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Ancient Crete Mystery #1
In the Shadow of the Bull
Ancient Crete, 1450 BC. In a world of Goddess worship, sacred snakes and sacrifice, human jealousy, resentment, and betrayal still run wild . . .
When her sister Arge drops to the floor in convulsions and then dies at her wedding, fifteen-year-old Martis, a young poet and bull leaper in training, is certain her sister was murdered.
The prime suspect is the groom, Saurus, a barbarian from the Greek mainland, but when Arge's Shade visits Martis, swearing Saurus is not her murderer, Martis vows to uncover the truth.
As Martis begins asking questions, she discovers that while her sweet sister Arge may have had no secrets, many of the people around Martis certainly do. but if the murderer is not Saurus, then who is it? The Egyptian lady who frequents the docks, one of Martis's other sisters, her father, or someone entirely different?
Martis is in a battle against time to save her sister's Shade from eternal unrest and uncover the killer before they strike again . . .
When her sister Arge drops to the floor in convulsions and then dies at her wedding, fifteen-year-old Martis, a young poet and bull leaper in training, is certain her sister was murdered.
The prime suspect is the groom, Saurus, a barbarian from the Greek mainland, but when Arge's Shade visits Martis, swearing Saurus is not her murderer, Martis vows to uncover the truth.
As Martis begins asking questions, she discovers that while her sweet sister Arge may have had no secrets, many of the people around Martis certainly do. but if the murderer is not Saurus, then who is it? The Egyptian lady who frequents the docks, one of Martis's other sisters, her father, or someone entirely different?
Martis is in a battle against time to save her sister's Shade from eternal unrest and uncover the killer before they strike again . . .
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2023
12 people are currently reading
6671 people want to read
About the author
Eleanor Kuhns
20 books1,261 followersEleanor is a lifelong librarian. She wrote her first story at the age of ten and hasn't stopped since. She lives with her husband and dog in New York State.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 22, 2024
Ancient Crete. 1450 BC. Eleanor Kuhns’ In the Shadow of the Bull (Ancient Crete Mystery #1) is set on Crete, a Greek island which I have been lucky enough to have visited. I recognized certain place names
such as Knossos where the protagonist, Martis who is a daughter of a well-known family, is on her way to acrobatics practice as she wishes to be a bull leaper. The mystery centers on another sister, Arge, who dies at her own wedding, Martis is determined to uncover the truth and find the murderer.
The author illustrates Crete’s ancient world through the worship of the Goddess where sacred snakes and sacrifice play a significant role. This beginning book introduces the main characters and the culture of the ancient Cretes which is fascinating. The mural on the cover of the book I viewed on a wall at the palace of Knossos. The pace is too slow, and I believe more description is needed as I would not have been able to ‘picture’ all had I not been to Crete and seen where the story/mystery takes place. The ending is written well. One can see and feel the tenseness, the danger, and the desperation of the murderer who is a surprise. On to number 2. 3 stars.
such as Knossos where the protagonist, Martis who is a daughter of a well-known family, is on her way to acrobatics practice as she wishes to be a bull leaper. The mystery centers on another sister, Arge, who dies at her own wedding, Martis is determined to uncover the truth and find the murderer.
The author illustrates Crete’s ancient world through the worship of the Goddess where sacred snakes and sacrifice play a significant role. This beginning book introduces the main characters and the culture of the ancient Cretes which is fascinating. The mural on the cover of the book I viewed on a wall at the palace of Knossos. The pace is too slow, and I believe more description is needed as I would not have been able to ‘picture’ all had I not been to Crete and seen where the story/mystery takes place. The ending is written well. One can see and feel the tenseness, the danger, and the desperation of the murderer who is a surprise. On to number 2. 3 stars.
January 1, 2025
Set in ancient Crete. 293 pp*. Completely intriguing historical fiction mystery set in Ancient Crete. I blasted right through this... very easy to just keep turning pages.
In the Shadow of the Bull (Ancient Crete Mystery, #1) by Eleanor Kuhns
* 293 per Amazon; request pending with BookGames librarians to have this corrected (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...)
Amazon:
In the Shadow of the Bull (Ancient Crete Mystery, #1) by Eleanor Kuhns
* 293 per Amazon; request pending with BookGames librarians to have this corrected (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...)
Amazon:
July 26, 2023
This is the year of Crete: a blog tour made me organise a travel to Heraklion and another blog tour makes me travel to those places I recently visited.
It was a pleasure to read this book as the images of the places, the smells and the atmosphere are still fresh in mind and it was like visiting the places and travel back in time.
This a good historical novel as there’s a vivid and well researched historical background. It bring us to an age when the Minoan civilization was at the top and we get to know Martis, a young women who is poet and a bull leaper in training.
One of Martis’ sister is killed on the day of her wedding and Martis will start to investigate trying to understand who-did-it.
