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Amerotke #6
The Poisoner of Ptah
A new novel of murder in the reign of Pharoah Hatusu featuring Judge Amerotke as the crime-solver. At a peace treaty signing between Egypt and Libya in Thebes, three of Egypt's leading scribes die violently on the Temple forecourt, the victims of a vile poisoning. To add to the mounting unease, a prosperous merchant and his young wife are found drowned. Rumours soon sweep the imperial city. The Poisoner of Ptah has returned. It falls to Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Halls of Two Truths, to investigate these hideous crimes - his hunt for the Poisoner leads him to discover yet more suspicion and potential danger. This story sees the Judge pit his wits against a cunning opponent who seems intent on spreading his death-dealing powders. Amerotke enters the twilight world of glorious Thebes where life can be so rich and yet death so swift and brutal.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
55 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books609 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 19, 2021
Read this book in 2009, and its the 6th volume of the marvellous Amerotke series, set in Ancient Egypt.
This tale is set in the year 1477 BC, and in Thebes at the moment when a peace treaty will be signed between Egypt and Libya, when all of a sudden three of Egypt's leading scribes are found dead at the Temple forecourt, due to vile poisoning.
To make chaos complete a merchant and his wife are found drowned, and rumours start all over Thebes that the Poisoner of Ptah has returned.
It falls to Amerotke to come up with the solution of who this mysterious but also deadly poisoner might be.
What will follow is an intriguing mystery in which the cunning Amerotke is facing a deadly opponent when spreading his death-dealing powders, and in a thrilling fashion Amerotke will finally be able, after a very well executed plot, to reveal the culprit of these hideous murders in glorious Thebes.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid historical mystery which is part of a terrific Ancient Egypt series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Superb Poisoner Mystery"!
This tale is set in the year 1477 BC, and in Thebes at the moment when a peace treaty will be signed between Egypt and Libya, when all of a sudden three of Egypt's leading scribes are found dead at the Temple forecourt, due to vile poisoning.
To make chaos complete a merchant and his wife are found drowned, and rumours start all over Thebes that the Poisoner of Ptah has returned.
It falls to Amerotke to come up with the solution of who this mysterious but also deadly poisoner might be.
What will follow is an intriguing mystery in which the cunning Amerotke is facing a deadly opponent when spreading his death-dealing powders, and in a thrilling fashion Amerotke will finally be able, after a very well executed plot, to reveal the culprit of these hideous murders in glorious Thebes.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid historical mystery which is part of a terrific Ancient Egypt series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Superb Poisoner Mystery"!
November 10, 2022
Murder in Ancient Egypt,
Books five an six show how our smart judge comes to know all. What at first seems like tidbits here an tidbits there come together to reveal all. Not just one murderer but two or three.
Books five an six show how our smart judge comes to know all. What at first seems like tidbits here an tidbits there come together to reveal all. Not just one murderer but two or three.
February 22, 2013
The authors understanding of Ancient Egyptian culture, peoples lives & customs is remarkable. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and felt immersed in the story, place and time. Loved the characters as well. Can't wait to read more by Paul Doherty in this series.
July 14, 2017
The thing I have noticed with this series of intrigue and murder set in ancient Egypt is the detailed visual word pictures that the author is so gifted at describing whether it be the weather, landscape, the people, customs, clothes, etc. It puts you squarely in time and place and, feeling a part of it, you can the sense things like the stifling heat and the smells - the smell of decay, rotting corpses, perfumed air, unwashed bodies, the fragrant gardens, the smell of the streets, the stench of the House of Death where embalmment occurs, etc. Hatusu, Pharaoh Queen of Egypt, is still reigning and relies heavily on Amerotke, Chief Judge of Egypt, to help her solve cases that are a danger to her and Egypt.
Many years ago there was a great scandal in Thebes where a priest of Ptah was caught and executed for poisoning many people. He was the author of a book called Ari Sapu - "The Books of Doom". It was a how-to-book on everything known about poisoning. The books disappeared when he died and were never found. Fast forward to the present where a man called the Rekhet is poisoning people for no rhyme or reason. People think it has to be a physician or healer so they arrest a priest of Ptah and find evidence in his room and, therefore, he is found guilty. He begs Pharaoh for mercy and is sent to the Oasis of Bitter Bread, a hellhole of a prison surrounded by burning sand and no chance of escape. An unknown person smuggles in supplies to him and helps him to escape. The poisonings begin again, but is he really the murderer? Several people are out to nab him for various reasons.
The 1st three poisonings occur at a ceremony to sign a peace treaty between Egypt and the Libyans. Three scribes die violently on the Temple forecourt which is an embarrassment to the Queen. The Queen summons Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Halls of Two Truths, to investigate these deaths. Later, a heset of the temple of Ptah named Hutepa is poisoned, a Librarian is poisoned and his library set on fire, a member of Ipuye's bodyguard (see below) vanishes, an Assistant high Priest becomes ill but recovers, and an attempt is made on Hatusu's life.
A subplot involves the mysterious drownings of Ipuye, a rich and lecherous merchant, and his 2nd wife, Khiat, at their House of the Golden Vine. Previously, his 1st wife named Patuna mysteriously disappeared during the 1st series of poisonings. Patuna's sister, Meryet, is convinced that Ipuye had her murdered. Another subplot involves the disappearance of a premier chariot squadron who ventured too far out into the western desert to establish if the peace treaty the Libyans wanted was genuine or not. The whole squadron disappears from the face of the earth.
As always, Amerotke is aided in his investigations by Shufoy, a noseless dwarf who is his manservant and confidant and, this time, by Nadif who is a Medjay of the Theban police. So many characters are involved and come from the Temple of Ptah, The House of the Golden Vine, Churat and Skullface of the vile underworld, Bluetooth and the Vulture of the Amemets, a guild of assassins, and Chief Naratousha and Themeu of Libya who are plotting mischief. In ancient Egypt there was also a guild for poisoners!
I only gave the book four stars because the ending snuck up on me and was just suddenly there. Amerotke must have been gathering clues not revealed to the reader because when he convened court he had all the answers and knew who all the murderers were. All along, he seemed as puzzled as the rest of us! A rich and complex series and one to read if you like stories about ancient Egypt.
Many years ago there was a great scandal in Thebes where a priest of Ptah was caught and executed for poisoning many people. He was the author of a book called Ari Sapu - "The Books of Doom". It was a how-to-book on everything known about poisoning. The books disappeared when he died and were never found. Fast forward to the present where a man called the Rekhet is poisoning people for no rhyme or reason. People think it has to be a physician or healer so they arrest a priest of Ptah and find evidence in his room and, therefore, he is found guilty. He begs Pharaoh for mercy and is sent to the Oasis of Bitter Bread, a hellhole of a prison surrounded by burning sand and no chance of escape. An unknown person smuggles in supplies to him and helps him to escape. The poisonings begin again, but is he really the murderer? Several people are out to nab him for various reasons.
The 1st three poisonings occur at a ceremony to sign a peace treaty between Egypt and the Libyans. Three scribes die violently on the Temple forecourt which is an embarrassment to the Queen. The Queen summons Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Halls of Two Truths, to investigate these deaths. Later, a heset of the temple of Ptah named Hutepa is poisoned, a Librarian is poisoned and his library set on fire, a member of Ipuye's bodyguard (see below) vanishes, an Assistant high Priest becomes ill but recovers, and an attempt is made on Hatusu's life.
A subplot involves the mysterious drownings of Ipuye, a rich and lecherous merchant, and his 2nd wife, Khiat, at their House of the Golden Vine. Previously, his 1st wife named Patuna mysteriously disappeared during the 1st series of poisonings. Patuna's sister, Meryet, is convinced that Ipuye had her murdered. Another subplot involves the disappearance of a premier chariot squadron who ventured too far out into the western desert to establish if the peace treaty the Libyans wanted was genuine or not. The whole squadron disappears from the face of the earth.
