Reading in Reykjavík

Title: Death of an Effendi Series detective: Gareth Owen, head of Cairo's Political CID No. in series: 12 Year of publication: 1999 Type of mystery: Murder, political intrigue, historical Type of investigator: Police Setting & time: Cairo, Egypt; 1909 Story: Owen is sent to keep an eye on a Russian businessman during a conference, but the man is short during a bird hunt and Owen suspects it is murder and not an accidental shooting. But proving it is another matter, especially when a man who may possibly have important information is being kept out of reach. It takes some clever manoeuvring to get to him, and what is revealed is a curious story of idealism, business and politics, but it it may be a small thing for Owen compared with the wrath of his girlfriend when one of the witnesses turns out to be a beautiful woman. Review: Pearce writes with a wonderfully light and airy touch, and his characters are three dimensional and human. He manages to tell a light-hearted stor...

I read three of Peters’ books: two non-series romantic mysteries, and the first book in the Amelia Peabody historical mystery series. I think I have got a pretty good sampling of her work. Peters also writes suspense stories under the name of Barbara Michaels, and I have one of those books in my TBR stash that I plan on reviewing. Title: Crocodile on the Sandbank No. in series: 1 Series detective: Amelia Peabody Year of publication: 1975 Availability: In print Type of mystery: Supernatural (?) Type of investigator: Amateur Setting & time: (mostly) Egypt, 1880’s Some themes: Archaeology, stalking, mummies, adventure, feminism, romance Story: Amelia Peabody, a spinster in her early 30’s, is left a considerable fortune by her father and decides to go on a Grand Tour of Europe and Egypt. In Italy she rescues a young, destitute English lady, Evelyn, who has been “ruined” (loss of sexual innocence without the blessings of marriage was a big deal for women in those days) and cru...