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The Athenian Mysteries #1
The Pericles Commission
Nicolaos walks the mean streets of Classical Athens as an agent for the promising young politician Pericles. His mission is to find the assassin of the statesman Ephialtes, the man who brought democracy to Athens and whose murder has thrown the city into uproar. It's a job not made any easier by the depressingly increasing number of dead witnesses.
But murder and mayhem don't bother Nico; what's really on his mind is how to get closer (much closer) to Diotima, the intelligent and annoyingly virgin priestess of Artemis, and how to shake off his irritating twelve year-old brother Socrates.
The Pericles Commission is the first in an exciting new series by first-time novelist Gary Corby, who takes us to Ancient Greece at one of the most exciting times in history. In this wonderfully approachable, historically rich novel, Athens is brought vividly to life in a mystery engaging from the first page to last.
But murder and mayhem don't bother Nico; what's really on his mind is how to get closer (much closer) to Diotima, the intelligent and annoyingly virgin priestess of Artemis, and how to shake off his irritating twelve year-old brother Socrates.
The Pericles Commission is the first in an exciting new series by first-time novelist Gary Corby, who takes us to Ancient Greece at one of the most exciting times in history. In this wonderfully approachable, historically rich novel, Athens is brought vividly to life in a mystery engaging from the first page to last.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2010
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2038 people want to read
About the author
Gary Corby
11 books210 followersI'm the author of the Athenian Mysteries.
Nicolaos, the ambitious son of a minor sculptor, walks the mean streets of Classical Athens as an agent for the promising young politician Pericles.
Murder and mayhem don't faze Nico; what's really on his mind is how to get closer (much closer) to Diotima, the intelligent and annoyingly virgin priestess of Artemis, and how to shake off his irritating 12 year old brother Socrates.
Nicolaos, the ambitious son of a minor sculptor, walks the mean streets of Classical Athens as an agent for the promising young politician Pericles.
Murder and mayhem don't faze Nico; what's really on his mind is how to get closer (much closer) to Diotima, the intelligent and annoyingly virgin priestess of Artemis, and how to shake off his irritating 12 year old brother Socrates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
January 20, 2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2013
Rating: 3* of five
The Publisher Says: Nicolaos walks the mean streets of Classical Athens as an agent for the promising young politician Pericles. His mission is to find the assassin of the statesman Ephialtes, the man who brought democracy to Athens and whose murder has thrown the city into uproar. It’s a job not made any easier by the depressingly increasing number of dead witnesses.
But murder and mayhem don’t bother Nico; what’s really on his mind is how to get closer (much closer) to Diotima, the intelligent and annoyingly virgin priestess of Artemis, and how to shake off his irritating twelve year-old brother Socrates.
The Pericles Commission is the first in an exciting new series by first-time novelist Gary Corby, who takes us to Ancient Greece at one of the most exciting times in history. In this wonderfully approachable, historically rich novel, Athens is brought vividly to life in a mystery engaging from the first page to last.
My Review: A Mouldering Mound of ~Meh~ read. Nico's coming of age as an Athenian and a politician was not without interest, and the love-match he wants to make with Diotima is a bit amusing, but the overall action contains few moments of surprise and almost none of suspense.
It passed some time, and I cared enough to finish it, but unless the next one grows wings and flaps in my door by itself, this will do it for me.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Publisher Says: Nicolaos walks the mean streets of Classical Athens as an agent for the promising young politician Pericles. His mission is to find the assassin of the statesman Ephialtes, the man who brought democracy to Athens and whose murder has thrown the city into uproar. It’s a job not made any easier by the depressingly increasing number of dead witnesses.
But murder and mayhem don’t bother Nico; what’s really on his mind is how to get closer (much closer) to Diotima, the intelligent and annoyingly virgin priestess of Artemis, and how to shake off his irritating twelve year-old brother Socrates.
The Pericles Commission is the first in an exciting new series by first-time novelist Gary Corby, who takes us to Ancient Greece at one of the most exciting times in history. In this wonderfully approachable, historically rich novel, Athens is brought vividly to life in a mystery engaging from the first page to last.
My Review: A Mouldering Mound of ~Meh~ read. Nico's coming of age as an Athenian and a politician was not without interest, and the love-match he wants to make with Diotima is a bit amusing, but the overall action contains few moments of surprise and almost none of suspense.
It passed some time, and I cared enough to finish it, but unless the next one grows wings and flaps in my door by itself, this will do it for me.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
December 18, 2010
This first mystery novel by Gary Corby was surprisingly fun and i'm looking forward to the next books in the series. Not only was it fun, but it has increased my interest tenfold to finally buckle down and learn about Antiquity by reading classic texts and other history books i have lying around.
I gave it four stars, but in some ways it is a (strong) 3.5 star book for me. Some of the writing was a little uneven and had it been another author i may have bumped it down to three stars, but i know this is a first novel and i also know that the author is incredibly nice, funny, and smart, so therefor 4 stars.
Anyway, I thought Corby did a great job with dialogue, particularly when Nico was working out the puzzle and examining evidence with his secret sidekick, but some of the action scenes became a little tiresome for me--but i'm a girl! also, the book moves swiftly and those scenes in all honesty did nothing to detract from the book in any meaningful way.
I also liked Corby's method of describing the scene of ancient Athens (places and people and the homes they lived in, how they interacted, and how they got their work done), and explaining what things were. I don't know what a classicist would think of it, but for me (a stranger in a strange land), it was most appreciated.
and perhaps most importantly, Corby did a phenomenal job of setting up the plot--immediately Nico had a handful of compelling suspects, all with motives. Added to that, he was a likable (albeit naive) chap, who constantly endangered himself making enemy upon enemy throughout his investigation. This did everything to keep the reader fully engaged and invested in the story to find out if Nico can solve the riddle AND avoid death.
i'm really looking forward to the forthcoming books in the series and can barely contain my excitement at having read the very first book at the time it was published. i recommend this to anyone who likes smart, fun mysteries.
I gave it four stars, but in some ways it is a (strong) 3.5 star book for me. Some of the writing was a little uneven and had it been another author i may have bumped it down to three stars, but i know this is a first novel and i also know that the author is incredibly nice, funny, and smart, so therefor 4 stars.
Anyway, I thought Corby did a great job with dialogue, particularly when Nico was working out the puzzle and examining evidence with his secret sidekick, but some of the action scenes became a little tiresome for me--but i'm a girl! also, the book moves swiftly and those scenes in all honesty did nothing to detract from the book in any meaningful way.
I also liked Corby's method of describing the scene of ancient Athens (places and people and the homes they lived in, how they interacted, and how they got their work done), and explaining what things were. I don't know what a classicist would think of it, but for me (a stranger in a strange land), it was most appreciated.
and perhaps most importantly, Corby did a phenomenal job of setting up the plot--immediately Nico had a handful of compelling suspects, all with motives. Added to that, he was a likable (albeit naive) chap, who constantly endangered himself making enemy upon enemy throughout his investigation. This did everything to keep the reader fully engaged and invested in the story to find out if Nico can solve the riddle AND avoid death.
i'm really looking forward to the forthcoming books in the series and can barely contain my excitement at having read the very first book at the time it was published. i recommend this to anyone who likes smart, fun mysteries.
September 22, 2021
Read this book in 2012, and its the amazing debut mystery novel from Aussie author, Gary Corby.
Set in 461 BC in Classical Athens our main protagonist and agent, Nico(laos), is set on a mission by the young promising politician Pericles, to investigate the murder of statesman Ephialtes, the man brought democracy to Athens.
The fictional Nico will have help from two very important people, namely the real historical virgin Priestess of Artemis, and his annoyingly clever twelve-year-old brother, the real, Socrates.
During his investigations more murders are following, and Athens more and more into uproar, he knows he must come with answers soon as who's the assassin.
What will follow is a magnificent historical mystery told with wit and humour, which is set in Ancient Greece, a novel where the historical details are accurately and superbly interwoven within this story, and which is filled with lifelike characters to make this a very believable and glorious entertaining read.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous first volume of (hopefully) a great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Most Impressive Debut Greek Mystery"!
Set in 461 BC in Classical Athens our main protagonist and agent, Nico(laos), is set on a mission by the young promising politician Pericles, to investigate the murder of statesman Ephialtes, the man brought democracy to Athens.
The fictional Nico will have help from two very important people, namely the real historical virgin Priestess of Artemis, and his annoyingly clever twelve-year-old brother, the real, Socrates.
During his investigations more murders are following, and Athens more and more into uproar, he knows he must come with answers soon as who's the assassin.
What will follow is a magnificent historical mystery told with wit and humour, which is set in Ancient Greece, a novel where the historical details are accurately and superbly interwoven within this story, and which is filled with lifelike characters to make this a very believable and glorious entertaining read.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous first volume of (hopefully) a great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Most Impressive Debut Greek Mystery"!
April 21, 2019
For some reason, beginning in early 2018 I started reading "new" mystery authors. Writers that are out there that I had never heard of. This is another example of the continuing pattern. I stumbled across Gary Corby's books, and I must admit I was intrigued just by the cover. While you cannot tell a book by its cover, lately the covers have been 100% correct. This is the first of The Athenian mysteries, I think there are 7 published as of the date I am writing this. It is a wonderfully detailed and researched book about Ancient Greece. We have the death of one of the leaders of Athens and Pericles contracts with Nicolaos to solve the crime. Lots of good stuff, good history, good descriptions of Athens and life in Ancient Greece, good characters, a good mystery and plot. This hit all the markers for me and I am sure I will be traveling back to Ancient Grecian days with more of Corby's works in the very near future!
September 12, 2020
By far the cleverest thing this book did was make Socrates an annoying kid brother. It’s a dumb idea. Completely ridiculous. Yet that’s what makes it work. Can’t you just see that man as a teen pestering his family with questions about Every. Single. Thing. They. Do? It’s so infuriating and cute that it’s funny. I enjoyed every scene with him in.
And I found that the same principle holds true for the rest of the book as well: it’s at its best when it’s being ridiculous. When Nicolaos is working as a private eye sleuthing around the place and getting into footraces in the Agora with his love interest Diotoma the story works. When it tries to connect this to reality it fails. This is not a serious depiction of ancient Athens. The world is just too much like our own in terms of attitudes and personality.
Language is a big part of that. Nicolaos talks of becoming a politician in much the same way we would, which makes little sense for Athens where all posts are short-term. And then there’s Democracy. Democracy’s an idea with a lot of history behind it. Even the Greek kind. By the mid-5th century that was what the Athenians were calling their government. Which is why it’s a little offputting to hear them talking about having just become a democracy. Who talks that way? Would Columbus step off onto the West Indies and say, “Ah, so this America?” It seems so phony. And also confusing.
The mystery itself isn’t overly compelling either. Like with a lot of these historical mysteries, it’s hard to tell what is and is not plausible behavior when nobody acts quite like modern or ancient men. But even leaving that aside, we’re left with a very half-hearted attempt at depicting an Athenian trial and tying the whole conspiracy together. It’s just a little generic, even though nobody’s really written in this setting before.
If this is your first time entering the world of Ancient Greece, this book is probably not an awful starting point. It’s harmless and inoffensive and not boring. As far as historical mysteries go, it’s not on the top tier but it’s not on the bottom either. And I do at least like the setting. Socrates is enormous fun to watch. He stole every scene he was in. But aside from that there’s not much to make it stand out from its rivals.
And I found that the same principle holds true for the rest of the book as well: it’s at its best when it’s being ridiculous. When Nicolaos is working as a private eye sleuthing around the place and getting into footraces in the Agora with his love interest Diotoma the story works. When it tries to connect this to reality it fails. This is not a serious depiction of ancient Athens. The world is just too much like our own in terms of attitudes and personality.
Language is a big part of that. Nicolaos talks of becoming a politician in much the same way we would, which makes little sense for Athens where all posts are short-term. And then there’s Democracy. Democracy’s an idea with a lot of history behind it. Even the Greek kind. By the mid-5th century that was what the Athenians were calling their government. Which is why it’s a little offputting to hear them talking about having just become a democracy. Who talks that way? Would Columbus step off onto the West Indies and say, “Ah, so this America?” It seems so phony. And also confusing.
The mystery itself isn’t overly compelling either. Like with a lot of these historical mysteries, it’s hard to tell what is and is not plausible behavior when nobody acts quite like modern or ancient men. But even leaving that aside, we’re left with a very half-hearted attempt at depicting an Athenian trial and tying the whole conspiracy together. It’s just a little generic, even though nobody’s really written in this setting before.
If this is your first time entering the world of Ancient Greece, this book is probably not an awful starting point. It’s harmless and inoffensive and not boring. As far as historical mysteries go, it’s not on the top tier but it’s not on the bottom either. And I do at least like the setting. Socrates is enormous fun to watch. He stole every scene he was in. But aside from that there’s not much to make it stand out from its rivals.
August 15, 2016
Loved this story, especially the likable characters who found themselves in surprising circumstances. As I enjoy history and literature, this was the best of both worlds. I also liked the way it imaginatively developed and magnified a relatively obscure but important episode in Greece, whose legacy for the modern world developed right here. Corby has mastered irony, fast pacing, and suspense. The sequel in this Hellene Mystery series will take the detective hero Nicolaus from Athens into Persia, says the Author's Note. In addition to the narrative, extras include a Timeline and an annotated list of Actors (characters).
May 18, 2015
This is the first book of the "Athenian Mysteries" and I really liked it.
The plot is based on the true story of Ephialtes' assassination. The crime investigation is led by his lieutenant - Pericles and his friend, Nicolaos, whose brother is Socrates.
With plenty of mystery and humor, the author describes quite well the set in fifth-century B.C.E. Greece.
A promising series to be followed.
Thanks dear Bettie to provide this "book wit a passport:, I really enjoyed it.
The plot is based on the true story of Ephialtes' assassination. The crime investigation is led by his lieutenant - Pericles and his friend, Nicolaos, whose brother is Socrates.
With plenty of mystery and humor, the author describes quite well the set in fifth-century B.C.E. Greece.
A promising series to be followed.
Thanks dear Bettie to provide this "book wit a passport:, I really enjoyed it.
July 22, 2016
If you are looking for a light cosy type mystery with a different setting then this may well be the book for you. Just don't expect more than that as the historical setting is mostly of the wallpaper variety and although the mystery involves a political assassination this is in no way a political thriller. It definitely isn't in the same league as some of the mystery series' set in Ancient Rome which is what I'd hoped for, but more a fluffy bit of fun.
November 7, 2023
The Pericles Commission is the 1st book in the Athenian mysteries by Australian author Gary Corby. The story is set in 460ish BC in Athens Greece. Nicolaos is the protagonist, son of Sophronicscus, who is a sculpture and wants Nicolaos to take over the business. Nicolaos isn't interested in this work and events will put him on a different, more political, pathway. As a side note, Nicolaos's younger brother is one Socrates, who provides insightful inputs throughtout this story.
Nicolaos out for a walk, is surprised when a body falls from the sky (from the Acropolis) at his feet, dead from an arrow. Pericles, a young Democratic politician, arrives on the scene and offers Nicolaos a job to find out who murdered the man. The man is Ephialtes, a political leader trying to bring Athens into a Democracy.
That's the gist. The story follows Nicolaos as he wanders around Athens trying to find clues to the murderer, wandering into troublesome situations, upsetting various politicians, and risking his life to solve the crime.
It's a fascinating setting. How crime is treated makes for an interesting premise. How women are treated, how slaves are treated and how they fit into Athenian society, all make for a rich, entertaining story. The murder is always in the background, but it is the setting and the relationships that make the story interesting. There is tension but at the same time, humor as well. Nicolaos is a sympathetic character but there are many others; Socrates his brother who provides great insight (even it if's unwanted by Nicolaos); Diotima, daughter of the murdered Ephialtes, by his mistress (who is a strong character, budding priestess of Artemis and with a frisson between her and Nicolaos); Euterpe, the mistress of Ephialtes, sexy and funny and a strong woman; and Pythax, leader of the Scythian Guard, who helps and hinders Nicolaos.
All in all, the story moves along nicely, is eminently readable and enjoyable and the ending is quite satisfying; from a crime solving and political perspective. #2, The Ionian Sanction is now on order. (4.0 stars)
Nicolaos out for a walk, is surprised when a body falls from the sky (from the Acropolis) at his feet, dead from an arrow. Pericles, a young Democratic politician, arrives on the scene and offers Nicolaos a job to find out who murdered the man. The man is Ephialtes, a political leader trying to bring Athens into a Democracy.
That's the gist. The story follows Nicolaos as he wanders around Athens trying to find clues to the murderer, wandering into troublesome situations, upsetting various politicians, and risking his life to solve the crime.
It's a fascinating setting. How crime is treated makes for an interesting premise. How women are treated, how slaves are treated and how they fit into Athenian society, all make for a rich, entertaining story. The murder is always in the background, but it is the setting and the relationships that make the story interesting. There is tension but at the same time, humor as well. Nicolaos is a sympathetic character but there are many others; Socrates his brother who provides great insight (even it if's unwanted by Nicolaos); Diotima, daughter of the murdered Ephialtes, by his mistress (who is a strong character, budding priestess of Artemis and with a frisson between her and Nicolaos); Euterpe, the mistress of Ephialtes, sexy and funny and a strong woman; and Pythax, leader of the Scythian Guard, who helps and hinders Nicolaos.
All in all, the story moves along nicely, is eminently readable and enjoyable and the ending is quite satisfying; from a crime solving and political perspective. #2, The Ionian Sanction is now on order. (4.0 stars)
October 25, 2023
Rated 3 stars. Enjoyable beginning to a historical mystery series set in Ancient Athens Greece about 461BC. Where the author shines is in his descriptions of everyday life at this very important time in history. This is considered the beginning of what will eventually be described as democratic rule. I highly recommend reading the author's timeline at the beginning and his historical notes at the end.
