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)

Interesting series!

This is the third time listening to this book. It seemed a little slower this time, but I enjoy the chemistry of Peabody and Emerson. They are both obnoxiously intelligent. I also enjoy the series because of the Egyptian history it divulges.

Excellent series

We really enjoy this series and the story and reader are very good. Quite enjoyable.

Very Addictive Series

I am so happy to have found Amelia Peabody 's historical, fun and engaging tales. The setting of ancient Egypt couldn't be more fascinating . Its vividly portrayal makes one feel as one its right there in the Valley of the Kings , excavating a pharaoh's tomb.

Barbara Rosenblat performance is outstanding.

Awesome

The story is great. I have read it several times. This is the first time on Audible. The narrator was excellent and brought the characters alive.

Narration is superb!

I only buy recorded books of stories I’ve read and like, so I don’t have to pay strict attention whilst listening. Barbara’s narration was exactly what I heard in my head as I was reading. I was thrilled as I listened. I have been disappointed with so many narrations, but not with this one. Unfortunately she only narrates the first two Amelia Peabody books. Buy this one and the Crocodile on the Sandbank. The Mummy Case is a serious let down, and I won’t be buying any more.

Always one of my favourites in the series

Barbara Rosenblat is supberb as the narrator, voicing men and women, Irish and Egyptian with amazing authenticity. She is Amelia!

The Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters

I am thoroughly enjoying this series, referred to me by a dear friend. I highly recommend this series. I must admitt that the reader (Barbara Rosenblat) has truly made the series live. Also because i enjoy many "period" movies it is easy to place faces, in my minds eye, with each character due of course to the reading of Ms. Rosenblat. Therefore you will understand that when Ms. Rosenblat is not the reader it is a great disappointment. I am now on book 8 "The Hippopotamus Pool" and only one book was not the reader I am so endeared. But please donot allow this to discourage one from reading them all! Many many hours of enjoyment await you all, Robbin Wms

Amelia Peabody #2 - Back in Egypt Again!

Where does The Curse of the Pharaohs rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've read hundreds. Top 150.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

At times. There is a serial killer but this is not Patricia Cornwell (early - not latest batch) where the hair on the back of your neck goes up. This is a comfy book. Amelia is in charge & all's right with the world - or it soon will be. Sort of the way I felt when Captain Kirk was on the bridge.

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

I listened an unabridged audio of this book before - with another reader - and I really did NOT enjoy it because Emerson came across as so nasty and mean at times. But I wanted to read the series in order & was missing a few, including the first two, so I bought them. SO glad I did. Barbara Rosenblatt is the ONLY reader who should read Amelia Peabody. She does EVERY character in a distinctive voice and acts out the dialog. She is THE BEST READER EVER and I buy books JUST because she is the reader. That's how I discovered the Amelia Peabody series.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Amelia drank coffee she suspected was laced with opium to save Emerson from drinking it. And Emerson came back to the house & found Amelia in bed - she is ALWAYS up and around working(!) - and feared she was ill or hurt and called her, "Dear girl."

Any additional comments?

I feared I wouldn't enjoy this book because I really didn't the first time when I heard it with another reader. Happily, Barbara Rosenblat put a different spin on some dialogue with HER performance and I greatly enjoyed it. SO glad I replaced this audio. Barbara Rosenblat RULES!!! (And not just Amelia Peabody series - Nevada Barr series too!!!)

The Non Stop Action Had Me Up All Night!

When the pastoral boredom of the English countryside becomes too onerous for them, the sleuthing archeologist duo of Emerson / Peabody once again head back to Egypt to solve a mystery while excavating a site or two in their inimitable, intrepid way.

Called back to fulfill a widow’s tribute to her deceased husband and per the instructions of his will by finishing the excavation he started, the E/P duet confer and decide to take on the project. The task seems simple as well as inviting but when the bodies keep piling up and there are a plethora of potential perpetrators, Emerson becomes increasingly vexed at his wife’s daring and persistent investigation into the crimes. He would like her to concentrate on cataloguing the dig; however when they become the target of the next murder attempt, he sees that the elimination of the dangerous murder or murders is a priority if they are to survive to complete their project.

The accuracy and vivid description of the setting, culture, tools, social system, as well as the vocabulary employed by each diverse Nationality place the ‘reader’ precisely in the middle of that point in time and country. If you enjoy Victorian Sleuthing Novels, as do I, you cannot miss this series!

As mentioned in the headline, this book kept me up until the wee hours. The narrator deserves more than equal credit (although how you could give 100% of the credit to the author AND to the narrator for this fine piece of work is still problematic) because she made the entire cast of diverse characters come to life! I have listened to the Susan O’Malley version (that I purchased in error) of one of the books in this series and Barbara Rosenblat is vastly superior. So much so that, while I continued on with the series, I went back and re-purchased that book by the better narrator.

Well worth the credit or the cash!

Really good

Love this series. This is my 1st time listening to this author. can't wait to listen to the next one.