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Amerotke #2
The Horus Killings
A sign from the gods... or the work of a deadly enemy? The Horus Killings is the second in the stirring and enthralling series set in Paul Doherty's Ancient Egypt, featuring Judge Amerotke. Perfect for fans of Lauren Haney and Wilbur Smith. 'The period detail is fascinating, but not tediously overdone. Doherty catches atmosphere as well... And Judge Amerotke is an engaging, distinctive sleuth' - Glasgow HeraldAt the divine temple of Horus, a crowd gathers to celebrate the triumphant return of Hatusu, the widow of Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, after her successful battle against the Mitanni. Hatusu's achievements confound her opponents who refuse to believe that a woman is capable of ruling Egypt, but she cannot silence the court gossips who whisper that Hatusu's stepson is the true heir to the throne. Hatusu is determined that Egypt will accept her as the first Pharaoh-Queen, but she needs to win the favour of the gods. When a spate of savage killings takes place in the Temple of Horus, the priests interpret this as a sign of celestial disapproval of Hatusu. Only one man, Amerotke, a respected judge, can be trusted to find the truth among the intrigue surrounding the deaths.What readers are saying about The Horus 'The plot is engrossing, and the murderer, unlike many murder mysteries, is not obvious, making their revelation at the end of the book a satisfying conclusion to a very entertaining story''This was a compelling book, and I found that I just couldn't put it down''Paul Doherty at his very best!'
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
58 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books609 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 18, 2021
Read this book in 2009, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful Amerotke series, set in Ancient Egypt.
Set in 1479 BC, this tale is about Hatusu, who after the death of her husband, Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, and not to forget after winning a great battle against the Mittanni, she's convinced that she should be accepted as Pharaoh-Queen, and that with the aid of her lover, Senenmut.
But to become Pharaoh-Queen she needs the acceptance of the support of the priests, but when a series of killings take place in the Divine Temple of Horus, these same superstitious priests see this as a sign of God's disapproval of Hutusu's rule of Egypt.
In comes Amerotke to find out the truth behind these mysterious murders, and after quite some twists and turns, followed with a very exciting plot, he will finally succeed to reveal the culprit in a most thrilling fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another amazing mystery of this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fantastic Amerotke Sequel"!
Set in 1479 BC, this tale is about Hatusu, who after the death of her husband, Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, and not to forget after winning a great battle against the Mittanni, she's convinced that she should be accepted as Pharaoh-Queen, and that with the aid of her lover, Senenmut.
But to become Pharaoh-Queen she needs the acceptance of the support of the priests, but when a series of killings take place in the Divine Temple of Horus, these same superstitious priests see this as a sign of God's disapproval of Hutusu's rule of Egypt.
In comes Amerotke to find out the truth behind these mysterious murders, and after quite some twists and turns, followed with a very exciting plot, he will finally succeed to reveal the culprit in a most thrilling fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another amazing mystery of this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fantastic Amerotke Sequel"!
December 23, 2023
Very clever.
I love when the villain of the piece is hidden from me and this is the case with this book. The Judge Amerotke is back for his second book and boy does he have his hands full. There's a soldier back from the dead whose wife has re.married, he wants her back. There's a young cadet on trial for his involvement in the Deaths of two other cadets in mysterious circumstances. But most grave, there is someone killing the priests at the temple of Hathor and Hapetsus wants him found. She sends Amerotke and as the bodies begin to pile up the Judge finds his own life in danger...............
I love when the villain of the piece is hidden from me and this is the case with this book. The Judge Amerotke is back for his second book and boy does he have his hands full. There's a soldier back from the dead whose wife has re.married, he wants her back. There's a young cadet on trial for his involvement in the Deaths of two other cadets in mysterious circumstances. But most grave, there is someone killing the priests at the temple of Hathor and Hapetsus wants him found. She sends Amerotke and as the bodies begin to pile up the Judge finds his own life in danger...............
March 26, 2023
Mystery novel set in Ancient Egypt.The chief judge of the temple of Ma’at Amerokte,found himself in the middle of couple of criminal deeds,dedicates himself to resolve them.It’s not bad reading at all.
