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Ishmael Jones #4
Death Shall Come
Ishmael Jones is faced with a dead body and a missing mummy in this highly entertaining, genre-blending mystery.
Death shall come on swift wings to whoever desecrates this tomb …
Ishmael Jones and his partner Penny have been summoned to remote Cardavan House, home of the world’s largest private collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, for the unveiling of George Cardavan’s latest acquisition: a bone fide Egyptian mummy.
When a bloodstained body is discovered beside the empty sarcophagus, Ishmael is dismissive of the theory that the mummy’s curse is to blame. Instead he sets out to uncover the human killer responsible. But how can Ishmael explain the strange, shuffling footsteps that creep along the corridors? Who is playing games with them … and why?
Death shall come on swift wings to whoever desecrates this tomb …
Ishmael Jones and his partner Penny have been summoned to remote Cardavan House, home of the world’s largest private collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, for the unveiling of George Cardavan’s latest acquisition: a bone fide Egyptian mummy.
When a bloodstained body is discovered beside the empty sarcophagus, Ishmael is dismissive of the theory that the mummy’s curse is to blame. Instead he sets out to uncover the human killer responsible. But how can Ishmael explain the strange, shuffling footsteps that creep along the corridors? Who is playing games with them … and why?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2017
35 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Simon R. Green
312 books3,208 followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 18, 2020
As much as I liked this series did I feel that this one did not reach the same level as the previous three books. Honestly, it is starting to feel a bit repeating reading the books, which isn't all that bad since the whole mystery in a house far from everyone is entertaining. But, the problem is when I read this book did it feel like I have already read this story, just with a different kind of setting and motive for the killing. But, all the people felt like ones I read about before, just different names, no point in getting attached since few of them will probably survive. This time is it the Colonel's family that is getting into the problem. Well, the new Colonel since the previous one died in the first book. This could be why it felt so familiar since Ishmael was invited to the Colonel's family in the first book as well because of some danger threatening the family,
However, there are things I liked about the book, like Penny's love for mummy movies (I love the Mummy movies with Brendan Fraser too) and her comments about shuffling footsteps in the corridors were amusing. Unfortunately, that was pretty much the only amusing comments in the book. I would have loved some more banter between Ishmael and Penny. It was also interesting to get some more information about Ishmael's past.
Death Shall Come is not a bad book. Just not my favorite in the series and I hoped the next one will be a lot better!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
However, there are things I liked about the book, like Penny's love for mummy movies (I love the Mummy movies with Brendan Fraser too) and her comments about shuffling footsteps in the corridors were amusing. Unfortunately, that was pretty much the only amusing comments in the book. I would have loved some more banter between Ishmael and Penny. It was also interesting to get some more information about Ishmael's past.
Death Shall Come is not a bad book. Just not my favorite in the series and I hoped the next one will be a lot better!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Want to read
March 3, 2018Ishmael Jones books:
"The Dark Side of the Road" (May 2015)
"Dead Man Walking" (May 2016)
"Very Important Corpses: An Ishmael Jones mystery" (March 2017)
"Death Shall Come" (September 2017)
"Into the Thinnest of Air" (March 2018)
"The Dark Side of the Road" (May 2015)
"Dead Man Walking" (May 2016)
"Very Important Corpses: An Ishmael Jones mystery" (March 2017)
"Death Shall Come" (September 2017)
"Into the Thinnest of Air" (March 2018)
December 19, 2021
I will admit that I like to mix things up a bit while reading as I do suffer from reading block otherwise - and so I reached for something different recently and I have to say it did the job a treat.
And so returning to the world of the supernatural detection and thriller with book 4 in the Ishmael Jones series (as I type this I think there are currently 10 books in the series) with I have no idea if more are planned ahead.
The story was good fun and as you would expect for Simon R Green rips a long a fair pace with lots of sarcasm, black humour and banter between the main protagonists.
As a result it did start to feel as though the book was falling in to a bit of formulaic approach which I will be honest is unfair as there are many things going on here - after all each book reveals a little more about Ishmael and the world he lives in as well as how he fits in to it. Rather like many of the other series of Simon Green you can pick up any book and read and feel you have read complete story and walk away. However dig a little deeper and you start to find easter eggs to other series and books as well slowly revealing the whole true story (as compared to the controlled truth you get from any one book).
So yes not the best I have read from the series but certainly readable and enjoyable - I guess the question now is if I keep on reading where do they go from here.
And so returning to the world of the supernatural detection and thriller with book 4 in the Ishmael Jones series (as I type this I think there are currently 10 books in the series) with I have no idea if more are planned ahead.
The story was good fun and as you would expect for Simon R Green rips a long a fair pace with lots of sarcasm, black humour and banter between the main protagonists.
As a result it did start to feel as though the book was falling in to a bit of formulaic approach which I will be honest is unfair as there are many things going on here - after all each book reveals a little more about Ishmael and the world he lives in as well as how he fits in to it. Rather like many of the other series of Simon Green you can pick up any book and read and feel you have read complete story and walk away. However dig a little deeper and you start to find easter eggs to other series and books as well slowly revealing the whole true story (as compared to the controlled truth you get from any one book).
So yes not the best I have read from the series but certainly readable and enjoyable - I guess the question now is if I keep on reading where do they go from here.
June 7, 2019
I've read a few of these all back to front so know more about Ishmael that I probably would have done reading in order. I don't think it makes too much difference though, all these stories seems to work well as stand alones' as well as a series. This one is an entertaining story of a missing mummy along with a dead body in a stately home. I like Ishmael as a character and the back story of how he came to be where is now. These books are always a quick read but they do contain a really good story. The author makes good use of his word count. Looking forward to reading the rest
August 20, 2017
In this 4th Country House Murder Mystery, Ishmael Jones and his lady side-kick, Penny, travel to the Cardavan House. The Cardavan family has the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. Held under tight security, the collection has a new exhibit -- the mummy of Cleopatra. Not the Cleopatra of Marc Anthony fame....the first Cleopatra....a much earlier ruler lost to time. Ishmael's boss, The Colonel, is married to Chloe Cardavan. He asks Ishmael to accompany him to the house for the unveiling of the mummy. The trip isn't because The Colonel believes in the curse attached to the mummy, but because he feels George Cardavan might be involved in underhanded dealings to acquire his antiquities. He wants Ishmael to pose as an antiquities expert so he can get a feel for the goings on at the family estate and protect the family from harm if George is in over his head.
After the mummy is revealed, the deaths start. The Cardavans are being picked off, one by one. Are they being stalked by a reanimated mummy? Or is the killer simply a crazed human being?
I love this series! Every book is seriously creepy and different enough to keep the adventures fresh and interesting. Death Shall Come is a quick read at just over 150 pages -- but Simon R. Green sure packs a lot of action into such few pages!
I like how Ishmael and Penny work so well together. Where one is weak, the other is strong. Penny isn't afraid of Ishmael's....peculiarities.....and he is quite happy with her human-ness. I liked the plot of this book -- who doesn't love a scary mummy tale? I'm glad I read this during the day time and not at night! Lots of action, suspense and horror.....just a fun creepy read!! This series has not disappointed me yet!
Simon R. Green is the author of several sci-fi/fantasy series including the Nightside series. For more information on the author and his books check out his website: http://simonrgreen.co.uk/
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
After the mummy is revealed, the deaths start. The Cardavans are being picked off, one by one. Are they being stalked by a reanimated mummy? Or is the killer simply a crazed human being?
