in general Elizabeth Peters is one of the greatest writers i have ever come across. i have loved, adored and re-read just about everything she has ever written - so what happened with this book? maybe 14 years was too long to wait to continue the story; the characters are written completely differently then the previous Vicky Bliss novels. what happened to my beloved sarcastic, brilliant, prickly art historian? she was like a watered down version of Vicky Bliss. i enjoyed her and john's relationship a whole lot more when they were at odds.
the whole book was just... i don't know, it's missing something the previous books had.
there are parts that i enjoyed like Schmidt really IS a great swordsman and Vicky and John's mum not getting along but that was about it.
it seemed like it was rushed and not well planned out.

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.

Vicky, John, Schimdt and the gang are at it again. I found this a very satisfying follow up to Night Train to Memphis. Vicky and the other characters are as comical as always...I especially enjoyed Vicky's comments to the reader. Plus...the on-going romance between Vicky and John does not disappoint.

I love all of Elizabeth Peters books; especially her Amelia Peabody series which I have read several times and share with several friends. Her other characters such as Vicky Bliss are okay= however, I was a little disappointed in this book/looking forward to the next Peabody adventure. sms

When I saw there was going to be a new book in the series I dropped absolutely everything else I was doing an ran - okay drove - to pick this up as fast as I could. I devoured this in less than two nights, and it's just as delicious as all of her other books. I adore John and Vicky and I love Anton even more. He's suave, he's charming, he's a wonderful character and I only wish that Elizabeth Peters could go on writing fifty more novels. Because I'd pick them all up!

This was one of those books where time stops for a little while and nothing in the world matters as much as King Tut's stolen mummy and the fact that John has been accused of stealing it! Peters' writing hasn't grown stale, and her characters are just as fresh and fun as ever. I really recommend this sixth book in the Vicky Bliss series. For me, it was a keeper.

The book arrrived quickly, well wrapped and will be enjoyed by our entire circle of Elizabeth Peters fans!

Catherine Taylor

To have another Vicky Bliss book at last is a real treat, as is meeting again so many of the characters from the previous books in the series.

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Spoilers

However, because I've waited such a long time for this book and spent a lot of that time trying to figure out the promised connection between John and the Emersons, I suppose any possible denouement would have fallen short of my expectations. I had hoped that the connection would prove to be through Sethos (thief to thief, as it were) and couldn't help feeling disappointed when it wasn't. I also felt that both Vicky and John had less time center stage than I would have liked and that the pace of the book was less exciting than that of some of the earlier ones (Street of the Five Moons, Trojan Gold, Night Train to Memphis). But I am grateful to Elizabeth Peters for giving us this one last fling with the intrepid trio--Vicky, John, and Schmidt all have personalities so strongly drawn over time that they have become virtually real people to me.

After many years we finally have a new Vicky Bliss adventure, and it's a lot of fun. Can you believe it, someone has stolen King Tut's mummy, and John is the prime suspect. But he claims he didn't do it! Vicky, John, Schmidt and a gang of assorted others race against the clock to find the mummy, dodging bullets and trying not to end up as fresh corpses themselves.

I was very happy to hear Peters was returning to the Vicky Bliss series. Little did I realize that Vicky would be such a minor character in the story! This book was All About Schmidt, who I love, but Vicky's whole reason for being appeared to be to ask "where are we?" "when are we eating?" etc. Unlike the other books in the series, she didn't have much to do with solving the mystery. She was just dragged along and commented on things that were happening. They mystery itself was not involving. If this really is the last Bliss book, I am sad; Vicky and her gang deserve a better finale.

After having waited so many years to check in on Vicky Bliss and Sir John, I wasn't disappointed. The twist at the end was great. Just a fun book to get lost in.

In Laughter of Dead Kings, Elizabeth Peter circles the square, squares the circle, and hints at the universal connectedness of all things in the universe of her own creation. This is a wonderful spoof, a grand romp with characters whom we love as much for their imperfections as for their virtues.

Share this book with a friend, a lover (but only if he enjoys his quiche), or your mother, but do NOT share it with your mother-in-law. And remember that, in fiction, it's only the BAD who die young.

Elizabeth Peters is one of a very few authors that I will buy sight unseen. The fact that she has a new book out is good enough for me to buy it and of course, she did not disappoint.
I was delighted to see it was another Vicky Bliss book. I was sure after the last Bliss book Night Train to Memphis it was a "and they lived happily ever after" ending to the Bliss stories. But Ms Peters dug down and found another interesting plot with our favorite characters running around foiling bad guys.
I recommend it 1000%!!

