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Plato Jones #1
Murder on Olympus
At first glance, the Gods of Olympus are as different from one another as salt is from sugar. Despite their bickering, they share a universal bond, a thread of commonality that unites them.
They’re all jerks.
After a stint with the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is through with the Gods and their political games. Against his protests, he's drawn into a murder investigation, where the murderer's targets are the Gods themselves.
Plato has cracked some tough cases: exposing cheating spouses, capturing treasonous heretics, hunting three-headed dogs. But this time he’s in over his head. How can he solve a crime that’s impossible to commit? And what chance does Plato—a mere mortal—have against something powerful enough to kill a God?
They’re all jerks.
After a stint with the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is through with the Gods and their political games. Against his protests, he's drawn into a murder investigation, where the murderer's targets are the Gods themselves.
Plato has cracked some tough cases: exposing cheating spouses, capturing treasonous heretics, hunting three-headed dogs. But this time he’s in over his head. How can he solve a crime that’s impossible to commit? And what chance does Plato—a mere mortal—have against something powerful enough to kill a God?
376 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
883 people want to read
About the author
Robert B. Warren
24 books74 followersA fan of thrillers, fantasy, and science fiction, Robert B. Warren has been writing stories ever since he could hold a pencil. In 2009, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and creative writing from the University of Alabama—Roll Tide! He currently lives in the South.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 12, 2013
I received a copy of Murder on Olympus by Robert B. Warren after requesting it due to the mix of fantasy and mystery. I was not disappointed, as the author did full service to both genres. The mystery is very fast paced, with short chapters keeping the story moving along nicely. Although I am very familiar with Greek mythology, I did not foresee the twist that resolved the mystery. Warren also handled the fantasy well, providing enough background that someone not knowledgeable with Greek myths still could appreciate the story. I found the main character very engaging and human. And the Greek pantheon was translated into the modern world in an entertaining manner. I hope Warren plans on further adventures of Plato Jones!
May 24, 2013
This is the best book I have read in a very long time.
Robert B. Warren has taken the mythical Gods of Olympus and placed them in a very modern setting, skillfully putting them in the spaces that politicians and celebrities fill in the real world. The result is an entirely believable world where omnipotent beings rub shoulders with mortals and Demi-gods as they go about their business of rule and debauchery.
The writing style is reminiscent of other detective stories where the lead character narrates the story, and it is done with real wit and great insight. Plato Jones is a very likable guy with strong convictions, caught up in a game that has been played for millenia, and as he hunts down the killer he has to negotiate the politics and in-fighting of the Deities as well as threats to his own life.
All of this is done with fantastic drama and wonderful humour.
This book does not deserve to be pigeon-holed in any particular genre; it should be read by anyone who loves well crafted prose and a compelling plot.
This book should be huge, and the author can be very proud.
Robert B. Warren has taken the mythical Gods of Olympus and placed them in a very modern setting, skillfully putting them in the spaces that politicians and celebrities fill in the real world. The result is an entirely believable world where omnipotent beings rub shoulders with mortals and Demi-gods as they go about their business of rule and debauchery.
The writing style is reminiscent of other detective stories where the lead character narrates the story, and it is done with real wit and great insight. Plato Jones is a very likable guy with strong convictions, caught up in a game that has been played for millenia, and as he hunts down the killer he has to negotiate the politics and in-fighting of the Deities as well as threats to his own life.
All of this is done with fantastic drama and wonderful humour.
This book does not deserve to be pigeon-holed in any particular genre; it should be read by anyone who loves well crafted prose and a compelling plot.
This book should be huge, and the author can be very proud.
February 12, 2013
A murder-mystery that reads like a pulp detective novel. Well-written Noir style prose creates fast-paced action. The main character - Plato Jones, a divorced private investigator - is based on the hero archetype, giving this book/series a strong appeal for male audiences.
There is a slight paranormal/fantasy twist to the genre - the clients, victims, and suspects are Greek gods. The gods have adapted to life in the modern world - Aphrodite is a socialite, Ares has become a rock star. It will be interesting to see where Mr. Warren takes this concept over the course of the series. I look forward to reading the sequel.
I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for review. I hadn't heard of the independent publisher, Dragonfairy Press, before this book, but I will be hunting down more of their publications.
There is a slight paranormal/fantasy twist to the genre - the clients, victims, and suspects are Greek gods. The gods have adapted to life in the modern world - Aphrodite is a socialite, Ares has become a rock star. It will be interesting to see where Mr. Warren takes this concept over the course of the series. I look forward to reading the sequel.
I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for review. I hadn't heard of the independent publisher, Dragonfairy Press, before this book, but I will be hunting down more of their publications.
May 8, 2013
Originally posted at DJ's Book Corner
As someone who likes to read mythology books as much as I like to write them, I had pretty high expectations for this book. And guess what? This book met them. It was fun, HILARIOUS, and full of up-to-no-good Greek gods!
Plato Jones is a "retired" OBI agent that used to kick butt and take names for the gods of Olympus. He quit and started up his own agency, wanting never to deal with the gods and their games again.
Yeah, whatever. After a few gods are found dead, the gods come a-knockin' and the fun begins.
Plato was a rib-tickler of a main character whose thoughts and statements kept me laughing the entire book.
"I said you're small for a cyclops." I glanced at his lower half. "And judging by the size of that loincloth, I'm sure all the female cyclops would agree."
Plato made comments and statements like this throughout the book, but the ones he kept to himself were even funnier.
James grinned. His veneers were too big and too white for his mouth. They reminded me of piano keys.
Piano keys?! Really? So funny. Especially when I picture that in my head.
We get to meet most of the Olympians in this book and I really did like every single one. My favorite had to have been Hermes though. He was fantastic. Snarky, impatient, and just overall fun to read about. And guess who Plato's best friend was? Hercules! Ha! After Plato and Hermes, he was my next favorite character. Even though he was superhuman and super rich, he was also super CHEAP. Like, it was just so funny.
