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The Greek Detective #7
The Feast of Artemis
The olive harvest is drawing to a close in the town of Dendra, and when Hermes Diaktoros arrives for the celebratory festival he expects an indulgent day of food and wine. But as young men leap a blazing bonfire in feats of daring, one of them is badly burned. Did he fall, or was he pushed? Then, as Hermes learns of a deep-running feud between two families, one of their patriarchs dies. Determined to find out why, Hermes follows a bitter trail through the olive groves to reveal a motive for murder, and uncovers a dark deed brought to light by the sin of gluttony.
266 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2013
23 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Anne Zouroudi
33 books143 followersBorn in rural Lincolnshire in 1959, Anne moved to South Yorkshire at the age of two. Following her education at Sheffield High School for Girls, she went into the IT industry, a career which took her to both New York’s Wall Street and Denver, Colorado. In America she began to take seriously her ambition to write fiction, and bought a typewriter for her first short stories.
On returning to the UK, she booked a summer holiday with her sister. The location they chose was a tiny island in southern Greece.
“We arrived at night; there was nothing to see,” she recalls. “But the next morning, I opened the shutters of our rented house, and bam! Love at first sight. The brilliant blue sea, the scent of herbs on the breeze, the timelessness of the place… It was the first moment of a love affair which has lasted twenty years.”
Anne spent a number of years living in the islands; she married a Greek, and her son was born there.
Returning again to the UK, she was still writing, but the short stories had grown into novels.
Anne“I wrote three, and whilst I was getting interest in my writing, those novels didn’t find publishers, though a northern-based thriller came close,” she says. “Then I decided to write a novel set in Greece, based on a character who’d come to my mind whilst I was living there. He became Hermes Diaktoros. I sent the manuscript to an agent, and went off to spend some time in Greece. When I returned, I got the call I’d been waiting for. I’d written the right book at last.”
Series:
* The Greek Detective
On returning to the UK, she booked a summer holiday with her sister. The location they chose was a tiny island in southern Greece.
“We arrived at night; there was nothing to see,” she recalls. “But the next morning, I opened the shutters of our rented house, and bam! Love at first sight. The brilliant blue sea, the scent of herbs on the breeze, the timelessness of the place… It was the first moment of a love affair which has lasted twenty years.”
Anne spent a number of years living in the islands; she married a Greek, and her son was born there.
Returning again to the UK, she was still writing, but the short stories had grown into novels.
Anne“I wrote three, and whilst I was getting interest in my writing, those novels didn’t find publishers, though a northern-based thriller came close,” she says. “Then I decided to write a novel set in Greece, based on a character who’d come to my mind whilst I was living there. He became Hermes Diaktoros. I sent the manuscript to an agent, and went off to spend some time in Greece. When I returned, I got the call I’d been waiting for. I’d written the right book at last.”
Series:
* The Greek Detective
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 13, 2016
Don't read this one on an empty stomach! The extensive descriptions of various food and drink items will leave you wanting some. This was the last of the author's Seven Deadly Sins Mysteries--and covers the sin of gluttony. I had no idea how Zouroudi would construct a mystery based on gluttony, but she's delivered us a gastronomic delight. Hermes Diaktoros from Athens, aka the fat man, is back in top form, with his white tennis shoes and his capacious hold-all. He is visiting the Greek country town of Dendra on a festival day, with loads of mouth-watering delicacies. He stays and investigates several mysteries; it was a joy to see how supposedly unconnected events all come together. A young boy jumping a bonfire is badly burned through either being pushed into the fire or slipping. Also a feud between two olive oil producing families and the death of a patriarch of one of them, the poisoning of several townspeople supposedly at the local ice-cream shop which has resulted in the near-collapse of the owner's business, and a lady vintner and her special wine all fit together to create an absorbing mystery. The author leaves clues all through the story, but she doesn't quite lead us by the hand.
