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Elizabeth Peters has resurrected her spunky Vicky Bliss character (who first appeared in print back in 1973) in a zany new story, "The Laughter of Dead Kings" (Harper Books/HarperCollins, 364 pages).

Vicky and her boss from the Munich Museum, the wonderfully eccentric Herr Doktor Anton Z. Schmidt, the greatest swordsman in Europe, embark on a wild adventure as they attempt to retrieve a priceless Egyptian artifact the mummy of King Tutankhamon which is being held for ransom.

Unfortunately for poor Vicky, all signs point that the brains behind this scam is none other than her boyfriend, John Tregarth, an art collector of dubious reputation who joins them in the hunt for King Tut in an attempt to preserve his aristocratic name.

The rescuers of King Tut discover that his kidnappers are deadly serious about their scheme as they receive a most gruesome reminder of their fiendish intentions a woman's severed hand.

The trio must retrieve Egypt's most famous King while trying to avoid becoming victims of King Tut's curse.

Elizabeth Peters' writing is as sharp as ever, as she blends her impressive knowledge of ancient Egypt and modern museums with a fast-paced plot laced with delightfully clever dialogue.

The author even manages a little reference to her archaeologists Amelia Peabody and Professor Emerson.

"The Laughter of Dead Kings" was simply pure bliss to read!

For those interested in life in Ancient Egypt, one should check out the author's excellent work "Red Land, Black Land" (written under her true name, Barbara Mertz, and published by William Morrow.)