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Oracle
Blood calls for blood.
Near the ancient Temple of Apollo, environmentalists protest outside an international conference. Inside, business lobbyists mingle with politicians, seeking profit and influence. Then the charismatic leader of the protest goes missing.
The next day a body is discovered, placed like an offering to the gods. One day later a broken corpse is found at the foot of the cliffs from which blasphemers were once tossed to their deaths.
As a storm closes in and strange lights are seen on the mountain, the conference centre is cut off. Is a killer stalking its corridors? Or are primal forces reaching out from the past? Like the cryptic Oracle of Delphi, Cassandra Fortune must supply the answers before the conference is over. And before more die.
Justice will be done, but what kind of justice?
Near the ancient Temple of Apollo, environmentalists protest outside an international conference. Inside, business lobbyists mingle with politicians, seeking profit and influence. Then the charismatic leader of the protest goes missing.
The next day a body is discovered, placed like an offering to the gods. One day later a broken corpse is found at the foot of the cliffs from which blasphemers were once tossed to their deaths.
As a storm closes in and strange lights are seen on the mountain, the conference centre is cut off. Is a killer stalking its corridors? Or are primal forces reaching out from the past? Like the cryptic Oracle of Delphi, Cassandra Fortune must supply the answers before the conference is over. And before more die.
Justice will be done, but what kind of justice?
302 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2021
3 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Julie J. Anderson
16 books41 followersJulie Anderson is the CWA Dagger listed author of three Whitehall thrillers and a short series of historical adventure stories for young adults. Before becoming a crime fiction writer, she was a senior civil servant, working across a variety of departments and agencies, including the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Unlike her protagonists, however, she doesn’t know where (all) the bodies are buried.
She writes crime fiction reviews for Time and Leisure Magazine and is a co-founder and Trustee of the Clapham Book Festival. She lives in south London where her latest crime fiction series is set, returning to her first love of writing historical fiction with The Midnight Man, for Hobeck Books. The first in the Clapham Trilogy, the second, A Death in the Afternoon will be published in April 2025.
Her books are available in bookshops, at Bookshop.org and on Amazon and Waterstones.
She blogs occasionally about things which interest her at www.julieandersonwriter.com and tweets occasionally at Twitter.com/jjulieanderson
She writes crime fiction reviews for Time and Leisure Magazine and is a co-founder and Trustee of the Clapham Book Festival. She lives in south London where her latest crime fiction series is set, returning to her first love of writing historical fiction with The Midnight Man, for Hobeck Books. The first in the Clapham Trilogy, the second, A Death in the Afternoon will be published in April 2025.
Her books are available in bookshops, at Bookshop.org and on Amazon and Waterstones.
She blogs occasionally about things which interest her at www.julieandersonwriter.com and tweets occasionally at Twitter.com/jjulieanderson
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 10, 2021
Cassandra "Cassie" Fortune is only a few weeks removed from her traumatic experiences that took place in Plague. She's dispatched by the Prime Minister to a conference in Delphi to give a presentation on tax policy but most importantly to secure a connection with a high-level official on the PM's behalf. That would be stressful enough but Cassie has some additional challenges, her stalker may be closing in and there's the murder she's roped into investigating as well.
After a bit of a slow start in the first quarter, this really took off and was very much a page-turner. Cassie still suffers from some personality traits that tended to grate on my nerves but she did display growth and that was welcome. Even when she annoyed me, I still wanted to see her succeed in her duties and overcome her trials. The other characters were well done, especially Helena (I very much liked her). The main mystery itself was a good one with quite a few turns and a completely tragic culmination. I liked that facets of this story were threaded through decades and also enjoyed the ties to Hellenism (even when some of them seemed a bit on the nose). By the end, I was sure I'd happily read another and look forward to checking in on Cassie Fortune again.
Many thanks to the author for an Advanced Reader's Copy.
After a bit of a slow start in the first quarter, this really took off and was very much a page-turner. Cassie still suffers from some personality traits that tended to grate on my nerves but she did display growth and that was welcome. Even when she annoyed me, I still wanted to see her succeed in her duties and overcome her trials. The other characters were well done, especially Helena (I very much liked her). The main mystery itself was a good one with quite a few turns and a completely tragic culmination. I liked that facets of this story were threaded through decades and also enjoyed the ties to Hellenism (even when some of them seemed a bit on the nose). By the end, I was sure I'd happily read another and look forward to checking in on Cassie Fortune again.
Many thanks to the author for an Advanced Reader's Copy.
May 12, 2021
An enjoyable murder mystery set in Greece. Cassie Fortune is in Delphi to present a talk on tax policy at a conference. She’s been sent by the British PM but her main job is to get a Greek minister to go to London. Then a murder takes place and Cassie is asked to help in the investigation. This is when it would’ve been useful to have read the previous book, I had no idea this was book 2 and why Cassie had experience in investigating murders. It’s not absolutely essential to the story but there are plenty of references to previous events. Other than that the characters are good and the historic location is well used in the plot. Mythical elements like the furies are also used in a clever way.
May 2, 2021
Cassie is back and after the brilliant debut ‘Plague’ was happy to see her and ‘catch up’ and see where life had taken her, this time we are in Greece, Delphi, and a Conference Centre where diplomats and civil servants are gathering for an environmental Conference, Cassie has gone on behalf of the UK PM and is trying to gain the Greek’s favour and to agree to their meeting with the PM
But bodies start to appear and Cassie ( maybe a bit unbelievably ) is drawn into the investigation and she tries to piece together what has happened and why and more importantly who has done the deedz
There is a fairly large cast of characters, some more appealing than others, I enjoyed how the Austrian’s were described…I did feel for Helena ( the translator for Cassie ) as felt Cassie was unreasonably rude almost bullying to her throughout
It’s a good if complexish story and the descriptions of Greece and it’s history and scenery enlightening
An interesting ending!
I loved ‘Plague’ and liked ‘Oracle’ and look forward to Cassie’s next adventure
7/10
3.5 Stars
But bodies start to appear and Cassie ( maybe a bit unbelievably ) is drawn into the investigation and she tries to piece together what has happened and why and more importantly who has done the deedz
There is a fairly large cast of characters, some more appealing than others, I enjoyed how the Austrian’s were described…I did feel for Helena ( the translator for Cassie ) as felt Cassie was unreasonably rude almost bullying to her throughout
It’s a good if complexish story and the descriptions of Greece and it’s history and scenery enlightening
An interesting ending!
I loved ‘Plague’ and liked ‘Oracle’ and look forward to Cassie’s next adventure
7/10
3.5 Stars
April 19, 2021
I still haven't forgiven Julie Anderson for what happened to Andrew in the first book, Plague. That being said, I really enjoyed the previous book and I was so excited when Anderson offered me a chance to read Oracle via Netgalley in exchange for an honest.
A few weeks after Cassie's horrendous experience in London, the new Prime Minister has shipped her off to historical Delphi to deliver a presentation on tax reform and persuade the Greek finance minister to visit London to meet the PM. Of course, nothing runs smoothly when Cassie is around and soon a woman is found dead in a ritual pose and an Austrian man is found dead at the foot of a surrounding mountains. Cassie is told that if she solves the case then the finance minister will agree to meet with the British PM.
