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The Painted Queen: An Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Egypt, 1912—Amelia Peabody and her dashing archeologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, are once again in danger as they search for a priceless, stolen bust of legendary Queen Nefertiti and Amelia finds herself the target of assassins in this long-awaited, eagerly anticipated final installment of Elizabeth Peters’ bestselling, beloved mystery series.
Arriving in Cairo for another thrilling excavation season, Amelia is relaxing in a well-earned bubble bath in her elegant hotel suite in Cairo, when a man with knife protruding from his back staggers into the bath chamber and utters a single word—""Murder""—before collapsing on the tiled floor, dead. Among the few possessions he carried was a sheet of paper with Amelia’s name and room number, and a curious piece of pasteboard the size of a calling card bearing one word: ""Judas."" Most peculiarly, the stranger was wearing a gold-rimmed monocle in his left eye.
It quickly becomes apparent that someone saved Amelia from a would-be assassin—someone who is keeping a careful eye on the intrepid Englishwoman. Discovering a terse note clearly meant for Emerson—Where were you?""—pushed under their door, there can be only one answer: the brilliant master of disguise, Sethos.
But neither assassins nor the Genius of Crime will deter Amelia as she and Emerson head to the excavation site at Amarna, where they will witness the discovery of one of the most precious Egyptian artifacts: the iconic Nefertiti bust. In 1345 B.C. the sculptor Thutmose crafted the piece in tribute to the great beauty of this queen who was also the chief consort of Pharaoh Akhenaten and stepmother to King Tutankhamun.
For Amelia, this excavation season will prove to be unforgettable. Throughout her journey, a parade of men in monocles will die under suspicious circumstances, fascinating new relics will be unearthed, a diabolical mystery will be solved, and a brilliant criminal will offer his final challenge . . . and perhaps be unmasked at last.
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“When Elizabeth Peters died in 2013, she left a partially finished manuscript. Thanks to mystery writer Joan Hess, who completed the manuscript, and the remarkable Barbara Rosenblat, fans can rest assured that the Peabody–Emerson clan is in more than capable hands…Rosenblat is sublime delivering Amelia’s caustic observations…[and] her ‘harumph’ is priceless. Whether dealing with a mystery surrounding a bust of Nefertiti, avoiding ‘master criminal’ Sethos, offering a refreshing tea break—with pastries and cucumber sandwiches—or dispatching an assortment of monocled villains, Rosenblat delivers a delicious blend of love and mayhem. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
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“Hess does an excellent job of echoing Peters’ humor, wit, and knowledge of archaeology…It is a genuine delight to visit with Amelia, Emerson, and the gang one more time!”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!) -
“The Emerson clan takes a fitting final bow as the curtain falls on a pioneering career.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Devoted Amelia Peabody fans will read this book with tears in their eyes as they bid farewell to these much-loved characters (and author).”
— Library Journal -
“Hess has done an excellent job of carrying the narrative forward in Peters’ fast-paced, entertaining style, portraying the series’ palpable sense of adventure and the affection and witty repartee between Egyptologist Peabody and her husband, Radcliffe Emerson.”
— Booklist -
“Hess undoubtedly had a daunting task in completing the final manuscript of the late Egyptologist Peters. Fans will cherish the legacy.”
— Kikus Reviews
Awards
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AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
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New York Times bestseller
The Painted Queen Listener Reviews
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8/16/2024
About the Authors
Elizabeth Peters (1927–2013) was a pen name of Barbara Mertz, who earned her PhD in Egyptology from the University of Chicago’s famed Oriental Institute. Over the course of her fifty-year career she wrote more than seventy mystery and suspense novels and three nonfiction books on Egypt, of which many were New York Times bestsellers. She was the recipient of numerous writing awards, including grandmaster and lifetime achievement awards from the Mystery Writers of America, Malice Domestic, and Bouchercon. In 2012 she was given the first Amelia Peabody Award, created in her honor and named after her major fictional character, at the Malice Domestic convention. She also wrote books under the names Barbara Mertz and Barbara Michaels.
Joan Hess is the author of both the Claire Malloy and the Maggody mystery series. She is a winner of the Agatha Award, a member of Sisters in Crime, and a former president of the American Crime Writers League. A longtime resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas, she now lives in Austin, Texas.
About Barbara Rosenblat
Barbara Rosenblat, one of the most awarded narrators in the business, was selected by AudioFile magazine as one of the Golden Voices of the Twentieth Century. She has received the prestigious Audie Award multiple times and has earned more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has also appeared in film, television, and theater, both in London’s West End and on Broadway.