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Lord of the Silent: A Novel of Suspense

Lord of the Silent: A Novel of Suspense

List Price: $7.50
Your Price: $6.75
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: They're back--exciting adventure, Egypt, wwI all in one
Review: Amelia Peabody, her husband Emerson, son Ramses, his wife Nefret, and the usual host of odd friends and enemies (both British and Egyptian) are back in this World War I dated mystery.

Someone has restarted the tome robbings that Sethos had dominated. This is clearly intolerable, but is it connected with the strange set of attacks that disrupts the Peabody-Emerson clan's lives. Amelia arranges to send Ramses away to keep him safe, but he seems to end up in even more danger--and so does Amelia. At least arch-enemy Sethos is dead--or is he???

If you like this series (as I do), then celebrate. This is an excellent addition--possibly better than HE SHALL THUNDER IN THE SKY. If you haven't discovered it, then give it a try. The combination of Egyptian archeology, murder, and World War I spying makes for an exciting read.

The strength of this novel comes only partly from the plot and action. Author Elizabeth Peters obviously loves her characters--and the reader is likely to love them as well. Opinionated, quirky, and laced with post-Victorian manners and clever dialogue, Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, and the rest make you want to keep turning the pages.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Elizabeth Peters Does it Again
Review: Kudos for a job well done. Elizabeth Peters mysteries are somewhat formulaic, but so well written that one never notices 'til the end. Peter's books are entertaining and educational (she has a Ph.d. in Egyptology). Her characters, the Emersons, are an endearing and hilarious family of archaeologists who have a knack for attracting trouble. If you have not read any of this series, you can start with any of them. Be warned that these books are a lot like potato chips, you can't read just one. I buy all of them hardbound because I reread them that much.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: OK
Review: I have read all of Elizabeth Peters' books, including those under her pseudonym of Barbara Michaels. Most of them are spectacularly written, with Peters' characteristic wit dominating. Lord of the Silent was a letdown. Marriage changed Ramses, he became more....mushy. Nefret keeps upsetting me with her impulsiveness which causes her to do a number of reckless things and the only characters i truly appreciated were Miss Minton and the other character who makes a surprise appearance.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Let the summer begin....
Review: We have enjoyed our annual exciting adventure with Amelia and company! Naturally, there have been changes....after all this IS 1915! But, all the old friends have returned, some new ones added, and, as usual, some dispatched. On the whole, though, the characters and story have something to thrill and amaze everyone.

Nefret and Ramses play out their romantic love in a more modern way as opposed to the manner in which the love life of a younger Professor and Amelia was pictured. But, we are happy to report that the Professor is still allowed his *frisky* moments so we know that his Peabody remains first in his heart.

One last note....how wonderful it was to hear of our dear Abdullah again!

Thank you, dear Peabody....hope to see you on your next trip.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Superlative Effort
Review: I was exceptionally pleased to see that this tale returned to the light, humorous vein that endeared me to Elizabeth Peters in the first place. The last few entries in this overall excellent series have been a little too dark for my tastes.

There are more twists and turns in this plot than on Lombard Street (the crookedest street in the world). Several old friends return and welcome to them; a couple of new characters are introduced who show promise for future tales.

I am impatiently looking forward to an event only a matter of a few years in the Peabody-Emerson's future: in which Howard Carter makes his "big discovery". I hope that they are somehow bound up in the discovery and the "curse of Tut". In any case, I will spend my time waiting for the next book to come out by re-reading the earlier books in the series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Marvelous!
Review: Just finished, and must say, I could hardly put it down! This one is an excellent followup to "He Shall Thunder..." and I echo the sentiment that that book should be read first.

Other reviews have already given plenty of plot summaries, so I shall not repeat them. I for one did not have a problem with Ramses' pacifism as did a previous reviewer; this is, after all, the boy who would not harm a living creature (I recall the scene in a much earlier book, of young Ramses being horrified at an act his cousin Percy tried to attribute to him).

I am constantly amazed at Peter's ability to not only give Peabody the appropriate voice for an outspoken, well-to-do, Edwardian woman, but her ability to give Ramses/Nefret's account a totally different 'tone' as if they did, in fact, have a different author.

I love the Ramses/Nefret dynamic, as well. Their status as newlyweds rings true. Ramses has certainly come a long way from the stone faced, "catastrophically precocious" young boy!

