Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody)

This book (the whole series) is fully of fun, quirky characters. I read this book when I was a teenager and I believe this is my 4th time reading again (now in my fifties).

Once I read this one, I was hooked. A great series with fun mysteries, amazing settings and fantastic characters. I have given this book to many friends as gifts and all have loved it!If you are new to this series, here are some things you might like to know...Elizabeth Peters also writes under the name Barbara Michaels (not sure which is her real name). Personally, I have not been impressed by some of her other books outside of the Peabody mysteries. The Amelia Peabody books are adventure/mystery stories that take place in Egypt, in the late 1800's. Here are the books featuring Amelia Peabody in order from first to last: 1) Crocodile on the Sandbank (1975) 2) The Curse of the Pharaohs (1981) 3) The Mummy Case (1985) 4) Lion in the Valley (1986) 5) The Deeds of the Disturber (1988) 6) The Last Camel Died at Noon (1991) 7) The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog (1992) 8) The Hippopotamus Pool (1996) 9) Seeing a Large Cat (1997) 10) The Ape Who Guards the Balance (1998) 11) The Falcon at the Portal (1999) 12) He Shall Thunder In The Sky (May 2000) 13) Lord of the Silent (May 2001) 14) The Golden One (April 2002) 15) Children of the Storm (April 2003) Happy reading!

This is a wonderful , excellently written novel that begins the Amelia Peabody series. This novel establishes her relationship with Emerson & Evelyn. If you begin to read this you'll have a very hard time putting it down!I must have given this book, to friends & family, probably 10 times this year alone; and most wind up reading the entire series. My husband just adored the novel (he has written 3 N.Y. Times best selling novels...so he is really PICKY). If you like anything to do with ancient Egypt, Victorian times, murder, mystery & intrigue.......This is your novel!! I only have two complaints: I wish there was a life-time supply of fresh Amelia Peabody stories available. The other complaint is that there is nothing inside the book on any of the novels that helps create a `time line' of all the novels in the series. In other words, I read the fifth book first & had no clue as to what was the first book, second book, etc. in the series. I had to go & do a comparison between the dates when they were written and check the story lines to figure this out. Most series list the available novels in a chronological order somewhere in the book.So...for all future & current lovers of the series, here a list of all her books for the Amelia Peabody series & the Vicky Bliss series:Amelia Peabody SeriesBook #1-Crocodile on the SandbankBook # 2- The Curse of the PharaohsBook # 3-The Mummy CaseBook # 4-Lion in the ValleyBook # 5-The Deeds of the DisturberBook # 6-The Last Camel Died at NoonBook # 7-The Snake, the Crocodile and the DogBook # 8-The Hippopotamus PoolBook # 9-Seeing a Large CatBook # 10-The Ape Who Guards the BalanceBook # 11-The Falcon at the PortalBook # 12-He Shall Thunder in the SkyBook # 13-Lord of the SilentBook # 14-The Golden OneVicky Bliss SeriesBook #1 1-Borrower of the NightBook #1 2-Street of the Five MoonsBook #1 3-Silhouette in ScarletBook #1 4-Trojan GoldBook #1 5-Night Train to Memphis

I had looked at this book a number of times before buying it...I can't believe I waited so long! I am now completely hooked on Amelia Peabody. She is a heroine for all ages.Set in 1884, Crocodile on the Sandbank presents the first person account of Amelia Peabody, 32, unmarried and independent after inheriting her father's estate. Amelia is sharp, witty, wryly humorous, and very intelligent. She sets off on an adventure travelling from her home in England through Europe to Rome where she comes to the rescue of Evelyn Barton-Forbes. Abandoned and penniless Evelyn is humbled but she still maintains her common sense and courage. The two immediately hit it off, and Evelyn becomes a companion to Amelia as they set off for Egypt.Once in Egypt, the two meet the Emerson brothers, archaeologists working on a dig in Amarna. The four join forces to contend with grave-robbers, the ever present Egyptian sun and wind, and a mysterious mummy stalking them by night. Laugh-out-loud funny in parts, romantic (though not romance-novel-esque), as well as thrilling and suspenseful, Crocodile on the Sandbank combines the best of mystery, history, and great characters. I have since read every one of the Amelia Peabody books and am anxiously awaiting the new one coming out May 1st.

I am always wanting new, entertaining books to read. So, when a friend recommended Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mysteries (starting with "Crocodile on the Sandbank"), I jumped right in.As someone else pointed out, the mystery aspect of Crocodile on the Sandbank is not the strongest part of this novel. (Don't be surprise if you guess the purpose and identity of the stalking mummy well before it is revealed.)In every other way, this book is excellent. The characters, plot and description are delightfully entertaining. Amelia Peabody, a Victorian-era spinster of means, embarks for a tour of Egypt. But first, while in Rome, she encounters Evelyn Barton-Forbes, who has been "ruined" by her former lover. Amelia insists that Evelyn accompany her. Once in Egypt, they meet Radcliffe and Walter Emerson. These four characters are incredible. They have strong personalities without becoming two-dimensional characatures. The way Amelia and Evelyn relate is touching, and the way Amelia and Emerson play off eachother is classic.I don't know much about ancient Egypt, but Elizabeth Peters provides so much fascinating description. She really seems to know what she's talking about. (In fact, she got a Ph.D. in Egyptology.) Crocodile on the Sandbank made me want to know more about Egyptology and archaeology. It certainly made me want to read more of the beautiful descriptions and wonderfully drawn characters.

I'm not usually a mystery fan, but I absolutely LOVED the Amelia Peabody mystery series. They are very exciting and humourous, and I enjoy the fact that the author doesn't write down to you. I read the entire series (unfortunately out of chronological order) and found this first book to be one of my favorites. By the way, this is how the books are ordered chronologically: 1.Crocodile on the Sandbank, 2.The Curse of the Pharaohs, 3.The Mummy Case, 4.The Lion in the Valley, 5. The Deeds of the Disturbur, 6.The Last Camel Died at Noon, 7.The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog, 8.The Hippopatumus Pool, 9.Seeing a Large Cat, 10.The Ape Who Guards the Balance, and 11.Falcon at the Portal. All excellent books. I loved seeing the characters grow throughout the series. This first book was a good beginning to a great series. I encourage anyway who loves to read (mystery or otherwise) to give these books a try.