The Serpent on the Crown

The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 17

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling master of suspense, Elizabeth Peters, brings an exotic world of adventure, intrigue, and danger to vivid life, in a tale as powerful as ancient Egypt.

The Emersons have returned to the Valley of the Kings in 1922 and Amelia Peabody and her family look forward to delving once more into the age-old mysteries buried in Egypt's ever-shifting sands. But a widow's strange story, and even stranger request, is about to plunge them into a storm of secrets, treachery, and murder.

The woman, a well-known author, has come bearing an ill-gotten treasure, a golden likeness of a forgotten king, which she claims is cursed. She insists it has taken the life of her husband and unless it is returned to the tomb from which it was stolen, more people will die.

Amelia and her clan resolve to uncover the secrets of the statue's origins, setting off on a trail that twists and turns in directions they never anticipated, and, perhaps, toward an old nemesis with unscrupulous new designs. But each step toward the truth seems to reveal another peril, suggesting to the intrepid Amelia that the curse is more than mere superstition. And its next victim might well be a beloved family member...or Amelia Peabody herself.

A novel filled with riveting suspense, pulse-pounding action, and the vibrant life of a fascinating place and time, The Serpent on the Crown is the jewel in the crown of a grand master, the remarkable Elizabeth Peters.

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

©2005 Elizabeth Peters (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Winner, Mystery

"Peters injects plenty of humorous banter, lots of bluster from Emerson, and enough coy swipes at Victorian propriety to keep the story lively....A pleasant addition to the long-running series." (Booklist)

Another enjoyable adventure!

Great character interactions and fun having so many suspects! Love the dynamics between the characters.

The serpent on the crown

This was very refreshing, the english humor and suspence were at its best. Who ever read the book kept me at the edge. I found myself heading for my car just to see what would happen and where the book was going. Well done. If you enjoy english humor and suspence then this is a great book to hear.

Egypt, Crime, and Suspense, oh my!

Another great read from Elizabeth Peters - a continuation of her great archaeological series with heroine, Amelia Peabody Emerson. Excellent descriptions of life as crime solving archaeologists in the early part of the 1900s.

very good

complex story with many different story lines, keeps you guessing, but I still miss the Sethos as the antagonist. but things must change I guess

Continued love for the Emerson Family

While this book is not quite as intense as some, the ending was one of my favorites. I love each and every one of these characters, and Daoud, Ramses, Sethos, Emerson and David all shine in their own special way.

Enjoyable!

I have loved this series.
This is a solid addition that furthers the adventures of Amelia’s growing family.
Barbara Rosenblat’s wonderful narration still makes Elizabeth Peters’ novels come alive for me!

Just the thing after the King Tut exhibit

I had just visited LA to see the King Tut exhibit so I was really in the mood! I was afraid the story would be tedious but it really wasn't, it is a great period-based story, and the reader is AMAZING. It was hard to believe that a woman was ready all of those male vocal parts. But you have to forget about that or it kind of ruins it. I loved this, I will get another one.

Fabulous as always

Great narration, story always interesting and a pleasure to listen to. Colorful characters and plot that keeps me guessing with all the twists and turns.

ALMOST OVER..WHAT SHALL I DO?

Another winner from Peter's! One last book and this awesome series will be over. It has been a grand adventure accompanying Amelia, Emerson, Ramses and Nefret on their amazing journey of murder and mayhem. Watching Ramses grow from precocious childhood to handsome, gentle but deadly manhood was great. This story does not disappoint but makes us only sad that one more book, one more story exists and then we say goodbye forever to the wonderful Emmersons! If you haven't began this series with Book One: Crocodile on the Sandbank...buy it! And prepare yourself for an extraordinary literary experience. This 17 book series touches everything: murder, egyptian history, espionage, , romance, pyramids, tomb robbers, mummies more pyramids and the enduring love between a man and a woman . Jump into and dig in!!!!

Another fantastic novel in the series!

I love every character in this series.
I try to figure out the mystery, but rarely come to the correct conclusion