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    The Mummy Case: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense
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    The Mummy Case: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense
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    The Mummy Case: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense
    Ebook414 pages7 hours

    The Mummy Case: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense

    By Elizabeth Peters

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Radcliffe Emerson, the irascible husband of fellow archaeologist and Egyptologist Amelia Peabody, has earned the nickname "Father of Curses" -- and at Mazghunah he demonstrates why. Denied permission to dig at the pyramids of Dahshoor, he and Amelia are resigned to excavating mounds of rubble in the middle of nowhere. And there is nothing in this barren area worthy of their interest -- until an antiquities dealer is murdered in his own shop. A second sighting of a sinister stranger from the crime scene, a mysterious scrap of papyrus, and a missing mummy case have all whetted Amelia's curiosity. But when the Emersons start digging for answers in an ancient tomb, events take a darker and deadlier turn -- and there may be no surviving the very modern terrors their efforts reveal.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateMar 17, 2009
    ISBN9780061808579
    Unavailable
    The Mummy Case: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense
    Author

    Elizabeth Peters

    Elizabeth Peters earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago’s famed Oriental Institute. During her fifty-year career, she wrote more than seventy novels and three nonfiction books on Egypt. She received numerous writing awards and, in 2012, was given the first Amelia Peabody Award, created in her honor. She died in 2013, leaving a partially completed manuscript of The Painted Queen.

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    Reviews for The Mummy Case

