Rating: 
Summary: A female Indiana Jones? I so agree!
Review: A friend of mine recommended the adventures of Amelia Peabody Emerson to me. After browsing through the reader reviews in the front pages of this particular book, I decided that I would give it a try. I must admit. As a fan of Indiana Jones and a student of the Victorian period, the clincher was this review: "If Indiana Jones were female, a wife and mother who lived in Victorian times, he would be Amelia Peabody Emerson."I don't know if I would class Peters' Peabody tales as mysteries. I see them as more in the Rollicking, Romantic Adventure genre. I absolutely adore Amelia and her robust, ruggard and raucous husband, Radcliffe Emerson. (Does everyone else love the names of her characters as much as I?) I have ordered the entire Peabody adventures from my local book store. They are treasures I must have in my collection. There is nothing more enjoyable reading the adventures of feisty, intelligent, romantic heroines. Just a little comment: Does anyone else envy the AMAZING sex life of Amelia and her delicious hubby??
Rating: 
Summary: Satisfying mystery, wonderful romance, beautifully ironic
Review: The first novel in Elizabeth Peters' series of Amelia Peabody mysteries in which she uses the stolid common good sense of Amelia to solve crimes and at the same time make comment on the wonders of Archaelogical digs in Egypt during late Victorian days. Peters has a Phd in Egyptology (or something similar) and so she is able to blend her knowledge rather well using her characters. Its a very satisfying and fun way to learn about Egypt, and about those early enthusiastic - but sometimes less than careful digs, which were conducted during this period. The Crocodile on the Sandbank introduces us to Amelia Peabody, rich, independent, early to mid thirties and restless English traveller. While in Rome she stumbles across Evelyn - a fellow English woman who has 'ruined' her reputation. Amelia, undaunted by convention, hires her as a companion and travels on to Egypt. There they meet the brooding bad-termpered Radcliffe Emerson and his charming younger brother Walter. The Emerson's are conducting a dig which Amelia and Evelyn visit - Amelia usefully saves Radcliffe's life when he falls into a fever, an act to which he is singularly unappreciative. Unfortunately forces greater than themselves appear to be converging on the dig site - for a mummy is haunting the site - and even worse - appears to have a taken a great liking for the beautiful Evelyn. In the meantime Evelyn's own past is catching up with her at the same time that Walter is falling in love with her. Nothing is quite straightforward - and while neither Radcliffe (who prefers to be known as Emerson) nor Amelia believe in the supernatural, still there are a great number of dead ends and complicated overlaying of motives to find it difficult to figure out just what the mummy is up to. In all of this I just can't help liking Amelia Peabody - she is so practical and in using her to provide the narrators voice Peters is able to set up a great many wonderfully ironic observations.
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Summary: I didn't know what to think...
Review: ...at first, but Elizabeth Peters has just gained a new fan! I was struggling with purchasing this novel at first; I didn't know if I would like the Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones - esqe type of story. I was more into the Robinson/Haney type of Egyptian mystery. When I finally started to read it though, it grabbed a hold and drew me in. I must say it was a fantastic read. If you like Egypt, then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Set-Up
Review: Well, so it's rather inferior to later Amelia Peabody books-- that's to be expected, I suppose. I think Peters does an admirable job setting up her characters, though I think that the romance between Peabody and Emerson could been a little more developed. Nevertheless, this gets the characters into position for a saga which, I hasten to assure those of you who have not had the pleasure of reading these books, is worth it. I did not find this book to be particularly gripping, but it is highly amusing, and I counsel anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mystery, or romance to begin this series properly, by reading this book.
