#Elizabeth Peters

[justmoreocs-writing]

‘Libby,’ Sal breathed, opening his arms and grounding himself as she collided with him; her arms wrapped tightly around his ribs as he instinctively held her closer to him. As soon as her phone had lit up with the school number, he’d known that she’d need him. Known that good or bad, she was going to feel the relief of knowing, and that he had to be there for her.

‘I can stay,’ she muttered against his shoulder. ‘As long as I can pass English on a resit, otherwise I’m out.’

‘Then we’ll get there,’ he vowed, trying not to let the fact that they’d already been through all this once and failed to overwhelm him. She didn’t need that reminder right now. Right now, she just needed to hold onto the lifeline. The rest would come later.

‘Why is English so fucking hard?’ she grumbled.

‘Because it’s an argument you can’t punch your way through,’ he teased, earning himself a sharp finger to the ribs. Sal flinched, and just like that they pulled apart again. When Libby looked up at him though, he could see the mischievous look in her eyes. The one that assured him no matter what roiling emotions she was trying to keep in check, having him there made it all that little bit easier to cope with.

‘So, how do we celebrate?’ ‘I think I know just the thing,’ Sal said, taking her hand and dragging her with him. He didn’t need to tell her what the plan was, not really. The ice cream parlour down the road had been their go to celebration spot since they’d found it when they were thirteen years old. And this was a celebration, even if a slightly bitter sweet one with the threat of being forced to drop out hanging over her head.

[leer-reading-lire]

Misterio en Egipto, Elizabeth Peters

Amelia Peabody no es lo que se dice una dama victoriana al uso. Decidida y aventurera, al morir su padre y heredar una gran fortuna, decide embarcarse en un viaje por Europa, cuya primera escala es Roma.

Allí rescata a Evelyn Barton-Forbes, la nieta de un conde caída en desgracia, y se la lleva consigo a Egipto. Juntas explorarán el país de los faraones y se incorporarán fascinadas a la misión arqueológica liderada por los hermanos Emerson. Encuentros inesperados, accidentes casi fatales y una momia que vuelve a la vida para sembrar el terror convierten una tranquila excavación en una trampa de la que solo la sagacidad y el arrojo de Amelia podrán salvarlos.

[justmoreocs-edits]

Dead Boy Detectives OCs Edits

Some quick edits for my latest OCs because I finally managed to make the raw gifs to work from.

[luxetobscuritas-blog]

JOMP Book Photo Challenge / November / 11 / judged by its cover

I can think of no better book series to highlight than The Amelia Peabody Mysteries by Elizabeth Peters for today's prompt.

These covers just scream adventure, ancient Egyptian intrigue and fun, and I've first stumbled upon this series in my third semester as a literature student in a seminar where we were discussing the portrayal of Egypt in British and American culture and literature.

Set in the Victorian age, The Amelia Peabody Mysteries are neo-victorian books that revolve around the Victorian adventurer and archaeologist Amelia Peabody. She is the definition of a strong, independent woman in a time when that wasn’t exactly the norm.

A lot of the covers feature pyramids, desert landscapes, deadly creatures and ancient tombs — basically all the classic symbols of Egyptology. And that’s exactly what you’re getting in these books. The Amelia Peabody series is set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when archaeology was booming, and Egypt was the ultimate destination for daring explorers.

Some of the older editions, especially the mass-market paperbacks, have that classic pulp-fiction look with dramatic, almost overly stylized art. They’re fun, they’re dramatic, and they’re a little over the top — but honestly? That’s exactly the tone of these books. They’re adventurous, slightly campy, and totally unafraid to lean into that “larger-than-life” energy.

What I always enjoyed about these books is that it’s not all serious Egyptology and murder mysteries - there’s a delightful undercurrent of humor that makes reading these books a joy.

Furthermore, the tension that builds between Amelia and her love interest Radcliffe Emerson is absolutely adorable. It's a slow-burn romance that develops within the first book of the series, with loads of sass sparkling between them, but I loved how Amelia was never changing herself for the sake of love, but stayed true to her adventurous spirit and passion for Egyptology.

Sadly, I have only three books in my collection yet, but I definitely need to thrift the other books of this series as well!

[galpaladvns]

So I’ve been devouring the Amelia Peabody books over last two months, and I know we all have Opinions about who should play Emerson in an adaptation, but what about Sethos?

I think whoever was cast as Emerson would HAVE to play Sethos, too.

Think how hilarious it would be if Amelia was arguing with Emerson, stormed off, and was talking to the same guy in a fake beard and sunglasses.