    4/5

    54 ratings32 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Each book in this series gets better. Little Ramses is a great addition
    • 3/5
      The "Amelia Peabody" mystery novels are very formulaic. I only began reading them because my mother enjoyed them so much. They're fine. Light reading, but not all that much of a mystery. This was the third book in the series. I'll continue to read them I'm sure.
    • 4/5
      Amelia, Emerson, and their son Ramses head off to Egypt with the hopes of digging at Dahshur. Instead, they end up at Mazghunah. There they find evangelical missionaries, a bunch of rubble, and a mystery involving the illegal antiquities trade. These are enjoyable mysteries, but the precocious Ramses was a bit annoying.
    • 4/5
      The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters is the third of the Amelia Peabody series. It's the 1894-5 season in Egypt and she, her husband and their young son, "Ramses" are back. They had wanted the pyramids at Dashoor but poor planning on Radcliffe Emerson's part and his lack of social tact has relegated the Emerson crew to Mazghunah.It also happens to be my third time reading the book. The first and second times I read the book, I did so in print form. In both cases, while I loved the location (even if Peabody didn't), I absolutely wanted to strangle her overly precious and lisping son. This third time, I am listening to the books in order on audio, as performed by Barbara Rosenblat. I'm listening to them specifically for her performances.So, that brings me back to Ramses. Except for Goldie's teenage son, Arch, I haven't heard Rosenblat do a child's vice. I certainly haven't heard her do one as young as Ramses is these earliest books. As The Mummy Case is the first one where the Emerson spawn has a major part to play. Well, she pulls it off — well enough to make Ramses an almost plausible and almost likable character.Back to Mazhunah — the Emersons are working out of the ruins of an old Coptic monastery. It's also a reminder of the religious turf wars going on in the nearby village between the Copts, the Muslims and now Fundamentalist missionaries from the United States (shudder). In all this back and forth between the religious leaders is a shell game involving mummy cases and bits of Coptic papyri.There's a bunch of other stuff too — a lion cub, fires and the first appearance of the "Master Criminal" who is the second most annoying character in the series. Yet — it's all good in audio. It makes for an entertaining and somewhat cornball radio play.
    • 4/5
      This was a fun read and I thought the beginning was very funny. The mystery itself was a little tedious and more convoluted than riveting. I admit, I continue to read these books for the characters more than anything else.
    • 4/5
      Good story but a weak ending I thought
    • 4/5
      Emerson, Amelia and Ramses (6 yrs old) head to Egypt to an archeological site but things keeping going wrong. Ramses, a genius who speaks like an adult, keeps getting into trouble and talks nonstop. The murder mystery is weak but the converstion between Amelia and Emerson is very "Nick and Nora" as they solve a murder and are rescued after being lead astray and trapped in a pyramid by the precocious son.
    • 3/5
      The closest analogy is Tintin. Exotic locale, no money worries, highly intelligent pets, exaggerated personalities, all for fun.
    • 2/5
      Christian-bashing galore! Barbara Mertz (Elizabeth Peters' real name) is certainly a good writer and her Peabody series is quite entertaining. Nevertheless, this--the third I read--is the least I have liked so far. Apart from Emerson's constant and hysterically disproportionate reactions, the "Reader" has to constantly deal with Peabody's eternal conceitedness and belittling of males (and the only intelligent females are the ones who agree with Amelia, by the way) and their very young son's absurd precociousness. The mentions of the couple "connubial" and sexual relations increased in this book; I think if removed, the book might be reduced by 3 dozen pages. It also increased the attacks to Christianity. (Before vociferous non-Christians and atheists start attacking me, know that I don't even go to church.) For example Emerson says that Christians literally walk into a man's house and order him to become a Christian. Yet, Muhammad's conversion techniques were to pick a city, surround it, give it a day to convert-or-die, then proceed to "convert" its inhabitants. Unlike modern Christians, modern Muslims still kill people because they do not embrace their faith--people who, as has been widely documented, they call infidels. Modern Christians on the other hand, go around the world (and frequently find death) trying to peacefully convert people. While the Crusades and the Inquisition are past history, Islam continues to employ bloody methods of so-called conversion, yet always get a free pass. After many indignities thrown at Christians, the book ends with the most preposterous insinuation that the apostle Thomas would have written that Jesus had a son--something that is highly offensive to Christians. Yet Mrs. Mertz never dared to make offensive comments about Muhammad. She knows the answer would not be mere negative reviews, but she'd probably end up as housemate to Salman Rushdie thanks to some ayatollah's fatwa... (And, yes, I look for authors who either share my own views and values, or do not have a liberal agenda.)
