Rating: 
Summary: totally cool
Review: Elizabeth Peters' "Crocodile on the Sandbank" launches two intrepid Britons -- Amelia Peabody and Radcliffe Emerson -- upon an unsuspecting readership. The setting is late 19th-century Egypt. The passions are tombs, mummies, pyramids and certain others that are more intimate...
Who ever heard of Elizabeth Peters? In 1975 [when "Crocodile" was first published], no one. She's actually (according to my best information) Barbara Mertz, possessor of a Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago and author of romance novels under the pseudonymn Barbara Michaels.
This first installment in the now (happily!!!) lengthy Peabody-Emerson series combines the author's impressive edcuational background with a flagrant romanticism. The results are witty, charming, informative, exasperating, intriguing, beguiling.
I hesitated to introduce the Peabody-Emerson books to my late husband because I thought that he might find them too feminine. Hah! Austin was utterly charmed, and he soon became the primary acquisitor in our family of new releases in this wonderful series.
It doesn't much matter where you begin in the Peabody-Emerson saga: just BEGIN!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This is the best book I have ever read. I'm not kidding. It's absolutly the perfect bok for someone like me. I love studying Egypt and I love reading mysterys. The perfect combo!
Rating:
Summary: Get ready to travel back in time....
Review: Welcome to the first book in the Amelia Peabody series. Be prepared for the exotic setting of Egypt with its countless archaeological sites.Amelia Peabody is an exceptional character. She keeps the reader hooked on her every thought. Throughout this book your fondness for her grows. Her encounters with the eldest Emerson brother will keep you laughing for days. Elizabeth Peters is the only writer who has managed to revive my memories of trips to Egypt. Her descriptions are so accurate and her characters are well developed, as is her plot. She merges the history of ancient Egypt with her chosen setting of the Victorian era. This book is so good that I have already managed to purchase the next few books of the series, something I have not done in the past.
Rating: 
Summary: Part Mystery, Part Historical Novel, Part Neo-Romance
Review: There is a lot to like in "Crocodile on the Sandbank". It is basically a mystery, set among British Egyptologists and Egyptophiles in late 19th century Egypt. The novel's Egyptian background (both ancient and 19th century) is (as far as I can tell) all historically correct; evidently this continues through the entire series of Amelia Peabody mysteries, each with its own susequent historical setting. The story is romantic, but with its female heroine it is at times a gentle parody of the typical romance novels. Add the facts that it is witty, literate, well-written, and populated with vibrant characters and this book is easy to recommend highly. I am certain I will read more of Elizabeth Peters [who is actually a pseudonym of Barbara Mertz, who is an author of nonfiction Egyptology books, and is also Barbara Michaels, a pseudonym she uses to author gothic suspense novels].
Rating:
Summary: I need a time machine!
Review: This book gets better each time I read it. Amelia Peabody is a heroine to admire, with great self-reliance and self-assurance, and a hilarious mix of modesty (about her appearance) and conceit (about her brain power). Her travels make me envious, and her compassion makes me humble. But when she reaches Egypt... and meets Emerson... I was swept up in the atmosphere. I wanted to run out and enroll in graduate school to study ancient cultures. And I wanted to change my husband's name to Emerson! You can't help laughing over Amelia's suppressed attraction. Ms. Peters/MPM could easily turn her hand to straight comedy and I'd fall off my seat laughing. But by entwining Egyptology and mystery she has instead totally hooked me forever. What's amazing about this book is that it successfully combines so many pleasing elements into one story, which each element enriching the others. My sole complaint is that I'd like to learn more about Amelia's father - she indicates he had connections and interests that surprised her (a spider in a large web) - and that sounds like a great lead-in for future surprises about her father's past.
Rating:
Summary: Amelia Peabody Series is a Winner!
Review: My husband's aunt suggested I read this during a summer vacation at the lake. Once I picked it up, I was hooked. Elizabeth Peter's tale of the plucky Egyptologist held my interest from cover to cover. Amelia Peabody is an interesting woman of intelligence and wit. This is more than a mystery novel; the characters are well rounded, the plot holds many secrets which are revealed as the story unfolds, I just could not put it down. In fact, I came to Amazon and ordered the next 8 books in the series. Highly recommend it to anybody.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent On-Your-Toes Adventure!
Review: I was hesitant to read this book, as romances are my usual, but something about the way my parents are currently devouring the Amelia Peabody books made me try this, and I was not dissappointed in the least. Amelia Peabody is a no nonsense female who has planned a trip in Egypt. While on her way, she finds a young abandoned woman on the streets of Rome, and decides to take her inn. Miss Evelyn Forbes was apparently left destitute by her lover Alberto, so Amelia decides that Evelyn should be her companion for her journey, and Evelyn accepts. She they head off, and on the way they meet the Emerson brothers who are involved in archaeology, and Amelia and Evelyn end up visiting their excavation site. Radcliffe Emerson is a large and loud man who does the digging and his younger brother Walter is good looking, quieter, and enamored of Evelyn. While visiting the site strange things begin to occur, such as a mysterious mummy who appears at night and the superstitious townspeople who refuse to work for the Emersons any longer. As Evelyn's cousin, and ardent suitor Lucas and his enterage arrive, things only become more confused. Will Amelia and her friends be able to solve this mystery? I adored Amelia because of her practicality and her zest for knowledge and adventure. She is the kind of female I wish I could be, and was extremely brave in the face of danger. Emerson (the elder) was just perfect for Amelia as he is neither overpowering, nor cowed by the brusque and sarcastic Amelia. They were a perfect foil and added a sparkle to a wonderful mystery. Walter, Evelyn, and all the others were equally delightful. I recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a well written mystery, with witty characters, a large amount of humor, and a touch of romance. I look forward to reading the peabody sequels, and wish you Happy Reading!
Rating:
Summary: Addictive and Entertaining
Review: A friend recommnded this series to me as I was finishing the Aunt Dimity series (by Nancy Atherton). She knew of my Nancy Drew adoration as a child and thought I might enjoy a similarly enthusiastic and sharp heroine. Amelia Peabody is just that, a bright, energetic woman who enjoys life and the mysteries it offers. I was suprised at how the sights and scents of Egypt were carried out on the page and delighted at the character development. The best part has to be that I could not predict the ending within the first few chapters! Finally a writer who has a plot interesting enough that I am too busy enjoying the story to disect its destination! If you enjoy mysteries with a dash of humor brought to life by interesting characters who transcend the ink with which they have been created, I recommend this book and its subsequent series.
Rating:
Summary: To know her is to love her...
Review: And I'm not talking about Evelyn. Amelia Peabody is one of the best characters in literature today. She's smart, she's funny, and she is a very dedicated feminist. Her relationship with Evelyn is a sweet friendship (we should all be so lucky) while her relationship with Radcliffe Emerson is a true meeting of great minds (we should all be so LUCKY!!). This is the first in a series that only gets better as time goes by. Read this book...I promise you'll love it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Amelia's first mystery
Review: I love beginnings, and the first Amelia Peabody mystery is a sentimental favourite that I still adore everytime I read it. A strong, commonsense heroine, and characters that seem real and humourous at the same time. I enjoyed this book, not so much for the mystery, but for the engaging conversation and interaction between the characters. The tone is set through Amelia's storytelling which still makes me smile with her "Victorian" interpretations of Egyptian life and her companions. I love human conflict and a good mystery, and I'm a sucker for romance. This is a great read on a cold rainy day when you want to escape to the heat of Egypt.
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