Book Review - Elizabeth Peters' The Hippopotamus Pool
The Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 1996
Format: Paperback, 430Pages
Rating: ★★
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Amelia's whole family is off to Egypt. Instead of having Nefret and Ramses out of sight, but not out of mind, back in England, Emerson and Amelia have decided that it would be safest to keep them in view at all times. Plus, Evelyn and Walter are having some problems after a miscarriage and Amelia doesn't want to add to their stress by leaving her too trying children with them. This season in Egypt Emerson hopes to find what he has longed dreamed of, an untouched tomb. When they arrive in Cairo and are approached by a mysterious stranger who shows them a golden scarab ring with the cartouche of the High Priest of Queen Tetisheri whom he has sworn to protect it seems that Emerson's dreams are within reach. The man offers to lead them to the lost tomb of Queen Tetisheri, thus passing on his sacred duty to Emerson, but the man disappears. What's clear is that there are several mysterious factions interested in the lost tomb of Queen Tetisheri and the Emersons don't know who they can trust. And one thing is very clear, this won't be a peaceful season because they are not along in what they seek. This leads to Emerson becoming even more secretive and jumpy knowing that his every move is being watched as the thieves plan to either follow Emerson and loot his discovery, or hopefully find the cache before him and make off with the riches, either way using his expertise for their own gain. Soon their safety is threatened as there are attacks on the Dahabeeyah. A young forger, who happens to be related to Emerson's foreman, Abdullah, is also in danger... if he isn't part of the crime syndicate. Before long children have been kidnapped and things look grim. But Amelia plans to set everything to right, Evelyn and Walter too if she has her way.
The truth is, I really need to start writing these reviews of Elizabeth Peters's books about five minutes after I finish or I won't be able to separate the current book from any of the others. Unless they are wicked awesome, a category which some of the books fall into, or something memorable happens, ie, they end up trapped with an isolated yet still thriving Egyptian culture hidden away from the rest of the world, then they all blend together. Though I can't remember most of the book, I can say that they went back to Egypt, Emerson and Amelia had a fight and amorously made up. Ramses got into trouble and his lovely cat proved invaluable. They made it to the dig site and clashed with the natives. Amelia worried about Emerson's safety, justifiably. They made a big discovery, the bad guys got away to fight the Emersons another day, the end. Oh, and Emerson and Amelia lamented the state of archaeology. Now this description would work for nearly every book so far. But that doesn't matter because they are a comfort read. Knowing approximately what will happen and that it will all turn out alright is the key to comfort reading. Every once in awhile you need to curl up and be alone with your fictional friends. No matter how irascible or how much Amelia waxes about Emerson's physique or how many times Ramses or Nefret are in danger or kidnapped, I still miss them and want to visit with them after some time apart. This need usually happens when it is winter. There's something about escaping the endless snow and lack of spring by taking a journey to Egypt, where even in the winter season it is damn hot. You can see why the British loved Egyptology. The excavation season coincided perfectly with crappy weather. In fact, crappy weather might be the reasoning behind a lot of exploration. I use these books to do just that... although being an armchair traveler is a far cheaper method of adventure.
