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Friday, January 3, 2014

Nine for the Devil: A John the Lord Chamberlain Mystery

I've come to Nine for the Devil: A John the Lord Chamberlain Mystery (#359) at what I think is probably the end of the run for this series set in Constantinople during the mid 500s.  Nothing can be more Byzantine than the politics in the imperial court of Justinian and his empress, Theodora.  That is certainly the case when Theodora dies after a prolonged and painful illness.  John the Lord Chamberlain is charged by Justinian to find the murderer of his beloved wife.  The problem is that just about everyone at court thinks that she died a natural death, and as far as most of them are concerned, not a moment too soon.  John is convinced that he is chasing a specter, but unless he can produce a scapegoat for the Emperor, he and his family will pay the ultimate penalty. 

Mary Reed and her husband and writing partner Eric Mayer have recreated a world of staggering wealth and power where the outward appearances are bedecked with gold and gems, but the interiors are rotten with corruption, plotting, and maneuvering amongst those vying for military or religious power.  It's dangerous to be on the wrong side of any of these factions, especially if the emperor or empress dabbled in the mix.

These mysteries are set in a different time and place which has a wealth of interesting history behind it to draw upon.  I can see I'm going to have to work my way backwards to follow the earlier adventures of John and his friends and family in pursuit of the truth.

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