Hermes is his usual gentle, probing, possibly other-worldly self, solving the mystery and dispensing justice by relying on peoples' consciences. We see his half-brother Dino, a rather debauched, hippie-ish character. The townspeople are all well-drawn. The author makes me feel the loveliness and brightness of the Greek countryside. On my copy I saw the series title has been changed to "The Mysteries of the Greek Detective", so I hope this means she will be writing more stories about Hermes.
Very highly recommended.
Hermes is his usual gentle, probing, possibly other-worldly self, solving the mystery and dispensing justice by relying on peoples' consciences. We see his half-brother Dino, a rather debauched, hippie-ish character. The townspeople are all well-drawn. The author makes me feel the loveliness and brightness of the Greek countryside. On my copy I saw the series title has been changed to "The Mysteries of the Greek Detective", so I hope this means she will be writing more stories about Hermes.
Very highly recommended.
June 24, 2021
The second of my reads of this series of books. This one told of two feuding olive oil producing families who proabably long forgotten what their disagreement was about. Unfortunately the feud has come to a head with some catastrophic effects for both of the families and it is up to Hermes Diaktoros of Athens to get to the bottom of it. Once again the descriptions of the foods was tantalising, the twist unexpected with some politics and a nod to the plight of traditional Greek Olive growing families under threat from the rise of cheap imports thrown in for good measure. All in all a very enjoyable read.
November 22, 2022
Can there be peace in the valley?
This is a book about Greek village life; its people, its food, wines, of course olive oil, but it's also about human nature with its lies, suspicions, vendettas, gossip and the results of the afore mentioned. It takes a fat man to help bring some peace to this village of Dendra (tree)🤓
This is a book about Greek village life; its people, its food, wines, of course olive oil, but it's also about human nature with its lies, suspicions, vendettas, gossip and the results of the afore mentioned. It takes a fat man to help bring some peace to this village of Dendra (tree)🤓
May 19, 2020
As part of keeping my spirits up during the COVID-19 pandemic, I've decided to reread two series of novels set in Greece. Why? Because my wife and I are holding out hope that our September/October trip to Greece still will happen...fingers crossed!
This series features the mercurial (wink, wink!) detective from Athens, Hermes Diaktoros (Hermes Messenger). Without giving too much away, I will tell you that he's not your typical detective. It is especially intriguing that he always responds to someone asking him who he's working for by replying: "I work for a higher authority." Hmm...his name is Hermes the Messenger and he works for "a higher authority"...like I said, intriguing, right?
Seriously, I've loved the Zouroudi series since I first discovered it years ago when I picked up this novel while traveling. Because she's lived on the Greek islands, she is able to paint life there in an authentic way - warts and all. And having visited a number of the Greek islands, I can tell you that they are simultaneously stunningly beautiful and stiflingly backward. And Ms. Zouroudi's writing brings out both characteristics in her descriptions of the locales and the locals.
If you enjoy modern mysteries that border on the esoteric, without ever crossing the line, then this series is for you. "Apoláfste, filoi mou!" ("Enjoy, my friends!")
Postscript: This is my least favorite of the "Seven Deadly Sins" series for two reasons. First, I've found each time I read it that it takes a while to become engrossed in the story (unlike most of the other entries in the series). Eventually, the plot engages you - but it takes quite a few chapters to do so. Secondly, I'm glad she decided to include Hermes' half-brother "Dino," given that Dionysus is one of my favorite Greek gods. But I didn't like how she wrote his character...he was more of a one-dimensional caricature than a fully developed character.
This series features the mercurial (wink, wink!) detective from Athens, Hermes Diaktoros (Hermes Messenger). Without giving too much away, I will tell you that he's not your typical detective. It is especially intriguing that he always responds to someone asking him who he's working for by replying: "I work for a higher authority." Hmm...his name is Hermes the Messenger and he works for "a higher authority"...like I said, intriguing, right?
Seriously, I've loved the Zouroudi series since I first discovered it years ago when I picked up this novel while traveling. Because she's lived on the Greek islands, she is able to paint life there in an authentic way - warts and all. And having visited a number of the Greek islands, I can tell you that they are simultaneously stunningly beautiful and stiflingly backward. And Ms. Zouroudi's writing brings out both characteristics in her descriptions of the locales and the locals.
If you enjoy modern mysteries that border on the esoteric, without ever crossing the line, then this series is for you. "Apoláfste, filoi mou!" ("Enjoy, my friends!")
Postscript: This is my least favorite of the "Seven Deadly Sins" series for two reasons. First, I've found each time I read it that it takes a while to become engrossed in the story (unlike most of the other entries in the series). Eventually, the plot engages you - but it takes quite a few chapters to do so. Secondly, I'm glad she decided to include Hermes' half-brother "Dino," given that Dionysus is one of my favorite Greek gods. But I didn't like how she wrote his character...he was more of a one-dimensional caricature than a fully developed character.
November 17, 2019
I am a long-standing fan of Anne Zouroudi and particularly enjoyed The Feast of Artemis. I have travelled extensively in Greece for the past 35 years and she takes me there. Not everyone might be as interested as I am in the olive oil trade but she has woven her story around what she has researched so well that it almost becomes a character as her 'gods' do too. As a practicing but far from perfect Christian I felt a little miffed by some offhand dismissals of the Greek Orthodox tradition but she is spot on about the way Christianity adopted the ancient ways and I wouldn't get into an argument with a writer as good as this. Hermes is a fantastic creation! I might quibble with her evocation of Dionysos who was a great deal more than a drunken reveller (The Bacchae should make her tremble!) and I wasn't able to spot Artemis in the story, but it is one of those novels that I made myself put down so I could save chapters for later and there are not many of those. Wonderful characterisations, a thorough understanding of modern Greek society -warts and all. Can't wait for the next one and have told my friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2019
A wonderful writer whose books are sheer pleasure to read, Anne Zouroudi is in top form here. Not only are the descriptions of Greek places and Greek habits superbly detailed and the roster of characters, major and minor, extremely well drawn, the mystery (the plot) works particularly well: complex, surprising, and fully believable. The dispute, a family feud, centers on olive oil production. As always, Hermes Diaktoros, the “fat man” of mysterious origin, arrives at the right moment to determine who has done what, and why, and, god-like, to dispense justice in an entirely satisfactory manner. My only quibble would be the character of Dino, an alcoholic half-brother of Hermes, who has not appeared in Zouroudi’s other books. I don’t understand what he adds to the story. Is he here as a comic foil? In any case, he does not detract from the overall impact of the book.
February 21, 2022
Hermes visits a village and stumbles onto a feud, murders and other mysteries. In his special way, he susses out what happened and metes out justice as only one who answers to a higher authority can.
In this episode, Zouroudi introduces us to Hermes’s brother, Dino. None other than Dionysus: drunk, amusing, irresponsible and quite a challenge for Hermes. Zouroudi also throws in a bit about their father: the big guy.
Zouroudi refers to Hermes as the fat man because she depicts him as being very well fit, of hard-to-determine age but quite obese. Here Hermes begins to struggle with his size as his pants don’t fit. I wonder why Zouroudi draws Hermes as obese as he is depicted in extremely good shape in paintings and statues.
In this episode, Zouroudi introduces us to Hermes’s brother, Dino. None other than Dionysus: drunk, amusing, irresponsible and quite a challenge for Hermes. Zouroudi also throws in a bit about their father: the big guy.
Zouroudi refers to Hermes as the fat man because she depicts him as being very well fit, of hard-to-determine age but quite obese. Here Hermes begins to struggle with his size as his pants don’t fit. I wonder why Zouroudi draws Hermes as obese as he is depicted in extremely good shape in paintings and statues.
October 31, 2025
Two neighboring olive oil clans nurse a generation's long feud. When 4 people in the small town die of food poisoning, others use their feud against them. In the end a young boy, a woman, and an elder man pay the ultimate price Hermes is harsh on all involved. Everyone loses by nursing hate.
We meet Hermes brother. A fun but drunken reprobate.
Between these two things, Hermes finances take quite a hit. He does try to spread good luck to others but an unlucky man cannot seem to win the lottery. lol.
Hermes is quite ruthless, verbally only, in this story. No actual action is taken by him though.
We meet Hermes brother. A fun but drunken reprobate.
Between these two things, Hermes finances take quite a hit. He does try to spread good luck to others but an unlucky man cannot seem to win the lottery. lol.
Hermes is quite ruthless, verbally only, in this story. No actual action is taken by him though.
October 20, 2018
Another excellent installment in the Greek Detective series.
More tales of revenge, grudges, murder and feuding families. Beautifully written descriptions of the Greek scenery and lots of lovely food and drink.
Hermes dishes out his own special style of wisdom and natural justice so everyone gets whats coming to them and/or lives happily ever after - according to their deeds!
More tales of revenge, grudges, murder and feuding families. Beautifully written descriptions of the Greek scenery and lots of lovely food and drink.
Hermes dishes out his own special style of wisdom and natural justice so everyone gets whats coming to them and/or lives happily ever after - according to their deeds!
June 28, 2019
Really pleasant reading
Although the fat detective is a bit far fetched being something of an avenging angel, the book is a compelling read and full of moral considerations. More please!
Although the fat detective is a bit far fetched being something of an avenging angel, the book is a compelling read and full of moral considerations. More please!
May 13, 2017
I thought this was the last one but apparently the fat man returns.
December 19, 2017
Didn't finish this one. The story was possibly quite good but I got bogged down with the obsession with the 'fatness' of the main character, to the point that I just didn't care any more.
April 9, 2018
Quick and easy read over the weekend. Back of the book said ''sunny escapism'' and that's surely what it is and I am now very hungry for Greek food.
September 7, 2020
Really enjoyed this. The Greek life and countryside are brought to life, in the descriptions and details written on the pages
September 13, 2024
Just okay.
March 8, 2015
the Fat Man is back ("not so fat as...big") with his trusty carry-all, white tennis shows, and foppish mannerisms.
in "Feast of Artemis" (a Seven Deadly Sins Mystery). our trusty and stalwart hero treks to the town of Dendra where he encounters the usual human drama of vengeance, pettiness, ignorance, pride, greed and ::gasp:: murder.
Our man is here to clean house.
Hermes Diaktoros is our large, wise guy, who travels extensively, and is your basic problem solver. Who is this guy? He identifies himself as "Hermes Diaktoros of Athens" and this seems credible enough to locals that this is a guy who must be somebody. He speaks perfect, well-articulated Greek which, by itself, dazzles the local townsmen. He is handsome with, dark curly hair, Italian-made suits, and is a connoisseur, of food and drink. He is exceedingly personable, polite, patient and generous.
It would be wise not to cross him.
Hermes claims to work for "an Association" that is investigative. Out of Athens, of course. No other information is given. What is this group? Is there such a group or does Hermes work alone? Every book in this series gives a tiny glimpse into Hermes' world but there is still so much to reveal. I definitely would love to know more about this Association.
This book provides us with a half brother to Hermes. Of course he is nothing like Hermes, and creates his own drama, but it is interesting in these books to meet people who Hermes shares some history. This is rare. Hermes travels alone virtually all the time.
In "Feast of Artemis", we encounter two families who are feuding, an ice cream vendor who has been wronged, dozens, if not hundreds, acts of sabotage, vile gossip, buried secrets and a clever killer. Plus we meet a rich assortment of characters who frequent this series: tavern owners, hotel clerks, mourning widows, fishermen, soldiers and farmers. All characters are fleshed out, complex, and beautiful, in their own way, in their humanity. Hermes easily mingles with these people and ferrets out the truth.
Ann Zouroudi tells her tale in a slow, hot-Greek-afternoon way. Do not read this book in a hurry. Her series is one to meander and savor. A reader will find himself totally into those pages, on that Greek Island, eating all that wonderful local, fresh food that our Fat Man loves so much. Each of her books provides a simple map of the village involved, and I found myself going back to visit that page, as she describes with an almost over the top sensory overload of detail.
I love this series; and while it is called the Seven Deadly Sins mystery, I hope book 7 isn't the last. I love it because I do like our Greek Jack Reacher, and his gentle way with people. At the same time, he is capable of bringing down the hammer. He has magic in his carry all: His lighter. His book of matches. His shoe polish. And other items which he fishes out to dispense justice. After all, Hermes is only out for justice. And did I mention The Fates? There is a tiny amount of supernaturalism in this series. This only adds to the Fat Man's enigmatic persona.
in "Feast of Artemis" (a Seven Deadly Sins Mystery). our trusty and stalwart hero treks to the town of Dendra where he encounters the usual human drama of vengeance, pettiness, ignorance, pride, greed and ::gasp:: murder.
Our man is here to clean house.
Hermes Diaktoros is our large, wise guy, who travels extensively, and is your basic problem solver. Who is this guy? He identifies himself as "Hermes Diaktoros of Athens" and this seems credible enough to locals that this is a guy who must be somebody. He speaks perfect, well-articulated Greek which, by itself, dazzles the local townsmen. He is handsome with, dark curly hair, Italian-made suits, and is a connoisseur, of food and drink. He is exceedingly personable, polite, patient and generous.
It would be wise not to cross him.
Hermes claims to work for "an Association" that is investigative. Out of Athens, of course. No other information is given. What is this group? Is there such a group or does Hermes work alone? Every book in this series gives a tiny glimpse into Hermes' world but there is still so much to reveal. I definitely would love to know more about this Association.
This book provides us with a half brother to Hermes. Of course he is nothing like Hermes, and creates his own drama, but it is interesting in these books to meet people who Hermes shares some history. This is rare. Hermes travels alone virtually all the time.
In "Feast of Artemis", we encounter two families who are feuding, an ice cream vendor who has been wronged, dozens, if not hundreds, acts of sabotage, vile gossip, buried secrets and a clever killer. Plus we meet a rich assortment of characters who frequent this series: tavern owners, hotel clerks, mourning widows, fishermen, soldiers and farmers. All characters are fleshed out, complex, and beautiful, in their own way, in their humanity. Hermes easily mingles with these people and ferrets out the truth.
Ann Zouroudi tells her tale in a slow, hot-Greek-afternoon way. Do not read this book in a hurry. Her series is one to meander and savor. A reader will find himself totally into those pages, on that Greek Island, eating all that wonderful local, fresh food that our Fat Man loves so much. Each of her books provides a simple map of the village involved, and I found myself going back to visit that page, as she describes with an almost over the top sensory overload of detail.
I love this series; and while it is called the Seven Deadly Sins mystery, I hope book 7 isn't the last. I love it because I do like our Greek Jack Reacher, and his gentle way with people. At the same time, he is capable of bringing down the hammer. He has magic in his carry all: His lighter. His book of matches. His shoe polish. And other items which he fishes out to dispense justice. After all, Hermes is only out for justice. And did I mention The Fates? There is a tiny amount of supernaturalism in this series. This only adds to the Fat Man's enigmatic persona.
February 5, 2017
I thought this was one of her best. Excellent plot and I learned a lot about olive oil too. And we're introduced to Hermes' ne'er-do-well half brother Dino (possibly short for Dionysus, the Greek god of wine?). So are the brothers gods or men? Oh, certainly they are men, but then again it's hard to be sure. And we do know that Hermes acts on behalf of the highest Authorities, never specified in the books.
July 13, 2014
It's the day of the annual feast-day in a small Greek town, and the rivalry between two families is about to become violent. Almost unnoticed, a fat man arrives in town, along with his riotous, drunken brother. Slipping from shop to shop, gossiping with the locals, Hermes, the messenger of the gods, is here to bring justice.
Well written, well plotted (all the clues are there, but carefully woven into the details of Greek small-town life), and I really liked the twist of having a Greek god act as the detective and messenger of justice. Sure, it does mean he can act as deus ex machina at the end, but the murderer's fate is beautifully judged.
Well written, well plotted (all the clues are there, but carefully woven into the details of Greek small-town life), and I really liked the twist of having a Greek god act as the detective and messenger of justice. Sure, it does mean he can act as deus ex machina at the end, but the murderer's fate is beautifully judged.