The two main characters, Nicolaus and Diotima, are engaging and I'm assuming there will be romance in subsequent episodes. One of the minor secondary characters is Nicolaus's younger brother, Socrates! He's described as an "irritating 12 year old"! Hope to see more of him in the series.
Interesting historical note quoted in the beginning:
"Ostracism begins to be practiced. Once a year, the people can vote for whomever they dislike most. The "winner" is exiled for ten years. Nobody is ostracized until 487BC, and then there's a flurry of high profile victims." Imagine if that was in practice today!!
The two main characters, Nicolaus and Diotima, are engaging and I'm assuming there will be romance in subsequent episodes. One of the minor secondary characters is Nicolaus's younger brother, Socrates! He's described as an "irritating 12 year old"! Hope to see more of him in the series.
Interesting historical note quoted in the beginning:
"Ostracism begins to be practiced. Once a year, the people can vote for whomever they dislike most. The "winner" is exiled for ten years. Nobody is ostracized until 487BC, and then there's a flurry of high profile victims." Imagine if that was in practice today!!
August 7, 2016
'Cozy' mystery set in ancient Athens, at the birth of democracy. I enjoyed it well enough; adjectives I'd use are: silly, farcical, humorous, at different points in the story. A man is shot with an arrow and falls at the feet of Nicolaos, the protagonist. Apparently, the victim has fallen from the sky. Nico is commissioned by Pericles, the politician and one of the founders of democracy, to find the killer. Pericles just happens to come by right then. Nico decides he wants to be a politician and not follow his father into the sculpture business. Through many twists and turns, the young man does find the killer. His young brother, Socrates, who can be annoying at times but has some good insights, along with a priestess-in-training help him in solving the crime. He himself is arrested for treason and faces a death sentence, before the denouement.
A good deal of the novel was a satire on politics; politicians haven't changed all that much in millennia. To paraphrase [I loved this sentence]: oh, no, we'd never elect an actor to high office.
Nico's trial was pure farce. I admired how the author took the scanty records from those days and wove his story from those few facts. He has included an extensive 'Author's Note.' I did get somewhat of the flavor of ancient Athens. I thought the explanation of the ancient banking system was well done. The language was very unsophisticated and many expressions were very modern, which spoiled it somewhat for me. I read the novel in a matter of hours.
A good deal of the novel was a satire on politics; politicians haven't changed all that much in millennia. To paraphrase [I loved this sentence]: oh, no, we'd never elect an actor to high office.
Nico's trial was pure farce. I admired how the author took the scanty records from those days and wove his story from those few facts. He has included an extensive 'Author's Note.' I did get somewhat of the flavor of ancient Athens. I thought the explanation of the ancient banking system was well done. The language was very unsophisticated and many expressions were very modern, which spoiled it somewhat for me. I read the novel in a matter of hours.
September 12, 2020
Ζήτω η δημοκρατία!
"That would be when Ephialtes bought it." -A Scythian guard
Bought it? I didn't know ancient Greeks used American slang
"His memory must be slipping." Slipping? Once again with the American slang.
What next? English slang? Bloody wanker! Bollocks!
Not what i expected.
Guess i was looking for Harry Bosch or Humphrey Bogart in a fedora trying to solve the case of 'Death to Democracy'
A body falls at the feet of Nicolaos, son of a sculptor brother to Socrates, yes that Socrates, at the same time along came Pericles, the builder of the Parthenon. Halt! Who goes there? Pericles commissions Nico to find the murderer.
Hmmmm, an untraditional way of telling a murder mystery.
Not the smoothest chariot ride. Did the Greeks use chariots? Using American slang to tell the story was awkward. The dialogue was clunky. It was interesting taking a peek into a Greeks life during the Golden Age of Greece.
Just an okay read for a first time author.
"That would be when Ephialtes bought it." -A Scythian guard
Bought it? I didn't know ancient Greeks used American slang
"His memory must be slipping." Slipping? Once again with the American slang.
What next? English slang? Bloody wanker! Bollocks!
Not what i expected.
Guess i was looking for Harry Bosch or Humphrey Bogart in a fedora trying to solve the case of 'Death to Democracy'
A body falls at the feet of Nicolaos, son of a sculptor brother to Socrates, yes that Socrates, at the same time along came Pericles, the builder of the Parthenon. Halt! Who goes there? Pericles commissions Nico to find the murderer.
Hmmmm, an untraditional way of telling a murder mystery.
Not the smoothest chariot ride. Did the Greeks use chariots? Using American slang to tell the story was awkward. The dialogue was clunky. It was interesting taking a peek into a Greeks life during the Golden Age of Greece.
Just an okay read for a first time author.
December 20, 2014
A fun little historical mystery. Recommended for fans of the flipness of Falco.
For a further review: http://susannag.booklikes.com/post/68... .
For a further review: http://susannag.booklikes.com/post/68... .
January 31, 2018
3.5*
A fictional investigation into a historical murder. Corby does a good job showing his reader daily life in 461 B.C. Athens (and I wish that I had discovered the glossary at the end earlier!) and provided enough explanation of the politics at the time (which were a factor in the murder). I also appreciated his Author's Note at the end which explained which parts where historical, which reasonable guesses and which entirely fictional.
One historically accurate bit took me aback -- in this time & culture, if a man died without sons his widow was required to marry the closest possible male relative. If that man happened to be already married, he was required to divorce so as to marry the widow! The divorced wife would be sent back to her family.
One minor complaint is that Nicolaos at times speaks too much as a modern man (referring to shield factories for example, which struck me as anachronistic).
A fictional investigation into a historical murder. Corby does a good job showing his reader daily life in 461 B.C. Athens (and I wish that I had discovered the glossary at the end earlier!) and provided enough explanation of the politics at the time (which were a factor in the murder). I also appreciated his Author's Note at the end which explained which parts where historical, which reasonable guesses and which entirely fictional.
One historically accurate bit took me aback -- in this time & culture, if a man died without sons his widow was required to marry the closest possible male relative. If that man happened to be already married, he was required to divorce so as to marry the widow! The divorced wife would be sent back to her family.
One minor complaint is that Nicolaos at times speaks too much as a modern man (referring to shield factories for example, which struck me as anachronistic).
February 18, 2011
This is the book I've been searching for! I was teaching my children Greek history and my daughter, 13, is just fascinated by this subject. I get so caught up in their studies, so I wanted something fun to read set in Classical Greece. I couldn't wait to start this book and I was not disappointed at all!
I passed it on to my daughter at once and she is enjoying the mystery along with the reinforcement of some history. There is nothing in this novel that a 13 year old has not already seen on TV and they will recieve a bit of a history lesson!
I highly recommend!!
I passed it on to my daughter at once and she is enjoying the mystery along with the reinforcement of some history. There is nothing in this novel that a 13 year old has not already seen on TV and they will recieve a bit of a history lesson!
I highly recommend!!
November 16, 2019
The Pericles Commission (The Athenian Mysteries #1)
Gary Corby (Goodreads Author)
This is a fun read that mixes the birth of democracy, a murder mystery, a young love story, and a young man searching for his place in ancient Athens.
Gary Corby (Goodreads Author)
This is a fun read that mixes the birth of democracy, a murder mystery, a young love story, and a young man searching for his place in ancient Athens.
July 11, 2011
Of course Ancient Greeks didn't "sound" Australian, but there's nothing wrong with the idea that they had senses of humour, the ability to comment on their own actions, and a strong understanding of the way that the world in which they moved worked and if that feeling has to be imparted in a way that we can "get" why not in our sort of voice? At first the gentle humour and the very Australian voices in THE PERICLES COMMISSION came as a bit of a surprise, albeit a rather pleasant one, but the more I read this book, the more I realised that the voice works. Mixed in with sufficient historical perspective and details, this book could work for fans of historical crime fiction, just as it would be a perfect introduction for readers who have steered clear until now.
The story told is as old as the setting though - politicians fighting for power, for their version of politics, for their view of the world. Nicolas, the son of a sculptor is only given the task of investigating this death because he happens to be the man on the spot. His reactions impress Pericles, a supporter of democracy (from the same "side" as the dead man), so Pericles commissions Nicolas. There's a lot of detail in the book about the whys and wherefores of how these sorts of things normally work in Ancient Greek society, as there are details about the various political movements - but the delivery of that detail is not heavy handed. At no stage did I feel like there was definitely going to be an exam at the end of this book, the details just flowed into the narrative.
There is a large cast of characters and one of those cast listings at the front (including a pronunciation guide). More importantly the real-life characters are also indicated and it's interesting to see how Corby has woven fact into fiction in what seems to this reader, at least, a seamless manner. One of the more appealing parts of the book was definitely the way that it seemed to be providing a bit of a history lesson, woven into a really interesting tale - making the history both palatable and very real.
As with all these sorts of lone, private, accidental investigators, a lot of the enjoyment of the book hangs on whether or not a reader can believe the situation. There's something very believable about Nicolas taking up the investigator role - despite absolutely no experience, ability, training, or even much of an idea of how to start. Sure there's a fair amount of him acting as a catalyst for events, rather than a finder of facts, but facts he does discover, and he does garner help from some unlikely quarters including a love interest. Ephialtes, illegitimate but acknowledged daughter of the dead man is a great character, although you are going to have to brace yourself for a bit of that romantic carry on. Not too much thankfully, and nicely balanced out with Ephialtes being no shrinking violet and not afraid to get into the action in her own right.
There are other great characters in this book, and there are some excellent insights into the setting and the period (albeit that I have no way of knowing how accurate any of it is - but it certainly feels, reads and sits well within the context of the story). Ultimately what really works if the character of Nicolas himself. His dogged determination to make his own way in the world, his relationship with his father, mother and younger brother Socrates (make of his name and description what you will), and his way of seeing the world around him made this a really engaging, light, fast and ultimately extremely enjoyable book.
The story told is as old as the setting though - politicians fighting for power, for their version of politics, for their view of the world. Nicolas, the son of a sculptor is only given the task of investigating this death because he happens to be the man on the spot. His reactions impress Pericles, a supporter of democracy (from the same "side" as the dead man), so Pericles commissions Nicolas. There's a lot of detail in the book about the whys and wherefores of how these sorts of things normally work in Ancient Greek society, as there are details about the various political movements - but the delivery of that detail is not heavy handed. At no stage did I feel like there was definitely going to be an exam at the end of this book, the details just flowed into the narrative.
There is a large cast of characters and one of those cast listings at the front (including a pronunciation guide). More importantly the real-life characters are also indicated and it's interesting to see how Corby has woven fact into fiction in what seems to this reader, at least, a seamless manner. One of the more appealing parts of the book was definitely the way that it seemed to be providing a bit of a history lesson, woven into a really interesting tale - making the history both palatable and very real.
As with all these sorts of lone, private, accidental investigators, a lot of the enjoyment of the book hangs on whether or not a reader can believe the situation. There's something very believable about Nicolas taking up the investigator role - despite absolutely no experience, ability, training, or even much of an idea of how to start. Sure there's a fair amount of him acting as a catalyst for events, rather than a finder of facts, but facts he does discover, and he does garner help from some unlikely quarters including a love interest. Ephialtes, illegitimate but acknowledged daughter of the dead man is a great character, although you are going to have to brace yourself for a bit of that romantic carry on. Not too much thankfully, and nicely balanced out with Ephialtes being no shrinking violet and not afraid to get into the action in her own right.
There are other great characters in this book, and there are some excellent insights into the setting and the period (albeit that I have no way of knowing how accurate any of it is - but it certainly feels, reads and sits well within the context of the story). Ultimately what really works if the character of Nicolas himself. His dogged determination to make his own way in the world, his relationship with his father, mother and younger brother Socrates (make of his name and description what you will), and his way of seeing the world around him made this a really engaging, light, fast and ultimately extremely enjoyable book.
August 22, 2020
It took me a while to get into this; I picked it up because I liked the cover. I enjoyed all the information about life in B.C. Greece, which was well-presented and explained without being an information dump. The way our hero, Nicolaos, is chosen to investigate a murder seems pretty unlikely, however, and his voice seemed a little too modern somehow. I didn't suffer, but I'm not sure I'll read the next one.
