The Last Camel Died at Noon

The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 6

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Susan O'Malley

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

The last camel is dead, and Egyptologist Amelia Peabody, her dashing husband, Emerson, and precocious son, Ramses, are in dire straits on the sun-scorched desert sands. Months before, back in cool, green England, Viscount Blacktower had approached them to find his son and his son's new bride, who have been missing in war-torn Sudan for over a decade. An enigmatic message scrawled on papyrus and a cryptic map had been delivered to Blacktower, awakening his hope that the couple was still alive.

Neither Amelia nor Emerson believes the message is authentic, but the treasure map proves an irresistible temptation. Now, deep in Nubia's vast wasteland, they discover too late how much treachery is afoot (and on camelback)...and survival depends on Amelia's solving a mystery as old as ancient Egypt and as timeless as greed and revenge.

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

©1991 Elizabeth Peters (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"If Indiana Jones were female, a wife and mother who lived in Victorian times, he would be Amelia Peabody Emerson...Combining a fierce affection for her family with indefatigable independence, stalwart Amelia proves once again an immensely likable heroine." (Publishers Weekly)
"Another interest-holding and humorously told Amelia Peabody Victorian suspense tale." (School Library Journal)
"The plot twists and turns....it's delicious." (Washington Times)

Peters does it again, but disappointed with reader

I love all the Amelia Peabody books. Amelia, Emerson and Ramses make an incredible team. But I was very disappointed in this reader. She does a straight read with no voice changes for the characters. I have gotten so used to the other reader that I had a lot problems listening to this book's reader.

Good story, wrong voice.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Anyone who thinks a high squeaky voice for the characters is fine.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I've long loved all the characters in these stories because they are so epic and grand.

Would you be willing to try another one of Susan O'Malley’s performances?

No, I hate to say it but her voice hurts my ears.

What character would you cut from The Last Camel Died at Noon?

None.

Any additional comments?

I have all the books in this series and I love this series. I've read many of the books in physical form as well as listening to them from here or from the local library before I got signed on here. Barbara Rosenblat is the reader who does the best for this series. She can get all the voices sounding like who they are supposed to be.

Made my teeth ache

OK, I love the historical English genre and all of its phraseology etc., but out of the first one thousand words I think 900 were of the pip pip cheerio type. Simply terribly overdone darlin’

Narrator

Depending on who you chose to listen to for your first Amelia Peabody book is who you would prefer. Some say that Susan O’Malley is better than Barbara Rosenblatt or vise versa. If you are used to listening to Susan rather than Barbara; Barbara may sound too animated. If you are used to Barbara; Susan may sound boring and very monotone.

If you have never heard any of the Amelia Peabody Series, I strongly suggest listening to Barbara Roseblatt’s rendition. At first, it may be a little hard to get the British accent and tone; but soon you can visually see the characters. While Susan O’Mally rendition is very monotonous and to the point; not allowing the characters to develop; which may disinterest you in the book altogether.

Choose wisely…

I gave the book at on star due to Narraration... Barbara rock's...

Where oh where is Barbara Rosenblatt?

Never again will I buy an audiobook narrated by the woman narrating this one. The entire story takes on a completely different life, let's say it is lifeless without the fantastic characterizations of the narrator for most of the others. Simply put, no one can do the Amelia Peabody series and justice now that we have been exposed to the supreme voice of Barbara. I would no doubt rate this book higher if it had been read by her.

Disappointed

I am a HUGE Elizabeth Peters fan, but neglected to check the narrator of this book before I downloaded it. All the other books (1-5) that I have heard have been so entertaining because of Barbara Rosenblat's narration. She is SUCH a treat- you can close your eyes and see a movie unfolding. Susan O'Malley is a very good reader- but entirely unimaginative. In fact, the book is so boring with her reading that I stopped before I was 30 minutes in, and purchased the same book narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Be warned!!!!

Bring back Barbara

I was extremely disappointed in this audiobook. I enjoy listening to Amelia Peabody books narrated by Barbara Rosenblat in my car while driving around town. I get drawn into the story because of the excellent narration. Yesterday I downloaded this version narrated by someone else and found it flat and boring. With Barbara Rosenblat the characters come to life. This is just someone reading a book aloud. It is a great story but the presentation is uninspired.

A different reader, alas.

After enjoying four previous novels read by Ms. Rosenblatt, this reading was not only unpleasant, it was intolerable. I tried to adjust to the new reader's non-english accent, raspy tone and flat inflection, but when she tried to voice Emerson I just gave up. Sadly disappointed and distressed, I wondered who had chosen someone without an appropriate English accent enlivened by Victorian overtones- a feature which made the other novels so authentic and energetic- to read this adventure. Sadly, I will never know how it comes out unless I read it in print.

a shame

I am unfortunately spoiled by the narration of Barbara Rosenblat. Since buying the first book of the Peabody Series, I have eagerly listen in too each sequence of books until the purchase of this audio book. Grrr, although the book is still very exciting, the narrator is most certainly NOT. It got to the point where I just went out and purchased a hard copy of the book, then to try to listen to the MONOTONE narration of Susan O'Malley. (funny enough at first I thought there was something wrong with my mp3 player adjusting the speed of the player making the track faster then slower). Thank goodness the next book of the series continue with Barbara Rosenblat. I rated this audio book two star only because of the narrator. As for the book itself it is outstanding 5 stars.

Poor Peabody

Yes it is unabridged. No it is NOT Barbara Rosenblat. Must be both to be the best audio of Amelia & company. All of the unabridged Peabody/Emerson books read by Barbara Rosenblat rate 5 stars for humor, intrigue and outstanding characterizations.