Eleanor Kuhn writes solid mysteries and this was quite good. Martis is a clever woman and she’s able to investigate without being too reckless.
The historical part plays a relevant role as the different people of the Mediterranean area and the continental Greece are featured with their customs and their prejudices.
It’s hard to imagine how it was 3500 years ago, the Minoan civilization is still a bit mysterious as the Linear A, their way of writing, is not deciphered yet. I liked how Ms Kuhn developed her version of this civilization keeping track of what we know.
One note: Martis is 15 and, I suppose, a woman of 15 was a grown up woman even if she acts like a very young woman at times.
I hope to read soon other books in this series and catch up with Martis.
This one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Eleanor Kuhn, Severn House and Partners In Crime Tours for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
It was a pleasure to read this book as the images of the places, the smells and the atmosphere are still fresh in mind and it was like visiting the places and travel back in time.
This a good historical novel as there’s a vivid and well researched historical background. It bring us to an age when the Minoan civilization was at the top and we get to know Martis, a young women who is poet and a bull leaper in training.
One of Martis’ sister is killed on the day of her wedding and Martis will start to investigate trying to understand who-did-it.
Eleanor Kuhn writes solid mysteries and this was quite good. Martis is a clever woman and she’s able to investigate without being too reckless.
The historical part plays a relevant role as the different people of the Mediterranean area and the continental Greece are featured with their customs and their prejudices.
It’s hard to imagine how it was 3500 years ago, the Minoan civilization is still a bit mysterious as the Linear A, their way of writing, is not deciphered yet. I liked how Ms Kuhn developed her version of this civilization keeping track of what we know.
One note: Martis is 15 and, I suppose, a woman of 15 was a grown up woman even if she acts like a very young woman at times.
I hope to read soon other books in this series and catch up with Martis.
This one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Eleanor Kuhn, Severn House and Partners In Crime Tours for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
May 29, 2023
1450 BC. Crete. It is the wedding day of Arge but during the ceremony she dies. Her sister Martis, on receiving a visititation from Arge, is determined to find her murderer (from a limited suspect pool). Her first suspect is the groom Saurus. Martis seems to go from one suspect to the next quite quickly. A lot of description of the times, and for me not enough mystery, and not really a likeable main character
Overall an enjoyable historical mystery and a decent start to a new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall an enjoyable historical mystery and a decent start to a new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2023
Crete, 1450 BCE. After her beloved sister, Arge, dies at the beginning of a wedding ceremony, Martis is visited by Arge’s shade. Her sister was poisoned, and fifteen-year-old Martis, who dreams of becoming a bull leaper, is tasked with exposing the murderer. Martis’s mother, a member of the all-female priesthood, tries to get her daughter to focus on weaving instead of investigating. Instead, Martis sneaks out to fulfill her promise to Arge. Martis is sure it was Arge’s betrothed but quickly learns that there are those in her family that are protecting dangerous secrets.
Martis has much to learn in her attempt to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. As she grows in knowledge, readers are treated to a vivid walk-through of ancient Knossos during the final few breaths of Crete’s flourishing Minoan culture. Kuhns’s exploration of this time and place is intriguing to read. Actually, I could have used more. Many observations are limited to smell (most often, human sweat and bull “musk”) and visualization of a limited area. Occasionally, words pop up that are out of time, like calling someone a “serf” (serf and slave aren’t synonyms). While the practice/performance of bull leaping heightens the tension for Martis, these moments don’t quite transcend the page. Additional time with Martis interacting with her fellow acrobats while training would help endear these characters and moments to readers. The middle section’s sense of urgency slows considerably as the investigation pretty much halts. Martis asks the same people questions over and over, prisoners keep escaping the same prison over and over, Martis sneaks out of her house over and over. However, readers will enjoy the final act, which is filled with twists and turns, resulting in a reveal that’s a satisfying surprise.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
Martis has much to learn in her attempt to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. As she grows in knowledge, readers are treated to a vivid walk-through of ancient Knossos during the final few breaths of Crete’s flourishing Minoan culture. Kuhns’s exploration of this time and place is intriguing to read. Actually, I could have used more. Many observations are limited to smell (most often, human sweat and bull “musk”) and visualization of a limited area. Occasionally, words pop up that are out of time, like calling someone a “serf” (serf and slave aren’t synonyms). While the practice/performance of bull leaping heightens the tension for Martis, these moments don’t quite transcend the page. Additional time with Martis interacting with her fellow acrobats while training would help endear these characters and moments to readers. The middle section’s sense of urgency slows considerably as the investigation pretty much halts. Martis asks the same people questions over and over, prisoners keep escaping the same prison over and over, Martis sneaks out of her house over and over. However, readers will enjoy the final act, which is filled with twists and turns, resulting in a reveal that’s a satisfying surprise.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
July 4, 2023
Martis is an interesting character. She is the youngest of four sisters – although one of her sisters is a house slave due to having been born in the wrong place. Martis is certainly a rebel – while her mother wishes her to become a weaver, she yearns to become a bull-leaper, like her grandfather. Her mother is an acolyte of the Priestess, who is the mouthpiece of the Goddess and is therefore reasonably well placed within Cretan society. However, when Arge, Martis’s older sister decides to marry a barbarian from the mainland, many people aren’t all that happy about it. It takes all of Arge’s persuasive powers to let the wedding take place, so there is general shock and grief when the bride dies during the ceremony in convulsions.