September 9, 2021
The first in the series, although I have read them out of order with little problem. Set in mid-5th century BCE, it features Nicolaos, a young man just out of the Athenian army and looking for a career. His father is a sculptor, and expects Nico will follow him into the trade. But Nico's plans change when a dead body is hurled down from the Acropolis into his path. The murder victim, for such he is, is a prominent Athenian politician. The rising young politician Pericles hires Nico to investigate the death, despite the fact that Pericles' own father is a suspect. Nico sets out to solve the crime with the help of the dead man's illegitimate daughter Diotima and his own little brother Socrates. Yep. That Socrates (and that Diotima, apparently, if you have read The Apology). Here Socrates is just an ugly kid with a brilliant mind who gets on his family's nerves with his constant questions. And if that sounds like a heavy-handed treatment, it really doesn't read that way either here or in any of the other Athenian Mysteries. Instead, Corby packs the book with enough Easter eggs like that to keep anyone who knows ancient Greek history happy. At the same time, he vividly brings this most exciting period in western history to life. The mystery itself isn't bad, but the depiction of Athens just before her golden age is both engrossing and wildly funny. But the jokes are smart, and only very occasionally does Corby go for the most obvious.
If you haven't read the series yet, I would start with this one for the most detailed introductions to the staple characters: Nico, Diotima, Socrates and Pericles. Highly recommend.
If you haven't read the series yet, I would start with this one for the most detailed introductions to the staple characters: Nico, Diotima, Socrates and Pericles. Highly recommend.
December 22, 2013
I picked this up totally on a whim at the library, the cover kept catching my eye, and I'm very glad I did. This was a fun mystery with likable characters and a lot of wit. While the overall tone of the book was pretty lighthearted it didn't shy away from some of the uglier sides of life in Ancient Athens. It never comes across as a lecture but the fate of slaves, women and basically anyone else who wasn't a "citizen" isn't candy coated.
But for all that the book is actually great fun. Certain real people make an appearance so the author's note is pretty interesting as well. Nico & his family (including little brother Socrates) are warm and funny. The budding romance with Diotrima is also charming. The mystery is also solid and I like that Nico gets more competent in his investigation and more sophisticated in his methods as time goes on. He learns from some of his early mistakes. But of course, the more competent he gets, the more danger he's in. Overall, a fun and entertaining read with enough meaty historical details. I'll definitely be picking up others in the series.
But for all that the book is actually great fun. Certain real people make an appearance so the author's note is pretty interesting as well. Nico & his family (including little brother Socrates) are warm and funny. The budding romance with Diotrima is also charming. The mystery is also solid and I like that Nico gets more competent in his investigation and more sophisticated in his methods as time goes on. He learns from some of his early mistakes. But of course, the more competent he gets, the more danger he's in. Overall, a fun and entertaining read with enough meaty historical details. I'll definitely be picking up others in the series.
April 13, 2015
I won a copy of THE MARATHON CONSPIRACY, the fourth book in the series, in a Goodreads giveaway, so I hurried to the library to check out the first book and read the series in order. What a discovery! Greek history, lots of humor, a yummy young hero, and a romance thread--what's not to love? This was a fun read, and I look forward to reading the next installment.
Updated 4/12/15: Some mysteries don't stand up to re-reads; once you know "whodunnit," there's just not enough to make a return trip satisfying. Not so with this series! It's just as enjoyable the second time around. I'm reading the whole series again in preparation for (a) the fifth installment coming out in May, and (b) my own Mediterranean cruise this summer.
Updated 4/12/15: Some mysteries don't stand up to re-reads; once you know "whodunnit," there's just not enough to make a return trip satisfying. Not so with this series! It's just as enjoyable the second time around. I'm reading the whole series again in preparation for (a) the fifth installment coming out in May, and (b) my own Mediterranean cruise this summer.
December 21, 2015
This looks like the start to a pretty good series. I like the setting in Ancient Greece and the addition of actual real historical people as players in the story.
The writing wasn't as polished as I'd have liked to read and the setting often felt a little too modern but I hold out hope that the next books will get better.
The writing wasn't as polished as I'd have liked to read and the setting often felt a little too modern but I hold out hope that the next books will get better.
October 28, 2010
This was a great romp through Ancient Greece. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves mysteries or historical fiction- Corby's done a great job blending both!
June 13, 2023
This is an investigation into the death of Ephialtes, one of the democratic reformers of ancient Athens. He was a real person, but the crime has never been solved, though it is usually ascribed to aristocratic forces trying to stop the loss of their powers. He, as well as Pericles, Xanthippus, Callias and Conon are in the board game Athens: The Birth of Politics.
This is a great setting for a story and a great incident to base a case on. I only wish it had been better realized.
Maybe helped by my awareness of the history I guessed the culprit early on.
The book has a big problem with framing. To whom is the first person narrator writing? Athenian contemporaries? Then why describe many things that they would undoubtedly already know? Athenians of the future? Then why not give some words about why this information is being recorded. To everyone of the distant future? Same question.
Sure, part of the reason we read historical novels is to learn something of what life was like at a distant time and place, but this kind of information should dispensed artfully and organically, as part of the story. If it cannot be, put it into a glossary. But here the narrator keeps going into detailed explanations of things his contemporaries would certainly know. Plus, there's a redundant glossary at the back for the same terms all over again! There's far too much indication of the oil lamp here. Yes, author, we see that you studied all night to learn lots of things, but it should not be spoon fed to us like this. It really ruins the credibility of the story.
Another issue is that the narrator has been hired as a paid detective. As there was no such concept, surely some characters should make some commentary about its novelty.
One problem that keeps coming up in murder mysteries where the victim is a beloved figure is that they never really come to terms with the deep sadness and sense of loss inherent in the situation. Authors of the older era kind of dealt with this by making the victim a thoroughly unlikeable person, but that certainly is not the case here, and it makes parts of the book, particularly the funeral, read very oddly.
It also strangely uses Latinized versions of names sometimes, for example, calling Socrates' father Sophroniscus, whereas in Greek he would have called him Sophroniskos. Xanthippus should be Xanthippos. And so on. If the idea is to each about the Greeks, why not use the Greek forms?
