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Eye of Isis #1
Death of an Eye
Alexandria, 47 Cleopatra shares the throne with her brother Ptolemy under the auspices of Julius Caesar, by whom Cleopatra is heavily pregnant with child. A shipment of new coin meant to reset the shaky Egyptian economy has been stolen, the Queen’s Eye has been murdered and Queen Cleopatra turns to childhood friend Tetisheri to find the missing shipment and bring the murderer to justice.
254 pages, Hardcover
First published December 6, 2018
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1400 people want to read
About the author
Dana Stabenow
104 books2,147 followersDana Stabenow was born in Anchorage and raised on 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska. She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
November 6, 2018
Dana Stabenow has moved on from Kate Shugak and Alaska into the realm of historical fiction with aplomb and gusto. She takes us back to 47 BCE and Alexandria, the House of Ptolemy throne is shared by Cleopatra and her spoiled and over privileged brother, Ptolemy. It is Cleopatra who is the able one, but there are tensions and enemies all around her, waiting for any opportunity, no matter how slight, to bring her down. Pregnant with Julius Caesar's child, her Eye, her special spy agent, Khemet, has been found murdered and a shipment of newly minted coins from Cyprus, vital for the local economy, has been stolen. Cleopatra will not rest until the coins are returned and the killer of her Eye identified. For these crucial tasks, she calls on her trusted long term childhood friend, Tetisheri Nebenteru, to venture into the shadowy dangers of aristocratic feuds, court intrigues and ethnic feuds lurking within the city. Aided by the ex-bodyguard of the Queen, Appollodorus, one of the 5 Soldiers who run the premier warrior training and gymnasium centre, Tetisheri is to find that not everything is as it seems, as she endeavours to untangle the lies and deceit she comes up against and where absolutely no-one can be trusted
Tetisheri has a past that includes an abusive ex-husband, Hunifer, a man allied to Ptolemy, and suffered the trauma of a still birth. She has risen from the ashes to become a partner of her amiable Uncle Neb's enterprises, he is a successful and well known merchant trader who travels far and wide to bring back highly desirable commodities. Working with Aristander, the Head of the Shurta, the city police, Tetisheri interviews Captain Laogonus and his crew, and travels to Cyprus to find out what happened to the missing cargo of coins whilst juggling her responsibilities of work and the unwanted socialising required in Uncle Neb's business. Faced with further murders, pirates, and more, a determined Tetisheri uncovers far more than she could possibly have imagined and a new role for the future that is sure to be exciting and testing.
Stabenow has created a terrific and colourful new series in which she vibrantly brings alive an Alexandria that is the centre of trade, scholarship, culture, history, where people believe in their Egyptian gods and goddesses, and cats are everywhere. The man made Port of Kibotos on the River Nile is a bustling and busy place, there is the search for new herbs and spices, experimentation with new medicinal potions and mouth watering foods, and all the scents associated with thriving market stalls peddling their exotic fruits, fish, and cooked dishes. It is Stabenow's ability to immerse the reader in this historical period with its detailed descriptions, atmosphere and the real life characters of the time that made this a brilliant read for me. I am not so sure of the intense and romantic attachment that Tetisheri forms, but other than that, I loved her feisty character and her need to help free those female slaves that she can. This is a fantastic beginning, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
Tetisheri has a past that includes an abusive ex-husband, Hunifer, a man allied to Ptolemy, and suffered the trauma of a still birth. She has risen from the ashes to become a partner of her amiable Uncle Neb's enterprises, he is a successful and well known merchant trader who travels far and wide to bring back highly desirable commodities. Working with Aristander, the Head of the Shurta, the city police, Tetisheri interviews Captain Laogonus and his crew, and travels to Cyprus to find out what happened to the missing cargo of coins whilst juggling her responsibilities of work and the unwanted socialising required in Uncle Neb's business. Faced with further murders, pirates, and more, a determined Tetisheri uncovers far more than she could possibly have imagined and a new role for the future that is sure to be exciting and testing.
Stabenow has created a terrific and colourful new series in which she vibrantly brings alive an Alexandria that is the centre of trade, scholarship, culture, history, where people believe in their Egyptian gods and goddesses, and cats are everywhere. The man made Port of Kibotos on the River Nile is a bustling and busy place, there is the search for new herbs and spices, experimentation with new medicinal potions and mouth watering foods, and all the scents associated with thriving market stalls peddling their exotic fruits, fish, and cooked dishes. It is Stabenow's ability to immerse the reader in this historical period with its detailed descriptions, atmosphere and the real life characters of the time that made this a brilliant read for me. I am not so sure of the intense and romantic attachment that Tetisheri forms, but other than that, I loved her feisty character and her need to help free those female slaves that she can. This is a fantastic beginning, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
December 8, 2021
The Eye of Isis, is the eye, the mouth, and the hand of the ruler of Alexandria and Egypt, a smooth flat circle of polished lapis but with it the responsibility and badge of being the Queen’s most trusted consort. Her eyes, ears, and voice.
This latest crime thriller takes us to Egypt during the time Cleopatra ruled along with her brother in the kingdoms of Egypt and Alexandria whilst both relied on their friendship with Caesar and Rome.
A shipment of coinage has gone missing, spelling not just treachery but its immediate return is needed to prevent economic ruin and the value of currency plummeting. One thing is certain, the theft is not motivated by greed. And with the death of the Cleopatra’s trusted eye, anonymous to many and on a covert mission and a close elder struck down on his doorstep, the hunt is on for the conspirators while suspicion gains momentum and becomes widespread, as far reaching as Rome.
A story of two halves for me, the first part of the book was a real non-event. It lacked pace, story and even the characters and plots didn’t come together. I was quite excited about a new thriller set in Egypt, expecting a torrent of suspense but received a trickling. I wanted the cultural elements to come through, from one of the oldest civilisations, but instead Cleopatra was very ordinary, and we could have been talking about any country. It lacked the ambiance of ancient Egypt which is so colourful an era and steeped in such rich history. And then….
