Perhaps Best of Series

I made the mistake of first listening to the abridged version of FALCON. Some books can be abridged well, but not this one. Every line is full of characterization, or humor, or poignancy -- I cannot recommend the unabridged version, narrated by Barbara Rosenblatt enough.

FALCON is part of Peters' series of Amelia Peabody mysteries, and contains everything readers come to expect--another dead body, another shirt ruined, delightful narration, and the incredible character of Amelia herself, who manages to both exemplify and transcend Victorian femininity. We have all the wonderful secondary characters (Cyrus & wife, David, Lia, Selim, Kadija, etc.) and an actual pyramid (though a sad pyramid it is) for Amelia and her gruff husband Emerson to explore--in an archeologically sound manner, of course. We even get a glimpse of their English home at the start (along with an important wedding) and a forgery plot implicating someone near and dear to their hearts.

But what makes FALCON stand out more than (arguably) any other book in the series is the depth of the characterization. Yes, these are the same Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, and Nefret. But the clarity with which each is drawn, from their body language to their vocal inflections (thanks both to Peters and to narrator Rosenblatt) is absolute magic. The Emerson family has more personal stake in this mystery than ever before--because of the implications of the forgery, and because the murder victim is someone we get to know and, if not like, with whom we sympathize. Add to that a crescendo to the building romantic subplot between Amelia's genius son Ramses (it's a nickname) and her adopted daughter Nefret (it's Egyptian), and the fact that her horrible nephew Percy gets in some wonderfully low blows against the family's happiness, and FALCON ends up working not only as a mystery but as the best of family dramas.

Give it a shot.

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22 people found this helpful

Love Amelia!

I listen to these books all the time. They never grow old, and even after all these years I'm still finding new layers. Elizabeth Peters ( Barbara Mertz) was an underrated writer.

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7 people found this helpful

Fabulous!

This is one of my favorite of the series -- as heartbreaking as it is at times! Ramses truly becomes the stoic hero here -- gallant to a fault. I actually listened to this years ago on tape, and have since had to go back and listen to the whole series! This book hooked me!

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6 people found this helpful

one of Peters' best yet!

what could be more delightful for a summer listen? Great plot with lots of twists and turns, leaps ahead in the Emmerson family story itself, Amelia's hilarious view of it all and read by the incomparable B. Rosenblat. Terrific!

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5 people found this helpful

Dependably Enjoyable

This series is a favorite. The history is reliable, the style is authentic, and the plots are engaging. The the characters are likable and amusing; their development and their changing relationships pique interest in the ongoing saga.
A great plus in the audio versions is the amazing Barbara Rosenblat, who gives each character a distinctive and convincing voice.

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4 people found this helpful

Her books grow better and better!

The plot of this book is intricate and twined in very surprising twists. Don’t miss it!

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3 people found this helpful

Worst in the series to date.

Any additional comments?

I used to love this series, It made me laugh out loud, while enjoying the fairly good mysteries. But, the affectionately satirical tone is gone, the mysteries have become perfunctory, the plotting tedious, and the soap opera - well - a soap opera. Half way through this one, I realized almost nothing had happened and almost quit. The pace picked up a bit, but the mood was a bouncing ball. Very annoying. None is helped by Barbara Rosenblatt's plodding reading. I'm not sure she could read any slower.

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3 people found this helpful

Love all the Amelia Peabody Emerson books

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The characters are strong, smart, and even sexy. The world they inhabit is interesting too.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Falcon at the Portal?

I am really enjoying the Ramses/Nefret story arch.

What about Barbara Rosenblat’s performance did you like?

Terrific read in every way. Very dramatic, nuanced, and in touch with the essence of the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I always laugh.

Any additional comments?

I finish one and start another. The exploits of the Emerson family, and their friends and foes, are truly delightful, intriguing and enlightening.

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3 people found this helpful

Read this series

Thank me later. Barbara Rosenblat is superb as usual. If you like a dash of tortured romance in your mystery, this is the book for you.

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3 people found this helpful

The Most Infuriating And Fascinating Installment

Talk about an emotional rollercoaster. I give this one the highest rating of any in the series, much as it maddened me the first time I listened to it. I would not recommend starting this one without having the next (He Shall Thunder in the Sky) on hand; these two collectively mark the high point of the series for me. Just when you think you're getting a payoff several books in the making, Elizabeth Peters turns the tables again.

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2 people found this helpful