The Curse of the Pharaohs (novel)

The Emersons are at home in England, aching to return to Egypt, but finding no excuse to return until Lady Baskerville asks them to finish the excavation started by her husband, who died mysteriously just before opening a tomb in Luxor. No one else will continue as rumors of a curse on those who desecrate the tomb fly through the region.

Leaving their toddler son Ramses at home with his aunt and uncle, the Emersons arrive at the Baskerville compound near the Valley of the Kings. They find sick employees, over-eager reporters, and an assortment of other characters trying either to get into the tomb, or to keep the Emersons out.

Three characters are introduced; Cyrus Vandergelt, Karl von Bork and Kevin O'Connell. Vandergelt is a wealthy amateur American Egyptologist, and over the years becomes Professor Emerson's closest friend. Bork is an expert in hieroglyphs. O'Connell is a reporter for an English newspaper.

Kirkus Reviews found humor with the mystery in this novel set in Egypt among archaeologists. The main character, Amelia, is improved in this “delicious” adventure, following the first novel. The author is “at her giddy best here” with energy and high spirits. They conclude: “So, for mystery-comedy fans: an all-frills period charmer.”[1]

• List of characters in the Amelia Peabody series