A River in the Sky (UK)

Having brought Egypt firmly under her thumb, Amelia Peabody turns her attention to a harder challenge: Palestine, a province of the crumbling, corrupt Ottoman Empire and the Holy Land of three religions. Hearing that Morley, an English adventurer, has raised money to mount an expedition to search for the vanished treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem, Emerson and Amelia are persuaded to go after him in order to prevent a catastrophically inept excavation and the possibility of armed protest by the infuriated members of all three religions who view the Dome of the Rock as sacred. The War Office is concerned about increasing German influence in Palestine and insists that Morley is secretly working for German intelligence. Emerson doesnïР’С—1вЃ„2t believe it, but could he be mistaken?In the meantime, their son Ramses has been working on a dig at Samaria, north of Jerusalem, where he encounters an unusual party of travellers. One is a female German archaeologist, and the other a mysterious man of unknown nationality and unknown past. RamsesïР’С—1вЃ„2s insatiable curiosity leads him to a startling discovery about the pair. He must now pass the information on to his parents in Jerusalem - but only if he can get there alive... Praise for the Amelia Peabody series: 'I can't wait for the next Peabody story - I really do think [Elizabeth Peters'] books are great entertainment.' Angela Rippon From Publishers Weekly Set in 1910, the delightful 19th Amelia Peabody novel from bestseller Peters (after Tomb of the Golden Bird ) takes Amelia and her husband, Emerson, to Palestine, where an English adventurer, George Morley, is planning to excavate Jerusalem's Temple Mount in search of the Ark of the Covenant. Gen. David Spencer, the director of Military Operations in London, suspects Morley, an amateur archeologist at best, of spying for the Germans, whose influence has been growing in the Middle East. Spencer wants Egyptologists Amelia and Emerson to stop Morley from undertaking a project sure to offend the three religious groups that consider the temple site holy. Meanwhile, son Ramses embarks on a treacherous journey to convey to his parents important information learned from two travelers he meets while on a dig in Samaria. Once again, MWA Grandmaster Peters uses vivid settings, sharp characterizations, and deft dialogue to transport the reader to another time and place. (Apr.) Copyright ''© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist Peters, named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1998, writes wildly popular historical mysteries about British archaeologist Amelia Peabody, who is pulled into adventures by her well-muscled (this is mentioned quite a bit) Egyptologist husband and their wayfaring son, Ramses, an Egyptian grammarian who is forever being kidnapped, pursued, or lost in tombs. Since Peters is writing today, it′s difficult to tell if her overblown style (she really does say things like “muscles rippled across the breadth of his chest”) is a nod to the period (around the turn of the last century), her own send-up of romance novels, or her baroque style. What is unfortunate is that Peters, who has a doctorate in Egyptology from the University of Chicago′s Oriental Institute, doesn′t do more to give readers the benefit of her broad background, other than to have the couple constantly going to Egypt on various quests that remain at the level of Raiders of the Lost Ark simplicity. In the latest Peters, the year is 1910, Ramses has disappeared yet again on a dig, and a mysterious adventurer who might be a German spy invites the Emersons (Amelia goes with) to Jerusalem on a hunt for the Ark of the Covenant. The novel moves between Amelia′s first-person narration and Ramses′ point of view (undercutting suspense over his fate). Peters′ fans, of course, find plenty to enjoy from the characters alone. This one′s for them. --Connie Fletcher New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Peters brings back beloved Egyptologist and amateur sleuth Amelia Peabody in an exciting tale set amid the ancient temples and simmering religious tensions of Palestine on the eve of World War I. . . .August 1910. Banned from the Valley of the Kings by the Antiquities Service, Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, are relaxing at home in Kent, enjoying the tranquil beauty of summer. But adventure soon beckons when they are persuaded to follow would-be archaeologist Major George Morley on an expedition to Palestine, a province of the crumbling, corrupt Ottoman Empire and the Holy Land of three religions. Searching for the vanished treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem, Morley