Oh, Cassie.
I love ancient history so the references to Delphi and the different temples and gods and goddesses were charming. I also liked the links to ongoing social issues such as fracking and the environment and how this might have inspired protests.
I just didn't really understand the book, if I'm honest! I don't know if my brain is a scramble but I still don't understand the motivation behind it all or why no one in the justice system in the book actually did what they should do. This may require a reread from me at some point.
A few weeks after Cassie's horrendous experience in London, the new Prime Minister has shipped her off to historical Delphi to deliver a presentation on tax reform and persuade the Greek finance minister to visit London to meet the PM. Of course, nothing runs smoothly when Cassie is around and soon a woman is found dead in a ritual pose and an Austrian man is found dead at the foot of a surrounding mountains. Cassie is told that if she solves the case then the finance minister will agree to meet with the British PM.
Oh, Cassie.
I love ancient history so the references to Delphi and the different temples and gods and goddesses were charming. I also liked the links to ongoing social issues such as fracking and the environment and how this might have inspired protests.
I just didn't really understand the book, if I'm honest! I don't know if my brain is a scramble but I still don't understand the motivation behind it all or why no one in the justice system in the book actually did what they should do. This may require a reread from me at some point.
May 10, 2021
Plague, the first novel in Julie Anderson's Cassandra Fortune series was one of my top books of 2020 and so I had high expectations for its sequel, Oracle. Following the dramatic events in the previous story, Cassandra has now moved on from her role working in procurement for the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and is now an envoy for the Prime Minister himself.
Fittingly for a woman named Cassandra, her first assignment is in Delphi where she has been tasked with securing a visit to London by the Greek Finance Minister, Theo Sidaris for some off-the-record conversations about taxation reform. As with Plague, the novel is engagingly authentic despite this being a slightly altered version of reality. Here, for example the PM is David Hurst but this Britain still needs to rebuild its relations with its European neighbours and an alliance with Greece - soon to hold the Presidency of the European Council - will go some way in the country reasserting its influence.
Politics lies at the heart of the story, at local, national and international levels but it never overwhelms proceedings, forming an illuminating backdrop without ever becoming too dense. Nevertheless, as Cassie finds herself confronting what may be her own personal Greek Tragedy, it is impossible to ignore the political considerations which both aid and obstruct her investigation into two violent deaths.
The murder of a young local woman, whose body is discovered in the ancient temple is closely followed by the death of a visiting academic. The opposition, particularly the Far-Right party Golden Dawn, which still boasts members in a number of institutions including the police force, will inevitably seek to make capital from the tragedies occurring at the same time a controversial, left-of-centre politician is in town and so it's entirely understandable why the authorities should ask - or rather insist - that Cassie assist with the investigation. The presence of climate change activists further confuses the case and with visitors and locals in the town all having different agendas, the mystery becomes increasingly tangled.
Cassie is clearly reluctant to be involved, especially as she is still obviously bearing the deep emotional scars of recent events in London. It's worth pointing out here that while it's not necessary to have read Plague, as Julie Anderson includes enough of her backstory to bring new readers up to speed, I would recommend reading the series in order if possible as there are definite spoilers from the first book. Her terrifying experience continues to haunt her, especially after she receives what can only be construed as a sinister warning. She is rapidly becoming one of my favourite characters; she is still an enigma whose fall from grace from a previous position remains unexplained, both to her and to readers. However, despite her flaws - she can be impetuous, thoughtless and perhaps a bit frosty - she is fascinating and actually really quite likeable. Throughout the novel, readers are given an insight into her inner thoughts which reveals that she often regrets her choice of words and is more sensitive than she may first appear.
Julie Anderson's exemplary sense of place means Delphi itself becomes almost another character in the novel. The vivid descriptions of the stunning beauty of the town are an absolute treat but this isn't the more usual summery read which might be expected from a book set in Greece. Taking place in November, snow storms threaten evidence while a raging tempest closes the conference centre off, isolating the remaining guests there...perhaps with a killer in their midst.
As the claustrophobic tension grows, Greece's troubled recent political background and its ancient history weighs heavily on the investigation. Though now a democratic nation, its Fascist past means there is a pervading air of suspicion with nobody sure who can be trusted. However, this is a country of contrasts and after Cassie attends a function which ends up becoming almost Bacchanalian, she realises that the old beliefs in prophecies and justice haven't entirely been swept away by modern sensibilities, and the Furies might still cast vengeance on those who incur their wrath. It's particularly striking that in a country where both the past and present continuously shapes and inform lives, the same could be said of Cassie herself who is equally as damaged and strengthened by her own past.
A must-read for anybody who enjoys complex, exciting thrillers which are both highly topical and yet offer intriguing historical comparisons; Oracle is a suspenseful, immersive mystery which more than met my expectations. I was glued to the pages of this chilling, intelligent sequel and have no doubt that the next book in the series, Opera will be just as unmissable.
Fittingly for a woman named Cassandra, her first assignment is in Delphi where she has been tasked with securing a visit to London by the Greek Finance Minister, Theo Sidaris for some off-the-record conversations about taxation reform. As with Plague, the novel is engagingly authentic despite this being a slightly altered version of reality. Here, for example the PM is David Hurst but this Britain still needs to rebuild its relations with its European neighbours and an alliance with Greece - soon to hold the Presidency of the European Council - will go some way in the country reasserting its influence.
Politics lies at the heart of the story, at local, national and international levels but it never overwhelms proceedings, forming an illuminating backdrop without ever becoming too dense. Nevertheless, as Cassie finds herself confronting what may be her own personal Greek Tragedy, it is impossible to ignore the political considerations which both aid and obstruct her investigation into two violent deaths.
The murder of a young local woman, whose body is discovered in the ancient temple is closely followed by the death of a visiting academic. The opposition, particularly the Far-Right party Golden Dawn, which still boasts members in a number of institutions including the police force, will inevitably seek to make capital from the tragedies occurring at the same time a controversial, left-of-centre politician is in town and so it's entirely understandable why the authorities should ask - or rather insist - that Cassie assist with the investigation. The presence of climate change activists further confuses the case and with visitors and locals in the town all having different agendas, the mystery becomes increasingly tangled.
Cassie is clearly reluctant to be involved, especially as she is still obviously bearing the deep emotional scars of recent events in London. It's worth pointing out here that while it's not necessary to have read Plague, as Julie Anderson includes enough of her backstory to bring new readers up to speed, I would recommend reading the series in order if possible as there are definite spoilers from the first book. Her terrifying experience continues to haunt her, especially after she receives what can only be construed as a sinister warning. She is rapidly becoming one of my favourite characters; she is still an enigma whose fall from grace from a previous position remains unexplained, both to her and to readers. However, despite her flaws - she can be impetuous, thoughtless and perhaps a bit frosty - she is fascinating and actually really quite likeable. Throughout the novel, readers are given an insight into her inner thoughts which reveals that she often regrets her choice of words and is more sensitive than she may first appear.
