The Ape Who Guards the Balance is the tenth in a series of historical mystery novels, written by Elizabeth Peters, first published in 1998, and featuring fictional sleuth and archaeologist Amelia Peabody.

The book's title refers to the Egyptian god Thoth, the divine scribe who waits for the heart of the dead to be weighed on a scale and judged so that he may record its fate;[2] Thoth is usually represented as having the head of an ibis, but also appears as a baboon or ape with the balancing scales.

to Ramses to hand to his mother, saying the pendant represents "The ape who sits beside the balance that weighs the heart.

The protest marchers demand to present a petition to a prominent political opponent of the women's movement.

Later, an attempt is made to kidnap Amelia in central London, which is foiled by Professor Emerson and Ramses.

Since Emerson has annoyed M. Maspero and wealthy sponsor Theodore M. Davis, he is initially not allowed near the important royal tombs.

Ayrton's sponsor Davis excitedly announces that the tomb is that of Queen Tiye, mother of the pharaoh Akhenaton.

Emerson, Nefret and Ramses ensure that photographs are taken by Sir Edward and the mysterious Mr Paul, before Davis invites friends in the tomb Ned has uncovered.

Although the family hopes that the gangs are not following them, a man breaks into Nefret's bedroom as she sleeps; she wakes and defends herself and the box containing the papyrus.

Given the appearance of another murderous gang, the family is increasingly anxious about the planned arrival in Egypt of Walter and Evelyn Emerson and their 17 year old daughter Lia.

Amelia and the Professor send Selim and Daoud as messengers to Cairo, advising Walter and family to return to England.

Amelia, who has always prided herself on treating Egyptians as equals, struggles with her instinctive rejection of the romance, while the Professor, Nefret and Ramses support the couple.

Another family discussion leads to consideration of Bertha as the attacker of Amelia's children, and the killer of her own gang members.

An apparently hurt goat is used to trap Amelia as she rides home with Ramses, and a man comes running at her.

Because he had stolen objects from the tomb, Sethos is unwilling to give the first photos to Davis, as they record all the items present.

Of course, the fictional Emerson failed to uncover what the real Kent Weeks discovered years later in 1995, finding the most extensive tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

[4] The author knew of that success before completing the novel, and of the equally real failure of Theodore Davis to handle his dig that season, and his lax procedures in excavating tomb KV55.

[5] Kirkus Reviews followed the plot of this story, yet found it too long and the writing "fussy" for an average reader.

They too feel the plot is complicated, "but the maturing of Ramses, Nefret and David offers particular pleasure and gives the book depth and poignance."

She remarked that "Although Peters lets the younger generation handle most of the derring-do in this romantic tale, Amelia remains an irrepressible delight."