Drinker of Blood (Lord Meren Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Lynda S. Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lord Meren Mysteries | Publication Date: November 1, 1998

Amid the ongoing & disturbingly hushed investigation of the murder of Queen Nefertiti, the pharaoh's trusted advisor Lord Meren is suddenly called away to investigate the bizarre death of the pharaoh's favorite groom, Senna.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Robinson's books about Lord Meren, Eyes and Ears of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, have been justly praised as one of the most engrossing and sophisticated historical mystery series running. This fifth entry (after Eater of Souls, 1997) is the first to disappoint, one in which the ever wily Meren conducts two investigations that never quite come together satisfactorily. First, he's secretly consumed with finding the person who poisoned Queen Nefertiti. He's narrowed the suspects to three men, but, to prevent the assassin from attacking the current pharaoh, he doesn't want to tell the teenage Tutankhamun about his investigation. Meanwhile, Tut commands Meren to investigate the death of a favorite guard who mysteriously died in the baboon pit at the royal zoo. Because he doesn't want to be deflected from his clandestine investigation of Nefertiti's death, Meren delegates the task to his aide Abu, who delegates it even further. While Meren relentlessly tracks down his three suspects, he must accompany Tut on a war party at the border. There, someone who sounds like Meren tries to kill Tut with Meren's own knife. Accused of the attempt, Meren escapes arrest and finds asylum with a crafty pirate, leaving his adopted son, Kysen, and daughter, Bener, to prove his innocence. The story is told from the alternating third-person viewpoints of Meren and Nefertiti, but the unmasking of Tut's assailant and his guard's killer are tied only peripherally to the former queen's murder. The plot, then, ends with an anticlimax that might have some readers feeling that, uncharacteristically, Robinson has led them through her usual intricate maze of political intrigue and religious infighting for naught. Major ad/promo.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The setting is ancient Egypt during the reign of the boy-king Tutankhamun. Lord Meren has been Tutankhamun's mentor since the boy's parents, Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti, died mysteriously several years earlier. Meren is convinced Nefertiti was poisoned, perhaps as revenge against her much-reviled husband or possibly because she was too beautiful and powerful for her own good. Meren is determined to find Nefertiti's killer, but every time he identifies potential witnesses, they die mysteriously. Clues disappear, leads dry up. Meren knows the killer is someone both evil and powerful, but he doesn't realize how evil and powerful until the killer creates a scandal that puts Meren's reputation and even his life in jeopardy. Determined to prove his innocence, Meren launches a daring scheme. If it fails, it will bring about his destruction, but if it succeeds, Meren will uncover Nefertiti's murderer and regain his rightful place in Tutankhamun's court. Robinson's fifth Lord Meren mystery is a mesmerizing blend of tantalizing suspense, high-speed action, and gripping historical intrigue. She has a unique ability to make ancient places and people seem familiar, real, and alive. Her masterful plotting, in-depth knowledge of this period in history, and obvious enthusiasm for her subject give her latest book a rare and welcome energy and freshness. An outstanding thriller. Emily Melton

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Mysterious Press; First Edition edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892966734
• ISBN-13: 978-0892966738
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,730,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Thus Far in This Egyptian Historical Mystery, May 16, 2001

By 

P. Bigelow (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drinker of Blood (Lord Meren Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Drinker of Blood is the fifth mystery involving Lord Meren, the Eyes and Ears of Pharoah Tutankhamun. In this outing, Lord Meren continues his search for the murderer of Tutankhamun's sister-in-law, Queen Nefertiti. He must, however, conduct his search in complete secrecy because the Queen had been married to the heretic Pharoah Akenaten whose reign was disastrous to the people, the land, and the royal family. Lord Meren dares not make public his knowledge and suspicions lest he disturb the peace and prosperity of the current Pharoah's reign. As Lord Meren gathers evidence, he is foiled at every turn by the person responsible for the Queen's death. Indeed, his very life is threatened the nearer he moves toward the truth.

This is, by far, the best entry in this excellent series. The story is in two voices - Lord Meren's and Queen Nefertiti's. As the reader is given insights into Queen Nefertiti's life as the Pharoah's "beautiful one," Lord Meren is seeking clues to who her killer is. The story moves quickly despite the two different times and voices. As in the past, Robinson's research and knowledge provides the historical setting while her imagination provides the danger.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mystic trip into the court of the "Boy King" Tutankhamun, May 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Drinker of Blood (Lord Meren Mysteries) (Hardcover)

I thought that this wonderful novel by Lynda Robinson was the greatest of the Lord Meren series. She has taken us back into an era long since gone, but not forgotten. At least by those of us who cherish any insight into Ancient Egypt. I felt as if I was right in the middle of the royal court in Thebes, looking at the "Living God" and all the courtiers. I found her re-use of characters from the previous novels most refreshing. It made me go back and read those books again just to make sure I missed nothing. I have studied Ancient Egypt since I saw King Tutankhamun's treasure in New York City in 1978 and I was 8 years old. I'll never be able to forget what I saw at that exhibit and Lynda Robinson has helped me relive it again through her very descriptive plot lines. I can not wait for the next Lord Meren book to come out, as I look forward to all the plot turns and twists.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I wasn't impressed!, December 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Drinker of Blood (Lord Meren Mysteries) (Paperback)

I found this book kind of dull, and I really hate a story that ends where it begins! It is good, but not wonderful!

I recommend Warlock, which is an exceptional book, and The Egyptian, by Mika Watari, whick is the best book I've ever read regarding Ancient Egypt!