I really liked the world Warren created. Humans know all about the gods and treat them as international celebrities. The gods are all modernized with some pretty cool occupations and houses and such. Very awesome and something that I do in my own books. The plot was pretty good, too. You'll never figure out who the killer is so just go along for the ride. You'll have more fun doing that anyway. I liked how the mythology was tied into the plot, but Warren definitely added his own flavor to it and that was really cool. The writing was great and easy to follow, and I was just able to kick up my feet and just let myself flow through the story. The only reason this isn't a five star review is because I wanted a little more action, a little more adventure. It's just what I expect where Greek myth is concerned, and though there was a little action, it wasn't enough to WOW me.
But overall, a good read with just the right amount of cursing and vulgarity (Yes. I said what I meant). I highly recommend it to fantasy and mythology fans. It's not a book bogged down with romance or anything like that, though there is a bit of the lovey-dovey, but it's tasteful and cute. Warren did a good job making sure it remained the hilarious mystery it is, therefore making it a read that everyone can enjoy. There will be more Plato Jones books and I can't wait!
As someone who likes to read mythology books as much as I like to write them, I had pretty high expectations for this book. And guess what? This book met them. It was fun, HILARIOUS, and full of up-to-no-good Greek gods!
Plato Jones is a "retired" OBI agent that used to kick butt and take names for the gods of Olympus. He quit and started up his own agency, wanting never to deal with the gods and their games again.
Yeah, whatever. After a few gods are found dead, the gods come a-knockin' and the fun begins.
Plato was a rib-tickler of a main character whose thoughts and statements kept me laughing the entire book.
"I said you're small for a cyclops." I glanced at his lower half. "And judging by the size of that loincloth, I'm sure all the female cyclops would agree."
Plato made comments and statements like this throughout the book, but the ones he kept to himself were even funnier.
James grinned. His veneers were too big and too white for his mouth. They reminded me of piano keys.
Piano keys?! Really? So funny. Especially when I picture that in my head.
We get to meet most of the Olympians in this book and I really did like every single one. My favorite had to have been Hermes though. He was fantastic. Snarky, impatient, and just overall fun to read about. And guess who Plato's best friend was? Hercules! Ha! After Plato and Hermes, he was my next favorite character. Even though he was superhuman and super rich, he was also super CHEAP. Like, it was just so funny.
I really liked the world Warren created. Humans know all about the gods and treat them as international celebrities. The gods are all modernized with some pretty cool occupations and houses and such. Very awesome and something that I do in my own books. The plot was pretty good, too. You'll never figure out who the killer is so just go along for the ride. You'll have more fun doing that anyway. I liked how the mythology was tied into the plot, but Warren definitely added his own flavor to it and that was really cool. The writing was great and easy to follow, and I was just able to kick up my feet and just let myself flow through the story. The only reason this isn't a five star review is because I wanted a little more action, a little more adventure. It's just what I expect where Greek myth is concerned, and though there was a little action, it wasn't enough to WOW me.
But overall, a good read with just the right amount of cursing and vulgarity (Yes. I said what I meant). I highly recommend it to fantasy and mythology fans. It's not a book bogged down with romance or anything like that, though there is a bit of the lovey-dovey, but it's tasteful and cute. Warren did a good job making sure it remained the hilarious mystery it is, therefore making it a read that everyone can enjoy. There will be more Plato Jones books and I can't wait!
April 18, 2013
This book was part of the blog tour I received a copy for my honest review
Plato Jones used to work for the Olympic Bureau of Investigation now he is a private investigator with his own firm that is close to shutting down. When he is asked to help find out who is killing Zeus and Heras children he initially says no, he has no love for the Gods but eventually he gives in . Plato has to deal with his ex-wife who wants him to want her back, people trying to kill him, Aries as his partner and Hermes as his boss. The main character in this book was a snarky self deprecating man named Plato, it was nice to get a male lead protagonist in the sea of females lately it was a breath of fresh air. This book did start out a little slow, building up the world and background stuff once that was out of the way the book really took off. The characters were interesting, the Gods were relatable and somewhat mortal while still being mysterious and larger than life. This book was a murder mystery with a mythological twist, the author did a good job of not having the paranormal aspect of the book overpower the story. This book was well written with the author giving small clues to the mystery that keep it moving forward without giving to much away or leaving you frustrated. Murder on Olympus is a good start to a new series and I am interested in seeing more from this author and the series.
Plato Jones used to work for the Olympic Bureau of Investigation now he is a private investigator with his own firm that is close to shutting down. When he is asked to help find out who is killing Zeus and Heras children he initially says no, he has no love for the Gods but eventually he gives in . Plato has to deal with his ex-wife who wants him to want her back, people trying to kill him, Aries as his partner and Hermes as his boss. The main character in this book was a snarky self deprecating man named Plato, it was nice to get a male lead protagonist in the sea of females lately it was a breath of fresh air. This book did start out a little slow, building up the world and background stuff once that was out of the way the book really took off. The characters were interesting, the Gods were relatable and somewhat mortal while still being mysterious and larger than life. This book was a murder mystery with a mythological twist, the author did a good job of not having the paranormal aspect of the book overpower the story. This book was well written with the author giving small clues to the mystery that keep it moving forward without giving to much away or leaving you frustrated. Murder on Olympus is a good start to a new series and I am interested in seeing more from this author and the series.
June 20, 2013
Now,I won this book during a giveaway and don't worry my review will not be affected by this event.
So... Robert B. Warren is awesome . I had very high expections for this book and I know I probably shouldn't have done that but I mean... I just get really excited about greek mythology
(Disneys's Hercules and Percy Jackson.Oh YA!) As I was reading Murder on Olympus, I had absolutely NO idea who the killer was,like HOLY MOLEY!! There were suspects everywhere!!
Let's just say, you'll probably have no idea who it is until the very end. Unless your Sherlock Holmes,of course...