As always, Amerotke is aided in his investigations by Shufoy, a noseless dwarf who is his manservant and confidant and, this time, by Nadif who is a Medjay of the Theban police. So many characters are involved and come from the Temple of Ptah, The House of the Golden Vine, Churat and Skullface of the vile underworld, Bluetooth and the Vulture of the Amemets, a guild of assassins, and Chief Naratousha and Themeu of Libya who are plotting mischief. In ancient Egypt there was also a guild for poisoners!
I only gave the book four stars because the ending snuck up on me and was just suddenly there. Amerotke must have been gathering clues not revealed to the reader because when he convened court he had all the answers and knew who all the murderers were. All along, he seemed as puzzled as the rest of us! A rich and complex series and one to read if you like stories about ancient Egypt.
May 16, 2021
#6 in the Amerotke, a respected judge of Thebes and pharoah's go to investigator, mystery series set in ancient Egypt. It is around 1477 BC.
A peace treaty between Egypt and Libya is about to be signed when three of Egypt's leading scribes at the ceremony die violently from poison. Soon there are more deaths as the poisoner is able to strike and no one knows how. It is up to Amerotke to discover who and why is behind all of ths and put an end to it while facing a very cunning opponent.
A peace treaty between Egypt and Libya is about to be signed when three of Egypt's leading scribes at the ceremony die violently from poison. Soon there are more deaths as the poisoner is able to strike and no one knows how. It is up to Amerotke to discover who and why is behind all of ths and put an end to it while facing a very cunning opponent.
December 11, 2020
“The Poisoner of Ptah” is the second to last book in the “Amerotke” series by Paul Doherty. Once again Amerotke is in charge of the investigation of a series of crimes, and this time the stakes are very high; Three high profile scribes have been murdered in the courtyard of the Temple of Ptah, at the peace treaty ceremony between Egypt and Libya, much to Hatshepsut embarrassment. The investigation shows a link between the current events and the old case of a Ptah priest, author of a comprehensive book on poisons, who poisoned several persons himself, and seems to play a role in the current events. Amerotke must divide his time between this high-profile case and the suspicious drowning of a rich merchant, whose first wife disappeared during the first series of poisonings.
“Amerotke” is a historical mystery series, set in Ancient Egypt at the time of the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1481 BCE – 1492 BCE) from the very beginning of her own regency, and encompasses the events surrounded the death of his royal brother and husband Tuthmosis II in 1479 BCE (The Mask of Ra) until late 1477 BCE (The Spies of Sobek).
The series focuses on Amerotke, high judge in Thebes and priest of Maat, ancient Egyptian goddess of law, morality and justice. Through each new book, Doherty visits Old Egypt history and blends fact with fiction to create a well-crafted, entertaining and fully satisfactory murder mystery, in which the investigation, serves as a canvas to depict a very vivid, accurate, credible and fully enjoyable image of the day-to-day life in ancient Thebes, and offers a very good overview of the Egypt’s Eighteen Dynasty, law system and beliefs. Amerotke is a very interesting character, relatable, and despite his “almighty” status as chief judge, honest and sincere with a complex personality and very human flaws. A clear recommendation for anyone looking for a good constructed murder mystery and/or a detailed portrayal of Ancient Egypt society.
“Amerotke” is a historical mystery series, set in Ancient Egypt at the time of the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1481 BCE – 1492 BCE) from the very beginning of her own regency, and encompasses the events surrounded the death of his royal brother and husband Tuthmosis II in 1479 BCE (The Mask of Ra) until late 1477 BCE (The Spies of Sobek).
The series focuses on Amerotke, high judge in Thebes and priest of Maat, ancient Egyptian goddess of law, morality and justice. Through each new book, Doherty visits Old Egypt history and blends fact with fiction to create a well-crafted, entertaining and fully satisfactory murder mystery, in which the investigation, serves as a canvas to depict a very vivid, accurate, credible and fully enjoyable image of the day-to-day life in ancient Thebes, and offers a very good overview of the Egypt’s Eighteen Dynasty, law system and beliefs. Amerotke is a very interesting character, relatable, and despite his “almighty” status as chief judge, honest and sincere with a complex personality and very human flaws. A clear recommendation for anyone looking for a good constructed murder mystery and/or a detailed portrayal of Ancient Egypt society.
