- Hardcover: 242 pages
- Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press; 1 edition (Dec 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1890208825
- ISBN-13: 978-1890208820
- Product Dimensions: 22.5 x 14.8 x 2.6 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,359,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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"If the perfect historical mystery is one that uses the past to let us see the present from a new angle, then this is darned close to being the perfect historical mystery." - Booklist (starred review for Two for Joy)
It is 539 AD and as the reconquest of Italy draws toward its close, a pair of eight-year old twins descended from the last Ostrogothic king have become valuable pawns in Emperor Justinian's plans to restore the glory of Rome. Unfortunately, during the performance of a play at a banquet honoring the two young diplomatic hostages, death makes an entrance and claims one brother.
Then Empress Theodora's favorite mime vanishes and John, Lord Chamberlain to Justinian, is ordered to find both the missing mime and the murderer.
In this third John the Eunuch novel, his investigations are hampered by squabbling courtiers, servants harboring social ambitions, an eccentric host, and an egotistic inventor, not to mention the complications posed by a herd of prophesying goats and a protective whale. His friends the Mithran Anatolius and the excubitor captain Felix only add to John's worries when they fall under the spell of two ambitious women. Can the trio avoid Theodora's wrath as they work to protect a child and stop a heartless killer? It is uncertain whether the solution lies within the villa where all have assembled or back in Constantinople, or in some other world altogether.
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The story is set in 539 when Justinan's brilliant general Belisarius is besieging the Ostrogoth capital of Ravenna. Two young potential heirs to the Ostrogoth throne are guests on Zeno's estate outside of Constantinople and one turns up dead. Theodora directs John to solve the crime and he knows he must do so or feel the wrath of "imperial whim".
As John puzzles out the mystery, Mary Reed and Eric Mayer treat us to descriptions of estate life in the country and to theatrical production with a Greek mechanic who creates "automations". The unusual time and settings continue to make this historical mystery series a treat to read.
The character of John is intriguing and the research behind this super series is flawless.
I love this series and can hardly wait for the next one!
Don't miss this!
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