A Vile Justice (Mystery of Ancient Egypt) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Lauren Haney (Author) "I'll slay him!..." (more)
Key Phrases: mudbrick bench, ancestor bust, vile justice, Lieutenant Amonhotep, Troop Captain Antef, Lieutenant Bak (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating setting and an unusual hero." -- The Poisoned Pen

"Haney's Egyptian police lieutenant is appealing, sympathetic, and totally convincing in a setting drawn with her expert skill." -- Dr. Barbara Mertz

Product Description

Evil runs rampant through the grand abode of Djehuty, the much despised governor of Abu. Four deaths -- each exactly ten days apart -- have occurred in and around the powerful functionary's premises: an expert swimmer drowned...a spearman accidentally impaled on his own weapon a sergeant of the guard found with a dagger through his breast...a young officer trampled by a horse gone mad. Lieutenant Bak of the Medjay police fears for his own life and for the safety of his men. But the vizier has requested that this deadly puzzle be investigated, and it is Bak's duty to serve. Could this unstaunched violence be the retribution of the gods for a long-past, yet still-remembered tragedy? Bak is not sure who will ultimately be revealed as slayer -- be he human or divine -- when a disturbing cache of dark, well-protected secrets lies open at his feet. But there is one thing of which the dedicated policeman can be certain: if a killer is true to his pattern, another will die this day.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Avon (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380792656
• ISBN-13: 978-0380792658
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #308,517 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Serving the Lady Maat can be dangerous., August 13, 2000

By	L. S. Tucker (Port St. Lucie, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Lt. Bak of the Medjay police has been sent to Abu to investigate a series of murders, spaced ten days apart, each victim higher in importance than the last. Now Bak must discover the slayer before Abu governor Djehuty becomes the next victim. In a strange land, filled with fiercely held secrets, Bak must find the slayer without himself becoming a victim.

Reading a Lt. Bak mystery is a journey through time. You walk beside an intelligent, interesting servant of the Lady Maat, dispenser of justice, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of Ancient Egypt, brought to life through Haney's excellent use of language. I may have realized who the slayer was long before Bak, but it didn't detract from the wonderful story.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lauren Haney brings life to Ancient Egypt, December 10, 2000

By A Customer

I just bought the 4th book in Lauren Haney's series because I absolutely loved the first three! This one has an interesting twist that keeps you guessing to the very end! They are intelligent, full of life, and make me feel as if I'm right there following Bak on all his Ancient police investigations!

I've read several Elizabeth Peters books and they are good, but I enjoy these even more!

My only complaint is that I can only find Lauren Haney's books in paperback. I'd love to have her books in Hardcover!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Predictable series, April 1, 2000

By A Customer

This is the third book in the Lt. Bak series I've read and it is definitely more interesting than the other 2. While the author's information is researched, the plots dwell on the minute & seem to drag on. It took 200 pages of descriptions to get to the core of the story. Unfortunately her writing ability & expertise does not compare with Gedge, Robinson or Jacq on this favorite subject of anicent Egypt.