October 25, 2020
Book number six of Lord Amerotke's life as a judge and as an investigator.
A man has been imprisoned in a desert oasis prison after confessing to being a poisoner. He is in prison for four years and then is given the means to escape. He returns to Thebes to try and clear his name, as the charges of murdering people by poisoning them are false.
After the man escapes, the poisonings resume. An attempt is even made on the life of the Queen Pharaoh, but one of her tasters dies instead.
Amerotke investigates, but nearly every line of enquiry leads to a dead end. Shufoy the dwarf also collects information for his master, but confusion reigns.
Eventually, Amerotke is given some vital information from the escaped prisoner. This gives the judge food for thought.
Amerotke and his scribes take their places in the House of Truth, where the real killer will be confronted with the crimes committed. Using the facts he has and a good deal of subterfuge, Amerotke confronts the murderer and is rewarded with a confession. The murderer also implicates the accomplices. Justice is served and life goes on.
A man has been imprisoned in a desert oasis prison after confessing to being a poisoner. He is in prison for four years and then is given the means to escape. He returns to Thebes to try and clear his name, as the charges of murdering people by poisoning them are false.
After the man escapes, the poisonings resume. An attempt is even made on the life of the Queen Pharaoh, but one of her tasters dies instead.
Amerotke investigates, but nearly every line of enquiry leads to a dead end. Shufoy the dwarf also collects information for his master, but confusion reigns.
Eventually, Amerotke is given some vital information from the escaped prisoner. This gives the judge food for thought.
Amerotke and his scribes take their places in the House of Truth, where the real killer will be confronted with the crimes committed. Using the facts he has and a good deal of subterfuge, Amerotke confronts the murderer and is rewarded with a confession. The murderer also implicates the accomplices. Justice is served and life goes on.
June 16, 2024
While I have been really enjoying this series I have also been struggling with it, and it has taken me until this book to figure out why. These books have way to much description, making them dense and bulky and not an easy read. I think I didn’t notice it right away because mysteries tend to be over-descriptive in order to provide clues and hints to the solution. This is not the case in this series and a lot of the description could be cut back. I think the other reason for so much description is because Doherty is really trying to showcase the world of Ancient Egypt. While I appreciate the effort, these books would probably get a higher rating if I didn’t have to read so much excess.
This book had a good mystery. I liked the intrigue and how much went into the solution. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, as I am really starting to enjoy some of the returning characters. I like the setting and I am enjoying the series, but I am also looking forward to finishing these series and marking it complete and moving on to other books.
This book had a good mystery. I liked the intrigue and how much went into the solution. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, as I am really starting to enjoy some of the returning characters. I like the setting and I am enjoying the series, but I am also looking forward to finishing these series and marking it complete and moving on to other books.
July 8, 2023
Amerotke the Judge faces a challenging case in Ancient Egypt at the time of Pharaoh Hatshepsut in the sixth book in the series.
A series of murders by poison several years in the past seem to have been solved with the confessions of a priest of the God Ptah who was sent to a prison in the desert. However, his escape sees new deaths in Thebes and it is clear that the killer is again at work. But evidence begins to suggest the original killer might have been innocent and made the scapegoat for another’s crimes. Amerotke’s investigation is complicated by the presence of Libyan peace emissaries who have hidden plans to threaten Egypt.
Doherty succeeds in creating a sense of Ancient Egypt through his description of places and people. The characters are interesting and the plot is complex as he weaves together the political context and the criminal background of the time.
A series of murders by poison several years in the past seem to have been solved with the confessions of a priest of the God Ptah who was sent to a prison in the desert. However, his escape sees new deaths in Thebes and it is clear that the killer is again at work. But evidence begins to suggest the original killer might have been innocent and made the scapegoat for another’s crimes. Amerotke’s investigation is complicated by the presence of Libyan peace emissaries who have hidden plans to threaten Egypt.
