Lady of Ashes by Christine Trent

 

In 1861 London, Violet Morgan is struggling to establish a good reputation for the undertaking business that her husband has largely abandoned. She provides comfort for the grieving, advises them on funeral fashion and etiquette, and arranges funerals.

Unbeknownst to his wife, Graham, who has nursed a hatred of America since his grandfather soldiered for Great Britain in the War of 1812, becomes involved in a scheme to sell arms to the South. Meanwhile, Violet receives the commission of a lifetime: undertaking the funeral for a friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But her position remains precarious, especially when Graham disappears and she begins investigating a series of deaths among the poor. And the closer she gets to the truth, the greater the danger for them both…

 

After the adventures of a dollmaker, a cloth merchant and a waxworker, Christine Trent brings us a new story about a female undertaker. I enjoyed her previous books and was very excited to read this one too since Lady of Ashes is an historical mystery set during Victorian England, one of my favourite historical period. Also, I have to say that the title and cover caught my attention right away.

 

Violet Morgan is an independent and strong willed woman who is married to an undertaker, Graham Morgan. While Violet is completely taken by her profession, Graham seems to be much more worried about their social status than anything else. This is often a topic of heated discussions between spouses. Slowly, Violet feels that the man she is married to is not the same anymore…

 

The heroine clearly knows that she is good at her job and she isn’t afraid to show it, despite her husband’s patronizing manners. I couldn’t help but to feel proud of her, a woman in a world lead by men who only see her as a wife. She feels real, strong with just enough sensitivity and warmth to make you cheer for her. The scenes where Violet takes care of the deceased and their families always providing the best care are quite moving.

 

The historical details about mourning and funerals are completely fascinating and made me even understand some of the modern customs. Honestly, I never thought much about the subject before and it wasn’t something that would usually draw my attention. Since reading this book I cannot stop searching for more information, especially about mourning jewelry.

 

Having very little knowledge about the American Civil War, it was interesting to read about the British and American relationship during this conflict and how fragile those ties were with both the North and South. The tension was palpable through the pages!

 

Lady of Ashes became my favourite book by Catherine Trent and certainly one of my best reads this year.

Grade:  4.5/5

 

Don’t forget to visit Christine Trent website for more information about Lady of Ashes and her previous books: http://www.christinetrent.com/

Firelight by Kristen Callihan

London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . .
Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family’s fortune decimated and forced her to wed London’s most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .
Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it’s selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can’t help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn’t felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

 

A few years ago, I was a big fan of paranormal and urban fantasy stories. Over the time, I’ve been reading less and less, even if I always keep an eye in the new releases and have a couple of auto-buy authors. When  I saw the opinions of this book at Goodreads, I knew I had to read it. Not only the story was set in Victorian London, but there was a kind of Phantom of the Opera thing going on. This was a combination hard to resist !

Miranda Ellis is a feisty young woman who has a few secrets well kept and an attitude that unsettles many men around her. It’s been quite a long time I read about such an interesting female character. Miranda reminds me of Kate Daniels and Mercedes Thompson in an historical setting. She can kick ass, but there’s a sensibility and a sense of humor that really makes you wish she was your friend.

Now, let’s talk about the brooding, mysterious and incredibly captivating man (aka Benjamin Archer) who is fascinated by Miranda since the first time he sees her. That first scene together is quite powerful and transforms you immediately in a Miranda-Benjamin scenes addict. Each time they are together sparks fly !  There’s a great chemistry going on between these two during the entire story.

Kristen Callihan creates really  intriguing characters and I’m also talking about all the secondary ones that will certainly have their own books very soon, I suppose.  And let’s not forget about the dark and foggy Victorian settings which are done well and fit perfectly with the intrigue. My only complain would be the villain. It is really predictable and after so many good things, I was expecting something more.

This is one of my best PNR reads this year. Going to pre-order Callihan’s next book right away !

Grade: 4.5 / 5 stars

By the King’s Design by Christine Trent

Thanks to her patron and great architect, John Nash, Belle Stirling is a rising star in the homes of London’s fashionable elite. Even the prince regent wants her elegant, high quality fabrics used in the decoration of his new palace, Brighton Pavilion. But when those closest to her conspire against Parliament, she risks losing her reputation, her business…and even her life

 

 

19th century, Yorkshire. Annabelle (Belle) Stirling was raised learning all about the wonderful world of drapers. After the lost of both her parents, Belle starts running the family draper shop all by herself, even if the owner is her brother, Wesley. The latter is a charming young man who isn’t interested at all in the shop and lets his sister do whatever she thinks is best for the business.

