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Serpent on the Crown Audiobook
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(4.00) - 3,291 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
New York Times bestselling master of suspense, Elizabeth Peters, brings an exotic world of adventure, intrigue, and danger to vivid life, in a tale as powerful as ancient Egypt.
The Emersons have returned to the Valley of the Kings in 1922 and Amelia Peabody and her family look forward to delving once more into the age-old mysteries buried in Egypt's ever-shifting sands. But a widow's strange story -- and even stranger request -- is about to plunge them into a storm of secrets, treachery, and murder.
The woman, a well-known author, has come bearing an ill-gotten treasure -- a golden likeness of a forgotten king -- which she claims is cursed. She insists it has taken the life of her husband and unless it is returned to the tomb from which it was stolen, more people will die.
Amelia and her clan resolve to uncover the secrets of the statue's origins, setting off on a trail that twists and turns in directions they never anticipated -- and, perhaps, toward an old nemesis with unscrupulous new designs. But each step toward the truth seems to reveal another peril, suggesting to the intrepid Amelia that the curse is more than mere superstition. And its next victim might well be a beloved family member ... or Amelia Peabody herself.
A novel filled with riveting suspense, pulse-pounding action, and the vibrant life of a fascinating place and time, The Serpent on the Crown is the jewel in the crown of a grand master, the remarkable Elizabeth Peters.
Performed by Barbara Rosenblat
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"Her style of writing is old fashioned as is the story line however the it was great fun as it explores the mysteries of Egypt...along the lines of the Agatha Christie genre but I loved this book and will be reading her other ones slowly in bed with a cup of chai."
— Meregoddess (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Peters lays out her scenes of romantic derring-do with such a lavish hand that it seems a bit nerdy to draw attention to the deeper pleasure of the rich scholarship involved in these archaeological mysteries.”
— New York Times -
“Packs a harrowing emotional wallop.”
— Winston-Salem Journal -
“Tomb excavations, mountain treks, brutal attacks, an abduction, an exorcism and murder keep the plot hopping. The author’s droll sense of humor and picture of a leisurely and less complicated age add to the appeal.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Amazing. As always, humor, adventure, and mystery combine for a tale that will have you utterly entertained and desperately wanting more.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Serpent on the Crown Listener Reviews
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Diana Helms, 4/26/2020
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" I am sad that I have only one more Emily Peabody Emerson book to go...I have loved this series and found it very entertaining. My only frustration is the occasional stoppage while listening which requires me to restart it. Not a big deal, just annoying. "
— MommaH, 6/30/2018 -
" I never thought it would be possible to like book kids more than Ramses Emmerson - and then Carla and John David were born! And ohhhhh - the pinnacle of Egyptology looms as Tut draws ever nearer . . . I love these stories! "
— Cindy, 2/20/2014 -
" The penultimate novel of the Amelia Peabody series. Very good. Reminiscent of the first couple of books, curses, attacks, and action from the beginning to end. "
— Candi, 2/18/2014 -
" Peters' Amelia Peabody Egyptian archaeologist mysteries are always lots of fun although somewhat predictable. We were visiting The Valley of the Kings in Luxor while I was still reading it so it was a real treat! "
— Sherelyn, 2/2/2014 -
" A little on the week side. It was a fun romp but I never felt there was much danger. Seems to be a set-up for the "last" book in the series. "
— William, 1/31/2014 -
" Listened to this book on the drive to Phoenix. I loved the narrator, Barbara Rosenblat. The story had lots of eccentric characters and witty one-liners reminiscent of Maggie Smith. "
— Mosunflower, 1/24/2014 -
" While it isn't quite up to the standard of the very best entries in the series, I love Amelia and her family, and I find the insertion of a certain gold Amarna-period statue deliciously amusing. "
— RachelAnne, 1/24/2014 -
" Another excellent Peabody/Emerson mystery. "
— Lori, 1/16/2014 -
" Plot-wise, the secondary plot was leading up to the next novel. The primary plot was okay, but just. As always, there were some hysterical moments. "
— Meredith, 1/11/2014 -
" Always enjoyable to travel to post WWI Egypt and see my friends! "
— Carrieuoregon, 11/20/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this one. I'm kind of glad we got past the war period which seemed to let the series down a bit. Back to the archaeology and the good mystery! "
— Emily, 9/10/2013 -
" Not written the same. The story was brilliant, the plot and character's were excellent copies, but I would bet Elizabeth Peters had a ghost writers help with this one. So sad. My favorite series is quickly coming to an end. "
— Dawn, 7/9/2013 -
" This was one of the better ones. I enjoyed it a lot. "
— Joyce, 6/3/2013 -
" Another fun romp with Amelia Peabody and crew. A little predictable, but still a quick, fun read. The grandchildren are getting older... "
— Jill, 3/24/2013 -
" It's always great fun to be back with Emerson and Peabody, Ramses and Nefret, and their cast of friends and foes. With voices supplied by the wonderful Barbara Rosenblatt, who can make Emerson's various growls and other sounds come to life. "
— Janet, 12/29/2012 -
" Wonderful as ever - I love Amelia! "
— Janette, 10/4/2012 -
" I've read the whole series and have enjoyed them for an entertaining fast read. Unfortunately, this one fell flat. A friend loaned me the next one in the series so I'll give it a try and hope it's back to the level of the earlier books. "
— Teresa, 11/20/2011 -
" It's a mystery set in the early 1900s in Egypt, and all about archaeology. It's OK, not great, but I enjoy the Egyptian stuff. This is the third or fourth Amelia Peabody mystery I have read by Ms. Peters. Will I read more? Not sure... "
— Kelly, 10/11/2011 -
" Another amusing Egyptian mystery. "
— Gabriella, 10/2/2011 -
" Ho hum middle book in a long series. "
— Marita, 6/4/2011 -
" Rereading...October 2010. Still love it. Such a fun family. "
— Sue, 5/19/2011 -
" Audio Book. It was good. Entertaining characters and well written dialogue. The story was long with not much happening though. "
— Jake, 5/6/2011 -
" 2nd villain darn near killed Amelia! "
— Helen, 3/31/2011 -
" Peters' Amelia Peabody Egyptian archaeologist mysteries are always lots of fun although somewhat predictable. We were visiting The Valley of the Kings in Luxor while I was still reading it so it was a real treat! "
— Sherelyn, 3/27/2011 -
" I am on a terrible Elizabeth Peters kick--I only have two books left in the series before I'm done with it, and then maybe I'll be able to read something by someone else! "
— Stacey, 3/6/2011 -
" Another fine outing for Amelia Peabody and her family. "
— Pat, 2/26/2011 -
" Ho hum middle book in a long series. "
— Marita, 2/22/2011 -
" A good yarn and was pleased with the way Peters tied it all together. The bad guys were a bit obvious, but that's OK every now and then. "
— Cynthiaj, 11/29/2010 -
" i have no memory of the specifics of this amelia peabody book, but there's nothing wrong with that. they're all mostly the same, in the best way. if you like the one book, you will never be disappointed.<br/><br/>incidentally, the reader on this was excellent. "
— Kira, 11/10/2010 -
" Vintage Amelia! Packed with action, mystery, humor, and fun. A delight to read. "
— Elaine, 9/28/2010 -
" Another potboiler, predictable plot, but light entertainment. "
— Jennifer, 9/18/2010 -
" Good as always to be back with the Emerson clan. "
— Kristina, 9/10/2010 -
" A little on the week side. It was a fun romp but I never felt there was much danger. Seems to be a set-up for the "last" book in the series. "
— William, 8/20/2010
About Elizabeth Peters
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.
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.