I love this series! Every book is seriously creepy and different enough to keep the adventures fresh and interesting. Death Shall Come is a quick read at just over 150 pages -- but Simon R. Green sure packs a lot of action into such few pages!
I like how Ishmael and Penny work so well together. Where one is weak, the other is strong. Penny isn't afraid of Ishmael's....peculiarities.....and he is quite happy with her human-ness. I liked the plot of this book -- who doesn't love a scary mummy tale? I'm glad I read this during the day time and not at night! Lots of action, suspense and horror.....just a fun creepy read!! This series has not disappointed me yet!
Simon R. Green is the author of several sci-fi/fantasy series including the Nightside series. For more information on the author and his books check out his website: http://simonrgreen.co.uk/
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
December 8, 2018
This is my second Simon Green novel in the Ishmael Jones series though the 4th actual book written in the series. I enjoyed this outing just as much as the first though I know more about Ishmael now so there are fewer surprises as to his skills or behaviors. This story combines elements of the locked room mystery, bits of possible paranormal intrusion, and a very eccentric British family who Jones is tasked with protecting from an unknown threat while they are tucked away at the family “home”, a lonely, isolated compound well off the beaten track. This time he is working directly for the man who usually gives him his assignments from the Organization, the Colonel. But it’s “off the books “.
Oh, and did I mention there are ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a recently acquired mummy (method of acquisition not known and presence not known by anyone but the family.) Ishmael is as puzzled as everyone else when bad things begin happening. The fun here is watching everything laid out, the setting, the house itself, the various family members and their relationships with each other, and the subtle effects of the action on Ishmael and his partner Penny.
While there are some plot/structural similarities between books, formulaic aspects I suppose, this didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the novel. I found myself reading quickly to the end, wanting to know what happened and how and who was involved. All was answered in the end.
A recommended read in lighter mystery, with many overtones and elements of sci fi.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Oh, and did I mention there are ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a recently acquired mummy (method of acquisition not known and presence not known by anyone but the family.) Ishmael is as puzzled as everyone else when bad things begin happening. The fun here is watching everything laid out, the setting, the house itself, the various family members and their relationships with each other, and the subtle effects of the action on Ishmael and his partner Penny.
While there are some plot/structural similarities between books, formulaic aspects I suppose, this didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the novel. I found myself reading quickly to the end, wanting to know what happened and how and who was involved. All was answered in the end.
A recommended read in lighter mystery, with many overtones and elements of sci fi.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
December 1, 2020
Death Shall Come
(Ishmael Jones #4)
by Simon R. Green
I have always been a fan of this author but somehow missed this series of his. I didn't read the previous books but was able to jump right in and not get lost. A great supernatural mystery with mummies, archeology intrigue, and rich family tensions. Ishmael and Penny are there to help sort things out. Fun read! Ishmael is literally out of this world!😉!
(Ishmael Jones #4)
by Simon R. Green
I have always been a fan of this author but somehow missed this series of his. I didn't read the previous books but was able to jump right in and not get lost. A great supernatural mystery with mummies, archeology intrigue, and rich family tensions. Ishmael and Penny are there to help sort things out. Fun read! Ishmael is literally out of this world!😉!
November 30, 2020
This is the fourth book in the Ishmael Jones series of mysteries. I just listened to the fifth book yesterday. The plots of these two books were almost identical. Nevertheless, I like these stories, primarily because the main characters are quite appealing, albeit quirky.
The books are narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Gildart Jackson, which is why I tried them in the first place. They are available to Audible subscribers at no cost via the Plus Catalog.
The books are narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Gildart Jackson, which is why I tried them in the first place. They are available to Audible subscribers at no cost via the Plus Catalog.
May 14, 2017
Review of DEATH SHALL COME:
A COUNTRY HOUSE MURDER MYSTERY
by Simon Green
(An Ishmael Jones Mystery)
I am ecstatic over this series, which more than capably combines science fiction, paranormal elements, horror, and mystery into a thrilling stew in each and every novel. Ishmael Jones (“Call me Ishmael. Ishmael Jones”) is a category all his own: at one time, he was an extraterrestrial alien. In 1963 his ship crashed in rural Britain, and he was transformed into a human form, while maintaining his exceptional powers and skills. His tenure is seemingly endless, while the humans he encounters of course age and die. In this series, he has partnered with Penny Belfour, after her family and family home were attacked by a vampire. Penny knows he is “something else,” but not what, and loves him despite it. His role is to protect humanity from “otherness,” which often comes in the form of danger and destruction.
The Organization, which contracts Ishmael, is shadowy and beyond covert. His only contact is The Colonel, who summons Ishmael to his wife's family home, Cardavan House, to protect the family following the acquisition of a very rare, previously unknown, mummy, that of the first Cleopatra, whose record is lost to antiquity. Penny hopes for something out of her beloved mummy horror films, but what she and Ishmael discover, and have to combat, is far worse; and for Ishmael, far closer to home.
A COUNTRY HOUSE MURDER MYSTERY
by Simon Green
(An Ishmael Jones Mystery)
I am ecstatic over this series, which more than capably combines science fiction, paranormal elements, horror, and mystery into a thrilling stew in each and every novel. Ishmael Jones (“Call me Ishmael. Ishmael Jones”) is a category all his own: at one time, he was an extraterrestrial alien. In 1963 his ship crashed in rural Britain, and he was transformed into a human form, while maintaining his exceptional powers and skills. His tenure is seemingly endless, while the humans he encounters of course age and die. In this series, he has partnered with Penny Belfour, after her family and family home were attacked by a vampire. Penny knows he is “something else,” but not what, and loves him despite it. His role is to protect humanity from “otherness,” which often comes in the form of danger and destruction.
The Organization, which contracts Ishmael, is shadowy and beyond covert. His only contact is The Colonel, who summons Ishmael to his wife's family home, Cardavan House, to protect the family following the acquisition of a very rare, previously unknown, mummy, that of the first Cleopatra, whose record is lost to antiquity. Penny hopes for something out of her beloved mummy horror films, but what she and Ishmael discover, and have to combat, is far worse; and for Ishmael, far closer to home.
September 27, 2021
I haven't listening nor read to any other books on the series but I absolutely loved this graphic audiobook experience. It was fun, entertaining and at parts put me on my edge of the seat. I loved both the "good" characters and their back story but also loved to hate the evil one. Was so entertaining to listen to and root for the good guys as the evil character where one of the better ones I've read. A true good enemy to hope to success of the good versus evil. Will absolutely with no hesitation listen to more in the series even though I don't know if I want to start from the beginning or continue from where I am now because I so wanna see how the story of the main characters will develop
September 20, 2017
Ishmael Jones and his girlfriend Penny are invited to a remote country house to see the collection of Egyptian artifacts (stolen and smuggled) and especially the jewel of the collection, the newly arrived mummy of the original Cleopatra. Ishmael is--well, he has some superhuman abilities because he isn't human. People start dying among the small house party, even though no one could get in the house. Then more people die, and Ishmael realizes that these are not ordinary murders for gain or jealousy. For a while, it doesn't seem as though anyone will make it out alive by the time help arrives. Moderately suspenseful, but it really stretches the mystery boundaries.