    • 3/5
      6 year old Ramses, a precocious little boy who is half Amelia and half Emerson, takes centerstage in this third in the series. The mystery I found lacking any real depth, but the interaction of the characters (Mother, Father, and child) was extremely entertaining.
    • 3/5
      Emerson and Amelia are given a fairly poor place to dig for their season in Egypt, bringing along their son Rameses (whose real name is Walter) who is a precocious child. An Irritating precocious child, who actually also irritates and entralls his mother, who didn't really have much to do with his earliest years. Amelia stumbles upon a dead antiques dealer and this leads Amelia down a minefield of bodies and danger.It's not a bad read but I seriously wanted to teach Rameses some manners. In some ways he distracted from the events of the story and got in the way of my enjoyment, in other ways he was a linchpin of the story and I could see where setting him up could be interesting later in the series.
    • 4/5
      Ramses takes his place as one of the major characters of this series in this third installment. His matter-of-fact adoption of a lion and the acquiescence of said action by his parents is a good example of the humor of the series. The Emersons do outrageously unconventional things but have such a good time that it makes for fun reading. Amelia is a curious mix of feminism and femininity - very enjoyable.
    • 4/5
      The incredibly precocious Ramses comes to the fore in this book, as he accompanies Amelia and Emerson on their latest dig. Ramses, accompanied by his Egyptian cat, Bastet (who featured in 'The Curse of the Pharaohs), has an insatiable curiosity which gets him into scrapes which inevitably lead to a bath. Ramses is truly his parents child, as inevitably, Amelia and Emerson get entangled in a murder. which the police believe is suicide, and an antiquities smuggling ring. As usual there is a cast of disreputable and sometimes hilarious characters, sadly the missionaries, who occupy a large section of the book aren't really funny or charming and this does cast a pall over the narrative. But at the centre of it all is Amelia who is as entertaining as ever with her perceptive wit, parasol and emergency remedies.
    • 4/5
      I thought the actual mystery wasn't that great but I enjoyed the rest of the dialogue between Emerson, Peabody & Ramses especially. I think he is so adorable and it's a nice unique character to add to the storyline. I was also glad to see Peabody didn't have as many accidents trying to apprehend intruders only 1 or 2. You would think by now she would know how to get out of bed and out from under the netting but we'll see. If I read another episode with her tangled in the netting I'm liable to throw the whole book away! lol Get it right Peabody! You're smarter then that or suppose to be anyways!
    • 4/5
      The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters is a 2007 William Morrow publication. (This book was originally published in 1985)It’s always embarrassing when I have to admit I never realized Elizabeth Peters was a pseudonym for the one and only Barbara Michaels, until about five years ago. When I made that connection, I was determined to get know this side of this talented author. Although Elizabeth Peters wrote two other series, the Amelia Peabody series has to be the most beloved of her characters.This third book in the long running series has Amelia, Emerson, and their aptly named son, Ramses excavating mounds, not where they had wanted to, but in the middle of nowhere. Bored to death with their work, the couple find themselves investigating the suspicious death of an antiquities dealer.After reading the first two books in the series, which I enjoyed immensely, I got sidetracked, and this series fell to the wayside. But, I have been determined to get back on track with it. While Amelia, her parasol, Ramses, and Emerson are as hilarious as always, the mystery was pretty thin, and very slow moving, while the usual colorful characters are here, they are not as interesting as in the first two books.Still, the banter between Peabody and Emerson is just hilarious, and for that reason alone, this book is worth a read, but it was their son, Ramses who stole the show. Now that he is able to join his parents on their excavations, he has adjusted as only a child of Emerson and Amelia would. He still suffers with a slight speech problem, but his disposition is just like his mother’s. It is so funny to see Emerson doting on the boy, while Amelia is not moved by his cuteness, staying firm and practical as a mother. This dynamic made the books a lot of fun to read. But, don’t give up on the mystery. The last three chapters or so are pretty quick paced and there is a bit of action and adventure involved. Once again the author did an excellent job of drawing upon her own experiences as an Egyptologist to give the reader a very detailed description of the areas Peabody visits. Told from Amelia’s first person perspective, in the form of journals, we get a well-rounded story that is humorous, unique, and delightful. Although this was a tad bit sluggish, it was still quite enjoyable. Overall this one gets a 3.5 rounded to 4
    • 5/5
