Murder at the God's Gate (A Lord Meren Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lynda S. Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 1995

"DELIGHTFUL. . . Robinson makes ancient Thebes come alive as she describes the personalities, clothing, golden jewelry, the intrigue, and the smells of the desert, the terrors of a hippo hunt."
--San Francisco Examiner
When a priest dies in a mysterious fall from atop a statue of Tutankhamun, many consider the death a fateful one for the fourteen-year-old pharaoh and his reign.
Indeed, the Hittites are already at Egypt's borders, and the enemies of the late heretic pharaoh Akhenaten have transferred their implacable hatred to the young pharaoh. Concealed by the luxury of the court at Thebes lie viciousness, evil, and murder. Not even Lord Meren--the confidential inquiry agent who must see to the boy king's safety--can name the master plotters. But until the enemies of the living god are destroyed, neither his body nor his soul is safe from their deadly poison. . . .
"Robinson knowledgeably instructs readers in the cultural and political life of a fascinating period in history while entertaining us with a puzzling plot, accessible characters, and the domestic details of their daily lives."
--Alfred Hitchcock Mystery magazine

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

More than the sum of its parts, this second (following 1994's Murder in the Place of Anubis) in the series featuring ancient Egypt's Lord Meren, advisor to the court of Tutankhamun, is a compelling narrative comprised of vividly depicted background and characters and a well-plotted mystery. When Unas, a priest at the Temple of Amun, falls to his death from a colossal unfinished statue of the young king, Meren sends his adopted son Kysen to investigate. Unas's death, although raising suspicions in the deeply political court, appears to be accidental until another priest is killed by cobras hidden in his box of writing materials. As Meren tries to determine why someone would kill holy ones, Tut confirms his intention to lead his army on a campaign to secure the country's borders. His advisors, including Meren, wonder how they can tell the 14-year-old god that he is too young to go into battle. Breathing life into her scholarship through deft characterization and lucid plotting, Robinson frees her cast from frieze-like immobility, allowing Meren and Kysen to solve the murders and ferret out the source of the unrest at court.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Young King Tutankhamun's chief adviser/agent Lord Meren, known to some as the Falcon, investigates the murder of a priest in a temple dedicated to the teenaged Tut. Robinson (Murder in the Place of Anubis, LJ 2/1/94) surrounds Meren with palace and temple intrigue, authentic details of daily life, and frequent mention of a wide assortment of indigenous animals, such as hippos, elephants, crocodiles, vultures, etc., which are often used to denote character traits. Fans of historical mysteries should enjoy Meren's investigatory techniques and will welcome the reappearance of his adopted son, Kysen.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (November 19, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034539531X
• ISBN-13: 978-0345395313
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,346,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Quick and Exciting Escape, July 3, 2001

By 

D. E. W. Turner "dewt" (Hereford, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Murder at the God's Gate (A Lord Meren Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a quick read and, once Lord Meren takes the hint that there is something going on, the action really warms up. I admit that it starts out slow. The first victim is a person of no consequence and his death could have easily been an accident but it gives Kysen something to do. However, things really get rolling when the murderers start trying to cover their tracks to keep Kysen from learning something, which gets Lord Meren's attention. The setting in ancient Egypt also makes it a good escape from the everyday.

4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Read, April 9, 2005

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder at the God's Gate (A Lord Meren Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

This novel of murder and intrigue revolves around the court of Tutankhamun the young pharaoh of Egypt.

Egypt's enemies are harrying the borders, but the biggest threat to the country and the young king are from within.

A temple priest is found at the bottom of an enormous statue of the pharaoh, he had been working on a platform at the top of the statue. Did he fall or was he pushed. Meren "the eyes and ears of the pharaoh" sends his son Kysen to investigate the matter. Shortly after another priest of higher rank is murdered.

What secret did they know that made them so dangerous they had to be killed?

Meren knows that there is much bitterness and unrest among the most important men who surround the pharaoh. This bitterness reverts back to the pharaoh Akhenaten, whom many regarded as a monster. Is Tutankhamun to be made to pay for the misdeeds of his ancestor.

This book is one of a series written by the author and featuring Meren "the eyes and ears of the pharaoh."

4.0 out of 5 stars Murder at the God's Gate, April 3, 2000

By 

Mary A. Dorman "MADstuff Store Owner" (Northern New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder at the God's Gate (A Lord Meren Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

You can almost feel like you're there in the heat of the Egyptian sun as it bakes into Thebes and with the dangers of court life. It was a wonderful trip into a time and place we can never go otherwise. I recommend it strongly. The plot is intricate, strong and solvable by those who look carefully.