Morrow, April 2004, 24.95, 416 pp.
ISBN 0066214718
After being thrown out of the Valley of the Kings at Luxor due to Radcliffe's temper, Emerson and his wife Amelia Peabody return to their home in Kent, England. Merasen, one of the king's sons arrives stating that King Tarek and his heir are very ill and need medical help. Amelia, Emerson, their son Ramses and their foster daughter Nefret immediate make plans to return to the Lost Oases, a civilization hidden from the rest of the world.
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Nefret, now a doctor, spent much of her life there as the high Priestess of Isis; Tarek helped her escape and return to England. She loves Tarek like a brother and intends to do all in her power to save the king and his son but on their journey they attract the attention of some very unsavory characters. Once they reach the Lost Oases, they find that Tarek has been deposed by Zekare but his power base is very shaky. With the return of the high priestess, he believes he can gain the support of his people. Emerson and Peabody are determined to stop him and put Tarek back on the throne or die trying.
Though a stretch, the concept of a lost advanced civilization (think Atlantis) is not so impossible to believe in 1907 Sudan where “civilization” has not reached the entire area and transportation is almost non-existent. It is always a joy to read a New Amelia Peabody book and GUARDIAN OF THE HORIZON is especially exciting as readers are reunited with characters they have come to regard as friends. Although this story took place over a century ago it is reminiscent of the Lara Croft and Indiana Jones movies.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
