The Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters 
By Vicky T. (VickyJo)
What is it about a series that is so appealing? You would think that several books about the same person would get—if not boring—then at the very least, monotonous. But for me, if I enjoy the main character, then I want to continue peeking into his or her personal life; I want to continue sharing adventures and finding out what comes next. I’m obviously not alone in this, because more and more series are being written every day, especially in the mystery genre.
Lately, I’ve been reading my way through a series written by Elizabeth Peters. We are introduced to Amelia Peabody in the first novel, Crocodile on the Sandbank. It’s 1884, and Amelia’s indulgent father has died, leaving her a very wealthy spinster. Amelia decides to use her money to see the world, and heads to Egypt by way of Rome. She comes across a young woman named Evelyn, who has been abandoned (and “ruined”) by her lover; Amelia takes her under her wing, making Evelyn her companion as they journey on to the archaeological wonders of Egypt.
The two women run into very suspicious happenings, and it seems as though Evelyn is in danger. Amelia fancies herself a sleuth and is determined to not only solve this mystery, but to help the eminent archaeologist she has just met, Radcliffe Emerson, and his younger brother Walter to…well, to do everything. Men are not the most organized creatures, are they?
This novel is such fun! It’s presented to the “Dear Reader” as Amelia’s journal, and the mystery aspect takes a secure back seat to the cast of unforgettable characters. While Evelyn and Walter fall in love, Amelia and Emerson (he hates his given name) clash repeatedly, and it’s a wonder no one gets throttled. There is sly humor throughout, and one can’t help but admire Amelia (as she knew you would, of course).
The author (whose real name was Barbara Mertz) had a PhD in Egyptology and she used her knowledge to give her novels a very authentic feel. She also includes real people from the time, especially Howard Carter (who eventually discovers the tomb of King Tut) and other luminaries from the world of late Victorian archaeology. (Emerson does not consider them luminaries. He considers them bungling idiots who have no earthly idea how to run a cursed dig.)
There are 20 books in the series, 19 of them by Elizabeth Peters, and one published in 2017 by Joan Hess. (Elizabeth Peters died in 2013.)
If you’re looking for a fun mystery with engaging characters, an exotic locale and not much in the way of gory murder (although be prepared for mummies) this is the series for you!
Amelia Peabody Series
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 – 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, 2000
13 – Lord of the Silent, 2001
14 – The Golden One, 2002
15 – Children of the Storm, 2003
16 – Guardian of the Horizon, 2004
17 – The Serpent on the Crown, 2005
18 – Tomb of the Golden Bird, 2006
19 – A River in the Sky, 2010
20. The Painted Queen, 2017 (written by Joan Hess)
Thank you! Just what I need series.