(:
This book is hilarious, witty, and quickly paced(if that makes any sense). The short chapters were really nice because it felt like I flew right through the book.I definetly reccommend YOU to read Murder on Olympus! Im really excited for the sequel to come out because oh man! THE EPILOGUEE!!!
Well I guess thats all for now...
'till the sequel release we shall meet again! ;p
So... Robert B. Warren is awesome . I had very high expections for this book and I know I probably shouldn't have done that but I mean... I just get really excited about greek mythology
(Disneys's Hercules and Percy Jackson.Oh YA!) As I was reading Murder on Olympus, I had absolutely NO idea who the killer was,like HOLY MOLEY!! There were suspects everywhere!!
Let's just say, you'll probably have no idea who it is until the very end. Unless your Sherlock Holmes,of course...
(:
This book is hilarious, witty, and quickly paced(if that makes any sense). The short chapters were really nice because it felt like I flew right through the book.I definetly reccommend YOU to read Murder on Olympus! Im really excited for the sequel to come out because oh man! THE EPILOGUEE!!!
Well I guess thats all for now...
'till the sequel release we shall meet again! ;p
April 23, 2013
Ok. I finished this book at like 4 am and I LOVED it!!!! I absolutely LOVED this concept!!! I read through this book fairly fast and I loved the short chapters making it easy to stop and do other things and then come right back. I loved how the author joined the Greek Gods into normal society and created a whole new world. I liked the mystery as well. It was well put together and the conclusion was perfect! I can not WAIT for the next Plato Jones books to come out! I want it NOW!! The author took care in really focusing on the integration of the Gods into society as well as mythical creatures. I loved the simple touches he put in, for example, when we would normally say "God!" in life as we know it, he made it where people would say "Gods!" It was just a wonderful read! Thanks so much for this book!
June 20, 2016
A very nice lightweight read. Recommended as a companion piece for a big heavy trilogy.
Plato is a generic wisecracking never-quit Private Eye.
He used to work for the Greek gods, who are still around but modernized.
They want him to investigate an apparently-impossible murder.
This calls for a guy who doesn't give up easily.
Good plot, recognizing much of what is known about quite a few members of the Greek pantheon.
I'll look for the sequel.
Plato is a generic wisecracking never-quit Private Eye.
He used to work for the Greek gods, who are still around but modernized.
They want him to investigate an apparently-impossible murder.
This calls for a guy who doesn't give up easily.
Good plot, recognizing much of what is known about quite a few members of the Greek pantheon.
I'll look for the sequel.
December 16, 2020
"When was the last time you spoke with Hades?" I asked.
Aphrodite pursed her lips in thought. She looked like she was puckering up for a kiss. My palms began to sweat. I blotted them on my pants.
"About a hundred years ago," she said.
"So you don't know what he's been up to lately?"
"I'm afraid not. I would suggest you ask him yourself, but I'd hate to see something bad happen to such a handsome man."
The compliment caught me unaware. I grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Thanks for the concern, but being a detective means exploring every avenue, even ones that may lead to dead ends."
"You're a brave man, Mr. Jones." Aphrodite smiled approvingly. "I like that."
~~Mount Olympus
This is an strange book. Warren incorporates Greek mythological lore of the gods and goddesses into a modern world, complete with minotaur, satyrs, gorgons, and even a cerebreus puppy. Oddly enough though, the gods and goddesses live alongside modern day mortals, and act more like rock stars and socialites than actual deities. There's a big difference though--they're immortal. Or at least, they're *supposed* to be.
Imagine the shock rippling through Olympus when a god is found murdered. Olympus has it's own police force--the OBI, naturally. But when the proverbial excreta hits the fan, who does Zeus want to bring in to solve the case....lowly Mr. Plato Jones. He used to be part of OBI (and he used to be married), but now he's a brooding, divorced PI. Down on his luck, and 100% mortal. He's unsure how he could possibly help apprehend a villain capable of killing a god, and has zero interest in getting caught up in the investigation. Zeus is a hard person to say no to though.
My two cents: I began reading Warren's offering, expecting to find an average mystery with an interesting setting. Unfortunately, the prose is amateur at best, with the writing at about a 5th grade reading level. It almost has a young adult feel to it, but some of the content is *dark*. I also had the same problem as other readers who gave it low reviews--Every. Single. female is objectified in a way that made me feel like I was listening in on 8th grade boys who just discovered their hormones and a stack of Playboy magazines. Some reviewers seemed to really like the novel though, so by all means, check it out of the library if the plot seems up your alley. Given 1 star or a rating of "Bad".
Further Reading: A review of Greek mythology from Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_m...
Aphrodite pursed her lips in thought. She looked like she was puckering up for a kiss. My palms began to sweat. I blotted them on my pants.
"About a hundred years ago," she said.
"So you don't know what he's been up to lately?"
"I'm afraid not. I would suggest you ask him yourself, but I'd hate to see something bad happen to such a handsome man."
The compliment caught me unaware. I grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Thanks for the concern, but being a detective means exploring every avenue, even ones that may lead to dead ends."
"You're a brave man, Mr. Jones." Aphrodite smiled approvingly. "I like that."
~~Mount Olympus
This is an strange book. Warren incorporates Greek mythological lore of the gods and goddesses into a modern world, complete with minotaur, satyrs, gorgons, and even a cerebreus puppy. Oddly enough though, the gods and goddesses live alongside modern day mortals, and act more like rock stars and socialites than actual deities. There's a big difference though--they're immortal. Or at least, they're *supposed* to be.
Imagine the shock rippling through Olympus when a god is found murdered. Olympus has it's own police force--the OBI, naturally. But when the proverbial excreta hits the fan, who does Zeus want to bring in to solve the case....lowly Mr. Plato Jones. He used to be part of OBI (and he used to be married), but now he's a brooding, divorced PI. Down on his luck, and 100% mortal. He's unsure how he could possibly help apprehend a villain capable of killing a god, and has zero interest in getting caught up in the investigation. Zeus is a hard person to say no to though.
