From Publishers Weekly
A rash of murders taxes the sharp mind of Amerotke, the chief judge of Egypt at the start of the turbulent reign of Hatusu, some 3,500 years ago, when the ancient Egyptian empire was at its peak. The killings, beginning at the Hall of the Underworld, a desert maze with an evil reputation, seem intended to disrupt Hatusu's reign as possibly the first woman to become Pharaoh Queen of Egypt. Because Hatusu is both young and beautiful, many in the royal circle are jealous of her rise to power. Amerotke, aided by his loyal and lecherous servant Shufoy, must stay alive and find a killer whose favored means are poisoned wines, burning oils and crocodile-infested waters. Doherty does a fine job of splicing together rich period detail and vivid storytelling, while a subtle sense of menace permeates the text. Despite a slightly unwieldy cast suffering from too many treacherous court toadies and kohl-eyed courtesans, this second installment (after Mask of Ra) in Doherty's ancient Egypt mystery series represents a rare example of historical crime fiction that isn't overloaded with history and doesn't give suspense short shrift.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Doherty continues his newest historical series (Mask of Ra) with another visit to the complicated justice and constant court turmoil of ancient Egypt. Hatusu, the widow of Tuthmose II, attempts to become pharaoh as well as queen, but murder and intrigue surround her. Solid and dependable work.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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