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Ancient Crete Mystery #2
On the Horns of Death
Ancient Crete, 1450 BC. When young bull leaper Martis finds Duzi, the newest member of the bull leaping team, dead in the bull pen early one morning. Made to look like he met his end on the horns of the bull, it's clear to Martis that this was no accident . . .
Martis once again finds herself thrown into a dangerous game of hunting down a murderer as the deaths start to mount. An old friend of Martis' sister, and possible lover to Duzi, is the next person to be found dead, and Martis' investigations lead her to believe love and jealousy are at the heart of these crimes against the Goddess.
Is someone targeting the bull leaping community? Or is there something else at play? With only the Shade of her sister Arge to confide in, Martis struggles to untangle the growing web of secrets which stretch around her.
Martis once again finds herself thrown into a dangerous game of hunting down a murderer as the deaths start to mount. An old friend of Martis' sister, and possible lover to Duzi, is the next person to be found dead, and Martis' investigations lead her to believe love and jealousy are at the heart of these crimes against the Goddess.
Is someone targeting the bull leaping community? Or is there something else at play? With only the Shade of her sister Arge to confide in, Martis struggles to untangle the growing web of secrets which stretch around her.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2024
4 people are currently reading
4068 people want to read
About the author
Eleanor Kuhns
21 books1,279 followersEleanor is a lifelong librarian. She wrote her first story at the age of ten and hasn't stopped since. She lives with her husband and dog in New York State.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 25, 2024
This was an entertaining read. I am a fan of historical mysteries and I haven’t read that many (if any) set in Greece. This is aimed at the YA market but it was nevertheless a worthwhile read even by an old codger like me! From the afterword it seems the author knows a great deal about Ancient Greece, but I found some of her vocabulary annoyingly anachronistic. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
April 2, 2024
This is a good series that makes you meet the characters you see in the Micenean frescoes. Well plotted and compelling, a travel in time and space that kept me guessing and reading.
Martis is a likeable character and the historical background is fascinating.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Martis is a likeable character and the historical background is fascinating.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 27, 2023
After falling down the Cozy Mystery hole, I've come to expect a certain formula and location for these types of books. So I was extremely interested in a mystery that was similar to the cozies I loved but set in Ancient Crete! Having actually been to Knossos a couple of times, the location was already familiar to me. But the author brought life to the ancient ruins with an amazing and diverse cast and a puzzling mystery to solve. It's hard to review a book like this without giving away the ending so I'll just say that I loved the main character and how she worked her way though the various clue and suspects. The supporting cast was fleshed out enough that you actually care for them and I'm very interested in seeing follow up books that would expand on these people.
My only concern? I need more historical information! Thankfully the writer added some at the end but I still wanted to get a bit more information about the ancient Minoan practices. Maybe even a map of Knossos as it would exist in the novel?
My only concern? I need more historical information! Thankfully the writer added some at the end but I still wanted to get a bit more information about the ancient Minoan practices. Maybe even a map of Knossos as it would exist in the novel?
March 28, 2024
More Dangerous for Bull Jumpers Than The Bulls
Martis is late and hurries into the caves below Knossos. She smells blood as she enters. The bulls are agitated, especially the one chosen for today’s ceremony. The bull had damaged the side of its pen. She could not force herself into the circle of older male jumpers. She goes around them and peers through the damage. She lowers herself to see through a larger gap for a better look. She sees a bloody body that has been gored and stomped. Their trainer calls for someone to get Tinos, who serves as the chief administrator of Knossos. When he arrives, he is shown to the body. He asks if anyone recognizes the body. No one does. Martis looks, but his face is too damaged. The body is wearing a kelt, not just a loincloth, as bull jumpers do. She recognizes kelt. It is Duzi, a fellow bull jumper. From this death, Tinos starts the official investigation. Martis starts a more productive unofficial investigation.
This novel has only one main storyline: Martis’s unofficial investigation. While she is more productive in gathering information than Tinos, he does not want her to help and repeatedly tells her to stop. Her mother is also very insistent that she stop investigating. They both fear for her life if she continues. This pressure and continuing murders didn’t create tension at a level that captured my interest. The murders kept occurring, but none of the evidence led to any suspects. Martis thinks two bull jumpers are the most likely suspects, but definitive evidence has not been found. My interest is finally captured late in the novel. It was at this point that I could not stop reading.