      Book three and the series shows no sign of flagging. Amelia takes her husband, son and her wonderful turn of phrase back to Egypt for some more archaeological shenanigans. The family have barely unpacked their cases before they are up to their necks in stolen antiquities, "Master Criminals" and suspicious missionaries. In spite of my initial doubts about the inclusion of Amelia and Emerson's uber-precocious son Ramses, he turns out to be a complete scene-stealer. The pacing of the story is, again, perfect and although the final reveal seems somewhat convoluted and the book then ends very abruptly, this is another fine quick read from Peters.
    • 4/5
      The Mummy Case is markedly darker than the preceding books. It is still light years from any kind of gothic thriller, but Peters seems to have shed some of the gauzy lightheartedness that characterized the earlier novels in favor of an earnest mystery. It may not be the most gracefully orchestrated mystery, but earnest nonetheless. She has also shed some of the previously slightly overbearing sense of homage to the pulp adventure novelettes and "penny dreadfuls" of yesteryear (and...yester-century?) in favor of a more mature and well-rounded style of novel. Amelia and her companions keep a strong continuity of personality in spite of the style shift, but now they experience (if fleetingly) real apprehension, real fear, and real distress as the events of the latest mystery unfold.I very much dislike the scenes of domesticity in the second novel in the series, The Pharaoh's Curse, but they have improved significantly here. I suspect this has a lot to do with the fact that Ramses has learned to shut his mouth once in a while, and has developed a bit of a personality beyond "obnoxious small child".Peters also seems to have finally committed herself to an ongoing Amelia Peabody series in this volume, as this is the first time I've seen her leave loose ends and foreshadow for a continuation of certain plot elements in the next book. Not that I'm complaining--tidy, self-contained episodic mysteries are good for casual readers who'd prefer to just pick up any random book in the series, but I suspect it would have gotten tiresome soon enough. I suppose this means that this volume indicates it's time to stop testing the waters and commit yourself! If you stick with Amelia the adventures are only going to get deeper and more involved from here on out. If you like her, that's a good thing. If you don't, perhaps it's time to bail.
    • 2/5
      Who should read this book: If you are reading thru the Amelia Peabody series, as I am, this book is the third in the series and therefore should be read. The book can be read by anybody over 12 years of age as the only items that are objectionable are the occasional curse word. I personally did not care for this story very much. My main objection is there is much focus on the personality of the main characters - Amelia, Emerson and Ramses and not as much on the story itself. Additionally, her portrayal of Christian characters is decidely antagonistic. The authors clear disdain for people of faith clearly shows through. A key item in the plot are some 2nd and 3rd century gnostic texts which she utilizes to undermine Christian belief. As a University of Chicago trained Egyptologist (or perhaps because of it) she could have provided background regarding the historical context of the documents.In summation the mystery is week and thinnly developed, and her characters have grown a bit tiresome. If you like the characters more than the mystery then it is an okay read.
    • 4/5
      Intrepid Egyptologist Amelia Peabody and her irrascible husband, who has been dubbed the "Father of Curses" by the Egyptian natives, once again set forth to uncover the treasures of the ancient pharoahs. This time they take along with them their young son nicknamed Ramses and John, a servant in their employ from England. Relegated to digging in an area deemed 'not worthy' by husband Radcliff Emerson, they are soon in the midst of a complex situation wherein a band of antiquities thieves are being lead by a Master Criminal. As Amelia tries to do her detective work she is stymied by a host of suspects and conflicting clues and information. After she and Radcliffe are thrown into the thick blackness of an ancient burial chamber in the Black Pyramid without hope of rescue, they are left to wonder if they have indeed met their fate. This reader found the plot confusing, as though it was searching for a way to untangle itself. The redeeming grace of this book is Ramses, who speaks with the vocabulary of a university professor with a lisp that makes him all the more endearing. The characters here are stronger than the plot and have earned this book four stars.
    • 3/5
      I had a harder time getting through this one. I don't know if it's because the writing is more refined later in the series, or if I had just reached my limit of Amelia Peabody books for the time being.
    • 4/5
      Peter's knowledge of Egyptology garners this book half a star. Otherwise, like the previous two in the series, it is a book with a poorly developed plot. The "villain" never did anything to show evil intent before the denouement. The dialog between Peabody and Emerson continue to be tedious, but not as tedious as their son's baby lisp. However, I admit that I will undoubtedly read the rest of the series over time.
    • 5/5