 

My favourite moments in the first part of the story were the scenes during Belle’s younger years learning all there is to know about drapers with her father, Fafa. They are full of tenderness and we can see what a wonderful and accomplished woman Belle is becoming.

 

After an incident at her shop, Belle leaves for London where she finally decides to stay and built a new life. Sometimes, I was a little surprised how quickly she landed on her feet. Maybe I was expecting a little more resistance from her peers because not only she was a woman and unmarried but mostly she was unknown in town without any connections. But, in the other hand, the girl knew her business quite well.

 

The only aspect of this story that pleased me the least was Belle’s attitude in presence of her brother. I do understand that he was her only kin, but after so many problems and so many signs that something was really off, Belle remained, for a very long time, completely blind over her brother’s doings. It was even more frustrating knowing that otherwise Belle was an intelligent, hard-working woman who valued her independence above all.

 

I have to say that Ms Trent has a real gift to create interesting heroes. Putnam Boyce stole every scene he was in. His calm, self-confidence and passion make it impossible not to fall head over heels for him. Each time Belle needed his help, he was there for her. The mutual admiration for their respective work was something that I could feel and really appreciate. Of course, Putnam is not without faults, and that makes him even more interesting.

 

The historical background was extremely captivating. I knew little about the Luddites and while I was reading By The King’s Design, I excitedly searched all kind of informations about the movement. The attacks were described vividly, I could imagine without any difficulties the rage and the fear felt during the destruction of the new machines.

 

In the other hand, the Prince Regent is one of those royals that I never really cared for and therefore, except for his excesses, lovers and marriage with Caroline of Brunswick, my knowledge is quite limited. His reaction to Belle was surprising, but probably not unexpected given his changeable opinions and love for lovely women.

 

By The King’s Design was a wonderful way to begin the new year !

 

Grade : 4/5

 

GIVEAWAY at Historical Tapestry:

 

Historical Tapestry is organising a giveaway of By the King’s Design. If you want a change to win a copy, just leave a comment. The contest is open worldwide !

For the King by Catherine Delors

The Reign of Terror has ended, and Napoléon Bonaparte has seized power, but shifting political loyalties still tear apart families and lovers. On Christmas Eve 1800, a bomb explodes along Bonaparte’s route, narrowly missing him but striking dozens of bystanders. Chief Inspector Roch Miquel, a young policeman with a bright future and a beautiful mistress, must arrest the assassins before they attack again. Complicating Miquel’s investigation are the maneuverings of his superior, the redoubtable Fouché, the indiscretions of his own father, a former Jacobin, and two intriguing women.

Based on real events and characters and rich with historical detail, For the King takes readers through the dark alleys and glittering salons of post-revolutionary Paris and is a timeless epic of love, betrayal, and redemption.

The story opens with an extremely powerful scene, an attempted murder of the First Consul, Napoléon Bonaparte, who is passing by Rue Nicaise in his way to the Opera. Two Chouans, Pierre Saint Régent and Joseph de Limoëlan, block the street with a cart and provoke an explosion with a strange device called “La Machine Infernale”. In a few minutes, a deadly explosion kills dozens of people, innocent Parisians, but fails to get the target of their mission. Bonaparte leaves in his carriage with his escort perfectly safe. The details of the effects of the bomb are striking, I could easily imagine the horror of those who first arrive to that slaughter.

Roch Miquel is a Chief Inspector who leads this investigation. Young, handsome and intelligent, he knows the importance of finding out the responsible minds behind the attack of the Rue Nicaise, especially after seeing the consequences. He is the son of a Romani Auvergnat, Antonin Miquel, the owner of The Mighty Barrel tavern and also a Jacobite who doesn’t hide his opinions about the First Consul and the government. Roch is in love of his beautiful mistress, Blanche, a married, refined and cultivated young woman who seems too perfect to be real.

As I mentioned before in Historical Tapestry conversation about For The King, I had some troubles warming up to Roch in the first half of the book. His judgments towards several people he meets all along the story really got into my nerves. He was quick to love and even quicker to hate. I often felt bad for Alexandrine about the way he treated her and her father. I do understand his background, his story but sometimes it was a bit too much rudeness for my taste. With the development of the investigation, he slowly changes his attitude and becomes less distant and less judgmental towards those who really care for him.