Martis is utterly horrified – Arge is her favourite sister, due to her sweet and gentle nature. But when Arge’s Shade visits Martis and claims she’s been poisoned – it’s Martis who she charges to find her murderer. It’s a heavy responsibility to bear and Martis is frankly overwhelmed at the task. Interestingly, the pace at this point slightly stutters and I did wonder if having such a very young and inexperienced protagonist was holding back the storyline. However, it turned out to be a smart move. For all Martis’s habit of sneaking off for secret practices at bull-leaping – she isn’t all that streetwise, which makes sense given her age and birth. So aspects of society need to be explained to her that would be apparent to adults of the time – and as the reader, we also get to learn about them.
Kuhn’s world-building is superb. I enjoyed learning about the clothes, the food and the general customs of the time. I found it intriguing that women of this particular time, before the usual pantheon of Greek gods overwhelmed the worship of the Goddess, had a great deal more power and freedom than was usual within Hellenic society. So it’s Martis’s mother who is head of the household and the one to make the major decisions regarding her daughters – particularly as her husband is a slave who makes sandals.
I also liked watching Martis grow up during the story. Arge’s death isn’t the only tragedy to beset their family and increasingly, Martis needs to step up and help her mother. I thought I knew whodunit – and I was wrong. Furthermore, the murderer had a strong motive for their actions that made entire sense, even though it was a shocking act. As this is a series, there are a couple of dangling plotpoints that will clearly need to tidied away in the next book – which I look forward to reading. Highly recommended for fans of historical murder mysteries set in ancient Greece. While I obtained an arc of In the Shadow of the Bull from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
Martis is utterly horrified – Arge is her favourite sister, due to her sweet and gentle nature. But when Arge’s Shade visits Martis and claims she’s been poisoned – it’s Martis who she charges to find her murderer. It’s a heavy responsibility to bear and Martis is frankly overwhelmed at the task. Interestingly, the pace at this point slightly stutters and I did wonder if having such a very young and inexperienced protagonist was holding back the storyline. However, it turned out to be a smart move. For all Martis’s habit of sneaking off for secret practices at bull-leaping – she isn’t all that streetwise, which makes sense given her age and birth. So aspects of society need to be explained to her that would be apparent to adults of the time – and as the reader, we also get to learn about them.
Kuhn’s world-building is superb. I enjoyed learning about the clothes, the food and the general customs of the time. I found it intriguing that women of this particular time, before the usual pantheon of Greek gods overwhelmed the worship of the Goddess, had a great deal more power and freedom than was usual within Hellenic society. So it’s Martis’s mother who is head of the household and the one to make the major decisions regarding her daughters – particularly as her husband is a slave who makes sandals.
I also liked watching Martis grow up during the story. Arge’s death isn’t the only tragedy to beset their family and increasingly, Martis needs to step up and help her mother. I thought I knew whodunit – and I was wrong. Furthermore, the murderer had a strong motive for their actions that made entire sense, even though it was a shocking act. As this is a series, there are a couple of dangling plotpoints that will clearly need to tidied away in the next book – which I look forward to reading. Highly recommended for fans of historical murder mysteries set in ancient Greece. While I obtained an arc of In the Shadow of the Bull from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
November 6, 2023
In the Shadow of the Bull is the first book in the Ancient Crete Mystery series by Eleanor Kuhns and it is centered around Ancient Crete in 1450 BC .... I have not read a book from that time period before and I was thoroughly surprised at how captivating it was !!
In the Shadow of the Bulls follows Martis and her family. Martis is preparing to be a bull leaper and entertain the High Priestess as well as everyone in her town ... unfortunately things shift after her sister Arge dies right before she is to be wed. Arge is about to marry Saurus, a barbarian sailor, when Martis says a quick prayer to the Goddess trying to prevent the marriage from happening. Martis believes that her prayer to the Goddess is what caused her sister to die. Everything changes when Martis is visited by Arge's shade (ghost) insisting that she was poisoned and that Martis must find out who killed her.
Even though Martis did not like Saurus, she doesn't think that he should be executed for Arge's murder if he is innocent. And after talking with him, she believes that he genuinely loved her sister and wouldn't harm her. But who would want to kill her and how did they do it ?
