Shadows of Athens

It's about time . . . Alvey sets the scene perfectly, with easy brushstrokes and lightly worn learning. In Philocles we have an aspiring playwright, man of the people and reluctant detective. I look forward to his next case... There is a new star in the classical firmament. Philocles is engaging, inspiring and feels absolutely real. This is historical writing at its best and crime writing worthy of prizes. RivetingHistorical sleuthing finally gets its grown-up trousers . . . It shows a thorough understanding of time and place, and has a dark heart. Finally, someone has taken on Saylor and Davis and brought us out of Rome at last!I loved it; great sense of place, terrific characters and a cracking plotAs vivid and lively as a Greek wedding - but with rather more blood!If you like C J Sansom's Tudor sleuth Matthew Shardlake, you'll love this - a gripping murder mystery set in a fantastically fully-realised ancient Athens, which will keep you guessing to the very endSuperb . . . A fabulous read - IRISH TIMESFresh ... An enjoyable debut with a strong historical setting - The Times