Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters ISBN: 0-445-40651-8 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 1988 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.37 (84 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Try and Read it!
Comment: The Crocodile in the Sandbank includes suspense, history, and romance in one novel. I found Elizabeth Peters' character development to be the strongest aspect of her writing. Protagonist Amelia Peabody, our audacious heroine, is quite the contrast to her counterpart in the novel, the kind and feminine Evelyn Barton-Forbes. In addition to the characters' witty and delightful dialogue, I enjoyed Peters' successful incorporation of Egyptian history and fact. Knowing some background of ancient Egyptian history, I appreciated the author's references to hieroglyphics, pyramids, and mummies. However, I felt that the plot became a bit predictable as the novel progressed. The story's setting starts in the city of Rome and takes place in the city of Tell-el-Amarna, Egypt. Most of the action and mystery focuses on the plight of a stalking mummy---the ultimate cliché of Egyptian horror stories. The more I read, the more I realized possible story endings to this novel. Peters attempts to show, by concealing the mummy's identity until the end, that "looks can be deceiving." However, this conventional way to end a novel is dry and ho-hum. But, as the story progressed, I did find myself enjoying the novel for other reasons than its storyline. The playful relationship between Radcliffe Emerson and Amelia Peabody was a very entertaining aspect of the book. The descriptions of the famous Pharaoh Khuenaten (or Akhenaten) were also of particular interest. Lastly, the insights into Egyptian archeology and its role within the novel further enlightened me with small, but new ways of looking at Egyptian history.
Rating: 5
Summary: This Book Provides Pure Enjoyment
Comment: I have just finished this book this a.m. I am supremely delighted in how it ended, it was the only logical ending. :-) Amelia Peabody starts off as a intelligent, slightly arrogant, determined-to-be spinster. Sets off on an adventure in Egypt after solely inheriting her father's surprise enormous investments. She rescues a beautiful young girl, on the brink of ultimate self-destruction, and helps this girl to have a new vigor for life. Amelia herself is transformed by her acquaintances. Only for the better, of course. If you enjoy a good mystery, with a dab of romance put into the works, you will absolutely be completely satisfied with Elizabeth Peter's first installment of the Amelia Peabody chronicles. I have not yet had the opportunity to read further into the series, I just discovered their existence 2 weeks ago, but I am so thankful for Amazon and all its customers & all their lists. I would be so sad, had I never chanced to read this delightful novel. I cannot attest to the story's historical, hieroglyphical, and antiquital accuracy; however, I have read that Ms. Peters is actually an avid student of Egypt and all things old. So perhaps, this story has much accuracy amidst its satiating pages. I give this book FIVE stars & would give it more, if more were possible. Bravo Ms. Peters for writing the best novel I have read in a Long while. THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH FOR CREATING AMELIA & ALL HER FRIENDS AND FOES FOR US TO KNOW, AND LOVE & HATE!
Rating: 4
Summary: A wonderful read
Comment: This is the debut novel of amateur sleuth and Egyptologist Amelia Peabody, and it's really wonderful. Elizabeth Peters crafts a fun, beguiling mystery, two charming love stories, a study of Victoriana society and Ancient Egyptian artistry in a respectable 272 pages.
Recently made an independent woman through a large inheritance, Amelia Peabody sets out to see the sights of Europe and the Middle East, particularly Egypt, which she has a great fondness for. While in Rome, she stumbles (literally) upon a young woman named Evelyn, a disowned heiress whose lover has abandoned her and who has been left to starve. Amelia takes to the young lady right away, and employs Evelyn as her companion. They set out for Egypt, seeing the splendid sights and meeting the Egyptologist Emerson brothers, Radcliffe and Walter, with whom Amelia and Evelyn respectively share similarities and interests. However, when very odd things start to happen and mummies begin walking around at night looking to scare people, Amelia realizes that there is more to the scenario than meets the eye, and someone is trying to kidnap Evelyn. Irascible and spirited as always, Amelia sets out to uncover the villain.
This novel works well for anyone who enjoys Victorian mysteries with a splash of Indiana Jones flavoring. It's got the enjoyable, unconventional heroine, the inevitable and often entertaining battle of the sexes, and that occasional afternoon tea, but since we're in the middle of Egypt there's a little more adventure and a little less lecturing than you'd find in an Anne Perry mystery. Peters knows what she's talking about, what with a doctorate in Egyptology. The treasures and tombs of Egypt come vividly to life, and you'll be swept up in the grandeur and romance of the country. It's just like being in a polite Raiders of the Lost Ark, or King Solomon's Mines.
The book does have its flaws. The mystery may be a little too predictable, although the mummy is just plain cool. We haven't really got any strong Egyptian characters, and the Europeans make a few too many remarks about how barbarous and uncivilized the people are. (They had irrigation systems long before we did, people. Most of Egypt's problems in the nineteenth century came from the Brits.) And Amelia's just a little too consistently blunt. Right after Evelyn tells of the disastrous love affair that stripped her of her virginity and her grandfather's love and left her starving in Rome, Amelia asks her how sex is. Maybe I misread the scene, but my God!
Still, you can't put this book down. The intellectual showdowns between Amelia and Radcliffe ring with honesty and humor, and the descriptions of Egypt are so breathtaking and fascinating that you just won't care about much else. I read it in two days, when I should've been studying for finals, and I just ran out and bought the second one, Curse of the Pharoahs. If you're looking for a new smart, adventurous series to get hooked on, run out and buy this. It's the best mystery series I've ever read.
 |
Title: The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters ISBN: 0445406488 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 1988 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
 |
Title: The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters ISBN: 0446601934 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: 01 June, 1995 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
 |
Title: Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters ISBN: 0380731193 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 07 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
 |
Title: The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters ISBN: 0380731959 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 01 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
 |
Title: The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters ISBN: 0446363383 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 1992 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
