Legend in Green Velvet

In Elizabeth Peters's Legend in Green Velvet, this standalone mystery she'd written 43 years ago, is compelling on every page. For Susan, she always loved Scotland and the rich cultural history behind it. As a young archeology student from America, she's been invited to join a dig at the Scottish highlands to look for hidden buried treasure. But things aren't what they seem when she runs into someone dressed at a legendary Scottish knight in costume. Hooked on a Scottish poem from Tammas, she runs into James Erskine as she looks for clues. When they went to look for the Scotch poet, they discover his dead body at his home and later they went on the lam as they were accused of his murderers. It's up to Jaime and Susan to hide out in disguise and to go to the dig when they discover some treachery and treason from her fellow classmates, it had thrown their lives into peril as they dig deeper between the sacred treasure of Scotland and what lied beneath it when the real culprits reared his head to finish them off for good.

Before she wrote the Amelia Peabody archeological mystery series, this 352-word standalone mystery was a bit interesting to read one of her earlier works. I did think it was bogged down by a lot of Scottish history which was said in dialogue and in prose. And we didn't know her last name was in the end, when it should've be introduced in the beginning when Jamie met Susan for example. I did care for Susan loves for Scotland and for looking for treasures in archeological digs for the Stone of Scone. I did think James was a bit dashing to see him dressed in a sporran and kilt. There's a little bit chemistry between the both of them. The themes are to follow your heart to look for treasure and to enrich yourselves in new cultural experiences, and to be careful to whom you trust in your life. I enjoyed being transported to Scotland and learn about its rich culture and his history in the majestic settings and scenic locations for this story on every page.

If you're looking for adventure with tons of action, non-stop drama, plenty of suspense, and a hint of mystery, give the Legend in Green Velvet a try today?

Special Review: The Crocodile on the Sandbank from February 2009

In the first installment of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters, The Crocodile on the Sandbank, we were introduced to the heroine of the series. For Amelia Peabody, she loved to take an adventure and spend her inheritance traveling the world. She was always fascinated with Egyptology. From there, she met and rescued Evelyn Barton-Forbes and became fast friends with her. Along the way, they ran into the Emerson brothers, Walter and Radcliffe, while they were on a dig. But when they were a kidnapping attempt on Evelyn, it was up to Amelia to figure out who've done it. Amelia and Radcliffe fall in love, get married and have baby Ramses, too.

This was a great introduction to the Amelia Peabody historical mystery series and to everything related to Egyptology, too. I became in awe of Amelia who had a love for travel, even if it took her to far out places like Egypt, to explore the world. I believe Radcliffe and Amelia make a lovely couple, the same for Walter and Evelyn too as well. I did feel sorry for Evelyn who was abandoned by her lover. This was a fascinating read. Great drama, nice action and suspense, and pure adventure with intrigue along the way.

Ready to meet Amelia? Order a copy today!

The Curse of the Pharoahs

In the second installment of Elizabeth Peters's Amelia Peabody series, The Curse of the Pharoahs, Amelia and Radcliffe Emerson return to Egypt in this newest adventure. This time, they went to deal with an ancient curse in Luxor Egypt, when the late Lord Baskerville was found dead. When they left their son, Ramses, behind in England, they meet an interesting array of characters, like the crazy Lady Berengeria. They came to a bunch of mishaps and accidents, when it dealt with the lady in white floating around, and the curse of King Tut's tomb. It was up to them to discover who was the murderer, too.

I always found this series charming and intellectual at the same time. I loved the concept of setting a mystery in the 1800s for Egypt. It seemed to me, that Egyptology is still now a fascinating subject for novels. I found Amelia and Radcliffe a helluva pair for a couple, while Ramses, I did find a tiny bit sad for him, when they left him behind. But I'm always amused when they manage to solve the crime in the end of the novel.  Great mystery, nice action and adventure, and plenty of intrigue and danger along the way.

Ready to uncover the curse? Round up a copy today!