Julie Anderson's exemplary sense of place means Delphi itself becomes almost another character in the novel. The vivid descriptions of the stunning beauty of the town are an absolute treat but this isn't the more usual summery read which might be expected from a book set in Greece. Taking place in November, snow storms threaten evidence while a raging tempest closes the conference centre off, isolating the remaining guests there...perhaps with a killer in their midst.
As the claustrophobic tension grows, Greece's troubled recent political background and its ancient history weighs heavily on the investigation. Though now a democratic nation, its Fascist past means there is a pervading air of suspicion with nobody sure who can be trusted. However, this is a country of contrasts and after Cassie attends a function which ends up becoming almost Bacchanalian, she realises that the old beliefs in prophecies and justice haven't entirely been swept away by modern sensibilities, and the Furies might still cast vengeance on those who incur their wrath. It's particularly striking that in a country where both the past and present continuously shapes and inform lives, the same could be said of Cassie herself who is equally as damaged and strengthened by her own past.
A must-read for anybody who enjoys complex, exciting thrillers which are both highly topical and yet offer intriguing historical comparisons; Oracle is a suspenseful, immersive mystery which more than met my expectations. I was glued to the pages of this chilling, intelligent sequel and have no doubt that the next book in the series, Opera will be just as unmissable.
May 5, 2021
When I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book I jumped at the chance.
Having read the previous book in the series, Plague, a political murder mystery set around Westminster and in the underground tunnels of London I was very keen to catch up with Cassie Fortune after her traumatic experience (no spoilers!)
Julie has chosen another extremely interesting setting for this book - the area in and around the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.
We catch up with Cassie just a short while after the first book. She is now working for the new PM and has been sent as his envoy to speak at a conference with the purpose of convincing the Greek PM to visit London for an off the record meeting.
Whilst there, a local woman is murdered and then one of the delegates disappears. Cassie is made to assist with the investigations.
The story is vividly brought to life by the descriptions of the area, the weather and even the chamber below the temple Cassie falls into on a night of particularly bad weather. And those hallucinations. Or are they?
I enjoy Julie’s writing. Although initially I thought I was going to struggle with the number of Greek names and characters, this is soon dwindled down to just a handful of the important characters. There is no unnecessary padding and I also appreciated the fact that the main events are summed up along the story to keep us on track. Plenty of twists and turns and revelations you will never guess!
A really good read which I have enjoyed over Easter weekend and now I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
Due to be published by Claret Press on 5th May 2021.
Thanks Julie!
Having read the previous book in the series, Plague, a political murder mystery set around Westminster and in the underground tunnels of London I was very keen to catch up with Cassie Fortune after her traumatic experience (no spoilers!)
Julie has chosen another extremely interesting setting for this book - the area in and around the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.
We catch up with Cassie just a short while after the first book. She is now working for the new PM and has been sent as his envoy to speak at a conference with the purpose of convincing the Greek PM to visit London for an off the record meeting.
Whilst there, a local woman is murdered and then one of the delegates disappears. Cassie is made to assist with the investigations.
The story is vividly brought to life by the descriptions of the area, the weather and even the chamber below the temple Cassie falls into on a night of particularly bad weather. And those hallucinations. Or are they?
I enjoy Julie’s writing. Although initially I thought I was going to struggle with the number of Greek names and characters, this is soon dwindled down to just a handful of the important characters. There is no unnecessary padding and I also appreciated the fact that the main events are summed up along the story to keep us on track. Plenty of twists and turns and revelations you will never guess!
A really good read which I have enjoyed over Easter weekend and now I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
Due to be published by Claret Press on 5th May 2021.
Thanks Julie!
March 29, 2021
I love anything Classical inspired. Add in a murder mystery - this book had me hooked.
Oracle takes place in Delphi, Greece where the main character, Cassandra Fortune, has just arrived as a representative for the Prime Minister of the UK. She is set to give a presentation on tax policy, but almost as soon as she arrives, dead bodies start turning up and Cassandra is suddenly tasked with the responsibility of solving these murders.
This book seamlessly combined Ancient Greek religion and mythology with modern-day Greek political issues. I was especially intrigued by the inclusion of the Erinyes, the goddesses or vengeance and retribution.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, going into it I was not aware that this was the sequel to another book. It did not explicitly state that in the synopsis or on the cover. The novel made some references to Cassie’s recent past that eventually clued me in that it must be a sequel. However, I was still able to read this as if it were a standalone without being too confused about Cassie’s backstory.
Thank you Netgalley, Claret Press, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Oracle takes place in Delphi, Greece where the main character, Cassandra Fortune, has just arrived as a representative for the Prime Minister of the UK. She is set to give a presentation on tax policy, but almost as soon as she arrives, dead bodies start turning up and Cassandra is suddenly tasked with the responsibility of solving these murders.
This book seamlessly combined Ancient Greek religion and mythology with modern-day Greek political issues. I was especially intrigued by the inclusion of the Erinyes, the goddesses or vengeance and retribution.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, going into it I was not aware that this was the sequel to another book. It did not explicitly state that in the synopsis or on the cover. The novel made some references to Cassie’s recent past that eventually clued me in that it must be a sequel. However, I was still able to read this as if it were a standalone without being too confused about Cassie’s backstory.
Thank you Netgalley, Claret Press, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
March 21, 2021
I love Cassie Fortune. She's wonderfully complex and totally human. Like the rest of us, she can be her own worst enemy so she's also smart (she overthinks and ends up the wrong end of the stick), thoughtful (yet her tongue gets the better of her sometimes), courageous (even foolhardy), ambitious (which tips over and becomes driven) and kind (mostly). I want her for a friend.
THis is the 2nd Cassie Fortune novel after Plague. Cassie hasn't been sleeping well (because Plague wasn't exactly relaxing for her), and she's kind of cranky. I think she must be carrying some kind of trauma from her previous adventure, which is so realistically worked into Oracle that you get it at the subconscious level.
Then people start disappearing. And Cassie gets roped in solve the mystery against her will.
The author, Julie Anderson, updated an Agatha Christie novel, which is pretty fun. So they're trapped in an old country house and can't escape - sorry I mean, a conference centre up a mountain in Greece. No one can leave or join them. So the killer must be one of them. Brilliant.
THis is the 2nd Cassie Fortune novel after Plague. Cassie hasn't been sleeping well (because Plague wasn't exactly relaxing for her), and she's kind of cranky. I think she must be carrying some kind of trauma from her previous adventure, which is so realistically worked into Oracle that you get it at the subconscious level.
Then people start disappearing. And Cassie gets roped in solve the mystery against her will.
The author, Julie Anderson, updated an Agatha Christie novel, which is pretty fun. So they're trapped in an old country house and can't escape - sorry I mean, a conference centre up a mountain in Greece. No one can leave or join them. So the killer must be one of them. Brilliant.
March 15, 2021
Having read Julie Anderson’s Plague, I was excited to catch up with Cassandra Fortune and see how she recovered from the traumatic ending of the story. In Oracle, we find her arriving at Delphi in Greece on a mission from the Prime Minster of England. The setting is wonderfully described but I had to geek out and google the Temple of Apollo and surrounding countryside to get the full effect. Once again, Cassie is involved in solving a murder. The case is complex and slowly unwinds with lots of clues and questions. There are more twists, turns and unexpected revelations in this story than the path leading to the Corycian Cave and they will keep readers guessing until the unexpected end. The characters are all well drawn with loads of hidden agendas and personal secrets that keep Cassie guessing. The plot is tight, the pace is fast, the story well written and edited. I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story as well as the modern day geo-political concerns. I am sure this is not the last we’ve heard of Anderson’s Cassie Fortune and I look forward to more of her adventures.