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Summary: Eleanor Lavish goes to Egypt
Review: Whenever I read Elizabeth Peter's Amanda Peabody novels, I cannot help thinking of Eleanor Lavish (played by Dame Judi Dench in a Room With A View). Remember Eleanor Lavish during the picture, proclaiming the benefits of Mackintosh Squares? Or her descriptions of Florence to Charlotte Bartlett? If you found Eleanor Lavish entertaining, you will LOVE Amelia Peabody. Armed with a parasol, a first-aid kit, and a formidable confidence in the superiority of the British Empire and its cultural conventions, Amelia Peabody sets out for an adventure in Egypt. On her way, she rescues a fainting Englishwoman, hires a dahabeeyah to take her down the Nile to view archaeological remains, and meets the Emerson brothers. While Walter Emerson falls for our fainting Englishwoman, his older brother Radcliffe Emerson--as curmudgeonly as Amelia--begins to do battle for control of his archaeological site. His rival? Parasol-wielding Amelia Peabody, of course. The plot, as other reviewers suggest, is purely secondary to the characters--especially Amelia. If you want to learn a little about Egypt and in the process solve a completely unsurprising mystery then you can have no better companion than the forthright Amelia Peabody. How many mysteries make you laugh out-loud at the antics of the heroine?
Rating: 
Summary: Soap Opera or Historical Story Time?
Review: Elizabeth Peters combines an intriguing short history of Egyptology in the late 19th /early 20th century with the struggles of a woman yearning for equality in "Crocodile On The Sandbank." Peters elaborates on the various types of suffrage women confronted during the time period through the eyes of Amelia Peabody, a stubborn and determined British woman. Although Peters thoroughly incorporates facts with fiction, the novel appeared to force facts into the story line. At times, the story does not flow or appears long and tiring because of the facts filling page space between the sagas of the soap opera in Peabody's life. Those readers who enjoy learning history through creative and interesting fiction will definitely benefit from this writer, as her accounts of Egypt are convincing for even a history class in academia. The story begins rather slowly and does not pick up until midway through the novel. In my opinion, the most exciting chapter in the novel was the last. It not only incorporated the savy romantic dilemma of Peabody, but also a situation which leaves Peabody and her male companion, Radcliffe Emerson, fearing for their lives at the risk of Peabody's newfound confidant, Evelyn Barton-Forbes, heiress of the wealthy Earl of Ellesmere. Finally, this story is only recommended should the reader thoroughly enjoy soap operas mixed with dry historical accounts in an effort to spice up the history of Egyptology.
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Summary: I hear a fourth Indiana Jones is in production.
Review: What an eye oponer, Egyptologist Barbara Mertz under the pseudonym, Elizabeth Peters, offers an particular fusion of history and fiction. From the series of mystery novels, Peters continues the adventurous tales of protagonist Amelia Peabody. Set during the Victorian period, she paints a vivid portrait of early Egyptian archeology, while incorporating narrative/fictional elements. Peters combines her factual knowledge of Egyptology with literary whim. Warning: This is not Indiana Jones. Peabody acts rather like Velma from Scooby Doo, itching to break societal gender barriers. OK-she's also interested in Egyptology, courtesy of her late father, wealthy scholar and antiquarian. Observe the passage, almost halfway through the novel, which involves the discovery of the mummy. This chapter (5) contains some historical references, to Amarna and the Aten, and the usage of Peters' suspense narrative-a bit drab for my taste though. Thirdly, it exposes Peabody's irritating demeanor. By that, I mean through her 'conversation' with the male members of the team, prior to the mummy's discovery. "I am not accustomed to be spoken to in that tone..His mouth had relaxed. It was, as I had suspected, a well-shaped organ." Freud would definately have something to say about that. I'm infering that she's, oh yes, wondered 'beyond' Egyptology here. Imperialism also makes a symbolic cameo. Interlopers like Peabody's team mingling with natives like the character of Mohammed. Reduced to "backsheesh" both parties represent the capitalization disturbing the realm of the afterlife. So take this with a salt mine, the book still provides capable sojourn material. Although I would recommend spending some time alone, or renting a pair of in line skates.