is determined to unearth the legendary Ark of the Covenant.The skeptical Emerson wants no part of the scheme until a request from the War Office and Buckingham Palace persuades him to reconsider. The Germans are increasing their influence in Palestine and British intelligence insists that Morley is an agent of the Kaiser, sent to stir up trouble in this politically volatile land. Emerson can't believe that the seemingly inept Morley is a German spy, but could he be mistaken?Determined to prevent a catastrophically unprofessional excavation that could destroy priceless historical finds as well as cause an armed protest by infuriated Christians, Jews, and Muslims who view the Temple Mount, also known as the Dome of the Rock, as sacred, Amelia, Emerson, and company head to Palestine. Though it is not to her beloved Egypt, the trip to Jerusalem will also reunite her with her handsome and headstrong son, Ramses, working on a dig at Samaria, north of the holy city.Before Ramses can meet his parents, however, he is distracted by an unusual party of travelers who have arrived in Samaria, including a German woman archaeologist and a mysterious man of unknown nationality and past. Unfortunately, Ramses's insatiable curiosity and his knack for trouble lead him to a startling discovery: information he must pass on to his parents in Jerusalem—if he can get there alive.Once again the Peabody-Emerson clan must use all their skills and wiles to find the truth, prevent a bloody holy war, and save their son from the clutches of a nefarious enemy in this wonderfully engaging tale chock-full of thrills, mystery, and daring from the inimitable Elizabeth Peters. 1910. Having Brought Egypt Firmly Under Her Thumb, Amelia Peabody Turns Her Attention To A Harder Challenge: Palestine, A Province Of The Crumbling, Corrupt Ottoman Empire And The Holy Land Of Three Religions. Hearing That Morley, An English Adventurer, Has Raised Money To Mount An Expedition To Search For The Vanished Treasures Of The Temple In Jerusalem, Emerson And Amelia Are Persuaded To Go After Him In Order To Prevent A Catastrophically Inept Excavation And The Possibility Of Armed Protest By The Infuriated Members Of All Three Religions Who View The Dome Of The Rock As Sacred. The War Office Is Concerned About Increasing German Influence In Palestine And Insists That Morley Is Secretly Working For German Intelligence. Emerson Doesn't Believe It, But Could He Be Mistaken? In The Meantime, Their Son Ramses Has Been Working On A Dig At Samaria, North Of Jerusalem, Where He Encounters An Unusual Party Of Travellers. One Is A Female German Archaeologist, And The Other A Mysterious Man Of Unknown Nationality And Unknown Past. Ramses's Insatiable Curiosity Leads Him To A Startling Discovery About The Pair. He Must Now Pass The Information On To His Parents In Jerusalem - But Only If He Can Get There Alive... Praise For The Amelia Peabody Series: 'i Can't Wait For The Next Peabody Story... I Really Do Think [elizabeth Peters'] Books Are Great Entertainment.' Angela Rippon 'a Writer So Popular That The Public Library Has To Keep Her Books Under Lock And Key.' Washington Post Book World 'the Most Potent Female Force To Hit Egypt Since Cleopatra.' Philadelphia Enquirer 'think Miss Marple With Early Feminist Gloss Crossed With Indiana Jones... Accomplished Entertainment' Guardian August 1910. Banned from the Valley of the Kings, Amelia Peabody and husband Emerson are persuaded to follow would-be archaeologist Major George Morley on an expedition to Palestine. Somewhere in this province of the corrupt, crumbling Ottoman Empire—the Holy Land of three religions—Morley is determined to unearth the legendary Ark of the Covenant. At the request of British Intelligence, Emerson will be keeping an eye on the seemingly inept Morley, believed to be an agent of the Kaiser sent to stir up trouble in this politically volatile land. Amelia hopes to prevent a catastrophically unprofessional excavation from destroying priceless historical finds and sparking an armed protest by infuriated Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Meanwhile, Amelia's headstrong son, Ramses, working on a dig at Samaria, encounters an unusual party of travelers and makes a startling discovery—information that he must pass along to his parents in Jerusalem...if he can get there alive. Morley, an English adventurer, is mounting an expedition to search for treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem. Emerson and Amelia are persuaded to go after him in order to prevent a catastrophically inept excavat- ion and the possibility of armed protest by the infuriated members of all three religions who view the Dome of the Rock as sacred.