May 26, 2021
Thriller set on DELPHI
This is the second outing for Cassandra Fortune and in the first book in the series – Plague – she very nearly lost her life; the action in Plague took place on a couple of months previously. References to events in the first book do occur in Oracle and so if you do get the chance to read these books in order, it might enhance your reading experience. Having said that, this novel works just as well as a standalone. (In fact you have the opportunity to read both if you enter our GIVEAWAY running until 29 May 2021)!
Cassandra – Cassie – is attending a conference in Delphi and presenting a paper on tax issues on behalf of the British PM. Her mission is to secure a reciprocal visit by the Greek Finance Minister to London. The delegates let their hair down at a convened dinner in a local restaurant and it seems almost as if Dionysus – the Greek god of wine and more – was presiding over the proceedings (they are after all in Delphi). On the way back to the guest house where she is staying, she is clearly being followed. The next morning a body turns up, a young woman has been brutally murdered and then one of the delegates is found dead. Pretty much against her will, Cassie is inveigled into helping out with the investigations. A stark and very personal warning is sent to her and it is clearly from someone who knows her.
This novel is once again set over a period of a few days which heightens the pathos. The writing is crisp and clean and in this book it is interesting how the author reflects on the political and historical machinations in ancient Greece and how nothing much has changed in contemporary society. Protesters besiege the conference centre, and politicians and local dignitaries each have agendas. There is also plenty of history and mythology sewn into the narrative which adds an extra piquancy.
Setting is very much a character in the book and is evocatively and colourfully drawn, even though it is November (and most people think of Greece as a summer destination, for obvious reasons). As the weather comes in, the cloying sense of drama ratchets up considerably. The historical mythology is part of the fabric of the area, the ruins still hold their secrets and are never far from the delegates’ minds. Stuck atop a mountain the murderer surely is within their midst and no-one can leave..
The book has a very striking cover (and you will note that orange is the “complimentary colour” of blue and when complimentary colours are used together, they always look stunning!). Inside there is a map of Delphi and as each day dawns, there is a very good pen/ink drawing to herald the day.
This is the second outing for Cassandra Fortune and in the first book in the series – Plague – she very nearly lost her life; the action in Plague took place on a couple of months previously. References to events in the first book do occur in Oracle and so if you do get the chance to read these books in order, it might enhance your reading experience. Having said that, this novel works just as well as a standalone. (In fact you have the opportunity to read both if you enter our GIVEAWAY running until 29 May 2021)!
Cassandra – Cassie – is attending a conference in Delphi and presenting a paper on tax issues on behalf of the British PM. Her mission is to secure a reciprocal visit by the Greek Finance Minister to London. The delegates let their hair down at a convened dinner in a local restaurant and it seems almost as if Dionysus – the Greek god of wine and more – was presiding over the proceedings (they are after all in Delphi). On the way back to the guest house where she is staying, she is clearly being followed. The next morning a body turns up, a young woman has been brutally murdered and then one of the delegates is found dead. Pretty much against her will, Cassie is inveigled into helping out with the investigations. A stark and very personal warning is sent to her and it is clearly from someone who knows her.
This novel is once again set over a period of a few days which heightens the pathos. The writing is crisp and clean and in this book it is interesting how the author reflects on the political and historical machinations in ancient Greece and how nothing much has changed in contemporary society. Protesters besiege the conference centre, and politicians and local dignitaries each have agendas. There is also plenty of history and mythology sewn into the narrative which adds an extra piquancy.
Setting is very much a character in the book and is evocatively and colourfully drawn, even though it is November (and most people think of Greece as a summer destination, for obvious reasons). As the weather comes in, the cloying sense of drama ratchets up considerably. The historical mythology is part of the fabric of the area, the ruins still hold their secrets and are never far from the delegates’ minds. Stuck atop a mountain the murderer surely is within their midst and no-one can leave..
The book has a very striking cover (and you will note that orange is the “complimentary colour” of blue and when complimentary colours are used together, they always look stunning!). Inside there is a map of Delphi and as each day dawns, there is a very good pen/ink drawing to herald the day.
April 20, 2021
Cassandra Fortune. or Cassie for short, is on her first mission for David Hurst, the UK Prime Minister as she flies out to Greece. It’s only been 2 months since the events of Plague and she’s still recovering from the death of Andrew, a man who might have been much more in her life. Also, her ill-starred involvement with the villain Lawrence Delahaye.
But this is her chance to prove herself again. She’s due to make a presentation on taxation reform at a public administration conference. It may sound dull but her true purpose isn’t. Cassie has been sent there to foster good relations and to bring a major Greek government minister back to London to speak to the PM. The conference venue is high in the mountains near the Delphi temple ruins and she soon gets to know her interpreter, Helena, and some of her fellow delegates.
However, Cassie’s suitcase doesn’t arrive at Athens airport which makes her late at the hotel and when it does appear it has a coded message inside from Delahaye. He’s obviously not forgotten her.
Is he the mysterious person who follows her back to the hotel home one night? But she is determined to concentrate on her important task. However, a couple arguing in the room next door keep her awake and when she complains to the receptionist she is told that there’s no one booked into the room. She has cause to remember this when a local woman; Barbara Doukas, is found murdered, laid out on a plinth like an offering to the gods, at the ruins. Then one of the Austrian delegates goes missing. Are they connected?
But, as a snowstorm closes in and the power and phone signals go down, Cassie is on a deadline to find the murderer. She’s been drawn into the investigation as a neutral person since the police can’t be trusted. Cassie knows that the murderer is among them. Is it Delahaye? But the prize that David Hurst wants her to bring home is within her grasp as long as she finds the murderer before the police. It’s not long before she’s immersed in Greek politics, treading a fine line between the security chief, Iraklides, and the police and realising that the past and its repercussions are never far away. A time when betrayal wasn’t a crime but a choice…..
This is a fast paced thriller and the author deftly handles the different plot strands. Cassie is still reeling from recent events but determined to find justice for Barbara and make her mission a success. The pressure is on as she begins to see that her fellow delegates have their own agendas and are determined to get in her way. And yet the mysterious ruins and their myths and reputations begin to draw her in. What secrets do they hold? I like Cassie as she is a determined and courageous woman and realises that she is in the middle of events as activists demonstrate and an ultra far right group, the Golden Dawn, are lurking in the background.
I liked the way that events from the previous book are alluded to and not conveyed as an infodump. The author’s research really came to the fore and enhanced the plotlines. I felt that I was being given knowledge instead of having it fed to me. Although the plot device of the characters being isolated and stranded has been used often, I enjoyed the spectacular backdrop of the mountains and the ruins and a mysterious scream in the night.
I’m looking forward to the 3rd book in the series ‘Opera’!
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.
