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Death of a Poet: A gripping historical thriller (Ancient Egypt Murder Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition
Hanufer follows a trail of revenge…
275 BC, Alexandria
Hanufer of Crocodilopolis, newly appointed Overseer of the Police in Alexandria, is keen to prove himself worthy to both the citizens of the city and to the Pharaoh, Ptolemy Philadelphus.
When an altar is desecrated with a poem intended to insult the Pharaoh and his wife, Queen Arsinoe, Hanufer and his trusted sergeant Sabu are tasked with discovering who committed the outrage.
As the poet himself, Sotades the Obscene, was recently executed, Hanufer sets about finding out who else is familiar with his poetry.
Before long another poet is found murdered – a poem by Sotades left near the corpse as a macabre calling card.
With a growing number of murders to be investigated, Hanufer must make his mark and solve the mysteries.
But just where — and how high up — will the clues lead him?
Did Sotades really drown? Is there a serial killer on the loose in Alexandria?
And can Hanufer appease both the Pharaoh and the gods?
DEATH OF A POET is the first book in the Ancient Egypt Mystery series: historical thrillers set in Alexandria and featuring Overseer of the Police, Hanufer.
THE ANCIENT EGYPT MYSTERY SERIES:
BOOK ONE: Death of a Poet
BOOK TWO: Fall of a Scribe
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateOctober 14, 2022
- File size2.9 MB
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Product details
- ASIN : B0B39K7DMJ
- Publisher : Sapere Books
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : October 14, 2022
- Language : English
- File size : 2.9 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 334 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1800557185
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 2 : Ancient Egypt Murder Mysteries
- Best Sellers Rank: #479,996 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #123 in Ancient Egyptian History (Kindle Store)
- #3,928 in Private Investigator Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- #3,986 in Historical Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

KEITH MORAY is the crime writing pen-name of Keith Souter, part-time doctor, medical journalist and novelist. He is a member of the Crime Writer's Association, International Thriller Writers, the Society of Authors and the Medical Journalists Association. His crime novels published by Sapere Books are set on the Scottish island of West Uist, featuring Inspector Torquil McKinnon. He also writes the Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers series and soon a series set in ancient Egypt. He also writes medical books and general non-fiction and is a prolific award-winning short story writer.
https://keithmorayauthor.com
He is represented by Isabel Atherton at Creative Authors. write@creativeauthors.co.uk
www.creativeauthors.co.uk
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024For me a new genre,glad I brought it and 2ill start number two shortly.A good story and the ending was brilliant,I knew about the Pharaohs being brothers and sisters but the entwining of it all was excellent,well worth it.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2022Smooth easy reading. Well written. A taste of life in Egypt, of the all the Gods that are worshipped, add a tail of mystery an you have a great story. Bring on the next.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2022I have loved stories about ancient Egypt. This gave me much historical information woven with an interesting murder mystery.
I did find myself writing names down to keep them straight in my mind. I got enough clues that I was pretty sure "who done it" but had to finish the story to be sure.
I lok forward to the next in the series.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2024The continued use of Greek titles makes for a uneven pace and makes the language more important than the story.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2022I've upped my rating from 3.5 stars to 4 because I've really enjoyed Keith Moray's books in the past. This is the first in a series, and I thought he tried a little too hard to explain Ancient Egypt while trying to set the scene rather than letting the environment develop naturally. For me, it detracted from the plot; the historical aspect should aid the story-telling, not feel like a history lesson. But, having said that, discovering a different historical era is always good. The characters are likeable, particularly Hanufer and Sabu, and I'm sure they will grow in coming books; I will look out for more in the series because of that. The plot in this particular book was interesting, and not predictable, which I enjoyed. It unfolded easily, and I found myself totally intrigued. My thanks to Sapere Books for giving me the opportunity to read it.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2022Can someone return from the dead to write scurrilous poetry on a city wall for all to see? Apparently so if it's ancient Egypt and the city is Alexandria. The newly appointed head of police Hanufer and his assistant Sabu will be in dire straits with the Pharaoh if they don't solve this crime quickly. Assorted dead bodies turn up, along with a man eating python, an attractive Temple Priestess and events that introduce us to the various inhabitants of the new city. There are scholars, medical procedures that seem very modern, corrupt policemen and various other entanglements that make life in 275 BC seem not very different from today.
Death of a Poet is an extremely complex novel involving as it does the dynastic structures of ancient Egypt's rulers. This is a fascinating, multi-layered story giving the reader a taste of life in the vibrant new city of Alexandria. The characters are different, well-done and realistic. The writing and research couldn't be better, keeping this reader interested throughout. An excellent first installment of a new series.
Thank you to Sapere Books for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2022I love Keith Moray's historical mysteries and hope to read other set in Egypt and featuring these characters.
This one is well plotted and well researched. An entertaining historical mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2023I had a hard time getting into the story because of all of the Greek and Egyptian names. They just got jumbled in my head and kept me from enjoying the story for the first 2 chapters. I felt the story was well-written and fit with the author's style, even though he changed to a new cast of characters and a new setting. The mystery kept me guessing and I got close to the eventual solution. I was a little disappointed that I didn't see how the inspector came to the conclusion he did, but maybe I just missed something. I would read more in a series if they are written.
Top reviews from other countries
- KilbaddyReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Culture Clash Detection in Ptolemy's newly built Alexandria
The fifth star is a squeeze because of the density of detail about life in ancient Alexandria, fascinating for a history buff - and none of it to be missed. Who would not want to know how the great lighthouse Pharos worked? - but it does delay entry into an otherwise intriguing story. The detection plot follows a trail of murders after the death of the poet, Sotades the Obscene, who has insulted the king once too often, and stretches into many corners of city life right into the court of the all-powerful Ptolemy Philadelphus and his sister-bride. It is led by a refreshingly normal and well-educated Egyptian police chief, Hanufer, learning to negotiate the multi-national city and the unexpected pitfalls of working within a Greek dominated community with different beliefs and ways of working from his own.
The author, a doctor who uses his medical knowledge during the examinations of the bodies, has plainly researched ancient Egypt thoroughly and yet sticks to what was known at the time (as far as we can tell). He writes a cracking good story. The traditional detection format is rendered fresh and intriguing by its rare setting and respect for the beliefs, superstitions and civic rules of the time.
Without spoiling the plot, the action takes place at a significant historical time for the Jews because the Pharaoh has brought many Jewish scholars and scribes together to write a definitive copy of the Torah and associated books, giving them the use of the fantastic new library in the city.
- n j imrieReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars Very engaging story
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Hopefully the first of a lengthy series. As other reviews have said, the detail in the narrative is really interesting and does not detract from the story. It enhances it. The author is obviously very knowledgeable and knows how to use detail without it becoming an obstacle to enjoying the story. Being very pedantic, I've only given 4 stars due to reference, on more than one occasion, to travelling south on the Nile as being going "down the Nile", when it flows from south to north.
- TrishaReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Revenge
It takes time to work out a plan to get rid if those who you feel have wronged you. It takes a keen mind to unravel the plot.
- ReddyReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2024
3.0 out of 5 stars Easy Read
Rather superficial plotting & characters but a reasonably engaging easy read.
- Sandra HornReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 30, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical murder mystery set in Ancient Egypt
I really enjoyed the storyline in this book and was engrossed right from the start by the way the author sets the scenes and found them very descriptive to the point I didn’t want to put the book down but keep reading to find out what happened next.
I found the characters engaging and the story line captivating right to the end when it was disclosed who the culprit was.
The chapters flew by and I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next in the series.