Martis is an extrovert, and her personality is very evident. She is fast approaching the age when she will no longer be a child but an adult. Marriage is expected, and she must decide on the trade for the rest of her life. She wants to follow Artemis, not marry, and does not want to be a weaver. Supporting her in making these decisions is revealed in Martis's discussions with Arphaia and a B-storyline thread involving Martis and the healer, Despina. This aspect was an enjoyable aspect of this novel.
I did not see anything that would raise concerns about intimate scenes or language in this novel. There are murders, but descriptive violence doesn’t occur until the novel's end. It does not rise to the level available on prime-time television. I found it valuable reading this novel on an e-reader with Internet access. This access allowed me to learn more about the meaning and details of some ancient Cretan/Greek words. This novel is the second in the series, but it is my first read of this series. I did not find any references to that novel that did not have adequate backfill.
The aspect of this novel that troubled me the most is as I wrote above. All the ingredients were there to capture my interest, but I needed to be stronger to get the job done. What I liked is that it is set in ancient Knossos. I have read only two novels of that era, both dealing with Theseus and the Minotaur. I did enjoy this more personal view of the people of Knossos. I did like that after Martis couldn’t work out the motives, it all fell together without any loose ends.
This is the first novel by this author I have read, so I have not decided yet on a rating. If you enjoy reading ancient historical novels that are also cozy mystery novels, this novel may interest you. It was not up to the novels I rated as a four, but it also didn’t have issues severe enough to assign a three. I chose to assign it a four.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Severn House. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. Thank you, Severn House, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
Martis is late and hurries into the caves below Knossos. She smells blood as she enters. The bulls are agitated, especially the one chosen for today’s ceremony. The bull had damaged the side of its pen. She could not force herself into the circle of older male jumpers. She goes around them and peers through the damage. She lowers herself to see through a larger gap for a better look. She sees a bloody body that has been gored and stomped. Their trainer calls for someone to get Tinos, who serves as the chief administrator of Knossos. When he arrives, he is shown to the body. He asks if anyone recognizes the body. No one does. Martis looks, but his face is too damaged. The body is wearing a kelt, not just a loincloth, as bull jumpers do. She recognizes kelt. It is Duzi, a fellow bull jumper. From this death, Tinos starts the official investigation. Martis starts a more productive unofficial investigation.
This novel has only one main storyline: Martis’s unofficial investigation. While she is more productive in gathering information than Tinos, he does not want her to help and repeatedly tells her to stop. Her mother is also very insistent that she stop investigating. They both fear for her life if she continues. This pressure and continuing murders didn’t create tension at a level that captured my interest. The murders kept occurring, but none of the evidence led to any suspects. Martis thinks two bull jumpers are the most likely suspects, but definitive evidence has not been found. My interest is finally captured late in the novel. It was at this point that I could not stop reading.
Martis is an extrovert, and her personality is very evident. She is fast approaching the age when she will no longer be a child but an adult. Marriage is expected, and she must decide on the trade for the rest of her life. She wants to follow Artemis, not marry, and does not want to be a weaver. Supporting her in making these decisions is revealed in Martis's discussions with Arphaia and a B-storyline thread involving Martis and the healer, Despina. This aspect was an enjoyable aspect of this novel.
I did not see anything that would raise concerns about intimate scenes or language in this novel. There are murders, but descriptive violence doesn’t occur until the novel's end. It does not rise to the level available on prime-time television. I found it valuable reading this novel on an e-reader with Internet access. This access allowed me to learn more about the meaning and details of some ancient Cretan/Greek words. This novel is the second in the series, but it is my first read of this series. I did not find any references to that novel that did not have adequate backfill.
The aspect of this novel that troubled me the most is as I wrote above. All the ingredients were there to capture my interest, but I needed to be stronger to get the job done. What I liked is that it is set in ancient Knossos. I have read only two novels of that era, both dealing with Theseus and the Minotaur. I did enjoy this more personal view of the people of Knossos. I did like that after Martis couldn’t work out the motives, it all fell together without any loose ends.
