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(More customer reviews)In this, the third of his series with Alexander the Great as his featured subject, PaulDoherty appears to have grasped the atmosphere, the spirit of the times, and the aura of royal intrigue of 334 BC.
Alexander has now marched to the outskirts of Halicarnassus, the most formidable fortress city on the Persian-held coast. Alexander has already met--and routed--the forces of King Darius in an earlier battle but he has not defeated the Persians, yet. This city appears to be the thorn in his side (after all, he'd already solved the Gordian Knot puzzle!). Enter Doherty to make this scene his own in "The Gates of Hell."
This is a historical mystery and the premise that you have to have a dead (or missing) body arises early and Alexander's personal sleuths Telamon the physician and his lovely and willing (but, so far, not in THAT way) assistant Cassandra must pit their skills and brains against yet another dangerous murderer. As readers of the previous two in the series know, Telamon is a companion of Alexander's from his childhood, as well as his personal and trusted physician.
Again (for Doherty), it's another "locked room" death and, once again, the author solves the unsolvable.At the base of all this intrigue is the Pythian Manuscript, believed to hold the secret
of capturing Halicarnassus (among other things). To decipher would be the triumph of the time, or so one is told. It is written in such a secret code that, so far, the top cryptologists have been unable to get anywhere.
Alas, the first body is that of young Pamenes, who's found dead in his locked room and Telamon begins his work. Of course, it is not long before other murders are committed, a plethora of "clues" is presented, and the solution seems impossible.
Along the way, Doherty has treated us to a welcomed accounting of the men and the times, brutality and beauty alike. The author's penchant for historical detail is a plus. Doherty's mysteries generally run predictable but that does not take away from the satisfaction of reading him. He does seem more comfortable in his English mysteries, but "The Gates of Hell" shows great maturity and his many, many fans will add this
to their favorites. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)
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