Lion in the Valley

Amelia Peabody and husband Emerson were introduced in "Crocodile on the Sandbank," which is my favorite book. The couple is as intrepid as Indiana Jones, and trouble finds them as easily as it does the film hero. This tome extends their Egyptian adventures, which continue in many subsequent volumes. I really enjoy the couple's (mis)adventures and recommend this, or any other book in the series, to readers of all ages and interests.

Welcome (or welcome back) to the wonderful world of crime and archaeology that abounds in this series. In The Lion In The Valley, we meet up with Amelia Peabody and her husband, Radcliffe Emerson as they set out once again for a dig in Egypt. Their son Ramses, a "catastrophically precocious" 8 year old with an eerie aptitude for languages both ancient and modern, accompanies them for only the 2nd time and promptly gets himself kidnapped. He is rescued almost immediately, but that isn't the end of their misfortune. Mishaps continue to plague their dig, and the hand of the Master Criminal once more appears to be present.If you haven't read any of this series yet and you don't want to start all the way at the beginning, this is a good place to start. There's enough coverage of the past stories so you won't get lost without being repetitive for those who have read the 3 previous books. A great story with wonderful characters, I highly recommend it.

The Emerson family are an unholy trio: Radcliffe Emerson the prickly archaeologist, Amelia Peabody Emerson his officious wife and amateur sleuth, and Walter "Ramses" Peabody Emerson, their 7 year old son who reads lots of sensational fiction and is writing his own Egyptian grammar. In the days of modern air travel they would be the family you hated to have any where near you on the plane; in turn of the century Cairo, you wouldn't have wanted to get near them either! For wherever they go, murder, mayhem, and the Master Criminal cannot be far behind.I loved the Mummy Case because we got to know Ramses who provided some leavening into the already hysterical antics of Amelia and Radcliffe. As he lisped about in the sand discovering priceless relics and running rings around his parents, the reader realized that he was going to be a great addition to the series. Here in Lion in the Valley, Ramses really comes into his own. Now 7, he is twice the trouble and twice the detective.The plot hinges on the actions of the "Master Criminal"--a mastermind of devious and deadly plots who is organizing the grave robbers of Egypt into a formidable criminal underworld. We briefly met the MC in the Mummy Case, but here he takes center stage, pushing aside any hope of interest in the archaeological dig itself. By the end of the book Amelia and the MC have met...and it is hilarious.If you like your mysteries with a laugh track then this is for you. Fans read them for Amelia and the 101 things she can do with waterproof matches--not for the labrynthine plots--and increasingly for Ramses as well.

This book has got to be one of my all time favourites. Ms.Peters incomparable skill at writing an Egyptian mystery near the end of Queen Victoria's reign is demonstrated by the witty dialogue, interesting twists and unforgettable characters. In the thick of the mystery is our lovable heroine, Mrs. Amelia Peabody-Emerson (affectionatly caleed "Peabody" by her amazing husband), Emerson--the egyptologist spouse and their little rascal son, Ramses. The mysterious, yet fascinating Master Criminal has fallen for Amelia and tries to woe her heart while creating intriguing twists in the process. Amelia fights his advances all the way and the duel between Emerson and his rival certainly provides some entertainment!!When there is a worthy heroine, great dangers, a mystery to die for set in the most wonderful country, Egypt, how can it not be a great yarn, eh?I can't seem to be able to write a review worthy of this book without giving away everyting. My advice, please buy this book, you will NOT be disappointed.

Being somewhat disappointed with "The Mummy Case," I wasn't too sure as to what to expect from "Lion in the Valley." I was not to be disappinted again! This book has everything that makes the "Amelia Peabody" stories so enjoyable to read: mystery, suspense, adventure AND the Master Criminal, who has won my heart (if not Amelia's) in this book. Emerson and Ramses weren't too bad either!