 What's New At?The Orphan Scrivener.Issue 56 of our newsletter
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May 2008Seven For A Secret
"The city and its citizens are well drawn and provide a good backdrop to John's investigation...Seven for a Secret should satisfy not only fans of historical mysteries but also those seeking an interesting story in an unusual setting." --Betty of The Betz Review
"...I felt as though I was there. By the end I knew the place. The city itself is a character and as much a suspect as everyone else. I understood the constant struggle to survive but also the search for meaning and a spiritual base so many of these characters, and indeed the city itself, longed for."--Devorah Stone
"...full of color and vivid descriptions of the various features and inner workings of what was the capital of the Byzantine Empire"--Eugene Aubrey Stratton
"..as many twists and turns as the mean streets of Byzantium." -- Rachel A Hyde
One For Sorrow
"The twists and turns of the plot are skilfully constructed, and the writing is highly readable. Fans of Lindsay Davis and Stephen Saylor in particular are in for a treat when they discover the work of this talented husband and wife team." -- Martin Edwards (Author of the Harry Devlin Mysteries)
"This isn’t one of those superficial mysteries that use historical trappings to cover up a weak
story; it’s a compelling crime novel that happens to be set in another time and place." — David Pitt, Booklist, January 2008
"Reed-Mayer have done their homework well, bringing sixth-century Constantinople to multi-hued life..."--Barry Baldwin
"John's investigation is clever and fun to follow, but like the previous six numbered tales, it is the insightful look at ancient history that makes SEVEN FOR A SECRET (and its predecessors) a great reading experience.....Ancient historical mystery readers know the John the Eunuch tales are one of the best series on the market..." --Harriet Klausner.
"...another strong entry in this fascinating series. Lighter than most, it still has all the intriguing and exotic local and historical detail as the previous five novels. ... the pace is quick, the writing graceful, whetting the reader's appetite for more of John's adventures."--Mark Terry,The Oakland Press (1.8.2006)- "Straightforward writing, not getting in the way of the story because it's self-consciously literary or clunky ... the writers clearly do their research and bring their time to life, but don't rub your nose in it. Their people *live* it, they don't lecture it."-- Kim Malo, assistant moderator on the Crime Through Time discussion list and webmistress for the affiliated website. "...plenty of local color, painlessly delivered historical details, well-drawn characters ...another fine read." -- Shirley H. Wetzel.
"... filled with comic touches...Fans of historical mystery will definitely want to grab this latest in the John the Eunuch series."--Rob Preece, BooksForABuck.com.
"The John the Eunuch mysteries are
always a joy and this one is no exception. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. "
- William J.
H. Reed, I Love A Mystery Newsletter.
"...a plot with more turns than a rambling brook. Suspense reigns and excitement runs alongside." -- Mary Ann Smyth.
"John remains enigmatic and melancholy as ever... He is certainly one of the most tantalising and readable sleuths around, and he provides grounding to some of the more giddy characters and flights of plotting fancy that makes the story all balance out so nicely....Another pleasing, well plotted and historically evocative delight. "-- Rachel A. Hyde, MyShelf.Com.
"...[a] gripping foray into classical antiquity..."
Lynne Maxwell, Mystery Lovers Bookshop News "...the series shows no signs of slowing down. As usual the authors write precisely and gracefully, maintaining a perfect balance between historical atmosphere and old-fashioned mystery. The setting, sixth-century Byzantium, is still fresh, still full of wonders and weirdness. And, like Lindsey Davis' Falco series, there's an agreeable mixture of drama and comedy. Fans of the series will be overjoyed." --David Pitt, Booklist (10/01/05) "A busy historical mystery with an engagingly wry tone. Many detours, but getting there is most of the fun."--Kirkus Reviews (10/01/05)
"...a fabulous historical mystery that showcases an era when Christianity and paganism battle for supremacy. The vivid story line brings to life an area of Egypt rarely if ever used in novels so that the audience obtains an even greater taste of the true first "world war" fought over religious principles. John is a terrific protagonist struggling to solve the case of the suicidal sheep even as he ponders what will happen to him and his family once he returns home...Mary Reed & Eric Mayer once again make the John the Eunuch mysteries one of the best historical tales on the market today." -- Harriet Klausner
"John the Eunuch is one of the most entertaining of the historical mystery series being written today."
"The authors never seem content simply to present a dilemma
and then give us a resolution. They weave and interweave
their plot, sub-plots and counter-plots. They ensure that
we are subtly, yet consistently immersed in the times.
Occasionally humorous, sometimes metaphysical but never
boring, the Reed/Mayer books are a must read for those
interested in historical mysteries and particularly with the
history of this era."
"The authors do a wonderful job of drawing the reader into a setting that
is both alien and yet chillingly too possible for modern times and the threat
of bio-terrorism. "
"The historical-mystery series that stand the test of time are those that put story first and research second. This is one of those series."
"Five For Silver transmutes through authorial alchemy to gold. Another
rattling good read. "
"Every historical that Mary Reed and Eric Mayer write is better than the one before as impossible as that sounds."
"The secretive and melancholy John remains as tantalizingly elusive as ever, while his friends and colleagues bring humor and color to this plague-infested and tangled tale.... An enjoyable, hard to guess and historically evocative treat."
"...every great series needs an 'origin story,' and
this one's a real corker."
"The reader gets to go along for the ride and it is an exciting roller coaster, so hang on to your seat and enjoy a marvelous book with intriguing characters, tangled plot, and big dollops of superb history. Once again my kudos to Poisoned Pen Press for publishing some of the finest mysteries being written today."
"Authors Mary Reed and Eric Mayer write convincingly of Constantinople in one of its most famous and dangerous periods...both enjoyable and fascinating. Anyone interested in this critical timeframe, or interested in a good historical mystery, will want to read this book."
"The colorful description of Constantinople is marvelous. The historical
detail is meticulous, but never gets in the way of the story."
"...another absorbing tale that gives readers insight into the character of John, a man who seems to have so stoically accepted the cards he's been
dealt and yet simmers just beneath the surface. I am ever-awed by the research that textures and paints the world around John, providing a backdrop and society that readers will see in their mind's eye and believe. FOUR FOR A BOY will engross fans of the historical mystery and will turn new readers into fans as well."
"I really like how the books in this series feel,
the writing is lovely to read, with characters that I'm interested in
knowing and a solid plot."
One For Sorrow | Two For Joy | Three For A Letter | Four For A Boy| Five For Silver | Six For Gold |