September 5, 2017
Severn House and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Death Shall Come. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
Ishmael Jones and Penny Belcourt are summoned to the Ancient Egypt room at the British Museum by the Colonel, Ishmael's only contact with the Organization. In a deal that he made with the faceless entity, Ishmael comes running when he is asked. When the new case falls just outside of the Organization's purview, Jones is intrigued but understandably hesitant. After he learns the particulars of the case, the Cardavan connection with Black Heir being one of them, Jones feels like he has no choice but to acquiesce to the Colonel's request. A weekend at the Cardavan estate does not seem like a chore, but little does Ishmael know that things are about to get complicated.
Death Shall Come, despite its supernatural elements, has the feeling of an old detective noir novel. The banter between Ishmael and Penny is always kind of campy, adding a bit of levity to the story. I do not find the Ishmael Jones series to be remotely as good as the John Taylor "Nightside" series by this author, but the books are interesting nevertheless. With a little more insight into Ishmael's background, Death Shall Come is a worthwhile read, especially by those who have finished the previous books.
Ishmael Jones and Penny Belcourt are summoned to the Ancient Egypt room at the British Museum by the Colonel, Ishmael's only contact with the Organization. In a deal that he made with the faceless entity, Ishmael comes running when he is asked. When the new case falls just outside of the Organization's purview, Jones is intrigued but understandably hesitant. After he learns the particulars of the case, the Cardavan connection with Black Heir being one of them, Jones feels like he has no choice but to acquiesce to the Colonel's request. A weekend at the Cardavan estate does not seem like a chore, but little does Ishmael know that things are about to get complicated.
Death Shall Come, despite its supernatural elements, has the feeling of an old detective noir novel. The banter between Ishmael and Penny is always kind of campy, adding a bit of levity to the story. I do not find the Ishmael Jones series to be remotely as good as the John Taylor "Nightside" series by this author, but the books are interesting nevertheless. With a little more insight into Ishmael's background, Death Shall Come is a worthwhile read, especially by those who have finished the previous books.
July 24, 2018
Едно от нещата, които ме карат да уважавам Грийн много е че той може да пише както мащабни епоси, от които зависи съдбата на самата реалност, така и доста стегнати сюжети за съдбата на малък брой хора, като в същото време успява да накара читателят да му пука за тях с това, че ги описва живи и истински, а вкарва и достатъчно шантави подробности, за да издърпа килимчето изпод краката на читателя.
Такъв е случаят и с в тази книга:
http://citadelata.com/death-shall-com...
Такъв е случаят и с в тази книга:
http://citadelata.com/death-shall-com...
January 2, 2018
Simon Green served up a nice Ishmael Jones locked room mystery in Death Shall Come. There was a mummy, a murder, several mysterious deaths, and Ishmael and Penny getting a bit of his past revealed to him. In all, a very nice edition to this series with brains having to work over brawn.
March 25, 2018
Interesting tale this time. I do wish we'd learned a bit more about Ishmael, but I understand why he passed up the chance.
September 16, 2020
Seeing Colonel's human side is nice. Ishmael learns a little about himself and we get to see a mummy.
January 15, 2022
3.5 stars. They are going to stop inviting Ishmael to house parties.
May 12, 2017
The story begins with an atypical meeting within the Ancient Egypt rooms at the British Museum. The Colonel veers off the usual path and asks Ishmael Jones to do him a favor. He's concerned that his wife's father, George Cardavan, may be involved in dangerous affairs. Matters that could be of note for the Organization. Ishmael agrees to help the Colonel and pretend to be an expert of Egyptian artifacts. The Cardavan's are meeting at the family estate for a private showing of George Cardavan's latest acquisition. The family has a history of collecting Egyptian relics. George has added the rarest of all prizes and he cannot wait to show it off to his family.
Here is a story of pride, greed, endless hungers and love. It all starts with a mummy, a curse and a hero of unlikely attributes.
Death Shall Come is the first book I've read in the Ishmael Jones series. The story captured my imagination with the opening synopsis. An inhuman hero without a past. A man that does not age. An unknown warrior that fights to keep people safe from unimaginable harm. I was hooked from the very start.
Ishmael Jones is like Sherlock Holmes without the mania. He's intelligent, has keen senses, perceptive and strong but he doesn't have an over inflated ego or cutting cynicism. He is actively living life, embracing his experiences and does what he feels is right.
His girlfriend, Penny Belcourt, is a spunky glam-girl full of energy and curiosity. Her enthusiasm and humor is a great foil to Ishmael's unflappable demeanor. I love the easy familiarity between them. Their banter, non-verbal communication and the solid way they back each other.
The story atmosphere made me feel like I was in a middle of a Hitchcock film. All gloom and doom and icky shadows. The plot was like a game of Clue. I figured out most of the important bits from the clues within the story but I didn't predict exactly how it would happen.
Now, I'm dying to find out more about Ishmael and Penny. There's hardly a clue about them except a few references to the past. I want to know about Black Heir, the Organization and everything about Ishmael.
This was a fun adventure into a new series and I can't wait to read more. If you want a clever mystery with a dash of humor, you've come to the right place.
Review ARC via NetGalley
Here is a story of pride, greed, endless hungers and love. It all starts with a mummy, a curse and a hero of unlikely attributes.
Death Shall Come is the first book I've read in the Ishmael Jones series. The story captured my imagination with the opening synopsis. An inhuman hero without a past. A man that does not age. An unknown warrior that fights to keep people safe from unimaginable harm. I was hooked from the very start.
Ishmael Jones is like Sherlock Holmes without the mania. He's intelligent, has keen senses, perceptive and strong but he doesn't have an over inflated ego or cutting cynicism. He is actively living life, embracing his experiences and does what he feels is right.
His girlfriend, Penny Belcourt, is a spunky glam-girl full of energy and curiosity. Her enthusiasm and humor is a great foil to Ishmael's unflappable demeanor. I love the easy familiarity between them. Their banter, non-verbal communication and the solid way they back each other.
The story atmosphere made me feel like I was in a middle of a Hitchcock film. All gloom and doom and icky shadows. The plot was like a game of Clue. I figured out most of the important bits from the clues within the story but I didn't predict exactly how it would happen.
Now, I'm dying to find out more about Ishmael and Penny. There's hardly a clue about them except a few references to the past. I want to know about Black Heir, the Organization and everything about Ishmael.
This was a fun adventure into a new series and I can't wait to read more. If you want a clever mystery with a dash of humor, you've come to the right place.
Review ARC via NetGalley
January 13, 2019
Originally published at Reading Reality
One of the overall themes that runs through the Ishmael Jones series is misdirection. The villain(s) at least so far, use myths, legends and primal fears to direct their potential victims (and sometimes Ishmael) away from themselves and towards pretty much anything else.
Sort of like the way I am currently misdirecting the kitten from all the interesting things on top of my desk that she can break by putting her battery-operated toy on the floor and hoping it distracts her from knocking my tea over and chewing my phone.
By the way, it’s not working on the cat. And it usually doesn’t work on Ishmael Jones, either.
In previous books in this series, the creepy misdirection has either been ghosts (The Dark Side of the Road and Dead Man Walking) or family monsters like the Hound of the Baskervilles (Very Important Corpses).
Having explored two branches of horror that Ishmael absolutely does not believe in, the phantom of misdirection is Death Shall Come isn’t a phantom – it’s a mummy!