When Martis finds out that Arge was poisoned, she has a lot to figure out. Then when another sister, Nuia, helps Saurus escape and they flee on his boat, Martis is left with more questions than answers.
Martis continues to be visited by Arge's shade insisting that she will haunt the family if her murder is not solved and the murderer dealt with. And when Nuia and Saurus are brought back and held in the caves until they will be executed, Martis knows her time is running out.
Readers will be on the edge of their seats reading this story. It is so different from any other stories I have read and it was so fun getting down and dirty with Martis and her life. Reading about how things were so different and difficult for her was quite a refreshing story. It was very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a new series and look forward to more books to follow to see what will happen next for Martis and her family.
July 4, 2023
Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review In the Shadow of the Bull. All opinions and comments are my own.
Martis is a fifteen-year-old girl in ancient Crete. Her ambition in life is to be a “bull-leaper,” part of the sacred religious rites to honor “The Goddess.” An honored position, but very dangerous, as you can imagine. While she is preparing to do this, her sister Arge is preparing to get married. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen. Sister Arge is going to die, and in In the Shadow of the Bull, written by Eleanor Kuhns, younger sister Martis is tasked by the High Priestess (and the demanding Shade of the poisoned sister; there’s a touch of the supernatural here) to find her murderer.
As you can probably appreciate, no one expects Martis to be able to accomplish this - we’re told this a lot -- but she does. The identity of the murderer might not be a head-scratcher to readers, either -- there were plenty of clues along the way, and whether the author intended it to be that easy is anybody’s guess. Oh, there were suspects aplenty, and red herrings thrown in -- family secrets and shady moments, for instance -- but I had a pretty good idea of who was the bad’un from the get-go. Lust and jealousy, always grounds for murder.
What I did enjoy was the look into Minoan culture and practices. The bull leaping ceremonies and preparations were interesting to read about, recapping the reciting of the rituals and customs. An author’s note explains more about the people and the times in Crete, circa 1460 BC.
Martis is a fully realized character, not a child and not an adult, sure and unsure of herself, able to fulfill her ambition while carrying out a crime investigation. Author Eleanor Kuhns shows what it means to be this young person very well, in In the Shadow of the Bull.
Martis is a fifteen-year-old girl in ancient Crete. Her ambition in life is to be a “bull-leaper,” part of the sacred religious rites to honor “The Goddess.” An honored position, but very dangerous, as you can imagine. While she is preparing to do this, her sister Arge is preparing to get married. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen. Sister Arge is going to die, and in In the Shadow of the Bull, written by Eleanor Kuhns, younger sister Martis is tasked by the High Priestess (and the demanding Shade of the poisoned sister; there’s a touch of the supernatural here) to find her murderer.
As you can probably appreciate, no one expects Martis to be able to accomplish this - we’re told this a lot -- but she does. The identity of the murderer might not be a head-scratcher to readers, either -- there were plenty of clues along the way, and whether the author intended it to be that easy is anybody’s guess. Oh, there were suspects aplenty, and red herrings thrown in -- family secrets and shady moments, for instance -- but I had a pretty good idea of who was the bad’un from the get-go. Lust and jealousy, always grounds for murder.
What I did enjoy was the look into Minoan culture and practices. The bull leaping ceremonies and preparations were interesting to read about, recapping the reciting of the rituals and customs. An author’s note explains more about the people and the times in Crete, circa 1460 BC.
Martis is a fully realized character, not a child and not an adult, sure and unsure of herself, able to fulfill her ambition while carrying out a crime investigation. Author Eleanor Kuhns shows what it means to be this young person very well, in In the Shadow of the Bull.
April 15, 2023
In the Shadow of the Bull is a historical fiction mystery novel set on the Ancient Greek island of Crete. With Martis, a prospective bull leaper, trying to solve the murder of her older sister and bring her justice.
This book had vivid descriptions of clothing and regalia that was not only engaging and essential for establishing the setting, but also in maintaining historical accuracy and a establishing a sense of time and place. The plot entwines Martis’ vow to avenge her sister and her own ambitions to be a bull leaper, both elements of the plot are given equal coverage. It was nice that Martis had interests and goals instead of a vague two dimensional passion, the addition of her enjoying poetry also added to the story, giving additional detail and description in a lyrical manner.
From early on in the story I had a hunch on who the murderer was (based purely on vibes, not at all on evidence) and as the plot began to advance I thought I was certainly correct, however, the writing and plot were woven so well that I too, soon shared Martis’ doubt and confusion, and started seeing suspects everywhere. I did not foresee the murderer or the ending coming at all, the twist was well done. It would have been nice to have some closure for Martis and the characters beyond identifying Arge's killer.
Overall this story presents an engaging mystery in an ancient setting that evokes clear, strong imagery. It was a relatively fast paced, enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher Severn Press, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
This book had vivid descriptions of clothing and regalia that was not only engaging and essential for establishing the setting, but also in maintaining historical accuracy and a establishing a sense of time and place. The plot entwines Martis’ vow to avenge her sister and her own ambitions to be a bull leaper, both elements of the plot are given equal coverage. It was nice that Martis had interests and goals instead of a vague two dimensional passion, the addition of her enjoying poetry also added to the story, giving additional detail and description in a lyrical manner.
From early on in the story I had a hunch on who the murderer was (based purely on vibes, not at all on evidence) and as the plot began to advance I thought I was certainly correct, however, the writing and plot were woven so well that I too, soon shared Martis’ doubt and confusion, and started seeing suspects everywhere. I did not foresee the murderer or the ending coming at all, the twist was well done. It would have been nice to have some closure for Martis and the characters beyond identifying Arge's killer.
Overall this story presents an engaging mystery in an ancient setting that evokes clear, strong imagery. It was a relatively fast paced, enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher Severn Press, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.
July 20, 2023
Years of reading mystery novels have taught me one thing – people are the same, no matter the time period. Strong emotions such as love, hatred, and jealousy have caused humans to behave in terrible ways for centuries, and Eleanor Kuhns skillfully demonstrates her understanding of the human psyche in this well-constructed novel.
The characters here are especially well drawn. Martis is a headstrong young woman who chafes at the restrictions preventing her from following her dream of bull leaping, even though she is good at it. She doesn’t understand her sister’s eagerness to marry, and also does not appreciate her other sister’s rough treatment.
Imagine Martis’ heartbreak when Arge dies on her wedding day, then imagine her confusion as it becomes clear the death was not a natural one. The route to a solution is not an easy one for Martis or for the former bridegroom, Saurus, who is the prime suspect. Martis perseveres, leading up to an even greater emotional reveal of the murderer.
Kuhns delivers a readable, engrossing mystery full of vivid narrative depicting Ancient Crete, along with a set of memorable characters who will stay with you even after you turn the final page. I’ve not read Kuhns’ work before, but will be looking for it now.
The characters here are especially well drawn. Martis is a headstrong young woman who chafes at the restrictions preventing her from following her dream of bull leaping, even though she is good at it. She doesn’t understand her sister’s eagerness to marry, and also does not appreciate her other sister’s rough treatment.
Imagine Martis’ heartbreak when Arge dies on her wedding day, then imagine her confusion as it becomes clear the death was not a natural one. The route to a solution is not an easy one for Martis or for the former bridegroom, Saurus, who is the prime suspect. Martis perseveres, leading up to an even greater emotional reveal of the murderer.
Kuhns delivers a readable, engrossing mystery full of vivid narrative depicting Ancient Crete, along with a set of memorable characters who will stay with you even after you turn the final page. I’ve not read Kuhns’ work before, but will be looking for it now.
August 13, 2023
IN THE SHADOW OF THE BULL by Eleanor Kuhns
The First Ancient Crete Mystery
Martis is not your typical fifteen year old girl in Ancient Crete. With no wish to ever marry or carry on the family weaving tradition, she's secretly training to be a bull leaper. Treated poorly by most of her family, she's unhappy that her favorite sister, Ange, is marrying a Barbarian and prays the wedding will be stopped. Her prayer is tragically answered as Ange goes into convulsions and dies as the wedding ceremony is about to begin. Believing she is to blame for her sister's death, Martis is shocked to have a vision. Arge has come to her as a shade saying she has been murdered. She then demands Martis find her killer else she haunt the family for nine generations. Martis vows to uncover the truth and hopes doing so will appease her sister and the Goddess.
I was immediately intrigued when I heard about a mystery set in Ancient Crete. I have a particular interest in ancient religions and found the details about the Goddess and her ceremonies, especially the bull leaping, fascinating. Religion was integral to life in Ancient Crete and it is integral to the story, in no way diminishing the mystery, but making the story more real.
Vivid and detailed descriptions led me to feel I was in Ancient Crete myself. As much as I am against animal sacrifice, to be factual it needed to be included, but I was pleased that Martis didn't like it either. While descriptions of the bull leaping were visceral, the many red herrings and suspects made for a confounding cerebral exercise. I was certain so many people were guilty, each at different parts of the story. Martis makes a charming protagonist looking for the truth, even if she prefers the lie, as she works for her dreams.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE BULL combines family secrets, jealousy, and ancient religion creating a fascinating historical mystery.
The First Ancient Crete Mystery
Martis is not your typical fifteen year old girl in Ancient Crete. With no wish to ever marry or carry on the family weaving tradition, she's secretly training to be a bull leaper. Treated poorly by most of her family, she's unhappy that her favorite sister, Ange, is marrying a Barbarian and prays the wedding will be stopped. Her prayer is tragically answered as Ange goes into convulsions and dies as the wedding ceremony is about to begin. Believing she is to blame for her sister's death, Martis is shocked to have a vision. Arge has come to her as a shade saying she has been murdered. She then demands Martis find her killer else she haunt the family for nine generations. Martis vows to uncover the truth and hopes doing so will appease her sister and the Goddess.
I was immediately intrigued when I heard about a mystery set in Ancient Crete. I have a particular interest in ancient religions and found the details about the Goddess and her ceremonies, especially the bull leaping, fascinating. Religion was integral to life in Ancient Crete and it is integral to the story, in no way diminishing the mystery, but making the story more real.
Vivid and detailed descriptions led me to feel I was in Ancient Crete myself. As much as I am against animal sacrifice, to be factual it needed to be included, but I was pleased that Martis didn't like it either. While descriptions of the bull leaping were visceral, the many red herrings and suspects made for a confounding cerebral exercise. I was certain so many people were guilty, each at different parts of the story. Martis makes a charming protagonist looking for the truth, even if she prefers the lie, as she works for her dreams.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE BULL combines family secrets, jealousy, and ancient religion creating a fascinating historical mystery.
August 6, 2023
What a fantastic novel! I love stories in Ancient settings, and this one is absolutely brimming with period detail—costumes, language, religion, family.
Though Martis wished nothing but the best for her beloved sister about to marry, she can’t help but wish Arge would stay. To her horror, Arge falls down dead right before the marriage ceremony, and she blames her wayward wish. Arge’s spirit compels Martis to find her killer.
As far as the mystery goes, the focus is tight on the surrounding family, making for a compelling read as Martis follows the trail, though it leads to more heartbreak. This is also a coming-of-age story, as the protagonist is a young woman of fifteen, almost of a marriageable age. But she doesn’t want to weave or to marry, as she is training to be a bull dancer. The dream of the dance and the reality of the dance clash, just as her belief and trust in her family does.
Highly recommended for historical mystery readers. Shades of Mary Renault!
Thank you PIC tours!
Though Martis wished nothing but the best for her beloved sister about to marry, she can’t help but wish Arge would stay. To her horror, Arge falls down dead right before the marriage ceremony, and she blames her wayward wish. Arge’s spirit compels Martis to find her killer.
As far as the mystery goes, the focus is tight on the surrounding family, making for a compelling read as Martis follows the trail, though it leads to more heartbreak. This is also a coming-of-age story, as the protagonist is a young woman of fifteen, almost of a marriageable age. But she doesn’t want to weave or to marry, as she is training to be a bull dancer. The dream of the dance and the reality of the dance clash, just as her belief and trust in her family does.
Highly recommended for historical mystery readers. Shades of Mary Renault!
Thank you PIC tours!
August 9, 2023
The strength of this novel is the historical setting and cultural immersion in ancient Crete. Kuhn's Author's Note at the end adds information about Goddess worship and bull worship, a central aspect of this novel. I like that, even though there is no definitive proof women were included in the bull-dancing, Kuhns included women in the practice.
The mystery aspect of the plot is complex with young Martis exploring many avenues to try to find out who murdered her older sister. That the identity of the murderer was presented to Martis sort of by accident was a bit of a disappointment. There were enough clues that the identity of the villain was not too hard to predict anyway.
This novel will appeal to readers who like a plot deeply immersed in an ancient culture.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The mystery aspect of the plot is complex with young Martis exploring many avenues to try to find out who murdered her older sister. That the identity of the murderer was presented to Martis sort of by accident was a bit of a disappointment. There were enough clues that the identity of the villain was not too hard to predict anyway.
This novel will appeal to readers who like a plot deeply immersed in an ancient culture.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
August 29, 2023
Ancient Crete, 1450 BC. When her sister Arge drops to the floor in convulsions and then dies at her wedding, fifteen-year-old Martis, a young poet and bull leaper in training, is certain she was murdered.
Having studied the Minoan Period in University, I became fascinated by all things Cretan.
Martis must find out who murdered her sister, her shade continually haunts Martis until she solves this mystery. At the same time she is determined to be a bull leaper despite her high born status and total family disapproval. I found the narrative flowed well and was, at certain points, really hard to put down. Kuhns injects great passion and action in her books. Any reader with an interest in ancient Crete and Greece will love this story, so good. The whodunnit is really unexpected. Thank you Severn and Netgalley for an ARC of In the Shadow of the Bull. Apologies for the delay in reviewing.
Having studied the Minoan Period in University, I became fascinated by all things Cretan.
Martis must find out who murdered her sister, her shade continually haunts Martis until she solves this mystery. At the same time she is determined to be a bull leaper despite her high born status and total family disapproval. I found the narrative flowed well and was, at certain points, really hard to put down. Kuhns injects great passion and action in her books. Any reader with an interest in ancient Crete and Greece will love this story, so good. The whodunnit is really unexpected. Thank you Severn and Netgalley for an ARC of In the Shadow of the Bull. Apologies for the delay in reviewing.
May 7, 2024
This debut novel was well written and full of twists. The characters were believable and easy for me to feel like a bystander at the edge of all the action.
Martis, a Cretan young woman 15 yrs old, living in Knossos in 1460 BC, is training to be a bull leader against here family’s wishes as they need her to work as a weaver. She trained early morning and then worked a few hours in the weaving room. When her sister Arge dies at her wedding, Martis feels responsible because she prayed to the Goddess to stop the wedding so that Arge would not leave; Saurus, Arge’s fiancé, knew her mother’s brother but was not from Crete.
Martis investigates and finds the murderer, a shock to her.
I really enjoyed this mystery.
Martis, a Cretan young woman 15 yrs old, living in Knossos in 1460 BC, is training to be a bull leader against here family’s wishes as they need her to work as a weaver. She trained early morning and then worked a few hours in the weaving room. When her sister Arge dies at her wedding, Martis feels responsible because she prayed to the Goddess to stop the wedding so that Arge would not leave; Saurus, Arge’s fiancé, knew her mother’s brother but was not from Crete.
Martis investigates and finds the murderer, a shock to her.
I really enjoyed this mystery.
August 3, 2023
Many people have summarized the plot, so I won’t duplicate what they said. Others, though - I don’t think they could have been reading the same book as I did! The characters are well developed, interesting and engaging, even the unlikable ones. The world building though, is where this book shines the most! It feels so real you could imagine that Kuhns had been there! After reading her Will Rees series, that was no less than I expected from her, but I find the frustrated archaeologist in me is more thoroughly stirred by this setting. Highly, highly recommended and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
April 22, 2024
Rating: 3.5
An enjoyable historical mystery set in Ancient Crete with a young female protagonist.
There is a lot going on with the historical element of this book, which kind of overshadows the mystery side, despite it being the selling point. It had good world-building, from a point of view of how the Ancient Cretans would see others arriving to their homeland. The bull-leaping was also interesting to read, a high risk high status role in the community.
The writing was easy to read, maybe even a little too simple at times. It was paced well with short chapters.
Looking forward to reading the sequel.
An enjoyable historical mystery set in Ancient Crete with a young female protagonist.
There is a lot going on with the historical element of this book, which kind of overshadows the mystery side, despite it being the selling point. It had good world-building, from a point of view of how the Ancient Cretans would see others arriving to their homeland. The bull-leaping was also interesting to read, a high risk high status role in the community.
The writing was easy to read, maybe even a little too simple at times. It was paced well with short chapters.
Looking forward to reading the sequel.
September 14, 2023
Good worldbuilding, atmospheric writing. Pacing was slow initially, but the twist and ending was good.
In line with the author's research on the possible short lifespan of the people in that historic period, the protagonist, Martis, is young. She's headstrong and sometimes, immature too. Nevertheless the themes covered in the novel are adult.
In line with the author's research on the possible short lifespan of the people in that historic period, the protagonist, Martis, is young. She's headstrong and sometimes, immature too. Nevertheless the themes covered in the novel are adult.
December 10, 2023
This is a new series for this author. It was an okay read but I think a few things are missing:
1. A family tree or explanation of the "status" of the children. How can one daughter have status and another be a "serf".
2. I think we needed to know what "bull dancing" was much earlier in the book.
I did like the ending since it was unexpected, but I am not sold on the series.
1. A family tree or explanation of the "status" of the children. How can one daughter have status and another be a "serf".
2. I think we needed to know what "bull dancing" was much earlier in the book.
I did like the ending since it was unexpected, but I am not sold on the series.
April 6, 2024
A wonderful historical mystery set in the female-centered world of ancient Crete. Kuhns manages to present a spunky, intelligent adolescent girl who is believably of her world and centered in the culture of her island but capable of taking on a murder investigation that flouts all the rules of Cretan society. Matis is a terrific character and I look forward to the sequel, coming soon!
November 14, 2023
I got this book months ago from a goodreads drawing. I started it June 14th and just finished it today (11/13/23) I was so close to DNFing it because it was sooooo boring.. it felt like it was never going to get to the point of the story.. it is probably one of the worst books I've read this year.
July 26, 2024
You can't help but cheer on Martis, this young head strong girl who is on a quest to find her sister's killer, be a bull leaper and many other antics. She's a loveable character who you will see a part of you in. The story line was amazing and kept my attention throughout. I loved it all!
December 22, 2025
Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed many things about this book. The author did a good job of weaving in the rituals and customs of Ancient Crete. The descriptions of the bull dancers and the training they endured was very interesting. The mystery aspect was also well done but not surprising in the end.
July 3, 2023
$18.20 CAD for an e-book that's only 224 pages? Is this author for real? I wanted to read this, but there's no way I'm paying that.
May 19, 2024
Great historical background for a mystery, but I'd rather read the Will Reese books.
April 17, 2025
Terrible. Full of the clunky explanations so beloved of authors of historical fiction and a laughable plot.
June 17, 2024
Interesting story, great amount of detail about the culture. I liked the main character, who made plenty of mistakes but in a realistic way.
February 2, 2024
I was absolutely riveted by this ancient Crete mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical elements of this story which was set during the advanced Minoan civilization. A civilization which flourished during the Bronze Age, long before the Trojan War.
Eleanor Kuhns is a new author to me, but we will meet again as soon as her new book is available in paperback.
Eleanor Kuhns is a new author to me, but we will meet again as soon as her new book is available in paperback.
July 17, 2023
IN THE SHADOW OF THE BULL is the first book in the Ancient Crete Mystery series and we start with a wedding and a murder. Martis, the fifteen-year-old sister of the victim is charged by her dead sister's ghost to find out who killed her. If she fails, she will be haunted for nine generations!
Martis is split between her duty to her sister and her need to train for bull-dancing. She is also fifteen, so her attention span isn't that good yet, and she flits from person to person, convinced each one is the killer.
I preferred the historical aspect of this story more than the mystery. For me, it wasn't so much a mystery as a when will Martis figure it out? I did like the ending, with how it tied it up, but I wanted to know more about Bais and Nuia. And what about the barbarians? Would they receive an apology or just be given permission to leave? Maybe that will happen in future books. Although it was explained to a degree, it left me wanting more.
I have no hesitation in recommending an enjoyable book with great attention to detail.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 22, 2023
Martis is split between her duty to her sister and her need to train for bull-dancing. She is also fifteen, so her attention span isn't that good yet, and she flits from person to person, convinced each one is the killer.
I preferred the historical aspect of this story more than the mystery. For me, it wasn't so much a mystery as a when will Martis figure it out? I did like the ending, with how it tied it up, but I wanted to know more about Bais and Nuia. And what about the barbarians? Would they receive an apology or just be given permission to leave? Maybe that will happen in future books. Although it was explained to a degree, it left me wanting more.
I have no hesitation in recommending an enjoyable book with great attention to detail.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 22, 2023
June 20, 2023
The Cluesletter | @mysterymanon (IG) | @mysterymanon (TT)
Ancient Crete, 1450 BCE. Like many in her family, fifteen-year-old Martis is wary of her sister's decision to marry a "barbarian" man from the North. But then the bride dies publicly and unexpectedly at the altar—and Martis believes she was murdered.
What an absolutely unique read! The ancient city of Knossos comes alive with descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, and traditions. Martis, our heroine, is young but determined to find justice for her beloved sister. Family and friends are nuanced, relationships are complex, and the politics of the time and place are intriguing. I especially enjoyed the details about "bull-leaping," the ancient Minoan tradition of acrobatic leaps over the back of a charging bull. Martis is an aspiring bull-leaper and much of the book explores this.
The writing is clear and accessible, and the mystery is strong and twisty. I do wish, though, that the denouement was longer. I was hoping for a stronger resolution to tie everything together (or, at least, more time spent on the "why" and "how").
I so hope this book finds its audience—mystery readers, historical fanatics, and perhaps even fantasy lovers who enjoy settings in completely different worlds would enjoy this read. The author's note in the back offers excellent context to her creative decisions with the story.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. I've shared my review to Goodreads and will post on Instagram closer to the pub date.
Ancient Crete, 1450 BCE. Like many in her family, fifteen-year-old Martis is wary of her sister's decision to marry a "barbarian" man from the North. But then the bride dies publicly and unexpectedly at the altar—and Martis believes she was murdered.
What an absolutely unique read! The ancient city of Knossos comes alive with descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, and traditions. Martis, our heroine, is young but determined to find justice for her beloved sister. Family and friends are nuanced, relationships are complex, and the politics of the time and place are intriguing. I especially enjoyed the details about "bull-leaping," the ancient Minoan tradition of acrobatic leaps over the back of a charging bull. Martis is an aspiring bull-leaper and much of the book explores this.
The writing is clear and accessible, and the mystery is strong and twisty. I do wish, though, that the denouement was longer. I was hoping for a stronger resolution to tie everything together (or, at least, more time spent on the "why" and "how").
I so hope this book finds its audience—mystery readers, historical fanatics, and perhaps even fantasy lovers who enjoy settings in completely different worlds would enjoy this read. The author's note in the back offers excellent context to her creative decisions with the story.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. I've shared my review to Goodreads and will post on Instagram closer to the pub date.
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