Laughter of Dead Kings: The Sixth Vicky Bliss Mystery

I read the first books in the Vicky Bliss series years ago and have chuckled and cheered my way through them several times since. When I heard that there was a final book, I couldn't wait to read it.Well, it was worth the wait! Besides Vicky, Schmidt and John, Feisal of "Last Train to Memphis" makes an appearance as do other characters from previous books. Even the author herself has a brief scene.There is a tie in with the Amelia Peabody books that rounds out the end of both series.Do yourself a favor and read your way through the Elizabeth Peters books as soon as possible!!

What a fun, delightful book!! Vintage Elizabeth Peters in what is her 6fh and last Vicky Bliss book. I had read earlier books years ago and now must go back and get reacquainted with them. Can be read as a stand alone volume but knowing the primary characters from earlier volumes helps in understanding them. I can't remember if there was prior reference to John Smythe's relationship to the characters of another Peters' series of books, ie Amelia Peabody and her family. Added another level of enjoyment to the mystery. The book is characteristically well written and edited with many twists, turns and surprises. Humor pervades throughout and the ending does come as a surprise. Unrestricted recommendation!!

I have listened to a number of Elizabeth Peters' novels, all superbly narrated by Barbara Rosenblat, and read the rest. I am especially fond of the Vicky Bliss series (though I've greatly enjoyed the Amelia Peabody series too), and I find that when I read one of the books, it's Ms. Rosenblat's voice I'm hearing in my head--I absolutely love what she does with the characters' voices, ESPECIALLY Schmidt's (maybe that's due in part to my having been a German major in college). At any rate, I was overjoyed when I heard that there was to be another Vicky Bliss book, and--as always--Ms. Peters did not disappoint. In fact, it wasn't the laughter of dead kings I was hearing throughout the book: it was the chortling of the author herself that I kept imagining I could hear. She obviously had a great time writing it, and it shows. She tied up all the loose ends (even to linking the Amelia Peabody books with the Vicky Bliss series) in a way that made it bearable to think that this might really be the last book, after all (well, almost bearable...). In a nutshell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and expect to listen to it again and again. I do think it helps to be familiar with both series before reading this one; except for that one caveat, I would highly recommend this book to one and all as an extremely entertaining read.

'Laughter of Dead Kings' is worthy entry into the Vicky Bliss series. In the preface, the author writes about the 'current now', which inserts the central character into the time the book was published without aging her. Readers will notice differences in the events and technology within the series that began in the early 1970s. However, it is easy to pick up again from 'Night Train from Memphis' and just enjoy a good story told. This time John must clear himself of the blame for the theft in broad daylight of a famous Egyptian mummy. Vicky and Schmidt lend a hand and murder and danger insue. It is a good novel, not as witty as the others and the bad guys were easier to identify, but still an entertaining read. There is a sense that this is the last book on Vicky Bliss. For those who have read all the Amelia Peabody books, look out for references to the lady archaeologist, answers to there relevance to Sir John and some delightful hints that there may be one or more books about the famous Emersons in the future.

I loved this book. I have been a fan of Vicky/John and Schmidt since the beginning. As a long, long time fan of MPM books, this was a satisfying return to much loved characters. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting amateur sleuth Vicky's world.The mystery and story line were not as in depth or detailed as previous vicky books, but it was still a far better read than most.I thank Ms Mertz for penning another mysterious escapade across Egypt and a happy ending for 2 of my very favorite fictional characters.Sadly, this is probably the last in series, but it did wrap up a couple of 14 year loose ends nicely. And if by some chance there's another book in the future, it too will be on my auto-buy list.I highly recommend this author, all her books are well written, with excellent attention to background information and pertinent trivia.I have every Vicky Bliss and Amelia Peabody book on my keeper shelf.

The Laughter of Dead Kings is the 5th in the Vickie Bliss series. Vickie is a modern woman who knows her own mind but gets involved in quirky mysteries and friends. If you like a fun read with some suspense and mystery, this series, and author, is for you.In addition to Vickie Bliss, Ms. Peters has a heroine by the name of Amelia Peabody who is a true character in every sense of the word. If you like this book, I think you will enjoy the Amelia Peabody series even more. This series start in the late 1800's in Egypt and continues for many years with the escapades of Amelia and her family. I think there are more than 15 of these books and all fun to read.Ms. Peters is a very prolific writer and has numerous other books which are not part of a series. I recommend all of them.

The Vicky Bliss series finale is another wild adventure which begins with the theft of a famous mummy, includes some revaluations about important characters, and concludes with some lovely surprises for fans of the Amelia books!

I am so sad that I only discovered EP very recently. Sad, because I would have loved to to tell her how her books have helped me endure a period of very bad health. I have read all of the AP & VB series & quite honestly, feel somewhat lost now.As to this book in particular, I do not understand the comments criticising EP for inserting herself into the story. Why not? I thought it was a good way to tie in to the AP series with the 'lost journals'. I adore Schmidt & he is drawn so very well. I absolutely love John, though like Vicky, I would say that on first sight he is not my type. Must be the element of danger, among other attributes! Another thing I noticed is EP has Vicki speaking American English, but John speaks British English. Quite clever I thought, because so many US authors do not take the time nor effort to make their characters feasible to those of us who do not speak USEnglish.Vicki herself is a strong minded young woman. Mostly I agree with what she does, certainly I do not find her behaviour totally unbelievable. After all, she is the heroine & we are reading fiction.Forgot to say how much I laughed at the Country music references in the last 2 books. Very funny indeed. I am a person of catholic taste, with Country music being somewhat hidden by my love of classical music & opera!

An enjoyable read if you have read the previous books and want to have all the loose ends tied up. I'd saved it up to read while I was on a Nile cruise, so it was interesting to identify all the locations. However the ending was a bit weak, and I personally didn't like the far-fetched link with Amelia Peabody. I agree with other reviewers that it seemed silly to introduce the author as one of the characters, although I guess lots of writers fall in love with their own creations! Trojan Gold and Night Train to Memphis were much better.

I've been waiting for a new Vicky Bliss adventure for a long time - and the wait was worth it. The new book isn't perfect but it is good fun, and the characters are their old familiar selves (almost! - I think I preferred 'John Smith' in his criminal days). I particularly liked the piece at the beginning where Ms Peters urges readers not to get too hung up on chronology, and reminds us that in the world of fiction anything is possible. I just wish I had Vicky's ability to age only a few years in a 'real' time period of about 35 years since the first book! Mind you, I do think the device of the author turning up in her own book is a bit twee (even if she's never named). Makes an interesting tie in to the Amelia Peabody books tho' - do I sense some new egyptian adventures coming on?

I've enjoyed all of the Vicky Bliss novels, and this was a very satisfying way to round off the series - with a few revelations, a good story with several nods back to previous novels (although not so many that if you were coming to the series for the first time you'd be lost - although saying that these work best in order) and a satisfying pay-off for those who've also read the Amelia Peabody series (if you haven't, why not?!). Oh and the mystery isn't half bad either!

This book by Elizabeth Peters was described as being an Amelia Peabody story. It is NOT. It is Vicky Bliss, and I don't like the Vicky Bliss stories. It has therefore been described inaccurately, and is no use to me. I am very disappointed.