Tomb of the Golden Bird: The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 18

Amelia and the rest of the sprawling Peabody-Emerson clan are back for yet another adventure featuring ... well, as Abdullah would have put it, "Every year, another dead body."

It's the fall of 1922 in Luxor, Egypt, and Howard Carter is digging one last season in the Valley of the Kings in the hopes of finding anything buried under the sands before his benefactor, Lord Canarvon, pulls the funding away after several fruitless years. Amelia's archaeologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, is fairly certain that at least one tomb remains - that of the little known 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Tutankhamun, and he thinks he knows where to find it. The fun begins when Carter stumbles across a step in the rock, and Emerson fails to remember that the find is Carter's and not his own. Soon, the Emersons are banned from the Valley, and old friends and foes start popping out of the woodwork to make life complicated.

The focus of this book is somewhat different than others in the series and those who've been wishing for a change of pace wll be pleasantly surprised to find that the focus of this book isn't the crime of the season, but the interactions of the Emersons themselves.

If you've never read one of the Amelia Peabody books, you'll be completely lost (start with Crocodile on the Sandbank and go from there) - after 18 books in the series, the backstory would take a volume of its own. I loved the story - my carpool pals were a bit lost, though, as I kept stopping the audio to explain who each character was.

If you've been with the series from the beginning, you might find yourself wishing the story were just a little longer. Elizabeth Peters has hinted that this will be the last book chronologically in the series, and that subsequent books will fill in the "holes" left in the 40 year span between our first encounter with Amelia and this latest tale. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed, though.)

The Tomb of the Golden Bird is Amelia at her best.

I am a long-time Audible subscriber and have listened to 100's of audiobooks but this series by Elizabeth Peters, featuring Amelia Peabody Emerson, her husband Radcliffe Emerson and their inimitable son Ramses, is my favorite of all time. Though I have read the hard copy series, the incredible narration by Barbara Roseblat makes the audible version superior. She IS Amelia Peabody, and Emerson, and Ramses, etc, etc. Her characterization is so superb that you can unhesitatingly identify the character. The entire series is wonderfully funny, suspenseful at times and above all, you will fall in love with the Emerson family and not be able to wait for the next book to continue their joyful romp through life. I promise you that if you have not read this series, you are in for a wonderful treat.

I started the Amelia Peabody series with this audio book that I found on sale a couple of years ago. It started me on a journey through Egypt with some fascinating and fun characters. I got my friends hooked on the series and everyone has thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The narrator makes the story come alive, giving each character its own personality as dictated by the author's wonderful writing style. Yes, there are some slow parts, but stick with it and you won't be disappointed! If possible, listen to in order, starting with Crocodile on the Sandbank. Truly a fine experience.

At last, Elizabeth Peters gives us the Emerson take on the discovery of Tutankamun's tomb! And it's as good as you would expect! Humor, historical accuracy, great characters -- all hallmarks of this excellent series. As always, Barbara Rosenblat IS Amelia Peabody -- heck, she's all these characters! How Peters kept this series fresh and new throughout is the biggest mystery, but, bless her, she did. If you like informative mysteries with lots of fun and historical detail, you can't do better than the Amelia Peabody series! And this is a very good entry.

I LOVE EP's books and BR's narration. I have read and/or listened to all of Amelia & Co's adventures. Without a doubt this is my favorite series of all time (including that Harry whats his name...). To me this particular book was a bit of a let down because it seems like this is where the story ends in time...also the pace was slow (but I guess the characters are older...)...Perhaps one more book set after Lord C dies (from the Curse ???) and Howard makes it up with them asking them to come back and help with the restoration...maybe this time someone could kidnap Kevin O"Connel and Emerson and Amelia could rescue him??? Sigh....I hope there are more books to come from the earlier days (and "lost" journals) - Your most eager (or at least one of your most eager) fans - Karen

P.S. Audible you are missing some of the full length stories and I am hoping to complete my audio library so get to getting them :-)

This series has been a favorite for its sharp characters, detailed and accurate settings, witty humor...The narrator did a fantastic job capturing the personalities that are already so vivid!

The way Ms. Peters has interwoven the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb with yet another "criminous" investigation by the Emerson family is quite delightful. Even though both Amelia and Radcliffe are no longer young, and the second generation are no longer children, they are as active and interesting as characters as they ever were.

And Barbara Rosenblat, as always, really does "perform" the book, rather than simply narrate it.

Amelia Peobody is a wonderful heroine and example of tenacity and forth rightness. This was a wonderful book and kept my atention to the last page. Perfect for the mystery lover with a love of things Egyptian.

Both Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Rosenblat are a joy to listen to. Great characters matched with excellent voicing make a delightful experience.

I just love Amelia! She is "real."

I love her voicing of Emerson's "Hmmph..." remarks.

I enjoyed both the print and audio versions, though the audio version lends a great deal of excitement.

The story line keeps you interested to the end.

Her use of so many voices makes the story come alive. You almost feel like you know each character.

Ramsee's announcement about the new child at the end.