Eight for Eternity

Gary Reed & Eric Mayer's EIGHT FOR ETERNITY provides a fine Jon the Lord Chamberlain mystery set in 532, when mobs rule Constantinople and one John, Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, must find those seeking to dethrone his leader. His investigation leads to a web of intrigue and violence in a fine historical, political mystery perfect for any mystery collection.

The Blues and Greens have battled for years in the streets of Constantinople. Now, the level of violence has increased and threatens the emperor, Justinian, directly. Although the Blues and Greens have hated each other, both are united in calling out for Justinian's replacement. In this explosive environment, Justinian has ordered execution of some of the worst troublemakers but an accident during hanging saves two rioters--for at least a while. John (the eunuch), Chamberlain for Justinian, is ordered to bring the last two prisoners back, but he arrives too late. Someone has already intervened and spirited the two away and Justinian's plan to show his mercy comes undone. Now it's up to John to track down the truth, and to learn if the botched executions are part of an overriding plot to destroy the emperor--and perhaps the empire itself. Set during one of the most critical moments in history, the Nika Riots, Justinian's rule appears doomed and the thousand-year continuity of Rome, too, may be in danger. John's investigation takes him through the streets of Constantinople, to meetings with charioteers, faction members, the famous general Belisarius, the nearly-as-famous eunuch Narses, and the mysterious and dangerous women, Theodora and Antonia. Authors Mary Reed and Eric Mayer offer a dramatic view of Constantinople during this turbulent time. John manages to be everywhere, exploring the dangers of the factionalized city, meeting with monks, madmen, charioteers, and royalty. The mystery transforms from a who-done-it to a larger look at whether the riots are part of an organized conspiracy to overthrow the emperor with John finally putting the pieces together, but too late to prevent the climax of the revolt where tens of thousands of civilians and rioters were slaughtered. The Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) survived a thousand years after the fall of Rome itself. It protected literature and science at a time when the west sank into barbarism. Under Justinian, it bult one of the great monuments of religion, the Hagia Sophia, and nearly rebuilt the entire Roman Empire with the reconquest of Africa from the Vandals and Italy from the Goths. Yet this fascinating nation is mostly forgotten today. Reed and Mayer don't just retell dry history, though. They make history come alive with fascinating characters (including the fictional John and his friend Felix and the very real Justinian, Theodora and Narses).

This mystery takes place earlier in John's life, when he was more newly one of the chamberlains of the Emperor Justinian. In 532, when the Nika Riots are about to break out in Constantinople, two men, one of the Blues and one of the Green faction, miraculously escape death by execution. They are twice hanged and twice the ropes break. John is sent to bring them to the Emperor, but he finds the guards in chaos and the prisoners missing. One is found dead in the nearby cisterns. And John is then directed to unravel the mystery of their deaths--which may or may not add to the furor of the riots and may or may not point to plots that may be behind the riots. Solving the mystery could weigh with history and decide whether Justinian's reign survives. For long-time readers of these books, it is interesting to see John and his friend Felix in the early days of their association. However, this period is not so different from that depicted in the first books in the series. It is still a welcome addition to the John the Lord Chamberlain Mysteries.

In Constantinople in A.D. 532, two criminals escape custody. Emperor Justinian is informed and is very concerned as each supported rival chariot racing teams at the Hippodrome and he knows how sports fans are insanely fanatics. He orders his loyal Lord Chamberlain, John to investigate. John quickly finds the corpses of both men in a cistern. Meanwhile, as the city is torn by rioting that impedes his investigation, two influential nephews of a former ruler declare their support of General Belisarius encouraging him to lead a rebellion; they want to rule. This is a great ancient historical mystery series that ironically uses numerals in the titles (see Seven for a Secret), but never goes by the numbers in telling the story. The current entry is a strong period piece that highlights the riots of 532 AD and the rivalry to snatch the throne from Justinian. John's inquiry provides fans a deep look at Constantinople in the sixth century wrapped inside a strong investigation. Sub-genre fans will believe Mary Reed and Eric Mayer are eight for eight and want nine for reading soonest. Harriet Klausner