Audiobook Review: Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters

Lion in the Valley
Author: Elizabeth Peters
Narrator: Susan O'Malley
Series: Amelia Peabody (Book 4)
Publication: Blackstone Audio (March 28, 2003)
Length: 10 hours and 48 minutes

Description: The 1895-96 season promises to be an exceptional one for Amelia Peabody, her dashing Egyptologist husband Emerson, and their wild and precocious eight-year-old son Ramses. The much-coveted burial chamber of the Black Pyramid in Dahshoor is theirs for the digging. 

But there is a great evil in the wind that roils the hot sands sweeping through the bustling streets and marketplace of Cairo. The brazen moonlight abduction of Ramses—and an expedition subsequently cursed by misfortune and death—have alerted Amelia to the likely presence of her arch nemesis the Master Criminal, notorious looter of the living and the dead. 

But it is far more than ill-gotten riches that motivates the evil genius this time around. For now the most valuable and elusive prized of all is nearly in his grasp: the meddling lady archaeologist who has sworn to deliver him to justice . . . Amelia Peabody!

My Thoughts: The fourth Amelia Peabody mystery finds Amelia, Emerson, and Ramses back in Egypt and excavating at Dahshoor. But things are not destined to go smoothly. From a kidnapping attempt of Ramses to Amelia's decision to reform a drug-addicted Scot and her desire to help out a young woman accused of murder, this is an action-packed season.

And behind it all is the Master Criminal, Amelia and Emerson's archnemesis. This master of disguise is determined to press his suit with Amelia who has eyes for no one but Emerson.

This is filled with the usual humor of the series and has less archaeological detail than earlier volumes mainly because Amelia is too busy assisting young lovers and tracking down the Master Criminal to actually do any. 

Fans of the series will enjoy Ramses' growing role in the stories and the strong relationship between Amelia and Emerson. Susan O'Malley did an excellent job with all the various voices. 

I got this one via Audible Plus. You can buy your copy here.