Penny Belcourt, Ishmael’s human partner, loves mummy stories. Actually, so does Ishmael, but he prefers the Karloff classics and she liked the Brendan Fraser romantics. Both recognize that reanimated corpses do not walk among us – not even among the looted and stolen collection of Egyptian artifacts at Cardavan House.
Which does not mean that someone isn’t perfectly willing to exploit the fear of that possibility for their own evil ends. The question, as always, is who is the monster among them. What kind of monster are they?
And can Ishmael and Penny stop them before it’s too late?
Escape Rating B+: I pick up this series whenever I feel that my snark-o-meter needs filling – because this author’s work is always snarktastic to the max.
Ishmael Jones is one of the Men in Black. He’s also one of the aliens that the Men in Black usually monitor, but in this particular case, the organization that he works for – oh so cryptically named “The Organization” – does not know, at least as far as Ishmael knows, that he is not exactly from around here.
What they do know is that he has secrets to keep – and so do they. So when his boss asks him to come to the remote family pile and pretend to be an Egyptologist, Ishmael goes along with the game. His Colonel will “owe him one” and Ishmael knows that someday he’ll need to collect.
The setup is very reminiscent of an English country house mystery, as are all of the books in the series so far. But this isn’t cozy, it’s way more like Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Ishmael can’t prevent all of the deaths, but he can try to keep the numbers from reducing to that “none”.
Sometimes he’s more successful than others.
Part of the fun of the series is the way that the standard horror tropes get turned on their heads. Ishmael does not believe in the supernatural – but that doesn’t mean that the people he is attempting to protect don’t. They get spooked pretty easily, and he usually spends a fair bit of time trying to keep them together for their own good – and he usually fails. He also usually has something snarky to say about it.
Early in the series, I said that Ishmael reminds me of Captain Jack Harkness in the Doctor Who and Torchwood series(es) . And that’s still true. Both in the sense of their immortality and in the sense that they both have holes in their memories, and that sometimes things that no one wants to meet jump out at them from one of those holes.
In the end, that’s what flips this series from mystery/horror to science fiction. Mummies don’t walk, but strange, weird and dangerous things do fall out of the sky. Ishmael should know – after all, he’s one of them.
Read this series with the lights on, and not right before bedtime. I made the mistake of reading this right before I went to sleep, and it gave me really, really weird dreams. But not scary enough to scare me off from coming back Into the Thinnest of Air the next time my snark-o-meter needs a re-charge.
One of the overall themes that runs through the Ishmael Jones series is misdirection. The villain(s) at least so far, use myths, legends and primal fears to direct their potential victims (and sometimes Ishmael) away from themselves and towards pretty much anything else.
Sort of like the way I am currently misdirecting the kitten from all the interesting things on top of my desk that she can break by putting her battery-operated toy on the floor and hoping it distracts her from knocking my tea over and chewing my phone.
By the way, it’s not working on the cat. And it usually doesn’t work on Ishmael Jones, either.
In previous books in this series, the creepy misdirection has either been ghosts (The Dark Side of the Road and Dead Man Walking) or family monsters like the Hound of the Baskervilles (Very Important Corpses).
Having explored two branches of horror that Ishmael absolutely does not believe in, the phantom of misdirection is Death Shall Come isn’t a phantom – it’s a mummy!
Penny Belcourt, Ishmael’s human partner, loves mummy stories. Actually, so does Ishmael, but he prefers the Karloff classics and she liked the Brendan Fraser romantics. Both recognize that reanimated corpses do not walk among us – not even among the looted and stolen collection of Egyptian artifacts at Cardavan House.
Which does not mean that someone isn’t perfectly willing to exploit the fear of that possibility for their own evil ends. The question, as always, is who is the monster among them. What kind of monster are they?
And can Ishmael and Penny stop them before it’s too late?
Escape Rating B+: I pick up this series whenever I feel that my snark-o-meter needs filling – because this author’s work is always snarktastic to the max.
Ishmael Jones is one of the Men in Black. He’s also one of the aliens that the Men in Black usually monitor, but in this particular case, the organization that he works for – oh so cryptically named “The Organization” – does not know, at least as far as Ishmael knows, that he is not exactly from around here.
What they do know is that he has secrets to keep – and so do they. So when his boss asks him to come to the remote family pile and pretend to be an Egyptologist, Ishmael goes along with the game. His Colonel will “owe him one” and Ishmael knows that someday he’ll need to collect.
The setup is very reminiscent of an English country house mystery, as are all of the books in the series so far. But this isn’t cozy, it’s way more like Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Ishmael can’t prevent all of the deaths, but he can try to keep the numbers from reducing to that “none”.
Sometimes he’s more successful than others.
Part of the fun of the series is the way that the standard horror tropes get turned on their heads. Ishmael does not believe in the supernatural – but that doesn’t mean that the people he is attempting to protect don’t. They get spooked pretty easily, and he usually spends a fair bit of time trying to keep them together for their own good – and he usually fails. He also usually has something snarky to say about it.
Early in the series, I said that Ishmael reminds me of Captain Jack Harkness in the Doctor Who and Torchwood series(es) . And that’s still true. Both in the sense of their immortality and in the sense that they both have holes in their memories, and that sometimes things that no one wants to meet jump out at them from one of those holes.
In the end, that’s what flips this series from mystery/horror to science fiction. Mummies don’t walk, but strange, weird and dangerous things do fall out of the sky. Ishmael should know – after all, he’s one of them.
Read this series with the lights on, and not right before bedtime. I made the mistake of reading this right before I went to sleep, and it gave me really, really weird dreams. But not scary enough to scare me off from coming back Into the Thinnest of Air the next time my snark-o-meter needs a re-charge.
November 7, 2023
Death Shall Come, by Simon R. Green
Ishmael Jones, 04
★★★★☆
185 Pages
1st person, single character POV
Themes: murder, science fiction, aliens, secret organisations, forced proximity, mummies
Triggers: mentions of violence and supernatural beings, Alzheimer's
Genre: Contemporary, Murder Mystery, Science Fiction, Crime
Death Shall Come is the fourth book in the Ishmael Jones series and harks back to the essence of Book 1 – a locked house mystery with some very personal stakes.
This time, the Colonel – Stuart, as we learn – asks for Ishmael's help privately, outside of official Organisation business. His father-in-law has acquired a supposedly rare mummy – the very first Cleopatra of Egypt, wiped from historical records – but the Colonel fears that he could never have done so financially or legally, and he wants to protect his wife, Chloe, from any fallout by having Ishmael get hard evidence before he admits his suspicions to the family.
It's an intriguing concept, as there's high stakes for Stuart, the Colonel, and because he and Ishmael have a professional reliance on each other, so they both have reason to make sure this all goes well. The two of them, and Penny, make up the only recurring cast members, but there are a host of other players in the game:
George and Marjorie – Stuart's father-in-law and Chloe's father, and his second wife.
Bernard and Susan – George's parents. Bernard has Alzheimer's and Susan is more his carer than wife, lately.
