great (except for D.J. i can only remember her heigth) but the general personality of Tom, Hank, Jesse, The Stockwells, wasnt believable.
If u want to read something over the summer that is light and funny, w/ suspense, mystery, and action... then by all means this book is for u. I read it in one sitting. IT WAS GOOD!!
but not the best

Rating:
Summary: Elizabeth Peters' funniest mystery
Review: The heroine is a young anthropologist, D.J. Abbott (named after Deanna Durbin, but strangely embarrassed by this, why?)She takes a summer job working for eccentric millionaire Hank Hunnicut, who fills his beautiful Arizona home with a variety of charlatans, mediums, experts on Atlantis etc. She finds herself at daggers drawn with Hank's gorgeous assistant, Tom De Karsky, Elizabeth Peters' sexiest hero. Permanently hungry, she munches her way through the lavish and delicious meals served at the ranch, while cheerfully goading Hank's preposterous guests. Her spirited denounciations of the drivel spouted by these charlatans are some of the most amusing passages in the book. Some of the guests at least are up to no good, hank dissapears and D.J., Tom, and Debbie, the beautiful indian girl who loves Hank, embark on a desperate search. humour, suspense, romance, and wonderful descriptions of the desert, this book has everything you need for a pleasurable read.

Rating:
Summary: Peters' Power Strikes Again
Review: This delightful confection was originally published in 1979. You might expect that 20+ years would date it a bit, but it manages to retain its entertainment value full force. This is a credit to Elizabeth Peters, who popularized the humorous mystery story in the U.S. and remains its undisputed mistress.

Desperate to find a summer job that takes her away from her beloved, but impossible, parents, D.J. Abbott snaps up a job working for Hank Hunnicut. Hank is an extremely wealthy businessman who has a weakness for crackpot theories and spiritual hokum. D.J. finds herself surrounded by a herd of not quite harmless enthusiasts and practitioners, a treasure hunter, another young (and good-looking) anthropologist, the ineffable Hank himself, and an immense amount of desert.

D.J.'s immediate problem is finding out what it was that Hank needed a physical anthropologist for, but she is distracted from this by an infinite supply of food, several attempts to drug her, some sabotage and, finally, Hank's kidnapping. The excitement mounts as she unravels the tangled threads and identifies the culprit.

D.J. serves as narrator of the book and Peters gives her a charming style that sees everything from its humorous side, including her own failings and weaknesses. Using this device Peters creates a perfect example of summer or vacation reading. D.J. is a type that was once referred to as an 'uppity woman.' She is more truthful than accommodating, which catapults her into many hilarious confrontations.

To top of this tidbit, Peters' Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute stands her in good stead, as she manages to mix her sense of humor with a wealth of interesting facts.

It would be unfair to compare this book to Peters Amanda Peabody series. The latter are, for the most part, the work of a maturer artist. By no means heavyweight, they do have 'meat' and depth to them. But this book has standing and value on its own, and it is our good fortune that Avon has chosen to reissue it.