Seven for a Secret
A John the
Eunuch Mystery
Mary
Reed and Eric Mayer
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59058-489-9 (1590584899)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-489-7 (9781590584897)
Publication Date: April 2008
List Price: $24.95
Synopsis (from
the publisher): Who killed the mosaic girl? As Lord Chamberlain, John
spends his days counseling Emperor Justinian while passing the small
hours of night in conversation with the solemn-eyed little girl
depicted in a mosaic on his study wall. He never expected to meet her
in a public square or afterwards find her red-dyed corpse in a
subterranean cistern. Had the mysterious woman truly been the model for
the mosaic years before as she claimed? Who was she? Why had she sought
John out? Who wanted her dead -- and why?
The answers seem to lie among the denizens of the smoky streets of that
quarter of Constantinople known as the Copper Market, where artisans,
beggars, prostitutes, pillar saints, and exiled aristocrats struggle to
survive within sight of the Great Palace and yet worlds distant. John
encounters a faded actress, a patriotic sausage maker, a sundial maker
who fears the sun, a religious visionary, a man who lives in a treasure
trove, and a beggar who owes his life to a cartload of melons. Before
long he suspects he is attempting to unravel not just a murder but a
plot against the empire. Or is John really on a personal quest, to find
the reality behind the confidante he thought existed only in his own
imagination? Is there such a thing as truth in a place where people
live on memories, dreams, and illusions? Even if there is, can John
push aside the shadows and find the truth in time?
Review: John,
Lord Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, investigates the murder of a
women in 6th century Constantinople in Seven for a Secret, the seventh
mystery in this historical series by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer.
In a typical day, John retires to his office following his
consultations with the emperor. There he reflects on current events,
often looking out on a mosaic wall that contains the likeness of a
young woman who seems to be looking at him, asking him to confide in
her. One evening while strolling through the streets near the Great
Palace, a woman confronts him, introducing herself as Zoe, the model
for the mosaic, and asking that he meet her the next evening. Not sure
why, he agrees, and then at the appointed time and place he discovers
her murdered, strangled, her face painted red. As he searches for her
killer through the market, he's followed. Who was this woman? Why was
she murdered? He senses he's being drawn into a situation that may be
greater in scope than he initially imagined, and that his life may be
in danger.
The books in this series are inspired by actual events attributed to
Procopius, secretary and advisor to General Belisarius, during the
reign of Emperor Justinian I (c. 505-565). This lends an air of
authenticity to the story that enhances its appeal as a historical
mystery, though the authors clearly draw parallels between the 6th
century and today. The city and its citizens are well drawn and provide
a good backdrop to John's investigation. The plot itself unfolds at a
measured pace allowing the reader to be as puzzled as John as to what
may be happening around him. With a few twists in the story and the
various plot threads neatly wrapped up in the end, Seven for a Secret should satisfy
not only fans of historical mysteries but also those seeking an
interesting story in an unusual setting.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Seven for a Secret and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read Seven for a Secret? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series ...
One for Sorrow
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), September 1999
ISBN-10: 1-890208-19-1 (1890208191)
ISBN-13: 978-1-890208-19-6 (9781890208196)
Two for Joy
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), January 2001
ISBN-10: 1-890208-37-X (189020837X)
ISBN-13: 978-1-890208-37-0 (9781890208370)
Three for a
Letter
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), December 2001
ISBN-10: 1-890208-82-5 (1890208825)
ISBN-13: 978-1-890208-82-0 (9781890208820)
Four for a Boy
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), February 2003
ISBN-10: 1-59058-031-1 (1590580311)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-031-8 (9781590580318)
Five for Silver
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), March 2004
ISBN-10: 1-59058-112-1 (1590581121)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-112-4 (9781590581124)
Six for Gold
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), November 2005
ISBN-10: 1-59058-145-8 (1590581458)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-145-2 (9781590581452)
Seven for a Secret
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), April 2008
ISBN-10: 1-59058-489-9 (1590584899)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-489-7 (9781590584897)
Omnimystery keywords for Seven for a Secret ...
Location(s) referenced: Constantinople, Turkey.
