Rating: 
Summary: I'm hooked!
Review: I had looked at this book a number of times before buying it...I can't believe I waited so long! I am now completely hooked on Amelia Peabody. She is a heroine for all ages.Set in 1884, Crocodile on the Sandbank presents the first person account of Amelia Peabody, 32, unmarried and independent after inheriting her father's estate. Amelia is sharp, witty, wryly humorous, and very intelligent. She sets off on an adventure travelling from her home in England through Europe to Rome where she comes to the rescue of Evelyn Barton-Forbes. Abandoned and penniless Evelyn is humbled but she still maintains her common sense and courage. The two immediately hit it off, and Evelyn becomes a companion to Amelia as they set off for Egypt. Once in Egypt, the two meet the Emerson brothers, archaeologists working on a dig in Amarna. The four join forces to contend with grave-robbers, the ever present Egyptian sun and wind, and a mysterious mummy stalking them by night. Laugh-out-loud funny in parts, romantic (though not romance-novel-esque), as well as thrilling and suspenseful, Crocodile on the Sandbank combines the best of mystery, history, and great characters. I have since read every one of the Amelia Peabody books and am anxiously awaiting the new one coming out May 1st.
Rating: 
Summary: Try and Read it!
Review: The Crocodile in the Sandbank includes suspense, history, and romance in one novel. I found Elizabeth Peters' character development to be the strongest aspect of her writing. Protagonist Amelia Peabody, our audacious heroine, is quite the contrast to her counterpart in the novel, the kind and feminine Evelyn Barton-Forbes. In addition to the characters' witty and delightful dialogue, I enjoyed Peters' successful incorporation of Egyptian history and fact. Knowing some background of ancient Egyptian history, I appreciated the author's references to hieroglyphics, pyramids, and mummies. However, I felt that the plot became a bit predictable as the novel progressed. The story's setting starts in the city of Rome and takes place in the city of Tell-el-Amarna, Egypt. Most of the action and mystery focuses on the plight of a stalking mummy---the ultimate cliché of Egyptian horror stories. The more I read, the more I realized possible story endings to this novel. Peters attempts to show, by concealing the mummy's identity until the end, that "looks can be deceiving." However, this conventional way to end a novel is dry and ho-hum. But, as the story progressed, I did find myself enjoying the novel for other reasons than its storyline. The playful relationship between Radcliffe Emerson and Amelia Peabody was a very entertaining aspect of the book. The descriptions of the famous Pharaoh Khuenaten (or Akhenaten) were also of particular interest. Lastly, the insights into Egyptian archeology and its role within the novel further enlightened me with small, but new ways of looking at Egyptian history.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful read
Review: This is the debut novel of amateur sleuth and Egyptologist Amelia Peabody, and it's really wonderful. Elizabeth Peters crafts a fun, beguiling mystery, two charming love stories, a study of Victoriana society and Ancient Egyptian artistry in a respectable 272 pages. Recently made an independent woman through a large inheritance, Amelia Peabody sets out to see the sights of Europe and the Middle East, particularly Egypt, which she has a great fondness for. While in Rome, she stumbles (literally) upon a young woman named Evelyn, a disowned heiress whose lover has abandoned her and who has been left to starve. Amelia takes to the young lady right away, and employs Evelyn as her companion. They set out for Egypt, seeing the splendid sights and meeting the Egyptologist Emerson brothers, Radcliffe and Walter, with whom Amelia and Evelyn respectively share similarities and interests. However, when very odd things start to happen and mummies begin walking around at night looking to scare people, Amelia realizes that there is more to the scenario than meets the eye, and someone is trying to kidnap Evelyn. Irascible and spirited as always, Amelia sets out to uncover the villain. This novel works well for anyone who enjoys Victorian mysteries with a splash of Indiana Jones flavoring. It's got the enjoyable, unconventional heroine, the inevitable and often entertaining battle of the sexes, and that occasional afternoon tea, but since we're in the middle of Egypt there's a little more adventure and a little less lecturing than you'd find in an Anne Perry mystery. Peters knows what she's talking about, what with a doctorate in Egyptology. The treasures and tombs of Egypt come vividly to life, and you'll be swept up in the grandeur and romance of the country. It's just like being in a polite Raiders of the Lost Ark, or King Solomon's Mines. The book does have its flaws. The mystery may be a little too predictable, although the mummy is just plain cool. We haven't really got any strong Egyptian characters, and the Europeans make a few too many remarks about how barbarous and uncivilized the people are. (They had irrigation systems long before we did, people. Most of Egypt's problems in the nineteenth century came from the Brits.) And Amelia's just a little too consistently blunt. Right after Evelyn tells of the disastrous love affair that stripped her of her virginity and her grandfather's love and left her starving in Rome, Amelia asks her how sex is. Maybe I misread the scene, but my God! Still, you can't put this book down. The intellectual showdowns between Amelia and Radcliffe ring with honesty and humor, and the descriptions of Egypt are so breathtaking and fascinating that you just won't care about much else. I read it in two days, when I should've been studying for finals, and I just ran out and bought the second one, Curse of the Pharoahs. If you're looking for a new smart, adventurous series to get hooked on, run out and buy this. It's the best mystery series I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Completely fun!
