Murder at the Panionic Games

by Michael B. Edwards and Michael B. Edwards

Book Overview

Set in the Greek city-state of Priene in 650 B.C., this fascinating murder mystery opens with Bias, the protagonist, being stalked by a murderer at the sacred grounds of the Panionion, the religious... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0897335007
• ISBN13: 9780897335003
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A Good Mystery Set in Ancient Greece

The author's style is enjoyable and provides good storytelling. The main character is an amateur sleuth who is thrust into solving a murder; he really has little idea what he is doing and develops throughout the novel. The setting is different. I'm glad someone else is writing stories set in Ancient Greece. I would also recommend searching out Margaret Doody's Aristole books, though they are only published in the UK.

An Enjoyable Read, but not for historic veracity

This book is enjoyable (and quick) to read, and did a good job of conveying the feeling of collecting information and drawing conclusions (which the hero isn't very good at) for someone who doesn't even understand the basic concept of detection. The ancient Greek setting is unusual, although the author needed to do some more homework. Generally a good start to a possible series; I only hope some of the historic details are researched a bit more thoroughly in the future.

A Great Weekend Read!

This book is an intriguing read, full of adventure and suspense. A great book to take with you to the beach or for your weekend getaway, it is easy to read, but that doesn't detract from the mystery. I highly recommend it as both a historical fiction and a mystery.

A Great Read

This mystery novel set in ancient Greece is a fun read and immensely enjoyable. While the whodunnit part is not as difficult to figure out as others in the genre, it was still a great ride due to the novelty of the setting. There are a few anachronisms but most readers will not feel the need to pore over the text to find them. All in all, I heartily recommend this book and look forward to the next installment in this series.

A historical delight and a great whodunit

Michael Edwards presently teaches at Garinger High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a career officer and retired as a Army Lieutenant Colonel. He traveled widely, thus inspiring this mystery written about the Ionic League. Murder At The Panionic Games is his debut mystery novel.Set in Priene, Greece in 650 B.C., Murder at the Panionic Games opens with Bias, a minor priest assigned to solve a murder that is shadowing the Panionic Games and casting what is called a "miasma of death" on the proceedings. Priene's best athlete has been poisoned and died in Bias' arms. Because he touched the unfortunate man, it is up to Bias to set things straight. Having no investigative abilities, Bias decides to use his best tool...his logic. But he doesn't have much time, and other than a warrant to give him authority, he doesn't have backup:"It is not whether you will obtain answers, but rather whether you will even be allowed to ask questions in many cases! Even with your so-called warrant, the citizens of this and the other League cities are under no obligation to cooperate with you.' He paused, and added quietly, All I am saying is that you need to conduct your inquiries in such a manner that the possible witnesses or suspects will either want to cooperate or will feel obligated to, at the very least.'"Edwards uses Bias' point of view to share the world of ancient Greece to the reader. We are treated to a collection of sights and sounds which make up Bias' world, even as he works his way through his first investigative assignment...an assignment in which he must not fail, for the sake of his family and his standing in society. Edwards develops Bias' character in a subtle, understated way which speaks volumes in a society in which stronger men are sacrificed in silly games for the sake of pride and vanity. The murder itself turns into a perplexing tangle of possibilities, with fair maidens who may not be so fair or innocent as they seem at first glance. Edwards succeeds in covering the trail until the final explosive chapter, which is an inversion of the first chapter. Murder At The Panionic Games is a historical delight and a great whodunit. Bias is a lovable, clever detective.Shelley GlodowskiReviewer