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Summary: Always a Peabody fan!
Review: I was so excited to get this latest installment of the Emerson clan mysteries. However it sure was slow going at first. I thought it didn't get interesting until almost halfway through. Though any Peabody mystery is worth reading.
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Summary: Mixed Feelings
Review: When I heard the new Amelia Peabody Emerson book was coming out, I was as excited as if Christmas was coming in May. I adore this series, especially how the younger generation of characters--Ramses, Nefret, David--has grown.However, when I read this book, I was left for much of the book with mixed feelings. Perhaps it was in part due to my expectations being so high beforehand--anything after that couldn't be as good as I had envisioned. I think it was also in part because of the last few books--particularly "He Shall Thunder in the Sky"--anything after that book would be positively anti-climactic. Major plot threads were resolved in it, Ramses got the girl (and Nefret got the boy), etc etc etc. So this new book was relatively free of the suspense and angst that had been so prevalant in the earlier books. David wasn't even in this book at all, and I did rather miss him. Also, there were some issues with Ramses going back to the previous book(s) that I feel could have been handled in a more interesting way--Ms Peters seemed to bring them up vaguely, almost as an aside, and then dealt them with much too easily. However, it's still Elizabeth Peters, and it's still Amelia Peabody and Emerson and Ramses and Nefret, and the ending is exactly as you would expect and want, so while for most of the book something seemed to be missing (I admit, I'm a sucker for Ramses angst), it still made for an enjoyable read that I'm sure I'll bring out every once in a while to read again.
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Summary: Hooray! She's done it again!
Review: Another wonderful book! Amelia and Emerson, Ramses and Nefret, Cyrus and Katherine, and all the wonderful Egyptian cast is also there. And surprises! Often funny (Gargary provides comic relief all through), sometimes poignant, with an engrossing mystery... I wanted to savor it by reading it more slowly, but it was impossible to put down. Thanks, Ms. Peters -- you just get better and better!
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Summary: Fabulous (as usual)
Review: What can I say? I adore Elizabeth Peters! This book was a fantastic read. Certainly a relief after the intensity of the quartet (I don't think I could handle another Thunder this soon). Much more like the earlier Peabody's. Personally, I like the intense ones and the fun ones, so I would have loved this no matter what. However, if you're looking for a light-hearted mystery with all the usual EP trappings, then this is the book for you!!
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Summary: this novel makes for compulsive and addicting reading!
Review: I think that Elizabeth Peters has outdone herself with this latest Amelia Peabody mystery -- "Lord Of The Silent" definitely makes for compelling reading, and I for one could not put this novel down! The story flowed smoothly and effortlessly from subplot to subplot, and the air of suspense and tension was steadily sustained. All the characters, old favourites and a couple of new ones, were all well depicted and fleshed out; and best of all, Elizabeth Peters had set up a couple of red herring suspects, so that the mystery addict in me was happily occupied trying to figure out who the real culprit was! "The Lord of The Silent" takes place during WWI, but not even the chaos of a war can keep the Emersons away from their dig in Egypt. Complications however arise when Ramses is attacked within days of their arrival. His spying activities for the British government (faithfully recounted in "He Shall Thunder In the Sky") has earned him enemies from a rather rabid and fanatical rebel faction, and it looks as if the remaining members of this faction are now after him. Concerned for his safety, Amelia and Emerson send Ramses and his wife, Nefret, to Luxor: apparently all the chaos that the war has generated has caused gangs of thieves to be even more bold than usual in their pilfering of archaeological finds. Emerson's plan is to have Ramses keep an eye on his interests in Luxor and investigate whatever theft may arise, and so keep him out of harm's way, while Amelia and Emerson look into the matter of who exactly is after Ramses and how to stop these murderousattacks. However this proves not to be as easy as they had hoped when firstthey themselves are assaulted, and then they uncover a fresh 'corpse' in theburial tomb that they are escavating. Someone is obviously sending a message,but what? Ramses and Nefret are in the meantime hot on the trail of a thiefthat proves to be ruthless and deadly. Tension mounts as both couples findthemselves dealing with ruthless individuals that will stop at nothing to getwhat they want. Make no mistake about it "The Lord Of The Silent" makes for addicting and compulsive reading. Elizabeth Peters is a masterful story teller, as with a few well chosen phrases, she managed to successfully transport me to Egypt in the 1910s with it's half excavated digs, with all it's tombs and pyramids, the Sphinx, and Cairo with its very European hotels and its dark and labyrinth like alley ways -- all these unfolded in my mind like an old movie. It was wonderful to see Amelia and Emerson still happily and vigorously doing what they loved best; and it was satisfying to read of Ramses and Nefret's new found happiness in each other; and it made for amusing reading to see Sennia, the little girl that the Emersons adopted in "He Shall Thunder In The Sky" consciously molding herself after her idol, Ramses. I also developed quite soft spot for the journalist, Margaret Minton., and I sincerely hope that she will figure in further Amelia Peabody mysteries. This latest Amelia Peabody mystery is an exciting addition to a really wonderful series that keeps getting better and better, and I think that this latest adventure/novel deserves a lot more than a 5 star rating. I only wish that there was some way in which I could register this!
