#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.

[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.

[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

[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

[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-writing]

Deep down, Sal knew that he shouldn’t call home. The international dial tone gave him time to think, gave him the opportunity to hang up because it always felt like the phone was ringing longer with that than it did normally. And yet part of him couldn’t keep this back. Not after what he’d witnessed at the Devlin House. Not after the truth he knew his mother had tried to keep from them all.

Beside him, Libby was eating breakfast. He knew she also thought the call was a bad idea, but he appreciated the fact she hadn’t tried to talk him out of it.

‘Salim?’ his mother asked, voice groggy with sleep. He’d remembered the time difference belatedly, and instantly regretted the call once more. The only positive, he realised, was that if this went awfully his mother might put the whole thing down to a very strange dream. ‘Is everything all right, honey?

‘I met Uncle Charles,’ he said quickly, noticing the way Libby briefly froze. She went back to eating though, giving him his own time with this.

‘But your –’

‘He’s dead,’ Sal cut her off, knowing how mad the whole thing seemed. ‘But…’ He took a breath. ‘He’s all right, Mum. He’s got this friend, Edwin, so he’s not alone. And –’

‘Honey,’ his mother said softly, yet she suddenly sounded very awake, ‘do you need us to come get you?’

‘No,’ he assured her quickly, though he realised that might have sounded more suspicious. Instead, he forced himself to take a breath, to give her the bit of truth she might be able to swallow. ‘It’s all good. We just… We spoke to a medium yesterday and they told us.’

His mother cursed softly in Urdu, a sure sign she was both tired and concerned. ‘They’re just charlatans, baby.’

‘I know,’ he said, really wishing there was something more he could offer her. ‘I just… I got this feeling that they might have been right.’

He could practically see her chewing her lip as she weighed up what to say. ‘I’m sure,’ she said carefully, ‘that wherever Charles is now, he’s happy. Especially if this Edwin guy’s a good mate to him.’

‘He is,’ Sal admitted quietly. ‘Sorry for calling so early.’

‘Don’t apologise, janu, you can call me anytime.’

‘Thanks, Mum,’ he said. ‘I’ll let you get back to sleep. Love you.’

‘Love you too.’ She lingered on the line a moment before hanging up.

With a deep sigh, Sal lowered the phone to the table.

‘Went well?’ Libby asked, brushing crumbs off her hands.

Sal shrugged. ‘Could have gone better.’

‘You’ll find a way,’ she vowed softly, a small smile on her face.

It was the smile that helped, not the words. He smiled back before snatching one of the croissants from her plate. Perhaps it would be easier when they were back home. But he was beginning to doubt that, even if he didn’t really want to admit it to himself.

Honey in Urdu.

[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.

[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:

[weirdesplinder]

Lista di libri simili ad Indiana Jones

Quest’anno è uscito il quinto film della saga di Indiana Jones, di cui io sono una grande fan, perciò non potevo esimermi dal proporvi una lista di libri che potrebbero piacere proprio agli ammiratori di Indy.

Anni fa ho cercato a lungo dei romanzi che potessero suscitare in me le stesse emozioni dei film di Indiana Jones, ho letto diversi titoli che promettevano sulla carta lameno trame simili e un simile protagonista, ma la realtà è che in letteratura la sottoscritta non ha mai trovato qualcosa di comparabile alle storie di Indiana.

Però qualcosa che almeno dal lato avventura/trama si avvicinasse c’è, è nei personaggi e nel loro approfondimento che casca l’asino. Molti protagonisti dei libri di letteratura avventurosa non sono particolarmente approfonditi psicologicamente o sono dei super uomini infallibili, ex militari, che devono salvare il mondo ecc... insomma non somigliano ad Indy purtroppo.

