Product Description

In Paul Doherty's new novel, Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Hall of Two Truths, is once again summoned to the Imperial Palaceo: Tekreth, Guardian of the Door of Sobeck, has fallen to his death from the roof of his stately mansion. According to all evidence, it was an accident but Pharaoh Queen Hatusu is not convinced. Increasingly worried about reports of mysterious disappearances along the Sobeck Road, the imperial highway stretching south, she believes that Tekreth's death could be part of a far greater problem. Amerotke, aware of the reports from the Sobeck Road, has also heard rumours about the Shemai, a cult devoted to death, based along its borders. Before Amerotke can start to consider either of these matters though, a gruesome mass murder occurs at the Necropolis. The funeral party for revered scribe, Ptulimis, has been poisoned and Amerotke must immediately investigate the abomination. As Amerotke probes further, he suspects that all these events may be connected and that dangerous forces are at work in Pharaoh Hatusu's realm. Will Amerotke be able to uncover the truth before Egypt is overrun by its sinister and dangerous underworld?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35545 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough. He studied History at Liverpool and Oxford Universities and obtained a doctorate for his thesis on Edward II and Queen Isabella. He is now headmaster of a school in north-east London and lives with his family in Essex.

Customer Reviews

The mysteries of ancient Egypt - 300 pages of a readers's delight
I believe sometimes little things illustrate best how a book is: when reading this book in the underground I got so absorbed that I nearly missed my stop. Well, that is really what one needs to say, isn't it?


This is number 7 of ancient Egyptian mysteries featuring Amerotke, Pharao's Chief Judge who solves all her problems. For those you have not read no. 1-6 do not worry: even if it is a sequence this novel stands on its own and one can follow easily. Paul Doherty is a fantastic storyteller who revives ancient Egypt to perfection. He re-creates this long lost world but keeps at the same time the story going. So he is not lost in endless descriptions but all the time moves the story forward. Nevertheless, he loves to emerge the reader in the fantastic ceremonies of the ancient world and takes the modern reader into these brilliant surroundings. The story is fast moving, convincing and not a single moment boring. The 300 pages are coming far too early to an end. One gets hooked with page 1. All in all, a perfect read!!

MYSTICAL, MAGICAL BUT BRUTAL - EXCELLENT
THE 7TH BOOOK OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES FOLLOWS ON FROM The Poisoner of Ptah: A Story of Intrigue and Murder Set in Ancient Egypt.

DOHERTY EFFORTESLY RECREATES THE MAJESTY, BRILLIANCE, POWER AND MYSTERY OF ANCIENT EGYPT. UTTERLY COMPELLING AND HARD TO PUT DOWN. THE AUTHOR CONJURES UP A PARADISE ON EARTH WHICH IS SHATTERED BY THE BRINGER OF DEATH.

AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON PHARAOH QUEEN HATUSU IS THWARTED AND IT IS UP TO CHIEF JUDGE OF EGYPT, AMEROTKE TO FIND OUT WHO THE KILLER/KILLERS ARE AMONG THE SECRET MURDEROUS SECT OF NUBLIAN DESCENT CALLING THEMSELVES THE ARITES AND WHO IS THEIR LEADER SGESU?

THERE ARE COUNTLESS STRANGULATIONS WHICH SEEN RANDOM SO CAN AMEROTKE STOP THEM BEFORE THEY GET TO THEIR TRUE TARGET?

ONCE AGAIN DOHERTY'S FASCINATION WITH THE PERIOD LEAPS FROM THE PAGES. THE RESEARCH IS EXCEPTIONAL AND YOU ARE TRANSPORTED BACK TO A TIME THAT STILL FASCINATES MILLIONS STILL. PUNISHMENT METED OUT TO CRIMINALS IS PARTICULARLY BRUTAL AND HIDEOUS.

ALTHOUGH I GUESSED THE KILLER EARLY ON THIS NOVEL IS STILL A PAGE TURNER WITH SURPRISES AND RED HERRINGS APLENTY. AN EXCEPTIONAL READ AND BRING ON THE NEXT ONE IN THE SERIES.

Spies of Sobeck
This book is extremely strong on atmospheric detail but a bit thin in plot. Having read many of Doherty's other books, I saw themes recurring here which I'd seen in other 'period' stories of his. A good 'light' read, worth the cost of a paperback.