The story moved up a number of gears. The portrayal of the political landscape, the historical context, the prowess you would expect from a notorious and calculated Queen Cleopatra came through and poured from the pages. The story and plot was excellent, and the characterisation excellent with so many characters cunning, disloyal, astute, and scheming, just delicious combinations for a thrilling ending to the book.
I wanted this to be a '5' but it really was a '3' considering the very slow start. It also lacked the atmosphere and ambiance I was so wanting from this book. I liked it but did not love it.
This latest crime thriller takes us to Egypt during the time Cleopatra ruled along with her brother in the kingdoms of Egypt and Alexandria whilst both relied on their friendship with Caesar and Rome.
A shipment of coinage has gone missing, spelling not just treachery but its immediate return is needed to prevent economic ruin and the value of currency plummeting. One thing is certain, the theft is not motivated by greed. And with the death of the Cleopatra’s trusted eye, anonymous to many and on a covert mission and a close elder struck down on his doorstep, the hunt is on for the conspirators while suspicion gains momentum and becomes widespread, as far reaching as Rome.
A story of two halves for me, the first part of the book was a real non-event. It lacked pace, story and even the characters and plots didn’t come together. I was quite excited about a new thriller set in Egypt, expecting a torrent of suspense but received a trickling. I wanted the cultural elements to come through, from one of the oldest civilisations, but instead Cleopatra was very ordinary, and we could have been talking about any country. It lacked the ambiance of ancient Egypt which is so colourful an era and steeped in such rich history. And then….
The story moved up a number of gears. The portrayal of the political landscape, the historical context, the prowess you would expect from a notorious and calculated Queen Cleopatra came through and poured from the pages. The story and plot was excellent, and the characterisation excellent with so many characters cunning, disloyal, astute, and scheming, just delicious combinations for a thrilling ending to the book.
I wanted this to be a '5' but it really was a '3' considering the very slow start. It also lacked the atmosphere and ambiance I was so wanting from this book. I liked it but did not love it.
January 12, 2019
"The only thing of value on her body was the Eye, and no self-respecting thief would have left that behind."
Dana Stabenow begins with murder right out of the gate. Khemit, the queen's faithful spy, has been found dead on the back streets of Alexandria in the wee early morning hours. She was struck from behind with a deadly blow to the head. Were her eyes transfixed on something happening in the shadows to report to the queen? And why was she out and about at that hour?
Stabenow sets the stage with Queen Cleopatra heavy with Caesar's child. The shock of Khemit's death leaves her reeling with the news. No one can be trusted. No one except her childhood friend and confident, Tetisheri. Cleopatra bids Tetisheri to investigate the death. Discretion is key. With several of Cleopatra's trusted guards, Tetisheri takes to the streets to learn what she can of Khemit's demise.
But there's even more plaguing the pregnant queen at the moment. A ship carrying newly minted coins has been robbed of its contents. It's vital that no one finds out about the great loss. Recovering the stolen bounty is crucial before the birth of her child. Could there possibly be a connection between the two incidences?
I've pretty much ridden shotgun with Dana Stabenow during her previous Kate Shugak series set in Alaska. (Love all things Alaskan) Stabenow has a gift for describing the Alaskan elements to the tee. She now takes that talent and transfers it to the sights, sounds, and rush of people interacting with merchants at the port of Alexandria. She infuses atmospheric qualities of the palace lined with statues to the Egyptian gods along with a sinister cast of characters. Stabenow does what she does best......focusing on strong, capable female individuals. And that, dear readers, is initiated at the fingertips of ol' Cleopatra herself.
Dana Stabenow begins with murder right out of the gate. Khemit, the queen's faithful spy, has been found dead on the back streets of Alexandria in the wee early morning hours. She was struck from behind with a deadly blow to the head. Were her eyes transfixed on something happening in the shadows to report to the queen? And why was she out and about at that hour?
Stabenow sets the stage with Queen Cleopatra heavy with Caesar's child. The shock of Khemit's death leaves her reeling with the news. No one can be trusted. No one except her childhood friend and confident, Tetisheri. Cleopatra bids Tetisheri to investigate the death. Discretion is key. With several of Cleopatra's trusted guards, Tetisheri takes to the streets to learn what she can of Khemit's demise.
But there's even more plaguing the pregnant queen at the moment. A ship carrying newly minted coins has been robbed of its contents. It's vital that no one finds out about the great loss. Recovering the stolen bounty is crucial before the birth of her child. Could there possibly be a connection between the two incidences?
I've pretty much ridden shotgun with Dana Stabenow during her previous Kate Shugak series set in Alaska. (Love all things Alaskan) Stabenow has a gift for describing the Alaskan elements to the tee. She now takes that talent and transfers it to the sights, sounds, and rush of people interacting with merchants at the port of Alexandria. She infuses atmospheric qualities of the palace lined with statues to the Egyptian gods along with a sinister cast of characters. Stabenow does what she does best......focusing on strong, capable female individuals. And that, dear readers, is initiated at the fingertips of ol' Cleopatra herself.
October 31, 2018
DNF at 54%
I'm not usually one to abandon books, but Death of an Eye just failed to engage me.
I absolutely love Egyptian history, so I'm rather bummed that I didn't enjoy this one.
Oh well. It wasn't awful, but the plot lacked action and excitement.
I'm not usually one to abandon books, but Death of an Eye just failed to engage me.
I absolutely love Egyptian history, so I'm rather bummed that I didn't enjoy this one.
Oh well. It wasn't awful, but the plot lacked action and excitement.
December 9, 2018
3.5 stars
Stabenow writes an entertaining series about Native American Kate Shugak set in Alaska. She now turns us to the times of Cleopatra and introduces us to Cleopatra's childhood friend, Tetisheri. Tetsheri is a respected merchant at her uncle's import business. Cleopatra is heavily pregnant with her child with Caesar and runs into a problem. She calls Tetsheri into help as she needs someone she can trust implicitly.
Cleopatra has minted some new money and it has been hijacked. She asks her chief spy, the Eye of Isis, to investigate and the spy is murdered. She needs Tetsheri to find the money, discover the murderer and most of all to be discrete. She assigns her handsome guard, Apollodorus, to assist her.
The investigation leads to Cyprus and a pirate battle, a horrible encounter with Cleopatra's brother Ptolemy and a run-in with her ex-husband.
It is interesting look at life at those times. I loved the book references and the discovery of a book that was bound and not on a scroll. It's the little touches like this that make it so interesting. There is a lot of political tight roping walking with the Romans and keeping the Egyptian identity.
This is the first of a series and I am sure it will get better as it goes along. It was a little uneven in places but I think it was just the author getting her balance. I look forward to reading more. Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Stabenow writes an entertaining series about Native American Kate Shugak set in Alaska. She now turns us to the times of Cleopatra and introduces us to Cleopatra's childhood friend, Tetisheri. Tetsheri is a respected merchant at her uncle's import business. Cleopatra is heavily pregnant with her child with Caesar and runs into a problem. She calls Tetsheri into help as she needs someone she can trust implicitly.
Cleopatra has minted some new money and it has been hijacked. She asks her chief spy, the Eye of Isis, to investigate and the spy is murdered. She needs Tetsheri to find the money, discover the murderer and most of all to be discrete. She assigns her handsome guard, Apollodorus, to assist her.
The investigation leads to Cyprus and a pirate battle, a horrible encounter with Cleopatra's brother Ptolemy and a run-in with her ex-husband.
It is interesting look at life at those times. I loved the book references and the discovery of a book that was bound and not on a scroll. It's the little touches like this that make it so interesting. There is a lot of political tight roping walking with the Romans and keeping the Egyptian identity.
This is the first of a series and I am sure it will get better as it goes along. It was a little uneven in places but I think it was just the author getting her balance. I look forward to reading more. Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
December 3, 2019
This is a second series set in ancient times by a favorite author. While the story of Marco Polo's grand-daughter was all about travel and culture, with a limited plot, this story has a solid murder mystery to drive it. But the number one word for me is "texture". This books has texture in the descriptions and the characters. Some are rough, others smooth, some oily. The story moves slowly, but the mystery is clever, with few red-herrings.
The setting of Alexandria Egypt during the time of Caesar and Cleo was interesting, and there were many asides reflecting on the mingling cultures, but they didn't really affect the central plot.
I'll read the next one.
The setting of Alexandria Egypt during the time of Caesar and Cleo was interesting, and there were many asides reflecting on the mingling cultures, but they didn't really affect the central plot.
I'll read the next one.
June 27, 2019
Excellent mystery with well-researched historical detail! Ms. Stabenow does a wonderful job making ancient Egypt in the time of Cleopatra come alive. Evocative, multicultural Alexandria as well as very interesting and likable characters make the storyline exciting and believable. I'm now on a quest to read all this author's work in order!
May 27, 2025
Fascinating mystery from the time of Cleopatra.
I'm not going to try to write.the.characters names.the spellings are too complicated........apart from Cleopatra and Ceasar, on and Ptomoly. A young downstairs in partnership with her uncle as merchants is called one day to the queens chamber. She and Cleopatra have been friends since they were young girls....... when they became adults their lives took widely different paths, Cleopatra (as we know) had to flee Egypt in fear of her life due to civil war after the death of her father, our heroine was forced into an arranged marriage...............luckily she has been back, safe, with her uncle these last two years. Cleopatra has summoned Tehusine (it's spelled wrong i know ) not to socialise but because she needs a favour ............... The queens Eye, her most secret agent, has been murdered while investigating the theft of some newly minted coinage. Cleopatra wants two things, the thieves unmasked and the murderer/s caught................with no experience and no clues to follow it's not much to ask.......................................
I'm not going to try to write.the.characters names.the spellings are too complicated........apart from Cleopatra and Ceasar, on and Ptomoly. A young downstairs in partnership with her uncle as merchants is called one day to the queens chamber. She and Cleopatra have been friends since they were young girls....... when they became adults their lives took widely different paths, Cleopatra (as we know) had to flee Egypt in fear of her life due to civil war after the death of her father, our heroine was forced into an arranged marriage...............luckily she has been back, safe, with her uncle these last two years. Cleopatra has summoned Tehusine (it's spelled wrong i know ) not to socialise but because she needs a favour ............... The queens Eye, her most secret agent, has been murdered while investigating the theft of some newly minted coinage. Cleopatra wants two things, the thieves unmasked and the murderer/s caught................with no experience and no clues to follow it's not much to ask.......................................
June 29, 2022
I'm a very happy bunny. I've just read the first book in a new series by Dana Stabenow, one of my favourite authors and I loved it.
I wasn't sure I would because this book is a long way from Kate Shugak solving mysteries in modern Alaska. This is historical fiction and not familiar Victorian or Georgian historical fiction. This is a mystery set in Alexandria in 47 BC when Cleopatra was Queen and Julius Caesar was carving his way to absolute power in the Roman Empire.
Anything I know about Cleopatra and Caesar comes from Shakespeare, Shaw or Hollywood, none of whom are renowned for their commitment to historical accuracy, so it wasn't that I was worried that Dana Stabenow's historical background would clash with my detailed knowledge of the Ptolemy dynasty but rather that I wondered how such a distant place and time could be made real and have a decent mystery at its heart in a book that is less than three hundred pages long.
Well, Dana Stabenow pulled it off. Reading 'Death Of An Eye', I was reminded of how excited I was when I found Lyndsey Davis' first Falco novel, 'The Silver Pigs'. True, it's set nearly a hundred and fifty years later, it's told from a Roman point of view and it's set in Britain, all of which are more familiar to me than Alexandria in 47 BC. What 'Death Of An Eye' and 'The Silver Pigs' have in common is compelling, relatable characters, a gripping plot, an historical background that is made vivid without drowning the reader in detail and the strong sense that the story you've just read has set the scene for a series you're hungry to consume more of.
