THE SNAKE, THE CROCODILE AND THE DOG
by Elizabeth Peters
Victorian age archaeologists Amelia Peabody and autocratic husband Emerson Radcliffe are on yet another dig in Egypt, this time without formidable teenaged son Ramses, left hack in England along with Nefret, the young girl brought out of the desert in secret circumstances during the last expedition (The Last Camel Died at Noon). These circumstances, amid rumors of a lost oasis rich in treasure, lead before long to Emerson's kidnapping; his rescue by indomitable Amelia and ever-faithful Abdullah; and Emerson's post-rescue amnesia. None of this halts the explorations at a tomb that Amelia hopes will turn out to be that of Nefertiti. Much help a provided by philanthropist-amateur archaeologist Cyrus Vandergelt, an American somewhat smitten with Amelia. But enemies old and new abound—ambushes, attacks, and villains in disguise proliferate in exasperating confusion—until the inevitable happy ending and the defeat of all foes, including the equally inevitable Master Criminal. Bloated plot, excessive verbiage and all—but there's still fun to he had for Amelia's fans and lovers of Egyptology in the seventh of this aeries. Dare one hope for less self-indulgence and a stricter discipline in number eight?