'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.

You have to understand that I LOVE the Vicky Bliss books - more so than any of Elizabeth Peter's other books. That is why this book was somewhat of a disappointment--the plot was not as exciting as her previous ones, and was even somewhat confusing. I was bored by what was going on halfway through. I would also have liked to have seen it set in another country, rather than Egypt, which was the setting for the previous VB. That being said, her characters helped to keep it going - especially John Smythe, who is a charming and surly as ever--although I wish she would have added a few new characters and not relied so heavily on the ones from "Night Train to Memphis." Overall, I give it a "B" - definitely the weakest book in the series, but still well worth a read.

This is a VERY GOOD book in my opinion, which is what a book review, (again in my opinion) should be. Do I think it is Ms. Mertz-Michaels-Peters greatest book...no I would award that distinction to either Ammie Come Home (Michaels) or Devil May Care (Peters) The Love Talker (Peters) or maybe Summer of the Dragon or Legend in Green Velvet(also written as Peters). Ammie still scares me into sleeping with the lights on and these Peters books will always send me into spasms of laughter. But Laugher of Dead Kings is still a fitting contribution to and sadly probably the last of the Vicky Bliss series and does exactly what I had hoped it would do!

My advice to new readers of these books to not read this as a stand alone. To really appreciate this book, a reader needs to know the characters, both in the Bliss books and the Emerson-Peabody books.
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In my opinion John is behaving more and more like his ancestor Ramses Emerson as this book progresses. My one quibble is that I would have loved to have seen more made of the relationship reveal between the two series, although after having the honor of meeting Ms. Mertz-Michaels-Peters and talking to her briefly about this point, I'm not surprised at the way this scene was written. What I would most enjoy reading is another Amelia book that would introduce loyal readers to the ancestress of John, Ramses' (as yet unborn in the last Amelia book)youngest daughter and complete the arc between the series.

I am thrilled, and bored my family to death talking about, the hints that there might be additional Amelia books coming from the author with the 'large hat' and her ownership of the three family journals. And to complete this very long book review, I also recommend the Joan Hess book 'Mummy Dearest' as the hints and ties to the Amelia books were fun.

I had just recently discovered the Vicky Bliss series and when I had finished Night Train to Memphis (#5) I had discovered this book was soon to be published. I could not wait; ordered it, and then picked it up on it's release date.

I liked this book very much in the sense it has the usual characters. As in all previous books, they are facing the opposing side with wit and perseverance. This book has it's adventure as well, but I dare say that it lacked some of the adventure that Silhouette in Scarlet (#3) and Trojan Gold (#4). For that reason alone I rated it 4 stars. I had feverishly tore threw some of the other above mention Vicky Bliss mysteries but more or less has a nice, meandering read with this one. I am so sorry to see Vicky go and I will miss having these characters about. I will agree with some of the other reviews...Schmidtt was wonderful, same 'ol likeable guy, but John was not quite as charming and likable, and was actually kinda dry Yet in the end he always holds all the answers. I do not read the Amelia Peabody series, (maybe oneday) so the connection was not meaningful tom me. Definitely worth the read.

I do recommend at least reading Trojan Gold and Night Train to Memphis before reading this book, they pick up on the same people and themes and a reader would be completly lost without the background information.

I had just recently discovered the Vicky Bliss series and when I had finished Night Train to Memphis (#5) I had discovered this book was soon to be published. I could not wait; ordered it, and then picked it up on it's release date.

I liked this book very much in the sense it has the usual characters. As in all previous books, they are facing the opposing side with wit and perseverance. This book has it's adventure as well, but I dare say that it lacked some of the adventure that Silhouette in Scarlet (#3) and Trojan Gold (#4). For that reason alone I rated it 4 stars. I had feverishly tore threw some of the other above mention Vicky Bliss mysteries but more or less has a nice, meandering read with this one. I am so sorry to see Vicky go and I will miss having these characters about. I will agree with some of the other reviews...Schmidtt was wonderful, same 'ol likeable guy, but John was not quite as charming and likable as previously. I do not read the Amelia Peabody series, (maybe oneday) so the connection was not meaningful tom me. Definitely worth the read.

I do recommend at least reading Trojan Gold and Night Train to Memphis before reading this book, they pick up on the same people and themes and a reader would be completly lost without the background information.