This is the first novel by this author I have read, so I have not decided yet on a rating. If you enjoy reading ancient historical novels that are also cozy mystery novels, this novel may interest you. It was not up to the novels I rated as a four, but it also didn’t have issues severe enough to assign a three. I chose to assign it a four.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Severn House. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. Thank you, Severn House, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
January 15, 2025
On the Horns of Death is historical mystery. Sixteen-year-old Martis volunteers as a bull dancer in Knossos on the isle of Crete. An ordinary day of practice turns dark when she discovers the body of another dancer inside a bullpen. But why would he climb into the pen? Answer: murder.
Bottom line: On the Horns of Death is for you if you like amateur sleuths and the rich sights, scents, and sounds of Ancient Greece.
The heart of this story is our nosy-body-in-training, Martis. She is constantly is putting her nose where it doesn’t belong, but for all the right reasons. And, people talk to her. She’s a little too daring for her own good, which makes for excellent reading.
The supporting cast works well. We have Tinos, who is the High Priestess’s consort and investigates deaths…and Martis is seriously crushing on him. There is her mother who tries to be patient and supporting but is pulling her hair out as her daughter repeatedly runs toward danger. Martis has friends, who are all bull dancers, although in this book, they are also the main suspects.
The world building of Knossos hit the right balance for me between painting a picture and turning into an anthropologist’s journal entry. There is plenty of detail on the dress, food, and traditions to enable the reader to “see” Knossis, but it’s done in the context of Martis sleuthing, without long passages of description only.
The mystery plot was driven by character interviews with alibis excluding suspects, rather than evidence pointing to the bad guy. It is an old school mystery telling style. In the end, Martis – and for that matter Tinos – do not solve the mystery themselves but are drawn into it as the bad guy acts out, revealing themselves.
The logic of Martis’s actions are solid. She pushes. When one door closes, she opens a window. Even a severe dressing down by Tinos doesn’t suppress her investigation for long. The strength of logic of the bad guy’s actions start strong with the first murder but then tapers off to me as the body count rises.
This is the second book in the series, and I did not read the first. This mystery mostly stood alone. For certain witnesses, there were references back to the death of Martis’s sister, which I assume was the first book. I did not find that I was missing backstory or information needed to enjoy this one. In my opinion, you can start on your Greek journey right here.
All in all, I found Martis an engaging hero and found myself wondering what trouble she was getting into when I was away from the book. I look forward to reading her future exploits and hope Knossis can survive her.
Bottom line: On the Horns of Death is for you if you like amateur sleuths and the rich sights, scents, and sounds of Ancient Greece.
The heart of this story is our nosy-body-in-training, Martis. She is constantly is putting her nose where it doesn’t belong, but for all the right reasons. And, people talk to her. She’s a little too daring for her own good, which makes for excellent reading.
The supporting cast works well. We have Tinos, who is the High Priestess’s consort and investigates deaths…and Martis is seriously crushing on him. There is her mother who tries to be patient and supporting but is pulling her hair out as her daughter repeatedly runs toward danger. Martis has friends, who are all bull dancers, although in this book, they are also the main suspects.
The world building of Knossos hit the right balance for me between painting a picture and turning into an anthropologist’s journal entry. There is plenty of detail on the dress, food, and traditions to enable the reader to “see” Knossis, but it’s done in the context of Martis sleuthing, without long passages of description only.
The mystery plot was driven by character interviews with alibis excluding suspects, rather than evidence pointing to the bad guy. It is an old school mystery telling style. In the end, Martis – and for that matter Tinos – do not solve the mystery themselves but are drawn into it as the bad guy acts out, revealing themselves.
The logic of Martis’s actions are solid. She pushes. When one door closes, she opens a window. Even a severe dressing down by Tinos doesn’t suppress her investigation for long. The strength of logic of the bad guy’s actions start strong with the first murder but then tapers off to me as the body count rises.
This is the second book in the series, and I did not read the first. This mystery mostly stood alone. For certain witnesses, there were references back to the death of Martis’s sister, which I assume was the first book. I did not find that I was missing backstory or information needed to enjoy this one. In my opinion, you can start on your Greek journey right here.
All in all, I found Martis an engaging hero and found myself wondering what trouble she was getting into when I was away from the book. I look forward to reading her future exploits and hope Knossis can survive her.
April 5, 2024
Once again, Martis finds herself at the heart of an unexplained death, when she is actually the person who discovers the first body in very distressing circumstances. While the plotting and the quest for the murderer has to be one of the narratives driving the story in any whodunit – this time around, I find I’m equally entranced by all the details surrounding Martis’s everyday life.
I have visited Crete and the palace of Knossos, albeit back when Noah was knee-high to a hen, so reading a story in that setting is a joy, particularly when it’s done as well as it is here. One thing that stood out for me is that everyone generally is getting everywhere on foot. No leaping on a horse/stagecoach/motor bike to rush to wherever you need to go. This affects the pace a bit – but means the young protagonist is extremely fit and that as people age, their infirmities bite a lot harder.
Martis is only sixteen, very headstrong and restless while trying to discover what it is she wants in life. What she doesn’t want is to settle down, get married and have children, which immediately makes her a bit different from the majority of young women she knows. However, I liked the fact that while she’s unusual, she isn’t regarded as some freak. Women had a lot more choices in the Minoan civilisation as they were the ones who held property and men married into the matriarchal family. Teenagers from historical times tend not to be as air-headed as their modern peers, because everyone grew up far more quickly in a time when the life expectancy was a lot shorter. So if you tend to avoid teenage protagonists because you don’t want the angst, it’s dialled down here. That said, Kuhns hasn’t made Martis act like a responsible thirty-something, either. I think she’s got the balance just about right.
The bodies stack up and Martis finds herself finding out a lot more about her dead sisters and their friends as she sets about trying to discover who’s doing the killing and putting a stop to it. Once we got to the denouement – the killer wasn’t who I was expecting, but it wasn’t wholly satisfying for reasons I don’t want to go into here, because I’d be lurching into Spoiler territory. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the vividly depicted world Kuhns has woven and would be very happy to revisit it. Recommended for fans of historical murder mysteries. While I obtained an arc of On the Horns of Death from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
I have visited Crete and the palace of Knossos, albeit back when Noah was knee-high to a hen, so reading a story in that setting is a joy, particularly when it’s done as well as it is here. One thing that stood out for me is that everyone generally is getting everywhere on foot. No leaping on a horse/stagecoach/motor bike to rush to wherever you need to go. This affects the pace a bit – but means the young protagonist is extremely fit and that as people age, their infirmities bite a lot harder.
Martis is only sixteen, very headstrong and restless while trying to discover what it is she wants in life. What she doesn’t want is to settle down, get married and have children, which immediately makes her a bit different from the majority of young women she knows. However, I liked the fact that while she’s unusual, she isn’t regarded as some freak. Women had a lot more choices in the Minoan civilisation as they were the ones who held property and men married into the matriarchal family. Teenagers from historical times tend not to be as air-headed as their modern peers, because everyone grew up far more quickly in a time when the life expectancy was a lot shorter. So if you tend to avoid teenage protagonists because you don’t want the angst, it’s dialled down here. That said, Kuhns hasn’t made Martis act like a responsible thirty-something, either. I think she’s got the balance just about right.
The bodies stack up and Martis finds herself finding out a lot more about her dead sisters and their friends as she sets about trying to discover who’s doing the killing and putting a stop to it. Once we got to the denouement – the killer wasn’t who I was expecting, but it wasn’t wholly satisfying for reasons I don’t want to go into here, because I’d be lurching into Spoiler territory. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the vividly depicted world Kuhns has woven and would be very happy to revisit it. Recommended for fans of historical murder mysteries. While I obtained an arc of On the Horns of Death from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
May 24, 2024
ON THE HORNS OF DEATH by Eleanor Kuhns
The Second Ancient Crete Mystery
All of Knossos is eager to participate in the various ceremonies of the Harvest Festival. But something has upset the bulls. When Martis gets closer to one of the pens she discovers the reason-there's a dead body in with the bull marked for the sacrifice. Stunned, she recognizes the man as Duzi, one of the newest bull leapers. She also realizes that this wasn't an accident. Despite Tinos, the wanax in charge of the investigation, and her mother insisting she not get involved, Martis believes it's her duty to find out what happened to her friend, no matter the possible danger.
I absolutely love the blend of Ancient Cretan culture and mystery. The religious aspects are fascinating and they seamlessly blend in with the mystery, as it seamlessly flows with everyday life. I really felt for Martis in this second Ancient Crete Mystery. A young woman who feels she's being treated as a child, but who really doesn't know what she wants out of life, she's growing, but struggling with her own decisions and dealings with others. Who wouldn't want to root for her?!