For scenes where they interact they could do the Orphan Black thing with a stunt double (Henry Cavill has at least one 😛)

And since we don’t even see his real face until after the Reveal, it would kinda make sense/be even MORE hilarious

[calicoshadowcat]

The amount of times I have reread the Amelia Peabody series (by Elizabeth Peters) is innumerable. I am now listening to them being read by Barbara Rosenblat. I recommend it 110%.

Listening to her read the book is like getting a long hug from am old friend you haven't seen in a while.

[riley1cannon]

Calling Amelia Peabody fans: Do you know about this book?

I mean, did I just read a trial run at the series? Did Ms. Peters/Mertz pick this one up say around 1975 and say to herself, "Huh... Y'know I was onto something with this one. Needs some tweaks, starting with taking everything back to Victorian times, but by golly, I have a feeling there's something here worth exploring."

[anneofkeys]

I've been reading Richard III mystery books where the detective is in the present trying to solve some mystery that ultimately ties back to Richard and um his supposed crimes. What's surprising is that this is a genre with at least three titles of differing quality.

[bookishardor]

A Last Journey to Lorien~

Or, A Dream Comes True Again.

In October 2019 I wrote a short blog entry about a course of events that I could owe to a book I pulled from a box in eleven years earlier.

The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters set the trajectory of my life on that otherwise unremarkable day, and the knowledge that I simply skipped home none the wiser of how deeply it and its author would affect my life still gives me goosebumps.

I have looked back at that moment countless, and at all the moments that stemmed from it, with elated and sometimes stupefied astonishment. Moments that include choosing to attend Hood College because I read MPM lived in Frederick and had an honorary degree from that institution, pursuing my budding interest in archaeology/art history and Egyptology, and even traveling to Egypt.

After graduating college, I discovered and helped cultivate the most amazing community of fans on Twitter, and through that channel TeamRamses and Beth Mertz, MPM’s daughter. The two of them have been such joys to get to know and talk to on social media, the main forum for the MPM fans I know. It’s not often I run across people who know the books in real life, so being able to talk to fans from around the world online is important to me.

Funnily enough, it is rarer for me to find casual fans of MPM’s work than it is for me to find people who actually knew her.

In 2017 with the launch of The Painted Queen, I met the owner of Wonder Book, Chuck, who had been dear friends with MPM, as well as Ray and Jay, Egyptologists who not only knew MPM, but also purchased and moved into her Frederick home a few years after her death.

Eventually I would come to work at Wonder Book, and in that fateful October of 2019, I was invited to see the house and gardens, MPM’s Lorien.

One might suppose with that jewel in my proverbial crown, that this would be the end of a superbly lovely and incredible tale.

Oh, Dear Reader, it was not the end.

At the end of April of this year, I had the privilege to attend Malice Domestic—an annual conference of mystery writers and readers. TeamRamses and myself were kindly invited by Beth to be a part of the fun in honoring her mother, and while I was only able to be there for that Saturday’s events, I had the most wonderful time.  

I brought along my mother and one of my best friends—my roommate from college actually, so you could say I kind of owe MPM even more for the push that had me attending Hood—and we had a blast listening to the panels and walking the book room. You all likely know how hard it was for me to not snatch up a million books to buy in that room…

And then it was time for the panel. And here is where I met TeamRamses for the first time in person. There is something so special about meeting someone who loves a book series and author just as much as you do, even if online, and then to finally be able to hug and talk face to face. And TeamRamses is so easy to talk to, and so insightful about books and fandom. Chatting with her on the balcony outside later in the evening while we waited for the banquet was delightful. We talked books and television, and brought up all of our favorite topic: Who is your dream Amelia Peabody cast? Maybe we can run a panel on that someday. Or better yet, a panel about a show itself! Wishful thinking, I know.

The authors gathered on the panel for MPM discussed her amazing characters and her lasting influence over their own works. As soon as Gigi Pandian opened the discussion on Amelia, with an introduction along the lines of, “Peters’ most famous and beloved heroine” I felt a suspicious tingling in my eyes. As Amelia might say, just a bit of dust, nothing more!

But truthfully, I felt briefly overwhelmed. It’s been nearly 10 years since MPM’s passing, but being in a roomful of people celebrating her and thinking of Amelia and seeing her so vividly in my mind as I have for 15 years, sort squeezed the breath from me for a second. All of this culminated when we all realized that Barbara Rosenblatt, the voice of Amelia, was in the crowd and graciously answered a fan’s question, and illuminated us all on MPM’s more mischievous side.

When it was time for the banquet later that evening, I was seated at the same table as Gigi Pandian and some of MPM’s old friends; her veterinarian and her husband and son. It definitely still hits me in hindsight, how incredibly lucky I was to have gotten that seat. To be able to talk to an author so influenced by MPM. To hear first-hand accounts from the friends that knew her so well, including a riveting tale involving a treed raccoon and some rather presumptuous hunters. I have added each little detail I’ve picked up from her friends to my ever-increasing regard for the woman. In hearing these stories, I know I am beyond fortunate.

At the next table, Beth and TeamRamses sat with Beth’s family and Chuck. Barbara Rosenblatt was also in their set, and when I turned suddenly to find Chuck standing with her at my side…Reader, you should have seen how wide my eyes got. I could feel them become starry saucers. I shook her hand and thanked her—in my mind for all of the beautiful narration she has done for the Amelia books and beyond—though in reality it probably looked like I was just thanking her for standing next to me. Let’s be honest, I kind of was. Chalk one up for me being completely calm and smooth, certainly. If you ever read this, Barbara, I promise I’m more eloquent when I’m not star-struck!

Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the entire award ceremony that night, but I took with me so much from that dinner and the people I shared it with. To them I also wish to say, “Thank you.”

The drive home gave me time to reflect. What a wonderful day. What a wonderful gathering of people. What a wonderful woman MPM had been. I turned to my friend, not for the first time that day mind you, and asked, “So when are you gonna read Amelia?”

On the following Sunday I was invited, along with my mother and TeamRamses, to visit Lorien again once more before Ray and Jay move.

Now, as I said before, I’d been to Lorien once, in the fall of 2019. But coming around that corner and seeing the house on that little rise again…

At this rate, I feel most everyone has seen photos of the house and gardens. I don’t know if I could paint that same scene with words that can’t be gleaned from those images. If you have not seen the photos, you can likely Google the real-estate listing, or find it on the Facebook fan page: Another Shirt Ruined. I recommend it; they’re a feast for the eyes.

Nothing I say could do it justice, but there are a few things that can’t be extricated from photos, and I’ll do my best to explain here.

Once the visual beauty and appeal of the home has settled around you the next thing you notice is the scent. In fact, you may notice it as soon as you enter the solarium, but the architecture and bright glass walls of the room dazzle, where the smell calms. It permeates the air until you can’t help but pay attention, until it ensconces itself in your memory. Weeks later and I can still recall it; I think I always will be able to.

I’m not exactly sure what it was entirely. Lavender, undoubtedly, as Jay had it hanging in the kitchen, but also the earthy smells of the garden and trees outside. And perhaps, the stone itself imparted a lingering trace of aroma. The overall effect was dreamy and sweet and I could only imagine many a quiet, rainy day in that room, sipping coffee and dozing while the rain ran down the windows and accentuated the smell of the air.  

The next thing you notice is the love.

It’s in the very bones of that house. It’s in MPM’s desk and chair that were still in situ. It’s in the bookshelves and artwork and posters that were still hanging in the rooms and up the stair case. It’s in the custom Egyptian murals of the bathroom and the tiles on the kitchen floor and backsplash. And of course, it’s in the gardens; where beloved pets were buried and where so much time and care was given to creating a paradise. It’s in the stories I heard about gatherings and exploits her friends and family recalled.

And that’s where the love was most. In the people that gathered at the open house that day.

As we all walked the rooms of the home, listening to Beth and asking questions, I know we all fell into pockets of personal reverie. Where we could just imagine the life of the woman who’d lived there, who’d filled each room with her blazing personality. It felt like that I had actually met her before, in a sense. And it felt like I could turn a corner and find her there, petting a cat or tending a plant, or writing away at her desk.

After a tour of the house, TeamRamses, my mother, and I took a turn through the garden, ruminating on all the reasons why it would be so easy to never leave the property. It’s simply idyllic, even in the misty weather of that day.

And love was to be found lastly in the performance given by Barbara Rosenblatt.

As a delightful treat for all of us, before she had to drive back up to NYC, Barbara read an except from The Curse of the Pharaohs, the second book in the Amelia Peabody series. Fans will know the scene well—where Amelia and Emerson return to Evelyn’s to collect their progeny…little baby Walter Peabody Emerson.

Ramses, to those of us who know him best.