But this is her chance to prove herself again. She’s due to make a presentation on taxation reform at a public administration conference. It may sound dull but her true purpose isn’t. Cassie has been sent there to foster good relations and to bring a major Greek government minister back to London to speak to the PM. The conference venue is high in the mountains near the Delphi temple ruins and she soon gets to know her interpreter, Helena, and some of her fellow delegates.
However, Cassie’s suitcase doesn’t arrive at Athens airport which makes her late at the hotel and when it does appear it has a coded message inside from Delahaye. He’s obviously not forgotten her.
Is he the mysterious person who follows her back to the hotel home one night? But she is determined to concentrate on her important task. However, a couple arguing in the room next door keep her awake and when she complains to the receptionist she is told that there’s no one booked into the room. She has cause to remember this when a local woman; Barbara Doukas, is found murdered, laid out on a plinth like an offering to the gods, at the ruins. Then one of the Austrian delegates goes missing. Are they connected?
But, as a snowstorm closes in and the power and phone signals go down, Cassie is on a deadline to find the murderer. She’s been drawn into the investigation as a neutral person since the police can’t be trusted. Cassie knows that the murderer is among them. Is it Delahaye? But the prize that David Hurst wants her to bring home is within her grasp as long as she finds the murderer before the police. It’s not long before she’s immersed in Greek politics, treading a fine line between the security chief, Iraklides, and the police and realising that the past and its repercussions are never far away. A time when betrayal wasn’t a crime but a choice…..
This is a fast paced thriller and the author deftly handles the different plot strands. Cassie is still reeling from recent events but determined to find justice for Barbara and make her mission a success. The pressure is on as she begins to see that her fellow delegates have their own agendas and are determined to get in her way. And yet the mysterious ruins and their myths and reputations begin to draw her in. What secrets do they hold? I like Cassie as she is a determined and courageous woman and realises that she is in the middle of events as activists demonstrate and an ultra far right group, the Golden Dawn, are lurking in the background.
I liked the way that events from the previous book are alluded to and not conveyed as an infodump. The author’s research really came to the fore and enhanced the plotlines. I felt that I was being given knowledge instead of having it fed to me. Although the plot device of the characters being isolated and stranded has been used often, I enjoyed the spectacular backdrop of the mountains and the ruins and a mysterious scream in the night.
I’m looking forward to the 3rd book in the series ‘Opera’!
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.
April 9, 2021
Delphi makes a wondrous setting for this book, the second in the series. It is known for its mysterious ancient ruins, history and myths but for a few days it is also known for murder. Secrets, atmosphere and getting lost are all part and parcel of this novel.
Cassie Fortune, the UK delegate to the European Convention, is not a stranger to politics. Her mission is to get the Greek financial minister to go to London to speak with the prime minister. She is introduced to several dignitaries and an historian and prepares to give a presentation the following day. Environmental lobbyists throng the area and the day after a body is found, and it is not exactly alive. Her interpreter from the British Embassy, Helena Gatakis finds herself immersed in the crimes along with Cassie Yes, crimes. Plural. Are they part of some sort of weird ritual? Not only are the crimes tricky with a skeleton investigative staff but language is a barrier. What are the native speakers really saying? What secret does the Temple of Delphi hold?
This well-researched book is fascinating...I adore visiting Greek ruins which added another layer to my reading experience. The author's notes at the back are excellent. I love when authors write about personal experiences, research and inspirations.
Mystery, Fiction and Women's Fiction readers alike ought to read this book with mystery elements knit together seamlessly with historic elements.
My sincere thank you to Claret Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful book...it really takes me back to wandering ruins in a nanosecond!
Cassie Fortune, the UK delegate to the European Convention, is not a stranger to politics. Her mission is to get the Greek financial minister to go to London to speak with the prime minister. She is introduced to several dignitaries and an historian and prepares to give a presentation the following day. Environmental lobbyists throng the area and the day after a body is found, and it is not exactly alive. Her interpreter from the British Embassy, Helena Gatakis finds herself immersed in the crimes along with Cassie Yes, crimes. Plural. Are they part of some sort of weird ritual? Not only are the crimes tricky with a skeleton investigative staff but language is a barrier. What are the native speakers really saying? What secret does the Temple of Delphi hold?
This well-researched book is fascinating...I adore visiting Greek ruins which added another layer to my reading experience. The author's notes at the back are excellent. I love when authors write about personal experiences, research and inspirations.
Mystery, Fiction and Women's Fiction readers alike ought to read this book with mystery elements knit together seamlessly with historic elements.
My sincere thank you to Claret Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful book...it really takes me back to wandering ruins in a nanosecond!
March 28, 2021
Julie Anderson’s Plague was gripping and original, and Oracle is a masterful sequel. Our doughty protagonist, Cassie Fortune, is transported from underground London to Delphi in Greece on what appears to be a straightforward diplomatic mission on behalf of the British Prime Minister. No sooner has Cassie arrived than she is plunged full-tilt into a murder mystery which gradually unveils a tangled web of misinformation and shady personal histories. This is not hot, travelogue Greece but a cold, thundery, November one, and the weather is used cleverly to heighten the tension as the drama unfolds.
The plot keeps us guessing right to the end as the intriguing cast of characters are handled with skill and care. The environs of Delphi, the Temple of Apollo and the Cultural Centre are expertly realised and the author’s obvious love of, and thirst for history and politics shines through in Oracle as they did in Plague.
Fearless, frightened and foolhardy, the brave and clever Cassie Fortune is rapidly becoming one of my favourite literary heroines
Julie Anderson did well to get this follow-up to Plague out so quickly. Apparently, there’s a third instalment in the offing. Can’t wait.
The plot keeps us guessing right to the end as the intriguing cast of characters are handled with skill and care. The environs of Delphi, the Temple of Apollo and the Cultural Centre are expertly realised and the author’s obvious love of, and thirst for history and politics shines through in Oracle as they did in Plague.
Fearless, frightened and foolhardy, the brave and clever Cassie Fortune is rapidly becoming one of my favourite literary heroines
Julie Anderson did well to get this follow-up to Plague out so quickly. Apparently, there’s a third instalment in the offing. Can’t wait.
May 25, 2021
The first book was interesting. This one gets better.
Just a few weeks after solving a crime case in London and going through a traumatic experience, Cassandra Fortune is assigned another important task by the Prime Minister.
She is to attend a conference in Delphi, Greece and present on tax reformation. Underneath that task she is to get the Finance Minister to agree to meet the Prime Minister in London. Two people get missing and are later found dead. Advisor and good friend to the Finance Minister asks Cassie to help solve the case and in exchange they will accept to see the Prime Minister in London. Cassie with the help of her interpreter Helen and a few other inspectors solve the case of the murders. With a lot of twist and turns, a threat from Lawrence Delahaye her enemy, a fall into an underground room, a vision of the Oracle of Apollo and everyone thinking she is a spy, Cassie is able to solve the case. Family secrets are discovered, betrayals are found out and justice is served.
Can't wait for the third one!
Just a few weeks after solving a crime case in London and going through a traumatic experience, Cassandra Fortune is assigned another important task by the Prime Minister.