      This book is a romp. Amelia and Emerson are up to their usual selves. Emerson is determined to save Egyptian antiquities from thieves and incompetent archaeologists. Amelia is sure of her skills and still loves pyramids. And Ramses ... the lisp nearly drove me crazy, as it does Amelia. I feel for her having to raise a brilliant child who gets into no end of adventures. I'm all ready to start book number four in the series.
    • 4/5
      Amelia and Radcliff are off to Egypt again to excavate a lesser known pyramid. Amongst their work they get involved in all types of intrigue.Loved the addition of precocious Ramses, Amelia and Radcliff's son.
    • 5/5
      Amelia, Ramses and Emerson are still an entertaining delight! It's been at least 20 years since I read these early books in the series, and I figured recovery from surgery would be the perfect chance to revisit Amelia Peabody Emerson and see how she held up for me. Still five stars!
    • 4/5
      2019 reread via Recorded Books audiobook narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Ramses really comes into his own in his first trip to Egypt :)
    • 4/5
      Ah, the debut of The Master Criminal, and the beginning of Ramses' precocious career. Amelia's obsession with crawling through pyramids remains wonderful and deeply off-putting.
    • 3/5
      Digital audio narrated by Susan O’MalleyBook three in the popular Amelia Peabody cozy mystery series. Amelia and her handsome husband, Radcliffe Emerson, want permission to dig in a specific area for a long-lost pharaoh’s tomb. But the authorities were not pleased with Emerson’s past behavior and give him a site far from the desired pyramids of Dahshoor. They bring along their incredibly precocious son, Ramses, who wants a dig of his own. Ooh, isn’t he cute!I’m beginning to really enjoy the complete send-up of so many explorer stories of the past. Amelia does not suffer fools gladly; she’s intelligent and resourceful and has a sharp tongue. Emerson is oh, so “veddy British” in his sensibilities and mannerisms, while Amelia is sometimes far more adaptable to the “less civilized” conditions they find themselves in. They make a good team. But when it comes to their son … Amelia seems a bit perplexed by Ramses’s talent at getting completely filthy the moment she turns her back – whether he’s covered in jam or the mud of a dig. But Emerson is unexpectedly besotted with the boy. I love how Peters describes their household. For example:At the age of three Ramses had informed us that he did not need a nanny and would not have one. Emerson agreed with him. I did not agree with him. He needed something – a stout healthy woman who had trained as a prison wardress, perhaps – but it had become more and more difficult to find nannies for Ramses. Presumably the word had spread. .Susan O’Malley does a fine job narrating the audiobooks. She IS Amelia. I can’t imagine anyone else doing a better job.
    • 5/5
      This third book in the Amelia Peabody series see Ramses' first visit to Egypt. This precocious young child keeps everyone on their toes but Amelia is more than up to the task. Between stealing a lion cub, translating a papyrus scrap, and discovering a cache of ancient jewels, Ramses keeps his mother busy.Otherwise, the site that Emerson and Peabody have been awarded for digging this season is a disappointment. All that remains of the pyramids Amelia longs for are heaps of rubble and Coptic cemeteries. Nothing of interest to a woman who longs to crawl through bat infested tunnels filled with bad air. But a mummy case that keeps appearing and disappearing and a few murders do provide Amelia with a mystery to solve. This is Amelia's first encounter with the villain she names the Master Criminal but there are lesser villains causing trouble too. Amelia is her usual oblivious and intrepid self as she bulldozes her way through the mystery. It was a fun story told from Amelia's unique viewpoint.
    • 4/5
      I love Amelia Peabody, the heroine of these books. She's so self-assured and self-delusional.

      I have one complaint about this recording: every now and then, there would be a different voice doing the reading -- maybe a sentence or so -- and then it would go back to the regular narrator. All I can figure is that there were mistakes that had to be addressed, and either they got a different woman to read, or they got the woman who did the main narration, but she read differently. Either way, it was a tad distracting, like a ghost sneaking into the story.
    • 5/5
      It's been a stressful six weeks, and I really needed a tried and true book to help bring those stress levels down. I was delighted to find that my local library had a few Amelia Peabody audiobooks in their collection, so I promptly downloaded one.

      I read all of these books years ago, and Amelia remains one of my favorite characters of all time. She is wonderfully unreliable at times. If I could pick a fictional character with whom to sit down and have tea--well, Amelia would definitely be in the running.

      I love historical mysteries of all sorts, and Egypt in 1895 makes a perfect setting. This is the first book in which Amelia's son Ramses appears, as well, and Ramses is a remarkable character in his own right. So is Radcliffe Emerson, Amelia's archeologist husband. And the mystery is typically complex, fun and funny, but also serious by turns. So glad to have revisited this one! I'm sure I'll end up re-reading more in the series now that this one stood up so well.