My two cents: I began reading Warren's offering, expecting to find an average mystery with an interesting setting. Unfortunately, the prose is amateur at best, with the writing at about a 5th grade reading level. It almost has a young adult feel to it, but some of the content is *dark*. I also had the same problem as other readers who gave it low reviews--Every. Single. female is objectified in a way that made me feel like I was listening in on 8th grade boys who just discovered their hormones and a stack of Playboy magazines. Some reviewers seemed to really like the novel though, so by all means, check it out of the library if the plot seems up your alley. Given 1 star or a rating of "Bad".
Further Reading: A review of Greek mythology from Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_m...
September 25, 2019
The mystery element of the novel kept me on my toes, but the book itself fell flat. The short chapters made for a quick and easy read, but at the same time made it difficult to immerse myself in the story and the characters - not enough description. I was also left confused as to how this world of gods/mythological creatures living among humans came to exist (or was no explanation part of the creation of this alternate reality?). Ancient Greek mythology is an interest of mine, but novels placing mythology in today's world is becoming rather trite in my mind.
June 8, 2013
Review originally featured on Bookluvrs Haven.
I am not sure when or how, but I had seen this cover and had read this blurb, and wanted to read it. When it was offered for review, I jumped on it. Though it felt like it took me a while to get through this novel, it was SO MUCH FUN!
Plato is the stereotypical P.I. Sarcastic, hurting for money, a bit of a boozer and a bachelor. He enjoys driving his ex-wife crazy, and enjoys oogling beautiful women and their errrr... assets. But he also once worked for the Olympic Gods, and he does not have fond memories of them at all.
Which makes him oh so interesting.
Not to mention, I was a total fanatic for mythology as a kid and teenager, specifically on the Greek gods themselves, so this book was a double treat!
And in this book, the impossible happens! The gods, who are supposed to be immortal, are dying! Someone found a way to exterminate them, and is doing it in a bloody, icky, and super violent way. And the one and only Zeus wants Plato on the case, and will NOT take no for an answer.
This was a fun and captivating read, full of action, with some delicious sarcastic and comedic moments thrown into the mix. This is a series that I would love to continue just to see the messes that Plato finds himself into next!
*I received a eBook copy of this book for free to review from the author/publisher; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.*
I am not sure when or how, but I had seen this cover and had read this blurb, and wanted to read it. When it was offered for review, I jumped on it. Though it felt like it took me a while to get through this novel, it was SO MUCH FUN!
Plato is the stereotypical P.I. Sarcastic, hurting for money, a bit of a boozer and a bachelor. He enjoys driving his ex-wife crazy, and enjoys oogling beautiful women and their errrr... assets. But he also once worked for the Olympic Gods, and he does not have fond memories of them at all.
Which makes him oh so interesting.
Not to mention, I was a total fanatic for mythology as a kid and teenager, specifically on the Greek gods themselves, so this book was a double treat!
And in this book, the impossible happens! The gods, who are supposed to be immortal, are dying! Someone found a way to exterminate them, and is doing it in a bloody, icky, and super violent way. And the one and only Zeus wants Plato on the case, and will NOT take no for an answer.
This was a fun and captivating read, full of action, with some delicious sarcastic and comedic moments thrown into the mix. This is a series that I would love to continue just to see the messes that Plato finds himself into next!
*I received a eBook copy of this book for free to review from the author/publisher; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.*
September 15, 2013
The story was interesting enough, but it was buried in quite a bit of awkward writing. I'd probably recommend this to somebody just starting to shift to longer novels, but otherwise, I'd recommend staying away. I suspect it was intended to be young adult fiction, although the copy I was reading didn't seem to indicate as such.
The writing was simple, either intentionally or not, with very short chapters. The main character, Plato Jones, had his moments and kept the hard-boiled attitude going fairly well, but without a supporting cast, that attitude had nothing firm to react against. The best friend, Hercules, was perhaps the blandest character I can remember reading; the one foible given him -- stinginess -- struck me as a one-note character tic desperately intended to make him stand out from background noise.
So, with all the issues that the characters have, the world building seemed even worse. It took the modern world, did a simple substitution of immortal gods as being at the top of the social structure, but apparently this would have no impact on the rest of the world. Stuff happened just so mythological names could be dropped, but it had the depth of Family Guy references.
The writing was simple, either intentionally or not, with very short chapters. The main character, Plato Jones, had his moments and kept the hard-boiled attitude going fairly well, but without a supporting cast, that attitude had nothing firm to react against. The best friend, Hercules, was perhaps the blandest character I can remember reading; the one foible given him -- stinginess -- struck me as a one-note character tic desperately intended to make him stand out from background noise.
So, with all the issues that the characters have, the world building seemed even worse. It took the modern world, did a simple substitution of immortal gods as being at the top of the social structure, but apparently this would have no impact on the rest of the world. Stuff happened just so mythological names could be dropped, but it had the depth of Family Guy references.
May 13, 2013
Well what can I say this book has everything it needs to be a great private eye read and then some. Oh apart from this private eye story is a bit different as the people being investigated are the Greek Gods, yes the Greek Gods!
What with Zeus and Hera being known as the First Family, the fact they have their own version of the FBI called the OBI (Olympus Bureau of Investigation), Hercules not wanting to end up on the internet and sibling rivalry literally to die for what more could you want from a book.
If you love anything to do with the greek gods you will love this book which gives them a modern day twist which makes it all the better.
I am extremely happy that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
What with Zeus and Hera being known as the First Family, the fact they have their own version of the FBI called the OBI (Olympus Bureau of Investigation), Hercules not wanting to end up on the internet and sibling rivalry literally to die for what more could you want from a book.
If you love anything to do with the greek gods you will love this book which gives them a modern day twist which makes it all the better.
I am extremely happy that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
May 1, 2013
This is one of the best books that I have read all year!