Comunque ecco la mia lista dei romanzi d’avventua che a mio avviso almeno in parte sia avvicinano un po’ ai film di Indiana jones:

In primis devo per forza nominare la serie di Allan Quatermain di Henry Rider Haggard a cui George Lucas stesso ha detto di essersi ispirato per la creazione di Indiana Jones. Natuaralmente Allan è molto diverso da Indy ha una mira infallibile, capacità incredibili, le sue storie sono molto sopra le righe, ma l’ambientazione, l’epoca in cui è ambientato, molto dell’atmosfera di Indiana Jones c’è e si sente.

- Le miniere di re Salomone, di Henry Rider Haggard

Link: https://amzn.to/43Knzkk

trama: Quando Allan Quatermain, famoso cacciatore di elefanti nel Sud Africa coloniale, viene avvicinato da Sir Henry Curtis perché lo aiuti a trovare il suo fratello minore scomparso, Allan è titubante, perché sa che Curtis intende avventurarsi alla ricerca delle "Miniere di Salomone", dove in molti hanno perso la vita. Quatermain alla fine accetta, e seguendo una mappa vecchia di trecento anni si ritrova in una terra sconosciuta, abitata dal popolo di guerrieri Kukuana, guidati dal sanguinario re Twala...

Altra serie stavolta moderna che un poco si avvicina a Indiana Jones per personaggi e trame è anche la serie Nina Wilde di Andy McDermott. Con le dovute differenze. Nina è una donna, sia lei che Eddie Chase sono quasi infallibili e bravissimi in quasi tutto ciò che fanno, le trame a volte più che sfiorano il soprannaturale, e l’approfondimento psicologico dei personaggi specie dei secondari è quello che è. Però una vibe da Indiana secondo me c’è, se la si cerca proprio a fondo. Specie nella parte di archeologia e nelle trame. Nell’ambientazione no purtroppo e manca anche l’ironia dei film.

- Il tesoro di Ercole, di Andy McDermott 

(secondo libro di questa serie con protagonista Nina Wilde il primo è In cerca di Atlantide, ma sono tutti leggibili anche singolarmente)

Link: https://amzn.to/44Ozz5G

Trama: Per la giovane archeologa Nina Wilde è l'occasione di una vita. Dai suoi studi su antichi testi ha tratto la convinzione che esista una tomba in cui sono sepolti i resti del leggendario semidio Ercole. Se riuscisse a localizzarla, si tratterebbe del ritrovamento archeologico più importante di tutti i tempi. Insieme a Eddie Chase ? ex SAS ed ex guardia del corpo, ora suo compagno di avventure e di vita ? Nina parte alla ricerca della tomba. Ma è subito chiaro che non è l'unica sulle tracce dei resti di Ercole e delle favolose ricchezze che la tomba potrebbe contenere. E come se non bastasse, Chase deve fare i conti con una figura del suo passato, che rischia di mettere in pericolo non solo la relazione con Nina, ma anche la sua stessa vita. Nina e Chase si trovano ben presto al centro di un'oscura cospirazione, che ha seminato tracce di violenza e corruzione in tutto il mondo: dalla Svizzera a Shanghai, dal Botswana a Londra. Inizia per loro una drammatica fuga che è anche una frenetica ricerca per individuare la tomba di Ercole prima che i suoi segreti cadano nelle mani sbagliate.

Da qui in poi nella lista il vibe da Indiana Jones si perde quasi del tutto, ma resta l’avventura e un pizzico di archeologia unita a un pizzico di soprannaturale e a protagonisti che sono quasi superuomini oppure a una pluralità di protagonisti con trame molto corali.