At this point in history - 461 BCE - there was no history of professional detectives and all the techniques such as footprints and the like that they use. These things had to be invented, but here the detective tends to just automatically using them as if everyone knows all about them.
There are some dialog problems. For example, this young detective speaks to cheracters like Xanthippus, a major general and hero of Athens, and Conon, the leading archon, as if the two are equals. Really strains credibility.
There are some historical errors as well:
- Implies incorrectly that an ostracism vote was regularly held once a year.
- Suggests that the Polemarch, formerly the top general, was in this period in charge of all matters related to metics. This appears made up of whole cloth.
- The character walks between the Long Walls, but at this point the Long Walls were only beginning to be constructed.
- Even more importantly, the Peloponnesian War in which Sparta attacked Athens had begun and must have been on the minds of every single person in Athens and yet the book never even mentions it.
The writing style is good, but the book is too long. A mystery romp like this should know when it's time to get off the stage, which is at about 200 pages, but this continues past 340. With just a bit more writing this could have been two books! True, it's a very big case, not just a murder, but a political one, it's something of a coming of age story as well and it requires a lot of exposition. Still, a lot could have been cut out. All the business of the polemarch offering him a job, the bits about Pythax training him in weaponry, the sculpting business and so on were not necessary. Some of the other plot details could have been compressed as well. One trip to the Pireaus would probably have done as well as two. The revealed plot is probably much larger than necessary. And so on. I hope the author reins himself in a bit more in subsequent books.
This is a great setting for a story and a great incident to base a case on. I only wish it had been better realized.
Maybe helped by my awareness of the history I guessed the culprit early on.
The book has a big problem with framing. To whom is the first person narrator writing? Athenian contemporaries? Then why describe many things that they would undoubtedly already know? Athenians of the future? Then why not give some words about why this information is being recorded. To everyone of the distant future? Same question.
Sure, part of the reason we read historical novels is to learn something of what life was like at a distant time and place, but this kind of information should dispensed artfully and organically, as part of the story. If it cannot be, put it into a glossary. But here the narrator keeps going into detailed explanations of things his contemporaries would certainly know. Plus, there's a redundant glossary at the back for the same terms all over again! There's far too much indication of the oil lamp here. Yes, author, we see that you studied all night to learn lots of things, but it should not be spoon fed to us like this. It really ruins the credibility of the story.
Another issue is that the narrator has been hired as a paid detective. As there was no such concept, surely some characters should make some commentary about its novelty.
One problem that keeps coming up in murder mysteries where the victim is a beloved figure is that they never really come to terms with the deep sadness and sense of loss inherent in the situation. Authors of the older era kind of dealt with this by making the victim a thoroughly unlikeable person, but that certainly is not the case here, and it makes parts of the book, particularly the funeral, read very oddly.
It also strangely uses Latinized versions of names sometimes, for example, calling Socrates' father Sophroniscus, whereas in Greek he would have called him Sophroniskos. Xanthippus should be Xanthippos. And so on. If the idea is to each about the Greeks, why not use the Greek forms?
At this point in history - 461 BCE - there was no history of professional detectives and all the techniques such as footprints and the like that they use. These things had to be invented, but here the detective tends to just automatically using them as if everyone knows all about them.
There are some dialog problems. For example, this young detective speaks to cheracters like Xanthippus, a major general and hero of Athens, and Conon, the leading archon, as if the two are equals. Really strains credibility.
There are some historical errors as well:
- Implies incorrectly that an ostracism vote was regularly held once a year.
- Suggests that the Polemarch, formerly the top general, was in this period in charge of all matters related to metics. This appears made up of whole cloth.
- The character walks between the Long Walls, but at this point the Long Walls were only beginning to be constructed.
- Even more importantly, the Peloponnesian War in which Sparta attacked Athens had begun and must have been on the minds of every single person in Athens and yet the book never even mentions it.
The writing style is good, but the book is too long. A mystery romp like this should know when it's time to get off the stage, which is at about 200 pages, but this continues past 340. With just a bit more writing this could have been two books! True, it's a very big case, not just a murder, but a political one, it's something of a coming of age story as well and it requires a lot of exposition. Still, a lot could have been cut out. All the business of the polemarch offering him a job, the bits about Pythax training him in weaponry, the sculpting business and so on were not necessary. Some of the other plot details could have been compressed as well. One trip to the Pireaus would probably have done as well as two. The revealed plot is probably much larger than necessary. And so on. I hope the author reins himself in a bit more in subsequent books.
February 20, 2018
This book is about a murder mystery set in ancient Greece during the time of the history's earliest democratic movement. The leader of the movement is murdered and the commission for investigating the assassination accidentally falls upon Nicolaos who is currently a no-one, and sees this as an opportunity to make his name in Athenian politics.
The plot seemed interesting and series of murders that follow makes the case more complex but Nicolaos is no Hercule Poirot and the way investigation progresses makes the story slack at places. The book does provide an overview of the Athenian politics with the shrewd politicians doing backroom dealings, the upheaval with the murder & general public mayhem, banking of ancient times and when trading as occupation was considered disreputable. There are some funny moments as well but overall the story is not very exciting or heart racing for a murder mystery. The first half of the book is little slow and picks up pace later. Way too many characters for a book of this size further spoiled the reading. This is the first book of the series and I think I will pass the rest for now.
The plot seemed interesting and series of murders that follow makes the case more complex but Nicolaos is no Hercule Poirot and the way investigation progresses makes the story slack at places. The book does provide an overview of the Athenian politics with the shrewd politicians doing backroom dealings, the upheaval with the murder & general public mayhem, banking of ancient times and when trading as occupation was considered disreputable. There are some funny moments as well but overall the story is not very exciting or heart racing for a murder mystery. The first half of the book is little slow and picks up pace later. Way too many characters for a book of this size further spoiled the reading. This is the first book of the series and I think I will pass the rest for now.
November 22, 2020
The stakes are sky-high in The Pericles Commission, Gary Corby’s debut Athenian mystery—Find out who killed Ephialtes, the driving force behind the democracy movement, or see the city-state fall into open revolt.
