The Curse of the Pharaohs

The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 2

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The sun rides high over the British Empire and the light still sparkles brightly in Amelia Peabody's eye as she returns for her second adventure in archaeology and romantic mystery as recounted in her lively journal, The Curse of the Pharaohs.

It was Sir Henry's intention to ensure that no tomb had been overlooked in the previous expedition. Scarcely had the men been at work for three days when their spades uncovered the first of a series of steps cut into the rock.

The Times gave the story a full column, on page three. The next dispatch to come to Luxor, however, rated front-page headlines. Sir Henry Baskerville was dead. He was found next morning stiff and stark in his bed. On his face was a look of ghastly horror. On his high brow, inscribed in what appeared to be dried blood, was a crudely drawn uraeus serpent, the symbol of the divine pharaoh.

Instead of digging up the treasures of a lost age, it appeared that Amelia and her friend Radcliffe were excavating a deadly curse.

Don't miss the rest of the Amelia Peabody series. You can also check out more of our Most Addictive Series.

©1981 Elizabeth Peters (P)1990 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"Peters really knows how to spin romance and adventure into a mystery." (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Very entertaining

A historical fiction with a serving of humor and great imagination. The narrator made the story easy to follow and very enjoyable. The author set the scene and introduced the characters into the story very well. If you enjoy ancient Egyptian history you will very much enjoy this narrative.

Hilarious Hiatus of Domestic Harmony; and Then....

Any additional comments?

Firstly, Barbara Rosenblatt must be the most talented narrator of them all! She brings this book to heights of delicious humor and characterization, from an alcoholic slaver mother deluded by grandeurs of purported past lives, to an eager German clerk, to a simpering, Delilah like widow,
an energetic,irrepressible Irish newspaper reporter, and more, not the least of which are Peabody and Emerson, wife and husband Egyptologists and professional excavators!

Elizabeth Peters manages to entwine a good story, inimitable characters, relationship humor, and
an enticing mystery all into one! This is my second book, and won't be my last.

I do recommend reading them in order; this being the second, where they are on hiatus from Egypt, their heart's love, in order to have their son, Ramses, preternaturally intelligent - well,if your daddy read you his field notes and histories of Egypt, your vocabulary might be extraordinary, too!

But, an opportunity arises to continue the work of an unfortunate lord, recently deceased. Emerson is importuned by the man's widow. Shall they? Shan't they? They can't resist, Ramses, now 4, must be left in England in order to have his still baby body protected from potential disease, but off mama and papa go, to continue the work, and be observers to one after another murder, each entertainingly different. which they must solve in addition to plumbing a
once wondrous tomb.

Love Barbara Rosenblat

The narrator is brilliant!!! She makes this book enormously enjoyable. I heard she's call the Meryl Streep of audiobooks. I agree.

Excellent Book

What does Barbara Rosenblat bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Barbara Rosenblat brings Amelia to life, a forceful, wry and observant character Barbara makes her leap off the page as if she were sitting beside you and speaking of her experiences in Egypt, making me wish she were real and I could spend time with her.

Amelia Peabody mysteries are always a delight

Amelia Peabody mysteries are always a delight. In this, the second volume, Peabody and Emerson hit their stride in solving multiple murders.

Early on, we are also briefly introduced to Ramses Emerson, their son, and later the cat Bastet makes its first appearance.

I love Amelia Peabody!!!

Best books ever!! I can never wait for the next one. You will never be disappointed with Elizabeth Peters' books!!

The Best so Far - even if it only book 2!

"My Dearest Peabody!" and her husband Radcliffe are again off on another excavation to preserve the antiquities of the ancient Egyptians while fighting off knives, poisons, visions in white and their own desperate care and love for each other - which creates dangerous situations as well. I cried and laughed - "He had a headache!!" And I thoroughly enjoyed this book - can't wait for more adventures!

Bad American accent

I enjoyed the story and characters. The narrator is entertaining except her American accent. It's atrocious. She sounds like ridiculous.

Perfection!

Fantastic narrator - each voice is perfect.
Though it’s a murder mystery, the writing is light-hearted and I laughed out loud several times.

Delightful

I love this series! The story is engaging with twists and turns. Elizabeth Peters writes delightfully. It’s laugh-out-loud funny. And Barbara Rosenblat adds to the enjoyment with her wonderful character voices. The story comes alive in her telling of it. I highly recommend this and all the other books in the Amelia Peabody series.