What do you think?
Rate this book
Alexander The Great Mysteries #1
Alejandro Magno en la casa de la muerte
"It is the spring of 334 B.C. and the young Alexander has led his troops to the banks of the Hellespont, poised to make his invasion into the empire of the great Persian king, Darius III. He knows he must win the approval of the gods for his enterprise and makes sacrifice after sacrifice, yet the smoke does not rise, the sacrifices are tainted. Worse, the guides he has hired to lead him through Persian territory are being brutally murdered. Persian spies are active in the camp, the men are becoming demoralized and Alexander's own generals have their secret ambitions." "Into the whirlpool of mistrust comes Telamon, an old friend of Alexander's boyhood, who has been sought out and cajoled into joining the Macedonian king by Olympias, Alexander's mother. She charges him with protecting her son from the dangers that surround him. From then on events move swiftly. More murders take place and a party of assassins enters the camp. Alexander himself is threatened with mysterious messages, quotations from his favorite works, including The Iliad, which depict him as a patricide, the true murderer of his own father, Philip." "As the climax builds, Alexander displays his true heroic stature, throwing off the fears and nervous panics he is prey to, and as he achieves a brilliant and bloody triumph over the Persian king, Telamon at last succeeds in revealing the secret enemies within the camp."--BOOK JACKET.
Unknown Binding
First published June 9, 2000
23 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books606 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 23, 2020
Historical mystery set in Alexander the Great's military camp as he prepares to attack the Persians in 334 BC. Alexander's guides are being murdered one by one and he suspects a spy is reporting his movements to the Persians, so he calls for his boyhood friend Telamon, a physician. Telamon must try to find the killer while Alexander prepares for battle.
The historical setting is thoroughly researched and described in detail. For me, this rather overshadowed the plot of the mystery as the action paused for lengthy descriptions of Ancient Greek history, military ranks and descriptions of robes and helmets. I did like the character of Telamon who was observant and kind, and Doherty also creates a rounded and sympathetic Alexander.
This was an easy read, I would definitely read the next book in the series, but I generally prefer the history to be more closely integrated into a stronger plot.
The historical setting is thoroughly researched and described in detail. For me, this rather overshadowed the plot of the mystery as the action paused for lengthy descriptions of Ancient Greek history, military ranks and descriptions of robes and helmets. I did like the character of Telamon who was observant and kind, and Doherty also creates a rounded and sympathetic Alexander.
This was an easy read, I would definitely read the next book in the series, but I generally prefer the history to be more closely integrated into a stronger plot.
May 17, 2024
Done with Egypt Albia off to Greece with Mr Doherty as my guide.
I have only recently found the books.of Paul Doherty and what a find they are. Murder mysteries, spies and conspiracies all tangled up in the ancient world.(I haven't tried the medieval series yet) I really enjoyed the Egyptian series, both of them, though the one set in the time of Hateshepsut is my favourite. This book is the first in a trilogy concerning Alexander the Great. Now the author has written a biography of Alexander but this work while historically accurate is a work of fiction. We view events through the eyes of Grown in, a surgeon and childhood friend of Alexander's. When the King embarks on his invasion of Persia he sends for his old friend (who he hasn't seen in about ten years) he needs Telamon's help he knows his friend to be scrupulously honest and incorruptible. There is a spy in Alexander's camp, has been for years, this spy has never come close to being identified but now, with so much at stake Alexander must find him. Then the murders begin and things get really serious............................
I have only recently found the books.of Paul Doherty and what a find they are. Murder mysteries, spies and conspiracies all tangled up in the ancient world.(I haven't tried the medieval series yet) I really enjoyed the Egyptian series, both of them, though the one set in the time of Hateshepsut is my favourite. This book is the first in a trilogy concerning Alexander the Great. Now the author has written a biography of Alexander but this work while historically accurate is a work of fiction. We view events through the eyes of Grown in, a surgeon and childhood friend of Alexander's. When the King embarks on his invasion of Persia he sends for his old friend (who he hasn't seen in about ten years) he needs Telamon's help he knows his friend to be scrupulously honest and incorruptible. There is a spy in Alexander's camp, has been for years, this spy has never come close to being identified but now, with so much at stake Alexander must find him. Then the murders begin and things get really serious............................