Doherty succeeds in creating a sense of Ancient Egypt through his description of places and people. The characters are interesting and the plot is complex as he weaves together the political context and the criminal background of the time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2018
A Plethora Of Poisons
I never knew there were so many ways to poison a person and oh yeah, what those administered poisons could do to a person. Oh but the intrigue, machinations, subtle betrayals, fierce loyalties, missing wives, murderous family members and the joys of Shurfoy and Amerotke just continue to delight and bedazzle me with this 6th in a series of Ancient Egyptian murder mysteries. It’s a very rich and complex portrayal of Ancient Egypt and all it’s rituals, superstitions and daily life for all stratas of it’s people. History comes alive and you hate having to leave it at the end of the book. And there is the added plus of one of my favorite pharoahs. Read the series. It’s quite excellent.
I never knew there were so many ways to poison a person and oh yeah, what those administered poisons could do to a person. Oh but the intrigue, machinations, subtle betrayals, fierce loyalties, missing wives, murderous family members and the joys of Shurfoy and Amerotke just continue to delight and bedazzle me with this 6th in a series of Ancient Egyptian murder mysteries. It’s a very rich and complex portrayal of Ancient Egypt and all it’s rituals, superstitions and daily life for all stratas of it’s people. History comes alive and you hate having to leave it at the end of the book. And there is the added plus of one of my favorite pharoahs. Read the series. It’s quite excellent.
April 27, 2022
Entertaining suspense about poison, poisonings, and poisoners in the times of Queen Pharaoh Hatusu. The book describes the miasma of fear that arises when a poisoner plies his deadly trade in the Temple of Ptah, and the City of Thebes.
There are also wonderful and graphic descriptions of not only the temples and palaces, but of the dark places populated by gangs and criminals. Set against a political negotiation between Egypt and the Libyans, the novel moves quickly and is a mesmerizing read.
There are also wonderful and graphic descriptions of not only the temples and palaces, but of the dark places populated by gangs and criminals. Set against a political negotiation between Egypt and the Libyans, the novel moves quickly and is a mesmerizing read.
July 27, 2021
Die Quickly
A poisoner is on the loose in ancient Thebes. No one is safe and everyone is suspicious. The Libyans are in negotiations with the Divine One, but secretly plotting for a future incursion into Egypt with the Sea People. Treachery and tragedy walk hand in hand in ancient Egypt. It’s up to Judge Amerotke to determine the truth and see that justice is dispensed.
Paul Doherty has once again created a fascinating story that will keep you reading late into the night.
A poisoner is on the loose in ancient Thebes. No one is safe and everyone is suspicious. The Libyans are in negotiations with the Divine One, but secretly plotting for a future incursion into Egypt with the Sea People. Treachery and tragedy walk hand in hand in ancient Egypt. It’s up to Judge Amerotke to determine the truth and see that justice is dispensed.
Paul Doherty has once again created a fascinating story that will keep you reading late into the night.
October 20, 2023
great series
For anyone who enjoys Egyptian history and clever mysteries, this the series for you. The main characters, the details, and plots are compelling. I only wish there were many more books in this series but PC Doherty has several others just as well written.
For anyone who enjoys Egyptian history and clever mysteries, this the series for you. The main characters, the details, and plots are compelling. I only wish there were many more books in this series but PC Doherty has several others just as well written.
September 14, 2018
I love this series, but this book in particular wrapped up way too quickly.
June 15, 2019
Another winner!
Another great mystery set in ancient Egypt. The characters are believable and the description of the age paint a picture. Paul Doherty has done it again.
Another great mystery set in ancient Egypt. The characters are believable and the description of the age paint a picture. Paul Doherty has done it again.
November 26, 2022
Yet another book that I read years ago and recently picked up to only figure out that I had already read it. Thank you Internet Archive for having this book available!
January 4, 2023
DNF not for me. The history and ancient period details are impressive…and I’m sure the level of violence is as well.
September 19, 2023
Amazing read - thrilling !
