Day of the False King: A Novel of Murder in Babylon

by Brad Geagley

Book Overview

Geagley's follow-up to Year of the Hyenas is an evocative historical mystery starring a besotted, hard-bitten detective named Semerket--ancient Egypt's answer to Sam Spade.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743250818
• ISBN13: 9780743250818
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.7" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Throwing Semerket into another culture is a brilliant move

The second installment in this series, which follows the adventures of Semerket, Egyptian Clerk of Investigations and Secrets, in 20th Dynasty Egypt, does not disappoint. Semerket's ex-wife Naia and Rami, a young boy whom he befriended in Year of the Hyenas, have been sent as slaves to Babylon, and Semerket receives a fragment of a note indicating that they are in danger. Upon appealing to Rameses IV, the new Pharaoh, who owes Semerket his life and his throne, he is given permission to seek them and bring them back to Egypt, as well as a sensitive diplomatic mission to the ruler of Babylon. (Oops - I originally put "king" but when reading this over remembered that one very strong point made in the book was that Babylon, unlike Egypt, didn't have a king.) In Babylon, which is seething under foreign occupation (shades of modern day Iraq?) Sermerket quickly learns that he can trust no one, not even his own country's ambassador. The raid on the plantation where Naia was a maid is rumored to have been undertaken by resistance fighters, but evidence points to Egyptian involvement. A remarkably clever and sophisticated slave, a seductive transvestite, and a pair of spies who stick to Sermerket like glue even after they're called off are only a few of the many colorful characters who help him solve the several mysteries he faces and find out what happened to Naia and Rami. One of the risks of writing about a hard-bitten and embittered character such as Semerket is that he will either become totally unsympathetic or, if his life improves sufficiently, lose the "edge" that makes him so interesting in the first place. Moving him to a different culture was a brilliant move for Geagley, since Semerket is thrown slightly off balance by the strangeness and is forced to show some of his vulnerabilities. It remains to be seen whether he will continue to maintain the balancing act. The book also provides some fascinating insights into the Babylonian politics of the time, some quotations from The Lament for Ur (which appears to have similarities to the biblical book of Lamentations, if only because the emotions felt by the survivors of a devastated city probably don't differ much), and ancient medical practice. I only wish that, on his website if not in the book, Geagley would provide some information about his sources and recommended reading for those who would like to learn more.

Wonderful Mystery Set in Ancient Egypt

I loved Brad Geagley's first book in this series about Semerket, the pharoah's "detective" and couldn't wait for the this one. It is unique to have a mystery novel set in ancient Egypt. Geagley's knowledge of ancient politics is awesome. I am equally eager for the next installment of Semerket's life.

False King

What a great mind this author has. I can hardly wait for his next book. This is a must read. Outstanding and wonderfully gifted person. If you are going to read any book this year put this book and the "Year of the Hyenas" the top of your list.

A trip to an ancient world

Brad Geagley has done it again. In The Day of the False King, A Novel of Murder in Ancient Babylon, he has created another murder mystery in a historical setting. On the east bank of the River Euphrates, about 50 km south of Baghdad, Iraq Babylon once existed. In The Day of the False King Babylon exists again - as it was in 1150 BC. Once again Semerket, who was introduced to us in Year of the Hyenas, as ancient Egypt's Clerk of Investigations and Secrets, has a task to undertake and a mystery to solve. The task given to Semerket by Pharaoh Ramses: retrieve to Egypt an idol from Babylon that will restore Pharaoh's health. The mystery: Semerket looks to find Naia, his ex-wife who had been banished to Babylon. The story takes place in Egypt and Babylon. Babylon is brought to life in clear, but complicated, detail by Mr. Geagley's great story telling skills. A convincing point is the observation that part of the action takes place in "old Babylon." Remember that the time of the story is 1150 BC. In 1150 BC, exactly how old did something have to be "old?" The book contains a cast of memorable characters who are so well defined that it is easy for the reader to keep them organized. Despite their Egypto/Babalonian names, it is easy to remember who they are, and for the most part, what they are up to. Their behavior patterns and motivations make sense. Bottom line: When you read a Brad Geagley book, you know you have been some place that is really unusual. However, the book succeeds, somehow making you understand that place and the individuals inhabiting that place. A great read.

Day of the False King

Once again, Brad Geagley takes us on a fantastic journey to Ancient Egypt and then to ancient Babylon. At the center of this world we set out with our hero Semerket to search for his beloved wife Naia and Rami, the tomb makers's son from Mr. Geagley's previous mystery adventure the Year of the Hyenas. Rami and Naia have been banished to Babylon and used as slaves and thought to have been murdered. Believing that he has heard Rami calling to him to be rescued, Semerket does not believe that his wife and Rami are indeed dead and undertakes to search for them in the turmoil of Babylon's politics and underworld. In adition to his own difficulties, Semerket has been commissioned by his ailing Pharaoh to return to him an ancient Egyptian idol believed to posses the power to cure the Pharaoh's illness. We are given over to the politics,sights, sounds, the smells of this ancient world as we folow Semerket's tortuous journey to fulfill the wishes of his Pharaoh and find his wife. Semerket is an ordinary man called upon to perfom an extraordinary task. Though given to drinking when in despair, swearing when angered, lying when necessary, sceaming in profound fear, weeping for a beautiful song, this man knows no limits to his determination. We meet along the way wondeful and terrifying people and see a great deal of ancient Babylon. The atmosphere and the vivid detail make this book an experience. From the Year of the Hyenas and now through the Day of the False King, Brad Geagley has opened an ancient world to all of us. His meticulous research and ability to tell a good story make this a learning as well as a literary pleasure.