Chloe – Stuart's wife, and a paper-pusher for Black Heir
Nicholas and Caroline – Chloe's brother and his wife
Professor Samuel Rose – there to catalogue and research the collection of artefacts
The dynamics of the family are strained. Because of Bernard's Alzheimer's, George took over the family, the house and the collection of historical artefacts passed down from previous generations. There's definite resentment about that between Bernard and George, though Bernard's Alzheimer's is also a sticking point for various members of the family, as his wife Susan has become his carer, George keeps them in the house when Bernard really needs medical and nursing care, and the family can't agree on what needs to be done. But George rules over them all with an iron fist. Worse, George has only recently re-married, just months after his first wife died, which creates tension between him and his two children: Chloe and Nicholas. Nicholas' wife is also quite a gold-digger and is pushing Nicholas to demand information about whether they've been written out of the will, while working hard to get him put back in, if that's the case.
On top of all that, Stuart – the Colonel – is like one of the family. He's an orphan who only ever had the Army as a family until he met Chloe and her family have welcomed him, which means he has a lot to lose if the family fractures. Though, I loved the fact that he and Ishmael started bonding over their shared lives and experiences.
As usual with the series, the story starts off just immediately before events begin although it's a little more reflective and distant than the others. I also noticed that there are some phrases and catchphrases, if you will, that recur throughout the series, usually said by the same characters as well. It gets a little annoying and roll-your-eyes when you're reading them one after the other, but if you were just dipping into one at a time you probably wouldn't notice as much.
As always, Ishmael and Penny are my favourite characters, though I certainly warmed up to Stuart, seeing his softer side here. Penny was fantastic as always, and it was nice to delve a little deeper still into the complexities that make Ishmael so unique and unusual.
Overall, the plot was clever and intriguing. I love a good Mummy, like Penny, and this one didn't disappoint with the layers upon layers of suspects, motives and twists.
Ishmael Jones, 04
★★★★☆
185 Pages
1st person, single character POV
Themes: murder, science fiction, aliens, secret organisations, forced proximity, mummies
Triggers: mentions of violence and supernatural beings, Alzheimer's
Genre: Contemporary, Murder Mystery, Science Fiction, Crime
Death Shall Come is the fourth book in the Ishmael Jones series and harks back to the essence of Book 1 – a locked house mystery with some very personal stakes.
This time, the Colonel – Stuart, as we learn – asks for Ishmael's help privately, outside of official Organisation business. His father-in-law has acquired a supposedly rare mummy – the very first Cleopatra of Egypt, wiped from historical records – but the Colonel fears that he could never have done so financially or legally, and he wants to protect his wife, Chloe, from any fallout by having Ishmael get hard evidence before he admits his suspicions to the family.
It's an intriguing concept, as there's high stakes for Stuart, the Colonel, and because he and Ishmael have a professional reliance on each other, so they both have reason to make sure this all goes well. The two of them, and Penny, make up the only recurring cast members, but there are a host of other players in the game:
George and Marjorie – Stuart's father-in-law and Chloe's father, and his second wife.
Bernard and Susan – George's parents. Bernard has Alzheimer's and Susan is more his carer than wife, lately.
Chloe – Stuart's wife, and a paper-pusher for Black Heir
Nicholas and Caroline – Chloe's brother and his wife
Professor Samuel Rose – there to catalogue and research the collection of artefacts
The dynamics of the family are strained. Because of Bernard's Alzheimer's, George took over the family, the house and the collection of historical artefacts passed down from previous generations. There's definite resentment about that between Bernard and George, though Bernard's Alzheimer's is also a sticking point for various members of the family, as his wife Susan has become his carer, George keeps them in the house when Bernard really needs medical and nursing care, and the family can't agree on what needs to be done. But George rules over them all with an iron fist. Worse, George has only recently re-married, just months after his first wife died, which creates tension between him and his two children: Chloe and Nicholas. Nicholas' wife is also quite a gold-digger and is pushing Nicholas to demand information about whether they've been written out of the will, while working hard to get him put back in, if that's the case.
On top of all that, Stuart – the Colonel – is like one of the family. He's an orphan who only ever had the Army as a family until he met Chloe and her family have welcomed him, which means he has a lot to lose if the family fractures. Though, I loved the fact that he and Ishmael started bonding over their shared lives and experiences.
As usual with the series, the story starts off just immediately before events begin although it's a little more reflective and distant than the others. I also noticed that there are some phrases and catchphrases, if you will, that recur throughout the series, usually said by the same characters as well. It gets a little annoying and roll-your-eyes when you're reading them one after the other, but if you were just dipping into one at a time you probably wouldn't notice as much.
As always, Ishmael and Penny are my favourite characters, though I certainly warmed up to Stuart, seeing his softer side here. Penny was fantastic as always, and it was nice to delve a little deeper still into the complexities that make Ishmael so unique and unusual.
Overall, the plot was clever and intriguing. I love a good Mummy, like Penny, and this one didn't disappoint with the layers upon layers of suspects, motives and twists.
June 18, 2019
Originally posted on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
I am a huge fan of the author Simon R. Green, but I have made it known in past reviews that I’ve had a couple of problems with his Ishmael Jones Mystery series. One of my biggest problems with the first 3 books, is that there felt like there was a lot of repetition in the plots and conversations. It left those books feeling very cookie cutter and not very original. I like Simon R. Green a lot though, and I felt like the Ishmael Jones series has a lot of potential, if Simon can just break out of that cut and paste trance he seems to be in! I didn’t want to give up on Simon or Ishmael. I may have been very wary about it, but I picked up the next book in the series, book 4, Death Shall Come.
I have always been a big fan of Ancient Egypt. Mummies, and artifacts from that time have always fascinated me. I was extremely excited about the plot revolving around an ancient Egyptian mummy and a family who has a large collection of artifacts from there. Even though this was another story in the series with a mansion out in the middle of nowhere, I was happy to see that the actual house felt very different from the past mansions. This one didn’t have the old gothic feel to it. This one felt like a modern design filled with artifacts of the dead. The newer feel of the house and the large collection / decor of ancient Egyptian items put a much needed fresh spin on the whole mansion in the middle of nowhere theme.
The killer in Death Shall Come was enjoyable and not as predictable as the killers in the past. You saw very few clues as to the identity of the killer and it felt shocking when the reveal arrived. 😮 Pretty creative as well. As an added bonus, the bad guy had some dirt on Ishmael that he was unaware of! It was fun getting another piece of the puzzle to Ishmael’s past.
Something else that felt refreshing in book 4, was the conversation between Ishmael and Penny. In the other books so far, there was way too much repeated dialogue between them. Literally almost the same exact wording. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the conversations between them were filled with cheesy flirting that left you feeling like this couple has zero chemistry. I still feel like they don’t have a lot of chemistry, but, with not a lot of flirting going on this time around, it wasn’t as noticeable. Gone were the cut and paste conversations. Thankfully, Simon finally started changing up the way Ish and Penny talk to each other. The partners were much more tolerable with fresh conversation and less flirting. I really hope Simon will continue to do this with the couple from now on. I guess I’ll find out soon in book 5! 😮
Death Shall Come is probably my favorite book in the series so far. It felt much more original and unique while Ishmael and Penny were toned down a bit. Much more enjoyable. I’m glad to see that Simon R. Green isn’t so stuck in his formulaic rut any more. I really hope that the author can keep making things fresh when keeping in that narrow market of a house in the country theme. I really think that is a big part of the problem. There are only so many ways you can have people continue to get stuck in a large house out in the middle of nowhere and there are only so many ways you can have people split up instead of staying in a safe group the whole book. Until Ishmael is allowed to branch out from there, we might keep running in to the same formulaic problems. :/ I really hope not.
I am a huge fan of the author Simon R. Green, but I have made it known in past reviews that I’ve had a couple of problems with his Ishmael Jones Mystery series. One of my biggest problems with the first 3 books, is that there felt like there was a lot of repetition in the plots and conversations. It left those books feeling very cookie cutter and not very original. I like Simon R. Green a lot though, and I felt like the Ishmael Jones series has a lot of potential, if Simon can just break out of that cut and paste trance he seems to be in! I didn’t want to give up on Simon or Ishmael. I may have been very wary about it, but I picked up the next book in the series, book 4, Death Shall Come.
I have always been a big fan of Ancient Egypt. Mummies, and artifacts from that time have always fascinated me. I was extremely excited about the plot revolving around an ancient Egyptian mummy and a family who has a large collection of artifacts from there. Even though this was another story in the series with a mansion out in the middle of nowhere, I was happy to see that the actual house felt very different from the past mansions. This one didn’t have the old gothic feel to it. This one felt like a modern design filled with artifacts of the dead. The newer feel of the house and the large collection / decor of ancient Egyptian items put a much needed fresh spin on the whole mansion in the middle of nowhere theme.
The killer in Death Shall Come was enjoyable and not as predictable as the killers in the past. You saw very few clues as to the identity of the killer and it felt shocking when the reveal arrived. 😮 Pretty creative as well. As an added bonus, the bad guy had some dirt on Ishmael that he was unaware of! It was fun getting another piece of the puzzle to Ishmael’s past.
Something else that felt refreshing in book 4, was the conversation between Ishmael and Penny. In the other books so far, there was way too much repeated dialogue between them. Literally almost the same exact wording. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the conversations between them were filled with cheesy flirting that left you feeling like this couple has zero chemistry. I still feel like they don’t have a lot of chemistry, but, with not a lot of flirting going on this time around, it wasn’t as noticeable. Gone were the cut and paste conversations. Thankfully, Simon finally started changing up the way Ish and Penny talk to each other. The partners were much more tolerable with fresh conversation and less flirting. I really hope Simon will continue to do this with the couple from now on. I guess I’ll find out soon in book 5! 😮
Death Shall Come is probably my favorite book in the series so far. It felt much more original and unique while Ishmael and Penny were toned down a bit. Much more enjoyable. I’m glad to see that Simon R. Green isn’t so stuck in his formulaic rut any more. I really hope that the author can keep making things fresh when keeping in that narrow market of a house in the country theme. I really think that is a big part of the problem. There are only so many ways you can have people continue to get stuck in a large house out in the middle of nowhere and there are only so many ways you can have people split up instead of staying in a safe group the whole book. Until Ishmael is allowed to branch out from there, we might keep running in to the same formulaic problems. :/ I really hope not.
September 2, 2017
This is a classic locked-room murder mystery with some very familiar elements – the ancient Egyptian artefacts complete with a curse; a powerful family all very grumpy with each other; complete isolation with no immediate help forthcoming. Given this is set in a more or less contemporary Britain, the final element takes some arranging – however Green manages to achieve the sense of the house being completely cut off without too much suspension of disbelief.
His protagonist, Ishmael Jones, is an interesting character – I don’t want to veer into spoiler territory, so I’ll just mention that he isn’t necessarily what he appears to be. This brings it set of problems, which play nicely with the hidden antagonist striking down victims within the house.
Green is an experienced writer and gives us a gripping read that had me reluctant to put it down as once the action takes off, the tension steadily mounts. I also like the odd moments of light relief provided by Ishmael’s right-hand woman, Penny, who happens to be the love of his life. They are a solid team, though Ishmael is also aware his concern for her welfare can be a weakness, but cannot bear the thought of leaving her behind as he takes this important, unofficial mission. I like the bond between them – the steady fondness and Penny’s sprightly banter provides the necessary moments of humour and humanity before we are once more plunged back into a situation where a crazed killer is on the loose.
The key to crafting such a mystery is that the solution has to provide a satisfactory explanation that has sufficient heft so the reader doesn’t feel cheated – it’s quite tricky to achieve. Green manages to satisfactorily wrap up the story, though there is a cost to the survivors and as his immediate boss is right in the middle of this mess, I’m interested to see how this impacts on their working relationship in future. This is an enjoyable murder mystery with a paranormal twist which comes recommended for fantasy fans who want a break, or crime fans who would appreciate reading something slightly different.
While I obtained the arc of Death Shall Come from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
8/10
His protagonist, Ishmael Jones, is an interesting character – I don’t want to veer into spoiler territory, so I’ll just mention that he isn’t necessarily what he appears to be. This brings it set of problems, which play nicely with the hidden antagonist striking down victims within the house.
Green is an experienced writer and gives us a gripping read that had me reluctant to put it down as once the action takes off, the tension steadily mounts. I also like the odd moments of light relief provided by Ishmael’s right-hand woman, Penny, who happens to be the love of his life. They are a solid team, though Ishmael is also aware his concern for her welfare can be a weakness, but cannot bear the thought of leaving her behind as he takes this important, unofficial mission. I like the bond between them – the steady fondness and Penny’s sprightly banter provides the necessary moments of humour and humanity before we are once more plunged back into a situation where a crazed killer is on the loose.
The key to crafting such a mystery is that the solution has to provide a satisfactory explanation that has sufficient heft so the reader doesn’t feel cheated – it’s quite tricky to achieve. Green manages to satisfactorily wrap up the story, though there is a cost to the survivors and as his immediate boss is right in the middle of this mess, I’m interested to see how this impacts on their working relationship in future. This is an enjoyable murder mystery with a paranormal twist which comes recommended for fantasy fans who want a break, or crime fans who would appreciate reading something slightly different.
While I obtained the arc of Death Shall Come from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
8/10
May 12, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers Ltd for an advance copy of Death Shall Come, the fourth novel in the Ishmael Jones series.
Ishmael Jones is an alien who crash landed in England in 1963. Technology turned him into a human but erased his memories of his alien life. Nowadays he works for a shadowy group called The Organisation but only his girlfriend, Penny, knows he's an alien. His contact, the Colonel, asks him to do an off the books favour and accompany him to his father-in-law George Cardavan's house to do some snooping over George's acquisition of an Egyptian mummy. When George is murdered the Colonel and Ishmael investigate.
I didn't realise what I was getting in this novel from the blurb so I have rather mixed feelings about it. It is definitely a genre bending novel with crime, horror and science fiction in the mix. I love the crime element and the hunt for the killer as it has an old fashioned feel with a limited number of suspects and the solution comes from a process of elimination. The solution, however, is not to my taste and I found it impossible to swallow.
Ishmael Jones is a man of mystery, obviously as he is an alien with no memory of it, but as he has a human body and DNA I don't understand why he has to continually change identity and live life on the run. I don't read science fiction so there may be a common explanation for it that I am unaware of it just doesn't make sense to me. Otherwise he seems to be fairly normal, apart from a few superpowers.
I found the whole alien thing difficult to believe and almost gave up reading but the novel is intriguing and it drew me in. It is well plotted, written and paced so, with reservations, I can recommend it as a good read.
Ishmael Jones is an alien who crash landed in England in 1963. Technology turned him into a human but erased his memories of his alien life. Nowadays he works for a shadowy group called The Organisation but only his girlfriend, Penny, knows he's an alien. His contact, the Colonel, asks him to do an off the books favour and accompany him to his father-in-law George Cardavan's house to do some snooping over George's acquisition of an Egyptian mummy. When George is murdered the Colonel and Ishmael investigate.