As I should have expected from Dana Stabenow, 'Death Of An Eye' is dominated by strong women doing difficult and dangerous things. The male characters are there either to cause them problems, distract them or support them when they need it. For me, the story was carried by how well Dana Stabenow drew the main character, Tetisheri Nebenteru, and by how twisty and surprising the plot was.
Tetisheri's history gives her a lot of potential but, at nineteen, she has relatively little experience. She's a childhood friend of Cleopatra and was trained in self-defence and the use of weapons alongside her. She's an equal partner with her uncle in a successful luxury goods import business, she reads and speaks multiple languages and she has remained a trusted friend of the Queen. She's also survived two years of a deeply abusive, violent marriage that ended in a hotly contested divorce and she has a habit of bringing vulnerable women into her household and helping them achieve some security and independence.
What' Tetisheri doesn't have is any experience as an investigator or as someone who wields power, even covertly, on behalf of the Queen. This means that we can learn about the players in the story and their social and political context with Tetisheri as she dives in to solve the mystery for the Queen.
The plot is clever without being so complex that I couldn't follow it. I liked that, while I thought I knew what was going on, most of what I thought I knew turned out to be wrong or incomplete and I didn't get the full picture until almost the end of the book. The book isn't all political intrigue. There are a few well-executed action scenes where Tetisheri is at significant risk. There's also a slow-burn romantic thread that never gets in the way but does make things more interesting. Finally, there's Cleopatra herself. It took me to the end of the book to appreciate just how far-sighted, ruthless and devious she was. I thought it spoke to how well written the book is that I found her believable as a ruler and could still see her as a person who might value a childhood friend.
'Death Of An Eye' is a self-contained mystery with no cliff-hangers but it also lays a solid foundation for a series set in interesting times with an engaging cast of characters. The second book in the series, 'Disappearance Of A Scribe' is already in print. I'm hoping that there will be an audiobook version soon so that I can enjoy Margueritte Gavin's narration. The third book, 'Theft Of An Idol' is due for release in November 2022.
I wasn't sure I would because this book is a long way from Kate Shugak solving mysteries in modern Alaska. This is historical fiction and not familiar Victorian or Georgian historical fiction. This is a mystery set in Alexandria in 47 BC when Cleopatra was Queen and Julius Caesar was carving his way to absolute power in the Roman Empire.
Anything I know about Cleopatra and Caesar comes from Shakespeare, Shaw or Hollywood, none of whom are renowned for their commitment to historical accuracy, so it wasn't that I was worried that Dana Stabenow's historical background would clash with my detailed knowledge of the Ptolemy dynasty but rather that I wondered how such a distant place and time could be made real and have a decent mystery at its heart in a book that is less than three hundred pages long.
Well, Dana Stabenow pulled it off. Reading 'Death Of An Eye', I was reminded of how excited I was when I found Lyndsey Davis' first Falco novel, 'The Silver Pigs'. True, it's set nearly a hundred and fifty years later, it's told from a Roman point of view and it's set in Britain, all of which are more familiar to me than Alexandria in 47 BC. What 'Death Of An Eye' and 'The Silver Pigs' have in common is compelling, relatable characters, a gripping plot, an historical background that is made vivid without drowning the reader in detail and the strong sense that the story you've just read has set the scene for a series you're hungry to consume more of.
As I should have expected from Dana Stabenow, 'Death Of An Eye' is dominated by strong women doing difficult and dangerous things. The male characters are there either to cause them problems, distract them or support them when they need it. For me, the story was carried by how well Dana Stabenow drew the main character, Tetisheri Nebenteru, and by how twisty and surprising the plot was.
Tetisheri's history gives her a lot of potential but, at nineteen, she has relatively little experience. She's a childhood friend of Cleopatra and was trained in self-defence and the use of weapons alongside her. She's an equal partner with her uncle in a successful luxury goods import business, she reads and speaks multiple languages and she has remained a trusted friend of the Queen. She's also survived two years of a deeply abusive, violent marriage that ended in a hotly contested divorce and she has a habit of bringing vulnerable women into her household and helping them achieve some security and independence.
What' Tetisheri doesn't have is any experience as an investigator or as someone who wields power, even covertly, on behalf of the Queen. This means that we can learn about the players in the story and their social and political context with Tetisheri as she dives in to solve the mystery for the Queen.
The plot is clever without being so complex that I couldn't follow it. I liked that, while I thought I knew what was going on, most of what I thought I knew turned out to be wrong or incomplete and I didn't get the full picture until almost the end of the book. The book isn't all political intrigue. There are a few well-executed action scenes where Tetisheri is at significant risk. There's also a slow-burn romantic thread that never gets in the way but does make things more interesting. Finally, there's Cleopatra herself. It took me to the end of the book to appreciate just how far-sighted, ruthless and devious she was. I thought it spoke to how well written the book is that I found her believable as a ruler and could still see her as a person who might value a childhood friend.
'Death Of An Eye' is a self-contained mystery with no cliff-hangers but it also lays a solid foundation for a series set in interesting times with an engaging cast of characters. The second book in the series, 'Disappearance Of A Scribe' is already in print. I'm hoping that there will be an audiobook version soon so that I can enjoy Margueritte Gavin's narration. The third book, 'Theft Of An Idol' is due for release in November 2022.
December 23, 2020
A huge fan of the Kate Shugak-series I couldn’t resist trying this book, even though the Egyptians are not one of my main interests in life. That aside, I still was very disappointed in the book. The characters are flat, the plot is flimsy. The bad guys are so evidently bad guys it’s almost laughable and the good guys are all saintly, beautiful and clever people. Apart from the odd funny note (which go very well in 20th century Alaska but are sometimes strangely weird in ancient Egypt) I found nothing entertaining about this book and I even only scanned the last 30 pages just to get it over with. I can’t wait to see the next Kate (or Liam) but I’ll give the next book book in this series a definite miss.