Leading the investigation is Nicolaos, a 20-year old desperate to escape from his father’s sculpture workshop and make his mark on the world. First on the scene to discover Ephialtes’ body, Nicolaos hunts for clues only to find himself entangled in a web of political deceit that his father warned him about (“Politics in Athens is rough, the mob is fickle, and there’s no mercy for losers”). Fortunately for him, he has the backing of Pericles, the city-state’s talismanic leader, even if they don’t always see eye-to-eye (“I could have listened to him speak all day, and at the rate we were going, I probably would”). Also on his side is a young priestess every bit as determined to find the truth, his precocious little brother, Socrates (the Socrates!) and a rough-and-ready captain of the guards.
Nicolaos’ pursuit of the killer treats readers to a whirlwind tour of Athens and its neighboring environs. Here, Corby writes with a flourish, weaving into the story informed descriptions of both the well-known (Agora, jury trial system) and the obscure (sewage treatment, clay tablet writing and home building). High marks must be awarded in particular for his depiction of a high-speed chase through the Agora that spills out into the city proper and leaves furious merchants with their destroyed wares in its wake.
The pacing of the story was a bit slow for my tastes, particularly in the second half of the story when I had already formed a fair idea who might have been behind the murder. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Pericles Commission and look forward to following Nicolaos on his next investigation!
Leading the investigation is Nicolaos, a 20-year old desperate to escape from his father’s sculpture workshop and make his mark on the world. First on the scene to discover Ephialtes’ body, Nicolaos hunts for clues only to find himself entangled in a web of political deceit that his father warned him about (“Politics in Athens is rough, the mob is fickle, and there’s no mercy for losers”). Fortunately for him, he has the backing of Pericles, the city-state’s talismanic leader, even if they don’t always see eye-to-eye (“I could have listened to him speak all day, and at the rate we were going, I probably would”). Also on his side is a young priestess every bit as determined to find the truth, his precocious little brother, Socrates (the Socrates!) and a rough-and-ready captain of the guards.
Nicolaos’ pursuit of the killer treats readers to a whirlwind tour of Athens and its neighboring environs. Here, Corby writes with a flourish, weaving into the story informed descriptions of both the well-known (Agora, jury trial system) and the obscure (sewage treatment, clay tablet writing and home building). High marks must be awarded in particular for his depiction of a high-speed chase through the Agora that spills out into the city proper and leaves furious merchants with their destroyed wares in its wake.
The pacing of the story was a bit slow for my tastes, particularly in the second half of the story when I had already formed a fair idea who might have been behind the murder. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Pericles Commission and look forward to following Nicolaos on his next investigation!
February 28, 2021
I do like the setting in ancient Athens and all the cultural/political within context. I did struggle with the names at times. A number of times I had to stop and think who that person was etc. The mystery was quite interesting especially the opening scene. I am interested to follow Nicolaus' progress with his chosen career path.
January 23, 2020
It seems to be good history. A story I hadn’t heard before about the first year of Athenian democracy. The plotting is good. Interesting and likable characters. Not gruesome. Believable.
January 14, 2011
The Pericles Chronicle is a fictional account of an investigation into the assassination of Ephialtes, who was an actual historical figure killed in 461 BC a few days after introducing democracy in Athens. The investigator, who serves as narrator, was an imaginary figure created by author Gary Corby as the older brother of Socrates when he was a boy. In addition, many of the events, although plausible in view of what is known of the period, were also invented. As Corby acknowledges in the afterword, the investigator's trial on trumped up charges descends into farce.
So we are dealing with a hybrid here--part fiction and part fact. The book has educational value to the extent that it is based on actual individuals, events, places, and customs and attempts to depict daily life in Greece in the period between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. However, education is balanced by entertainment, as the author amuses the reader with the antics of a high-end courtesan--known then as a hetaera--and her equally voluptuous daughter, a priestess in training. The combination of education and entertainment makes reading the Pericles Commission a worthwhile and pleasant experience.
Ancient Greece, often characterized as the cradle of civilization, continues to intrigue us. I would like to compare Corby's lighthearted approach with the 'Trial of Socrates' by the late I.F. Stone, the American journalist and apparent Soviet spy who taught himself ancient Greek in retirement in order to perform a 20th century investigation of the circumstances of Socrates' conviction for impiety by analyzing original texts.
This must have been a challenge, as history as a discipline was in its infancy in 5th century BC. In fact, Herodotus, who chronicled the Persian War, and Thucydides, who chronicled the Peloponnesian War, were the very first historians. Previously, epic poetry based on mythology was the only written means of passing along traditions from one generation to another. It is also noteworthy that Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War' contained Pericles' patriotic funeral oration in honor of the sacrifices of Athens' war dead. Pericles also exhibits his rhetorical prowess in Corby's book, which is essentially an attempt to popularize ancient history.
So we are dealing with a hybrid here--part fiction and part fact. The book has educational value to the extent that it is based on actual individuals, events, places, and customs and attempts to depict daily life in Greece in the period between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. However, education is balanced by entertainment, as the author amuses the reader with the antics of a high-end courtesan--known then as a hetaera--and her equally voluptuous daughter, a priestess in training. The combination of education and entertainment makes reading the Pericles Commission a worthwhile and pleasant experience.
Ancient Greece, often characterized as the cradle of civilization, continues to intrigue us. I would like to compare Corby's lighthearted approach with the 'Trial of Socrates' by the late I.F. Stone, the American journalist and apparent Soviet spy who taught himself ancient Greek in retirement in order to perform a 20th century investigation of the circumstances of Socrates' conviction for impiety by analyzing original texts.
This must have been a challenge, as history as a discipline was in its infancy in 5th century BC. In fact, Herodotus, who chronicled the Persian War, and Thucydides, who chronicled the Peloponnesian War, were the very first historians. Previously, epic poetry based on mythology was the only written means of passing along traditions from one generation to another. It is also noteworthy that Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War' contained Pericles' patriotic funeral oration in honor of the sacrifices of Athens' war dead. Pericles also exhibits his rhetorical prowess in Corby's book, which is essentially an attempt to popularize ancient history.
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