I didn't realise what I was getting in this novel from the blurb so I have rather mixed feelings about it. It is definitely a genre bending novel with crime, horror and science fiction in the mix. I love the crime element and the hunt for the killer as it has an old fashioned feel with a limited number of suspects and the solution comes from a process of elimination. The solution, however, is not to my taste and I found it impossible to swallow.
Ishmael Jones is a man of mystery, obviously as he is an alien with no memory of it, but as he has a human body and DNA I don't understand why he has to continually change identity and live life on the run. I don't read science fiction so there may be a common explanation for it that I am unaware of it just doesn't make sense to me. Otherwise he seems to be fairly normal, apart from a few superpowers.
I found the whole alien thing difficult to believe and almost gave up reading but the novel is intriguing and it drew me in. It is well plotted, written and paced so, with reservations, I can recommend it as a good read.
May 12, 2017
'Call me Ishamael' you wouldn't be blamed for thinking that you were about to start reading Herman Melville's classic Moby Dick. But this is a series which is set to be a completely different type of classic.
This is the second book I've read in the Ishmael Jones series by Simon R Green and the fourth in the series overall. Which answers the question do I need to read them in order? No. There is always a little background at the beginning that fills you in on who Ishmael is and what's going on with him.
Ishmael Jones (which isn't his real name) is an alien who crash landed on earth 50 years ago, his spaceship turned him into something resembling a human and he's since joined the service of a covert government operation led by the strict Colonel.
The Ishmael books all feature a mystery which Ishmael and his endearing human girlfriend Penny have to solve. This time they're carted off to the mysterious house of the Colonel's wife's family who hold one of the largest private collections of Egyptian artefacts in the world. Including a brand new mummy that they want to show off.
The Ishmael Jones series is an excellent example of genre blending, imagine Scoony Doo meets My Parents are Aliens for grownups. Ishmael and Penny have an amusing relationship and the books are just generally very easy reads, they're not particularly long and the mysteries are hard to solve because it's usually something supernatural at work and hiding in plain sight.
I've really enjoyed this series so far and hope there will be some more if only to determine Ishamael's true origins. Will he ever know where he came from and why?
This is the second book I've read in the Ishmael Jones series by Simon R Green and the fourth in the series overall. Which answers the question do I need to read them in order? No. There is always a little background at the beginning that fills you in on who Ishmael is and what's going on with him.
Ishmael Jones (which isn't his real name) is an alien who crash landed on earth 50 years ago, his spaceship turned him into something resembling a human and he's since joined the service of a covert government operation led by the strict Colonel.
The Ishmael books all feature a mystery which Ishmael and his endearing human girlfriend Penny have to solve. This time they're carted off to the mysterious house of the Colonel's wife's family who hold one of the largest private collections of Egyptian artefacts in the world. Including a brand new mummy that they want to show off.
The Ishmael Jones series is an excellent example of genre blending, imagine Scoony Doo meets My Parents are Aliens for grownups. Ishmael and Penny have an amusing relationship and the books are just generally very easy reads, they're not particularly long and the mysteries are hard to solve because it's usually something supernatural at work and hiding in plain sight.
I've really enjoyed this series so far and hope there will be some more if only to determine Ishamael's true origins. Will he ever know where he came from and why?
February 22, 2018
Here's the thing about these books.
You wouldn't be reading them if you didn't like Simon R Green. If you don't enjoy the style and the character archetypes and the somewhat formulaic, somewhat rushed, nearly always sly and very nearly charming plots, you wouldn't be this deep into even one of his series.
Simon R. Green is a little hit and miss, that's true. The Ishamel Jones series hasn't risen to the level of the Nightside (hell, what of his does?) or Hawk and Fisher, but it's an interesting blend of the two. The plots are very contained - I have to think he's an Agatha Christie fan - and read much more like the short Hawk and Fisher stories than his longer works. But the tone, the characters and the dialogue are much more like the Nightside. I enjoy these books. They're cotton candy with a side of arsenic, and I like them. They're far from perfect. Sometimes flat, often a bit repetitive, I find myself wishing that Mr. Green would get to the point already. Because there is a point. All of his books spiral into a larger work, fit into a larger puzzle, and I have no doubt at all that these are the same.
This particular novel focuses on a mummy. A stolen mummy, naturally, because the book is set in England. There's a murder, as one could deduce from it being a "country house mystery," and then another, and another. Through it all we learn more about Ishmael Jones and where exactly he came from. It could stand on its own, but you'll get more out of it if you read the first three before this one.
Fun, quick, snackable story. Looking forward to the next.
You wouldn't be reading them if you didn't like Simon R Green. If you don't enjoy the style and the character archetypes and the somewhat formulaic, somewhat rushed, nearly always sly and very nearly charming plots, you wouldn't be this deep into even one of his series.
Simon R. Green is a little hit and miss, that's true. The Ishamel Jones series hasn't risen to the level of the Nightside (hell, what of his does?) or Hawk and Fisher, but it's an interesting blend of the two. The plots are very contained - I have to think he's an Agatha Christie fan - and read much more like the short Hawk and Fisher stories than his longer works. But the tone, the characters and the dialogue are much more like the Nightside. I enjoy these books. They're cotton candy with a side of arsenic, and I like them. They're far from perfect. Sometimes flat, often a bit repetitive, I find myself wishing that Mr. Green would get to the point already. Because there is a point. All of his books spiral into a larger work, fit into a larger puzzle, and I have no doubt at all that these are the same.
This particular novel focuses on a mummy. A stolen mummy, naturally, because the book is set in England. There's a murder, as one could deduce from it being a "country house mystery," and then another, and another. Through it all we learn more about Ishmael Jones and where exactly he came from. It could stand on its own, but you'll get more out of it if you read the first three before this one.
Fun, quick, snackable story. Looking forward to the next.
May 23, 2021
This was the novel in the series that I have been waiting for.
In a lot of ways the plot felt very, very similar to the other three. Ishmael Jones and Penny were asked to go to another location to investigate some weird disturbances. This location, Cardavan House, was another isolated, haunted-like house. There would be no help coming and it would be up to Jones and Penny to investigate everything by themselves. Once they arrived a murder occurred, just
like the last three novels.
However, in Death Shall Come we finally learn more about Ishmael’s origin and how he landed on Earth. I really loved this part, it was the best part of the novel. The murder investigation was okay but nothing grand.
The characters were okay but again they were utterly forgettable. I liked the SC’s as they all had different reasons for visiting Cardavan House which reflected their character. One was a snob who only wanted to protect his investments so he acted rude. One was a scholar and wanted to protect the mummies so he wanted to preserve as much as possible. Ishmael was more developed but I found some of Ishmael’s powers too inconsistent. In one book his sense of smell is above average but in this novel it was extraordinary, all to fulfill some portion of the plot.
Overall this was an good novel that finally answered some questions about Ishmael Jones’s past. The murder investigation was okay, the location was repetitive but interesting, however the world building was fantastic and that was where this novel shone.
In a lot of ways the plot felt very, very similar to the other three. Ishmael Jones and Penny were asked to go to another location to investigate some weird disturbances. This location, Cardavan House, was another isolated, haunted-like house. There would be no help coming and it would be up to Jones and Penny to investigate everything by themselves. Once they arrived a murder occurred, just
like the last three novels.
