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.
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©2005 Elizabeth Peters; (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
"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)
"The Serpent on the Crown"
Such Fun!!! The best part was the reader tho, she gives different voices for all the characters and has such excellent expression.
"One of the best readers EVER!"
As always, Mrs. Emerson is a blast to hang out with. Over and above the rich textural style of our beloved author, the characterizations of Barbara Rosenblat make this listen so much fun!!! Ms. Rosenblat is one of the true STARS of this medium. TWO THUMBS UP.
"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.
"The Serpent on the Crown"
I have enjoyed Elizabeth Peters' prior novels, but this one was so bad that - for the first time ever - I quit listening to it less than half way through. I like the narrator, but even she couldn't breath life into this very boring story. I should have read ALL the reviews - the one that called this book "tedious" was right on.
What a disappointment!
"The Emerson's Reside in My Heart"
Ernest, in his review below, needs to realize that this is period fiction. Both the British and the Egyptian characters are an accurate representation of turn-of-the-century attitudes, and the book HAS to be consumned as such.
Ms. Peters as always has delivered a work worthy of everything we've come to love about the Emerson's, and Ms. Rosenblatt gives the characters life in this audio reading.
I NEVER have so much fun as following the Emerson's in both their adventures in Egypt, and their quirky family life!
"Delightful fun!"
This was my first exposure to this author and narrator, and I was immediately engaged by the characters and details of the story. The tale combines an entertaining cast of characters with unfolding action and mystery. The story develops over a background of Egyptian archaeology which doesn't tax the non-archaeologist, and the writer plays fair with the solution to the mysteries. This narrator is amazing, and brings each character to life! I recommend this as a listen which is out of the ordinary, and well worth the time!
"Couldn't finish it."
I've been enjoying audiobooks for a number of years now, and this was the first one I couldn't stick with until the end. I may be alone in this opinion, but what really killed it for me was the reader. To me, her vocal characterizations were overdone and annoying. In this case, the story was not interesting enough to get me past my annoyance with the reader.
"Rated Low for Narrator"
The previous audio books I purchased from Audible by Elizabeth Peters were narrated by Susan O'Malley (sp?). This one was narrated by Barbara Rosenblatt. I found the voice of Amelia Peabody Emerson too gutteral and hoarse compared to Susan O'Malley. Also, I can hear either papers shuffling in the background or the narrator's repeated swallowing...I'm not certain which it is.
I love Elizabeth Peters and will probably purchase more, even if Barbara Rosenblatt has narrated, but I don't enjoy the telling of the story as much. It has changed the character of Amelia and I find it difficult to see her as the character Ms. Rosenblatt portrays.