The Slayers of Seth: A Story of Intrigue and Murder Set in Ancient Egypt

Paul Doherty is the consummate professional when it comes to writing historical mystery novels. I for one do not know how he can be so prolific with his offering of books and yet make sure that each of them is well researched. Whether they be 13th, 14th, or fifteenth century they are always true to the period. He has also written books about Alexander the Great and is now turning his hand to novels of Ancient Egypt at the time of the most influential period in its long history. The chief judge of the might Pharaoh, Lord Amerotke is already in the midst of a murder case. Ipumer, a young scribe is found dead from poisoning and the prosecution is pursuing a conviction against his lover, the lady Neshratta, who they claim had tired of their dalliance. If she is found to be guilty she will suffer the fate of being buried alive in the sands of the desert. However before the trial can be concluded the powerful Pharaoh-Queen summons the judge to the Temple of Seth, where the remains of another high profile murder, that of general Balet are brought before him. One of Egypt's great heroes has been killed and Pharaoh Hatusu herself has decided it is time for her to intervene. She believes that the murder of one of Egypt's finest generals is the beginning of something much more sinister and calls on Amerotke for help . . .

Yes, the killer is easy to guess. No, I don't find Shufoy, Lord Amerotke's assistant, that annoying. The reason the Slayers of Seth were being slain wasn't quite what I thought. What really made this book for me was the death of the scribe Ipumer in the second part of the prologue. If you know about the Victorian Scotland case of Madeleine Smith, tried for the poisoning death of her lover, you're going to recognize the main points transformed into an ancient Egyptian mystery. Miss Smith received a verdict of "Not Proven". Luckily for the reader, Ipumer's murder does get solved.

The Slayers of Seth are a powerful group of soldiers, favored by the Pharaoh, and swaggering through Egypt as a result of their victories over the Hyksos. Now, however, they are in crisis. One of them has been killed in an apparent ritual murder while another's daughter has been accused of poisoning her lover. Lord Amerotke, chief judge for Pharaoh, must somehow get to the bottom of this threat to the military--and possibly the Pharaoh herself. Seth is the Egyptian god of death and destruction and is an apt symbol for this brutal cult of warriors who gloried on blood, yet who form one of the great pillars of Pharaoh's power. Author P. C. Doherty makes ancient Egypt come to life. The political intrigue of the court and conflicting power bases as well as the technologies of poison and magic all are vividly depicted in this fine mystery. Amerotke is an engaging hero with his dogged search for the truth and willingness to confront the power of the entrenched military. Doherty's writing is highly approachable, making history come to life with the ageless emotions of revenge, love, and hatred. Doherty doesn't spend much time delving into the characters themselves--something that I found missing. Still, the story and the history move the story along and engage the reader.

Pharaoh Hatusu's Chief Judge Lord Amerotke works a homicide case in which the accused Lady Neshratta allegedly poisoned her Hyksos lover Ipumer in a crime of passion. The evidence is very strong against the charged; if convicted she will be buried alive in the desert sands. Before Amerotke completes this case, another even more visible murder has occurred. Someone killed Egyptian hero General Balet. Hatusu orders her Chief Judge to find the culprit because she believes others will die too.Amerotke learns that three decades ago, Egypt led by the Panthers of the South defeated the Hyksos. The surviving victors of that conflict have done quite well for themselves thriving as loyal followers of Hatusu until someone has targeted this wealthy group for death. Amerotke accompanies the Panthers on a pilgrimage to the battlefield where they once gained glory hoping to learn whom and why.Egyptologists will find THE SLAYERS OF SETH quite enchanting with the depth of detail provided to clothing, transportation, shelter, and to a lesser degree the justice system. The story line is loaded with vivid descriptions that enables the reader to believe they accompany Amerotke on his adventures, but it also slows down the tale for those readers who desire a fast-paced ancient historical legal thriller. P.C. Doherty writes a powerful historical novel overfilled with seemingly every minute piece of Red Land sand.Harriet Klausner

Truth to tell I've not exactly been a fan of Paul Doherty's Lord Amerotke mystery novels. I rather prefer Lynda Robinson's Lord Meren and Lauren Haney's Lieutenant Bak books to the Amerotke ones. (Also, I find Shufoy, Amerotke's manservant and sidekick, to be really irritating character.) However, I must own that this latest Amerotke's installment was a really interesting and compelling one. I was well and truly glued to the pages; and based on the strength of how much I really liked "The Slayers of Seth," I've decided to spend this coming weekend rereading the previous books in this series, to see if a second reading of these novels will turn me into a fan of the series.Superstitious dread fills the city of Thebes when General Balet is found murdered in the Temple of Seth. Balet was once part of an elite regiment, the Slayers of Seth (also known as the Panthers of the South), who were responsible for a great victory that the Egyptians had over one of their most vicious of enemies, the Hykos, a few decades ago. Mindful of the debt that her family and all of Egypt owes Balet, Pharaoh Hatusu decides to take a personal interest in the unmasking of Balet's murderer. The manner in which Balet was ritualistically slain -- his eyes were removed from their sockets and his hands and feet bound by a piece of read cord -- suggests that someone is out to settle some old scores. But who and why? Was Balet murdered so that a private grudge could be settled? Or could his death have anything to do with the defeat of the Hykos all those years ago? Because Balet and remaining members of the Slayers of Seth had all received threatening gifts within the past few weeks, Pharaoh Hatusu is convinced that someone is avenging the Hykos defeat and that the surviving members of the regiment are in danger. And she orders Amerotke to get to the bottom of the matter swiftly. The mystery, however, becomes even more bewildering when the body of a young temple dancer is pulled from the Nile, her eyes similarly removed and her hands and feet also bound with red cord. Did Balet's murderer also kill the dancer? If so, why? And what on earth could a much venerated and famous general and a mere temple dancer have in common? What threat did they pose?The mystery was a really intriguing and interesting one -- the plot not only flowed smoothly but also unfolded at a brisk pace. There was (also) another murder subplot that entwined the subplot I have outlined above (I'm not going to say what so that readers who have yet to read this book can enjoy all the subtleties of the mystery at hand), and how Paul Doherty entwines the two makes for some really engrossing reading. One note of caution however, readers used to alot of fast paced action may be a little put out with this particular mystery novel. There is a lot more conversation in this book than is per usual. So that if you enjoy long exchanges between characters, the minute cross-examining of witnesses and private ruminations of chara