She is to attend a conference in Delphi, Greece and present on tax reformation. Underneath that task she is to get the Finance Minister to agree to meet the Prime Minister in London. Two people get missing and are later found dead. Advisor and good friend to the Finance Minister asks Cassie to help solve the case and in exchange they will accept to see the Prime Minister in London. Cassie with the help of her interpreter Helen and a few other inspectors solve the case of the murders. With a lot of twist and turns, a threat from Lawrence Delahaye her enemy, a fall into an underground room, a vision of the Oracle of Apollo and everyone thinking she is a spy, Cassie is able to solve the case. Family secrets are discovered, betrayals are found out and justice is served.
Can't wait for the third one!
May 3, 2021
Taking place over a few days it was enjoyable to shadow Cassandra "Cassie" Fortune.
Her arrival in Delphi was far from plain sailing and everything that could go wrong – did. This pacy opening set the scene nicely for what was a whirlwind of interesting days that followed.
Cassie was determined to solve this case regardless of the barriers and life-threatening dangers she faced along the way. The plot thickened with multiple twists and turns which were captivating.
Gaining snippets of information throughout the days meant it was satisfying to finally be able to fill in the blanks when the whole truth came to light. Family shameful secrets hidden for decades would come back with a vengeance.
Authentic, gritty and suspenseful - A highly recommended must read !
Review by: Sharon Hartles - Many thanks to Julie Anderson for providing me with an Advanced Copy of Oracle
Her arrival in Delphi was far from plain sailing and everything that could go wrong – did. This pacy opening set the scene nicely for what was a whirlwind of interesting days that followed.
Cassie was determined to solve this case regardless of the barriers and life-threatening dangers she faced along the way. The plot thickened with multiple twists and turns which were captivating.
Gaining snippets of information throughout the days meant it was satisfying to finally be able to fill in the blanks when the whole truth came to light. Family shameful secrets hidden for decades would come back with a vengeance.
Authentic, gritty and suspenseful - A highly recommended must read !
Review by: Sharon Hartles - Many thanks to Julie Anderson for providing me with an Advanced Copy of Oracle
April 21, 2021
Oracle by Julie Anderson is a recommended murder mystery and the second novel featuring Cassie Fortune, following Plague (2020).
It has been two months since the events that occurred in Plague. Cassie is still reeling from those events and trying to recover emotionally. In Oracle Cassie has been sent to Delphi, Greece where she is representing the Prime Minister of the UK and is scheduled to give a presentation on tax policy. Her real purpose for attending is to secure a future meeting in London between a Greek government minister and the Prime Minister. The center where the conference is being held on the slopes of Mount Parnassus near the ruins of the Temple of Apollo. Helena, Cassie's interpreter, meets her at the center and the two work well together. Quickly, the narrative introduces clues even before the first murder happens and Cassie is asked to help with the investigation.
At this point the novel takes on the task of melding the tried and true plot device found in Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express with Classical mythology. Storms hit the conference center and phone lines are down. They are all isolated and the weather along with the terrain make investigating difficult. Basics of Classical Mythology are introduced in a visit to the Delphi Temple (so you won't need to refresh your memory). Complicating the plot are environmental protesters, the uncooperative and secretive way those involved in the investigation are behaving, the history of authoritarianism and justice in the area, and the group Golden Dawn.
Cassie is an interesting character and has to overcome a language barrier as well as cultural differences in her investigation. Admittedly, I still have not connected with her as a character after two novels, but I was able to overlook my qualms and enjoy the narrative. The action moves along at a quick pace with clues being provided almost right from the start. Classical Mythology has been a long time personal interest and I enjoyed the introduction of elements from mythology into the plot. I also liked the use of the plot device of isolating the characters. Some suspension of disbelief is, again, required as you follow Cassie's involvement in the investigation. Intermixed in the plot are current social and political concerns the author holds.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Claret Press in exchange for my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...
It has been two months since the events that occurred in Plague. Cassie is still reeling from those events and trying to recover emotionally. In Oracle Cassie has been sent to Delphi, Greece where she is representing the Prime Minister of the UK and is scheduled to give a presentation on tax policy. Her real purpose for attending is to secure a future meeting in London between a Greek government minister and the Prime Minister. The center where the conference is being held on the slopes of Mount Parnassus near the ruins of the Temple of Apollo. Helena, Cassie's interpreter, meets her at the center and the two work well together. Quickly, the narrative introduces clues even before the first murder happens and Cassie is asked to help with the investigation.
At this point the novel takes on the task of melding the tried and true plot device found in Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express with Classical mythology. Storms hit the conference center and phone lines are down. They are all isolated and the weather along with the terrain make investigating difficult. Basics of Classical Mythology are introduced in a visit to the Delphi Temple (so you won't need to refresh your memory). Complicating the plot are environmental protesters, the uncooperative and secretive way those involved in the investigation are behaving, the history of authoritarianism and justice in the area, and the group Golden Dawn.
Cassie is an interesting character and has to overcome a language barrier as well as cultural differences in her investigation. Admittedly, I still have not connected with her as a character after two novels, but I was able to overlook my qualms and enjoy the narrative. The action moves along at a quick pace with clues being provided almost right from the start. Classical Mythology has been a long time personal interest and I enjoyed the introduction of elements from mythology into the plot. I also liked the use of the plot device of isolating the characters. Some suspension of disbelief is, again, required as you follow Cassie's involvement in the investigation. Intermixed in the plot are current social and political concerns the author holds.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Claret Press in exchange for my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/0...
April 26, 2021
3 stars
This murder mystery has a gorgeous setting in the remote Greek countryside, & some fun tidbits of ancient history. The writing is decent, but I couldn’t warm up to the MC, & some of the plot twists felt unnecessary.
[What I liked:]
•The descriptions of the Greek countryside are striking, & the writer seems well informed on the local history & customs of Delphi.
•Ganas was a very sympathetic character, though flawed. I think he was my favorite character.
•Yannis & Meg were great characters too. Nicely complex & ultimately sympathetic.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•Would a foreign diplomat, with no police training, really take the lead on a forensic examination of a murder victim’s corpse instead of the homicide detective assigned to the case? That seemed odd & hard to believe.
•I didn’t like how Cassie was so judgmental of Helena, & often quite rude to her. She kinda lectured Helena about hooking up with Yannis, which was none of her business, but when Helena expressed concern for Cassie’s safety (Cassie was being stalked by a serial killer) Cassie got all miffed & offended that she was trying to interfere. Cassie just came across as prickly & controlling & a bit condescending.
•Cassie does several dangerous, reckless things throughout the story. She’s either lacking in common sense, or really arrogant to do those things.
•The hostage scenario seemed really unnecessary & not very logical. It felt like it was only in the book to make things more exciting, but since the hostages never felt in any danger it wasn’t even that exciting.
CW: murder, PTSD, attempted sexual assault,
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
This murder mystery has a gorgeous setting in the remote Greek countryside, & some fun tidbits of ancient history. The writing is decent, but I couldn’t warm up to the MC, & some of the plot twists felt unnecessary.
[What I liked:]
•The descriptions of the Greek countryside are striking, & the writer seems well informed on the local history & customs of Delphi.
