THE SECRET OF THE CROCODILES

Edwardian teen Lady Violet Winters finds herself, her parents and their American ward, Garth, on a steamship bound to Egypt for Christmas—and adventure. Violet’s governess, Amelie Poisson (whom Violet calls “dear codfish”), and her pet monkey join the entire family as they become involved in tracking down smugglers, tomb raiders and yes, crocodiles. Nicholas Etherington, a young businessman, and Lord Percy, Violet’s father, seem to have mysterious insights into the perilous situations developing on the trip. The teens, parents and Egyptians aid in the pursuit of the evil Count Kapolski, who poses as a big-game hunter but clearly has more sinister aims in mind. Wallace’s descriptions of pyramids, the streets of Cairo, Shepheard’s Hotel and a river trip on the Nile in a dehabiyah put the reader deep into the historical setting. Two other installments of the British import Lady Violet’s Casebook series are also out: The Man with Tiger Eyes (ISBN: 978-1-4169-0099-3) and Diamond Takers (ISBN: 978-1-4169-0100-6). Look out, fans of Indiana Jones and future Elizabeth Peters readers: There’s a croc on the loose—actually, ten of them! (Mystery. 10-14)