However - some chapters was a little draggy !
However - some chapters was a little draggy !
February 6, 2017
I honestly don't think there is one novel in the amertoke series that I won't give 5 stars.
I love them - I love the characters , they have become so familiar you can hear their thoughts and voices throughout the pages and steps of the mystery . I think it's particularly difficult to keep momentum through a series whilst still making the reader care for the characters.
I'd recommend reading the entire series but if you were just picking up one this is a great one to read
I love them - I love the characters , they have become so familiar you can hear their thoughts and voices throughout the pages and steps of the mystery . I think it's particularly difficult to keep momentum through a series whilst still making the reader care for the characters.
I'd recommend reading the entire series but if you were just picking up one this is a great one to read
December 31, 2021
The last book I read from this author I gave two stars and then vowed to never read more. But this was available at the library and I needed something in-between meetings. I was not expecting much and I was correct in my assumptions.
It carries over the same problems I saw last time. The book is filled with needless detail, he describes the night sky in the same manner over and over again. Bright lights on velvet, okay we get it. The understanding of food and culture seems odd at times or just plain wrong. Describing oak trees growing in Egypt, and people offering macaroons to gods; what??
Just paragraph after paragraph describing a faint breeze, blossoms from the sky, crickets, the smell of cumin, this isn’t building the scene this is called padding. You can just do two sentences with those words and you’ll be fine bud, not a page worth. I did like how each chapter break had an Ancient Egyptian vocabulary word.
About 40% into the book about 8 people have died and you get vague clues as the reader as to who done it. It seems less like a casual murder in the court of the pharaoh and more like a serial killer. It actually ends with there being two killers, technically three. This would be an amazing twist if it wasn’t for the fact that I didn’t care and this isn’t hinted at in the least. One of the killers was the son of a famous poison book writer and was upset about losing his station at the temple and decided to just kill for funzies (also bravo to the dead girl, using Min as a hint). The other was a mad merchant and we had a good twist involving rock dust in the pool.
We never got more with the pharaoh and we never got more of the war, as usual everything was resolved within a 10 page paragraph dump. All the way up to the end the investigator just kept saying “I have no idea who it is.”
It carries over the same problems I saw last time. The book is filled with needless detail, he describes the night sky in the same manner over and over again. Bright lights on velvet, okay we get it. The understanding of food and culture seems odd at times or just plain wrong. Describing oak trees growing in Egypt, and people offering macaroons to gods; what??
Just paragraph after paragraph describing a faint breeze, blossoms from the sky, crickets, the smell of cumin, this isn’t building the scene this is called padding. You can just do two sentences with those words and you’ll be fine bud, not a page worth. I did like how each chapter break had an Ancient Egyptian vocabulary word.
About 40% into the book about 8 people have died and you get vague clues as the reader as to who done it. It seems less like a casual murder in the court of the pharaoh and more like a serial killer. It actually ends with there being two killers, technically three. This would be an amazing twist if it wasn’t for the fact that I didn’t care and this isn’t hinted at in the least. One of the killers was the son of a famous poison book writer and was upset about losing his station at the temple and decided to just kill for funzies (also bravo to the dead girl, using Min as a hint). The other was a mad merchant and we had a good twist involving rock dust in the pool.
We never got more with the pharaoh and we never got more of the war, as usual everything was resolved within a 10 page paragraph dump. All the way up to the end the investigator just kept saying “I have no idea who it is.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2016
The Poisoner of Ptah
By Paul C. Doherty
Another installment in the Lord Amerotke series by Paul C. Doherty, "The Poisoner of Ptah" offers everything I expect from a good historical mystery -- interesting characters, attention to historical detail, and a ripping good mystery. "The Poisoner of Ptah" has all three.
In the past, a mysterious person engaged in a murderous poisoning spree in the royal city of Thebes. Eventually he was caught and executed for his crimes, but not before he had written the Ari Sapu, the Books of Doom, that detailed his great knowledge of poisons. The books supposedly disappeared with the death of their author...but did they? And who wants their deadly knowledge?