Full of humor and crime scenes "Murder on Olympus" will keep you up all night just itching to figure out what happens next.
I loved how the characters interacted with each other and great/modern/fun/loving the Gods were. This book is great!!
It's the perfect guy/girl book. So, if you are looking for a Father's Day gift for your bookworm Dad... GET THIS BOOK!!
Also, if you are looking for a lighter more fun Harry Dresden then might I suggest Plato Jones!!
I can't wait to read the next one!!!!
Full of humor and crime scenes "Murder on Olympus" will keep you up all night just itching to figure out what happens next.
I loved how the characters interacted with each other and great/modern/fun/loving the Gods were. This book is great!!
It's the perfect guy/girl book. So, if you are looking for a Father's Day gift for your bookworm Dad... GET THIS BOOK!!
Also, if you are looking for a lighter more fun Harry Dresden then might I suggest Plato Jones!!
I can't wait to read the next one!!!!
March 27, 2013
Good mystery, well written with characters that you care about.
August 3, 2017
Perfect
The book I had been hoping for another author's books to really look forward to. Such a fresh take on how humanity would turn out if the Olympian's never left. Plato Jones is a private detective who left the elite Olympus Bureau of Investigation but now the Gods need him back. Their is a God killer on the loose and the public can't know or chaos could rein. When Plato solves this case he knows there will be more and as an abomination as Hera put it I guess there is a mystery as to who he is now as well.
The book I had been hoping for another author's books to really look forward to. Such a fresh take on how humanity would turn out if the Olympian's never left. Plato Jones is a private detective who left the elite Olympus Bureau of Investigation but now the Gods need him back. Their is a God killer on the loose and the public can't know or chaos could rein. When Plato solves this case he knows there will be more and as an abomination as Hera put it I guess there is a mystery as to who he is now as well.
July 2, 2024
I grew up reading Percy Jackson and the Gods of Olympus. This is a nice grown-up spin on that kind of adventure. Granted, Plato doesn't have to save the world like Percy Jackson, so this murder mystery was a nice change of pace. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and the characters, gods, mortals, and in-between. I was happy the murders were not described in gruesome details. And the divorced cop wasn't so "manly" that he offended me with misogynistic behavior. I found him rather likeable, in fact. Looking forward to the next book!
May 26, 2018
The Olympic gods played out in Greek mythology as prime examples of faults writ large and familial dysfunction personified.
In Murder on Olympus, Warren has brought the gods into the 21st century with all of their unpleasant characteristics, absent the moral underpinnings of the myths.
As well, modern technology being what it is, that used in this 2013 book is outdated already.
In Murder on Olympus, Warren has brought the gods into the 21st century with all of their unpleasant characteristics, absent the moral underpinnings of the myths.
As well, modern technology being what it is, that used in this 2013 book is outdated already.
August 9, 2017
I enjoy reading stories with the Old Gods in them.
October 28, 2019
A pleasant mystery that reminded me a little of Jim Butcher's Dresden, but not as creepy. The noir style was handled pretty well and I did like our hero, Plato Jones.
February 25, 2020
an amusing read!
August 11, 2024
This was an enjoyable mystery--the cast of characters were enjoyable, Plato was memorable, and it was compelling.
June 18, 2013
First of all, the author is a great storyteller. The plot is very easy to read, everything is clear and it just flows. Some books take a real effort to get through (not because they're bad, it's just that you get confused if you miss out even a word) and this is not one of them- a great light read and very enjoyable.
I love the basis of the plot. There is always something magical when it comes to Greek mythology, and the clever modern twist in this makes it even better. The characters are interesting- Plato Jones is snarky and full of dry humour, most of the gods are vain, arrogant and big headed, which leaves room for sarcastic and witty lines anywhere and everywhere. However, as interesting as the characters are, I wasn't particularly attached to any of them really...maybe it was because the characters (especially Plato) were concentrating SO much on being dry and sarcastic that they weren't as real to me as I would have liked, if that makes any sense?
The plot was a simple 'who dunnit?' murder case, which I always enjoy (Greek mythology twist + murder mystery?! Double bonus!). The author takes you through several suspects you read on (although you kind of knew they weren't the real suspects...) and it actually leaves you guessing until near the end, which is always a plus.
There are gripes I have about this book though, which are the main reasons I rounded my rating down to 3 stars instead of 4.
Plato, as a private investigator- well, to be honest, I don't think he very good at his job. And that annoyed me, since he was meant to be the best agent out there (or used to be). None of his deductions really impressed me, a few of them weren't entirely logical (to me, anyway) as there could have been hundreds of other possibilities, and his questions to the suspects basically ran along the lines of:
'Did you do it?' 'No'
'Do you know who did it?' 'No'
'Do you know what can kill a god?' 'No'
'Okay I completely believe you...Next!'
Obviously that is really exaggerated, and nowhere near as bad as I'm making it out to be, but you get the gist.
Another reason that ties in with this is that I felt the plot a little repetitive. There was a similar process of suspecting and questioning for each possible murderer, I would a liked the author to have mixed it up a little.
But enough nitpicking, overall I really enjoyed the book, it would make a great young adult read, and I would definitely recommend it.
I love the basis of the plot. There is always something magical when it comes to Greek mythology, and the clever modern twist in this makes it even better. The characters are interesting- Plato Jones is snarky and full of dry humour, most of the gods are vain, arrogant and big headed, which leaves room for sarcastic and witty lines anywhere and everywhere. However, as interesting as the characters are, I wasn't particularly attached to any of them really...maybe it was because the characters (especially Plato) were concentrating SO much on being dry and sarcastic that they weren't as real to me as I would have liked, if that makes any sense?
The plot was a simple 'who dunnit?' murder case, which I always enjoy (Greek mythology twist + murder mystery?! Double bonus!). The author takes you through several suspects you read on (although you kind of knew they weren't the real suspects...) and it actually leaves you guessing until near the end, which is always a plus.
There are gripes I have about this book though, which are the main reasons I rounded my rating down to 3 stars instead of 4.
