Aristotle Detective

It's an exaggeration to compare Margret Dooody with Mary Renault, but I can see why another reviewer did so. They both share a flawless ability to transport you back to ancient Greece, have story telling abilities of the highest order and both, rather stublely end up telling you a lot about ancient Greece.Where they part ways is that Aristotle, in Doody's hands, must solve a murder. How he goes about it, and the successive stages of the ensuing trial makes for an exceptional detective story and an outstanding piece of historical fiction. Years ago, I stumbled across this book when it first came out. It was probably the first detective novel I ever read.It got me happily reading them ever since. A few weeks ago I reread "Aristotle Detective". It's as good as ever. I highly recommend this book.

What a pity that this series is, in general, not available in the U.S. In Europe, the books can be found on every kiosk from Italy to Great Britain Not since Mary Renault followed the adventures of Theseus, Alexander, and ancient Greek poets and actors has a writer pulled us with such virtuosity into the world of Ancient Greece. Margaret Doody is a scholar and the details of Fourth Century Greek life are scrupulously presented. The detective angle is fun too, and skillfully managed, but the real thrill is finding oneself in the streets of Athens, the forests of Peloponnesia, and the mystery sites. Let's hope all her books will be available here before too long.

Read this book.. I found it uplifting and a celebration to the human mind and spirit. I liked it so much I read it a second time. It was the 2nd book I ever reread. This book is good for teenagers or adults. One of my all time favorite books.