June 4, 2019
Death of an Eye by Dana Stabenow
254 pages.
Read June 1-3, 2019.
I'm very pleased and rather surprised to be giving this book five out of five stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was very dense and took me three days to read! It also had VERY distracting maps and a cast of characters that I kept referring back to for nearly the whole book! I only stopped (mostly) after passing the halfway point.
I'm giving this book five stars because I laughed at least three times, once in the first half, I think, and twice in the second half, which I read today! And I'm pretty sure I would have cried at the end of it if it weren't for my darn prescriptions numbing me. (I yawned when I finished it, which I've noticed I do when reading something that would/should ordinarily make me cry.)
And also, despite it taking me three days to read, Death of an Eye was very exciting, especially in the second half! The mystery took off in the very first chapter, but as I said (I think?), I kept referring back to the maps and the cast of characters as I read it, ESPECIALLY in the first half.
Also, I should tell you that I was never bored while reading this story! Despite it feeling so dense, I never felt in need of a nap while reading it. I think this is a very important distinction to make. ❤❤❤
To close out this review, I will say that I really love this book AND that I even plan to add it to my personal collection once it comes out in paperback! ❤❤❤
254 pages.
Read June 1-3, 2019.
I'm very pleased and rather surprised to be giving this book five out of five stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was very dense and took me three days to read! It also had VERY distracting maps and a cast of characters that I kept referring back to for nearly the whole book! I only stopped (mostly) after passing the halfway point.
I'm giving this book five stars because I laughed at least three times, once in the first half, I think, and twice in the second half, which I read today! And I'm pretty sure I would have cried at the end of it if it weren't for my darn prescriptions numbing me. (I yawned when I finished it, which I've noticed I do when reading something that would/should ordinarily make me cry.)
And also, despite it taking me three days to read, Death of an Eye was very exciting, especially in the second half! The mystery took off in the very first chapter, but as I said (I think?), I kept referring back to the maps and the cast of characters as I read it, ESPECIALLY in the first half.
Also, I should tell you that I was never bored while reading this story! Despite it feeling so dense, I never felt in need of a nap while reading it. I think this is a very important distinction to make. ❤❤❤
To close out this review, I will say that I really love this book AND that I even plan to add it to my personal collection once it comes out in paperback! ❤❤❤
March 18, 2019
Gulped down nearly in one go (five chapters in bed last night, and the rest on the bus this morning), this delightful historical crime novel was just what I needed to reset. Cleopatra VII’s Alexandria is more stable than it’s been for centuries, but that’s not saying much, and when a shipment of new currency is stolen, and the Queen’s Eye is murdered, there’s only one woman trusted to investigate: Cleopatra’s childhood friend Tetisheri, now a partner in her uncle’s business. Sheri’s past–a terrible marriage, a stillbirth, a divorce–is dealt with lightly, but Stabenow never lets us forget that her heroine was forged in adversity. There’s a sweet romance subplot with the sexy ex-soldier Apollodorus, and although the theft/murder resolution is stymied by politics, Stabenow’s grasp of Alexandrian court dynamics is brilliant.
October 18, 2022
The opening book in the Eye of Isis series, and it is first-rate. Stabenow is a reliable author for me and she outdid herself on this historical mystery-thriller, set early in Cleopatra's reign in ancient Alexandria. The publisher's preview above will get you started, and the best full review I saw here was Linda's, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This one is short and sweet, and you won't want to miss it if you are a Stabenow fan and/or like good historical fiction. I read this one just after giving up on a disappointing book, and it was a relief to be back in the spell of a good book. Highly recommended, 4 stars.
If you like this one, you will want to continue on to the second in the series, "Disappearance of a Scribe." My review of that book is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This one is short and sweet, and you won't want to miss it if you are a Stabenow fan and/or like good historical fiction. I read this one just after giving up on a disappointing book, and it was a relief to be back in the spell of a good book. Highly recommended, 4 stars.
If you like this one, you will want to continue on to the second in the series, "Disappearance of a Scribe." My review of that book is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 6, 2019
I've been a fan of Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak series for many years and, although I know she's written books in other genres and settings, I haven't given them a try. If Death of an Eye is any indication, this has been a mistake: Stabenow spins a captivating tale here with well-drawn and interesting characters in a interesting and exotic setting.
I've studied the ancient Mediterranean world for much of my life and read both ancient Greek and Latin. As far as I'm concerned, Stabenow has handled this setting based on some sound research and with attention to details. It's all complicated because Alexandria was without question a truly cosmopolitan, multiethnic city, blending features of Hellenistic Greek and Egyptian culture (to which add the Romans, who are becoming their new masters). One of the subtler ways Stabenow does this is by making it clear that a character's name isn't an indication of their background. Tetisheri, our detective character, has an Egyptian name but is at least part Greek. Her male escort/bodyguard Apollodoros has a Greek name but is Thracian (but claims to be Sicilian). Egyptian, Greek and even Roman gods all crop up and don't seem exotic to anybody.
Cleopatra is a important character, too, and Stabenow's Cleopatra is faithful to the historical person. She is very intelligent, always in control, and outsmarting her enemies at every turn. Historical sources tell us that she was the only Greek ruler of Egypt who learned the Egyptian language, so she saw an advantage in courting the favor of the common people in Egypt.
My point in general is that Stabenow has been careful to write a lot of history into her background setting. As for the plot and characters, I see some similarities to the Shugak books--we have a strong, intelligent perceptive woman as a hero who is attracted to a strong, intelligent man who respects but adores her (yes, Chopper Jim takes some time to face facts, but he gets there). There are scenes of good times and banter, but also moments of real suspense; the plot twists caught me completely by surprise.
Stabenow fans, takes this on and don't be put off by the exotic names. Fans of detective tales set in the ancient world, here's one that is definitely worth your time. I hope Dana Stabenow has more adventures for Tetisheri already bubbling in her creative stewpot.
I've studied the ancient Mediterranean world for much of my life and read both ancient Greek and Latin. As far as I'm concerned, Stabenow has handled this setting based on some sound research and with attention to details. It's all complicated because Alexandria was without question a truly cosmopolitan, multiethnic city, blending features of Hellenistic Greek and Egyptian culture (to which add the Romans, who are becoming their new masters). One of the subtler ways Stabenow does this is by making it clear that a character's name isn't an indication of their background. Tetisheri, our detective character, has an Egyptian name but is at least part Greek. Her male escort/bodyguard Apollodoros has a Greek name but is Thracian (but claims to be Sicilian). Egyptian, Greek and even Roman gods all crop up and don't seem exotic to anybody.
Cleopatra is a important character, too, and Stabenow's Cleopatra is faithful to the historical person. She is very intelligent, always in control, and outsmarting her enemies at every turn. Historical sources tell us that she was the only Greek ruler of Egypt who learned the Egyptian language, so she saw an advantage in courting the favor of the common people in Egypt.
My point in general is that Stabenow has been careful to write a lot of history into her background setting. As for the plot and characters, I see some similarities to the Shugak books--we have a strong, intelligent perceptive woman as a hero who is attracted to a strong, intelligent man who respects but adores her (yes, Chopper Jim takes some time to face facts, but he gets there). There are scenes of good times and banter, but also moments of real suspense; the plot twists caught me completely by surprise.
Stabenow fans, takes this on and don't be put off by the exotic names. Fans of detective tales set in the ancient world, here's one that is definitely worth your time. I hope Dana Stabenow has more adventures for Tetisheri already bubbling in her creative stewpot.
November 8, 2018
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
When Cleopatra’s most trusted servant is murdered and her newly minted coins stolen she asks her childhood friend Tetisheri to investigate both crimes. As Tetisheri is plunged into the shadowy heart of Alexandra she discovers that nothing and nobody can be taken at face value, and that she cannot trust anyone, not even her old childhood friend.
I requested this book as I love history and historical fiction, and Ancient Egypt fascinates me. I have never read this author’s work before, although I do have quite a few of her crime novels waiting to be read, so I was really looking forward to this but I found myself disappointed with it. My problem with it is that while some of the content would be more suitable for adults it reads as though it was written for a younger market.
When Cleopatra’s most trusted servant is murdered and her newly minted coins stolen she asks her childhood friend Tetisheri to investigate both crimes. As Tetisheri is plunged into the shadowy heart of Alexandra she discovers that nothing and nobody can be taken at face value, and that she cannot trust anyone, not even her old childhood friend.
I requested this book as I love history and historical fiction, and Ancient Egypt fascinates me. I have never read this author’s work before, although I do have quite a few of her crime novels waiting to be read, so I was really looking forward to this but I found myself disappointed with it. My problem with it is that while some of the content would be more suitable for adults it reads as though it was written for a younger market.
June 6, 2022
A quick and easy read, this book has an interestimg locale and setting; Alexandria, Egypt, 47 B.C. Cleopatra's chief spy (the eye) is murdered investigating who stole newly minted coins meant to bolster Egypt's economy. Cleo asks her lifelong friend, Terisheri, to investigate. Intrigue follows. Recommended to those who might like something slightly different and who enjoy murder mysteries.
December 3, 2018
A young woman from ancient Alexandria, Tetisheri works in dealing luxuries and antiques with her merchant uncle. She also happens to be the lifelong friend of Cleopatra, a friend sorely needed in the dangerous world of Roman and Alexandrine politics. When Cleopatra asks Tetisheri to find some newly-minted currency that's gone missing, Tetisheri cannot refuse.
As the "eye" of the queen, Tetisheri teams up with hunky bodyguard Apollodorus to investigate Cleopatra's envious brother Ptolemy and the Roman officials in Julius Caesar's entourage. Her own frightening past resurfaces as she is forced to confront the cruel and disgusting man who used to be her husband. Interrogation, murder, and pirates are the order of the day as the queen's eye searches through Alexandria and beyond to accomplish Cleopatra's bidding.
A detective story set in the ancient world cannot help but lend itself to comparison with Lindsey Davis' Falco books, particularly since Tetisheri is in the auction business with her uncle just as Falco is with his father. In many respects, the comparison is an unfavorable one for Stabenow. While Davis' Falco books steep in history, they also sparkle with wit and create memorable characters that walk off the pages. The Death of an Eye struggled to accomplish all those tasks, and while I did feel generally enriched regarding the history of the period, I struggled to enjoy the characters or to follow all the loose historical threads brought in for the finale. In the end, Cleopatra's machinations, while evidence of her cleverness, ended up making Testisheri's whole quest feel pointless.
One oddity is that the book was strangely clean and simplistic throughout most of it but had a few jarring episodes of sex and obscene language. With those scenes removed, I think this book would fare well as a young adult novel.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
As the "eye" of the queen, Tetisheri teams up with hunky bodyguard Apollodorus to investigate Cleopatra's envious brother Ptolemy and the Roman officials in Julius Caesar's entourage. Her own frightening past resurfaces as she is forced to confront the cruel and disgusting man who used to be her husband. Interrogation, murder, and pirates are the order of the day as the queen's eye searches through Alexandria and beyond to accomplish Cleopatra's bidding.
A detective story set in the ancient world cannot help but lend itself to comparison with Lindsey Davis' Falco books, particularly since Tetisheri is in the auction business with her uncle just as Falco is with his father. In many respects, the comparison is an unfavorable one for Stabenow. While Davis' Falco books steep in history, they also sparkle with wit and create memorable characters that walk off the pages. The Death of an Eye struggled to accomplish all those tasks, and while I did feel generally enriched regarding the history of the period, I struggled to enjoy the characters or to follow all the loose historical threads brought in for the finale. In the end, Cleopatra's machinations, while evidence of her cleverness, ended up making Testisheri's whole quest feel pointless.