Plato, as a private investigator- well, to be honest, I don't think he very good at his job. And that annoyed me, since he was meant to be the best agent out there (or used to be). None of his deductions really impressed me, a few of them weren't entirely logical (to me, anyway) as there could have been hundreds of other possibilities, and his questions to the suspects basically ran along the lines of:
'Did you do it?' 'No'
'Do you know who did it?' 'No'
'Do you know what can kill a god?' 'No'
'Okay I completely believe you...Next!'
Obviously that is really exaggerated, and nowhere near as bad as I'm making it out to be, but you get the gist.
Another reason that ties in with this is that I felt the plot a little repetitive. There was a similar process of suspecting and questioning for each possible murderer, I would a liked the author to have mixed it up a little.
But enough nitpicking, overall I really enjoyed the book, it would make a great young adult read, and I would definitely recommend it.
August 30, 2016
It is rare when I see and read a book that interests me outside the romance genre. Murder on Olympus was one of those rare non-romantic titles that caught my eye and intrigued me enough to step outside my comfort zone. Initially, my eye was caught by the title and its use of the word “Olympus”. I love Greek mythology; it was through these stories of gods and goddesses, heroes and warriors that I developed my love of the paranormal. Seeing this title brought back that rush of nostalgia and I had to read it.
I did enjoy this title for the most part. Our hero was a retired investigator turned private investigator because of the bureaucracy of working for the government. Only in this case, the “government” was Immortal instead of Federal. The burned out, cynical PI story line is not a new one, but the addition of a cast of immortal beings, ranging from familiar favorites like Hercules and Zeus, made it feel fresher. I enjoyed reading how Warren incorporated elements of the original myths, yet gave the characters special traits of their own as well.
Despite it being told from the view of the character, I couldn’t get a good read on Plato though. He seemed very one dimensional. Usually first person stories are well-rounded with the conversations and interactions a character has with others filling in personality bits. However, in this case, there weren’t enough outside factors to ground this story. Which made understanding Plato and his motivations difficult. It wasn’t a major issue but annoying enough because it prevented me from connecting to the character fully.
Murder on Olympus wasn’t altogether a terrible story, it just needed some more engagement with other characters and places. As I already mentioned, I picked it up for the mythological element and enjoyed it overall for the same reason. This part of the story made me continue with the story despite the minor issues I had with the character. This story was like reading an adult version of Percy Jackson or a male version of Charley Davidson; it had that same feeling of otherworldly-ness combined with self-inflicted drama.
*review copy provided by publisher via Edelweiss for honest review
I did enjoy this title for the most part. Our hero was a retired investigator turned private investigator because of the bureaucracy of working for the government. Only in this case, the “government” was Immortal instead of Federal. The burned out, cynical PI story line is not a new one, but the addition of a cast of immortal beings, ranging from familiar favorites like Hercules and Zeus, made it feel fresher. I enjoyed reading how Warren incorporated elements of the original myths, yet gave the characters special traits of their own as well.
Despite it being told from the view of the character, I couldn’t get a good read on Plato though. He seemed very one dimensional. Usually first person stories are well-rounded with the conversations and interactions a character has with others filling in personality bits. However, in this case, there weren’t enough outside factors to ground this story. Which made understanding Plato and his motivations difficult. It wasn’t a major issue but annoying enough because it prevented me from connecting to the character fully.
Murder on Olympus wasn’t altogether a terrible story, it just needed some more engagement with other characters and places. As I already mentioned, I picked it up for the mythological element and enjoyed it overall for the same reason. This part of the story made me continue with the story despite the minor issues I had with the character. This story was like reading an adult version of Percy Jackson or a male version of Charley Davidson; it had that same feeling of otherworldly-ness combined with self-inflicted drama.
*review copy provided by publisher via Edelweiss for honest review
April 2, 2013
Someone or something is killing the children of Zeus and Hera, and finding the truth requires our hero, Plato Jones, Private Investigator to delicately dance with notoriously techy and arrogant Gods. Robert Warren has penned a super start to a fun series that will delight readers of mysteries! Plato Jones, Private Investigator, used to work for the government’s super specialized investigative agency. After leaving over a disagreement with policy decisions, he is struggling to make ends meet with his barely-solvent private investigative services for public hire. A rather smart-mouthed, wisecracking character who defines himself as a larger and hairier version of a rat, pointy nose, sticky out teeth and ears: his self-deprecation and speak first think later attitude is as endearing to a reader as it is dangerous for him.
With Hercules as a best friend, Hermes as a boss, Aries as a self-proclaimed partner and repeated assassination attempts, close-mouthed witnesses, a gorgon and an ex-wife who won’t be happy unless or until he begs her to take him back, this story has multiple elements that all weave together into a well thought out and plotted book.
The author also used his chapter breaks with a great deal of cleverness: each chapter is quick and brief, and appears to follow a simple plot-point formula. This format does give the reader a sense that each chapter provides a finished step toward the conclusion, and the chapters do just fly by, as this book was incredibly difficult to put down.
A series of twists that explore several avenues and provide a long list of potential suspects, several showdowns that range from uncomfortable to deadly, never ending wisecracks from Plato and a few odd situations added to the mix – this is a story that was both fun AND entertaining to read, with a distinct voice and style provided by the author. As the first of a prospective series – this is a wonderful start.
I received an eBook from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review for I am, Indeed. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
June 23, 2013
Murder on Olympus is great. It's a fresh take on the Greek gods, one that I loved for its ability to stay close to the original mythology while still managing to bring some new information and plots to the scenario.
Plato Jones got away with way more than I think he should have. He was pretty insubordinate and disrespectful to pretty much all the gods, all of which are supposed to have dire tempers. Yet they all put up with it with grace, which I thought was pretty nice of them to say the least. It was fun that a good majority of the major Olympians made an appearance at some point in the novel. Even some of the minor players in Greek mythology graced the text.