A clue early on led me to know certain things, but not everything, and the storyline kept me completely captivated. There were many strands woven together like the cloths made by Nephele all of which led to the bull leapers. It also revealed how little Martis really knew about her friends.
ON THE HORNS OF DEATH is an engrossing historical mystery melding ancient religion and murder. I love learning even more about this time period and am thrilled that this learning gets paired with a well plotted mystery filled with wonderful fleshed out characters. I can't wait to see what happens next!
The Second Ancient Crete Mystery
All of Knossos is eager to participate in the various ceremonies of the Harvest Festival. But something has upset the bulls. When Martis gets closer to one of the pens she discovers the reason-there's a dead body in with the bull marked for the sacrifice. Stunned, she recognizes the man as Duzi, one of the newest bull leapers. She also realizes that this wasn't an accident. Despite Tinos, the wanax in charge of the investigation, and her mother insisting she not get involved, Martis believes it's her duty to find out what happened to her friend, no matter the possible danger.
I absolutely love the blend of Ancient Cretan culture and mystery. The religious aspects are fascinating and they seamlessly blend in with the mystery, as it seamlessly flows with everyday life. I really felt for Martis in this second Ancient Crete Mystery. A young woman who feels she's being treated as a child, but who really doesn't know what she wants out of life, she's growing, but struggling with her own decisions and dealings with others. Who wouldn't want to root for her?!
A clue early on led me to know certain things, but not everything, and the storyline kept me completely captivated. There were many strands woven together like the cloths made by Nephele all of which led to the bull leapers. It also revealed how little Martis really knew about her friends.
ON THE HORNS OF DEATH is an engrossing historical mystery melding ancient religion and murder. I love learning even more about this time period and am thrilled that this learning gets paired with a well plotted mystery filled with wonderful fleshed out characters. I can't wait to see what happens next!
May 22, 2024
I was drawn to this book to being with because it is set in ancient Crete, now I'm a nerd of history we all know this by now so that should be no surprise, and Ancient Crete is somewhere where my knowledge is contained to the minotaur myth and the fact that we have drawings depicting them jumping over bulls. So I was really looking forward to hopefully finding out more about this section of history.
It is a brilliantly written book, I really felt like we stepped back into the period from the opening pages. The descriptions of the caves and bull leaping training were so evocative, Eleanor Kuhns use of all the senses when writing really helps you visualise the scene.
I really loved Martis as our MC she was so brilliant for driving the story forward and generally she was such an interesting character. I loved seeing her different relationships with the other characters, and how she had to navigate the different social and occasionally political situations that those other characters brought with them. It was a really interesting way to explain Cretian society and how it worked without having to have a section at the beginning giving us a history lesson. Having said that I love love loved the author's note at the back explaining various things mentioned within the book, such as the bull leaping which fascinates me.
I loved this book, I read it in a day which was really lovely to do and when I got to the end I didn't want it to end. I am definitely going to get the first book in the series and I'm hoping that we get to book three soon because I can't wait to see what Martis gets caught up in next.
It is a brilliantly written book, I really felt like we stepped back into the period from the opening pages. The descriptions of the caves and bull leaping training were so evocative, Eleanor Kuhns use of all the senses when writing really helps you visualise the scene.
I really loved Martis as our MC she was so brilliant for driving the story forward and generally she was such an interesting character. I loved seeing her different relationships with the other characters, and how she had to navigate the different social and occasionally political situations that those other characters brought with them. It was a really interesting way to explain Cretian society and how it worked without having to have a section at the beginning giving us a history lesson. Having said that I love love loved the author's note at the back explaining various things mentioned within the book, such as the bull leaping which fascinates me.
I loved this book, I read it in a day which was really lovely to do and when I got to the end I didn't want it to end. I am definitely going to get the first book in the series and I'm hoping that we get to book three soon because I can't wait to see what Martis gets caught up in next.
October 8, 2023
I really enjoyed reading ‘Shadow of the Bull’ and was excited to continue Martis’ journey in Ancient Crete in ‘On the Horns of Death’.
