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Lieutenant Bak #4
A Curse of Silence
A vile rumor sweeps across the desert like a swiftly gathering sandstorm: Queen Hatshepsut plans to disband much of her frontier army and transform its fortresses into storehouses. The arrival of Amonked—the Queen's cousin and Storekeeper of Amon—at the city of Buhen convinces an uneasy Lieutenant Bak of the Medjay police that the whisperings that have alarmed the populace are true. Then, a day after Amonked inspects the local garrison and departs, a body is found stabbed in the house where he and his party rested. The slain man was a local prince, beloved by his people, so Bak travels upriver to join the caravan and investigate. Though nothing tangible connects Amonked and his people to the heinous act, Bak's inquiry soon sheds a disturbing light on an inexplicable crime. For the clues suggest that twisted honor and vengeance lie at its root . . . and a shocking secret, protected by murder and silence, that could itself silence the truth—and Bak—for eternity.
287 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
About the author
Lauren Haney
15 books34 followersThis is a pseudonym for Betty Winkelman.
Lauren Haney, a former technical editor in the aerospace and international construction industries, is the author of several ancient Egyptian mysteries featuring Lieutenant Bak. She lives in Sante Fe, New Mexico, and travels to Egypt at every opportunity.
Haney's novels have been published in German, English and French, and in the Czech Republic. The german editions of her novels have been published unter her real name Betty Winkelman.
Lauren Haney, a former technical editor in the aerospace and international construction industries, is the author of several ancient Egyptian mysteries featuring Lieutenant Bak. She lives in Sante Fe, New Mexico, and travels to Egypt at every opportunity.
Haney's novels have been published in German, English and French, and in the Czech Republic. The german editions of her novels have been published unter her real name Betty Winkelman.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 18, 2015
I started this series a long time ago and recently rediscovered it. I am happy to say that it is as good as I remembered it.
The series is set in ancient Egypt with Lieutenant Bak as our crime solving detective always on a quest for justice. This book follows the Lieutenant from the fontier town of Buhen to the outer reaches of the kingdom in his pursuit of justice for a man slain for no apparent reason.
This is a mystery and adventure story well worth the read.
The series is set in ancient Egypt with Lieutenant Bak as our crime solving detective always on a quest for justice. This book follows the Lieutenant from the fontier town of Buhen to the outer reaches of the kingdom in his pursuit of justice for a man slain for no apparent reason.
This is a mystery and adventure story well worth the read.
September 5, 2017
This book was recommended by a dear friend who has since passed. If not for that fact, I might not have kept going. It was actually a decent book with a decent mystery element to it (although that was somewhat overshadowed by the political intrigue plot). However, I was in need of something quick and light to distract me from the stress in my life. The different culture and time period and strange names of characters made this a book that I struggled to get through. If you are prepared for a more challenging mindset in a mystery, I think that you would like it.
November 19, 2018
What Happens if You . . .
withdraw the army from a disputed frontier?
The soldiers and support personnel of Buhen and smaller fortresses north of it are afraid they will find out when Queen Hatshepsut sends an inspection team led by her own cousin to learn that the forts are unneeded.
In this brilliant novel by Lauren Haney, the glorious 18th dynasty is once again brought forth in its glory and guts.
withdraw the army from a disputed frontier?
The soldiers and support personnel of Buhen and smaller fortresses north of it are afraid they will find out when Queen Hatshepsut sends an inspection team led by her own cousin to learn that the forts are unneeded.
In this brilliant novel by Lauren Haney, the glorious 18th dynasty is once again brought forth in its glory and guts.
July 14, 2017
Fascinating background of ancient Egypt (Kemet). Riveting sub plot & surprising ending
July 23, 2018
best adventure so far
March 30, 2009
The ruler has sent her cousin Amonked to inspect the
fortresses along the Belly of Stones with the purpose
of closing them and removing the army. Everyone
from the Commander Thuty down to the lowest
peasant is horrified by the thought. When Amonked
arrives with ships laden with unbelievable finery he
seems just another bureaucrat whose mind is
already made up, unimpressed by what he sees and
unwilling to listen to reason. Against advice, he plans
to haul all the luxuries, including his beautiful
concubine, along with him across the desert. Despite
rumors of the return of a desert bandit, Amonked
refuses Commander Thuty’s offer of guards, claiming
that his own troops are enough, despite the fact that
they have neither faced combat or the desert. But as
the caravan leaves Buhen, the body of a local prince
is discovered and it appears that someone in
Amonked’s party killed him. Thuty uses the murder as
an excuse to send Bak and Nebwa with 20 bowmen
along. Thuty’s confidence that Bak will find the killer
seems misplaced as the long hot days pass and he is
no closer to uncovering the killer. But he and Nebwa
face graver concerns as it becomes clear that the
threat of the desert bandit is not just a rumor, but fact.
He plans to attack and they are vastly outnumbered.
I like Bak was kept in the dark as to who the killer
was, partially because like he, I came to like all the
characters as they face the challenges of the desert
and the threat of attack. In many ways it was the story
of the wagon train harassed by the hostile Indians, an
exciting adventure. The best so far in the series, I
think.
