The Serpent on the Crown

The year is 1922, and Amelia Peabody, Emerson, Ramses, and their familiar company have returned to Egypt for another season of excavation. Before they have a chance to begin, however, they receive an unexpected visitor, flamboyant writer Magda Petherick, who spins an outrageous story about a cursed artifact and implores Emerson to exorcise its demon. Of course, no one falls for Petherick`s elaborate yarn, but the beautiful statuette piques Egyptologist Emerson`s interest enough to convince him an investigation of its history is in order. In the meantime, Petherick turns up dead, someone attempts to `liberate` the artifact, and two attempts are made on Ramses` life. It`s a delicious setup for Peabody to exercise her special talents. The espionage complications of previous books evaporated with the end of World War I, leaving this a more routine adventure. But, as usual, Peters injects plenty of humorous banter, lots of bluster from Emerson, and enough coy swipes at Victorian propriety to keep the story lively. There`s even a little surprise at the close. A pleasant addition to the long-running series.