September 1, 2017
Somewhat disappointing in that it moves so slow and the villain was so obvious. It took the whole book to get through the Granicus battle so Telamon could be featured with all his contrariness. Alexander is intriguing even without contrived mysteries.
January 5, 2017
I loved the history in this book and the point of view. You see everything through the eyes of Telamon. He is a doctor of the King with no ambitions of his own and very curious minded.
It is all about a murderer who's killing people close to the King. The King is preparing to go to war with the Persians but someone is killing people in his army. He doesn't trust anyone except for Telamon. So Telamon's main job is to find the killer and to survive the war. But finding a killer in a large army isn't that easy.
This mystery unreveals into something I could never have expected. I could guess the murderer but just by chance. The ideas and plans are very interesting and how it came together in the end.
Also very interesting way of writing.
It is all about a murderer who's killing people close to the King. The King is preparing to go to war with the Persians but someone is killing people in his army. He doesn't trust anyone except for Telamon. So Telamon's main job is to find the killer and to survive the war. But finding a killer in a large army isn't that easy.
This mystery unreveals into something I could never have expected. I could guess the murderer but just by chance. The ideas and plans are very interesting and how it came together in the end.
Also very interesting way of writing.
September 28, 2017
This reminds me a bit of another Alexander the Great mystery where the culprit was a spy for the Persians and a priestess. This story has a more historical details but for some reason the characters didn't grab me quite as much. It did seem however, that there were too many murders to have it gone unnoticed when there were so many guards. What always comes through in these stories is that Alexander, son of a god or not, was a person of many facets and you never quite knew what you were going to get. That was part of the reason that he achieved something that no one else ever had before.
April 8, 2018
Thought the book started off overly gory and wasnt that keen on keeping going but i did and it was fantastic.
I didnt know much about Alexander but this was an very interesting way to get an insight into life in ancient times. What an unexpexted twist at the end. Can wait to start reading the next book in this series,
I didnt know much about Alexander but this was an very interesting way to get an insight into life in ancient times. What an unexpexted twist at the end. Can wait to start reading the next book in this series,
July 24, 2024
Si me prometen que Alejandro Magno es quien investiga, quiero que sea Alejandro Magno quien investigue. ¿Qué narices me importa un personaje inventado cualquiera en comparación? Vaya con la publicidad engañosa.
Dnf porque, encima, machismo.
Dnf porque, encima, machismo.
May 4, 2025
an ok book
I’ve read several different series written by P. Doherty. I like the Brother Athelstan and the ancient Egypt series very much, but the Ancient Greece series less so. I’m hopeful that book 2 in the Telamon Trilogy will be better than this one.
I’ve read several different series written by P. Doherty. I like the Brother Athelstan and the ancient Egypt series very much, but the Ancient Greece series less so. I’m hopeful that book 2 in the Telamon Trilogy will be better than this one.
December 18, 2025
Zonder enige twijfel 5 sterren. Als je voor historische romans bent, dit is een topper. Ik kende Alexander De Grote van naam maar wist niet dat er zoveel bijgehouden was. Zeer fascinerend, heel dankbaar dat het geschreven werd door Paul Doherty!
September 16, 2020
Interesting time and place and fascinating characters. Plenty of murders and spying and lying. Not for those who prefer their mysteries light and cozy.
August 20, 2023
DNF: non ci si improvvisa classicisti.
March 25, 2021
Am Anfang an war ich ein bisschen verwirrt von der Story, dennoch war ich sehr neugierig. Es ist ein gutes Buch, was selber zum nachdenken anregt.
July 3, 2012
I initially approached this as a rather lazy history student wanting insight into Alexander the Great and his conquest of Asia. What it introduced me to was a genre, loosely described as an historical "Who- dunnit". The writing is meticulous as are the descriptions of the court scenes, contemporary clothing and unexpectedly thrilling when describing the battle at the Granicus River as the climax of the book.
The story centres are the fictional character, Telamon, a young slightly haughty and reserved, physician and boyhood friend of Alexander. A fugitive from Egypt after slaying a Persian soldier for violating his mistress, he is summoned to the court of Alexander's murderous mother, Olympia and sent on a mission to join Alexander on the borders of his empire at Hellespoint to participate in the final battle to bring down Darius the Great and impose Greek rule on the Persian Empire and dominance of Asia. Historical events provide a vivid backdrop for what is in effect a murder mystery, which starts with the unexplained deaths of Alexander's especially selected scouts from Troy under the leadership of his beautiful Athenean High Priestess Antigone spreading to other members of his camp. All killed in the same way with a lethal Celtic dagger in the side and with written cryptic messages from the Iliad left with the victims' corpses. Telamon eventually realises that he has not been sent only as Alexnader's physician but as the person the Emperor trusts to investigate the murders by the mysterious Persian spy Naiphet
As with many works of good historical fiction, Doherty weaves the lives of historical actors such as Alexander the Great, Ptolemy, and Mennon of Rhodes with well rounded and believable characters such as Talamon, his female freed slave assistant Cassandra and Hercules, dwarf spy working for Aristander the Necromancer.
The narrative moves at a steady pace combined with rich description. Doherty is a skilful story teller whose uncomplicated style never loses momentum.
The story centres are the fictional character, Telamon, a young slightly haughty and reserved, physician and boyhood friend of Alexander. A fugitive from Egypt after slaying a Persian soldier for violating his mistress, he is summoned to the court of Alexander's murderous mother, Olympia and sent on a mission to join Alexander on the borders of his empire at Hellespoint to participate in the final battle to bring down Darius the Great and impose Greek rule on the Persian Empire and dominance of Asia. Historical events provide a vivid backdrop for what is in effect a murder mystery, which starts with the unexplained deaths of Alexander's especially selected scouts from Troy under the leadership of his beautiful Athenean High Priestess Antigone spreading to other members of his camp. All killed in the same way with a lethal Celtic dagger in the side and with written cryptic messages from the Iliad left with the victims' corpses. Telamon eventually realises that he has not been sent only as Alexnader's physician but as the person the Emperor trusts to investigate the murders by the mysterious Persian spy Naiphet
As with many works of good historical fiction, Doherty weaves the lives of historical actors such as Alexander the Great, Ptolemy, and Mennon of Rhodes with well rounded and believable characters such as Talamon, his female freed slave assistant Cassandra and Hercules, dwarf spy working for Aristander the Necromancer.
The narrative moves at a steady pace combined with rich description. Doherty is a skilful story teller whose uncomplicated style never loses momentum.
September 26, 2015
El personaje principal es en realidad Telamón (aunque no aparezca en esa breve presentación de la tapa trasera), aunque la trama está completamente entreverada con el episodio de Alejandro cruzando hacia la península de Anatolia. La novela retrata la personalidad de los compañeros (Ptolomeo, Hefestión...), pero sobre todo la del rey macedonio, representado con una capacidad de planificación y engaño muy superior a la de sus enemigos.
December 2, 2014
Mysterious deaths and intrigue abound in the camp of the Macedonian army under Alexander the Great as he is about to take the first step in conquering Persia... Entertaining historical mystery, may read more of the series at some point.
September 19, 2016
This wasn't one of Doherty's best. There was less mystery and more military tactics, and not even modern tactics. I haven't seen phalanx in Iraqi in a while. Still it was a better read than an awful lot of books. Worth the time.
March 13, 2012
I enjoyed this series about Alexander the Great. As ever Mr Doherty draws you right in and makes you want to read on and on.
November 25, 2013
I devoured you Alexander the Great...beautiful series on this timeless hero.
February 6, 2015
Why have I not heard of Paul Doherty?
Well written, entertaining, and interesting. I am looking forward to starting book two of the series. I hope there are many more to come.
Well written, entertaining, and interesting. I am looking forward to starting book two of the series. I hope there are many more to come.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews