The Falcon at the Portal

By: Elizabeth Peters

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 15 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

Join spunky Amelia and her charming family for a thrilling new archaeological adventure in Edwardian Egypt. Even on the joyous occasion of the marriage of their Egyptian "son" David to their beloved niece Lia, trouble finds Amelia and hunky hubby Emerson. And this time it is personal.

In London, someone impersonating David is peddling high-quality fake antiquities, and soon the Emerson-Peabody home is burglarized. Once in Egypt, trouble only escalates as Amelia becomes a shooter's target, her son Ramses is implicated in a paternity scandal, and an American girl is found dead in the shaft of the pyramid they are excavating. When the family's impetuous ward Nefret disappears and comes back married, it takes all of their upper-crust British restraint to keep familial relations civil.

Grand Master Elizabeth Peters once again delivers the delectable goods we have come to expect: beloved characters, an intriguing mystery, and alluring settings among the ruins. Romance and danger heighten the excitement, as does Barbara Rosenblat's narration, which is nothing short of perfection.

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

©1999 Elizabeth Peters (P)1999 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

"Between Amelia Peabody and Indiana Jones, it's Amelia, in wit and daring, by a landslide." (The New York Times Book Review)

Perhaps Best of Series

I made the mistake of first listening to the abridged version of FALCON. Some books can be abridged well, but not this one. Every line is full of characterization, or humor, or poignancy -- I cannot recommend the unabridged version, narrated by Barbara Rosenblatt enough.

FALCON is part of Peters' series of Amelia Peabody mysteries, and contains everything readers come to expect--another dead body, another shirt ruined, delightful narration, and the incredible character of Amelia herself, who manages to both exemplify and transcend Victorian femininity. We have all the wonderful secondary characters (Cyrus & wife, David, Lia, Selim, Kadija, etc.) and an actual pyramid (though a sad pyramid it is) for Amelia and her gruff husband Emerson to explore--in an archeologically sound manner, of course. We even get a glimpse of their English home at the start (along with an important wedding) and a forgery plot implicating someone near and dear to their hearts.

But what makes FALCON stand out more than (arguably) any other book in the series is the depth of the characterization. Yes, these are the same Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, and Nefret. But the clarity with which each is drawn, from their body language to their vocal inflections (thanks both to Peters and to narrator Rosenblatt) is absolute magic. The Emerson family has more personal stake in this mystery than ever before--because of the implications of the forgery, and because the murder victim is someone we get to know and, if not like, with whom we sympathize. Add to that a crescendo to the building romantic subplot between Amelia's genius son Ramses (it's a nickname) and her adopted daughter Nefret (it's Egyptian), and the fact that her horrible nephew Percy gets in some wonderfully low blows against the family's happiness, and FALCON ends up working not only as a mystery but as the best of family dramas.

Give it a shot.

15 of 15 people found this review helpful

one of Peters' best yet!

what could be more delightful for a summer listen? Great plot with lots of twists and turns, leaps ahead in the Emmerson family story itself, Amelia's hilarious view of it all and read by the incomparable B. Rosenblat. Terrific!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Fabulous!

This is one of my favorite of the series -- as heartbreaking as it is at times! Ramses truly becomes the stoic hero here -- gallant to a fault. I actually listened to this years ago on tape, and have since had to go back and listen to the whole series! This book hooked me!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Dark, dark story

I doubt I can continue investing my attention and money in this series.
I completely lost respect for one of the central characters because of what happened in this book. They demonstrated stupidity, rashness, poor judgement, cluelessness, and in a way, disloyalty or maybe what I mean is an appalling lack of faith. This was a character I have been rooting for and liked for several books now, and I thought they were better then that.
Maybe someday I will revisit this series, but I don't think so. I guess I just got used to thinking of this series as being light and fun? Cover to cover, this book was a slog.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The usual charming drama

The usual charming, suspenseful and well written plot are delightful. A bit more predictable than some of her other stories, but no less enjoyable.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love Amelia!

I listen to these books all the time. They never grow old, and even after all these years I'm still finding new layers. Elizabeth Peters ( Barbara Mertz) was an underrated writer.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Most Infuriating And Fascinating Installment

Talk about an emotional rollercoaster. I give this one the highest rating of any in the series, much as it maddened me the first time I listened to it. I would not recommend starting this one without having the next (He Shall Thunder in the Sky) on hand; these two collectively mark the high point of the series for me. Just when you think you're getting a payoff several books in the making, Elizabeth Peters turns the tables again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love all the Amelia Peabody Emerson books

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The characters are strong, smart, and even sexy. The world they inhabit is interesting too.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Falcon at the Portal?

I am really enjoying the Ramses/Nefret story arch.

What about Barbara Rosenblat’s performance did you like?

Terrific read in every way. Very dramatic, nuanced, and in touch with the essence of the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I always laugh.

Any additional comments?

I finish one and start another. The exploits of the Emerson family, and their friends and foes, are truly delightful, intriguing and enlightening.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Read this series

Thank me later. Barbara Rosenblat is superb as usual. If you like a dash of tortured romance in your mystery, this is the book for you.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Dependably Enjoyable

This series is a favorite. The history is reliable, the style is authentic, and the plots are engaging. The the characters are likable and amusing; their development and their changing relationships pique interest in the ongoing saga.
A great plus in the audio versions is the amazing Barbara Rosenblat, who gives each character a distinctive and convincing voice.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A damed good read.

If you want to loose yourself for whatever reason, then this is not only the book for you. But the series for you. . The historical knowledge is superb.
Egypt come alive you can almost smell & taste the bazaars.
I have read all the books in the series. I am on my second reading of said series It is still as wonderful as the first time. You can't get fed up with the characters there just so real. I feel as if they are old friends to be visited time and time again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Falcon at the Portal

The storylines are always good and the characters grow and age with each book. I thoroughly enjoy all the Amelia Peabody series and Barbara Rosenblat brings all the characters to life.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

fab

Read this series ages ago and had forgotten about it. Delighted
to return to it in audio format. The books are well written, witty
and interesting, sheer escapism, and beautifully read.

6 of 10 people found this review helpful

Best one yet

Barbara Rosenblat should receive every award under the sun for her fabulous reading performances - The Falcon at the Portal is no exception. I also really enjoyed the story line, so much so that I had to google the next book as I almost couldn't cope with the suspense. Thoroughly enjoyable.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Hard work

Although i found this story very interesting, there is something about the narrator that makes this hard to listen to! I love anything related to a eqyptian murder mystery, not 100% sure about this one.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful