Crocodile on the Sandbank

Elizabeth Peters
(aka Barbara G. Mertz)

Amelia Peabody is a practical, forthright 30+ year old spinster in Victorian England. She has received an inheritance from her father so is traveling the world. She stops in Rome on her way to Egypt. There she rescues another single English lady who has been abandoned. Amelia takes Evelyn on as her companion as she continues her travels.

Once Evelyn joins her life, things change for Amelia. In Cairo Evelyn's ex-lover and cousin both show up, seeking her favors. They also meet the Emerson brothers and Evelyn is quickly smitten by the younger brother, Walter. Emerson and Walter leave for their archeological dig. Evelyn shoves off her ex-lover. Her cousin follows them when they sail down the Nile.

As they sail down the Nile they once again meet the archeologists. Emerson is quite ill, so they stay to nurse him back to health. Evelyn and Walter get to know each other as the women stay. Emerson returns to health and becomes his acerbic self. Then the Mummy shows up. Things get really strange.

This is the first of the Amelia Peabody series. It could just as easily been sold as a historical romance as it is as a mystery. I read this as part of a mystery discussion group. I'm glad I did, and look forward to more of them. Amelia Peabody is quite a person.

12/27/2010 Elizabeth Peters wrote some strong characters in Crocodile on the Sandbank. She gave them the potential to get stronger and more memorable. Despite the Victorian times, once Amelia's father died, she decided to go on her own. That is not the action of the women of the time, so Peters immediately sets Amelia apart from her contemporaries. Emerson is also well drawn, right down to the strong man who can't reveal any weakness in front of women. He certainly can't show any tender feelings! Peters makes them believable.

The reader wants to know more about all the characters and what happens. The mystery has some good twists as well. I certainly did not expect the complete final solution. I had hints, but couldn't put it together.

I have been recommending this book to many people over the last 11 years. After reading River in the Sky a couple weeks ago, I decided I needed to re-read this. It's quiet at work, so I've listened to the audio book while working at routine tasks at work. OK, it's a bit schmaltzier than I remember. That's partly because I'm used to the stronger Amelia Peabody she becomes as the series progresses. She is not the meek Victorian miss that Evelyn is, but Amelia will develop more. Yes, I will continue to recommend Crocodile on the Sandbank.

Notice: Non-graphic violence

Crocodile on the Sandbank
The Curse of the Pharaohs
The Mummy Case
Lion in the Valley
The Deeds of the Disturber
The Last Camel Died at Noon
The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog
The Hippopotamus Pool
Seeing a Large Cat
The Ape Who Guards the Balance
The Falcon at the Portal
He Shall Thunder in the Sky
The Lord of the Silent
The Golden One
Children of the Storm
Guardian of the Horizon
The Serpent on the Crown
Tomb of the Golden Bird
A River in the Sky