The story picks up around 7 months after the concluding events of ’Shadow of the Bull’ and I think reading it first definitely enhances the experience of reading ‘On the Horns of Death’ especially in the establishment of the setting and Martis’ family and surrounding characters. Like the first book, there are very detailed descriptions of the environment, regalia and general appearances that really evokes the images associated with Ancient Crete and the surviving scenes we see on the Palace of Knossos today. Additionally, Martis’ character has been built upon and she has seemingly grown and matured after the events of book one and her advancement working with the bulls. What I love about this book is that as much as it is a murder mystery novel, the characters are well fleshed out and developed, with women featuring prominently instead of 2D side characters.
The murder-mystery element is established really early in the story and the mystery was woven into the story with new and existing characters really well. I honestly had no hunch on who the murderer was, I was really intrigued and compelled to finish the story and get answers. I do wish there was a bit more closure at the end, I felt it was very abrupt.
Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher Severn Press, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
The story picks up around 7 months after the concluding events of ’Shadow of the Bull’ and I think reading it first definitely enhances the experience of reading ‘On the Horns of Death’ especially in the establishment of the setting and Martis’ family and surrounding characters. Like the first book, there are very detailed descriptions of the environment, regalia and general appearances that really evokes the images associated with Ancient Crete and the surviving scenes we see on the Palace of Knossos today. Additionally, Martis’ character has been built upon and she has seemingly grown and matured after the events of book one and her advancement working with the bulls. What I love about this book is that as much as it is a murder mystery novel, the characters are well fleshed out and developed, with women featuring prominently instead of 2D side characters.
The murder-mystery element is established really early in the story and the mystery was woven into the story with new and existing characters really well. I honestly had no hunch on who the murderer was, I was really intrigued and compelled to finish the story and get answers. I do wish there was a bit more closure at the end, I felt it was very abrupt.
Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher Severn Press, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
April 22, 2024
A continuation from "In the Shadow of the Bull", "On the Horns of Death" brings a more interesting and, personally, more thought out mystery. There is a higher focus on the mystery element than there was in the previous book, with Martis at the centre of it all.
Taking place about seven or so months since the end of the first book, this book focuses more on the bull leaping team and their relationships. We delve deeper into some existing characters mentioned in Book One as well as new ones, seeing this all occur through Martis' eyes as she tries to solve the mystery. The world building is as good as it was in the first, with a good description of the way people lived and their customs. The details on the clothing and jewellery are also a nice touch.
The downside to this has 100% got to be the ending. It was very abrupt, very rushed and felt highly unfinished. There was no closure, the big reveal and event happened, Martis was told what happened, and then it just ended. It just felt like a huge letdown, since I did not know who the killer was until the reveal and was brought to a high to just be doused in cold water.
Overall, a decent read and a good sequel though. I look forward to a third if there will be.
Taking place about seven or so months since the end of the first book, this book focuses more on the bull leaping team and their relationships. We delve deeper into some existing characters mentioned in Book One as well as new ones, seeing this all occur through Martis' eyes as she tries to solve the mystery. The world building is as good as it was in the first, with a good description of the way people lived and their customs. The details on the clothing and jewellery are also a nice touch.
The downside to this has 100% got to be the ending. It was very abrupt, very rushed and felt highly unfinished. There was no closure, the big reveal and event happened, Martis was told what happened, and then it just ended. It just felt like a huge letdown, since I did not know who the killer was until the reveal and was brought to a high to just be doused in cold water.
Overall, a decent read and a good sequel though. I look forward to a third if there will be.
October 17, 2024
I really tried to give this book a chance. I don’t like to be a hater, but I am perplexed by the reviews of this book - perhaps I am missing something. The cover art is eye-catching, the setting is unique, and it overall sounds like an interesting story. When reading the book itself, the main character constantly comments on other female characters’ appearance, how “plain”, or “not so pretty”, or otherwise unattractive all the other girls are. The characters also talk about the same small collection of clues throughout the book. I actually stopped reading and looked back through it; on any given page, the same information is being recycled by the characters. If you read the first page and the last page, it will solve a very simple case with no new information than you were given in the beginning. The main character is painted as the smartest person in the whole story, without fault, as better than everyone else, more desirable. Perhaps it gets good in the middle third but I just couldn’t finish the read. Perhaps a different audience would be better suited for this story.
May 29, 2024
After reading On The Horns of Death by the award-winning author Eleanor Kuhns, I fell under the spell of the myths, legends, and folklore of ancient Crete. Expertly plotted and paced, this story is a fascinating historical mystery.
