Customer Reviews

Eight for Eternity: A John the Lord Chamberlain Mystery (John the Lord Chamberlain Mysteries)

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Eric Mayer and Mary Reed bring sixth century Constantinople alive in their latest mystery, Eight for Eternity. The violent and volatile Nika riots of Constantinople make the most gripping setting for this mystery series yet. The two factions are furious when two men--one Blue and one Green--are hanged, but survive. They are hung again, but this time they not only survive, but they escape--only to be murdered. As Chamberlain for Emperor Justinian, John must solve the mystery of two men in warring factions. When those factions unite to bring down the Emperor's reign, the fate of the Byzantine empire could be at stake.

This mystery series is perfect for the intellectually curious who enjoy a little history in their mysteries.

This mystery takes place earlier in John's life, when he was more newly one of the chamberlains of the Emperor Justinian. In 532, when the Nika Riots are about to break out in Constantinople, two men, one of the Blues and one of the Green faction, miraculously escape death by execution. They are twice hanged and twice the ropes break. John is sent to bring them to the Emperor, but he finds the guards in chaos and the prisoners missing. One is found dead in the nearby cisterns. And John is then directed to unravel the mystery of their deaths--which may or may not add to the furor of the riots and may or may not point to plots that may be behind the riots. Solving the mystery could weigh with history and decide whether Justinian's reign survives.

For long-time readers of these books, it is interesting to see John and his friend Felix in the early days of their association. However, this period is not so different from that depicted in the first books in the series. It is still a welcome addition to the John the Lord Chamberlain Mysteries.

In Constantinople in A.D. 532, two criminals escape custody. Emperor Justinian is informed and is very concerned as each supported rival chariot racing teams at the Hippodrome and he knows how sports fans are insanely fanatics. He orders his loyal Lord Chamberlain, John to investigate.

John quickly finds the corpses of both men in a cistern. Meanwhile, as the city is torn by rioting that impedes his investigation, two influential nephews of a former ruler declare their support of General Belisarius encouraging him to lead a rebellion; they want to rule.

This is a great ancient historical mystery series that ironically uses numerals in the titles (see Seven for a Secret), but never goes by the numbers in telling the story. The current entry is a strong period piece that highlights the riots of 532 AD and the rivalry to snatch the throne from Justinian. John's inquiry provides fans a deep look at Constantinople in the sixth century wrapped inside a strong investigation. Sub-genre fans will believe Mary Reed and Eric Mayer are eight for eight and want nine for reading soonest.

Harriet Klausner

The latest entry into the John the (Eunuch) Lord Chamberlain series is as good as the rest of the books, even though the story itself is a little more complicated than some of the others. In this one, John (a chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, but not yet a Lord Chamberlain) is ordered to investigate the murders of two members of opposing racing factions (Blues and Greens). Their murder is being turned into a rallying point for a movement to overthrow Justinian, based on the historical Nika riots in 532 (I believe).

In this book we meet historical figures like Belisarius, Narsus, and Porphyrus in addition to Justinian and Empress Theodora. The plot is fascinating as it weaves factual information about these characters into the fictional puzzle that John must solve. And failure is not an option; John's life might depend on his success.

I see this series as "edutainment" (a Disney fan might recognize the term), where I learn something about a subject I didn't even know I "wanted" to learn anything about, all the while being entertained by an interesting, thought-provoking mystery. A very satisfying read, as have all the books in this series been to this point!

Gary Reed & Eric Mayer's EIGHT FOR ETERNITY provides a fine Jon the Lord Chamberlain mystery set in 532, when mobs rule Constantinople and one John, Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, must find those seeking to dethrone his leader. His investigation leads to a web of intrigue and violence in a fine historical, political mystery perfect for any mystery collection.

DNF. I just couldn't get into it. I selected it for review because I liked the history aspect. Constantinople on the falling side of the Roman Empire? Yeah, that interests me. A lot. Plus a murder mystery thrown in? Sure, I'll give it a try.

But it just didn't work for me. First I had no idea until I started reading the book that this was the eighth book in a series. The subtitle didn't really set off any triggers or anything. Not that I think the prior books would have added any depth. Just reading what I read this one could stand alone. I think that was its purpose.

I read up to the halfway point and I just didn't find the writing all that engaging. It's supposed to be a murder mystery but I didn't feel any tension, any suspense, nothing. I was just reading words for words' sake. Half the city was burning because of mob riots but I was like meh. Okay. I just felt like there was a haze between me and the story, that I just couldn't quite reach it.

What kind of weirded me out a little was the emphasis on eunuchs the story had. The main character is a eunuch but, personally, I think it's mentioned more than what his situations merited. I just didn't find it pertinent to the story most of the time it was mentioned so every time it was, it drew me back out. Not that I have a problem with eunuchs. It's just I wasn't used to this many eunuchs so predominant in the plot. It was weird.

I guess if you have the patience to read something in a slightly more "historical" word then you might be able to get through Eight for Eternity but everything cycled together, it just wasn't for me.

The Blues and Greens have battled for years in the streets of Constantinople. Now, the level of violence has increased and threatens the emperor, Justinian, directly. Although the Blues and Greens have hated each other, both are united in calling out for Justinian's replacement. In this explosive environment, Justinian has ordered execution of some of the worst troublemakers but an accident during hanging saves two rioters--for at least a while.

John (the eunuch), Chamberlain for Justinian, is ordered to bring the last two prisoners back, but he arrives too late. Someone has already intervened and spirited the two away and Justinian's plan to show his mercy comes undone. Now it's up to John to track down the truth, and to learn if the botched executions are part of an overriding plot to destroy the emperor--and perhaps the empire itself.

Set during one of the most critical moments in history, the Nika Riots, Justinian's rule appears doomed and the thousand-year continuity of Rome, too, may be in danger. John's investigation takes him through the streets of Constantinople, to meetings with charioteers, faction members, the famous general Belisarius, the nearly-as-famous eunuch Narses, and the mysterious and dangerous women, Theodora and Antonia.

Authors Mary Reed and Eric Mayer offer a dramatic view of Constantinople during this turbulent time. John manages to be everywhere, exploring the dangers of the factionalized city, meeting with monks, madmen, charioteers, and royalty. The mystery transforms from a who-done-it to a larger look at whether the riots are part of an organized conspiracy to overthrow the emperor with John finally putting the pieces together, but too late to prevent the climax of the revolt where tens of thousands of civilians and rioters were slaughtered.

The Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) survived a thousand years after the fall of Rome itself. It protected literature and science at a time when the west sank into barbarism. Under Justinian, it bult one of the great monuments of religion, the Hagia Sophia, and nearly rebuilt the entire Roman Empire with the reconquest of Africa from the Vandals and Italy from the Goths. Yet this fascinating nation is mostly forgotten today. Reed and Mayer don't just retell dry history, though. They make history come alive with fascinating characters (including the fictional John and his friend Felix and the very real Justinian, Theodora and Narses).

This historical series set in Constantinople in the sixth century features John, lord chamberlain to the Emperor Justinian. What sets John apart from other medieval detectives is that he is a eunuch.
The Nika Riots intended to dethrone the emperor are behind the action. The authors' use of historical events is laudable, but confusing. It is hard to keep track of who is doing what to whom, and even harder to figure out why we should care.