Customer Reviews

Drinker of Blood (Lord Meren Mysteries)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

This picks up the inquiry begun at the end of MURDER AT THE FEAST OF REJOICING, for which groundwork was laid in EATER OF SOULS. The title comes from Kysen's observation on the nature of the quarry, as lead after lead is snuffed by the murder of witnesses. The conclusion is in the next book, SLAYER OF GODS. I'll be assuming for the rest of this review that the reader already knows the series characters and the long-term investigation being pursued by Lord Meren, the Eyes and Ears of Pharaoh, and his adopted son Kysen.

The first Meren novel to be told in a non-linear braided format, the first thread of the narrative follows Nefertiti, beginning on the day in the reign of Amunhotep the Magnificent that Pharaoh and Queen Tiye selected this minor princess to be groomed as the consort of Pharaoh's weird younger son: Akhenaten. Almost supernaturally ugly himself, Akhenaten's appreciation for Nefertiti's beauty is one of the few normal facets of his character. Scorned by his father in favor of his older, more satisfactory brother Thutmose, Akhenaten turned to religion and theology; Egypt was to reap the harvest of Amunhotep's neglect when Thutmose's sudden death marked Akhenaten as the next pharaoh - a heretic who believed in only one member of Egypt's pantheon of gods, despite the power of the priesthoods and their pivotal role in Egypt's economy.

The second thread follows Meren's 'present', in year 5 of the reign of Tutankamun, Akhenaten's youngest brother - so much younger that he remembers Akhenaten only as a kindly, if distant, guardian. However, Tutankamun adored Nefertiti - and Meren, having seen enough damage done to the country, is protecting him from the knowledge that his beloved foster mother was murdered. If nothing else, the stability of Nefertiti's father, the vizier Ay, must not be risked in the face of an impending war with Hatti. His excuses having finally run out, Meren must finally take the king on a raid, letting him gain battlefield experience against bandits before he must face Hittite armies.

Not knowing that he's diverting resources from a far deeper inquiry, the king (who finds Meren's investigations a fascinating diversion) assigns Meren an unrelated task: to investigate the death of Bahkt: a minor royal guard, to be sure, but one who always had fascinating stories for a boy prince. Tutankamun knows that Bahkt *hated* baboons, and doesn't believe he'd accidentally fall into their cage in the royal menagerie. Meren's distraction from the king's tasks draws the wrong sort of attention...

Kysen's criminal informants in the Caverns - the slum around the Memphis docks - are deployed: Tcha the housebreaker is happy to be *ordered* to rob a merchant's house in search of information - but less than happy to find that the suspect has 8 Nubian guards, being a clandestine arms dealer. :) Examination of the government's accounts on another suspect reveals a pattern suggesting corrupt manipulation of foreign aid. (The equivalent, anyway - financial aid from pharaoh to a vassal state.)

The Nefertiti narrative isn't a mystery at all, but an unfolding tragedy - the wonder isn't that Nefertiti was murdered, but that *any* of her family - or the country - survived Akhenaten's reign. The 'present' narrative, following Meren, is a suspense story studded with some investigative trappings. Evidence *is* being presented fairly to the reader, but the manner of presentation isn't that of a normal investigation. For those reasons, the book isn't as appealing as its predecessors - not a nice, detached investigation. The feel is more like that of MURDER AT THE GOD'S GATE than the other books.

As someone fascinated with Egyptian history, I was thrilled to discover Ms. Robinson's Lord Meren. I have devoured every one of them. This one is no exception. It gives a deeper glimpse of Lord Meren's family--his daughters are coming of age nicely. My one criticism--and it is a minor one!-is that is was soemwhat distracting to jump back and forth between two eras. The book is not only worth the read, but I'm already looking forward to the next one.

I loved the style of this book, intermingloing the present, of lord merren, and glimpses of Nefertiti made the book well worth reading

The mystery novel Drinker of Blood by Lynda S Robinson has many fine qualties although the confusing story line is hard to follow. The nove takes place in acient egypt, laws are scarcely inforced and the kings power is absolute. The main character, Loard Meren, is investiagating the death of Nefertiti. This is one of the reasons why this book is so hard to follow. In one chapter Nefertiti is alive and in the next she is dead. Another case is when in one chapter she is a child and in the next Meren is investigating her death.
As the nove continuse it actually becomes quite enjoyable. Meren is framed in the process of his investigation. He must now find the drinker of blood while he is hiding from the kings guards. Through the novel there are twists backstabs and betryals. The climax is left to the end keeping you guessing.
I would recomend this book to anyone with an adventurious mind and the curiosity to solve crimes. If you are looking for a book to stimulate the mind and keep you searching for answers, this is you book. I have enjoyed this book and i am sure that anyone with a love for reading and an intrest in suspence novels will feel the same. Being one of the best mystery novels I have ever read it gets my vote for a great book to read.

This book is wonderful. I have been fascinated with Ancient Egypt for a long time and this book was great! Lord Meren, his son Kysen, and all the other characters are believable. The action is very quick and exciting; the switches between The Heretic's reign and that of Pharaoh Tuntankhamun are well placed. 5 stars for this book!

What can I say except I love Lynda Robinson's work and I loved this book. Nefertiti is a fascinating character and Robinson does a wonderful job exploring her history with Akhenaten. She made Nefertiti seem real to me. Once again, Lord Meren is on the case and he does his job brilliantly. Robinson gives just enough detail to make the world of ancient Egypt come alive without overburdening the reader. She is a solid writer and I can't wait until the next Lord Meren book hits the stands.

Lord Meren has always been suspicious about the deaths of the Pharoah Akhenaten and The Great Royal Wife, Nefertiti. He becomes convinced that Nefertitis death was caused by ingestion of poison, not the plague as originally assumed. Her death occurred years before, and the killer has had some time to cover their tracks. Meren must dig deep to find the real cause of Nefertitis death.

The killer becomes aware of Merens inquiries, and makes a bold move. King Tutankhamun is attacked and Meren is suspected of the crime. As a reader, this is the weak spot in the plot for me. After years of loyal service, one would think Meren was beyond reproach, and the King would insist on his innocence. Perhaps Robinson is making a statement about Tutankhamuns youth and immaturity, or that rulers can truly trust no one.

Robinson takes a different path with this novel, alternating between time periods with each chapter. We learn a great deal more about the reign of Ahkenaten and Nefertiti. What happened in their time is so important, as it sets the stage for the motivation behind Meren and King Tutankhamuns actions in the three previous novels.

I am especially excited about the manner Robinson portrays Queen Nefertiti. She was queen in name and in fact - she took on many royal tasks that Akhenaten found distasteful or difficult. His reign might have been even more disastrous if it were not for her influence on the king, and her diplomacy in politics and religion.