One oddity is that the book was strangely clean and simplistic throughout most of it but had a few jarring episodes of sex and obscene language. With those scenes removed, I think this book would fare well as a young adult novel.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 23, 2019
This was okay, but really the nifty, shimmery dust jacket was its best feature. It starts out slow, describing the ancient Egypt setting, with dialogue that somewhat reminded me of sword and sandal Hollywood epics of the 1950s. Fortunately Stabenow got over this, and the characters were somewhat interesting, but its court intrigue is intricate enough and ancient character names arcane enough that I consulted the included list of characters with some regularity. (There are maps, too, and useful ones.) There is so much backstory slipped in that I found myself continually wondering if this were the second rather than first book in a series. Probably Stabenow should have gone back and written and published that story first, an intricate tale of selling of a child bride, marital discord, friendship with Cleopatra (of course), parental and marital betrayal, and the like. The present mystery is not too mysterious and, as usual in such things, there comes a moment when our heroine, repelled by sexuality because of past terrible experiences, finds herself interested again by a virile older man who . . . well, you get the idea. There's an encounter with pirates as well. Why? Don't ask. Probably to make the novel long enough. If you're a Stabenow fan you probably should try this to see if it is your cup of tea, but like me you'll probably want to go back to her two series set in Alaska, particularly the Kate Shugak novels.
December 24, 2018
A nice quick read. Dana Stabenow has left the icy wastes of Alaska for the dry (and politically deadly) world of Cleopatra's Alexandria in Ptolemy Egypt.
The story is political intrigue with a murder (or two) and a dash of romance. Be prepared for names you may know from history or Shakespeare.
Fun!
The story is political intrigue with a murder (or two) and a dash of romance. Be prepared for names you may know from history or Shakespeare.
Fun!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
I will keep saying it, I love anything written by Dana Stabenow. This new book is amazing. Historic fiction is one of my favorite genres and I am always intrigued by the Egyptians. Love that once again Dana introduces us to a strong female character (besides Cleopatra). I am hoping there will be more books in this line.
July 27, 2020
3.75 stars
I enjoyed this one more for its historical details than the mystery, as I haven’t gotten to time travel to 47 BCE very often! The way that Stabanow created and elaborated upon her characters, the way they interacted, and then the ambiance with which she imbued the narrative were all very much enjoyed.
I enjoyed this one more for its historical details than the mystery, as I haven’t gotten to time travel to 47 BCE very often! The way that Stabanow created and elaborated upon her characters, the way they interacted, and then the ambiance with which she imbued the narrative were all very much enjoyed.
January 28, 2019
It’s set in Ancient Egypt, what more needs to be said? 😊 looks like it’s setting up to be a series which fills the Egyptian hole in my heart that Amelia Peabody left when Elizabeth Peters died.
March 26, 2019
A good new series from Dana Stabenow. Looking forward to the next one.
April 3, 2019
I read this book in one sitting on a rainy day. It's an enjoyable read. Picked it up at the library.
March 28, 2022
Okay, it took me a while to get into this mystery. The main character, Tetisheri, childhood friend of Cleopatra, is a formidable woman tasked by the queen with the discovery of not just a murderer, but finding a stolen shipment of newly minted coins before they destabilize the economy of Egypt. She is quite resourceful and cunning, but plagued with a past she longs to cast aside.
Although set in Cleopatra’s day, Death of an Eye reminded me quite a lot of Lynda S. Robinson’s Lord Meren series set during the time of King Tutankhamen, both with a central character acting in the behalf of their sovereign as the Eye of Isis/Eyes and Ears of the Pharoah, or in it’s shorter form, the Eye. This first book in the series is good, but not on the same level as the Lord Meren books, which is a shame because the Ptolemaic (Greek) kingdom of Cleopatra VII in 47 B.C. is just as interesting as King Tut’s 14th century. And though the author does so an exquisite job of recreating that world, some of the modern sounding dialogue, narrative word phrasing, and nicknames by the characters pulled me out of the story a little and back into modern one. The nicknames (Cleopatra, Pati; Tetisheri, Sheri; Nebenteru, Neb) are a clever device rather than constantly spelling out each of the characters’ names as the originals are quite cumbersome for those not familiar with history, but I would have preferred their actual names as it lends a sort of authenticity.
This Cleopatra is not the pampered Elizabeth Taylor character we are familiar with, which is refreshing. She is not a raving beauty, pretty in an exotic way, just not a raving beauty, but a strong woman who knows how to maneuver through a world dominated by men—not the least of which is the great Caesar, himself—and a worthy successor to her father to rule. The only problem is she has a utterly despicable half brother, Ptolemy XIV, her co-ruler (in name only) a thoroughly nasty and hateful man with whom she must contend, but Cleopatra is equal to the task. It might be a man’s world, but Cleopatra—Pati—is just as clever, underhanded, and ruthless as any man.
The plot is sound, but not overly convoluted, and thoroughly believable. I liked it. It works well. And it has a nice twist in the end I didn’t see coming. So, why just four stars?
Overall, Death of an Eye is a good story—a great idea and some interesting characters. It’s good, just not great for me. Still, having read my first novel by Dana Stabenow, I look forward to reading the next in the series, Disappearance of a Scribe. Hopefully, with the groundwork laid, the series will develop and improve.