October 30, 2022
Justice.......
A nice walk through Ancient Egypt with a great Mystery or two. Book one an two introduce Amerotke, he is a judge an hands out justice. For his Queen. Along with his little group of helpers Amerotke weeds out the truth
A nice walk through Ancient Egypt with a great Mystery or two. Book one an two introduce Amerotke, he is a judge an hands out justice. For his Queen. Along with his little group of helpers Amerotke weeds out the truth
May 1, 2020
A cool novel! It will take you back in time to the mythical land of ancient Egypt.
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
March 5, 2018
I liked the first book in this series really well. It was obvious he'd put in some research, even using some of the right idioms. It wasn't perfect, but it still felt like a good take on ancient Egypt for the most part. This one is terrible. It feels like a medieval European town plopped down where ancient Thebes is supposed to be. First, there's the fact that Amarna, which did NOT even exist in Hatshepsut's time, is moved a LOT further south than it's supposed to be, into an oasis that never existed with a maze that also never existed. Then, there's all the blue eyes. You may have had a few pairs of blue eyes down by the coast where northern traders sometimes settled, but not in Thebes. Certainly not as many as he's talking about. Then there's all the colored nail polish; purple, coral, some colors I haven't even heard of. They did use henna as nail coloring, but henna is RED. It's vaguely possible some people used eye makeup to color nails, but henna is the only one we've recovered on mummies. Then there's the descriptions of the peasants. True, there were many poor in ancient Egypt, but most of them were farm laborers. The disparity of wealth between the top and bottom was not NEARLY as wide as it is today. The worst part is all the Cristian attitudes and idioms that are sneaking their way into it. For example, they make reference to the Angel of Death. The ideas of angels originated in ancient Greece, which was still in its infancy during Hatshepsut's reign. Angels didn't exist yet. Even worse is the attitude towards sex. First, we have a slut-shaming defendant that Amerotke prosecutes, then Amerotke himself displays this attitude when he catches his servant among the courtesans. Sex and the human body were not considered shameful to the ancient Egyptians. In fact, it was considered such a normal part of life that it was not considered worthy of remark. Now, I understand that there's alternative theories, and I understand that writers take artistic licenses to make their stories more appealing to modern audiences. But this amount wrong, after the obvious effort he put into the first book, is ridiculous. I was beginning to think this BEFORE I got to the descriptions of the latrines and sewers. The ancient Egyptians used buckets of sand, not latrines. They didn't even have sewers, that was Rome. That would have been considered polluting the river, which was a sin. And that's before all of the inconsistencies with the Amemets. Do they worship Apep? Set? Mafdet? I certainly don't know, and neither does the author. He keeps changing his mind. I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it, which is too bad because the main characters are still well written and enjoyable.
April 17, 2011
The last in the series (that I've read anyway). Interesting, and I suspect quite authentic; but for me, too much description of costumes, wall decorations and cityscapes. An OK read.
February 5, 2019
Historical mystery set in Ancient Egypt. Pharaoh Hatusu is battling against opponents who are unwilling to accept that a woman can be ruler of Egypt. She wants the priests to pronounce judgement and end the gossip, but a series of brutal killings within the Temple of Horus threatens to derail the deliberations. Her trusted judge Amerotke must investigate the killings before the Pharoah's rule is undermined.
The Ancient Egypt setting really comes to life, and everyday life is reproduced in detail, but always well integrated into the mystery. Amerotke is a likeable protagonist, and the plot was well-constructed, although the final unmasking of the killer was slightly clumsy. There are also a couple of interesting and linked sub-plots.
Enjoyable mystery, a 3.5 stars for me, and a series I will continue with.
The Ancient Egypt setting really comes to life, and everyday life is reproduced in detail, but always well integrated into the mystery. Amerotke is a likeable protagonist, and the plot was well-constructed, although the final unmasking of the killer was slightly clumsy. There are also a couple of interesting and linked sub-plots.
Enjoyable mystery, a 3.5 stars for me, and a series I will continue with.
May 27, 2016
This book is a continuation of book one in the series. It is now 1479 B.C. and after Hatusu's (Hatshepsut) husband has died in mysterious circumstances (book one), she has swept to power by her own cunning as well as a victory over the Mitanni. But she is a woman and some argue that there has never been a Pharaoh Queen in Egypt before. Gossips whisper that the true ruler must be the male heir of the previous Pharaoh Tuthmosis. Therefore a conclave of priests named after the most important gods of Egypt (Amun, Hathor, Isis, Osiris and Anubis) along with High Priest Hani of the temple of Horus and his wife Vechlis are called together to discuss and investigate whether any woman ever sat on Pharaoh's throne in the past. Hatusu needs the priests to accept her as Pharaoh Queen because the support of the priests is vital to her reign.
But someone is determined to keep Hatusu from taking the throne. Several people are savagely murdered including Neria, chief librarian and archivist of the Temple of Horus; Father Prem, scholar and astronomer; Sato, his servant; Hathor, one of the high priests; and Pepy, a despicable scholar brought in to help search the scrolls. Had they found evidence that there had once been a Pharoah Queen in the past which put them all in jeopardy?
Hatusu calls in Amerotke, Chief Judge of Egypt to help solve the murders and bring the murderer to justice. Aiding him in the investigation is Prenhoe, his chief scribe; Asural, captain of the temple guard; and Shufoy, a dwarf who is Amerotke's manservant and confidant.
Two subplots or cases which Amerotke is judging in the Hall of Two Truths, the principle court of Egypt in the Temple of Ma'at (Egyptian Goddess of Truth) are:
- Case one involves a woman with two husbands. Antef, her 1st husband has brought her to court to plead his case after he came home from war to find his wife Dalifa had married another man named Paneb. Of course, she had been told Antef was brutally killed in the war. While he was away Dalifa's rich father has died, and she is the sole heir. Hmmm - does Antef want his wife back for love or money? Interesting conclusion to this case.
- Case two involves a soldier named Rahmose who is accused in the disappearance (and possible murder) of his two companions who bragged they could enter the maze of the Hall of the Underworld and come out alive. After a previous earthquake, the Hyksos had pulled down the granite blocks of an old fortress and formed a tortuous labyrinth. Many people have entered and never come out. Rahmose goes out into the Redlands to find his friends but, instead, takes their horses and rides back to Thebes. His two companions are never seen again.
If you like descriptions that will help you imagine the past - religion, ritual, architecture, dress, education and culture - this book will suffice. A light historical fiction read and a murder mystery to solve. Good reading.
But someone is determined to keep Hatusu from taking the throne. Several people are savagely murdered including Neria, chief librarian and archivist of the Temple of Horus; Father Prem, scholar and astronomer; Sato, his servant; Hathor, one of the high priests; and Pepy, a despicable scholar brought in to help search the scrolls. Had they found evidence that there had once been a Pharoah Queen in the past which put them all in jeopardy?
Hatusu calls in Amerotke, Chief Judge of Egypt to help solve the murders and bring the murderer to justice. Aiding him in the investigation is Prenhoe, his chief scribe; Asural, captain of the temple guard; and Shufoy, a dwarf who is Amerotke's manservant and confidant.
Two subplots or cases which Amerotke is judging in the Hall of Two Truths, the principle court of Egypt in the Temple of Ma'at (Egyptian Goddess of Truth) are:
- Case one involves a woman with two husbands. Antef, her 1st husband has brought her to court to plead his case after he came home from war to find his wife Dalifa had married another man named Paneb. Of course, she had been told Antef was brutally killed in the war. While he was away Dalifa's rich father has died, and she is the sole heir. Hmmm - does Antef want his wife back for love or money? Interesting conclusion to this case.
- Case two involves a soldier named Rahmose who is accused in the disappearance (and possible murder) of his two companions who bragged they could enter the maze of the Hall of the Underworld and come out alive. After a previous earthquake, the Hyksos had pulled down the granite blocks of an old fortress and formed a tortuous labyrinth. Many people have entered and never come out. Rahmose goes out into the Redlands to find his friends but, instead, takes their horses and rides back to Thebes. His two companions are never seen again.
If you like descriptions that will help you imagine the past - religion, ritual, architecture, dress, education and culture - this book will suffice. A light historical fiction read and a murder mystery to solve. Good reading.
May 23, 2020
És elő is kerestem a második kötetet. Hatsepszut igyekszik megerősíteni a hatalmát, míg mások ezt akarják megakadályozni. Hullák mindenfelé, és persze Amerotke ismét nyomozni kezd...
Tudtam én, hogy a fáraónő nem fog meghunyászkodni :D. Nem tudom eldönteni ugyan, hogy szimpatizálok vele, vagy sem, mert azért ő se egy ártatlan bárány.
Amerotke alakja még mindig meg fog, ha valós személy lenne, nagyon szívesen találkoznék vele, és azt hiszem roppant érdekes beszélgetést lehetne vele folytatni.
Tudtam én, hogy a fáraónő nem fog meghunyászkodni :D. Nem tudom eldönteni ugyan, hogy szimpatizálok vele, vagy sem, mert azért ő se egy ártatlan bárány.
Amerotke alakja még mindig meg fog, ha valós személy lenne, nagyon szívesen találkoznék vele, és azt hiszem roppant érdekes beszélgetést lehetne vele folytatni.
December 11, 2020
“The Horus Killings”, second installment in Paul Doherty’s “Amerotke” series, deepens the trust relationship between Amerotke and Hatshepsut, who is fighting the factions .trying to remove her from the throne, unwilling to accept a woman as Pharaoh. As a series of killings in the temple of Horus shock the population, Hatshepsut pleas to make the priest rule in her favour are in peril, and she turns to Amerotke for help once more. Amerotke investigates the killings unearthing a complot in the process, while still having to fulfill his own responsibilities as chief judge by arbitrating on two further cases. While this is a very good murder mystery, Doherty has taken some liberties that make the story less historical accurate as the rest of the series, notably the inclusion of the city of Amarna, which didn’t existed in Hatshepsut time, as it was indeed constructed from scratch by Akhenaten in the desert sands over 200 years later (1346 BCE). The inclusion allows for some events in the mystery but is wrong in historical terms.
“Amerotke” is a historical mystery series, set in Ancient Egypt at the time of the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1481 BCE – 1492 BCE) from the very beginning of her own regency, and encompasses the events surrounded the death of his royal brother and husband Tuthmosis II in 1479 BCE (The Mask of Ra) until late 1477 BCE (The Spies of Sobek).
The series focuses on Amerotke, high judge in Thebes and priest of Maat, ancient Egyptian goddess of law, morality and justice. Through each new book, Doherty visits Old Egypt history and blends fact with fiction to create a well-crafted, entertaining and fully satisfactory murder mystery, in which the investigation, serves as a canvas to depict a very vivid, accurate, credible and fully enjoyable image of the day-to-day life in ancient Thebes, and offers a very good overview of the Egypt’s Eighteen Dynasty, law system and beliefs. Amerotke is a very interesting character, relatable, and despite his “almighty” status as chief judge, honest and sincere with a complex personality and very human flaws. A clear recommendation for anyone looking for a good constructed murder mystery and/or a detailed portrayal of Ancient Egypt society.
“Amerotke” is a historical mystery series, set in Ancient Egypt at the time of the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1481 BCE – 1492 BCE) from the very beginning of her own regency, and encompasses the events surrounded the death of his royal brother and husband Tuthmosis II in 1479 BCE (The Mask of Ra) until late 1477 BCE (The Spies of Sobek).
The series focuses on Amerotke, high judge in Thebes and priest of Maat, ancient Egyptian goddess of law, morality and justice. Through each new book, Doherty visits Old Egypt history and blends fact with fiction to create a well-crafted, entertaining and fully satisfactory murder mystery, in which the investigation, serves as a canvas to depict a very vivid, accurate, credible and fully enjoyable image of the day-to-day life in ancient Thebes, and offers a very good overview of the Egypt’s Eighteen Dynasty, law system and beliefs. Amerotke is a very interesting character, relatable, and despite his “almighty” status as chief judge, honest and sincere with a complex personality and very human flaws. A clear recommendation for anyone looking for a good constructed murder mystery and/or a detailed portrayal of Ancient Egypt society.
October 7, 2025
The Horus Killings is the second book in a mystery series set in ancient Egypt and featuring Judge Amerotke.
Queen Hatusu (Hatshepsut) has secured the throne of Egypt by her victory in the desert against the Mitanni. But she has opponents who believe that Tuthmose’s young son and Hatusu’s stepson, is the true heir to the throne. The priests are not happy that Divine Pharaoh is a woman so she and her lover, First Minister, Senenmut must consolidate the support of the priests.
When several priests at the Temple of Horus are murdered, Hatusu’s chief judge, Amertoke, must find and punish the guilty parties. Aiding him in the investigation is Prenhoe, his chief scribe; Asural, captain of the temple guard; and Shufoy, a dwarf who is Amerotke's manservant and confidant.
There are also two different cases that require Judge Amerotke's attention. One involves a woman who remarried after her husband was killed in war. But now he has returned and he wants his wife back. The other deals with a soldier who is accused of the disappearance, and possible murder, of his two companions.
Several stories are being told here, from Amerotke’s role as a judge, the murderer’s story, and the complicated story of the throne of Egypt. It’s easy for a murder mystery to focus only on the murder plot but Paul Doherty vividly describes sinister cults, and the city's squalor as well as the luxury of the Pharaoh's court.
Amerotke is an engaging protagonist, and the plot was well-constructed. The daily details of Ancient Egypt are written with so much color. If I had a complaint, it's that Doherty can sometimes be overly descriptive.
If you are looking for a wonderful mysterty and want to immerse yourself in ancient Egypt, give this mystery a look. While part of a series, you don't ned to read Book 1 to enjoy "The Horus Killings".
Queen Hatusu (Hatshepsut) has secured the throne of Egypt by her victory in the desert against the Mitanni. But she has opponents who believe that Tuthmose’s young son and Hatusu’s stepson, is the true heir to the throne. The priests are not happy that Divine Pharaoh is a woman so she and her lover, First Minister, Senenmut must consolidate the support of the priests.
When several priests at the Temple of Horus are murdered, Hatusu’s chief judge, Amertoke, must find and punish the guilty parties. Aiding him in the investigation is Prenhoe, his chief scribe; Asural, captain of the temple guard; and Shufoy, a dwarf who is Amerotke's manservant and confidant.
There are also two different cases that require Judge Amerotke's attention. One involves a woman who remarried after her husband was killed in war. But now he has returned and he wants his wife back. The other deals with a soldier who is accused of the disappearance, and possible murder, of his two companions.
Several stories are being told here, from Amerotke’s role as a judge, the murderer’s story, and the complicated story of the throne of Egypt. It’s easy for a murder mystery to focus only on the murder plot but Paul Doherty vividly describes sinister cults, and the city's squalor as well as the luxury of the Pharaoh's court.
Amerotke is an engaging protagonist, and the plot was well-constructed. The daily details of Ancient Egypt are written with so much color. If I had a complaint, it's that Doherty can sometimes be overly descriptive.
If you are looking for a wonderful mysterty and want to immerse yourself in ancient Egypt, give this mystery a look. While part of a series, you don't ned to read Book 1 to enjoy "The Horus Killings".
January 29, 2019
This is the second in a series of historical murder mysteries set in ancient Egypt, under the pharaoh Hatshepsut (called Hatusu in these books). Amerotke is the chief justice in the land and does a lot of his own investigating, with three main cases in this book to look over. The main case is the murder of several priests who are meeting to decide if a woman can actually be pharaoh over all Egypt or if she should step aside for her half brother, a very young child at this time.
There are some clever mystery bits and while the solution isn't exactly baffling, it was well handled and side characters from book one are very well fleshed out in this book. Overall a solid read and I'd give it 3½ stars were that possible. Historically speaking its less compelling than the previous novel (and later ones) with a lot of repetition about oiled wigs (and mistaken understanding about mummification, but at the time of the writing this was what was understood).
One oddity: two major sequences early in the book feature a man-eating lion but they are of no significant later on, and the lion is more or less forgotten. Did Doherty intend for it to be more of a plot issue then change his mind, did he forget? They could have been left out of the book and change nothing.
Note: having read several of these out of order, I recommend very strongly that people read them in sequence. Most historical mysteries the order is largely indifferent for the reader, but these are following an exact historical sequence of events and it is very interesting to see how it slowly plays out, particularly in the early books.
There are some clever mystery bits and while the solution isn't exactly baffling, it was well handled and side characters from book one are very well fleshed out in this book. Overall a solid read and I'd give it 3½ stars were that possible. Historically speaking its less compelling than the previous novel (and later ones) with a lot of repetition about oiled wigs (and mistaken understanding about mummification, but at the time of the writing this was what was understood).
One oddity: two major sequences early in the book feature a man-eating lion but they are of no significant later on, and the lion is more or less forgotten. Did Doherty intend for it to be more of a plot issue then change his mind, did he forget? They could have been left out of the book and change nothing.
Note: having read several of these out of order, I recommend very strongly that people read them in sequence. Most historical mysteries the order is largely indifferent for the reader, but these are following an exact historical sequence of events and it is very interesting to see how it slowly plays out, particularly in the early books.
September 27, 2019
The Horus Killings is the second book in Doherty’s Amerotke stories. These are standalone mysteries set in ancient Egypt at the time of Hatusu (a shortening of Hatshepsut) featuring the Amerotke, the Chief Judge of Egypt. A series of killings look set to destabilise Hatusu’s still nascent reign with many powerful people seeing a female Pharaoh as blasphemous and plotting against her despite her proven success in both war and trade. Amerotke must find the culprit before it’s too late.
Doherty manages to pack an awful lot into relatively few pages but he does so without skimping on character development or the sense of place. That latter is very important; Doherty conjures up everyday life in ancient Egypt beautifully; all the colour, smells (not all good!), beliefs and attitudes come alive as Amerotke investigates in classic sleuth style with a surprisingly well developed cast for its two hundred and seventy pages. The plot is solid and the clues build up logically to the final reveal exposure.
An enjoyable detective story with the added bonus of its colourful and well researched setting. Nothing exceptional but a good solid and enjoyable read. Doherty has reigned in the sometimes excessive descriptions of the previous book without losing any of the atmosphere of its setting.
Doherty manages to pack an awful lot into relatively few pages but he does so without skimping on character development or the sense of place. That latter is very important; Doherty conjures up everyday life in ancient Egypt beautifully; all the colour, smells (not all good!), beliefs and attitudes come alive as Amerotke investigates in classic sleuth style with a surprisingly well developed cast for its two hundred and seventy pages. The plot is solid and the clues build up logically to the final reveal exposure.
An enjoyable detective story with the added bonus of its colourful and well researched setting. Nothing exceptional but a good solid and enjoyable read. Doherty has reigned in the sometimes excessive descriptions of the previous book without losing any of the atmosphere of its setting.
September 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this second Amerotke mystery.
Hatusu has become Queen Pharaoh of the two Egyptian Kingdoms, but she needs the support of the priests to have total support. Only two priests are in favour of a female Pharaoh, High Priest Hani and his wife Vechlia.
Amoretke is called from his job as chief judge, leaving s difficult marital dispute hanging in the balance, to investigate the murders that are taking place during the High Priests' Council to decide whether or not a female Pharaoh is acceptable. Amerotke and his slave Shufoy dig around and discover all the evidence and proof they need to sort out this particular problem and a satisfactory solution is found.
Hatusu has become Queen Pharaoh of the two Egyptian Kingdoms, but she needs the support of the priests to have total support. Only two priests are in favour of a female Pharaoh, High Priest Hani and his wife Vechlia.
Amoretke is called from his job as chief judge, leaving s difficult marital dispute hanging in the balance, to investigate the murders that are taking place during the High Priests' Council to decide whether or not a female Pharaoh is acceptable. Amerotke and his slave Shufoy dig around and discover all the evidence and proof they need to sort out this particular problem and a satisfactory solution is found.
May 10, 2021
Judge Amerotke investigates murders in the first year of the reign of Hatusu (Hatsheput) (1479 BCE Egypt). The high priests are questioning the validity of a female pharaoh and Amerotke slowly uncovers the solution to the killings of some of those critical to the question. Despite the use of a few terms and concepts too modern for the times, there is a real sense of Egypt and its society and customs. A parallel case is much more clumsily resolved than the intriguing issue of the female pharaoh as a desert excursion and a Nile crossing add vivid danger.
On a side note, why do authors have to focus so much on a character's lips when they give a physical description?
On a side note, why do authors have to focus so much on a character's lips when they give a physical description?
June 6, 2023
In the second novel featuring Amerotke, a judge in Ancient Egypt, Hatusu (Hatshepsut ) has taken on the role of Pharaoh of Egypt but still feels uncertain about the security of her position so convenes a group of priests to examine the historical records for evidence of any previous female Pharaoh. A series murders seem designed to threaten those who support Hatusu and so Amerotke is sent to the Temple of Horus to investigate.
Doherty creates a believable setting for his historical mystery and the characters are interesting. The plot is clever and the search by Amerotke for the assassin is compilas he searches out the threat to the new Pharaoh.
Doherty creates a believable setting for his historical mystery and the characters are interesting. The plot is clever and the search by Amerotke for the assassin is compilas he searches out the threat to the new Pharaoh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2023
I won't be reading any more of this series. The writing hasn't improved much from the first one, with short choppy sentences and repetitive descriptions (everything is 'costly', and if I have to read one more line about a prostitute 'writhing beneath' someone I'll throw up). There were a number of errors, particularly the author's insistence on calling Egypt/Egyptians the 'land/people of the nine bows' (when the nine bows in Ancient Egyptian represented enemies/foreigners), plus anachronistic concepts such as the angel of death and a father confessor, and, worst of all, severely outdated (also anachronistic) language related to race and sexuality.
April 19, 2022
Second in the Amerotke series, set in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Hatusu or Hatsepsut, the first female Pharaoh. Again there were multiple mysteries in the story with the main mystery surrounding the royal court and the priests' affirmation of Hatusu as Pharaoh.
Amerotke is a wise judge who has to deal with the political maneuverings, personal grievances and criminal behavior of those that come before him. I enjoyed this foray into Ancient Egypt, and found the brief history of Hyksos fascinating. I'll definitely continue with this series.
Amerotke is a wise judge who has to deal with the political maneuverings, personal grievances and criminal behavior of those that come before him. I enjoyed this foray into Ancient Egypt, and found the brief history of Hyksos fascinating. I'll definitely continue with this series.
January 11, 2025
Hatusu, the widow of Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, is about to be crowned pharaoh, but her opponents among the priests of the temple of Horus can't accept a woman is capable of ruling Egypt. Hatusu is determined to be the first Pharaoh-Queen, if she can unearth proof that other women have ruled. Then a several murders takes place in the temple. The priests insist that this as a sign that the gods do not approve of Hatusu. Judge Amerotke must find the truth before he, too, is murdered. Well-written, with a few good sub-plots. This is the second book in the series.
July 21, 2021
Murder most Foul
Hatusu has risen to the pinnacle of society becoming Pharoh of Egypt. Not only ruler but a god.
Yet many are unhappy with this female who would dare to hold the crook and flail. The rathful god, Seth, is on the loose. Some say it’s because a woman sits on the throne. Debate rampages through Thebes, and many die. What is the answer?
Hatusu has risen to the pinnacle of society becoming Pharoh of Egypt. Not only ruler but a god.
Yet many are unhappy with this female who would dare to hold the crook and flail. The rathful god, Seth, is on the loose. Some say it’s because a woman sits on the throne. Debate rampages through Thebes, and many die. What is the answer?
August 29, 2022
Can a woman be a Pharaoh of Egypt? That is the question faced by Queen Hatusu (aka Hatshepsut) as she is preparing to ascend the throne.
But someone is determined to kill -- multiple times -- in an effort to prevent that outcome.
It is Chief Judge Amerotke's job to discover the identity of the killer, or killers, and the motive behind The Horus Killings.
But someone is determined to kill -- multiple times -- in an effort to prevent that outcome.
It is Chief Judge Amerotke's job to discover the identity of the killer, or killers, and the motive behind The Horus Killings.
May 8, 2024
Good plot, some clever details, though not as well laid out or revealed as by other detectives. The murderer became clear fairly early on in the book, through the style of writing rather than any actual clues. I've heard it gets worse or more obvious further through the series, but this feels like just the kind of easy, enjoyable read I need right now.
August 13, 2018
Set in Ancient Egypt, Judge Amerotke is in charge of solving a spree of killings that have strong political implications. He juggles the political gymnastics of appeasing the strong-willed female pharaoh and the powerful priests, all while attempting to find justice for the murdered.
January 31, 2019
I like this series set in Hatshepsut's Egypt, but it is packed with info dumps and details of daily life. If you want to immerse yourself in ancient Egypt and feel like you're time-traveling, this is so good. If you like lots of action and whodunnit surprises this is probably not for you.
June 1, 2019
The Horus Killings
This is a fascinating murder mystery set in ancient Egypt. Beautifully written, it has you wondering who the murderer might be until the very last few pages! Highly Recommended.
This is a fascinating murder mystery set in ancient Egypt. Beautifully written, it has you wondering who the murderer might be until the very last few pages! Highly Recommended.
October 20, 2019
Imagine Poirot in Ancient Egypt and that’s the Amerotke series.
FYI, you don’t need to have read the first book ‘The Mask of Ra’ to understand or enjoy this one, and I personally think this is a far better story.
FYI, you don’t need to have read the first book ‘The Mask of Ra’ to understand or enjoy this one, and I personally think this is a far better story.
November 21, 2020
#2 in the Amerotke, a respected judge of Thebes, mystery series set in ancient Egypt. It is 1478 BC and the events are close after the end of the events in The Mask of Ra.
Hatusu, after her successful battle against the Mitanni is consolidating her position as pharaoh and against the belief that a woman is incapable of ruling Egypt and the whispers that her 7 year old half brother should be pharaoh. She needs to win the favor of the gods which means the support of the priests. As she seeks this, a series of savage killings takes place in the Temple of Horus which the priests interpret this as a sign of celestial disapproval of her. Only Amerotke, a respected judge, can be trusted to find the truth among the intrigue surrounding the deaths. Mixed in with this are two cases Amerotke is presiding over in his role as judge.
Hatusu, after her successful battle against the Mitanni is consolidating her position as pharaoh and against the belief that a woman is incapable of ruling Egypt and the whispers that her 7 year old half brother should be pharaoh. She needs to win the favor of the gods which means the support of the priests. As she seeks this, a series of savage killings takes place in the Temple of Horus which the priests interpret this as a sign of celestial disapproval of her. Only Amerotke, a respected judge, can be trusted to find the truth among the intrigue surrounding the deaths. Mixed in with this are two cases Amerotke is presiding over in his role as judge.
July 14, 2022
This is another mystery set in ancient Egypt. I preferred this book to the first. The characters are interesting and the mystery kept me guessing. There were multiple plots that all tied in together at some point. I enjoyed the book and read it faster than expected.
August 11, 2023
I am going to Egypt next year, so this book caught my eye. I read the first book and immediately bought the second. I love the main characters, the historical references, the hierarchy, and the nuances of day to day living in historical Egypt. Add to that an excellent mystery to boot!
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