It was surreal to stand there in MPM’s home and listen to Barbara read. I’m still in a daze thinking about it. A little teary, too. I never gave audio books the time of day until I thought to try the Amelia recordings as a reread method. And to hear her voice come alive in the home where so many of the stories were written? To hear Emerson bellow and Evelyn laugh, to hear baby Ramses proclaim in somber, serious tones, “it is a femuw. A femuw of a winocowus…”

I have said before that somewhere in my mind and heart, I am always in the desert of Amarna with Amelia and Emerson. The first book in the series is my favorite for so many reasons, least of which is the nostalgia and peace it brings me. My original copy is well loved, and I know pieces of it by heart. Part of me is sitting with them at the fire, looking at the stars and listening to the jackals, chiding Walter and Evelyn’s young love, and scoffing at Lucas. Part of me is always snickering at the feelings brewing between Amelia and Emerson, even as he sets his own pocket on fire and she bosses him around.

In the same vein, I know part of me will always be standing in that solarium with MPM’s nearest and dearest, listening to Barbara read. The smell of lavender, rain, and stone in the air, the sound of all our laughter, and the sense of MPM just out of eyeshot, chuckling with us all.

I write my own story, from time to time. I’m not very disciplined with it, at least, not as much as I used to be. I have varying feelings about it, and I don’t imagine it will ever be much more than a tale of my own whimsy. But I do feel like every time I add even a little bit to it, that I’m adding to a love letter to MPM. And I do think I could add endlessly to a love letter to MPM. Writing my story, reading her books, talking to fans and friends on Twitter—it’s my way of saying thank you, thank you, thank you a million times over to an author I owe so much to.

So does the story end with the last visit to Lorien, the last glimpse into the sanctuary of a woman I can only wish to have met? Maybe. But so many things have happened these last 15 years that can find threads trailing back to my decision to read that book.

I can’t wait to see where she leads me next.

[team-ramses]

In Children of the Storm Ramses seems to say that he consummated his relationship with Enid Fraser, but he was too young in Lion in the Valley and she was married in Seeing a large Cat. Thoughts? TIA

Ugh you’ve hit on one of my least favorite sub-plots in the entire series. lol. It is strongly hinted at as having happened in Seeing a Large Cat (when Ramses is 16/17, gross) and Enid is (un)happily married. 

Although I guess this question from Amelia is faintly hilarious if you know what Ramses was up to that afternoon.

In Chapter 10, they are setting up the fake seance, and Amelia decides Enid is to be the princess and that Ramses needs to help her get ready to play the part. And then she sets it up so they have an afternoon alone together. I’m like, Amelia. No.

“Ramses, will you come here a moment?” He joined us, and I explained, “I have been telling Mrs. Fraser that she is the one to play the role of the princess. She will need a proper costume and a certain amount of coaching; you are the obviou one to acquire the former and do the later.”

“That would be very kind of you, Ramses,” Enid said.

Ramses said in a rather odd voice, “I would be happy to advise Mrs. Fraser, but perhaps--”

“But me no buts, Ramses. I have never approved of your interest in and practice of the art of disguise; here is an opportunity to apply it to a useful end. That is settled, then. Enid, Ramses will come round--let me thing--just after luncheon. We must attend the funeral services tomorrow morning. Can you get rid of Donald for the afternoon, Enid?”

“Yes, certainly,” Enid said. “All afternoon, if you like.”

She looked much brighter. I had sprung it on her rather abruptly; I ought to have realized it would take a little time for her to accustom herself to the idea. I gave her an approving smile. “I must take my little family home. Donald is half-asleep already.”

“Mother,” Ramses began.

“Say good night to Mrs. Fraser, Ramses.”

“Good night, Mrs. Fraser,” Ramses said.

“Good night, Ramses. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

THEN THE NEXT DAY WE GET THIS

Scarcely had we got our gear together, however, than we saw Ramses and David coming toward us. I deduced that they had stopped by the house to change, since they were wearing riding costumes.

“Goodness, is it so late as that?” I exclaimed. “I trust you are satisfied that Enid is ready for this evening, Ramses?”

“She seemed satisfied,” said Ramses.

BRO.

In Chapter 11, the family questions him about what they chose for Enid’s costume and hairstyle and Ramses says this and no one blinks an eye. This family I swear.

“After considering various alternatives,” said Ramses, “we concluded it would be best for her to wear it under a loose garment--a tea gown, I believe she called it. She will change into it and the costume after dinner.”

“What about her hair? Nefret asked.

“She will let it down. It is very thick and long,” Ramses said. “It reaches almost to her waist.”

Anywho, it definitely happened that afternoon and hopefully never again.

Love any question that makes me dig out an Amelia book. Even ones about Enid. :-)

[bribliography]

books read in 2023

— the deeds of the disturber. by elizabeth peters. ★ ★ ★ ★

“The wrongs of my oppressed sisters must always waken a flame of indignation in my bosom.”

goodreads review | books read in 2022

[justmoreocs-writing]

‘Is this what it always looks like for you?’ Libby asked, leaning around Sal’s head from her place on his back. The piggyback hadn’t been necessary, but she wasn’t about to decline the offer.