Although set in Cleopatra’s day, Death of an Eye reminded me quite a lot of Lynda S. Robinson’s Lord Meren series set during the time of King Tutankhamen, both with a central character acting in the behalf of their sovereign as the Eye of Isis/Eyes and Ears of the Pharoah, or in it’s shorter form, the Eye. This first book in the series is good, but not on the same level as the Lord Meren books, which is a shame because the Ptolemaic (Greek) kingdom of Cleopatra VII in 47 B.C. is just as interesting as King Tut’s 14th century. And though the author does so an exquisite job of recreating that world, some of the modern sounding dialogue, narrative word phrasing, and nicknames by the characters pulled me out of the story a little and back into modern one. The nicknames (Cleopatra, Pati; Tetisheri, Sheri; Nebenteru, Neb) are a clever device rather than constantly spelling out each of the characters’ names as the originals are quite cumbersome for those not familiar with history, but I would have preferred their actual names as it lends a sort of authenticity.
This Cleopatra is not the pampered Elizabeth Taylor character we are familiar with, which is refreshing. She is not a raving beauty, pretty in an exotic way, just not a raving beauty, but a strong woman who knows how to maneuver through a world dominated by men—not the least of which is the great Caesar, himself—and a worthy successor to her father to rule. The only problem is she has a utterly despicable half brother, Ptolemy XIV, her co-ruler (in name only) a thoroughly nasty and hateful man with whom she must contend, but Cleopatra is equal to the task. It might be a man’s world, but Cleopatra—Pati—is just as clever, underhanded, and ruthless as any man.
The plot is sound, but not overly convoluted, and thoroughly believable. I liked it. It works well. And it has a nice twist in the end I didn’t see coming. So, why just four stars?
Overall, Death of an Eye is a good story—a great idea and some interesting characters. It’s good, just not great for me. Still, having read my first novel by Dana Stabenow, I look forward to reading the next in the series, Disappearance of a Scribe. Hopefully, with the groundwork laid, the series will develop and improve.
December 5, 2018
My thanks to Head of Zeus for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Death of an Eye’, the first in the Eye of Isis series set in the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt during the reign of Cleopatra VII.
47BCE Alexandria is a melting pot of different cultures bubbling with ethnic tensions, aristocratic feuds, and courtly intrigue. The young queen rules uneasily and also must deal with Julius Caesar, whose child she carries. When a shipment of newly minted coin goes missing and her Eye is murdered, she turns to her trusted childhood friend, Tetisheri, to find the stolen shipment and uncover the murderer.
The timeless quality of Alexandria is very evident in the rich descriptions and I found the characters very appealing, especially Tetisheri, who like myself is a devotee of Bast. The mystery element was handled well.
While I am not familiar with Dana Stabenow prior to reading this, she has an impressive body of work and clearly has researched the period. After finishing the book I visited her website where she has published a series of posts entitled ‘Why Cleopatra’ that gives background on her writing of this new series.
The novel also quickly passed the ‘god test’ for me; showing respect for the ancient gods and the important place they filled in the daily lives of the majority of people of the time.
The novel had humour and romance. Both in just the right quantity. I was pleased that a character list was provided at the beginning and I certainly made use of it on occasion as an aid to memory. The cover art is quite stunning with such vibrant colours.
I enjoyed reading this novel very much and will be eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
47BCE Alexandria is a melting pot of different cultures bubbling with ethnic tensions, aristocratic feuds, and courtly intrigue. The young queen rules uneasily and also must deal with Julius Caesar, whose child she carries. When a shipment of newly minted coin goes missing and her Eye is murdered, she turns to her trusted childhood friend, Tetisheri, to find the stolen shipment and uncover the murderer.
The timeless quality of Alexandria is very evident in the rich descriptions and I found the characters very appealing, especially Tetisheri, who like myself is a devotee of Bast. The mystery element was handled well.
While I am not familiar with Dana Stabenow prior to reading this, she has an impressive body of work and clearly has researched the period. After finishing the book I visited her website where she has published a series of posts entitled ‘Why Cleopatra’ that gives background on her writing of this new series.
The novel also quickly passed the ‘god test’ for me; showing respect for the ancient gods and the important place they filled in the daily lives of the majority of people of the time.
The novel had humour and romance. Both in just the right quantity. I was pleased that a character list was provided at the beginning and I certainly made use of it on occasion as an aid to memory. The cover art is quite stunning with such vibrant colours.
I enjoyed reading this novel very much and will be eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
July 21, 2022
As the first book in a new mystery series set in ancient Egypt at a time when Cleopatra VII is dandling with Julius Caesar while competing for power with her dim-witted sibling Ptolemy XIV, Dana Stabenow’s “Death of an Eye” has lots of backstory to tell. All the filling-in slows the narrative, which focuses on the murder of the Queen’s top spy (the Eye) and the disappearance of an enormous shipment of new currency.
Solving the mysteries falls to young Tetisheri, an extraordinarily clever woman with plenty of backstory of her own, and Apollodorus, a mystery man with eyes “the color of olivine.” Romance predictably follows, but with intriguing complications. The locales are exotically rendered, potential villains are numerous and deadly, and the writing always mature and satisfying. There’s even a sea battle. And, of course, the promise of more to come.
Solving the mysteries falls to young Tetisheri, an extraordinarily clever woman with plenty of backstory of her own, and Apollodorus, a mystery man with eyes “the color of olivine.” Romance predictably follows, but with intriguing complications. The locales are exotically rendered, potential villains are numerous and deadly, and the writing always mature and satisfying. There’s even a sea battle. And, of course, the promise of more to come.
June 15, 2024
The moon rises over the city of Alexandria. A cloaked figure slips from shadow to shadow, following two men who are not as cautious. The cloaked figure is found in the morning by a street sweeper, dead in a pool of blood. Cleopatra is not best pleased at this death and calls her childhood friend, Tetisheri, to take over the investigation of a missing consignment of new coins. Can Tetisheri unravel the clues? Especially coming face-to-face with her ex-husband and his monther who both bear her a huge grudge.
I had never heard of this author before which is surprising in view of the number of books she has written. I really enjoyed this book and will read the rest of this series and try something else.
I had never heard of this author before which is surprising in view of the number of books she has written. I really enjoyed this book and will read the rest of this series and try something else.
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