The Artemis Key

The Agency of the Ancient Lost & Found #4

by Jane Thornley

Phoebe McCabe repatriates a marble head of Athena to the Greek Acropolis, thinking it just another day in the life of the Agency of the Ancient Lost and Found. But others have declared her arrival in Greece to be absolutely mythic, which is only part of the problem; that Phoebe herself has an uncanny ability to locate ancient art, quite another. But she could never have guessed what these opposing forces have in mind on what she believes will be her well-earned vacation.

Now she finds herself embroiled in a stew of mystery and myth caught in the net of a secret organization that believes she can deliver them to a priceless object buried deep in the ancient past...and possibly serve them in more devious ways. Can she escape the belief system of a cult convinced that the best lives were lived three millennia ago? Reenactment turns deadly when Phoebe finds herself facing her darkest fear.

Welcome to The Artemis Key, book 4 of the Agency of the Ancient Lost and Found, where ancient art, mythology, and greed merge into a stunning showdown between Phoebe and her nemesis, and which plunges her into the tangled labyrinth of her own heart. Sail the Grecian isles, become immersed in Greek life, past and present, on this, Phoebe’s latest adventure.

Genres: Mystery

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2021

Reviews

[Bill Pentland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once more, the Agency of the Ancient Lost & Found has taken me on an adventure to far away places. This time Phoebe McCabe and her bodyguard Peaches are on the Aegean Sea on a cruise around the Cyclades surrounded much of Greece. Thornley takes us back to mythic Greece of legend and a "lost temple" of Artemis and her fabled "key". Like her other books, the action is fast paced, the antagonists are wily and dangerous as well as numerous. Thornley's vast knowledge of art and all culture, really, are on full display in The Artemis Key.

[jr kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to enter the labyrinth of Phoebe's mind

Fresh off of her exploits in Florence, Italy, Phoebe decides that a much needed vacation is in order. However, with her practical nature, she decides to mix a little business with what she hopes will be a whole lot of pleasure. Phoebe's holiday ends up being hijacked by a charming stranger who wants to test her remarkable ability to locate lost art to help locate the legendary Artemis Key. Unfortunately, other shadowy players with their own nefarious agenda also wish to utilize Phoebe's unique talents to find the Artemis Key. This book marks a slight departure from Jane Thornley's usual style. However, if you open your mind and look deep into yourself, like Phoebe, you might discover some valuable truths about yourself as you take a leap of faith into the labyrinth of your own soul. This volume is the fourth in the series of the Ancient Lost and Found. New readers may want to read the first three volumes first in order to fully understand all of the dynamics between the characters. Given the phenomenal quality of Ms. Thornley's writing, you won't mind the extra reading.

[Terry Polston · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a short book it is jam packed with adventure. It's interesting to get Phoebe's perspective on seeing ruins. The connections she feels with the past when seeing antiquities and ruins are far more intense than what I have experienced. I guess I don't know enough to appreciate it fully.

SPOILERS and QUESTIONS
why were the reigning king and queen of the cult still alive? If she didn't find what was desired, why wasn't she sacrificed?
Did Phoebe get to finish her vacation? She should have still had 7 or 8 days of the cruise left.

[Kathy Schnirman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not give this book 5 stars because of the numerous errors--for example, "lead" instead of "led", I when me should have been used, and misplaced punctuation. Who was in charge of the final review? Coming across these errors interrupted the flow of the text for me, as one of my early part-time jobs was a copy editor. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next in the series.

[Maria Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story - lousy editing

The premis of the plot is fun. The added history and descriptions of the locals really added to the story, as did the tidbits of Greek mythology.

But there are so many typos, missing words in sentences, 'i' that are not capitalized, words placed that shouldn't be... it's as if this book was never properly edited.

[Connie F. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greek islands and art. What’s not to love?

Having sailed among the Greek isles and visited the ancient sights with their columns still standing, I was amazed at the descriptions. I truly loved the story line and the character Nick. Phoebe and the rest of her crew were great as usual.

[Margaret Hier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Greece adventure and travel tale

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous 3. The descriptions of the places and the history of the area were great. Tried to link all the cultures, religious beliefs, gods and goddesses and modern day materials together. I skipped through those places.

[Dragonfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this adventure. Well paced, interesting characters, interesting story. The villains became a little too “Jane Bond” outlandish for me as the story progressed; however, the author ties it up believably in the end. She makes history and exotic locations come alive.

[Coleen Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all the books in this series. What I really enjoyed in this one was that the artifact was not truly an actual artifact but more of a teaching or way of thinking. Keep up the great work.

[Coby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Artemis Key received 5 stars because Jane Thornley writes ripping good tales which suck me in so fast. But the proofreading of the text leaves very much to be desired. Typos occurred on half the pages. It is hard to stay lost in a book when misspelled words keep pulling one's attention away.

[Brynda Kenney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Write Faster, Jane Thornley

So enjoy the Agency of the Lost and found series! Love the grown-up Nancy Drew mysteries, the travel to exotic locations, the history while learning about ancient history!!

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this out of order but I don't think it makes much difference. These books are silly and totally implausible but good fun nonetheless. Would really benefit from proofreading and a good editor.

[Annette Mordec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Pythia.....

How obsession can twist one's mind. Billionaire collects all Greek artifacts to live among them, but it's never enough.
And with Noel to "helps what can possibly go wrong? Is Phoebe really another Pythia)

[Sally Cray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a review of this book and it sounded good.....little did I know that it was #4. Once I realized that, I found #1, fell in LOVE with the characters, Jane's writing style, and the locations her characters transport me to!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant !

[Dyane Basinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚I've read most of these books now, never disappointed .📚

[Alba Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the book and I enjoyed it.

[Toni Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting Adventure

Another great story featuring Phoebe and her friends solving a mystery. Lots of action and thrilling twists to keep you reading to see how the story ends.

[Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of jumped the shark on this one.

[Judith A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I enjoyed this series and can’t wait for the next book due out in June. An engaging story and history and art; love it.

[Dlynn1116 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Another great adventure

[Laura Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book give me more information about ancient history, and a lot of suspense.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series, although enjoyable, needs a proper proof-read and corrections of fact (i.e. names being changed mid-book).

[Donna R.Pullin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

Very good but wished I could have avoided lengthy discourses on Greek gods . The story continues! Please correct several spelling errors.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

good and fast paced

The Artemis key is a really fast, adventurous and fun novel. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading.

[Sue Blais · Rating 5 out of 5]

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