Laughter of Dead Kings (Vicky Bliss, No. 6)
by Elizabeth Peters
|
List Price: Our Price: $0.70 You Save: $25.25 (97%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Laughter of Dead Kings (Vicky Bliss, No. 6)
Book Review: Very Pleased, Wish there were more to come.
Summary: 4 Stars
I had just recently discovered the Vicky Bliss series and when I had finished Night Train to Memphis (#5) I had discovered this book was soon to be published. I could not wait; ordered it, and then picked it up on it's release date.
I liked this book very much in the sense it has the usual characters. As in all previous books, they are facing the opposing side with wit and perseverance. This book has it's adventure as well, but I dare say that it lacked some of the adventure that Silhouette in Scarlet (#3) and Trojan Gold (#4). For that reason alone I rated it 4 stars. I had feverishly tore threw some of the other above mention Vicky Bliss mysteries but more or less has a nice, meandering read with this one. I am so sorry to see Vicky go and I will miss having these characters about. I will agree with some of the other reviews...Schmidtt was wonderful, same 'ol likeable guy, but John was not quite as charming and likable, and was actually kinda dry Yet in the end he always holds all the answers. I do not read the Amelia Peabody series, (maybe oneday) so the connection was not meaningful tom me. Definitely worth the read.
I do recommend at least reading Trojan Gold and Night Train to Memphis before reading this book, they pick up on the same people and themes and a reader would be completly lost without the background information.
Book Review: Laughter of the Dead Kings--Vintage Peters (aka Mertz.) Vickie Bliss novel
Summary: 4 Stars
One of my favorite teachers of Egyptology, Professor Barbara Mertz,(aka Elizabeth Peters) makes this fictional Vicky Bliss series fun. "Laughter of the Dead Kings" contains all the usual Peter's devices--careful sleuthing, fascinating travelogue information, Egyptian dynastic historical facts, quick thinking ripostes, and humor-- to achieve her goal: an enjoyable novel. My only quibble is probably personal: I tire of heroines who savor the flawed "hero" with a more-than-questionable past; even those who have admirable pasts too often are annoying egoists--entertaining, of course, but annoying. Also, this was not a "can't-put-it-down" type novel, which is probably a good thing if one wants to read only a few chapters before bedtime. However, this particular story tended to drag a little (for me.) Having said that, I found it fun reading and would highly recommend it to those who enjoy this genre.
Addendum: those interested in Egyptology should make it a point to obtain Metz's non-fictional books on anything related to Egypt's past. She not only is an entertaining and extremely readable writer, but she really knows her stuff and writes very clear and understandable history. She also offers clear discussion of differences of opinion. And as is her way, always with touches of humor (I have to party with this gal!)
Book Review: Very Disappointing!
Summary: 1 Stars
Laughter of Dead Kings (Vicky Bliss, No. 6) I have been a staunch fan of Elizabeth Peters, enjoying the escapades of Amelia Peabody, Vicky Bliss and her other feminine characters. I was very surprised to see a new book about Vicky, who has been one of my favorite characters because I, too, am a six foot blonde with brains! I made it through about 3/4 of this book and put it down trying to decide why on earth I was continuing to attempt to read it. Peters should have left Vicky in Europe in her forte of art history. Also, as a physical comparable to Vicky, I have never ever felt large and awkward with small, petite women and resent Peters' innuendoes that Vicky is uncomfortable with her size. She makes Vicky appear as a bumbling, inarticulate fool who is suppose to be a beautiful, smart, sexy lady with a PhD in art history! The only thing you get about Vicky is that all she wants to do is eat and wonder what is going on! I am very glad I checked this book out from the library and did not waste my money on it. Come on MPM, you can do better - we all expect it from you!Book Review: She's Baaack!
Summary: 4 Stars
I have to admit to being an avowed fan of Vicky Bliss ever since the first novel she appeared in, but I really, really loved it when she hooked up with her on again off again lover, Sir John Smythe, particularly Trojan Gold and Night Train to Memphis. So, I was really yearning for another in their continuing bumpy road to romance. And although this book had some good points, I was somewhat disappointed in that it seemed lacking in the snap and dash of the others in the series. I would've loved to heard more of her crossing swords with John's mother, but that was only just touched on, and the characters seemed to lack some of the panache of previous novels. A nice twist was the connection to the Emersons (even if it was just a tad bit contrived) and her beloved Herr Doctor Schmidt's surprising talent. I won't reveal the talent here, but suffice to say I sadly underestimated the old boy! All in all, it was an entertaining read, but not of a caliber of Night Train To Memphis, although in typical Peters fashion she did leave Vicky and John dangling at the end. One can only hope she brings them back with more of the sass and style of earlier efforts.Book Review: Can expectations be too high?
Summary: 3 Stars
To have another Vicky Bliss book at last is a real treat, as is meeting again so many of the characters from the previous books in the series.
* * * * * * * * *
Spoilers
However, because I've waited such a long time for this book and spent a lot of that time trying to figure out the promised connection between John and the Emersons, I suppose any possible denouement would have fallen short of my expectations. I had hoped that the connection would prove to be through Sethos (thief to thief, as it were) and couldn't help feeling disappointed when it wasn't. I also felt that both Vicky and John had less time center stage than I would have liked and that the pace of the book was less exciting than that of some of the earlier ones (Street of the Five Moons, Trojan Gold, Night Train to Memphis). But I am grateful to Elizabeth Peters for giving us this one last fling with the intrepid trio--Vicky, John, and Schmidt all have personalities so strongly drawn over time that they have become virtually real people to me.