Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

This is the thread for the April 2015 Group Read of Year of the Hyenas: A Novel of Murder in Ancient Egypt by Brad Geagley

Bought a second hand copy of this. Looking forward to it, something different from my usual read.

I thought it was a pretty good ancient Egyptian mystery, I wasn't as big a fan of the second book but this one does a nice job with the setting and era.

Has anyone started this book yet?? Any opinions on it??

I've only just started it, not read much of it as I'm focussing on reading Wolf Hall, it's due back next week. I have so many library books on loan and not enough hours in a day to read them all.

I loved this book when I read it, although some of the intrigue with the tomb robbing and Theban officials actually happened later, in the reign of Ramesses XI, not III.

Interesting, I didn't realize he'd co-opted someone else's intrigue.

Meri wrote: "I've only just started it, not read much of it as I'm focussing on reading Wolf Hall, it's due back next week. I have so many library books on loan and not enough hours in a day to read them all."

Don't we all! :)

Dawn wrote: "Interesting, I didn't realize he'd co-opted someone else's intrigue."

The Harem Conspiracy is Ramesses III, though.

I hadn't realized that those were real historical facts. I just thought they were made up for the story.

Just finished it, and I thought it was pretty good. I haven't reviewed it yet, but will do so in the next day or so. I knew nothing of this period of history, so I read it as a historical mystery based on real events, and gained a lot of enjoyment from doing so.

What do they say about ignorance being bliss?

Give us the link to your review when you're done Jerry (if it's a GR's one that is), I would love to see what you thought of it.

Hi Dawn. I have just posted my review on Goodreads, and gave the book 4 stars. It is available on www.goodreads.com/review/show/1250065062

Thanks Jerry

We are about halfway into the month, do we have any other readers??

I'm wondering if it wasn't too available and that's why we've only got a couple members in this thread this month??

I'm just starting this book. The other two books I'm reading are kind of dragging me down. I'm hoping I can get a jolt from this.

A little action, a little mystery and set in Ancient Egypt, what could be better?? :)

And it's due back at the library next week

That is always a good reason!

I've got the book and really want to get into it, but i'm at a busy season at work. work should slow down next week and i'll have the chance to get to the book.

Work really gets in the way doesn't it?? I could use less time at work and more time on reading.

Still at the beginning, off to a slow start but enjoying it so far.

You are off to a slow start?? or the book is off to a slow start?? :)

I love a good novel about ancient Egypt but I tend to lack the stomach for any descriptions of the mummification process. The descriptions of what I can only think of as an ancient autopsy, were very descriptive. I must have looked a little ill while reading because another woman in the waiting room this morning asked me if I was feeling alright.

Dawn wrote: "We are about halfway into the month, do we have any other readers??

I'm wondering if it wasn't too available and that's why we've only got a couple members in this thread this month??

A little action, a little mystery and set in Ancient Egypt, what could be better?? :)"

For me, it would be better if it wasn't a mystery and then I'd read it for sure :) . Anyway, I'd gladly read it, but it's not available at the library and a bit too expensive to buy on kindle.

I totally understand not buying something you're not usually inclined to read.
I don't like to buy books that I'm positive I won't keep, I like to get them from the library instead.

Gretchen wrote: "I love a good novel about ancient Egypt but I tend to lack the stomach for any descriptions of the mummification process. The descriptions of what I can only think of as an ancient autopsy, were ve..."

Oh that's right, I'd forgotten it was so detailed.

Dawn wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "I love a good novel about ancient Egypt but I tend to lack the stomach for any descriptions of the mummification process. The descriptions of what I can only think of as an ancient..."

But I have no problems reading about Uhtred slicing men from groin to neck.

That's okay, I have no problem with all manner of human deaths but if they kill a horse or a dog I'm in tears.

The last book I read he killed the cat and it was terrible, but then the humans killed each other and I was thinking it was about time!

Dawn wrote: "That's okay, I have no problem with all manner of human deaths but if they kill a horse or a dog I'm in tears.
"
I'm the same in that respect Dawn. I really resent it when authors introduce animals only to kill them in order to prove a point (i.e. 'this guy is cruel'). But then, I'm suddenly more interested in Year of the Hyenas, I like it when novels are detailed :) Maybe I'll read it sometime later this year.

The threads are always open if you want to talk about it later, I'm forever dragging up old threads because I've finally got around to reading the book.

I am really enjoying this book. There is so much fiction out there that centers around the Egyptian royals and their court. I like the look into the tomb maker village. I have seen several documentaries where archeologists talk about the discoveries of these villages and have always wanted to learn more about the people who inhabited them.

I like the common man feel to this story as well, everything is always about royalty, it's nice to read something else.

I have just been introduced to the Cripple Maker, before breakfast. I don't want any breakfast now.

I guess that's good for your waistline right? :)

Absolutely!

Done! This was a great read. It's too bad there are only two books in this series.

I thought so too and it's been awhile since the last was published so I assume that means this is it.

I tried to find the author's website to see if maybe there was a novel in the works but the website on his Goodreads profile no longer exists. There was also a website for the book listed on the book's jacket but that one also comes up as nonexistent. I ordered the next novel Day of the False King: A Novel of Murder in Ancient Babylon. I'm going to be really disappointed if I enjoy the second as much as the first. Semerket had potential to fill my Gordianus void.

Gretchen wrote: "Absolutely!"

Actually, just to help out, its not. (I have to see a dietician regularly) eating a small breakfast actually jumpstarts your metabolism and starts burning the calories for you.

Just started this - a bit late for April but don't think it will take long to read. Really like it so far. Got my copy second hand and found it was a signed copy so that's a bonus

Glad you like it Pamela. I'm always pretty happy when a book I like proves to be popular for others too. :)

I was a little late in finishing this one, but it was enjoyable. The murder mystery was not very hard to figure out, but the characters were interesting. I liked the tomb makers' village and imagining what life was like for the the tomb makers. Hunro especially was a quite memorable character. The ex-wife was kind of silly and I found Semerket's mooning over her annoying, but I suppose it was important to lead to his disgrace and redemption as a detective. I will definitely read the follow up book and I'm dissapointed there aren't more books in the series as well.

That is exactly the part I found annoying as well. The whole ex-wife bit was too much.
It unfortunately gets worse in the next book.

He really is just a modern day detective in Ancient Egypt though. Brilliant but a drunk with an ex-wife who he still loves but can't give up the job for.
Sounds like every cop show I've ever watched! :)

Dawn wrote: "Glad you like it Pamela. I'm always pretty happy when a book I like proves to be popular for others too. :)"

Just finished this and thought it was great! Really glad I decided to go for it (based on the recommendations here). My review is here

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...