Twilight in Babylon

I am an avid reader and love ancient history, so when I stumbled upon 'Nile' I was hooked. I must say, this series is the only oen that I can read over and over again and be pulled in just as deeply each time. Each book is rich and complex, making you feel like you're living the adventure right along with the characters. I have to agree that I wish Cloe and Cheftu were together more in this final book. There were issues brought up at the end of the third novel and the prologue that just weren't resolved. I feel like Ms. Frank didn't take as much time with the last two as she did with the first two.Also, I must say that I LOVE the characters and the writing style that Ms. Frank uses in this series. The time travel, romance with such a rich historical and cultural setting is SO going to be missed! I feel like there are many other historical questions and times that Chloe and Cheftu could visit as they continue their travels....

A Treasure Trove of Historical FactIn this fourth book of her trilogy the no less improbable Suzanne Frank leads us in her delightfully non-linear way to Sumer where we witness twilight for Chloe and Cheftu as civilization is just dawning.Some may be saddened at this last novel but the time travelling couple become again the vehicle which allows us to see and touch Sumer as it must have been just as it was giving novelists their raison d'etre: written language. And while she pays homage to that event she deftly weaves a wealth of historically accurate fact into the fabric of this adventure.I remember a reader taking her to task in an earlier novel because Cheftu addressed Chloe as "vous" and not the familiar "tu"and had to chuckle that, of course, Ms. Frank was correct in that there was no familiar "tu" in Cheftu's lifetime, only in Chloe's.Similarly here we are immersed in a culture awash in beer, like some early keg party only to realize that beer was the preferred beverage with which people had a fixation much like the French have today with their wine. And while we may want to find this "obsession" laughable we should not take Ms. Frank too lightly for she is just leading us down the primrose path, infusing each scene with as much historical flavoriing as practical even if we fail to notice.And how do we know any of this? Because they wrote it down; on clay documents protected in clay envelopes which happen to be on display today in the British Museum (Room 56).Suzanne Frank's passion and respect for historical research is everywhere in this novel. It's in the details, if you look, and there are lots of them. Good book.

Twentieth century time traveling Texan Chloe Kingsley and her soulmate nineteenth century Cheftu are in Jerusalem (see SUNRISE ON THE MEDITERRANEAN) when a fire leaves the former American near dead. Cheftu rushes Chloe to the Ark of the Covenant, but she is transported into another time, place, and body. Chloe finds herself occupying the body of a woman in Ancient Sumeria as a flood devastates the land.With her usual aplomb Chloe journeys to Ur where justice is blind for men only and education is for boys. Applying her twentieth century values, Chloe challenges the patriarch society and opens up a fast food restaurant even while Cheftu arrives as a high priest in search of her.The final tale in Suzanne Frank's time travel series, TWILIGHT IN BABYLON, is an exciting novel that for the most wraps up loose ends for readers of the previous books, but newcomers may struggle with connectivity. The story line is loaded with biblical era detail and some modern day anachronisms, but regardless moves rather quickly forward. The lead couple, as with the prequels, brings the plot to life though refreshingly yet surprisingly Chloe and Cheftu traverse separate subplots for much of the novel. Ms. Frank's provides a delightful conclusion that purists may dub more alternate history than historical.Harriet Klausner

I was apprehensive about this one because I knew it was the last but-what a satisfying end to a long friendship! This last installment of the Chloe and Cheftu saga was one of those stay-up-all-night-and-read-till-your-eyes-hurt kind of books. Beginning with the fire it speeds along to plop down in the marsh then Cheftu appears and begins the search. (I always suspected Cheftu was a Sex God and here he actually was!) I have never read a story where beer was practically a character but it gave me a feel for a culture I know little about. By the end it all made sense to me- I know why she traveled and what all the trials were for. I know love can go on and on even without children and I know a sweet ending when I read one. I won't give it away here so go read it yourself!So long Chloe and Cheftu, I will miss you but is has been a great ride!