However, in Death Shall Come we finally learn more about Ishmael’s origin and how he landed on Earth. I really loved this part, it was the best part of the novel. The murder investigation was okay but nothing grand.
The characters were okay but again they were utterly forgettable. I liked the SC’s as they all had different reasons for visiting Cardavan House which reflected their character. One was a snob who only wanted to protect his investments so he acted rude. One was a scholar and wanted to protect the mummies so he wanted to preserve as much as possible. Ishmael was more developed but I found some of Ishmael’s powers too inconsistent. In one book his sense of smell is above average but in this novel it was extraordinary, all to fulfill some portion of the plot.
Overall this was an good novel that finally answered some questions about Ishmael Jones’s past. The murder investigation was okay, the location was repetitive but interesting, however the world building was fantastic and that was where this novel shone.
June 20, 2017
I was quite pleased with this book. I initially picked up this book to read because it was written by Simon R. Green, and I am a big fan of his "Nightside" series. However, I have never read anything else by him. This was the fourth book in a series, so I feel like there is probably a lot of backstory to which I was not privy, but even so, the book was quite enjoyable. Also, it was written in such a way that it is fine as a standalone novel.
I enjoyed the main character, Ishmael, and his relationship with The Colonel, whom I gather is his superior at the place where he works. It is reminiscent of the relationship between John Taylor and Henry Walker, but not in such a strong and obvious way that it makes the book some like a "Nightside" rip-off.
I also found the main character's girlfriend, Penny, to be absolutely delightful. Everything about her was just wonderfully written, and I could visualize her crystal clear in my mind.
The storyline was good. I do not want to give away any of the plot points, so I am not going to go into it, but it was a well-paced story that really held the action well. There were a few times during which the story took a turn that was quite obvious, and those were a little disappointing in their predictability, but those instances were few and far between. Most of the book was very original and kept you guessing.
I also liked the sci-fi angle of the alien race. And again, I do not want to give anything away, so that is all I am going to say on that matter.
Overall, I was quite fond of the book. I will probably check out the rest of the series
I enjoyed the main character, Ishmael, and his relationship with The Colonel, whom I gather is his superior at the place where he works. It is reminiscent of the relationship between John Taylor and Henry Walker, but not in such a strong and obvious way that it makes the book some like a "Nightside" rip-off.
I also found the main character's girlfriend, Penny, to be absolutely delightful. Everything about her was just wonderfully written, and I could visualize her crystal clear in my mind.
The storyline was good. I do not want to give away any of the plot points, so I am not going to go into it, but it was a well-paced story that really held the action well. There were a few times during which the story took a turn that was quite obvious, and those were a little disappointing in their predictability, but those instances were few and far between. Most of the book was very original and kept you guessing.
I also liked the sci-fi angle of the alien race. And again, I do not want to give anything away, so that is all I am going to say on that matter.
Overall, I was quite fond of the book. I will probably check out the rest of the series
July 28, 2017
Simon R Green clearly has fun turning the classic manor house mystery upside down and tackling classic monsters in his Ishmael Jones series. Already he’s tackled a vampire and the Loch Ness monster. Now it’s a mummy’s turn.
As a favor to the Colonel, Ishmael and Penny head to the Cardavan homestead where the largest trove of privately owned Egyptian artefacts resides. The Colonel is concerned about how his father-in-law was able to purchase the previously undiscovered mummy of the first Cleopatra. As the head of Black Heir, a company known to deal in alien artefacts, his actions are suspect. He is of course the first to die (in a locked room with the only key in his pocket). Is it the mummy no longer resting in its sarcophagus? Or is the murderer one of the group gathered together for its unveiling? Ishmael doesn't believe in mummies, but he knows monsters exist.
Death Shall Come is a fun read, but the witty repartee between Penny and Ishmael seems a bit tired. Despite this, there is plenty to enjoy. Ishmael as always is a charming professional, honorable to a t. It is also nice to finally get a little bit of background on the mysterious Colonel. And we get a few hints about how Ishmael ended up on Earth. Death Shall Come may not be the best novel in the series, but it is still very good and will definitely keep fans happy.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Death Shall Come from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
As a favor to the Colonel, Ishmael and Penny head to the Cardavan homestead where the largest trove of privately owned Egyptian artefacts resides. The Colonel is concerned about how his father-in-law was able to purchase the previously undiscovered mummy of the first Cleopatra. As the head of Black Heir, a company known to deal in alien artefacts, his actions are suspect. He is of course the first to die (in a locked room with the only key in his pocket). Is it the mummy no longer resting in its sarcophagus? Or is the murderer one of the group gathered together for its unveiling? Ishmael doesn't believe in mummies, but he knows monsters exist.
Death Shall Come is a fun read, but the witty repartee between Penny and Ishmael seems a bit tired. Despite this, there is plenty to enjoy. Ishmael as always is a charming professional, honorable to a t. It is also nice to finally get a little bit of background on the mysterious Colonel. And we get a few hints about how Ishmael ended up on Earth. Death Shall Come may not be the best novel in the series, but it is still very good and will definitely keep fans happy.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Death Shall Come from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
June 20, 2022
This is not something I would usually read or recommend being urban fantasy/ sci-fi mystery but I came across it when I was looking for an audiobook out with my genre and thought I’d give it a go as it was included free on audible. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the story!
Ishmael Jones, an alien in human form, travels to a country house at the bequest of his spy-employer to oversee the unveiling of the ancient Egyptian fanatic Cardavan family’s newest acquisition; the mummy of Cleopatra the first. After the mummy is revealed, members of the family begin to die and Ishmael must discover who is responsible.
This is essentially a locked-room mystery with a bit of fantasy so if you can see your way past that, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. The writing is extremely witty and the tone sarcastic and well-observed. A really fun supernatural mystery and I would definitely look for further books in the series.
Ishmael Jones, an alien in human form, travels to a country house at the bequest of his spy-employer to oversee the unveiling of the ancient Egyptian fanatic Cardavan family’s newest acquisition; the mummy of Cleopatra the first. After the mummy is revealed, members of the family begin to die and Ishmael must discover who is responsible.
This is essentially a locked-room mystery with a bit of fantasy so if you can see your way past that, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. The writing is extremely witty and the tone sarcastic and well-observed. A really fun supernatural mystery and I would definitely look for further books in the series.
August 14, 2017
I have read all the books up to this point in this series, and I wasn’t sure I was going to like this latest installment. Why? Well, I thought I was getting tired of the same old locked-house mystery. Leave it to Mr. Green to prove me wrong. Ishmael and Penny are back for another murder mystery where the house is locked and no one can get out; the killer is among them, but maybe this time the killer isn’t human, maybe this time it’s the original Cleopatra. I really enjoyed this latest installment even though it’s the same type of book as the others. Mr. Green’s writing is so fun and engaging, the reader doesn’t mind if it feels a little familiar; he keeps it fresh enough to feel new. His writing is superb, and I found myself holding my breath to see what was coming next. And, at the end, there were a couple of tidbits about Ishmael’s past that were revealed making me very eager to see what’s next; I’d really like to learn more about him. If you enjoyed the other books in this series, you’ll definitely enjoy this one! Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the e-copy of the book which I voluntarily reviewed.
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