The secondary characters are inevitably captivating, despite their actions. I couldn’t stop myself searching for more information about Saint Régent and Limoëlan. Both are responsible for the massacre in Rue Nicaise and yet, I cannot dislike them as much as I did Fouché. They fight for what they believe and if I cannot forgive them for what they did, I felt that neither could them, especially Limoëlan. He seems to have lived all his life riddled with guilt.

Now, someone I completely disliked but couldn’t help feeling drawn to him was the untrustworthy Fouché, the minister of Police. He is perfect in the role of villain, an unscrupulous turncoat who switches allegiances as he see fit. He always sides with the winners, no matter what. Definitely a very dangerous man!

Joseph Fouché

The Old Miquel is definately my favorite character. He is so touching with his unconditional love for his son, even if he can be very harsh with him as a young boy. He is a man who always remains faithful to his ideals. We learn that he had a very difficult life filled with poverty, hard work and death, but he seems to enjoy life as much as he can. The details of his life in Auvergne and his work in Paris were fascinating.

The historical research behind the story is remarkable and we can feel in every page the incredible work Catherine Delors did to recreate the Post Revolutionary Paris. For those who know this city, For the King is a tremendous treat, those who don’t I’m sure you’ll enjoy it and you’ll want to come to Paris and visit every corner mentioned in the book.

This period of French history, just after the Revolution and the first years of Napoleon as First Consul, was never really appealing to me, mostly due to my profound dislike for the future French Emperor. Catherine Delors novel didn’t change my opinion but made me realize that I will read everything she writes no matter the historical period. Meanwhile, I already add Mistress of the Revolution to my TBR pile for my next vacation. Can’t wait!

Grade: 4.5/5

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Catherine Delors website: http://www.catherinedelors.com/

Catherine Delors blog: http://blog.catherinedelors.com/

Elinor Jones: Le bal d’hiver (The Winter Ball) by Algesiras and Aurore

A few weeks ago I was looking for new historical comics in my local bookstore when I noticed the lovely cover of Elinor Jones by Algesiras and Aurore. I confess that I had a shallow moment there and picked up the book without even reading the blurb or anything else and returned straight home.

Set during the Victorian era in England, Elinor Jones is the story of a young girl who is hired as a seamstress to the famous fashion house – Tiffany. It was Elinor’s wildest dream to be part of such a prestigious team who created the most beautiful gowns in all England.

The company is ruled by Mrs Tiffany who is often traveling around the world looking for the most extraordinary fabrics. Meanwhile, it’s her young daughter Bianca, considered a prodigy, who designs and leads the creation team. After several days working for the family, Elinor notices some strange things happening around her… Also, Mrs Tiffany oldest son, the mysterious Abel, seems to keep some secrets that he tries to hide at all costs. Elinor knows she has to work hard to keep her place. Will she be strong enough to follow her dreams?

The story is funny and the characters are easy to like, even if very predictable. After some pages, we end up learning more about the lives and the work of Tiffany’s intriguing seamstresses. Fashion is the main theme here!

Everything made me think about the animated series I used to watch as a child: Candy, Candy or even The Rose of Versailles. Maybe it’s why I picked it up without caring about the rest. Everything is very girly and feminine, but not without humor.

The graphics are attractive but again, girly is the keyword here. Don’t even expect any historical accuracy in these clothes or surroundings, this is just for fun and it’s clear the authors really enjoyed creating this particular atmosphere. These are the dresses we all dreamed of when we were little girls.

I was not looking for something quite like this but I don’t mind a big lump of sugar in my reads times to times. If you don’t mind either, this is a book for you.

Grade: 3.5/5

Katherine by Anya Seton

It’s impossible to be an historical fiction fan without hearing about Anya Seton’s Katherine. For years I only read good things about it and several of my friends couldn’t stop recommending it. Like many of those great books you intend to read for ages, but the right occasion never seems to show up, Katherine waited quite a while in my dusty TBR pile. When the Historical Tapestry team decided to organize a season about Anya Seton I jumped of joy. I couldn’t ask for a better excuse!

The story begins with young Katherine de Rouet leaving the nunnery where she lived for several years after her father’s death. She is to join her sister, Philippa, at court. Beautiful and shy, the young woman soon attracts the attention of two men, the creepy Hugh Swynford and the mysterious John de Gaunt. The first one is completely obsessed with her and does everything in his power to marry her, to Katherine’s great despair. The marriage is unsurprisingly unhappy and soon Katherine and John meet again under other circumstances.

John of Gaunt is a man of his time. Duke of Lancaster, the third son of the King Edward III, he is ambitious, arrogant and surprisingly fragile. When he meets Katherine, it’s clear he doesn’t know what to do about her. He is attracted and repulsed at the same time to that breathtaking beautiful and earthly young woman who looks so different from his ethereal blond wife, Blanche.

