Crocodile on the Sandbank

The Amelia Peabody Series, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Susan O'Malley

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Meet Egyptologist Amelia Peabody in the first mystery in the Victorian-era, New York Times-bestselling series.

"If Indiana Jones were female, a wife, and a mother who lived in Victorian times, he would be Amelia Peabody Emerson."—Publishers Weekly

Amelia Peabody, that indomitable product of the Victorian age, embarks on her first Egyptian adventure armed with unshakable self-confidence, a journal to record her thoughts, and, of course, a sturdy umbrella. On her way, Amelia rescues young Evelyn Barton-Forbes, who has been “ruined” and abandoned on the streets of Rome by her rascally lover. With a typical disregard for convention, Amelia promptly hires her fellow countrywoman as a companion and takes her to Cairo.

Eluding Evelyn’s former lover, who wants her back, and Evelyn’s cousin Lord Ellesmere, who wishes to marry her, the two women sail up the Nile to an archaeological site that is home to a rather lively mummy. Soon strange visitations, suspicious accidents, and a botched kidnapping convince Amelia that there is a plot afoot to harm Evelyn.

Don't miss the rest of the Amelia Peabody series.

©1975 Elizabeth Peters (P)2002 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"The indomitable Amelia Peabody carries the listener along as easily as she carries her umbrella." (AudioFile)

A fun book

This book is more an adventure than a mystery, and that suits me fine. It's fun and entertaining. The characters are charming, even Emerson. It's a real joy to listen to on the drive home.

I've heard both O'Mally and Rosenblat, and I prefer O'Mally over Rosenblat. O'Mally can create voices for various characters that you forget it's one person reading this. Rosenblat has a voice that makes everyone sound like a 50 year old female smoker.

Spoiled by the narrator

Let’s face it, this is a good tale, the author is American but the cast of characters is English (not even Welsh, Scottish or Irish) and upper class English at that.

An American narrator (especially this one) will lack the knowledge of pronunciation and usage. To a British ear(mine for example) Papa is NOT pronounced Poppa, Eveline is pronounced with the stress on Eve, not to rhyme with ever. The freezing dignity and use of language as a weapon that I enjoyed so much reading this story years ago are woefully lacking.
I won’t be spending my credits here!

Very old fashioned

A lot of one pretty blonde woman fainting and another strong sensible brunette coming to her rescue. Reminded me of an old-timey silent movie. Meh

Inferior narrator

I had discovered the Amelia Peabody series years ago, following the books read by Barbara Rosenblat. Susan O’Malley is no where near as entertaining. I chose to read more than listen, because I found myself not listening to this woman’s voice.

Good Story

Good story for the era (70's) in which it was written. Slow to get to the "meat" of the story. Good first novel.

Fine, but not my cup of tea

The story was okay, but I thought it was a bit long in descriptions and short on action, or even introspection. The performance was semi-melodramatic, while technically well done. In the end I finished it to get my money's worth, although I had figured out "who done it" and why by mid way through.

Good subject, mediocre narration

This is the first Amelia Peabody story I have listened to and I found the narration somewhat bland. I have to agree with the other reviewers that recommend Ms Rosenblat instead.

splendid

Laugh out loud story, good narration, fun for girls roadtrip, ages 11 and up. 👍

Incredibly fun story

Incredibly fun story about a wealthy, intelligent, highly opinionated spinster on holiday in Egypt getting tangled in a curse and mummy adventure on an archeological dig run by a pair of entertaining brothers.
The only 2 real flaws (in my opinion)were—
(1) the narration was inconsistent and lackluster. The men were actually ok but the 2 women’s voices were inconsistent and often interchangeable— not identical but similar and it seemed like the reader often forgot which female she was voicing and defaulted to the high slightly prissy voice. It’s not bad enough to not listen to, it’s just not great. I imagine I would prefer the barbara rosenblat ones but alas they aren’t free like these are.
And
(2) In the story: I couldn’t stand the simpering, wide-eyed, swoony sidekick Evelyn who faints at every shocking thing. As a “ruined” and (temporarily) suicidal young woman of the Edwardian (?) era, who had run away from her loving but stern grandfather to enjoy a steamy scandalous sexcapade with a hot Italian, I would think that maybe she had enough emotional fortitude to not faint at every little thing. So not only was she annoying but it rang a little untrue to me. The martyr complex was also intensely irritating. I understand that from a story perspective, the author wanted a beautiful, sweet, “proper” young woman to contrast her hot-headed and opinionated heroine— And contrast she did. The heroine Amelia would undoubtedly be a bit grating in person but she is written with such enormous warmth and humor that I am excited to follow her into her next adventure. Hopefully without the sidekick.
Overall 4 stars and I can’t wait to dive into the next one.

Exactly what I was looking for!

If you are in search of something akin to the 90s film The Mummy, or like adventure tales this is it! I was skeptical and when it first began I wasn’t sure it was to my liking. But a few chapters in I really began to enjoy it. The main cast are very likable and witty. I can’t wait to listen to book #2!