Review: I am always wanting new, entertaining books to read. So, when a friend recommended Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mysteries (starting with "Crocodile on the Sandbank"), I jumped right in. As someone else pointed out, the mystery aspect of Crocodile on the Sandbank is not the strongest part of this novel. (Don't be surprise if you guess the purpose and identity of the stalking mummy well before it is revealed.) In every other way, this book is excellent. The characters, plot and description are delightfully entertaining. Amelia Peabody, a Victorian-era spinster of means, embarks for a tour of Egypt. But first, while in Rome, she encounters Evelyn Barton-Forbes, who has been "ruined" by her former lover. Amelia insists that Evelyn accompany her. Once in Egypt, they meet Radcliffe and Walter Emerson. These four characters are incredible. They have strong personalities without becoming two-dimensional characatures. The way Amelia and Evelyn relate is touching, and the way Amelia and Emerson play off eachother is classic. I don't know much about ancient Egypt, but Elizabeth Peters provides so much fascinating description. She really seems to know what she's talking about. (In fact, she got a Ph.D. in Egyptology.) Crocodile on the Sandbank made me want to know more about Egyptology and archaeology. It certainly made me want to read more of the beautiful descriptions and wonderfully drawn characters.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Enjoyable
Review: Introducing Amelia Peabody, rich heiress, a strong and intelligent woman ahead of her time, outspoken and eager for adventure, 30-something spinster determined never to marry, she is our narrator and the story is told in the form of a travel journal she is keeping. When she comes into her money she decides to travel to Egypt, a place that has always captivated her imagination, against the wishes of her family who consider it frivolous and unbecoming for a woman to travel alone and a waste of money. She goes anyway, on the way to Egypt she meets Evelyn who becomes her travelling companion and is enveloped in a mystery as soon as they arrive. As they travel to view the pyramids and various tombs, they make the acquaintance of a pair of brothers also there for archaeological goals. Slow and predictable at the start and not very complex as a mystery, I still enjoyed it immensely for several reasons - most of all for the comedy, as the relationship between Peabody and Emerson developed their acid dialogue had me laughing out loud, and I was also interested in the graphic descriptions of Egypt a century ago, the journey on the Nile, the pyramids, the people and study of antiquities. Quite a comment on the British traveling through the "colonies" and handling ancient artifacts, prejudices and all, there are a few references sprinkled throughout the novel to historical events such as fighting in Sudan. I look forward to reading Book Two of the Peabody series.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Another great book in the Amelia Peabody series
Rating:
Summary: I'm Shocked that I Liked It!
Review: I have to admit, I've fallen in love with Amelia Peabody Emerson! This first book in the series had me laughing out loud at the outlandish behavior of our intrepid archaeologist. Ms. Peterson, who is quite knowledgeable concerning Egyptian history and artifacts, doesn't play dumb with the history or facts. The plot may be somewhat light and possibly written tongue-in-cheek, but you can resist becoming invested in these characters. When I first picked up this book at a yard sale, I was expecting something along the lines of The Mummy, but what I got instead was a rollicking good time, a fact-based Egyptian mystery, and character that actually brought a chuckle to my lips as I was furiously reading. And if you liked movies like The Mummy or The Mummy Returns, this should fit the bill, as well. After you've finished this book, I dare you not to run out and get the next one (or two, or three).
Rating:
Summary: This is the first book in the Amelia Peabody Series
Review: Once I read this one, I was hooked. A great series with fun mysteries, amazing settings and fantastic characters. I have given this book to many friends as gifts and all have loved it! If you are new to this series, here are some things you might like to know... Elizabeth Peters also writes under the name Barbara Michaels (not sure which is her real name). Personally, I have not been impressed by some of her other books outside of the Peabody mysteries. The Amelia Peabody books are adventure/mystery stories that take place in Egypt, in the late 1800's. Here are the books featuring Amelia Peabody in order from first to last:
1) Crocodile on the Sandbank (1975)
2) The Curse of the Pharaohs (1981)
3) The Mummy Case (1985)
4) Lion in the Valley (1986)
5) The Deeds of the Disturber (1988)
6) The Last Camel Died at Noon (1991)
7) The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog (1992)
8) The Hippopotamus Pool (1996)
9) Seeing a Large Cat (1997)
10) The Ape Who Guards the Balance (1998)
11) The Falcon at the Portal (1999)
12) He Shall Thunder In The Sky (May 2000)
13) Lord of the Silent (May 2001)
14) The Golden One (April 2002)
15) Children of the Storm (April 2003) Happy reading!
Rating:
Summary: AND A CROCODILE WAITETH UPON THE SANDBANK
Review: Miss Amelia Peabody, the heroine of this adorable mystery is left a small fortune by her father, an antiques scholar. She is the no-nonsense (almost stereotypical) 'middle aged' English woman who is quite happily, single. In fact, at 32 years of age, Amelia has no interest in men and enjoys dressing as plainly as possible. Since the story takes place in the 1880's, Amelia must have a female traveling companion and quite fortuitously rescues the exquisite, sweet, blue-blooded Evelyn Barton-Forbes. Together the women go on a wonderful journey that leads them down the Nile to the ancient burial chambers of Khuenaten. It is here where they are reacquainted with the Emerson brothers who are excavating the burial sites. And thus, the adventure begins. I loved this little novel. There is adventure, mystery, a lot of ancient history and even romance. In fact, I couldn't put this book down! The title refers to a poem found in an ancient scroll. Walter Emerson (Evelyn's love interest) translates the hieroglyphics into lovely verses that Amelia explains as, "The crocodile is a symbol of the dangers and difficulties any true lover would risk to win his sweetheart." And naturally, the poem is a reflection of what happens in the book. I can't wait to read the next one!
I also want to echo another reviewer and thank AMAZON for their wonderful lists. I have discovered the best books because of you!
Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Mystery
Review: Elizabeth Peters' is a master at mystery. I throughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it to anyone seeking a good mystery novel, especially one that seems to break out of the "norm". I was intrigued by the character of Amelia Peabody, by her personality, her spirit of adventure, and spinsterly ways. Written in first person, the narrative may seem somewhat long to some readers. But for me, it moved the story forward effortlessly. As a writer, I admire Dr. Peter's talent a great deal.
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