I am a big fan of Elizabeth Peters and look forward to each new book. I was sadly disappointed with Laughter. The writing is disjointed, sloppy and unsatisfying. If I hadn't read the other books, and even having read them, I would have felt no real connection with the characters. The book wandered aimlessly and took forever to solve the mystery - which wasn't too difficult to figure out half way through the book. The real star of the book was Schmidt. By the time I got to the end of the book, I just didn't care what happened to the characters or the Peabodys connection. I had the feeling that Elizabeth Peters wrote this book to satisfy her fans' clammering for a new Vicky Bliss book but her heart just wasn't in it.

Generally speaking, I love all of Elizabeth Peters's books, but this one just didn't quite work for me. There are some highly enjoyable bits, but there is far too much travel and chasing which gets awfully boring. And the Mary Sue bit is too much!

If you enjoy the Amelia Peobody series, you will like this book. If you enjoyed the Vicky Bliss series, you probably won't. After waiting all these years for another in the series this was a real let down. Only Schmidt was still fun. Vicky and John were non-entities. I had to force myself to finish it. What a disappointment!

Elizabeth Peters has another winner on her hands!! Vickie is her same, saucy self (yes I know alliteration), John hasn't changed his attitude one bit and Schmidt has a secret that will take you by surprise. I love the fact that there is a mysterious lady trailing after John and she seems to have three names (two pseudonyms and one real). When they finally meet up it is one of the funniest bits in the book. It was also a pleasure to find out that there is an Emerson/Peabody link in these stories too. I do recommend this one.

The "Inspector of Antiquities for all Upper Egypt" Feisal arrives at the Munich National Museum to visits assistant curator American expatriate Vicky Bliss. She welcomes her friend who has come so far since THE NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS caper, but is shocked to see him so far from his beloved Egypt and coming to Germany without telling her. He asks to see her lover antiquities dealer John Tregarth.

Feisal informs John and Vicky that someone stole King Tut's mummy from the tomb in the Valley of Kings pyramid. Based on evidence, the Egyptian police believe strongly that notorious art thief Sir John Smythe is the thief. Stunned as Tregarth was once Smythe, but no longer steals anything; they begin investigating knowing they will risk Egypt to find the real culprit and return Tut to his resting place

After too long a wait, Elizabeth Peters fans will welcome the return of the statuesque amateur sleuth who along with her British lover and their Egyptian friend try to prove Sir Smythe is retired and someone else is imitating his M.O. The story line is fun to follow as the connection to Amelia Peabody is obvious with the tour of Egypt that follows in her historical footsteps, which in many ways dominates the plot over the investigation. Readers will enjoy the blissful return of Vicky and John as they struggle to stay alive and out of jail long enough to prove his innocence.

Harriet Klausner

When "Night Train to Memphis" was published in 1994, I eagerly awaited the next installment in the Vicky Bliss/John Smythe series. As year after year went by, I came to the sad conclusion that there would never be another novel.

You can imagine how delighted I was when I learned that there would be a new book in the series. I bought "Laughter of Dead Kings" the very day it came out. The sixth entry in this series was wonderful, albeit not as good as some of the other books in the series, particularly "Street of Five Moons" and the lovely "Trojan Gold." John and Vicky were wonderful, but Anton Z. Schmidt -- ah, the clever and debonair Schmidt -- was better than ever! I know John is supposed to be the love interest, but it's Schmidt who is my hero. I've fallen in love!

With so much suspense, cleverness, laughs, and twists and turns, "Laughter of Dead Kings" was definitely worth the wait!

There were many things I liked about this book. I am happy Schmidt got to be a hero. I loved that Elizabeth Peters wrote herself into the book; and the connections with the Peabody/Emerson series were fun. But if this book was the first I had read in this series, I would be wondering what in the world Vicki saw in John. I thought he came across as petulant and unpleasant most of the time.

Never the less, a mediocre Elizabeth Peters book is better by far than the best by many less talented authors. I will still read anything she writes as soon as it is published.

I have been a fan of Elizabeth Peters for years, so any time a new book comes out, I gobble it up like a chocoholic in a Hershey factory. This one was wonderful! It kept me turning the pages, I couldn't put it down. I do very much agree that you need to read the other books in the Vicky Bliss series first to really appreciate this novel. I really enjoy Peters' series because you get to really know the characters over a longer period of time. I was also pleased that Schmidt was finally able to prove his bravery. But I was curious if anyone else noticed that Peters eluded to the possibility of 3 more Amelia Peabody books when she was writing about the "author" who had found 3 additional journals? I hope this means there will be more to come!

