Laughter of Dead Kings (Vicky Bliss, No. 6) by Elizabeth Peters
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Book Reviews of Laughter of Dead Kings (Vicky Bliss, No. 6)
Book Review: Vicky! It's been so long! What have you been up to lately?
Summary: 5 Stars
When we last spent time with Vicky Bliss (about fifteen years ago for us long neglected readers) a 'few months' ago she and her mysterious 'John Smythe' were finally an item, rather than just sometime adversaries/sometime lovers. Vicky had learned that he was really Sir John Tregarth, a well known London art and antiquities dealer, complete with decaying old family estate and overbearing mother. Oh well no one is perfect, a truism that the aforementioned overbearing mother keeps pointing out in relation to Vicky. When a daring robbery takes place in Egypt though, one that appears to be the handiwork of the infamous art thief John Smythe takes place Vicky feels compelled to find the real culprit and prove the innocence, at least of this theft, of her lover, no matter what name he was using that day.
Once again Vicky, John and the rest of the usual cast of characters, including of course, the ever present Schmidt set off on the trail of a missing treasure. This time it is no less than the missing mummy of King Tut, a quarry made even more significant since it was the discovery of Tut that climaxed Peters' other, more well known, series a few years ago. Could there be other ties to the Emerson-Peabody clan?
Fans of Peters' works in general and to the Vicky Bliss series in particular will not want to miss this one. Those unfamiliar with Vicky's adventures though would want to begin at the beginning BORROWER OF THE NIGHT and proceed in order through the series as the overall story arc is quite pronounced. As with all of Peters' work Vicky's exploits are a comic rollercoaster ride.
Book Review: Great Mystery
Summary: 5 Stars
The "Inspector of Antiquities for all Upper Egypt" Feisal arrives at the Munich National Museum to visits assistant curator American expatriate Vicky Bliss. She welcomes her friend who has come so far since THE NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS caper, but is shocked to see him so far from his beloved Egypt and coming to Germany without telling her. He asks to see her lover antiquities dealer John Tregarth.
Feisal informs John and Vicky that someone stole King Tut's mummy from the tomb in the Valley of Kings pyramid. Based on evidence, the Egyptian police believe strongly that notorious art thief Sir John Smythe is the thief. Stunned as Tregarth was once Smythe, but no longer steals anything; they begin investigating knowing they will risk Egypt to find the real culprit and return Tut to his resting place
After too long a wait, Elizabeth Peters fans will welcome the return of the statuesque amateur sleuth who along with her British lover and their Egyptian friend try to prove Sir Smythe is retired and someone else is imitating his M.O. The story line is fun to follow as the connection to Amelia Peabody is obvious with the tour of Egypt that follows in her historical footsteps, which in many ways dominates the plot over the investigation. Readers will enjoy the blissful return of Vicky and John as they struggle to stay alive and out of jail long enough to prove his innocence.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Loved it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a fan of Elizabeth Peters for years, so any time a new book comes out, I gobble it up like a chocoholic in a Hershey factory. This one was wonderful! It kept me turning the pages, I couldn't put it down. I do very much agree that you need to read the other books in the Vicky Bliss series first to really appreciate this novel. I really enjoy Peters' series because you get to really know the characters over a longer period of time. I was also pleased that Schmidt was finally able to prove his bravery. But I was curious if anyone else noticed that Peters eluded to the possibility of 3 more Amelia Peabody books when she was writing about the "author" who had found 3 additional journals? I hope this means there will be more to come!Book Review: Elizabeth Peters does it again!
Summary: 5 Stars
Elizabeth Peters is one of a very few authors that I will buy sight unseen. The fact that she has a new book out is good enough for me to buy it and of course, she did not disappoint.
I was delighted to see it was another Vicky Bliss book. I was sure after the last Bliss book Night Train to Memphis it was a "and they lived happily ever after" ending to the Bliss stories. But Ms Peters dug down and found another interesting plot with our favorite characters running around foiling bad guys.
I recommend it 1000%!!
Book Review: Good Fun, As Always
Summary: 5 Stars
Paragraph for paragraph, I find Elizabeth Peters to be one of the most entertaining authors out there. Her latest Vicky Bliss is no exception. Sure, the mystery is a little convoluted, but the interaction between the characters sparkles as always. This book wraps up a few things for Vicky and also for Peters' Amelia Peabody series, and Schmidt finally gets his turn to be the hero! If you love Vicky Bliss you'll enjoy this one too, and if you are new the series, go get yourself a copy of Borrower of the Night or Street of the Five Moons right away--you'll be hooked!