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Summary: One Big, Happy Family!
Review: As a member of MPM's big, happy family, I was ecstatic when Lord of the Silent finally hit the shelves. Ever since Nefret signed her last letter "Nefret Emerson", I have been waiting on pins and needles for this release. And I was graciously rewarded with another masterpiece of romantic suspense. Lord of the Silent has all the qualities of a thrilling Peabody mystery. And now we have been assured that the excitement doesn't have to end just because Amelia and Emerson are getting on in age. The younger generation, just as humorous, exciting, and lovable, are carrying the Egyptological torch. I was so thankful that she brought back one of the most intriguing characters of the series. (If you've already read it, you know of whom i speak.) And after surviving malaria and a few battles, I look forward to seeing him in many books to come! If you aren't already on the Amelia Peabody bandwagon, do yourself a favor and jump on! You definitely won't regret it!
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Summary: Takes the Amelia Peabody Series to a Higher Level!
Review: Elizabeth Peters has been gathering and developing her characters in masterful ways for some time in the wonderful Amelia Peabody series. In Lord of the Silent, Ms. Peters reaps a rich harvest from that preparation in order to provide the richest fabric ever of plot and suspense in the series. Lord of the Silent is very much part two of a series that Ms. Peters is writing about World War I. I strongly urge you to read He Shall Thunder from the Sky (this book's immediate predecessor) before reading Lord of the Silent. The plots and characters of the two books are so intertwined that you will not appreciate and enjoy Lord of the Silent nearly as much without having read He Shall Thunder from the Sky. The book opens with vivid scenes from war-time England. Zeppelin raids on London create fear that foreshadows the massive Battle of Britain in World War II. This sets a somber mood of uncontrollable threat for the whole book that is admirably suspenseful. You will wonder when the next bomb might burst. In many ways, the plot's complications are like the effects of a random bombardment . . . bringing danger, fear, discomfort, and damage. The whole family is in England in 1915. Because of the war, English people cannot cross the continent for travel to Egypt. Ocean-going vessels are the only choice. But submarine warfare is a danger, and neutral liners (like the Lusitania) have been sunk. Should they take the risk and go to Egypt? Who should go? The book opens with these pressing questions. What would you have done? Part of the family does make it to Egypt, and find a land transformed by the distant war. The hospitals are full of injured soldiers from the disastrous Gallipoli campaign. There are rumors of uprisings among the Bedouins in the desert that are encouraged by the Turks and Germans. Many old friends are missing for the duration because they are from enemy countries. Thieves are opening unprotected sites and taking away priceless archeological relics. Graffiti is appearing in the most unexpected places. Professor Emerson is focusing his attention on some noble tombs (mastabas) that Amelia finds absolutely boring. She yearns for a pyramid. Soon, events intervene to make life seem rather too exciting. Can she keep her family safe? The plot is nicely changed by having Ramses and Nefret as husband and wife. Although they still hide things from one another, they do less of that. As a result, you have a better balance between the professor and Amelia keeping secrets from the younger Emersons and vice versa. This makes for a smoother, faster-paced, and more interesting plot. As usual though, if everyone had told everyone else what they knew, the whole problem could have been resolved in about one-third of the time. But that's the way people really are, so you won't mind it at all. They are just trying to protect their loved ones. Sennia (aged 6) plays a bigger role in this story. She shows signs of having great potential as a character in the future. Adding a third generation to the story gives the plot much more diversity that you will enjoy. The classic plot elements of an Amelia Peabody novel are all here: Amelia fighting off attackers, unexpected bodies, hidden treasure, red herrings, Nefret healing people, mysterious manipulations from a distance, Ramses operating in disguise, after-dark trips into the native Egyptian areas, officials complicating matters, nosy females who are attracted to the Emerson men, men who are attracted to the Emerson women, help from Abdullah's family, and a prophetic dream of meeting with Abdullah. Everything you have enjoyed in the past, you will find in this book . . . except more of it. The book's title is a reference to the description of Amon, king of the gods, who was described as Lord of the Silent. Here are some of his other characteristics: "who comes at the voice of the poor . . . who gives bread to him who has none . . . father of the orphan, husband of the widow . . . ." Most importantly, "though the servant offends him, he is merciful." Even more than usual, the Emersons play a role that reflects an Egyptian deity, as they succor all they find. After you read this wonderful book, I suggest that you discuss with your family the issues raised here about when communication and when silence are the best ways to help one another. By learning from the examples in the book, I suggest that you err on the side of too much communication. Expand your horizons and your relationships as Amon and Amelia Peabody would . . . especially in dangerous times and places!