Years later, another person known only as the Rekhet took up where the original poisoner left off, once again murdering at will. Arrested, this man threw himself upon Pharaoh's mercy and instead of a gruesome execution, was sent to one of the prison oases. After several years of this living hell, the Rekhet, with the help of an unknown benefactor, escapes and returns to Thebes to take his revenge upon the real killer who destroyed his life.
Once again, Lord Judge Amerotke is called upon to unravel a convoluted skein of threads that link a series of murders, and help the Rekhet prove his innocence.
By Paul C. Doherty
Another installment in the Lord Amerotke series by Paul C. Doherty, "The Poisoner of Ptah" offers everything I expect from a good historical mystery -- interesting characters, attention to historical detail, and a ripping good mystery. "The Poisoner of Ptah" has all three.
In the past, a mysterious person engaged in a murderous poisoning spree in the royal city of Thebes. Eventually he was caught and executed for his crimes, but not before he had written the Ari Sapu, the Books of Doom, that detailed his great knowledge of poisons. The books supposedly disappeared with the death of their author...but did they? And who wants their deadly knowledge?
Years later, another person known only as the Rekhet took up where the original poisoner left off, once again murdering at will. Arrested, this man threw himself upon Pharaoh's mercy and instead of a gruesome execution, was sent to one of the prison oases. After several years of this living hell, the Rekhet, with the help of an unknown benefactor, escapes and returns to Thebes to take his revenge upon the real killer who destroyed his life.
Once again, Lord Judge Amerotke is called upon to unravel a convoluted skein of threads that link a series of murders, and help the Rekhet prove his innocence.
February 28, 2012
I'm not sure if it is because I have been reading this series one after another, but I had an easier time walking away from the book for awhile and not driven to hurry back to it.
It did have a twist to it that the other books haven't yet, and that made it even more challenging to figure out who the guilty party(ies) is/are.
I still can't get enough of the look into an ancient culture, but I do have to wonder, did the ancient Egyptians really spend so much of their every day lives consumed by preparing for the afterlife. It just seems that there had to be more than the sex, the food, and preparing their families' tomb. I don't think I will get that answer in this series but it all seems to be common themes in all the books of this series.
I am however, looking forward to reading #7, The Spies of Sobeck.
It did have a twist to it that the other books haven't yet, and that made it even more challenging to figure out who the guilty party(ies) is/are.
I still can't get enough of the look into an ancient culture, but I do have to wonder, did the ancient Egyptians really spend so much of their every day lives consumed by preparing for the afterlife. It just seems that there had to be more than the sex, the food, and preparing their families' tomb. I don't think I will get that answer in this series but it all seems to be common themes in all the books of this series.
I am however, looking forward to reading #7, The Spies of Sobeck.
July 21, 2016
I've been waiting for this series to hit the four star mark, along comes this book - and down it slides to measly two.
What can I say? In this series the variations are few, the assassins and the poisoners many. And the temples and the priests and the embalming chambers and the hesets and the sloe-eyed women... It's getting a bit monotone I guess. And even though I've always enjoyed the time and the place of these stories (rather than the actual mysteries), this plot was just to weak and unengaging for words. The last 70 pages or so I speed read, just to get to the end of it.
One more to go. Will I make it out of the wildernesses? Out of the dry and dusty Redlands of Doherty's imagination? Hope springs eternal they say, so maybe we will get a royal send off, a wave goodbye worthy of pharaoh queen Hatusu. But I'm doubtful somehow...
What can I say? In this series the variations are few, the assassins and the poisoners many. And the temples and the priests and the embalming chambers and the hesets and the sloe-eyed women... It's getting a bit monotone I guess. And even though I've always enjoyed the time and the place of these stories (rather than the actual mysteries), this plot was just to weak and unengaging for words. The last 70 pages or so I speed read, just to get to the end of it.
One more to go. Will I make it out of the wildernesses? Out of the dry and dusty Redlands of Doherty's imagination? Hope springs eternal they say, so maybe we will get a royal send off, a wave goodbye worthy of pharaoh queen Hatusu. But I'm doubtful somehow...