•Ganas was a very sympathetic character, though flawed. I think he was my favorite character.
•Yannis & Meg were great characters too. Nicely complex & ultimately sympathetic.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•Would a foreign diplomat, with no police training, really take the lead on a forensic examination of a murder victim’s corpse instead of the homicide detective assigned to the case? That seemed odd & hard to believe.
•I didn’t like how Cassie was so judgmental of Helena, & often quite rude to her. She kinda lectured Helena about hooking up with Yannis, which was none of her business, but when Helena expressed concern for Cassie’s safety (Cassie was being stalked by a serial killer) Cassie got all miffed & offended that she was trying to interfere. Cassie just came across as prickly & controlling & a bit condescending.
•Cassie does several dangerous, reckless things throughout the story. She’s either lacking in common sense, or really arrogant to do those things.
•The hostage scenario seemed really unnecessary & not very logical. It felt like it was only in the book to make things more exciting, but since the hostages never felt in any danger it wasn’t even that exciting.
CW: murder, PTSD, attempted sexual assault,
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
April 26, 2022
Oracle is Julie Anderson’s second book. Again, an amazing Cassie Fortune mystery. This book takes place shortly after the first book by Julie Anderson: Plague. Cassie Fortune, is off for a secret mission of the prime minister. She is dispatched by the prime minister to a conference to give a presentation on tax policy but a murder takes place. To do what the prime minister wants her to do she has to solve the murder. Oracle is a sly discussion on the importance of an apolitical police force. Moreover, it is about justice. I really can’t wait for the next Cassie Fortune mystery by Julie Anderson.
August 17, 2021
Julie Anderson's Oracle is a well-written, sophisticated page-turner. She manages to tell a thrilling story with unassuming confidence and intelligence. I couldn't put Oracle down and can't wait to read Cassie's next adventure.
February 17, 2022
Book 2 of the Cassandra Fortune Series is just as good as book 1. It is an exciting, real, believable, intelligent murder mystery. I would fully recommend!
March 23, 2021
"Oracle" was everything I hoped for and more - excellent characters, perfect setting, brilliant writing. It was so, so good to catch up with Cassie (the main character from "Plague") - and what a situation she finds herself in this time! This is a really fast read, and I was disappointed to come to the end. I can't wait for book 3 (please don't let it be the last!!).
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
March 18, 2021
The publisher's blurb is a really good hook! The sense of impending menace and difficulties pervades and seems backed up by Greek myth and legend. Don't want to summarize or do the spoiler thing, but it really is a riveting story (even though I had not read the previous Cassandra Fortune thriller). It grabbed and held my attention throughout.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Claret Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Claret Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 3, 2021
I am the author of this book, so it's inappropriate of me to rank it. Instead I let some of my pre-publication readers have their say - 'What a splendid sequel, 'Oracle' is a page-turner, an engaging and absorbing read.' David Armstrong, playwright (listed Branagh New Writing Award 2020) 'Tremendous, I just had to read on.'
June 4, 2021
Cassie has been sent off to Greece on behalf of the Prime Minister to present at an international conference, and to persuade the Ministers to come to the UK. Determined to accomplish her mission, Cassie will do whatever it takes….. However, what she doesn’t expect is to get mixed up in the middle of a murder investigation!
With her interpreter Helena, by her side and the Chief of Security, Yannis on the team, they set out to discover what happened. But when another body is found, things get more complicated. Will they be able to find the killer before the conference ends? And will Cassie make it out in one piece?
I absolutely loved being back with Cassie, having read book one, Plague. Cassie is such a strong, tenacious and determined woman, and even though she is still suffering from the things that happened in the last book, she is set on completing her mission and doing a brilliant job. At times she can be quite cold in this, but that comes from her suffering again. There are a few things I definitely think she could do differently in this!
The mystery of the murders is fantastic. It kept me turning the pages and I literally had no clue who the killer was! Especially when someone else turns up dead. There are plenty of twists in this too that will keep you on your toes.
The setting is brilliant. Set up a mountain in Delphi, the location is remote and surrounded by lots of ancient history. The book covers bits of ancient history (gods, temples etc) and also more modern history, with references to the 1970s uprisings. I definitely learnt a lot from this, and as a history student, these aspects make it even more enjoyable for me. In the afterword, Anderson also tells us which bits actually happened to her on her trip to an international conference, with some bits being true (not the murders obviously!).
The plot is complex, intriguing and thrilling. I read this in under 24 hours just because I didn’t want to put it down! There is still a threat to Cassie from book 1 and Anderson keeps us on tenterhooks throughout the book, wondering whether anything will happen…..the suspense is fantastic. The ending is brilliant, and leaves us an opening to book 3, where I’m sure we’re going to learn more about Cassie and what’s happened in her past (which I’m dying to know!)
So if you’re looking for a fantastic thriller with a brilliant protagonist, full of mystery, intrigue and action where you’ll learn a touch of history and politics, then this is for you. Highly recommended by me!
You can also check out my review of Plague, book 1 here.
With her interpreter Helena, by her side and the Chief of Security, Yannis on the team, they set out to discover what happened. But when another body is found, things get more complicated. Will they be able to find the killer before the conference ends? And will Cassie make it out in one piece?
I absolutely loved being back with Cassie, having read book one, Plague. Cassie is such a strong, tenacious and determined woman, and even though she is still suffering from the things that happened in the last book, she is set on completing her mission and doing a brilliant job. At times she can be quite cold in this, but that comes from her suffering again. There are a few things I definitely think she could do differently in this!
The mystery of the murders is fantastic. It kept me turning the pages and I literally had no clue who the killer was! Especially when someone else turns up dead. There are plenty of twists in this too that will keep you on your toes.
The setting is brilliant. Set up a mountain in Delphi, the location is remote and surrounded by lots of ancient history. The book covers bits of ancient history (gods, temples etc) and also more modern history, with references to the 1970s uprisings. I definitely learnt a lot from this, and as a history student, these aspects make it even more enjoyable for me. In the afterword, Anderson also tells us which bits actually happened to her on her trip to an international conference, with some bits being true (not the murders obviously!).
The plot is complex, intriguing and thrilling. I read this in under 24 hours just because I didn’t want to put it down! There is still a threat to Cassie from book 1 and Anderson keeps us on tenterhooks throughout the book, wondering whether anything will happen…..the suspense is fantastic. The ending is brilliant, and leaves us an opening to book 3, where I’m sure we’re going to learn more about Cassie and what’s happened in her past (which I’m dying to know!)
So if you’re looking for a fantastic thriller with a brilliant protagonist, full of mystery, intrigue and action where you’ll learn a touch of history and politics, then this is for you. Highly recommended by me!
You can also check out my review of Plague, book 1 here.
May 20, 2021
“At the top they saw why the motorcade had stopped. A large herd of goats was being driven down the mountain, bells clanging. The animals at the front had already crossed the road and were heading down to the valley, but the rest of the herd was following behind, walking and trotting across in front of the outriders and the convoy. A young boy and an older shepherd, carrying a staff, were chivvying them along.”
