Laughter of Dead Kings

The Sixth Vicky Bliss Mystery

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

For the first time in more than a decade, New York Times best-selling Grand Master Elizabeth Peters brings beautiful, brainy Vicky Bliss back into the spotlight for one last investigation. But this time, the peerless art historian and sleuth will be detecting in Amelia Peabody territory, searching for solutions to more than one heinous offense in the ever-shifting sands of Egypt's mysterious Valley of the Kings.

Who stole one of Egypt's most priceless treasures? That is the question that haunts the authorities after a distinguished British gentleman with an upper-crust accent cons his way past a security guard and escapes into the desert carrying a world-famous, one-of-a-kind historic relic. But the Egyptian authorities and Interpol believe they know the identity of the culprit. The brazen crime bears all the earmarks of the work of one "Sir John Smythe", the suave and dangerously charming international art thief who is, in fact, John Tregarth, the longtime significant other of Vicky Bliss. But John swears he is retired - not to mention innocent - and he vows to clear his name by hunting down the true criminal.

Vicky's faith in her man's integrity leaves her no choice but to take a hiatus from her position at a leading Munich museum and set out for the Middle East. Vicky's employer, the eminent Herr Doktor Anton Z. Schmidt, rotund gourmand and insatiable adventurer, decides to join the entourage.

But dark days and myriad dangers await them in this land of intriguing antiquity. Each uncovered clue seems to raise even more questions for the intrepid Vicky - the most troubling being, Where is John going during his increasingly frequent and unexplained absences?

The stakes are elevated considerably when a ransom note arrives, accompanied by a grisly memento intended to speed up negotiations - because now it appears that murder most foul has been added to the equation.

Don't miss any of the mysteries in the Vicky Bliss series.

©2008 MPM Manor, Inc. (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Love this series

The Vicky Bliss series is one I really hated to see end. Always fun and engaging - smart dialogue and a good mix of humor and mystery.

I've already listened to this book many times!

Vicky Bliss is one of my favorite characters. Her stories are funny and serious and full of action. I wish there were more in the series, and hope there are more to come. This one is set in current time, so that cell phones are involved. Great book.

Eminently satisfying payoff to the series

It's clear even from the prologue that the author, reaching the end of her career, decided to just plain have fun with this one. Alphabet Schmidt! The journal-thief! John's antecedents! It's basically all that a fan could ask for. I think I'll enjoy it even more on the relistening, now that I know which characters to trust (something that in Vicky Bliss novels in particular always makes first listens problematic). Super fun.

Love Elizabeth Peters books and adore Barbara Rosenblat narration.

after reading all of the Amelia Peabody series and finishing up Vicky Bliss, it was such an endearing reference to the author as well as the Emerson's towards the end of the book. I'm more educated about Egyptology and love the humor in all her books. Now what do I do though???

So fun :)

The Vicky Bliss series is a fun distraction but not as good as the Amelia Peabody series. I like Vicky the art historian who keeps getting into trouble and John the art theft who keeps getting her out of trouble. But I love goofy and brilliant Anton Schmidt and would love to get a pint with him. This installment has a very different feel from the first five books, but it is still highly enjoyable. Barbara Rosenblat is always wonderful, but she reads the first half of this book a little to fast.

I love Elizabeth Peters

but I just don't care for her favorite narrator, Barbra Rosenblat. I can't listen to BR vocalize my beloved Amelia Peabody but I hoped an American accent wouldn't be so bad. My hopes were not answered but being desperate for the latest Vicki adventure I listened anyway. Enough about the voice, the book itself is quite enjoyable. Ms Peters is at her best when describing her beloved Egypt. I am madly in love with Schmidt. He is an even bigger part of this book than "Night Train To Memphis". You will enjoy this if Ms Rosenblat IS your cup of tea!

Good story bad narration

Grace Conklin is missed she made Vicky sound like a lady,not a rough idiotic gun moll enjoyed story but sorry to have wasted a credit on this Narration

I love Vicki Bliss

The Vicki Bliss series has always been my favorite of Elizabeth Peter's work. I am so glad she revisited Vicki. The trip back has been wonderful. Look for the other titles, Borrower of the Night, Street of Five Moons, Silhouette in Scarlet, Night Train to Memphis, Trojan Gold. These earlier works are somewhat dated, but great stories all the same.

Will miss this author

Sooo will miss hell this author. Now I’m starting all the series over they are soo well written.

Vintage Elizabeth Peters Fun

If you are familiar with the series, you will have a lot of fun with this Audible edition. The voices are extremely well done and add considerably to the humor. As this is an older series, it may not be appreciated by younger listeners, but, for us boomers, this is a laugh out loud adventure with a bit if Egyptian archaeology thrown in. I loved it!