Barry Baldwin's Review of Three For A Letter
Three For A Letter is a rollicking good yarn. John is as on the ball as
ever, always impressive in a eunuch. The authors catch Theodora perfectly
and although half of me wishes there were more Justinian scenes, the other
half acknowledges that he works better as the hovering omni-menacing power
behind his own throne. John's elderly servant Peter is also coming along
nicely as a character in his own right, while the prophetic goats are in
themselves worthy of a special Edgar Award. All in all, a cunning plot
resolved credibly without needless melodramatics. I award another quartet of
Byzantine snickersnees in the back.
Barry Baldwin is Emeritus Professor of Classics at the University of
Calgary. The author of l2 books and several hundred articles, including many
on Byzantine, Greek and Roman history and literature, he also contributes
reviews, fiction and a series on the history of crime to Mystery Review
(Canada). His short stories in EQMM, AHMM and numerous mystery-related
publications both here and abroad have gained nominations for the Arthur
Ellis Award (l999) and the Anthony Award (2000).
| Home | Eric's Stuff
| Mary's Page | Our Fiction
| Behind the Scenes | BSP Page | Links |