I loved the mystery. While I had a hard time with the one of the deaths in particular it was still a really great mystery and I found that I had a hard time figuring it out quickly. I can usually figure out mysteries relatively quickly (once enough information has been given), and I did manage to predict little instances here and there, but the grand reveal was something I hadn't counted on. Which I loved! I love when I can't predict how a novel is going to go, and this was a prime example of that.
I don't really understand what the whole point was of having Alexis in the picture. It didn't progress the storyline any, aside from bullying Plato Jones into doing the investigation. I just feel like there could have been something different to lure him in, because really Alexis' part did nothing to further the plot and I found myself getting annoyed with her stupid ploys to bate Plato.
Other than that though I was very satisfied with this book. It was entertaining and held a good mystery and didn't detract from the gods' original personalities. The torture parties were particularly unnerving...
Plato Jones got away with way more than I think he should have. He was pretty insubordinate and disrespectful to pretty much all the gods, all of which are supposed to have dire tempers. Yet they all put up with it with grace, which I thought was pretty nice of them to say the least. It was fun that a good majority of the major Olympians made an appearance at some point in the novel. Even some of the minor players in Greek mythology graced the text.
I loved the mystery. While I had a hard time with the one of the deaths in particular it was still a really great mystery and I found that I had a hard time figuring it out quickly. I can usually figure out mysteries relatively quickly (once enough information has been given), and I did manage to predict little instances here and there, but the grand reveal was something I hadn't counted on. Which I loved! I love when I can't predict how a novel is going to go, and this was a prime example of that.
I don't really understand what the whole point was of having Alexis in the picture. It didn't progress the storyline any, aside from bullying Plato Jones into doing the investigation. I just feel like there could have been something different to lure him in, because really Alexis' part did nothing to further the plot and I found myself getting annoyed with her stupid ploys to bate Plato.
Other than that though I was very satisfied with this book. It was entertaining and held a good mystery and didn't detract from the gods' original personalities. The torture parties were particularly unnerving...
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May 16, 2014I loved this book! I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology so anything that features it is an auto-buy for me. Combining Greek mythology with a murder mystery? Genius!
What I liked:
Everything. But to be more specific...
The Greek gods - The gods were true Greek gods - mercurial, proud, vindictive. I can't stand neutered portrayals of Greek mythology where the gods are peaceful, loving, happy, benevolent individuals who refuse to interfere in the affairs of mortals. I'm all for new spins on old characters but respect the source material.
The Greek gods, part 2 - Even though Robert Warren stayed true to the source material he still put nice spins on the characters. Hercules as a penny pincher? Aphrodite as something other than a vapid woman of loose morals? Loved it. I could quibble about Hermes' portrayal as he was one of the friendlier gods in his dealings with mortals but I enjoyed his constant riding of Plato. For the record, Hermes was more than a glorified errand boy for the Olympians no matter what Plato thinks.
The plot - A murder mystery involving the Greek gods - crazy yet awesome. I correctly guessed the murderer early on but not the twist behind it so I'd consider the mystery a success. The book was very well-written and I didn't want to stop once I started. Sleep? Overrated! Work? Do I have to?
What I want to see in the future:
Plato, Ares, and Hercules as a crime-fighting team with Hermes as their boss. Chaos and mass destruction ensues while Hermes looks on disapprovingly.
The aftermath of the finale/epilogue:
Vague potential spoilers ahead...
I'm very interested in Poseidon's reaction - we don't know what his true feelings were but I'm leaning towards the "loved very much" side of the coin. Plato's in a for a world of hurt if that's the case.
Hera's hatred. We all know what inspires such hatred in Hera though I'm hoping Hermes ends up being the father. Imagine Plato's reaction!
What I liked:
Everything. But to be more specific...
The Greek gods - The gods were true Greek gods - mercurial, proud, vindictive. I can't stand neutered portrayals of Greek mythology where the gods are peaceful, loving, happy, benevolent individuals who refuse to interfere in the affairs of mortals. I'm all for new spins on old characters but respect the source material.
The Greek gods, part 2 - Even though Robert Warren stayed true to the source material he still put nice spins on the characters. Hercules as a penny pincher? Aphrodite as something other than a vapid woman of loose morals? Loved it. I could quibble about Hermes' portrayal as he was one of the friendlier gods in his dealings with mortals but I enjoyed his constant riding of Plato. For the record, Hermes was more than a glorified errand boy for the Olympians no matter what Plato thinks.
The plot - A murder mystery involving the Greek gods - crazy yet awesome. I correctly guessed the murderer early on but not the twist behind it so I'd consider the mystery a success. The book was very well-written and I didn't want to stop once I started. Sleep? Overrated! Work? Do I have to?
What I want to see in the future:
Plato, Ares, and Hercules as a crime-fighting team with Hermes as their boss. Chaos and mass destruction ensues while Hermes looks on disapprovingly.
The aftermath of the finale/epilogue:
Vague potential spoilers ahead...
I'm very interested in Poseidon's reaction - we don't know what his true feelings were but I'm leaning towards the "loved very much" side of the coin. Plato's in a for a world of hurt if that's the case.
Hera's hatred. We all know what inspires such hatred in Hera though I'm hoping Hermes ends up being the father. Imagine Plato's reaction!
July 25, 2013
I was given this free e-book in return for a honest review. So here goes...
Synopsis:
At first glance, the Gods of Olympus are as different from one another as salt is from sugar. Despite their bickering, they share a universal bond, a thread of commonality that unites them.
They’re all jerks.
After a stint with the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is through with the Gods and their political games. Against his protests, he's drawn into a murder investigation, where the murderer's targets are the Gods themselves.
Plato has cracked some tough cases: exposing cheating spouses, capturing treasonous heretics, hunting three-headed dogs. But this time he’s in over his head. How can he solve a crime that’s impossible to commit? And what chance does Plato—a mere mortal—have against something powerful enough to kill a God?