He chuckled softly, but she felt the noise vibrating through his back. ‘It’s really not that different.’

‘Oho, it is,’ she assured him, shifting her arms over his shoulders a little. She knew he was right, but that didn’t matter. ‘Oh my gosh, you can see everybody’s roots!’

‘So can you,’ he reminded her, gently shifting his grip on her. ‘Weren’t you the one who pointed out Mrs T’s?’

Libby chuckled softly. ‘I mean…’ She shrugged, despite knowing he couldn’t see her. ‘Does this mean you don’t need a ladder to reach the back of cupboards?’

‘You know I don’t.’

‘I know,’ she said, shifting to rest her head against the back of his. ‘But it’s fun to tease you.’

‘Of course it is, Libs,’ he said softly as she found her eyes fluttering shut. ‘We’re almost back.’

She made a soft sound of assent, though she wasn’t entirely sure if she’d still be awake by that point, or if the exhaustion of the week would finally catch up with her.

[runningoutofbooks]

I’ve been reading the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters and I swear everyone who made The Mummy (1999) read these books and said “this premise but with actual magic” and then just went nuts

[justmoreocs-edits]

Dead Boy Detectives OCs

Salim ‘Sal’ Rowland-Khan (Faceclaim Zain Iqbal) – 16 year old nephew of Charles Rowland. While his mother never really spoke to him about his grandparents, she told him stories of his uncle Charles a lot, and Sal is determined to try finding something that might help give his mother a little closure. He meets Libby when they are both investigating something, though they have a passing acquaintance from school. Through Crystal Palace, he finally meets his uncle.

Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Peters (Faceclaim Nadia Parkes) – 17 year old daughter of a human and a demon, though she doesn’t know this; as far as she’s aware, her mother’s husband is her father. She meets Sal when they are both investigating something, though they have a passing acquaintance from school. When strange things start happening around her, she finds herself crossing paths with Crystal Palace. Through this, Libby finds herself learning more about the supernatural world, and hearing whispers about her true past.

The Dog Duchess (Faceclaim Rain Spencer) – Queen of the dogs, though her actual age is unknown. In a way, she is the London counterpart to the Cat King and enjoys causing issues for Sal when they cross paths. That being said, his friendship with Libby is something she thinks might be of use, and therefore means she is willing to send one of her own with them to America to ensure nothing bad happens to them.

Rufus (Faceclaim Ali Hadji-Heshmati) – One of the dogs that the Dog Duchess trusts the most; he is the one that gets sent to America with the others to ensure they are protected.

A/N: Please ignore the quick edits for these characters, I needed to do something for them before the idea left.

[pinchofnutmeg]

The Adoration of the Magi (from the Saint Colomba Altarpiece) Rogier van der Weyden, c. 1450-55 Oil on oak wood panel

Strictly speaking, the painting is not a Nativity. Christian iconography is painstakingly specialized. Except for the Crucifixion, no subject was so popular with artists as the birth of Christ, and every separate incident has its own designation and its own artistic traditions. This painting, which had once adorned an altar in Cologne, shows the Adoration of the Magi—the Anbetung der Könige. Though the Virgin is not at the center of the canvas, the composition is so admirable that the beholder’s eye is led inexorably to where she sits holding the Baby on her knee. A benevolent brown cow looks admiringly over her shoulder as the first of the Kings kneels to kiss the outstretched hand of the Child. The colors are wonderful, they smolder on the canvas—the Virgin’s rich blue robe, the scarlet mantle of the second Magi, the crimson-and-gold brocade tunic of the third King. I’ve had a crush on that King since I was sixteen. He is dressed in the height of fifteenth-century fashion, his full-flowing sleeves falling to mid-calf, his legs (a little thin, but not bad) encased in skintight hose. He has just swept off his cap to honor the Holy Family and his brown hair falls in wavy disarray over his forehead. If I ever saw a man who looked like that…

—Elizabeth Peters, Trojan Gold

[solitariussanctumartarchitecture]

Seeing a Large Cat

I have begun reading #9 in the Amelia Peabody mysteries, "Seeing A Large Cat". In the early part of the book, they mention Theodore Davis. Emerson refers to him as a "wealthy dilettante". While Davis was not an actual archaeologist or Egyptologist, he was important in the world of Egyptian archaeology. Davis discovered artefacts relating to Tut. He believed, though, that there were no more relics to be found, once he found the items. Here is the whole story: