Recently, I’ve been immersed in some older books from the late 60s to the 80s, all by author Elizabeth Peters. (You may know her as Barbara Mertz or Barbara Michaels.)
Because the books I read were series sets and I rated all of them individually between 4/5 stars and 5/5 stars, I decided to present them all at once.
The first series I read were the Vicky Bliss Mysteries, books #0.5 to 6:
Book 0.5 is a prequel that does not involve Vicky Bliss. It is one of the side characters in 0.5 who makes a prominent appearance in the Vicky Bliss books 1-6.
I can’t praise these books enough. They are filled with mystery, twists, archaeology, romance, and humor. Vicky Bliss is so funny. I will really miss her saying, “Shut up, Schmidt,” all the time.
I was so sad when I finished the final Vicky Bliss book, and you might be as well. I picture myself reading them again in a few years.
You can get them here: Vicky Bliss Series.
Then I read the Jacqueline Kirby series, books #1 to 4:
While I didn’t find woman sleuth Jacqueline Kirby as endearing, I did thoroughly enjoy this series, too. Where Vicky was humorous, Jacqueline was also funny, but in a snarkier way. Jacqueline is a librarian-turned-romance author who finds herself in an assortment of precarious situations.
These books were a lot of fun, too, and I highly recommend them!
You can find them here: Jacqueline Kirby Series.
There is another series from this same author I want to read, but because there are 20 books in the set, I will probably have to wait until the end of October or beginning of November to start on them. October will be full of novels I often read that time of year (I have read Bram Stoker’s Dracula every October since I was a junior in high school). I suppose I could begin the series now and finish what I haven’t been able to read at a later time.
Anyway, the set I’m talking about is the Amelia Peabody Series. Yes, she is another woman sleuth. My favorite type of stories since reading the “Miss Marple” books by Agatha Christie while I was in middle school.
Elizabeth Peters is a pen name of Barbara Mertz. She also wrote as Barbara Michaels as well as her own name. Born and brought up in Illinois, she earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago. Mertz was named Grand Master at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986 and Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar Awards in 1998. She lived in a historic farmhouse in Frederick, western Maryland until her death.
Author’s Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Humor
Harper Collins Publishers: Elizabeth Peters
Author on Goodreads: Elizabeth Peters
Author on Amazon: Elizabeth Peters
Well, that’s about it for today, Friends! I hope you are all having a good week.
Thank you for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting. I appreciate you!
45 comments
You have amazed me once again!!!! All these books, so fantastic.
They really are soooo good. 😀
Wow! I’ve read books by Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels not knowing they were the same author, lol!
I never knew that either! I loved reading Barbara Michaels, and was surprised to know she’s Elizabeth Peters, too. 🤍🌺
The real mystery here is, how do you find the time for so much reading?????
LOL For me, the real mystery is figuring out how to sleep at night. LOL 😀 😀
Thank you for the share – honestly, do you ever sleep Kymber? Love and light Peter-James.
Look into my bloodshot eyes, Peter-James, and you will have your answer. LOLOL Seriously, I’m such an insomniac, and have been for years. I keep telling myself sleep is overrated, but that’s only because it eludes me and I need to make myself feel better. 😀 LOL
“I have read Bram Stoker’s Dracula every October since I was a junior in high school” Wow that is dedication
Thank you, Thomas. Dedication or perhaps OCD. LOL 😀
The kind of quirky mystery storie I find interesting. Remember Jessica Fletcher on TV?
Oh, yes, Jonathan, I sure do! Murder, She Wrote was a favorite in our house growing up.
She’s back on—“START TV”. a CHANNEL FEATURING FEMALE LEADING CHARACTERS. (darn caps key!)
That’s wonderful to know! Thank you! Matlock was a family favorite, too, if I remember right.
He’s on ME-TV, in our area!
Oh, I bet I have that! I will look. Thank you so much.
Sounds good!
Thanks and I will look into your recommendations and stock for reading.
Good to read your works,take care.
I hope you enjoy Elizabeth Peters as much as I have. 🙂 You take care, too.
You too good and all the best
Thanks for the reviews, Kymber. I had gotten into a couple of old series early this year too.
I didn’t know about Elizabeth Peters/pennames. Although I did read a couple she wrote as Barbara Michaels, and enjoyed them very much. Have a great rest of the week. Hugs.
Thank you so much, Teagan. Sometimes it feels comforting to read these older series. I hadn’t any idea E.P. was also Barbara Michaels until recently. And I didn’t know Barbara Michaels was a pseudonym, too. lol
I hope this week treats you well. 🤍🌺Hugs
Elizabeth Peters is fantastic. I believe she is holding your interest!!
Is she ever! lol I was planning on waiting to start her Amelia Peabody series but I couldn’t help it. I’m just finishing up book 2 now.
I like snarky women, lol. These sound like great reads, Kymber. Thanks for the recommendations.
Hi, Jacquie. I’m sorry for my late response. I’ve been a bit under the weather. I think you’d like both Jacqueline Kirby and Vicky Bliss a great deal. I was going to wait, but I couldn’t stop myself. I’m just finishing up book 2 of the Amelia Peabody series now. These take place in Victorian times and, so far, are as equally entertaining.
Thanks for a tour of these books, Kymber.
You’re welcome, John. I really enjoyed these a lot.
It is always nice when a book is a source of pleasure.
This is true. 🙂
I used to read Miss. Marple when I was younger! I used to get so lost in the female sleuth books, although mine were a little more from my generation like Sammy Keys. Also, it’s so cool that you read Bram Stoker’s Dracula every October. I love reading classic monster books in October. Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are some of my other favourites. The Invisible Man especially always has me laughing out loud.
Thank you so much. Miss Marple was so fun! I like the Poirot books, too. It sounds like I need to read Sammy Keys! I’ll be looking those up very soon even though my TBR is in danger of falling over, yet again. lol
Those old monster books are the best! I love all the ones you listed. 🤍🌺
Clearly you enjoy female sleuths, and you sold me on Peters’ series. Now to find the time! A 20-book series?? That would take me half a year! Happy Reading.
Thank you, Diana, I really do enjoy them very much. I’d forgotten how much, I guess, which is why I went on such a binge. LOL I was planning on waiting on the 20 book series but am just now finishing up book 2. I couldn’t help myself. LOL Happy reading to you, too.
Happy Reading! You’re set for a while.
That’s for sure! LOL Happy reading to you, too!
Thanks for sharing, Kymber. This is a step back in time.
Thank you so much, Jan. It sure is!
I loved Miss Marple. She was part of my youth. The movies (Miss Marple played by Margaret Rutherford) were a big hit in Europe.
I looooove the Miss Marple movies with Margaret Rutherford. I remember watching them years ago. I think there’s nothing quite so nice as curling up with a female sleuth book and a cup of tea. 😀
Yep, we get along just fine 🙂
You have me thinking about female sleuths. Do I read any? Hmm….
Hi, Jacqui! I’m sorry I’m so late in responding. I’ve been feeling under the weather. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reading female sleuth books. I was going to wait on reading the Amelia Peabody books, but I’m just finishing up book 2 of the series. I can’t seem to help myself. LOL
Such great recommendations!!🤍
Thank you so much, Antonia. I hope if you read any of them, you enjoy them as much as I did. 🤍🌺