This wonderful book by Elizabeth Peters (March, 2005)has latched me back into the Amelia Peabody series!

     After The Falcon on the Portal, I swore off Elizabeth Peters for several years.  I was deeply hurt by the disastrous marriage of Nefret to Geoffery, when she and Ramses were so clearly supposed to be together! (This is remedied in He Shall Thunder in the Sky, which follows F on the P)
      At any rate, I spotted a hardback copy of Serpent on www.half.com at a very reasonable price.  I found that Nefret and Ramses had twins, Amelia and Everson were still red-hot lovers, the intriguing Sethos was alive in spite of his "death" in "He Shall Thunder." A dramatic widow shows up and leaves with the Emersons a small golden statuette, supposedly responsible for killing her husband.  She hopes the Professor will perfrom one of his famous exorcisms.

     In this episode of the Emersons' archeological and mystery solving adventures, we find more development in Ramses' character as he ages. After the climax of the book, there is yet another murderous confrontation with another enemy, and Amelia nearly loses her life.  The affection between her and Ramses is well-told and touching.  (Can you tell that Peters has made me care about her characters?)

     After reading this book, I had to backtrack and read all in between. (Lord of the Silent, The Golden One, Children of the Storm)  Every  single one was well worth the time.  My 21 year old daughter devours these as well, so it's safe to say that the Amelia Peaobody series transcends age barriers. 

     It's remarkable that Crocadile on the Sandbank first appeared in 1975.  I have ordered the next two books as well in the series. Anyone seeking great summer reading, give these a look!