Set in 1450 BC against a backdrop of a harvest festival celebration and ritual bull dancing—an acrobatic stunt involving young men and women leaping over the horns of a bull—the story opens with the death of the newest member of the bull leaping team.
The story is presented through the lens of a teenaged bull leaper and amateur sleuth, Marta, who is on the cusp of adulthood and disinclined to conform to the social and cultural expectations of her world.
The author expertly blends action with backstories, internal conflicts, and societal constraints to create a multilayered tale of hidden motives and ruthless choices that have far-reaching consequences for Marta, her family, and the world of the bull leapers.
Set in 1450 BC against a backdrop of a harvest festival celebration and ritual bull dancing—an acrobatic stunt involving young men and women leaping over the horns of a bull—the story opens with the death of the newest member of the bull leaping team.
The story is presented through the lens of a teenaged bull leaper and amateur sleuth, Marta, who is on the cusp of adulthood and disinclined to conform to the social and cultural expectations of her world.
The author expertly blends action with backstories, internal conflicts, and societal constraints to create a multilayered tale of hidden motives and ruthless choices that have far-reaching consequences for Marta, her family, and the world of the bull leapers.
June 3, 2024
I love mysteries and this book takes place in Ancient Greece y’all so I had to read this one as I was interested in how the author would write a mystery story that takes place in old times. This author has done a great deal of research it shows as you read this mystery.
The story is about Martis who is a bull leaper in Greece. Martis finds a fellow bull leaper who just joined the team dead in the bull pen! It looks like an accident but Martis has knows in her heart that it is not an accident. She starts to wonder and tries to figure out who did it and killed Duzi.
The writing is fantastic for a historical fiction and I really connected as a reader with our MC, Martis. She is very relatable and likeable as a character. I loved the ancient Crete culture and all the details that the author included in this book. I can not wait to see what else happens in the next part of the story as the ending definitely leaves the story open for more!
The story is about Martis who is a bull leaper in Greece. Martis finds a fellow bull leaper who just joined the team dead in the bull pen! It looks like an accident but Martis has knows in her heart that it is not an accident. She starts to wonder and tries to figure out who did it and killed Duzi.
The writing is fantastic for a historical fiction and I really connected as a reader with our MC, Martis. She is very relatable and likeable as a character. I loved the ancient Crete culture and all the details that the author included in this book. I can not wait to see what else happens in the next part of the story as the ending definitely leaves the story open for more!
May 25, 2024
Martis is a 16-year-old Minoan bull jumper, an acrobat who leaps over bulls as part of Minoan religious ceremonies, arrives late to a performance to discover that her colleague Duzi has been found dead in a bull pen, apparently trampled to death. However, the sharp-eyed Martis notices some unusual wounds on the body. Examination by a local healer shows that Duzi was stabbed before being placed in the bull pen. Martis begins her own unofficial investigation into Duzi's death despite being ordered to leave the investigation to local officials. In order to solve the mystery, Martis must navigate the complicated relationships of her fellow bull jumpers and discovers she doesn't know them as well as she thought she did.
Although this is the second book in the series, it is the first book I have read by this author. I enjoyed this book and the historical setting. The book does include an appendix with historical information. I will definitely read the first book in this series and I look forward to reading about Martis's future adventures. I received a copy of this book from the author as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
Although this is the second book in the series, it is the first book I have read by this author. I enjoyed this book and the historical setting. The book does include an appendix with historical information. I will definitely read the first book in this series and I look forward to reading about Martis's future adventures. I received a copy of this book from the author as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
June 13, 2024
On the Horns of Death by Eleanor Kuhns is an incredible read! Think of a cozy murder mystery and of Hercule Poirot together but during the ancient Crete times. All of my favorite elements were in this read. I was entertained from the start to the last page. Love, crime, and mayhem all in one epic historical fiction novel. This also had the whodunit vibe which I absolutely enjoyed. The other part of this book that was great was the lead female who was sleuthing to solve the murder investigation. It was rare to have a woman as a lead in that role which made it all the more enjoyable.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
April 15, 2024
I was interested to read a book that took place in 1350 bc. I think the oldest setting I've ever read is about 100 bc. I didn't know what bull leaping was, but should've assumed that it was going to be associated with animal cruelty and animal sacrifice. I just couldn't get beyond that trigger. The rating I decided on was for the very strong, intelligent fmc, 16 yr old Martis and her ability to solve crimes.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
July 3, 2024
MPL summer reading category a book set in antiquity.
