The Falcon at the Portal

by Elizabeth Peters

Part of Amelia Peabody, book 11

First published 2000

Amelia Peabody arrives in Egypt for the 1911 archaeological season with her family. The expedition begins with celebration as David, her son Ramses' closest friend, marries Amelia's niece Lia. Joy turns to crisis when authorities accuse David of trafficking ancient artifacts. Amelia works to prove his innocence and identify the real criminal. The situation worsens when workers discover an American's corpse at the bottom of their dig site. Rumors spread about drug smuggling and scandalous behavior. A child with unknown origins appears and creates family turmoil that threatens their bonds. Amelia applies her detective skills to solve multiple mysteries while someone takes shots at her with increasing accuracy. The bullets miss by smaller margins each time.

Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, mystery, crime, archaeology

Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: amateur-sleuth, family-drama, investigation

Setting: Egypt

Period: 1911

464 pages · Mass Market Paperback · William Morrow Paperbacks

More by Elizabeth Peters

• The Laughter of Dead Kings
• A River in the Sky
• The Painted Queen
• He Shall Thunder in the Sky
• Trojan Gold
• The Camelot Caper
• Borrower of the Night
• Crocodile on the Sandbank

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