If you didn't know there was such a thing as history mystery day, you're not alone! But I think the genre is a worthy recipient of its own day. :)
September 29th was chosen in honor of Elizabeth Peters of the popular Amelia Peabody series. If you love Egyptian themed mysteries with an archaeological setting, these books are for you.
Here's a link to the first book called Crocodile on the Sandbank (book 1 of 20)
So who is Elizabeth Peters, anyway? Here's what the internet has to say.
- Elizabeth Peters, the pen name of Barbara Mertz, was a renowned American author best known for her historical mystery series featuring the Victorian-era Egyptologist Amelia Peabody. Born on July 2, 1927, she had a passion for archaeology and history, which heavily influenced her writing.
- The Amelia Peabody series, which began with "Crocodile on the Sandbank" in 1975, follows the adventures of Amelia, a strong-willed, unconventional woman who travels to Egypt during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The series is celebrated for its witty prose, rich historical detail, and engaging characters, blending mystery with humor and romance.
- a master's degree in 1950, and a PhD in Egyptology in 1952. She authored two books on ancient Egypt, Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs (1964; rev. ed. 2007) and Red Land, Black Land (1966; rev. ed. 2008) (both of which have been continuously in print since first publication).
- Mertz was also a feminist, a topic that frequently arose in her fiction, and in her professional life. Mertz founded "Malice Domestic", a Washington-based organization for women mystery writers, "because she thought men were getting all the prizes."She also started a scholarship for women writers.
A smart cookie
The cat, lol. I love that she chose this picture for promotion. There are several photos of her with a beloved cat. A woman after my own heart!
To celebrate, I've joined several other fab history mystery authors in a joint giveaway. Who doesn't love free books! Check out this link and stock up your virtual shelves!
https://books.bookfunnel.com/hmdfreebooks/whoz2zgg8k
Finally, I've got a new Ginger Gold Mystery up for preorder.
Ginger Gold and her husband, Chief Inspector Basil Reed, enjoy a night out at the popular jazz club, the Cave of Harmony, run by the captivating Elsa Lancaster—a name well-known in London’s society pages in 1928. But after an evening of dancing and celebration, the trumpet player plays a sour note and drops dead. What initially seems like a sudden, natural death soon turns sinister. A murderer is on the loose, and the Cave of Harmony is anything but harmonious.
With Ginger’s sister-in-law, Felicia, and her intrepid assistant, Magna Jones by her side, can they catch the killer before another musician hits a deadly note?
1 comment
I’ve been an avid reader of Barbara Mertz/Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels for over 40 years. My mother introduced me to Ms. Peter’s with Crocodile on the Sandbank and I feel in love. Along with Ms. Mertz, my mother and I shared her passion for ancient Egypt prompting us to devour eagerly the adventures of Emilia, Emerson and Ramses. I’ve read every book she ever penned at least once finding each time as equally enjoyable as the first.
Once, I was lucky enough to hear her speak in Dallas, Texas on her great passion, Egyptology. Thoroughly interesting! A brilliant woman!