After spending years in an unhappy marriage with Swynford, Katherine find herself free to be with John, who meanwhile also lost his spouse to the Black Death. With the passing of years and four children later – the Beaufort – the couple seems to have created a perfect harmony between them. But Katherine starts to doubt about her lover’s affections and his constant absences seem to confirm her fears…

Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt are very human and that’s what makes them so interesting. There were some moments where I wasn’t very fond of John and his excessive ambition. He was so intense that I kept waiting for Katherine to get burned. Same for the young woman’s overzealous religiousness but those are my modern opinions getting in the way, and I didn’t have any troubles setting them aside for a while.

While this book is about John and Katherine relationship, I never felt that Anya Seton used any love story cliches. If some scenes between them are very romantic, others are painstakingly real. John marries for power and political alliances, like most of the men of his station. Katherine knows that her low birth makes it impossible for her to be a suitable spouse for the King’s son. The only way they could be together was as lovers and, at first, they seem both content with the situation. The fact that many years later, John defies all social conventions and marries his long ago mistress makes me love even more this man who was always ready to fight for what he wanted.

 Once again, the historical research is done carefully which will immediately seduce all history lovers. Seton will make you travel back in time gracefully never failing to hold your interest, showing you how remarkably talented she is. Her portrayal of the English 14th century is masterfully weaved with its court intrigues and machinations, giving us glimpses of crucial events as The Hundred Years War, the Peasant’s Revolt or even the impact of the merciless Black Death. For several hours I truly felt I was living in Medieval England.

Katherine is definitely a book who deserves a special place among my keepers. I’m off to search for Anya Seton’s entire back list.

Grade: 5/5

Roselynde by Roberta Gellis

A Woman Of Passion, A Man Of Honor… A Sweet Burning Love Yearning For Fulfillment

In an era made for men, Alinor is at no man’s mercy. Beautiful, proud and strong-willed, Alinor is mistress of Roselynde and of her own heart as well–until she meets Simon, the battle-scarred knight appointed to be her warden, a man whose passion and wit match her own.

Boldly Alinor defies lionhearted King Richard’s command to marry one of the land-greedy nobles swarming around her and shrewdly maneuvers through Court intrigues and alliances to be near the man who has awakened her to tender yet volatile love. Their struggle to be united against all obstacles sweeps them from the pageantry of the Royal Court to a daring Crusade through exotic Byzantium and into the Holy Land. As they plunge into the events of a turbulent age, they endure bloody battles, political treacheries and heart-rending separations before their love conquers time and destiny to live forever.

Roselynde is the first book of the famous series The Roselynde Chronicles by Roberta Gellis. I’ve been reading excellent reviews about it for ages and one of my friends, Ana T. is always recommending me this series (she is such a patient and persistent friend!;-)). I finally followed her advice.

One Saturday afternoon, I picked up the book and just couldn’t stop until the very last page. No need to say that I immediately read the second one, Alinor, even if I dreaded some aspects of the story, especially the fate of our heroine’s 1st husband.

Normally, I’m not very fond of very young heroines, they are often immature and very childish. At the first sight, Alinor seems to fit in this category, but just for some seconds. She might be young, but she is far from being the usual spoiled aristocratic young miss. She knows her value and her strengths. Since her birth she was taught by her grandfather how to manage her lands and business without relying in a man. This is quite unusual for these times but not unheard of. Strong women like Nicola Lahaye or even the ruthless queen Alinor were perfect examples of amazing women who wanted much more than men (and the Church!) allowed them to have.

Her relationship with Simon is quite unusual. Some might think that the age different is a bit too much, but these two are good for each other. There’s a good symbiosis going on since the beginning, and despite Simon’s objections concerning their age (he really is disturbed by his attraction to a much younger woman), I could hardly imagine anyone else at the side of someone like Alinor.

What pleased me the most in Roselynde? The politically incorrect view of the Middle Ages. Roberta Gellis isn’t afraid of talking about subjects that normally would hurt our modern sensibilities but who were considered perfectly normal in those times, like the common use of camp whores or some physical abuse from husband to wife. Not that I would ever approve of such behaviour, of course, but it makes me admire even more these women who stood up for what they wanted in times when their rights were close to nothing.