My Review:
Awesome book. Really well written, humourous and gripping story. Robert B. Warren has managed to carefully create suspense in the book. I've read such a good mixture of humour, suspense, fantasy and thriller.
A very refreshing take on Gods and other classic figures. Who would have thought to see Hermes in a pinstripe suit. Never saw I'll see these Gods outside chitons or peplos. Demigods and satyrs singing karaoke with mortal friends. A very novel take on classic characters. Who would have thought Plato would be a PI? Surely not me. Also loved the fact that a male was the lead character. After reading so many books with kickass female protagonists Murder on Olympus was a welcome change. B.Warren had me completely hooked to the book. The cliffhanger at the end of the books left with greedy. I want more of Plato Jones. The series has just begun and things have just started getting interesting. Did I mention I loved it? 'Cause I abso-fricking-lutely loved it.
Synopsis:
At first glance, the Gods of Olympus are as different from one another as salt is from sugar. Despite their bickering, they share a universal bond, a thread of commonality that unites them.
They’re all jerks.
After a stint with the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is through with the Gods and their political games. Against his protests, he's drawn into a murder investigation, where the murderer's targets are the Gods themselves.
Plato has cracked some tough cases: exposing cheating spouses, capturing treasonous heretics, hunting three-headed dogs. But this time he’s in over his head. How can he solve a crime that’s impossible to commit? And what chance does Plato—a mere mortal—have against something powerful enough to kill a God?
My Review:
Awesome book. Really well written, humourous and gripping story. Robert B. Warren has managed to carefully create suspense in the book. I've read such a good mixture of humour, suspense, fantasy and thriller.
A very refreshing take on Gods and other classic figures. Who would have thought to see Hermes in a pinstripe suit. Never saw I'll see these Gods outside chitons or peplos. Demigods and satyrs singing karaoke with mortal friends. A very novel take on classic characters. Who would have thought Plato would be a PI? Surely not me. Also loved the fact that a male was the lead character. After reading so many books with kickass female protagonists Murder on Olympus was a welcome change. B.Warren had me completely hooked to the book. The cliffhanger at the end of the books left with greedy. I want more of Plato Jones. The series has just begun and things have just started getting interesting. Did I mention I loved it? 'Cause I abso-fricking-lutely loved it.
May 20, 2013
Upon receiving this book, I was requested to write an honest review. Here you go:
I picked up this book because I am a complete sucker for Greek mythology. Also being a huge Percy Jackson fan, I was curious as how Warren was going to illustrate the whole Greek-Gods-in-modern-times theme. And who doesn't like a good mystery?
The characters were well written. I actually enjoyed reading about ever single character and liked seeing how they fit in the picture. As main characters go, Plato Jones is pretty good. Plato is funny, witty, confident, and brave. The kind of brave that can be sometimes be confused with stupidity.
I was, however, curious about why Emilie didn't have much of a presence. I know she's only a minor character, but it still bugged me. It felt like she was there because she had to, but she could've been a robot and I wouldn't know the difference. Maybe she is.
The writing style really got me in this book. Warren is a true storyteller. The sarcastic tone gave an entertaining read, but never over-done. The pages flew easily, making it extremely hard to put down. The investigation kept me on my toes and my mind spinning with questions. Plato is a great detective and knows what he's doing, and although the story is being told from his point of view I didn't see the ending coming. It was interesting to see how all the strings came together at the end.
I wish we got a little more of back-story though. How do the Greek Gods fit in our modern world? Do they only exist in Greece? Are all mortals aware of their existence? Maybe I'll get my answers in the next book *crosses fingers*
All in all: It was a great read. Well-written characters, entertaining storytelling, great mystery, interesting plot-line, and an amazing start to a new series. Well done Warren.
July 21, 2013
Murder on Olympus is a refreshing, original story that presents gods and goddess that lives among us. A former worker of the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is now a private investigator. After Gods start appearing dead he sees himself involved again with them and their world.
In the world created by Robert B. Warren, The Gods of Olympus are celebrities, they are known by the whole world, the paparazzis follow them everywhere and “they cannot be killed” (until now). This world seems real, is totally believable, interesting, exciting, funny and intriguing. Is easy to imagine it and you want to know more and more.
This is a story that moves really fast, with twist and several surprises. The mystery is sustained during the whole book and there are no obvious answers. The author did a great work writing a story that gains intensity as it moves on.
This book has a really good writing style, the words float smoothly and the reading is easy and engaging. It’s a story with great dialogues, comical situations and a bit of action.
The characters are amazing. Plato, the main character, is likeable and well described. He is an adult with real problems, a divorced man with a great sense of humor. His friends and the rest of the characters are equally fantastic. You will meet a different Hercules, Hermes, Ares, Aphrodite among others.
Overall, this is an excellent written book, with great doses of humor and mystery. It’s a must for lovers of mythology and detectives' adventures. I will be waiting for the next adventure of Plato Jones.
*** I received an ecopy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review. ***
In the world created by Robert B. Warren, The Gods of Olympus are celebrities, they are known by the whole world, the paparazzis follow them everywhere and “they cannot be killed” (until now). This world seems real, is totally believable, interesting, exciting, funny and intriguing. Is easy to imagine it and you want to know more and more.
This is a story that moves really fast, with twist and several surprises. The mystery is sustained during the whole book and there are no obvious answers. The author did a great work writing a story that gains intensity as it moves on.
This book has a really good writing style, the words float smoothly and the reading is easy and engaging. It’s a story with great dialogues, comical situations and a bit of action.
The characters are amazing. Plato, the main character, is likeable and well described. He is an adult with real problems, a divorced man with a great sense of humor. His friends and the rest of the characters are equally fantastic. You will meet a different Hercules, Hermes, Ares, Aphrodite among others.
Overall, this is an excellent written book, with great doses of humor and mystery. It’s a must for lovers of mythology and detectives' adventures. I will be waiting for the next adventure of Plato Jones.
*** I received an ecopy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review. ***
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