Shadow of the Centaurs: An Ancient Greek Mystery

by Saviour Pirotta, Freya Hartas (Illustrator)

The fourth book in the ancient Greek Mysteries series is a mix of Sherlock Holmes and ancient Greece from bestselling author Saviour Pirotta, with stunning illustrations from up-and-coming illustrator Freya Hartas. This exciting adventure will have readers gripped from start to finish.Scribe Nico and his perceptive friend Thrax are back in Athens and Nico is looking forward to the spooky festival of Anthesteria and the lavish feasting at Master Lykos's house. But when the boys suspect a plot to assassinate the general of Athens, they must put the fun aside and infiltrate the Society of Centaurs. Will they discover the true identity of the society's leader, and will they stop the assassination? This dramatic and mysterious tale is packed with wonderful characters and insight into the daily life of the ancient Greeks, a required topic in the Key Stage 2 History curriculum. Perfect for fans of the Roman Mysteries, or anyone interest in ancient Greece.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2018

About the author

Saviour Pirotta is the award-winning author of over one hundred fiction and nonfiction books for children. His works have been translated into 28 languages. Originally from Malta, he now lives in England.

Reviews

[Rhyllis Bignell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saviour Pirotta’s fourth book in the Ancient Greek Mysteries series is a lively tale of mystery and celebration. In Shadow of the Centaurs the citizens of Athens are preparing for the festival of Anthesteria to honour Dionysus the god of wine and to celebrate the beginning of spring. Pirotta’s attention to detail from clothing, architecture, food, daily life, even conversations about politics, class structure and religion bring the Ancient Greek world alive.

Told through young Nico’s eyes, a free man who scribes for Master Ariston the travelling poet, he and his friend Thrax who is the poet’s personal slave quickly become involved in a small mystery. Thrax’s deductive powers, his careful observations have assisted in solving of other mysteries and he’s asked by Master Zeno the gym master to unravel the problem of his stolen dog. When the boys visit his house, Thrax comments on the gruesome floor mosaic depicting a battle between soldiers and centaurs. When the boys return late at night to investigate why the little dog who always barks at strangers was stolen then returned, they discover a hidden secret under the mosaic floor. Soon they come upon a plot to assassinate Pericles the general of Athens and they become deeply embroiled in searching for the evil people behind this. Thrax mysteriously disappears, his cloak found supposedly torn by a lion and Nico even succumbs to an extreme bout of food poisoning. With the help of street urchins and other members of their secret Medusa League. Thrax and Nico sneak into the festival at the Acropolis and perform one of their greatest feats.

[Tanya Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant adventure mystery set in Classical Greece. This is the fourth title in the Ancient Greek Mysteries series and a perfect finale to the saga.