Son of Heaven

This is the second book in what is a new venture for the author Philip Boast. A series of mystery books set in the Roman period, but with only a passing resemblance to the offerings of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, David Wishart etc. Philip Boast has written some extremely good novels in his time, Resurrection is one of my favourite books and after reading The Third Princess, his first book in this series featuring Septimus Severus Quistus Quistus as the leading character there is no reason why these books should not be equally successful. In this the second book in the series , set in AD64 Quistus has been harangued into helping Lu Zhang, the Son of Heaven and born to be Emperor of all China, in his quest to return to China to claim his birthright. It will not be an easy task. The Spice Road has been closed to foreigners for many years and an army of Huns bars the way . . . Philip Boast always tells a good tale and although his books are works of fiction is always meticulous in his research, so much so that his stories are almost a history lesson in themselves, as well as providing entertainment for the reader.

I have been reading Mr Boast for many years and it has always amazed me he is not as well known as he should be. His books are well written, his character development excellent and his stories are intelligent and interesting. This new series of his includes all his story-telling abilities with interesting historical tidbits. I cannot recommend him enough. Treat yourself....read something by this man.