The Beast in the Labyrinth

by Toby Roberts

“I, Archimedes the mathematician, son of Phidias the astronomer, prostrate myself before the goddess of wisdom. May Athena restore our people to her favour and see us through the descending storm…” So begins The Beast in the Labyrinth , a story of sly and pitiless ambition. Hieron, the tyrant of Syracuse, is struggling to chart a course between the warring empires of Rome and Carthage. His only close confidante is his eccentric cousin, Archimedes. But Hieron is ninety years old, and his nobles are scheming in the shadows. The two old men turn to Dion, the kingdom’s most brutal warrior. Surrounded by smiling enemies, and menaced by the rival empires, Dion’s mental stability comes under increasing pressure. Will he prove the kingdom’s salvation or its destruction?

622 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2023

About the author

Toby has worked as a lawyer, banker, speech writer, and even a session singer, in roles that have taken him around the world. He has written articles for major Australian broadsheets, and a number of short stories that have been published in magazines, converted into podcasts and broadcast on radio. Toby grew up in Sydney’s northern suburbs with his mother and her female partner. He lives in Sydney again now, with his wife, two children and a whippet called Devo. Two Mums and a Dad is his first book.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm surprised this doesn't have any other reviews as it is a great read.

Dion is the foremost warrior in the Greek colony of Syracuse at the time of Hannibal’s invasion of Italy. He is the great-nephew of Archimedes, who is the closest confidante of 90-year-old Hieron, ruler of Syracuse. Due to his closeness to the heir, Gelon, the brutal, not overly-intelligent but complex Dion is caught up in politics and machinations as Hieron nears his end and balancing Rome and Carthage proves a challenge.

Great characters, such as the Egyptian eunuch, Nebit, enhance a convincing, brutal and compelling narrative.

[Arun Nanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Description of Author all wrong except for first sentence!!!