- L’enigma di Alessandro Magno, di Will Adams

Link: https://amzn.to/47qXPwz

Trama: Daniel Knox è un brillante archeologo di Cambridge esperto di immersioni in fuga da un boss della malavita egiziana. Gaille Bonnard è una giovane studiosa francese di lingua demotica, la scrittura egizia usata anche nella stele di Rosetta. Elena Koloktronis è un'egittologa di fama, distrutta dal dolore per la perdita del marito. Philip Dragoumis è un eccentrico milionario che si crede la reincarnazione di Filippo II, padre del grande Alessandro, ossessionato dall'idea di liberare la Macedonia e il suo popolo dalla dominazione greca. Tutti nascondono un segreto. Tutti hanno una missione da compiere. Tutti cercano la tomba di Alessandro Magno: quel leggendario mausoleo degno di un dio, visitato da re e imperatori, che sembra inghiottito dalla storia. Ma dove sono realmente le spoglie di Alessandro e il suo favoloso corredo funebre? Nella città da lui fondata oppure in Macedonia, nelle tombe reali, accanto al padre? Oppure il suo corpo è stato portato in gran segreto dai suoi uomini più fedeli nell'oasi di Siva, al cospetto dell'oracolo di Ammone, il dio che il re tanto amava? Sullo sfondo del magico Egitto, tra antiche città e metropoli caotiche, esplorazioni negli abissi e inseguimenti nel deserto, un misterioso codice che potrebbe svelare il luogo di sepoltura del grande sovrano macedone innesca una sfida senza esclusione di colpi, dove ognuno ha una meta da raggiungere ed è disposto a tutto pur di raggiungerla.

- Le sei pietre sacre, di Mathew Reilly

Link: https://amzn.to/3KoACB3

Trama: La Pietra Filosofale - L’Altare di Stonehenge - Le Tavole della Legge - La Pietra Sacrificale dei Maya - La Pietra Veggente di Delfi - Il Bacile di Ramses II - SEI PIETRE SACRE,SEI MISTERI DA RISOLVERE,UN CONTO ALLA ROVESCIA DA FERMARE…Dopo aver ritrovato i sette frammenti della punta d’oro massiccio della Piramide di Giza, Jack West è convinto di potersi godere un meritato riposo in Australia, insieme con Lily, la sua figlia adottiva. Ma, quando un membro del suo team lo contatta per avvertirlo di un pericolo imminente, West capisce subito che superare le Sette Prove è stato soltanto l’inizio: il mondo ha ancora bisogno di lui e dei suoi fidati compagni. Questa volta la missione consiste nell’individuare sei leggendari diamanti – i Pilastri – e incastonarli nelle altrettanto leggendarie Sei Pietre Sacre: soltanto così sarà possibile contrastare un’immensa fonte di energia che finirebbe per distruggere completamente l’umanità. Nel breve arco di nove giorni, il gruppo di West dovrà decifrare l’enigma di Stonehenge e violare le camere segrete delle piramidi, sopravvivere a un inseguimento sulle montagne della Cina e a una tribù cannibale in Congo…Una sfida che viene dal passato. Una calamità inimmaginabile. Un’avventura come solo Matthew Reilly poteva scrivere.

- La nave d'oro, di Marco Buticchi

Link: https://amzn.to/3DyTN7q

Trama: Roma, 68 dopo Cristo. Chi fu davvero Nerone? Era così spietato come lo descrissero gli storici? E quando morì, scomparve lui o invece uno dei sosia che utilizzava nelle più svariate occasioni? Giappone, 1331. Una figura sembra emergere dalle nebbie del mito: è quella di Hito Humarawa, un ex samurai che ha posto la sua spada al servizio di uno spregiudicato mercante veneziano. Favignana, 2001. Durante una serie d'immersioni, l'ammiraglio Grandi rinviene alcuni reperti che sembrano appartenere a un'antica nave d'oro, misteriosamente naufragata con tutti i suoi segreti... È possibile che qualcosa possa unire questi fili così lontani e slegati?

- Amazonia, di James Rollins

Link: https://amzn.to/3Oh9LrD

Trama: Un uomo emaciato e coperto di piaghe esce dalla giungla amazzonica e si accascia, morendo poco dopo. Quell'uomo faceva parte di una spedizione scientifica svanita nel nulla. La CIA lo identifica come Gerald Clark, ex agente delle Forze Speciali, la cui carriera era stata stroncata dalla perdita di un braccio durante una missione in Iraq. Adesso, però, Clark ha entrambe le braccia. Per spiegare un evento così sconvolgente, il governo organizza una nuova missione per seguire l'itinerario della prima spedizione che sembra condurre al villaggio di una leggendaria tribù. Ma il cuore della giungla nasconde un segreto inviolabile, che genera paura, follia e... morte.

