Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters

I realise that I have been somewhat remiss in the blog department recently. This has been because I have been so busy with different things that I haven't had much time to read. Yes, I realise that this is a difficult concept to grasp, but it is none-the-less true. Today I have remedied that and spent much of the day reading. 

Todays book takes us back to Egypt in 1903, with another cracking Amelia Peabody Murder Mystery.  Previously on the blog I have reviewed another of Elizabeth Peters books, The Last Camel Died at Noon in which there was a plethora of rather recalcitrant camels. In contrast, this book is riddled with cats. Now, please don't get the impression that this is a book about cats, as it is not, but they do feature rather heavily. For lovers of these books I have to forewarn you that the cat Bastet has been escorted by Styx to the other side. Never fear, there is a replacement who is just as full of character.

So preliminaries over, what about the book. Amelia Peabody is an aristocratic Englishwoman who is married to an archeologist. She herself is not only an archeologist, but an amateur sleuth. Wherever, she goes she always manages to trip over a dead body. In this book she, her husband, and a large cast of family members discover a new tomb. Funnily enough there is a body inside. This leads to another jolly good jape, full of murder, intrigue and mysterious characters. All the characters are well represented and, of course, given the time and place, exotic. I could picture them perfectly. In many ways the characters are caricatures and larger than life, yet somehow realistic. A difficult trick to pull of but Elizabeth Peter's manages it.

The plot is excellent with a number of red herrings and side turns. This kept me reading, and turning just one more page. The sign of a good murder mystery. This is top notch book which I can highly recommend. 

       

That's us for another day on bookaholic. I have another book waiting in the wings to read. This is a bit nearer home as it is set in Dundee but I am looking forward to reading it. I will see you all soon with another review. Until then. Keep reading.