July 19, 2016
I thought with the Seventh Deadly Sin we might learn more about Hermes Diaktoros and the Higher Authorities he serves (who clearly pay well) We meet his feckless boozy brother but that's it... and I found I was quite relieved to have the mystery preserved.
The book begins rather tantalisingly in standard crime fashion, with the discovery of a body... but it's not what you'd think.
The fat man is a little less comfortable with his girth in this outing, and not surprising with all the delicious food and drink on offer. It's a thoughtful book - the detail of the olive pressing processes and debates throws up all kinds of interesting issues.
The book begins rather tantalisingly in standard crime fashion, with the discovery of a body... but it's not what you'd think.
The fat man is a little less comfortable with his girth in this outing, and not surprising with all the delicious food and drink on offer. It's a thoughtful book - the detail of the olive pressing processes and debates throws up all kinds of interesting issues.
January 18, 2015
I’ve enjoyed all the books in the series so far but this one may just be my favourite – Anne Zouroudi just gets better and better. The feuding between the two families of olive growers sets the background to the story and Hermes of course is on hand to see that justice is done – if not by the book then by some higher authority. Each time I read a book by this author, not only does it bring back great memories of Greece but I also learn something new. The writing just captures the mystery of Greece and goes beneath the surface of what the average tourist might see.
April 4, 2014
I read this, and others in the series, over a wet and miserable Winter, and was transported to the sun-soaked olive groves of Greece every time I opened the pages. Yes the stories are hardly complex and the resolutions tie things up a little too tidily, but for pure escapism they can't be beaten. Get in some olives and ouzo and enjoy!
March 1, 2016
I enjoy this type of book.It gently introduces the reader to a distinctly different country,way of life and a very different detective.
Food and drink play a very big part in the story and plot.This is the first novel I have read by this author but I will look out for more.Anne Zouroudi has created a scenic and gastronomic view of Greece with a fat man to solve all the puzzles.
Food and drink play a very big part in the story and plot.This is the first novel I have read by this author but I will look out for more.Anne Zouroudi has created a scenic and gastronomic view of Greece with a fat man to solve all the puzzles.
June 2, 2016
I've read all but one of the books in this excellent series. In this story, Hermes Diaktoris, AKA the Fatman, is on one of the islands that is renowned for olive oil. I leaned a lot about how olive oil is made-fascinating. And the story about two feuding families, which leads to murder and a terrible injury is very well told.
December 31, 2016
Enjoyable series about a detective who serves "a higher power". The series is only 7 books, one for each deadly sin. Still, the setting, always in Greece, is well-described, and Hermes is not your average human. I really enjoy the way he sets out to set things right, but not always the usual punishment.
January 29, 2014
I really like the this series and this one in particular resonated for some reason. As ever the fat man arrives in a remote part of Greece to solve a mystery and right some old wrongs. You can almost taste the wine and the olive oil in this book.
July 19, 2015
Another vintage Hermes adventure, showing him at his most resourceful and enterprising - and through the appearance of his riotous half-brother, offering a tantalising hint to his real identity... too bad this is the last one of the series...
September 1, 2015
I am glad I read all 7 books. The author writes in detail about the food and how it is prepared. That is certainly interesting. The details of the land and of the people that live in these books make you realize that it is a very rustic area to live.
April 13, 2016
These books always make me want to hop onto the next plane to Greece. That is not a bad thing, I guess?
I am very sorry that the series is over with this one, I'd have enjoyed reading more, but am thankful for the seven books we were given.
Fare well, Hermes!
I am very sorry that the series is over with this one, I'd have enjoyed reading more, but am thankful for the seven books we were given.
Fare well, Hermes!
September 2, 2016
i borrowed it today,and finished it today. it is an enjoyable read. it is a crime novel with a nemesis as the detective. i thought it was one of her old books, but it seems it is her latest.
June 7, 2014
I would like to see a "rejected" category for the books started, but for one reason or another, not finished. This murder is sexually graphic, not to my taste and I did not finish it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews