TWO FOR JOY [Paperback]

Mary & Mayer, Eric Reed (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Unknown (2000)
• ASIN: B0028QCOSU
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Series runaway, December 26, 2000

By 

Brenda "MYSHELFDOTCOM" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Two for Joy: A John the Eunuch Mystery (Hardcover)

Back for his second mystery is John the Eunuch, Lord Chamberlain to the Emperor. The mystery takes place in Constantinople during the reign of Justinian and Theodora. Two for Joy is an impressive mystery about roman courts, religion, miracles, respect, heartache, loyalty, and friendship.

John has his hands full when a former teacher/pagan philosopher appears unannounced at his door and wanders into trouble more than once; A trio of stylites (Holy men) simultaneously burst into flame while on their pillars; Anatolius, John's friend and secretary to the emperor, puts together a banquet for his father that turns tragic; and a Christian prophet's sermons and miracles bring both peace and chaos.

Christianity, Paganism, and Mithraism are weaved throughout this roman mystery. Ecliptic, colorful characters fill the pages - some returning from the first mystery. The historical details are substantial and informative without being confusing, and the added bonus is a glossary at the back. Two for Joy maybe part of a series, but it held it's own, and references to the last mystery, One For Sorrow, did not read as spoilers.

In starting Two for Joy, I found there was no stopping. The intriguing mystery, genuine characters, and historical quality captivated me. Two for Joy is a historical whodunit that will keep its readers in place until the last page is turned.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, February 27, 2001

By 

Mari Ulmer (Ranchos de Taos, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two for Joy: A John the Eunuch Mystery (Hardcover)

This book is an outstanding mystery with plot turns as intricate as Byzantium's court intrigue and with such seamless detail the reader cannot tell what is fiction and what history. I call it amazing because the reader is not only swept into the larger currents of life as the old gods fell to the new but also such minute detail, one is living it with the characters. The pacing is excellent for an exciting read and the sense of place beautifully crafted. I seldom read historical mysteries; I'm delighted I made an exception here. Mari Ulmer, Taos, NM

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical mystery, December 9, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two for Joy: A John the Eunuch Mystery (Hardcover)

Everyone living in sixth century Constantinople is shocked when three stylites sitting on their perches suddenly go up in flame. Caesar Justinian assigns Lord Chamberlain John to investigate. John finds little evidence that explains what happened. However, he eliminates spontaneous combustion from within the bodies of the dead men as an option as the corpses' insides were not roasted.

The Emperor sends John to meet with a heretic, Michael, at the healing Shrine of Michael. John is shocked when Michael demands more than just an audience with Justinian I. Michael wants to be named the Patriarch and the Emeperor's co-ruler. John wonders if Michael is linked to the deaths of the three stylites since the latter boasts of a cleaning fire. John continues his inquiries as Michael's fame and following grow geometrically and are becoming a threat to Caesar.

TWO FOR JOY is a powerful and insightful look at the Roman Empire through a mystery that brings to life the capital, its ruler, and its people. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with a feel for the era. John is everyone's favorite eunuch as his star shines in this novel like it did in his delightful debut (see ONE FOR SORROW).

Harriet Klausner