The Horus Killings Review

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(More customer reviews)In 1478 BC, Hatusu solidifies her position as Pharaoh-Queen by defeating her country's enemies and supporters of the Grand Vizier Rahimere. His successor is Senenmut, Hatusu's lover and first minister. Though the people, the army, and the government support her, she wants more, needing the High Priests to sanctify her rule. The priests refuse unless they find proof in their library that a woman once ruled the country in the past.

They launch an investigation to see if the scholars can prove that Hatusu's rule as Pharaoh-Queen has a precedent. However, someone murders two of the sleuths. The Chief Judge of Egypt, Amerotke goes to the Temple of Horus to ferret out the identity of a killer. He is almost killed too, which leads him to conclude a record exists but someone wants it to remain hidden.

The magic, lures, and glory of Ancient Egypt come vividly alive in the masterly storytelling skills of Paul Doherty. THE HORUS KILLINGS takes readers on an exotic journey into the heart of a Pharaoh's reign. Readers learn the mindset, customs, and daily intrigues of those who hold power. The who-done-it is cleverly designed so that the killer is in plain sight, but still difficult to detect amidst a large number of viable suspects. Though the enlightened Amerotke feels like an anachronism when compared to those surrounding him, he and the other characters appear genuine and provide the audience insight into the era. Ancient historical fiction/mystery readers, especially Egyptologists, will cherish this novel.

Harriet Klausner

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Year of the Hyenas: A Novel of Murder in Ancient Egypt Review

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(More customer reviews)I stumbled on this book, and now can hardly wait till a sequel comes out. The protaganist isn't very likable at first, then you realize that he really is an honest man...and not perfect.
The descriptions of the time and place in Egypt were woven into the story, occasionally an author throws more historical information at you and you find yourself distracted from the plot. Geagley weaves a tale and the context without doing the "look at me, look at how much research I've done" interferance.
I particularly liked how he ends the tail, I saw parts of it coming, but not the whole surprise.
Really worth your time if you like mysteries--and historical settings.


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The Venus Throw: A Novel of Ancient Rome Review

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(More customer reviews)Firstly, readers of this review who have not read any of Saylor's novels should proceed directly to 'Roman Blood', the first of the Gordianus mystery series (set in ancient Rome). Saylor's books are best read in sequence in order to capture the essence of its private eye hero (Gordianus the finder).
Unlike the other Gordianus novels, The Venus Throw is a mystery involving murder and intrique close to and in (!) the Gordianus household. An old Egyptian friend of Gordianus is murdered and, of course, Gordianus is hired to find the killer. The outcome is very surprising, and all along we are entertained by Saylor's excellent prose. And true to form, Saylor also sprinkles in copious sauciness (orgies, boys behaving badly, etc) without being crude.
Bottom line: one of the best of a fine historical mystery series. Highly recommended.

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The Mammoth Book of Egyptian Whodunnits (Mammoth Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)These stories are set in various times during Ancient Egypt, and are written by masters in the field of historical mystery. Stories were well crafted and riveting. I would have prefered a little more background on both the author and the main characters, especially the the authors I hadn't read before, but it's not really necessary. I will be looking for some of the authors to read more about their characters.

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From Cleopatra and Herodotus to Howard Carter and the Curse of the Pharaohs, the investigators in The Mammoth Book of Egyptian Whodunnits uncover the murder mysteries of Ancient Egypt in over two dozen stories. Master anthologist Mike Ashley has gathered hidden gems and specially commissioned pieces from the genre's favorite practitioners like Elizabeth Peters, Suzanne Franke, Michael Pearce, and featuring such favorite ancient-world investigators as Lynda Robinson's Lord Meren, "the Eyes and Ears" of Nefertiti and Tutankhamun, Paul Doherty's judge Amerotke from the 18th Dynasty, and Lauren Haney's Lieutenant Bak of the Medjay police under Queen Hatshepsut, to beguile and confound historical mystery readers.

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Flesh of the God (Mystery of Ancient Egypt) Review

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(More customer reviews)I usually abhor prequels categorically; however, after faithfully reading the first half dozen novels in this series, I was hoping to learn the full story of Lieutenant Bak's exile from the charioteers to his placement in Buhen as an inexperienced policeman. Unfortunately, in this latest published novel from Lauren Haney, there was less than adequate information in this area. Instead you are given a bit more of an expanded story that has been alluded to before, and instead you get to join the freshly appointed policeman on his first investigation.

With that said, 'Flesh of the God' is a highly entertaining addition to this series and explores the real reasons why Buhen was located so far along the Nile - as a convenient access for routes to the gold mines found in the southern deserts. Haney deftly tells volumes about Egypt by guiding the reader through Bak's investigation of the murder of Buhen's capable commandant. What would otherwise have been a conventional murder mystery is transformed into an educational and entertaining story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

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A young, untested policeman confronts deceit, treachery, and deadly peril in an ancient and magnificent world. Author Lauren Haney dazzles with a spellbinding "prequel" -- the first investigation of the brilliant Egyptian, Lieutenant Bak.

A proud officer in the service of Queen Hatshepsut, it was Lieutenant Bak's great misfortune to lead his charioteers in a raid of a house of pleasure frequented by Egyptians of very high station. Reassigned for his transgressions, Bak is exiled to Buhen -- a fortified city in the most desolate part of the Nile valley. Barely has he set foot in this nest of vipers when he discovers Nakht, Buhen's capable commandant, slain with a dagger in his breast -- and Nakht's very beautiful, young wife covered with fresh blood. Bak's carefully honed instinct makes him hesitate to condemn the frightened widow. Perhaps the man's death was divine retribution for recent offenses directed toward the gods. Finding the truth in this terrible place will be as difficult as finding water in the heartless desert that surrounds it -- while more death may be far too easy to come by.

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