The historical background is also very rich and entrancing. Following the Lionheart in his quest along the Mediterranean and also some aspects of his life immediately remind me how little I like this English king. The author also mentions several times his possible homosexuality but even today historians are not convinced and mostly believe he was simply an asexual man who was more interested in his quests than actually have sex with everything that moved (like so many sovereigns before and after him). Prince John is, like always, the creepy and vindictive character who we all hate passionately. I often wonder if he really deserves it…

To be honest, I don’t know if I would have picked this book only looking at the cover. Roselynde is not a historical romance, it’s pure historical fiction with some strong romantic elements. It’s also one of my best reads of 2010!

Grade: 5/5

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Another 5 stars book for The ABC Challenge. Can’t wait to start my next read, this time with the letter – H-. Remember that you can join this challenge anytime. The more, the merrier! For more informations don’t forget to visit the Historical Tapestry blog and check out what we have been reading for this challenge.

Since I’m signed up for another challenge - A Tournament of Reading - I’m adding Roselynde to this list also.

 

If you are interested in this challenge, you can find all you want to know at Medieval Bookworm blog: here and here. One can never read too many Medievals, right?:)

 

 

The Alphabet of Historical Fiction: The Queen’s Dollmaker by Christine Trent

Another letter of this challenge completed. I’m not very good   at reading challenges (quite a disaster in fact!), I easily loose track of time and I’m one of those persons who needs to be in a particular mood to read certain genres.  But I’m really enjoying this one and I hope to continue until the letter – Z -.

The next letter will be  – D – and I’m already looking at my TBR pile trying to choose a book who is sitting there for a long time. Hmmm….

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A young woman, struggling to expand her London dollmaking trade, finds a surprising customer in Queen Marie Antoinette, an avid doll collector herself. This seemingly innocent exchange puts Claudette’s life in danger when she is lured to Paris under false pretenses. Money and jewels are being smuggled in dolls destined for the Queen, and have now been discovered by the fledgling revolutionary French government…

Paris, France. Claudette Laurent, the young daughter of a renowned dollmaker, and her best friend, Jean-Philippe, join the French people in welcoming their new princess, Marie Antoinette of Austria. They are determined to see her or die trying if need be. Treated with kindness by this lovely and gentle princess, Claudette never really forgets this day.

Years later, the young girl loses all she has in a fire that ravages her neighborhood. Her beloved parents, the doll shop, her life, everything suddenly disappears. Even her sweetheart, Jean-Philippe is nowhere to be found. Desperate and alone, she decides to embark on a new adventure, London, leaving her country and everything she knows behind. On the boat that takes her to her new home, she meets Beatrice and her daughter, Marguerite.

With the help of a local priest, she finds work as a maid in an English household with her new friends. They work hard but are constantly the target of the other servants who look at them with suspicion. During a dinner at her mistress’ house, she meets William Greycliffe and we immediately feel something will happen between these two.

Through many trials and hard work, Claudette builds a life for herself with the help of Beatrice and finally achieves her dream, to become a renowned dollmaker, just like her father. Her fame and beautiful work arise the interest of many high placed people, among them the French queen, Marie-Antoinette, who asks her for a special doll. But the French Revolution is slowly approaching…

From the first moment I opened this book, I simply couldn’t let it go. Even making a pause over dinner was almost a sacrifice. The vivid descriptions of the dollmaking world grabbed my attention from the very first instant. The scenes at the London shop were entrancing. I could almost smell the wax and imagine the workroom as if I was there. I knew next to nothing about this art and since then I’ve been searching all over the internet to find as much as I can about the subject.

Claudette is a very realistic character who knows her strengths and her faults. Her father was a famous artist and she tried to learn as much as she could from him. Talented and hardworking, she was not a young miss who spent her days lazily. Her future and success lies in dollmaking and her goal is clear, open her own store and continue her father’s work. A woman artist in the 18th century who doesn’t need a man to run her business and never backs down to achieve her dreams is certainly someone I would admire. It’s quite refreshing to read a story about a self-made woman.

William Greycliffe is quite the mysterious man all along the story. Even when we find out more about his life, a part of him always remains in the shadows. His attitude towards Claudette’s profession is immediately remarkable. A man who admires his wife’s independence and work is after my own heart.

I also enjoyed how the author describes the unstable post-revolutionary Paris. The cruelty of those times was gut wrenching reaching his peak with the execution of some historical figures like the attrocious murder of the Princess of Lamballe.

The Queen’s Dollmaker is one of the most original books I read in 2009 and I have only one thing to say to Christine Trent: I crave for more! After reading the author’s post Why I Love Unusual Historical Professions, I truly hope she will continue to share with us these unexplored worlds. Her next novel The Wax Apprentice is schedule to 2011 and I’m anxiously waiting for the release.