I think the above may be my favourite image from Julie Anderson’s Oracle, though what I love about it is not only the way in which, as the protagonist Cassie Fortune identifies it, “The Homeric meets the twenty-first century”, but more specifically the weaving of themes of politics which make connections across millennia – it is after all the motorcade of the Greek finance minister which is stopped by the goats. In Oracle questions of justice, corruption and the violence of power are a background to a gripping murder mystery.
I really enjoyed the prequel Plague, so am not surprised to have also loved Oracle. They are different, but in the best way. Cassie’s story has moved on and we discover a new host of characters in more of a cosy mystery format rather than a thriller like Plague. In a way you don’t notice these changes, however, as they fit so well with the way Cassie changed over the course of Plague, and of course with the setting.
That brings me to my final point(s): there are two things Anderson does particularly well which set her above the average crime writer, setting and female characters. I must say I am a sucker for good writing of setting (its why I love science fiction for example), but it does also mean I have high standards and want setting to be both vivid and meaningful. Anderson does both. The place-hood of her novels is always integral, it doesn’t take over, but it is an important background which informs and grounds the fast-paced plots she writes.
Onto the second – female characters: her’s are consistently complex. It was really great in Oracle to see more women in the wider cast of characters. Not that they are all nice people, many can be annoying, even pathetic but they do that in the way that real women are and male characters almost always are. The women Anderson writes about are ambitious, jaded, caring, contradictory and above all compelling, which is why I am looking forward to the next Cassie Fortune mystery Opera.
I think the above may be my favourite image from Julie Anderson’s Oracle, though what I love about it is not only the way in which, as the protagonist Cassie Fortune identifies it, “The Homeric meets the twenty-first century”, but more specifically the weaving of themes of politics which make connections across millennia – it is after all the motorcade of the Greek finance minister which is stopped by the goats. In Oracle questions of justice, corruption and the violence of power are a background to a gripping murder mystery.
I really enjoyed the prequel Plague, so am not surprised to have also loved Oracle. They are different, but in the best way. Cassie’s story has moved on and we discover a new host of characters in more of a cosy mystery format rather than a thriller like Plague. In a way you don’t notice these changes, however, as they fit so well with the way Cassie changed over the course of Plague, and of course with the setting.
That brings me to my final point(s): there are two things Anderson does particularly well which set her above the average crime writer, setting and female characters. I must say I am a sucker for good writing of setting (its why I love science fiction for example), but it does also mean I have high standards and want setting to be both vivid and meaningful. Anderson does both. The place-hood of her novels is always integral, it doesn’t take over, but it is an important background which informs and grounds the fast-paced plots she writes.
Onto the second – female characters: her’s are consistently complex. It was really great in Oracle to see more women in the wider cast of characters. Not that they are all nice people, many can be annoying, even pathetic but they do that in the way that real women are and male characters almost always are. The women Anderson writes about are ambitious, jaded, caring, contradictory and above all compelling, which is why I am looking forward to the next Cassie Fortune mystery Opera.
October 16, 2021
I was lucky enough to win signed copies of the first two books in an online charity auction and am so glad I did.
In this one, Cassie is sent to Delphi for a European governmental conference and instead of just being involved in presentations, ends up in the middle of a murder investigation when the body of a local woman is found. Things escalate when a second body is found shortly afterwards.
I really enjoyed this. We see Cassie still struggling somewhat after the events of the first book. She is still tenacious though and is an excellent amateur sleuth. Alongside this, as a fan of Greece and it's history, I loved the setting of the book and the historical references, some being not so old. It all added greatly to the essence of the story and I was fully hooked.
I am delighted to hear that there is another book coming in a few months and I really look forward to seeing what is in store next for Cassie.
In this one, Cassie is sent to Delphi for a European governmental conference and instead of just being involved in presentations, ends up in the middle of a murder investigation when the body of a local woman is found. Things escalate when a second body is found shortly afterwards.
I really enjoyed this. We see Cassie still struggling somewhat after the events of the first book. She is still tenacious though and is an excellent amateur sleuth. Alongside this, as a fan of Greece and it's history, I loved the setting of the book and the historical references, some being not so old. It all added greatly to the essence of the story and I was fully hooked.
I am delighted to hear that there is another book coming in a few months and I really look forward to seeing what is in store next for Cassie.
May 25, 2021
This is the second in the series of the adventures of Cassandra Fortune, and it hasn’t lost any of the pace or tension created in the first.
The setting is Delphi and it’s atmospheric and thrilling from the off. It’s a slow burn at the beginning as Cassandra is meant to be recovering from her recent ‘adventures’
That said, if you enjoy a good thriller or murder mystery and haven’t read the previous book in this great series, you can absolutely read this as a stand-alone and then read the first book (Plague if you’re fancying reading it, and I’d recommend this, too!) after.
A really enjoyable book that mixes modern day with myth and really works.
Thanks for the advanced reading copy of this book to the author and publisher.
The setting is Delphi and it’s atmospheric and thrilling from the off. It’s a slow burn at the beginning as Cassandra is meant to be recovering from her recent ‘adventures’
That said, if you enjoy a good thriller or murder mystery and haven’t read the previous book in this great series, you can absolutely read this as a stand-alone and then read the first book (Plague if you’re fancying reading it, and I’d recommend this, too!) after.
A really enjoyable book that mixes modern day with myth and really works.
Thanks for the advanced reading copy of this book to the author and publisher.
July 25, 2021
Cassie is on a mission in Greece which requires more detective work than ambassadorial work.
This could be good if Cassie wasn't so unlikable. She's judgy, holier than thou, very aware of her rank when it comes to Yannis and Helena and the Major. The Greek characters are all depicted as incompetent, until the very end; when everyone turns out to be on the right side, The cause of death for the second guy was really weird as well.
I didn't realize that this was part two of a series (or seems to be), but the author gave plenty of information about what happened in the past that I don't feel the need to read it. I also dislike Cassie enough that I will not read it. I do appreciate how the covers look though.
Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read and review this!
This could be good if Cassie wasn't so unlikable. She's judgy, holier than thou, very aware of her rank when it comes to Yannis and Helena and the Major. The Greek characters are all depicted as incompetent, until the very end; when everyone turns out to be on the right side, The cause of death for the second guy was really weird as well.
I didn't realize that this was part two of a series (or seems to be), but the author gave plenty of information about what happened in the past that I don't feel the need to read it. I also dislike Cassie enough that I will not read it. I do appreciate how the covers look though.
Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read and review this!
May 9, 2023
Usually the sequel of a book is in slightly lower quality than the first book, however the quality of this sequel was exactly as brilliant as the original and equally as gripping. This time, the story is set in Delphi, Greece, where corpses are discovered in bizarre and shocking ways. With a killer on the loose, yet again, Cassie sets out to find answers on the perpetrator before the EU conference is over.
A web of deception, politicians, police chiefs and civil servants unfolds, with intelligent historical references and even a touch of supernatural, I definitely recommend this book to murder mystery and thriller fanatics and will definitely be purchasing the final book in the trilogy.
A web of deception, politicians, police chiefs and civil servants unfolds, with intelligent historical references and even a touch of supernatural, I definitely recommend this book to murder mystery and thriller fanatics and will definitely be purchasing the final book in the trilogy.
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