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Summary: Yet Another Smashing Success
Review: I ordered this book on Monday (Apr. 30), received it on Thursday, and have it half-read this Friday evening. All right, so I'm hooked. Blame my Egyptophiliac (-maniac?) daughter - she started it!
This book is, as my heading suggests, another delightful escapade with the Emersons (and their ever-increasing entourage) in Egypt. An esteemed raconteur with a knack for giving readers a smashing good read (and that is, after all, what mystery/adventure readers want, isn't it?), Elizabeth Peters has produced another brilliantly enjoyable book. The Emersons are still conducting their yearly expeditions to Egypt, despite the War; to quote Emerson, archaeology is more important than war, "of course." And Ramses and Nefret are married, as readers of He Shall Thunder in the Sky will know - and everyone always suspected. But all definite familiarities aside, there are several plot twists, including the return of certain person(s) who seem to have an aptitude for regeneration (wonder if he/she/it is a cat?!). I shan't say any more about that, however, as it would certainly spoil the surprise. Filled with bewitching characters, sparkling dialogue, and the usual swashbuckling, rollicking mix of adventure, scholasticism, and romance, 'Lord of the Silent' is definitely a book to get lost in. In fact, there's only one flaw with the Peabody Mystery Series: when's the next one coming out??
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Summary: Another treat from Elizabeth Peters
Review: Hooray! Any new book from Elizabeth Peters is always a much anticipated purchase for me. "Lord of the Silent" is a joy after a long year without news about Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, Nefret, and company. I have been reading this series for years and somehow the last few books have only strengthened my love for these characters. This time the characters behave more like themselves, romance reigns, and adventure is always awaiting you on the next page. "Lord of the Silent" takes place during the height of WWI. The fear of submarines and air attacks are present. The intrigue of spywork keeps everyone busy with secrets. Archaelogy and love for the past, as well as family and friends, are the unifying threads throughout the book. Yes, Ramses and Nefret are finally married. Yes, Ramses is prone to intrigue and suspense, albeit reluctantly, with a family never far behind him. Yes, Amelia's observations of her world are entertaining. It's all here. And, yes, that other man in Amelia's life does make some appearances with some new developments in their relationship. Big revelations took place in the last book, "He Shall Thunder in the Sky," and now everyone has to readjust to the new dynamics. I myself enjoyed the new dynamics of Ramses and Nefret's relationship. They have learned about communication and love from wonderful parents and the lessons come out in their new adventures. Romance doesn't disappear just because a wedding has taken place! It never left Amelia and Emerson and it's not leaving the next generation either. The plot is good, too, but the characters are what always bring me back for more. I would try to describe it, but why spoil the story for you? Snuggle up in your favorite nook or go to the pool with this new book and plan to stay awake for a long, fun, entertaining read.
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Summary: Great installment to this fine series
Review: In 1915, archeologist Amelia Peabody returns to Cairo for the season accompanied by her spouse Emerson, their son Ramses, and his wife Nefret. Amelia quickly realizes that the charm of the city has been muted by the arrival of European agents from both camps and blatant tomb robbers. Still Luxor is so out of the way, Amelia expects a serene dignified dig. However, her dreams of quiet success turn nightmarish when Amelia finds a corpse that requires law enforcement to date the homicide. As the war heats up in Northern Africa, the murder count rises too. Amelia, worrying about the killer striking again, begins her brand of sleuthing to uncover the identity of the culprit before her family is harmed. The latest Amelia Peabody historical mystery contains all the elements that make this series such a delight. The who-done-is cleverly devised and the glimpses at Egyptology through a historiographer's eyes are intelligently used to foster the feel of the times (along with World War I) without slowing down the plot. Still, the tale belongs to the intrepid Amelia who may suffer perils like a Pauline, but rescues herself and others rather than wait for the handsome hero to arrive. Somewhat a witty satire, LORD OF SILENT is a fabulous novel that will add to the reputation of excellence sub-genre fans and critics have bestowed on author Elizabeth Peters. Harriet Klausner
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