I have very few complaints. One: I keep losing track of who's who! I liked the earlier books which included a "cast of characters" as a reference. I'd love for MPM to include those again! Two: I too missed David, but it's understandable why he wasn't there. I'll forgive this time, if MPM promises to bring him back soon. :) Three: Now that I'm done, it's going to feel like an eternity to wait for the next!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Slightly disappointed
Review: As in all great literary and screen pairs, once they get married, the adventure seems to wane. Such is the case with Ramses and Nephret in the new Amelia Peabody book, "Lord of the Silent". I am one of Ms. Peter's biggest fans, and I admit I was aprehensive as to how life was going to continue with the Emerson clan after the wedding. Ramses's exploits were the best part of the previous books. I read, "He Shall Thunder in the Sky" in one sitting, and I consider it Ms. Peter's best work. But, alas, it is a difficult act to follow. One almost hopes the war gets over soon so the Emersons can have non-war-related adventures.

I will, however, admit that Sennia acting like Ramses was a real hoot. My mom always said, "Your children having kids of their own is the best revenge." Ramses has no clue what he's getting into! Can't wait for the next installment of the series.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Almost perfect...
Review: Elizabeth Peters is wonderful; I admire her ability to describe the physical setting, the historical perspective and the interplay of characters. I have all of her "Amelia's" and get them the first day they are available. So the rest of this can be skipped if you are not a regular reader and only want to know if I think this book is a great read. It absolutely is! The only criticism I have has to do with the way that Nefret and, to a lesser extent, Ramses seem to be being forced into the 21st, rather than the early 20th century. Nefret's use of words like "hell" and "damn" are an unfortunate contrast with Amelia's frequent reminders to Emerson about "language, Emerson!" I sometimes feel as though Nefret was raised in Chicago in 1990 instead of the remote reaches of the desert and post-Victorian society. Ameia's self-confidence is grounded in herself and a strong moral system, not in the postures of modern feminism. Nefret should take notes. As for Ramses' pacifism. This appears to be a device to explain his non-combat in WWI. I would find his behavior more satisfying if he wanted to be the best secret agent possible in order to hurry the end of the war because it's the manly and right thing to do (not becasue he is being forced into it). Ramses' opposition to firearms sounds more like a modern-day talkshow than the behavior of the son of Emerson and Amelia. One of my favorite scenes in all the books is the time in The Mummy Case when Ramses is attacked and Amelia literally goes berserk, leaving the attackers wounded and gibbering with fear. As Emerson (not Nefret) ought to say: Pacifism be damned!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Death,abduction,espionage- All in a days work
Review: I've been waiting 12 months for this book to come out and was it worth it.Ramses & Nefret being married now has added to the fun of our characters. Nefret takes over were Amelia leaves off.I have followed this family since the 1st book was written. They just keep getting better and better.I do make one wish-that Emerson & his beloved Peabody make that big Egyptological discovery (Of course to do with a pyramid) soon.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stop the War! The Emersons Are Back!
Review: Once again Elizabeth Peters invites her fans to follow the antics of the Emerson family as they follow dual careers as Egypt's foremost archeologists and criminal investigators. Trouble seems to follow both the older Emersons and Egyptology's newest couple, Ramses and Nefret. Nor should I fail to mention Sennia (the illegitimate daughter of Ramses' infamous cousin), Gargary (the butler), and several families of Egyptian who provide faithful service to the Emerson's during their annual excavations.

Undaunted by the war raging around them, the Emerson clan returns to Egypt for the 1915 season. Amelia and Radcliffe are worried that Ramses will once again be drawn into secret service work (see "He Shall Thunder in the Sky"). To prevent this they concoct a plot to get Ramses and Nefret away from Cairo. Ramses is sent to investigate rumors of increased tomb robbery in Thebes due to the wartime atmosphere. No sooner are Ramses and Nefret under way then the older Emerson's are attacked and an unexpected corpse shows up at their excavation.

Nor do things go well for Nefret and Ramses. While attempting to inspect a tomb, someone dumps half a hill side and yet another corpse on the young couple. Their investigations point to the presence of a new master tomb robber operating in Thebes. Or is it two factions of thieves battling each other? Or, worst of all, has Sethos somehow risen from the grave to return to his nefarious habits? To find out more you will have to read the book, my lips are sealed.

I always have mixed feelings when reading one of the Emerson novels. The writing is good, there is a great level of suspense, and plenty of enjoyable comedy. But at some point in every novel I realize that the older Emerson's are truly impossible people. They are arrogant, conceited, and often condescending when dealing with those of us that work for a living. When they are confronted with disagreement they can be astonishingly rude. Ramses, as a child, was a truly obnoxious brat, but as a married young man he has mellowed considerably. He and Nefret now provide a refreshing contrast with the antics of their parents.

Inevitably, I overcome my reaction and go on enjoying the book. But I am still waiting for the day when Amelia finally admits to an error. Newcomers to the Peters' Emerson saga may want to start up with an earlier volume, perhaps "The Ape Who Guards the Balance" or even as far back as "Seeing a Large Cat." "Lord of the Silent" provides too little background explanation to be completely enjoyable as a first novel. Faithful fans will, of course, be delighted as usual.


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