This âwittyâ mystery set in ancient Greece is âsure to amuse Lindsey Davis and Elizabeth Peters fansâ (Booklist, starred review).
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In this historical murder mystery that âblends humor with fascinating details about the ancient world,â Nicolaos, the only private investigator in Athens, discovers that helping a writer with his book research can be very dangerous (Library Journal). Would-be author Herodotus has hired Nico and his priestess wife, Diotima, to accompany him to Egypt to research that ancient countryâs history. Unfortunately, Egypt happens to be in the throes of a rebellion against its overlords, the Persian Empire.
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Pirates infest the sea route. Three different armies roam the Egyptian countryside. The river is full of crocodiles. Everywhere Nico turns, thereâs a secret agent ready to kill him, and possibly worse, he canât find a decent cup of wine anywhere. A simple investigation is about to turn into a dangerous adventure of international espionage, in a novel that is ârecommended for lovers of historical mystery and all things ancient Greek (and Egyptian and Persian and Libyan)â (Historical Novel Society).
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