Audiobook Review: The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters

The Golden Ones
Author: Elizabeth Peters
Narrator: Barbara Rosenblat
Series: Amelia Peabody Novel of Suspense (Book 14)
Publication: HarperAudio (May 13, 2014)
Length: 17 hours and 44 minutes

Description: A new year, 1917, is dawning, and the Great War that ravages the world shows no sign of abating. Answering the siren call of Egypt once more, Amelia Peabody and her family arrive at their home in Luxor to learn of a new royal tomb ransacked by thieves. Soon an even more disturbing outrage concerns the intrepid clan of archaeologists: the freshly and savagely slain corpse of a thief defiling the ancient burial site.

Yet this is nothing compared with the lethal fate that threatens Ramses. Besieged by the British and defended by formidable Turkish and German forces, the fortified seaport of Gaza guards the gateway to the Holy Land. Answering a call he cannot refuse from British military intelligence, Ramses must journey to this ancient, fabled city to undertake a mission as personal as it is perilous. Death will surely be his lot if he is caught or exposed. Meanwhile, Ramses' wife, Nefret, guards a secret of her own....

Once again the incomparable and best-selling author carries us to a breathtaking realm of ancient wonders and crumbling splendor - from the hectic bustle of the Cairo markets to remote, sand-swept corners of the Egyptian desert where the gods of antiquity sleep. Returning visitors to the world of Amelia Peabody will be enthralled by the latest mesmerizing adventure from the award-winning grandmaster, and newcomers will succumb to her wiles as they are caught up in the tantalizing spell of the remarkable Elizabeth Peters and The Golden One.

My Thoughts: This 14th book in the Amelia Peabody series takes place during 1917. The Emersons have decided to stay in Egypt for the duration of the war rather than taking the risk of German submarines while traveling back and forth to England. They plan to keep working on their archaeological digs. However, tomb robbers including an old enemy are making things difficult. Since so many archaeologists are not in Egypt because of the demands of the war, tomb robbers seem to have free range. 

Then there are the American tourists who buttonhole the Emersons asking for introduction to tomb raiders so that they can buy illegal artifacts or who plan to set up their own excavations without permission. 

There are also substantial rumors of a new tomb to be found too. Jamil gives a hint while he is dying that leaves both Emerson and Cyrus puzzled yet determined to find this missing tomb. However, just as they are settling in to searching, British Intelligence makes Ramses an offer that he can't refuse: go to Gaza to see if a man the whole Emerson family knows is there and is also a traitor to the British.

Naturally, the Emersons aren't willing to let Ramses go alone. They also plan to make their way in disguise - giving Emerson a chance to wear a fake beard - in order to be there if Ramses is in need of rescue. Amelia and Nefret refuse to be left behind despite needing to be disguised as well. 

This story had an interesting arrangement. It begins in Egypt and deals with archaeological detail, then the middle takes place in Gaza and becomes a political intrigue, and then it finishes back in Egypt resolving the issue of the missing tomb. 

This was another excellent addition to the Amelia Peabody series. 

I bought this one as a Chirp audiobook. You can buy your copy here.