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Title: Drinker of Blood (Lord Meren Mysteries (Paperback)) by Lynda S. Robinson ISBN: 0-446-67751-5 Publisher: Mysterious Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.95 (20 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Dead men tell no tales
Comment: This picks up the inquiry begun at the end of _Murder at the Feast of Rejoicing_, for which groundwork was laid in _Eater of Souls_. The title comes from Kysen's observation on the nature of the quarry, as lead after lead is snuffed by the murder of witnesses. The conclusion is in the next book, _Slayer of Gods_. I'll be assuming for the rest of this review that the reader already knows the series characters and the long-term investigation being pursued by Lord Meren, the Eyes and Ears of Pharaoh, and his adopted son Kysen.
The first Meren novel to be told in a non-linear braided format, the first thread of the narrative follows Nefertiti, beginning on the day in the reign of Amunhotep the Magnificent that Pharaoh and Queen Tiye selected this minor princess to be groomed as the consort of Pharaoh's weird younger son: Akhenaten. Almost supernaturally ugly himself, Akhenaten's appreciation for Nefertiti's beauty is one of the few normal facets of his character. Scorned by his father in favor of his older, more satisfactory brother Thutmose, Akhenaten turned to religion and theology; Egypt was to reap the harvest of Amunhotep's neglect when Thutmose's sudden death marked Akhenaten as the next pharaoh - a heretic who believed in only one member of Egypt's pantheon of gods, despite the power of the priesthoods and their pivotal role in Egypt's economy.
The second thread follows Meren's 'present', in year 5 of the reign of Tutankamun, Akhenaten's youngest brother - so much younger that he remembers Akhenaten only as a kindly, if distant, guardian. However, Tutankamun adored Nefertiti - and Meren, having seen enough damage done to the country, is protecting him from the knowledge that his beloved foster mother was murdered. If nothing else, the stability of Nefertiti's father, the vizier Ay, must not be risked in the face of an impending war with Hatti. His excuses having finally run out, Meren must finally take the king on a raid, letting him gain battlefield experience against bandits before he must face Hittite armies.
Not knowing that he's diverting resources from a far deeper inquiry, the king (who finds Meren's investigations a fascinating diversion) assigns Meren an unrelated task: to investigate the death of Bahkt: a minor royal guard, to be sure, but one who always had fascinating stories for a boy prince. Tutankamun knows that Bahkt *hated* baboons, and doesn't believe he'd accidentally fall into their cage in the royal menagerie. Meren's distraction from the king's tasks draws the wrong sort of attention...
Kysen's criminal informants in the Caverns - the slum around the Memphis docks - are deployed: Tcha the housebreaker is happy to be *ordered* to rob a merchant's house in search of information - but less than happy to find that the suspect has 8 Nubian guards, being a clandestine arms dealer. :) Examination of the government's accounts on another suspect reveals a pattern suggesting corrupt manipulation of foreign aid. (The equivalent, anyway - financial aid from pharaoh to a vassal state.)
The Nefertiti narrative isn't a mystery at all, but an unfolding tragedy - the wonder isn't that Nefertiti was murdered, but that *any* of her family - or the country - survived Akhenaten's reign. The 'present' narrative, following Meren, is a suspense story studded with some investigative trappings. Evidence *is* being presented fairly to the reader, but the manner of presentation isn't that of a normal investigation. For those reasons, the book isn't as appealing as its predecessors - not a nice, detached investigation. The feel is more like that of _Murder at the God's Gate_ than the other books.
Rating: 5
Summary: Best Thus Far in This Egyptian Historical Mystery
Comment: Drinker of Blood is the fifth mystery involving Lord Meren, the Eyes and Ears of Pharoah Tutankhamun. In this outing, Lord Meren continues his search for the murderer of Tutankhamun's sister-in-law, Queen Nefertiti. He must, however, conduct his search in complete secrecy because the Queen had been married to the heretic Pharoah Akenaten whose reign was disastrous to the people, the land, and the royal family. Lord Meren dares not make public his knowledge and suspicions lest he disturb the peace and prosperity of the current Pharoah's reign. As Lord Meren gathers evidence, he is foiled at every turn by the person responsible for the Queen's death. Indeed, his very life is threatened the nearer he moves toward the truth.
This is, by far, the best entry in this excellent series. The story is in two voices - Lord Meren's and Queen Nefertiti's. As the reader is given insights into Queen Nefertiti's life as the Pharoah's "beautiful one," Lord Meren is seeking clues to who her killer is. The story moves quickly despite the two different times and voices. As in the past, Robinson's research and knowledge provides the historical setting while her imagination provides the danger.
Rating: 3
Summary: I wasn't impressed!
Comment: I found this book kind of dull, and I really hate a story that ends where it begins! It is good, but not wonderful!
I recommend Warlock, which is an exceptional book, and The Egyptian, by Mika Watari, whick is the best book I've ever read regarding Ancient Egypt!
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Title: Murder at the Feast of Rejoicing (Lord Meren Mysteries (Paperback)) by LYNDA S. ROBINSON ISBN: 0345395328 Publisher: Fawcett Pub. Date: 29 January, 1997 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Eater of Souls (Easter of Souls) by Lynda S. Robinson ISBN: 0345395336 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 01 March, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Murder at the God's Gate (Lord Meren Mysteries (Paperback)) by Lynda S. Robinson ISBN: 034539531X Publisher: Fawcett Books Pub. Date: 01 March, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Murder in the Place of Anubis (Lord Meren Mysteries (Paperback)) by Lynda S. Robinson ISBN: 0345389220 Publisher: Fawcett Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 1995 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: A Path of Shadows by Lauren Haney ISBN: 0060521902 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 30 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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