- Atlantide, di Clive Cussler

Link: https://amzn.to/3O9KTlI

Trama: Antartide, settembre 1858. Alla baleniera Paloverde, prigioniera in una trappola di ghiaccio, rimane l’unica speranza di una fuggevole (e lontana) primavera che le consenta di riprendere la strada di casa. Ma il suo equipaggio scopre ben presto che lo sconfinato deserto bianco nasconde un segreto sconcertante: racchiuso da oltre un secolo in uno scrigno di gelo c’è infatti un magnifico veliero, con a bordo un carico singolare di manufatti, tra cui un inquietante teschio di ossidiana nera... Colorado, marzo 2001. L’epoca della corsa all’oro appartiene ormai alla storia, ma non per l’intraprendente Luis Marquez, che ha fatto la sua fortuna strappando alle miniere abbandonate quei cristalli considerati in passato privi di valore e da cui oggi invece si ricavano preziosissime gemme. Ma un giorno, all’interno della miniera Paradise, Luis si ritrova in una camera dalle pareti perfettamente levigate e ricoperte di segni arcani. E al centro della camera, su un piedistallo, un teschio nero lo fissa come se volesse lanciargli una maledizione... Antartide, aprile 2001. Sono ricerche di routine, quelle che la Polar Storm, agli ordini del comandante Daniel Gillespie, sta svolgendo per conto della NUMA. Nulla di strano, quindi, se Dirk Pitt, direttore dei progetti speciali dell’agenzia, usa la nave oceanografica come base per una delle sue «esplorazioni». Molto più strana, invece, è l’improvvisa apparizione di un sottomarino che attacca la Polar Storm e riesce quasi ad affondarla. E praticamente incredibile è ciò che sostiene Gillespie: quel sottomarino misterioso è un particolare U-Boot nazista, ufficialmente dato per scomparso cinquantasei anni prima, ma, per alcuni storici, giunto fino in Argentina...

Non posso poi non citare in questa lista la serie Amelia Peabody di Elizabeth Peters, che è sì distante dai film di Indiana Jones per epoca (ma non tantissimo), tipo di protagonisti e trame... Qui siamo alla fine dell’Ottocento/primi del novecento, la protagonista è una donna molto emancipata e particolare, le trame sono quasi prettamente gialle più che d’avventura, ma la vibe, l’amore per l’archeologia veramente naturale e sviscerato, l’ironia e anche l’assurdità dei film qui ci sono tutti e in abbondanza. 

- La sfida della Mummia  (Primo libro della serie)

Link: https://amzn.to/47qWwxF

Trama: Amelia Peabody riceve una cospicua eredità e può finalmente dedicarsi alle sue grandi passioni: la storia e l'archeologia. Così parte alla volta dell'Egitto, il paese che più la affascina. A Roma, si imbatte in una giovane in disgrazia, Evelyn, che è appena stata abbandonata dall'uomo che amava. Amelia prende a cuore la sorte della ragazza, la porta con sé in Egitto dove incontrano due fratelli archeologi, impegnati negli scavi di alcune tombe egizie. Tra i quattro si instaura subito un burrascoso rapporto di odio e amore, ma il destino sembra obbligarli a incontrarsi. Infatti, dopo essersi separati al Cairo, si ritrovano in un sito archeologico sulle rive del Nilo dove di notte appare la mummia di un sacerdote...

Probabilmente il modo più sicuroper ritrovare nei libri il vero Indiana Jones è leggere i suoi romanzi canonici originali. Infatti nel caso non lo sapeste esistono dei romanzi ufficiali di Indiana Jones, e alcuni di essi, non tutti, sono stati pubblicati anche in Italia, tre dalla Granata Press, tre da Sperling & Kupfer ed uno da Editrice Nord.

Questi 5, riprendono e romanzano le sceneggiature dei film.

