The Ape Who Guards the Balance

I do not read many mystery novels - generally, I read the first and last five pages, to see the problem and its solution. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie were about the only mystery writers I ever read - until I read "The Ape Who Guards the Balance", by Elizabeth Peters. I could not put it down, and am now a confirmed Peabody enthusiast.The story is well-crafted, delivered with wit, charm, and elegance of style. The characters are all believable (some feat, surely, for people of such fondness for peroration) and framed with precision and allure. I shan't give away any details, as I hate to ruin a good yarn, which this surely is.One note: while I do not generally exhort strict adherence to sequential structure, I would advise that the Reader would get more enjoyment from reading the Peabody series in chronological order than hodgepodge. The development and maturation of the characters is more easily displayed and ascertained through sequential order.

I will admit, I don't read much fiction. Especially not modern fiction. But, being something of an Egyptology enthusiast (small wonder, since I am mother to one) I decided to give this book a go. And I am so glad I did! It actually kept me so interested that I couldn't sleep until I had finished it. I stayed reading till after three a.m. What a pity that this is the only book of the series that my library has!

I first picked up an Amelia Peabody mystery on a whim. Now I'm addicted. Peters' stylish and intelligent prose makes her books worth reading, and you feel that your mind is expanding with every page. Once you read one, you'll want to read them all. No other author has brought Egypt, it's people, and adventure more to life.

I have yet to be disappointed by Elizabeth Peters. I love the way that she manages to include ample information about the Victorian period and about archaeological exploration in Egypt while providing a compelling mystery. The family members are engrossing, and this time I was interested in the recurring issue of women's "place" in the society of the time. We heard about the suffrage movement in England and the literacy movement in Egypt, both portents of things to come. I am ready for the next in the series!

The many plot twists, red herrings, false leads and unexpected triumphs of "The Ape Who Guards the Balance" has been covered skillfully in other reviews elsewhere so I won't supply a plot synopsis here. It might be better to use this small space to tell why this book and this series is such a special treat to this fan.Ms. Peters gives us romance without being maudlin, action without excessive or graphic violence and mystery without melodrama. (ok, maybe a *little* melodrama) Her humor is laugh-out-loud funny and she even manages to insert Egyptian history without dogma, except perhaps when Ramses delivers one of his condescending lectures.But it is the characters we remember most.Intricate, tightly woven plots are the mark of a good mystery, but if we don't care about the characters, who cares where the plot takes us? The characters are well drawn, well thought out and compliment each other. Can you imagine Amelia without Emerson's verbal sparring? It seems Ramses and Nefret are destined to carry on this enlivening tradition: will it be the next book where they admit to each other what we all have guessed by now? Can Sethos really stay his hand from Amelia's most engaging affairs? (Not bloo- er blooming likely.)Ms. Peters has also been able to get around the limitations of the first person narrative by "discovering" additional manuscripts describing the main events but written by other combatants, er, participants. It's great fun seeing the same event described from greatly contrasting viewpoints.Anyone whose interest in Egyptology has been piqued by the recent discoveries of Kent Weeks and Miroslav Verner would be well advised to save the airfare to that troubled region. For a tiny fraction of that cost you can pick up a copy of "The Ape Who Guards the Balance" and enjoy all the mystery, danger and romance and not worry about the local water. What a bargain!I fervently wish Amelia (and Ms. Peters!) a long and fruitful life so that we may enjoy this series for years to come. Especially to the year 1922, when her friend Howard Carter makes (with much help, poking and prodding from the Emersons) the most famous descent in modern archeology: down the sixteen steps of KV62 and into the final resting place of Tutankhamun.I imagine Emerson having preceded him there, sapphire eyes snapping in the torchlight with archeological fever. Bruised, bloodied but not bowed, his torn clothing in disarray."Don't stand there gawking, Peabody, there's work to be done," as his strong arms circles her waist."Emerson!" she exclaims, searching the depth of those eyes. "Another shirt ruined!"