So I’ve been meaning to read this series for a long time, and truth be told, I’m a tiny bit embarrassed by how much I enjoyed it. Victorian Lady Archaeologist gallivants around Egypt, properly excavates a site, and solves a mystery? Yes, please! It’s written as a personal journal from 1885, the product of the indomitable Amelia Peabody, who does, in fact, hit bad guys with her steel umbrella and make Serious Decisions about wearing pants.
A warning, though: it was written in 1975, and takes place 90 years before that. This combination of factors means that the description of Egypt under British rule is patently Imperialist, and more than a little cringeworthy. Still, though: will read more in this series. And Egypt is, after all, 5,000 miles away (but just barely, it turns out!).