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The Assassins of Isis: A Story of Ambition, Politics and Murder Set in Ancient Egypt Review

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(More customer reviews)Paul Doherty is the consummate professional when it comes to writing historical mystery novels. I for one do not know how he can be so prolific with his offering of books and yet make sure that each of them is well researched. Whether they be 13th, 14th, or fifteenth century they are always true to the period. He has also written books about Alexander the Great and is now turning his hand to novels of Ancient Egypt at the time of the most influential period in its long history.
The tomb of Rahimere, his house of eternity filled with all the things he may need to cross to the other side has been hidden for many years, somewhere deep in the desert. The location of the tomb has long been kept a closely guarded secret. But now a sect know as the Sebaus, who take their name from the demons have not only found the tomb, but plundered it for the powerful secret it holds . . .
These book on Egypt just get better and better and long may Paul Doherty continue to write them. They are both entertaining and also give a wonderful insight into the life of the Ancient Egyptians.

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Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt Review

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(More customer reviews)A wonderful sequel to 'Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs', this book sets aside the well-scrutinized lives of famous pharoahs, and turns instead to the day-to-day life of the rest of Ancient Egypt. Much of the material is new to me, and I found it fascinating reading. Of course, Ms. Mertz could probably make the Boston Phonebook palatable; I would certainly read anything she chose to write. (I firmly believe she hangs out with Elizabeth Peters; Joan Hess occasionally dropping in to make a threesome..)
Enough fawning! Read this book! It's interesting! You can tell them I said so...

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A fascinating, erudite, and witty glimpse of the human side of ancient Egypt-this acclaimed classic work is now revised and updated for a new generation

Displaying the unparalleled descriptive power, unerring eye for fascinating detail, keen insight, and trenchant wit that have made the novels she writes (as Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels) perennial New York Times bestsellers, internationally renowned Egyptologist Barbara Mertz brings a long-buried civilization to vivid life. In Red Land, Black Land, she transports us back thousands of years and immerses us in the sights, aromas, and sounds of day-to-day living in the legendary desert realm that was ancient Egypt.

Who were these people whose civilization has inspired myriad films, books, artwork, myths, and dreams, and who built astonishing monuments that still stagger the imagination five thousand years later? What did average Egyptians eat, drink, wear, gossip about, and aspire to? What were their amusements, their beliefs, their attitudes concerning religion, childrearing, nudity, premarital sex? Mertz ushers us into their homes, workplaces, temples, and palaces to give us an intimate view of the everyday worlds of the royal and commoner alike. We observe priests and painters, scribes and pyramid builders, slaves, housewives, and queens-and receive fascinating tips on how to perform tasks essential to ancient Egyptian living, from mummification to making papyrus.

An eye-opening and endlessly entertaining companion volume to Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, Mertz's extraordinary history of ancient Egypt, Red Land, Black Land offers readers a brilliant display of rich description and fascinating edification. It brings us closer than ever before to the people of a great lost culture that was so different from-yet so surprisingly similar to-our own.

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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 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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A Cruel Deceit Review

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(More customer reviews)I've enjoyed all of Lauren Haney's Egyptian mysteries, but this one was by the farthest the hardest to put down! I finished it the same day I got it, because it was the story was so interesting. I really enjoyed the book being set around a festival, because it gave me more of a feel for the history of Ancient Egypt. And the descriptions really makes you feel like you are there in Kemet while everything is going on about you.

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A Curse of Silence: A Mystery of Ancient Egypt Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my introduction to Lauren Haney. As reader of Elizabeth Peters and Lynda Robinson, I found Lauren Haney's story and characters very interesting. While not as exciting as Peters' Amelia Peabody, or Robinson's Lord Miren, I found Lt. Bak warm and likable. The book was more about the people and places of Egypt than of the solving the mystery, which Bak did very adaptly with a twist that was totally unexpected. I'll read her again.

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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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A Vile Justice (Mystery of Ancient Egypt) Review

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(More customer reviews)Lt. Bak of the Medjay police has been sent to Abu to investigate a series of murders, spaced ten days apart, each victim higher in importance than the last. Now Bak must discover the slayer before Abu governor Djehuty becomes the next victim. In a strange land, filled with fiercely held secrets, Bak must find the slayer without himself becoming a victim.
Reading a Lt. Bak mystery is a journey through time. You walk beside an intelligent, interesting servant of the Lady Maat, dispenser of justice, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of Ancient Egypt, brought to life through Haney's excellent use of language. I may have realized who the slayer was long before Bak, but it didn't detract from the wonderful story.

