The Falcon at the Portal

In this eleventh installment of the Amelia Peabody series, the Peabody family arrives in Egypt for the 1911 archaeological season, only to find themselves entangled in a web of accusations. David, a close friend of Amelia’s son Ramses, is charged with selling ancient artifacts, prompting the family to investigate the truth. As they work to clear his name, the discovery of an American body in their excavation shaft escalates the situation into a dangerous mystery involving drug dealing, moral misconduct, and a mysterious child who threatens to fracture the family unit.

Peters blends the procedural elements of a detective story with the rich historical texture of early 20th-century Egypt. The narrative captures the rising tensions of Egyptian nationalism and the complex social dynamics of the expatriate community. Amelia’s sharp deductive reasoning is tested not only by the crime itself but by the personal stakes involved, as she navigates a plot where bullets are literally flying at her. The book maintains the series’ characteristic balance of intellectual puzzle-solving, familial warmth, and period detail.

Description adapted from Open Library ↗.