Reviewed by Linda Suzane March 26, 2009
www.midnightblood.com
fortresses along the Belly of Stones with the purpose
of closing them and removing the army. Everyone
from the Commander Thuty down to the lowest
peasant is horrified by the thought. When Amonked
arrives with ships laden with unbelievable finery he
seems just another bureaucrat whose mind is
already made up, unimpressed by what he sees and
unwilling to listen to reason. Against advice, he plans
to haul all the luxuries, including his beautiful
concubine, along with him across the desert. Despite
rumors of the return of a desert bandit, Amonked
refuses Commander Thuty’s offer of guards, claiming
that his own troops are enough, despite the fact that
they have neither faced combat or the desert. But as
the caravan leaves Buhen, the body of a local prince
is discovered and it appears that someone in
Amonked’s party killed him. Thuty uses the murder as
an excuse to send Bak and Nebwa with 20 bowmen
along. Thuty’s confidence that Bak will find the killer
seems misplaced as the long hot days pass and he is
no closer to uncovering the killer. But he and Nebwa
face graver concerns as it becomes clear that the
threat of the desert bandit is not just a rumor, but fact.
He plans to attack and they are vastly outnumbered.
I like Bak was kept in the dark as to who the killer
was, partially because like he, I came to like all the
characters as they face the challenges of the desert
and the threat of attack. In many ways it was the story
of the wagon train harassed by the hostile Indians, an
exciting adventure. The best so far in the series, I
think.
Reviewed by Linda Suzane March 26, 2009
www.midnightblood.com
August 20, 2008
Each successive book in this series has held my interest more. This is the fourth one that I have read and, again, I found the characters engaging and sympathetic and the description of the setting and day to day life in the ancient world believable.
In this Lt. Bak adventure, he must accompany a representative of the queen as he makes an inspection tour along the Belly of Stones. The large entourage draws the attention of a brigand of the desert and eventually comes under attack by him and his forces. And, of course, in the midst of it all, Bak must solve a murder which likewise threatens the peace. It is a well-crafted plot that moves along at a comfortable pace.
I look forward to the next adventure, but after having read four of these books in a row, I'm ready to move on to something else.
In this Lt. Bak adventure, he must accompany a representative of the queen as he makes an inspection tour along the Belly of Stones. The large entourage draws the attention of a brigand of the desert and eventually comes under attack by him and his forces. And, of course, in the midst of it all, Bak must solve a murder which likewise threatens the peace. It is a well-crafted plot that moves along at a comfortable pace.
I look forward to the next adventure, but after having read four of these books in a row, I'm ready to move on to something else.
March 16, 2013
A popular prince is murdered in the quarters assigned to Queen Hatshepsut's inspector of the southern Nile military bases. If the inspector chooses, the entire military will be withdrawn and the inhabitants left to survive if they can against desert raiders, so the inspection is deeply unpopular. Why wasn't it the inspector who was murdered? What old secret caused the unexpected result?
This is an interesting combination of plot and character interactions, slowed way down by Haney's usual long, dense passages of description. I'm puzzled that she didn't manage to streamline her descriptions as well as she did her action.
This is an interesting combination of plot and character interactions, slowed way down by Haney's usual long, dense passages of description. I'm puzzled that she didn't manage to streamline her descriptions as well as she did her action.
November 29, 2014
# 4 in the Lieutenant Bak, an Egyptian officer in charge of a Medjay police unit in Lower Nubia in 18th-dynasty Egypt mystery series. Upsetting the local populace, the queen has sent an inspector to determine whether she should withdraw her troops from the region, which would leave it defenseless against raiders. When a beloved local prince is found murdered in the inspector's household, Bak must try to figure out who in his party committed the crime, as he accompanies the inspector on his inspection of Nubian forts.
Good historical background, interesting characters with a lot going on around the main mystery plot that keeps the story interesting.
Good historical background, interesting characters with a lot going on around the main mystery plot that keeps the story interesting.
June 17, 2015
Lt Bak - the 18th dynasty Egyptian policeman - has to find the murderer and help protect the caravan which includes the Queen's cousin from an army of desert bandit.
I really like how the author Lauren Haney makes BAK human -he had doubts - he's uncertain at times - he not a super-sleuth.
Food - geography - life styles - Haney has done her research - good story and good mystery
I really like how the author Lauren Haney makes BAK human -he had doubts - he's uncertain at times - he not a super-sleuth.
Food - geography - life styles - Haney has done her research - good story and good mystery
April 23, 2015
A good entry in the Lt. Bak series. In this one Bak must find the murderer of a local prince while the Queen's envoy inspects the frontier garrisons to decide if they are needed to protect the kingdom. Well doen, good mystery, with a rousing finale. Recommended.
April 17, 2010
Lieutenant Bak of the Medjai Police in Ancient Egypt is an engaging character and the investigation is interesting. The author knows her history pretty well.
December 27, 2012
I love the setting but the plot is very drawn-out.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews