The Deadliest Returns: The Miriam bat Isaac Mysteries

by June Trop

Uncover the guilty longings, secrets, lies, and evil deeds of others as you escape to the Roman Empire, its splendor as well as its seedy underbelly. Can Miriam’s brother, the renowned gladiator, return home in secret after allegedly having been killed in the amphitheater in Pompeii? Can Miriam help her returning friend, who fled the arms of Roman law, discover the fate of his love child? And can Miriam, after sailing to Ephesus to return the city’s black pearl, trace the mystical jewel after its disappearance? If you cannot help her, then at least get away to that first-century CE world of rip-roaring adventure for which we all long.

Returning, whether it means going back or giving back, is never easy, at least not in this volume of three Miriam bat Isaac In the first story, “The Bodyguard,” Miriam’s twin brother returns from the dead to serve as a bodyguard to the son of a legionnaire. In the second story, “The Beggar”, an old man disguised as a matronly beggar, returns to Alexandria to find the lovechild he left behind. In the third story, “The Black Pearl,” Miriam sails to Ephesus to return the city’s black pearl, only to have it disappear. If, like Miriam, you thrive on uncovering the guilty longings, secrets, lies, and evil deeds of others, then let her take you through the shrill parade of macabre creatures she confronts in these stories.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2024

About the author

June Trop and her twin sister Gail wrote their first story, "The Steam Shavel [sic]," when they were six years old growing up in rural New Jersey. They sold it to their brother Everett for two cents.

"I don't remember how I spent my share," June says. "You could buy a fistful of candy for a penny in those days, but ever since then, I wanted to be a writer."

As an award-winning middle school science teacher, June used storytelling to capture her students' imagination and interest in scientific concepts. Years later as a professor of teacher education, she focused her research on the practical knowledge teachers construct and communicate through storytelling. Her first book, From Lesson Plans to Power Struggles (Corwin Press, 2009), is based on the stories new teachers told about their first classroom experiences.

Now associate professor emerita at the State University of New York at New Paltz, she devotes her time to writing historical mysteries with a connection to early science. Her heroine, Miriam bat Isaac, is based on the personage of Maria Hebrea, the legendary founder of Western alchemy, who developed the concepts and apparatus alchemists and chemists would use for 1500 years.

June lives with her husband Paul Zuckerman in New Paltz, where she is breathlessly recording her plucky heroine's next life-or-death exploit. The Deadliest Lie is her first novel. Her second novel, The Deadliest Hate has won Honorable Mention in the 2016 New York Book Festival.

Visit June on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/June-T... and on her website http://junetrop.com, click on her contact page, and enter her contest to win a free book.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I Love This Series
I love June Trop’s mystery series because it appeals to so many of my interests: ancient Egypt, strong female characters, a touch of humor, excellent plots, and twists at the end. Trop paints a tantalizing image of this exotic country; its sights, sounds, and smells. I can easily envision myself wandering through the souks, sitting down to a delicious meal of smoked fish, caraway muffins, and pickled cauliflower, and bravely scurrying through the dark alleys along the waterfront in search of a suspect. The Deadliest Deception is a collection of nine Miriam bat Isaac mysteries. Suppose Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were female and were transported back to ancient Egypt from the Edwardian/Victorian times. In that case, you have Miriam, an alchemist and investigator, and her co-conspirator and life-long friend Phoebe. Each story is cleverly written, often with Miriam recalling a case from the past as she relates the tale to Phoebe (as Holmes often did with Watson), whose curiosity is contagious. I’m hooked on these mysteries and plan on catching up on those I’ve missed.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

And deadliest returns by June Trop we get three stories about Miriam in the first one her brother returns after Miriam not only thought him dead but gave a great funeral and homage of her beloved or not so beloved brother? In the second book the beggar Miriam spends two days under a strange haze and last but not least Miriam is tasked with returning hey black pearl but murder in a pet snake gets in the way. I love these Miriam mysteries in these three Novelas really had everything I love the Deadly books for. With her faithful slave Callisto and other well-known characters mystery murder in a woman who knows how to traverse it all. If you love these books set an Alexandria at the height of its greatness then you can’t go wrong with this trilogy I love these books as I did all her others and can’t say enough about them. I want to thank the publisher for my free ARC copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Anthony Leonardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

June Trop has written another masterpiece! In "The Deadliest Returns" we are treated to three short stories: The Bodyguard, The Beggar, and The Black Pearl.

June writes with such detail and historical accuracy that you almost feel that you're there with Miriam bat Isaac, the main character. As we follow her through the ports, streets, and shops of ancient Alexandria, June paints us a picture of Miriam's surroundings that includes sights, sounds, and smells as Miriam solves specific crimes. It's almost as if we're in a movie!

So get your popcorn, your favorite drink, and sit back in your favorite chair with a copy of "The Deadliest Returns" and follow Miriam as she navigates the dangerous streets of Alexandria in the first century CE!

Don't forget to check out June's other books in the Miriam bat Isaac series.

[Laura Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of strong female heroines, historical fiction and thrillers will like this book. You are transported to ancient Alexandria, through the meticulous attention given by the author to accurate historic detail. She glides the reader through its streets, waterfront, gathering places, landmarks, architecture and probable aromas. Even the foods eaten reflect what would have been available. The Deadliest Returns revisits many of the characters and places that have revolved around Miriam Bat Isaac through the series. If you've read them all, it will feel like a return to a familiar place, but with three new stories to enjoy.

[Michael Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading many of June Trop's full length novels, I was so excited to see that she was offering three stories in one! This author has the gift of bringing ancient Alexandria to life and each of the three stories are more engaging than the last. The Deadliest Returns offers the same detailed historical fiction that I've come to expect and so many of the familiar locations and characters that revolve around Miriam Bat Isaac, her classic heroine. It kicks off with The Bodyguard, during the reign of Nero, and then progresses to The Beggar and The Black Pearl. This format had me from the start and I found myself reading each story within a few days. Enjoy!

[Gail Kushner · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book! and for the same reason i enjoyed all the other miriam bat isaac series it transforms me into another era i can smell the smells hear the sounds feel the heat see the ancient city of alexandria its lifestyles its architecture its apparel AND i get to pursue the solutions to mysteries along with miriam so actually the title the deadliest returns which consists of 3 novellas whose theme is returns of various kinds also marks another return - that is, the return of miriam herself to the printed page as well as her coterie of friends i especially like this one because it features her husband judah as husband the love of her life and colleague

[John Ivery · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Deadliest Returns by June Trop delivers an engaging blend of historical fiction and mystery set against the vivid backdrop of the Roman Empire.

Through interconnected stories, the book explores themes of return, identity, and hidden truths, while immersing readers in both the grandeur and darker undercurrents of ancient society. Miriam stands out as a compelling central figure, navigating intrigue, danger, and emotional complexity.

What makes this collection particularly interesting is its combination of adventure, mystery, and historical detail, creating a rich and atmospheric reading experience.

A captivating read for fans of historical mysteries with depth and intrigue.

[Steven T · Rating 5 out of 5]

June Trop is a master at her craft. She keeps her reader in suspense and you simply can't wait to turn the page. In The Deadliest Returns, a collection of three Miriam Bat Isaac short stories await you- The Bodyguard, The Beggar and The Black Pearl. As you navigate each story, you almost feel like you're in Alexandria due to the attention to detail that Miss Trop displays in her writing throughout the book.

The Deadliest Returns promises not to disappoint any mystery lover..........it is historical fiction at its finest. Another fine addition to The Miriam Bat Isaac Mysteries Series.

[Francine Wizner · Rating 5 out of 5]

June Trop is one mysterious lady. She proves it with this latest edition to the Miriam bat Isaac Mysteries.