August 11, 2024
Martis is back and willing to solve another murder. I love her style and how she continues to defy what she is told to do. The body count climbs higher and she is really needing to find out who is doing this to all her bull leapers. It's just such a differnt read, that I am really taken in by the whole setting and all these characters. I'm loving this series.
January 12, 2025
Set in Ancient Crete. 224 pp. It feels like an anachronism every time I read the words "kids" referring to human children rather than goat babies. I didn't like this one as much as the first in the series. The ending seemed to wrap up very quickly after such nicely paced plotting earlier.
On the Horns of Death (Ancient Crete Mystery, #2) by Eleanor Kuhns
On the Horns of Death (Ancient Crete Mystery, #2) by Eleanor Kuhns
October 14, 2025
Intriguing historical mystery uniquely set in ancient Crete.
On the Horns of Death is the second book in Eleanor Kuhns’s unique historical Ancient Crete Mysteries series, and features a precocious and talented young female bull dancer as the main character and amateur sleuth. With its engaging protagonist and uncommon setting, this intriguing mystery completely immersed me in the life of this early civilization.
Martis, the main character, is the 16-year-old daughter of a weaver priestess who trains and performs as a member of the troop of bull dancers during celebrations and religious ceremonies in Knossos. She’s a curious and precocious young woman and, like most at that age, is somewhat undecided on what path she wants her future to take. For now, though, she lives for the excitement and adrenaline rush of leaping over the horns of a charging bull in front of large crowds of people. Her quick wit and sharp eye for details give her insights others overlook but also get her into trouble, especially when on the trail of a murderer. Besides her unusual choice of entertainment, she’s a relatable and likable heroine.The plot starts with Martis’s discovery of the dead body of a new bull dancer. The assumed cause of death is from the bull in whose pen the victim was found. Right away, Martis notices oddities regarding the victim’s wounds and realizes there’s a murderer responsible for Duzi’s death. Unfortunately, the suspects include the other bull dancers, who are all Martis’s trusted friends and fellow performers, or several close friends of her older sister, Opis, who died the previous year, creating a difficult and sensitive dilemma for Martis in her investigation. She is assisted in her inquiries by the ghost of another deceased family member, Arge, her sister, who was murdered at her own marriage ceremony.
The ancient setting on the island of Crete offers its own attractive and unique aspects to the story. Other than through this series, I am only vaguely familiar with this culture and time period and have thoroughly enjoyed the immersive nature of the author’s storytelling. I remember motifs from ancient pottery when reading descriptions of activities, clothing, and even hairstyles.With its endearing main character, unusual setting, and entertaining plot containing plenty of surprises, I recommend ON THE HORNS OF DEATH to traditional, historical, and cozy mystery readers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
September 29, 2024
This is the second excellent murder mystery set in Ancient Crete. In 1450 BC we met Martis, a bull-jumper, who returns to find that someone seems to be picking off her fellow athletes. A large aurochs bull is blamed for killing a newcomer, but Martis finds inconsistencies. Later she learns that young women who were past bull-jumpers are also being killed. She needs to learn who is doing this and why, before she is the next in line.
Martis also shows us around Knossos and the countryside, at harvest season a hive of activity. She visits several female friends so we see their lives, and she has to think seriously about when she might marry, and how her life would change irrevocably if she was tied down with children. While the sixteen year old has a major crush on the Queen's Consort, Timor, who helps to solve crimes, fortunately he doesn't give infatuated girls the time of day. Martis only gets to talk to him when she can provide new information. This is a splendid and exciting mystery suitable for older teens or adults.
I read an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
Martis also shows us around Knossos and the countryside, at harvest season a hive of activity. She visits several female friends so we see their lives, and she has to think seriously about when she might marry, and how her life would change irrevocably if she was tied down with children. While the sixteen year old has a major crush on the Queen's Consort, Timor, who helps to solve crimes, fortunately he doesn't give infatuated girls the time of day. Martis only gets to talk to him when she can provide new information. This is a splendid and exciting mystery suitable for older teens or adults.
I read an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
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