At least it's not steady rain this morning. But there is a kind of misty haze over everything. Enjoy your Advent Reading book for this damp Sunday.
"The Pericles Commission is the 1st book in the Athenian mysteries by Australian author Gary Corby. The story is set in 460ish BC in Athens Greece. Nicolaos is the protagonist, son of Sophronicscus, who is a sculpture and wants Nicolaos to take over the business. Nicolaos isn't interested in this work and events will put him on a different, more political, pathway. As a side note, Nicolaos's younger brother is one Socrates, who provides insightful inputs throughout this story.
Nicolaos out for a walk, is surprised when a body falls from the sky (from the Acropolis) at his feet, dead from an arrow. Pericles, a young Democratic politician, arrives on the scene and offers Nicolaos a job to find out who murdered the man. The man is Ephialtes, a political leader trying to bring Athens into a Democracy.
That's the gist. The story follows Nicolaos as he wanders around Athens trying to find clues to the murderer, wandering into troublesome situations, upsetting various politicians, and risking his life to solve the crime.
It's a fascinating setting. How crime is treated makes for an interesting premise. How women are treated, how slaves are treated and how they fit into Athenian society, all make for a rich, entertaining story. The murder is always in the background, but it is the setting and the relationships that make the story interesting. There is tension but at the same time, humor as well. Nicolaos is a sympathetic character but there are many others; Socrates his brother who provides great insight (even it if's unwanted by Nicolaos); Diotima, daughter of the murdered Ephialtes, by his mistress (who is a strong character, budding priestess of Artemis and with a frisson between her and Nicolaos); Euterpe, the mistress of Ephialtes, sexy and funny and a strong woman; and Pythax, leader of the Scythian Guard, who helps and hinders Nicolaos.
All in all, the story moves along nicely, is eminently readable and enjoyable and the ending is quite satisfying; from a crime solving and political perspective. #2, The Ionian Sanction is now on order. (4.0 stars)"
Enjoy your upcoming week.
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