Review by Booklist Review
Heavy-hitter Peters (named Grand Master by both Mystery Writers of America and the Anthony Awards and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Malice Domestic) resurrects series heroine/art historian Vicky Bliss, last seen in 1984. Vicky, introduced in 1973, is still in her early thirties and still connected to her lover, Sir John Smythe, a former art thief whom Vicky suspects may not be entirely reformed. There's quite a disconnect in reading what is supposed to be a contemporary adventure. Characters speak in an elaborate, archaic, torturously witty fashion. Vicky, even as a first-person narrator, is not the main force in her own life but is dragged about the globe by Sir John. The effect is very much like a 1930s comedy of manners, with very creaky plot machinery. Readers who enjoy that era's mysteries may like this one, but Peters comes across here like someone who hasn't updated her gramophone. The plot revolves around recovering the body of King Tut, stolen from its tomb by some Brits. Bliss, through her current connection as assistant curator of Munich's National Museum, follows Sir John through various exotic locales in search of Tut. The saving grace for this relic comes from Peters' own expertise in the ancient world (she has a doctorate in Egyptology from the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago). For devoted Peters fans who simply can't wait for the next Amelia Peabody novel.--Fletcher, Connie Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Fans of bestseller Peters's Vicky Bliss series will welcome her solid sixth suspense novel to feature the plucky art historian, last seen in Night Train to Memphis (1994). In Munich, where Vicky is an assistant curator at the city's National Museum, she and her longtime love, John Tregarth (formerly Sir John Smythe, notorious art thief), are shocked when their friend Feisal, the Inspector of Antiquities for all Upper Egypt, arrives unexpectedly and informs them that King Tut's mummy has been stolen from its tomb in the Valley of the Kings and that John is the prime suspect. Vicky and company, including her inquisitive boss, set off on a whirlwind quest beginning in Europe and ending in the Egyptian desert to clear John's name and recover the famous corpse. In compensation for a slower pace than in earlier books, Peters offers vivid descriptions of Egyptian landmarks, which will resonate with readers of the MWA Grand Master's beloved Amelia Peabody historical series. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
In Vicky Bliss's final adventure, the art historian is reunited with her reformed art-thief boyfriend, John Tregarth, on a mission to Egypt to help her old friend Feisal out of a jam. Imagine the ramifications of the most iconic symbol of your homeland going missing on your watch. Feisal finds himself in just this situation, and it necessitates intervention by Bliss, her boss at Munich's National Museum, and Tregarth. In addition to mystery and intrigue, the characters embroil themselves in a philosophical/legal discourse-turned-fracas on the repatriation of Egyptian artifacts held by foreign museums. Armchair travelers and amateur Egyptologists alike will enjoy Peters's expert narration, which, while never approaching the pedantic, brings ancient Egypt to life and makes modern Egypt accessible. And those still wondering whether the Vicky Bliss series is connected to the Amelia Peabody series will at last find the answer here. Although this series' entries can be enjoyed in any order, enthusiasts will find it rewarding to reread the books from the start, beginning with Borrower of the Night. Highly recommended for all popular fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/15/08.--Ed.]--Laura A.B. Cifelli, Lee Cty. P.L., Fort Myers, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Munich-based art historian and amateur sleuth Vicky Bliss (Night Train to Memphis, 1994, etc.) returns after a long hiatus to answer the burning question: Who would dare steal the mummy of King Tut? Vicky and her longtime lover John Tregarth, formerly known as high-end thief Sir John Smythe, are dragged into the search for the stolen mummy by their Egyptian friend Feisal, who's desperate to recover it. Well-known for his expertise in bold thefts, John is high on everyone's list of suspects. Even Vicky and her wealthy, eccentric boss Schmidt can't be certain he isn't somehow involved. Their efforts to prove John innocent take them to London, Italy and eventually Egypt's Valley of the Kings, as both thieves and law-enforcement agents eagerly trail them. When the tomb keeper, the only other person who knew about the theft, is found murdered, the sleuths are forced to take Feisal's cousin Dr. Khifaya, secretary general in charge of antiquities, into their confidence. Soon a ransom note and one of Tut's hands arrive for Khifaya, whose efforts to deal with the situation on his own are doomed to failure. As Vicky and Schmidt hatch scheme after scheme to recover the mummy, John calmly conducts his own investigation, often disappearing for long periods of time. Despite all the madcap misadventures, good eventually triumphs. An over-the-top adventure yarn whose potent brew of mystery and romance should make it another hit among the Peters (Tomb of the Golden Bird, 2006, etc.) faithful. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