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Evil runs rampant through the grand abode of Djehuty, the much despised governor of Abu. Four deaths -- each exactly ten days apart -- have occurred in and around the powerful functionary's premises: an expert swimmer drowned...a spearman accidentally impaled on his own weapon a sergeant of the guard found with a dagger through his breast...a young officer trampled by a horse gone mad. Lieutenant Bak of the Medjay police fears for his own life and for the safety of his men. But the vizier has requested that this deadly puzzle be investigated, and it is Bak's duty to serve. Could this unstaunched violence be the retribution of the gods for a long-past, yet still-remembered tragedy? Bak is not sure who will ultimately be revealed as slayer -- be he human or divine -- when a disturbing cache of dark, well-protected secrets lies open at his feet. But there is one thing of which the dedicated policeman can be certain: if a killer is true to his pattern, another will die this day.

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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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The Egyptian Book Of The Dead: The Papyrus Of Ani Review

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(More customer reviews)Taken directly from the papyrus of Ani, an Egyptian scribe, The Egyptian Book of the Dead is a great collection of hieroglyphic information. Everything about the passage into the underworld is described in detail. Not only that, you can also learn some of the Egyptian hieroglyphs as y ou read along with Ani. Give this book a toss in your shopping cart , all you lovers of Egyptian myth and culture

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A Place of Darkness Review

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(More customer reviews)Lauren Haney's mystery series featuring Lieutenant Bak, commander of the Medjay police in the frontier fortress city of Buhen, set in the 18th dynasty of Queen Maatkare Hatshepsut, is a vital and exciting series, and makes for compelling and avid reading. And this latest Bak adventure, "A Place of Darkness" definitely lives up to the rave reviews that the first four books this series has garnered.
While inspecting the vessels (and their cargo) that are leaving Egypt proper for the South (Nubia & Kush), Bak and his police officers discover a cache of jewelry that had been plundered from the tomb of one of Egypt's first pharaohs. Questioning the smuggler however proves frustrating, as he proves to be completely ignorant of the finer workings of this thieving and smuggling operation. However news from Commander Thuty, the officer in charge of the garrison at Buhen, soon pushes this crime into the background. Thuty has been offered the command of the garrison at Mennufer (Memphis), and he wants to take the entire company with him. For Bak, this opportunity is a mixed blessing for this would mean the end of his exile from Egypt; however, moving back to Egypt would also mean bringing himself to the notice of his Queen, and her favourite, Senenmut, both of whom are not fans of Bak. Thuty, gives Bak a month's leave, so that he can visit his father at Waset (Thebes), and so that he can bring to the attention of Amonked, the storekeeper of Amon, evidence that the ancient tombs are being plundered. Bak secretly hopes that Amonked will allow him to investigate these thefts more fully. However Amonked has another task for Bak. For months now a series of fatal accidents have been plaguing the construction of Queen Hatshepsut's new memorial temple. The workers are beginning to spread rumours that the temple is plagued by a malevolent spirit, and this is affecting the progress of the construction. Amonked wants Bak to investigate these "accidents" more fully, for he suspects a more human hand at work. And indeed Amonked's suspicions prove true, for on the very day he takes Bak to the construction site, one of the chief architects, Montu, is found violently murdered. Now Bak must hunt a vicious killer, before more "accidents" can occur. For Bak, success is important as a lot is riding on it -- not only is his own physical well-being dependent on his success but his career as well, for failure to discover this most audacious of killers is bound discredit him and bring him to the attention of Senenmut and Queen Hatshepsut. Something he could definitely do without right now!
"A Place of Darkness" is a compelling and brilliant read. Lauren Haney has layered and textured this mystery so effectively, that you literally get the impression of delving deep into the desert sands in order to arrive at the heart of the mystery. The descriptions of the building site, and all the work that is put into building a temple was vivid and evocative. The amount of care that the authour went into to bring places and sites to life is there for all to see. The novel was likewise skillfully constructed and cleverly executed. And the level of tension is well sustained throughout the novel -- Haney successfully builds on the tension, never missing a beat. And there is our police detective, Bak: a very appealing, clever, wily and credible sleuth. Definitely, the Lieutenant Bak series is an absolutely wonderful mystery series, and "A Place of Darkness" is an absolutely wonderful and riveting read.

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Some transgressions may never be forgiven -- as Lieutenant Bak remains out of favor with the powers of Kemet. While in transit from his exile in Buhen to a new posting, the disgraced policeman stops at the capital in hopes of investigating a troubling case of relics plundered from ancient tombs and smuggled through the southern frontier. Instead, he is sent to the partially built memorial temple of the divine Queen Maatkare Hatshepsut, where a series of fatal accidents and whispers of a malign spirit are plaguing the construction effort. Can the thefts and these deaths somehow be connected? The clues are leading the ever-loyal investigator to a magnificent tomb. But this realm of the dead threatens to become Bak's own place of burial when he must confront the source of the spectral malevolence.