September 3, 2008
Gave up about 2/3's through - I honestly could not bother finishing it! Usually I enjoy his books, because even though the characters tend to be a bit stiff and one-dimensional, and there is rarely even a HINT of humor (which I like in my books), they are chock-full of history and atmosphere. This time, it was moving too slow and I really could not bring myself to care! I jumped ahead to see whodunnit and returned it to the library!
Can't really expect every book to be a hit, the guy is EXTREMELY prolific and has about 5 series going at one time - and I believe he's a headmaster at an English public school as well.
Can't really expect every book to be a hit, the guy is EXTREMELY prolific and has about 5 series going at one time - and I believe he's a headmaster at an English public school as well.
September 15, 2011
well...what could I say about this book? I read it during my vacation, it was a very easy reading, but I don't have such...whoa, I will re-read this *times, it was soooo interesting.
The main story is Amerotke, the chief-judge in ancient Egypt at the time of Hatusu is investigating some mysterious poisoning, and of course at the end the case is solved:)
I really enjoyed to read about the live in the ancient Egypt, learned some egyptian words, but the characters were simply flat (except of Shufoi, the Dwarf) and I couldn't find any interest to follow them properly.
Amerotke, the Pharaoh, Senenmut were so distanced, so rigid, I couldnt find any connection to them.
July 27, 2011
I have to say this one took me the longest to read and that is not a bad thing. The timing for this book is different then the others in the series and while at first I found it annoying, it did grow on me. The characters are more realistic in this one and I was surprised in the end. I do think that this series is very good as a whole but I have to say I would like more to do with the characters instead of just the killers. The "Divine One" and the her "brick layer" should be a larger part of the story, just not in the background.
December 29, 2013
A bit longer than the others in the series, but not incredibly so. I must continually applaud his descriptions: I wanna be there! Credit Dohertry for being inventive and consistent in his recurring characters. He is a solid writer.
The minutest clues are returned to in the dramatic resolution. In this book, Amerotke's solution comes upon the reader rather abruptly; I think --maybe-- Doherty knew he had to end it, wrap it up. Like the others, I enjoyed it but am glad it was a library book. I doubt I would read these again, but the other Doherty series are possibilities.
The minutest clues are returned to in the dramatic resolution. In this book, Amerotke's solution comes upon the reader rather abruptly; I think --maybe-- Doherty knew he had to end it, wrap it up. Like the others, I enjoyed it but am glad it was a library book. I doubt I would read these again, but the other Doherty series are possibilities.
February 23, 2022
Another fine story set in ancient Egypt with the detective/judge Amerotke. This time a poisoner is loose in Thebes murdering people apparently at random, repeating a pattern of years earlier. Plenty of interesting historical details, although Doherty went a bit overboard describing the marketplaces and details at times as if he had a list of historical information he wanted to check off.
The mystery was intriguing, and delves a bit into history of the time involving Hittites and "Sea People" (likely from Tyre and Sidonia).
The mystery was intriguing, and delves a bit into history of the time involving Hittites and "Sea People" (likely from Tyre and Sidonia).
February 4, 2015
Not sure if this was that good, Or I just enjoy the Amerotke setting - Ancient Egypt and all that jazz- but either way I thought this was great. I dragged out finishing as long as I could - trying to do only a chapter per sitting, but had to whip out the last 3 in one fell swoop. I just could hold back.
If you like PC AKA Paul Doherty, or Lynda S Robinson's old Egypt mysteries, you will love this one.
If you like PC AKA Paul Doherty, or Lynda S Robinson's old Egypt mysteries, you will love this one.
April 27, 2008
Recently, I stumbled upon this author and his series of books set in Ancient Egypt and recalled having read one in middle school and thoroughly enjoying it. Normally, I'm not at all interested in murder mysteries, but I find Doherty's meticulously researched historical fiction to be delightful. On that same note, however, I do feel it is very audience specific and those not naturally interested in Egypt may not be so enthralled.
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