Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters: Book Review

Title: Seeing a Large Cat
Author: Elizabeth Peters
Series: Amelia Peabody
Series Number: 9
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery, Humor
Audience: Adult

My Review:

The ninth entry in the Amelia Peabody series is another solid mystery with the usual delightful characters against the backdrop of Egyptian archaeology in its most famous heyday. The author introduced some memorable new characters who I either appropriately loved or loathed, as intended.

One of the characters I loved comes to us through a small sub-plot that felt unnecessary though. The only point I could see was to provide a bit of whimsy appropriate to the time period and to bring this character to the cast. I feel sure we’ll see more of her in future instalments.

With this sub-plot, it did feel like there was a bit too much going on, though Amelia handles it all capably, as she always does, and it wasn’t confusing. It was just a bit…much.

The younger generation of Ramses, Nefret, and David get a chance to share their own side of the story for the first time here. I really liked seeing what they were up to through their own eyes. The plot construct that introduced their narrative was a bit clumsy to me but I overlooked it.

Amelia is always far ahead of her time in her insistence on being treated as an equal partner to Emerson, but I really liked this zinger she came out with when speaking of a new acquaintance: “I do not doubt he has a low opinion of women too. Gallantry is often a cloak for contempt.”

I’ve liked some books in this series more than others but I consistently recommend it. I love the characters and the setting and there’s really not anything more that I ask from my light reading.

Synopsis from GoodReads:

No villain is safe in 1903 Egypt as feisty archaeologist Amelia Peabody embarks on her ninth adventure. According to an ancient Egyptian papyrus, dreaming of a large cat means good luck. And that’s just what Amelia Peabody could use, as her growing family matures in the new century. What’s more, Amelia’s dashing husband Emerson has received a mysterious warning not to enter the Valley of the Kings. To Emerson’s annoyance, Amelia’s meddling distracts her attention as she exposes a fraudulent spiritualist, saves a marriage, and plays matchmaker. But diabolical forces are at work when an unknown tomb reveals a shocking murder — and the Peabody family dodges bullets from an assassin determined to put an end to their discoveries.

Similar Books:

If you liked Seeing a Large Cat, you might also like my reviews of

• Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1) by Elizabeth Peters
• The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody #2) by Elizabeth Peters
• The Beekeeper’s Apprentice (Mary Russell #1) by Laurie R. King

Reading Challenge:

Purchase:

Buy Seeing a Large Cat from Malaprop’s Bookstore in beautiful Asheville, NC or

---