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Summary: Untitled
Review: Clearly rejecting the traditional depictions of the Victorian "Lady," Elizabeth Peters creates a protagonist with unfettering self-confidence, an "unfeminine" amount of knowledge of classical languages and cultures, and a traditionally "unlady-like" reservoir of courageous energy. Explaining such an anomaly of Victorian society, Peters uses Amelia Peabody's own introspection to illustrate that her father, intellectually and financially accomplished, opted to dismiss his domestic issues, allowing Peabody to develop an unquestionably practical intellect. This story line becomes exposed upon learning of her shrewd dealings with tradesmen and her ability to manage the estate in the face of trying situations. Learning of her father's death and the large inheritance he left for her, Peabody quickly disengages in her unfulfilling domestic affairs for a journey to the ancient lands she had studied all her life. As presented here, Peters' opening story line is not complex. In fact, her lack of complexity undermines the full development of Peabody. Early on, the reader gets the sensation that Peabody's relationship with Evelyn Barton-Forbes exists solely to elucidate, and even sell, Peabody's impetus for adventure. Unfortunately, this literary device fails because of its patent unbelievability. Nonetheless, the story line that exposes the mystery of ancient Egypt, as developed through the character of Radcliffe Emerson, is an engaging account of the love one may develop for archeology. Even the description of Tell el Amarna seems accurate from someone who has just begun to explore the mystery of Akhenaten, the pharaoh who established a monotheistic religion. Finally, in its "Thelma and Louise" spirit, "Crocodile on the Sandbank" offers a refreshing alternative to the often male dominated mystery genre. Unfortunately, however, the empowered female protagonist continues to be relegated to the basement of popular culture, as evidenced by the dearth of feminist-leaning women in the role of heroine in popular film.
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Summary: A Sparkling Mystery Novel
Review: "But why should any independent, intelligent female choose to subject herself to the whims and tyrranies of a husband? I assure you, I have yet to meet a man as sensible as myself!"(4-5). In this way are we introduced to the strong, exceedingly witty and earth-shakingly determined female lead, Amelia Peabody. Her seemingly resolute comment holds fast for the majority of the novel as mystery writer Elizabeth Peters takes the reader along with Amelia and her fragile companion, Evelyn, to the blazing expanse of Egypt. Peters works hard to develop her leading lady as well as combining fascinating fact of Pharaohnic history (with a look at the legacy of the heretic king's Amarna), with some mystery and folk lore (a "real" mummy, aka Evelyn's dismissed and conniving ex-lover, Alberto)and throwing a little good old fashioned romance into the mixture that achieves the perfect recipe for a page turner. Crocodile on the Sandbank, the first in this series written by the author, is an intelligently written and exceedingly witty novel and Amelia Peabody along with her fiery counterpart Radcliffe Emerson are irresistable. One cannot but help recognize their compatability before they do! The reader will also delight in the wry and sarcastic verbal sparring which preceeds this inevitable coupling, which lends greatly to the appeal and humor of the novel. In short, if it is straight historical account which you are seeking this is not the book for you. Peters does, however, touch upon such facts and terminology (though it is not the focus of the novel and occurs more in passing) in a fascinating and well-written manner. This selection is both accessible for the non-scholar as well as interesting for those knowledgable of Egyptology, and provides an enjoyable mystery story packed full of romance, wit, humor, and engaging characters,
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Summary: Egyptology made fun.
Review: It is not unusual for bored Academics to amuse themselves by branching out of their assigned fields. In the case of Egyptologist Barbara Mertz (whose nom de plume is Elizabeth Peters) the product is her series of mystery novels featuring the plucky British Egyptologist and sometimes detective Amelia Peabody. Imagine Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile crossed with a National Geographic special and you get a general sense of Peters' style. She crafts quirky, amusing mystery tales peppered heavily with factual names, places, and histories of Ancient Egypt. A Jessica Fletcher in khakis and a pith helmet, if you will. Crocodile on the Sandbank is the first installment in Peters' series which now numbers eleven titles and move somewhat chronologically through the protagonists life. For its part, it does an adequate job of introducing its characters and establishing Peters' literary style, which is light-hearted and whimsical. References have been made between Peters' literary affect and the great novel styles of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. While Peters is not the caliber writer those figures were, she--as evidence in this early work--has established her own niche. How many other novelists mix the history of archeological fact-finding and campy mystery? It makes an interesting component to any class or independent study on the subject.
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