I am a lover of both the Bliss and Peabody series. This one is a little twisty to suit my taste, and is not up to the standard set by "Night Train to Memphis". I certainly thought the connection between John and the Emmersons could have been more imaginative. I did, however, love the fact that Peters has written herself into the novel. I agree with other who advised reading the prequels first.

Veiled and unveiled references; mysterious characters popping in and out; misunderstandings, loyalty, and deep, abiding affection. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Paragraph for paragraph, I find Elizabeth Peters to be one of the most entertaining authors out there. Her latest Vicky Bliss is no exception. Sure, the mystery is a little convoluted, but the interaction between the characters sparkles as always. This book wraps up a few things for Vicky and also for Peters' Amelia Peabody series, and Schmidt finally gets his turn to be the hero! If you love Vicky Bliss you'll enjoy this one too, and if you are new the series, go get yourself a copy of Borrower of the Night or Street of the Five Moons right away--you'll be hooked!

Elizabeth Peters' fans have waited fourteen years for the concluding volume in the Vicky Bliss series. The Laughter of Dead Kings is the book readers hoped would link Peters' two popular series, the Amelia Peabody books, and the Vicky Bliss mysteries. Was Vicky Bliss' lover, the notorious thief, "Sir John Smythe", related to the Peabody-Emerson family? The book answers the question, but readers are tortured for over three hundred pages before the family mystery is solved.

While Vicky Bliss works in Munich as an art historian, her lover, John Tregarth, has given up his former life as a thief of antiquities. He's now an antiques dealer in London. However, when a revered Egyptian treasure disappears, John is the natural suspect for the daring theft. Even a friend, Feisal, the "Inspector of Antiquities for all Upper Egypt", suspects John. And, Vicky's boss, Herr Doktor Anton Z. Schmidt, has his doubts. Everyone thinks John is once again the mastermind behind a bold theft. Suddenly Vicky, John, and the motley crew are in a mad dash to find the treasure and the actual thief.

The problem is, the mad dash goes on, and on, and on. This story is so drawn out that it gets boring. It's a romantic caper, with little romance. Peters herself says, "Ashraf is being followed by John who is being followed by Suzi who is being follwed by Feisal and us? This is ludicrous." Yes, it is. The mountain of material readers have to plow through to get to the conclusion is ludicrous.

Some readers will be satisfied with The Laughter of Dead Kings. I've read and admired Peters' books under this name, and Barbara Michaels. This one let me down. The answer is there, telling everyone if John is connected to the Peabody-Emerson family. It's just too bad the answer wasn't at least 100 pages earlier in this unsatisfactory series conclusion.

Firstly, I agree with most everything in linguithing's review, so I will not repeat it. I do not think that someone reading Laughter of Dead Kings without having most of the other books in the series, especially Night Train to Memphis, will "get" Laughter of Dead Kings. There is simply too much needed information about events and relationships that is alluded to only. Without a frame of reference of the earlier books, many will find Laughter hard to understand. I didn't find the mystery very mystifying, perhaps because I've read all the Peabody-Emerson mysteries and know how fond Elizabeth Peters is of bringing back a long-running villain. I loved her depiction of the editor/author who's used the Emerson papers as a basis of novels (aka the Peabody-Emerson series), and I was saddened at the sense that perhaps both series are coming to an end.

To warn you in advance of potential bias on my part, the Vicky Bliss series has been beloved to me for the better part of ten years, and I had long since given up on a new novel. So this was a treat. Taken as a stand-alone book, The Laughter of Dead Kings is probably not quite on the same level as some of its predecessors, but then I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who hasn't read the previous novels, or Night Train to Memphis at a bare minimum. (And in all fairness, that was a tough act to follow.) Peters doesn't spend an extensive amount of time reintroducing characters, locations, etc., and a newcomer would be quite lost. On the other hand, I would strongly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is familiar with Vicky and company-- but it's unlikely that they would need my urging. I can, however, assure them that it's entirely worth it.

This is an honest-to-goodness Vicky, complete with lighthearted first-person narration, improbable occurrences, charming anti-heroes, and a certain amount of blundering. Peters writes with her usual panache and manages to avoid the pitfall of some of her other works (particularly the later Amelia Peabodys) in keeping the story tidy and to the point. If anything, it leaves you wishing for just a little bit more... but of course that's a hallmark of the best.

All the characters are as charming and convincing as ever, despite the fact that they have been mercilessly dragged into the modern era of cell phones and instant messaging, and a few of Peters' very deliberately placed revelations had me grinning. Great stuff. Sadly, both the tone and the events strongly implied that she is wrapping up the series, but then, "one is all any of us can count on." And this "one more" was just about right.