Grade: 4.5/5

Mysteries: Seule contre la loi by Wagner & Seiter

1875, England. Valeria Brinton, a young and beautiful woman, just married the charming Eustace Woodville. It was love at first sight. The spouses are very attached to each other and everything seems perfect about this newlywed couple. Suddenly, the young woman discovers some deep hidden secrets who become a constant reminder how little she knows her husband. Their marriage was not approved by her husband’s family who refused to attend to their wedding and even Valeria’s uncles were not happy about this situation.
During the first days of their honeymoon, she accidentally meets her mother-in-law and finds out her husband uses a false name. Why is he hiding his true identity?! Troubled by so many mysteries, the young woman decides to take the matters on her own hands and find out the truth. But everything is much more complex than she ever imagined…

This is the 1st volume of the series, Mysteries: Seule contre la loi (The Law and The Lady) freely adapted from Wilkie Collins‘ book with the same name. The author even shows up during the story as an old friend of the heroine.

When I picked it up at the library, I just wanted an historical comic fast to read and interesting enough to hold my attention. I previously read The Woman in White and Moonstone by the author and really enjoyed both. This was another opportunity to get to know Collins a little better and I’ll definately read The Law and The Lady in a near future.

If completely in love for Eustace, Valeria knows she cannot rest until she finds out the reasons of so many mysteries. She’s brave and independent and doesn’t scare off easily. Her husband, in the other hand, never really tries to explain the reasons of his lies. He just abandons his wife to her fate thinking he is doing a huge sacrifice leaving her alone. I do understand Eustace has reasons to think no one will believe him but he gives up easily, especially with someone he loves so much (or he says so).

The drawing style can be sometimes a bit too schematic concerning the characters’ faces but Wagner manages very well to show all the emotions with every stroke. A special note about the Victorian clothes, hairdos or even the architecture details which were a real pleasure to admire.

I noticed my library had the 2nd volume so I’ll probably bring it home this week. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

Grade: 4/5

The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters

When Lady Baskerville’s husband Sir Henry dies after discovering what may have been an undisturbed royal tomb in Luxor, she appeals to eminent archaeologist Radcliffe Emerson and his wife Amelia to take over the excavation. Amid rumors of a curse haunting all those involved with the dig, the intrepid couple proceeds to Egypt, where they begin to suspect that Sir Henry did not die a natural death, and they are confident that the accidents that plague the dig are caused by a sinister human element, not a pharaoh’s curse.

Since I read A Crocodile in the Sandbank, I became a big fan of Amelia Peabody. She’s unlike any other sleuth heroine I ever read about before. Amelia is one of a kind!

The second book, The Curse of the Pharaohs starts 4 years later after the end of the 1st book. Amelia and Emerson are quietly living in Kent with their son William, nicknamed Ramses. After his birth, his parents felt they couldn’t continue their career as Egyptologists until he had grown and could accompany them to Egypt.

While they are trying not to get bored with their smooth English life, they follow in the newspapers the story of Lord Baskerville and how he possibly died of a curse after digging some pharaoh’s tomb. They are immediately interested and both surprised when Baskerville’s widow pay them a visit and asks Emerson to finish the work of her husband. If he refuses, not wanting to leave his wife and son in England, Peabody, knowing how excited he is for a new adventure, convinces him it’s for the best if he accepts the mission. In no time, they are both ready to leave for Egypt.

When they arrive, they are faced with many problems and treats that make their work even more difficult and feed even more the rumors of an ancient curse. Tired of this situation, the Emersons finally decide to get involved in this investigation and find the responsible behind the mystery.

The second book of this series is as delicious as the first one. Amelia Peabody continues to exude intelligence and sharp humor. Her reflections about her son are hilarious! The child is a little genius and develops very quickly to the amazement of both his parents. Peters does an excellent job describing him and I can perfectly imagine the little boy’s “chilling and calculating look” when he tries to manipulate his parents. I get the feeling this little Ramses is going to have some extraordinary adventures!

The chemistry between Peabody and Emerson is intact. All their dialogues, conversations and disputes produce sparks. It’s like watching an extraordinary final at Roland Garros. They know each other well but they still can surprise each other.

The story is fast-paced and the descriptions of the Egypt of those times are magnificent, making you feel as you were present during the events.

Highly recommended to any reader who enjoys a good mystery and must-read to all Amelia Peabody fans.

Grade: 4.5/5