I predatori dell'arca perduta (1981), di Campbell Black

Indiana Jones e il tempio maledetto (1984), di James Kahn

Indiana Jones e l'ultima crociata (1989), di Rob MacGregor

Indiana Jones (2008) - volume che raccoglie i primi tre titoli della serie

Indiana Jones e il regno del teschio di cristallo (2008), di James Rollins

Ma questi 3 invece sono storie originali:

Indiana Jones: Pericolo a Delfi (1992) – Scritto da Rob MacGregor

Link: https://amzn.to/3OdRUlC

Trama: Per sedici secoli l'Ordine della Pizia ha atteso il ritorno dell'oracolo del sapere mistico di Delfi. Un terremoto annuncia il suo ritorno, mettendo allo scoperto la terra sotto le rovine. Dorian Belecamus, una seducente professoressa di archeologia, capisce che è possibile fare ben più che scavare nel passato. Ha l'occasione di prendere in mano le redini del futuro del suo paese... diventando l'oracolo di Delfi. E ha trovato l'uomo che l'aiuterà: è impetuoso, è avventato, è schiavo del suo incantesimo. Il suo nome: Indiana Jones...

Indiana Jones: La danza dei giganti (1992) – Scritto da Rob MacGregor

Link: https://amzn.to/3O9sbL1

Trama: Indiana Jones si è insediato sulla cattedra del Dipartimento di Archeologia dell'Università di Londra. Deirdre, la sua più graziosa studentessa, sostiene di avere scoperto, in un rotolo dorato, la prova dell'esistenza di Merlino, il mago del mito e della leggenda. Indy è affascinato dall'ipotesi... e da Deirdre. Altrettanto interessato è Adrian Powell, intenzionato a riportare in auge l'antico ordine dei Druidi, i cui segreti gli spianeranno la strada verso la conquista del mondo. Per prima cosa deve mettere le mani sul rotolo... ed è pronto a uccidere pur di riuscirci.

Indiana Jones: I sette veli (1993) – Scritto da Rob MacGregor

Link: https://amzn.to/3Yee2kf

Trama: Tornato a  New York dopo degli scavi, Indiana Jones viene a sapere dei recentemente riscoperti scritti del Colonello Percy Fawcett, che rivelerebbero l’esistenza di una città perduta nella giungla brasiliana abitata da discendenti dei druidi.

Per concludere mi permetto di fare due onorevoli menzioni di due classici della letteratura d’avventura che sono a modo l’oro in vibe con Indiana Jones, non tanto nelle trame o nel loro fattore fantastico, ma nei personaggi e nell’atmosfera:

- Il mondo perduto, di Arthur Conan Doyle

Trama: Il geniale Professor Challenger si trova impegnato in un'impresa ai limiti delle possibilità umane, in compagnia di un altro scienziato, di un giornalista e di un nobile sportsman. Prigionieri in un mondo davvero perduto, un'isola geologica sopravvissuta misteriosamente nel cuore della giungla amazzonica, i protagonisti si imbatteranno in fantastiche avventure tra dinosauri, pterodattili, iguanodonti e uomini scimmia.                    

- Viaggio al centro della terra, di Jules Verne

Trama: narra la mirabolante spedizione nelle viscere del mondo intrapresa dal professor Otto Lidenbrock, scienziato noto in tutta la Germania, dal nipote Axel e da Hans, la guida che li accompagnerà per l'intera durata dell'avventura. All'origine di tutto quanto, la scoperta da parte dello scienziato di una vecchia pergamena in cui, in linguaggio cifrato, venivano fornite precise indicazioni per raggiungere il centro della Terra attraverso l'entrata posta in un vulcano islandese.

[sharpestasp]

Crocodile on the Sandbank

chapter 5

And Amelia takes on Emerson's work, because of course this is how it will begin.

A bit of restoration, a bit of tomb poking.

And now we have strange happenings.

Meant to imply a mummy has been a-walking. But we already know, don't we, that we've met our villains?