The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog

I found this one more gripping but less amusing than usual. The mystery element is as usual contrived and over-complicated, but at least I didn't find it tedious this time.

The story is set mostly in Egypt, but Ramses and Nefret have been left behind in England with Walter and Evelyn, so for amusement we mostly have to rely on the occasional but verbose letters from Ramses, bringing his parents up to date on events back home.

The Master Criminal Sethos (whom I dislike) returns in this story, but he remains either offstage or well disguised throughout, so at least we don't have to deal with him in his own persona.

After a blow to the head, Emerson suffers from amnesia for a large part of the story, forgetting his marriage to Amelia, so for a while they're back to dealing with each other as near-strangers again.

By this point, the seventh book in the series, I would assume anybody reading these books is already a fan, and this one will not disappoint fans.

The characters live up to their usual lovability, there are more ridiculous devices typical of the genre, and the plot and mystery are cleanly thought out, more so than some of the previous books.

I have read some reviews where people seem to think you can read these books as stand-alones or out of order. I have no idea why the publisher would recommend that. Read them in order. Or don't read them.

Also, if you didn't like the mystery, length, characters, genre, or plot of the first ones in the series, you won't like this one either. They are very formulaic and more than anything offer escapism. You aren't supposed to find them believable or be stunned by the genius of the mystery. The characters and setting carry these books, and only if you are a fan of the romantic adventure genre.