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The Poisoner of Ptah: A Story of Intrigue and Murder Set in Ancient Egypt (Ancient Egypt Mysteries) Review

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(More customer reviews)Ptah, the Egyptian god, brought the world into reality. In Doherty's book we are thrown headfirst into 1478 B. C., which is the ruling period of Pharaoh Hatusu. Not only was she a woman and queen but also a warrior, avenger and vindicator. Captives are lined up as sacrifices and the Pharaoh is ready to sign a peace treaty with Libya. Her main goal is to prove to Naratousha, a principal Libyan war chief, that the power of Egypt was invincible.
To seal the deal, the Libyans and three Egyptian scribes drank from the sacrificial wine, and a relieved Hatusu relaxed-and then her three scribes, Kharfur, Nebseni and Menkhep, died from poisoning.
This event precipitated a legion of deaths by poison and supposed drowning thought to be related to Rekhet, who was found guilty years earlier of poisoning others at the Pharaoh's court. Amerotke, who is the Chief Judge from the Halls of Two Truths, is assigned to investigate the deaths. Confounding is the fact that the powders used to poison are untraceable and Amerotke finds that he is pitted against an intelligent, wily opponent and criminal, who may not be Rekhet after all.
The Chief Judge travels to Thebes and the of author Doherty, plus his historical knowledge and fantastic story telling, provide the reader with an irresistible insight into the period, breathing 21st Century life into an ancient period. A dynamic page turner, and while ancient terms might seem difficult, Doherty's skill as a writer prepares you for complicated names and different civilized times.
Armchair Interviews says: This is another excellent book by prolific British writer Paul Doherty.

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At a peace treaty signing between Egypt and Libya in Thebes, three of Egypt`s leading scribes die violently on the Temple forecourt, the victims of a vile poisoning. To add to the mounting unease, a prosperous merchant and his young wifeare found drowned. Rumors soon sweep the imperial city. The Poisoner of Ptah has returned. It falls to Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Halls of Two Truths, to investigate these hideous crimes - his hunt for the Poisoner leads him to discover yet more suspicion and potential danger. This story sees the Judge pit his wits against a cunning opponent who seems intent on spreading his death-dealing powders. Amerotke enters the twilight world of glorious Thebes where life can be so rich and yet death so swift and brutal.

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City of the Horizon (Huy The Scribe) Review

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(More customer reviews)"City of the Horizon" is the first in a three-book series by Anton Gill. For Ancient Egyptologist whodunit fans, Gill's Huy the Scribe mysteries are first rate. Set in the immediate aftermath of Akhenaten the Heretic's death at the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty, when the whole civilized world seems to be crumbling at the speed of light, "City of the Horizon" introduces us to an out-of-work scribe named Huy, discredited due to his allegiance to Akhenaten.
Down on his luck and with few choices (none of them admirable), a dispirited Huy is literally plucked off the banks of the Nile by a school mate friend Amotju, who has a problem. Knowing Huy's traits from childhood, Amotju convinces the despairing Huy to help him: it's the ages-old story of jealousy and romance. Amotju is an incredibly wealthy man who has some of the eyes and ears of the power structure of the time.
Still, the story goes much deeper as soon Huy finds himself in that tangled web we weave Sir Walter Scott so clearly wrote about: a murder here, a robbery there, thefts, political and religious intrigues,the secret police, and more murders, just as the new boy pharoah Tutankhamun comes into power. Amotju seems to be a saving grace for Huy, who literally seems to be brought back to life with these opportunities to help his love-stricken friend.
It is no surprise that Gill creates a well-written, well-thought out storyline and he especially triumphs with the character of Huy. The author's penchant for landscape and atmosphere seems to capture the time and place, at least as perhaps lay readers of the period might imagine them. His plot development moves repidly and surely to a convincing climax and ending. Readers will readily want to move on to the next episode, "City of Dreams" and then the last "City of the Dead." All are excellent reads.

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Palace intrigues, the deaths of one-time royal favorites...it may sound like Tudor England, but it's Egypt during the 18th Dynasty, about 1350 B.C.Akhenaten, the "reformist" pharaoh, has died, and his successor, the child pharaoh Tutankhamun, is effectively controlled by political schemers with no love for Akhenaten's old supporters, now deemed heretics.Many of these have lost their lives, but Huy, once a scribe in Akhnaten's court, is luckier: He's lost merely his home and the right to practice his trade.In desperation, Huy becomes a sort of traveling troubleshooter, the world's first private eye. City of the Horizon marks his first case, bringing him up against both Egypt's powerful priesthood and a brutal gang of tomb-robbers, all while he's trying to evade the clutches of the secret police. The modern world, it seems, has no monopoly on duplicity and corruption.First U.S. publication

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