The Hippopotamus Pool

Desert Derring-Do

This is the kind of tale that breaks down the ratings system. If you are looking for a page-turning, breathless thriller, you've come to the wrong place. If you are attracted by the possibility of enriching your penchant for Egyptology, you will not find this book compelling.
But. If you like your mysteries with a side of grin, this is the book for you. Amelia Peabody Emerson is an intrepid, sexy, brilliant, Victorian feminist who adores her equally brilliant and good looking husband. She gently nudges her son Ramses into proper behavior. Ramses is such a precocious lad that he can become annoying. Yes he is precocious enough to understand that and try to contain himself when it counts. There's a beautiful step daughter who is tinged with mystery. The family battles evil, uncovers lost burial sites, faces danger and rescues one another. But the fun of the book is peeking inside the brain of the undaunted Peabody, as her husband addresses her. As a devoted Rex Stout fan, I'm not ready to hand Peabody Archie Goodwin's crown in he kingdom of witty narrators. But Amelia Peabody Emerson is more than pleasant company.

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

Dive In - to the Hippopotamus Pool

This is a very good installment in Elizabeth Peters' Amelia series. Barbara Rosenblat has become a "must" for me; her reading makes these Audible versions better than the hardcopy reading experience.

Yes, these books can be described as "light reading". But Elizabeth Peters is a pen name for Barbara Mertz, who has a Ph.D. in Egyptology. She knows her stuff and obviously takes delight in presenting these characters throughout the series. She and Barbara Rosenblat are an irresistible combination! You really cannot go wrong with this one.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

One of the Very Good Ones in the Series

I have enjoyed the Amelia Peabody books (I have listened to 1 though 8 so far) and enjoyed them all, but some are a little better than others. This is one of the good ones. Amelia, Emerson, Walter, Evelyn, Ramses and Nefta all end up in Egypt and a new character, a young boy named David, is introduced. I know we will see David again. Ramses and Nefta have sort of a love/hate relationship (they are competitive and Ramses is over protective) that is fun to watch develop. She can hold her on against Ramses - however Ramses remains my favorite character in the series. I also like the two cats, but particularly the female cat. She plays a big role in this book.

In Hippopotomus Pool, the reporter, Kevin from London, shows up in Egypt - mainly because the Emersons end up with a really good dig site near Luxor. There friend Cyrus, from previous books, lives in Luxor in the "castle". There are some really bad "guys" but it is hard to tell which people they are until the end. You don't know who the Emerson's can trust.

Excellent narration, as usual.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

A must listen

I am a long-time Audible subscriber and have listened to 100's of audiobooks but this series by Elizabeth Peters, featuring Amelia Peabody Emerson, her husband Radcliffe Emerson and their inimitable son Ramses, is my favorite of all time. Though I have read the hard copy series, the incredible narration by Barbara Roseblat makes the audible version superior. She IS Amelia Peabody, and Emerson, and Ramses, etc, etc. Her characterization is so superb that you can unhesitatingly identify the characters. The entire series is wonderfully funny, suspenseful at times and above all, you will fall in love with the Emerson family and not be able to wait for the next book to continue their joyful romp through life. I promise you that if you have not read this series, you are in for a wonderful treat.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Family entertainment

It is great to read a book that can be overheard. Excellent story. Excellent narrator. Thank you! Ok all right

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Hippopotamus Pool

Another amazing book by Elizabeth Peters! I was so happy to see this book come to audible.com, as I had missed it on my way through the rest of Amelia Peabody series, so when it was released here I had to listen to this series again (4th time through), and this was the crucial missing book! Ms. Peters is an amazing author who brings Egypt to life! I find myself watching anything on the television that has anything to do with egyptology, and I find that she is incredibly accurate in the historic and technical parts of her books. The humor and mystery in this, and in fact all of her books is just down right wonderful. I find myself wishing and hoping for the next book in the series! This book can, as all of her books, be read as a stand alone, or in the series format. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Amelia Peabody and Barbara Rosenblat, None better

Since this is the 5th or 6th time I've read this series, you can expect a favorable review. Barbara Rosenblat's reading of this series has made the Peabody-Emerson family old friends, and I doubt I'll ever find d a series that compares. The characters are quirky unique, and I still laugh out loud listening to the dialogue between them and other historical characters Peters includes in the series. These books are fun, interesting, adventurous, and educational escapes. I was saddened by Barbara Mertzs (Elizabeth Peters) passing, but I hear there'll be a new posthumous publication this year. Here's hoping.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!

These books have been just beautiful escapist fiction. I love them. They are well read and well paced. Thank you

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love this story!

Crime, crazy family members and a complicated twisting plot! Amelia at her finest! Nefret and Rameses add an interesting angle!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!

What did you love best about The Hippopotamus Pool?

Barbara Rosenblatt's narration of the Amelia Peabody series really brings the stories to life. I loved reading the books, but hearing Ms. Rosenblatt's performance adds a dimension. She is superb.

What did you like best about this story?

The whole series (of which this is about #8) begins in the late 1880s and goes forward to the 1920s - a totally fascinating period. In amongst the fun, one learns quite a bit about Egyptology and about the Middle East of the time (explaining some of the problems of today). The descriptions are vivid, the characters well-developed over the series, and the plots are fun.

What does Barbara Rosenblat bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her interpretation and narration is the wonderful frosting on a terrific book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A fun, rip-roaring yarn!

Any additional comments?

Although each book is entertaining on its own, I recommend reading / listening to the series from the beginning to get the full flavor. That way you don't miss the development of the characters and their relationships over the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful