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Egyptian Mysteries #2
The Season of the Hyaena
Mahu, former Chief of Police and Keeper of the Secrets of the Heart is sitting down to record his memories. He sees uneasy quiet reigning in the Royal Circle at Thebes, after the disappearance of the Pharaoh Akenhaten and the abandonment of his new, sun-worshipping religion. Members of different factions are barely held together by loyalty to the six-year-old Emperor, Tutankhamun. Then extraordinary news reaches the Council: Akenhaten has returned to Egypt.
The words are greeted with dismay by all who hear them, for surely Akenhaten is dead? Mahu can certainly vouch that the woman claiming to be the Emperor's wife, Nefertiti, is a fraud. Whoever the man is who has appeared in the Delta, he must be investigated.
The words are greeted with dismay by all who hear them, for surely Akenhaten is dead? Mahu can certainly vouch that the woman claiming to be the Emperor's wife, Nefertiti, is a fraud. Whoever the man is who has appeared in the Delta, he must be investigated.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 5, 2005
38 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books606 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 20, 2021
Read this book in 2009, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful Ancient pharaoh trilogy from the author, Paul Doherty.
This book sees, Mahu, former Chief of Police and Keeper of the Secrets of the Heart, writing down his memories.
At the moment there's is an uneasy quiet after the disappearance of Akenhaten and the abandonment of his new sun-worshipping religion are taking their toll within the Royal Circle in Thebes.
Now acting as Pharaoh is the six-year-old Tutankhamun, and he has almost no loyalty from whatever faction within his rule, and when rumours start of the resurrection of Akenhaten, Mahu becomes suspicious.
Nobody believes those words of Akenhaten being alive, and Mahu is confidently certain that the woman claiming to be Nefertiti, is a fraud.
What is to follow is a gripping Ancient Pharaoh historical tale in which Mahu will investigate this case and as to the identity of the man, and if this man is really the one who he claims to be is for you reader to find out by reading this marvellous book.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous continuation of this great trilogy, and that's why I like to call this second episode: "A Superb Egyptian Pharaoh Sequel"!
This book sees, Mahu, former Chief of Police and Keeper of the Secrets of the Heart, writing down his memories.
At the moment there's is an uneasy quiet after the disappearance of Akenhaten and the abandonment of his new sun-worshipping religion are taking their toll within the Royal Circle in Thebes.
Now acting as Pharaoh is the six-year-old Tutankhamun, and he has almost no loyalty from whatever faction within his rule, and when rumours start of the resurrection of Akenhaten, Mahu becomes suspicious.
Nobody believes those words of Akenhaten being alive, and Mahu is confidently certain that the woman claiming to be Nefertiti, is a fraud.
What is to follow is a gripping Ancient Pharaoh historical tale in which Mahu will investigate this case and as to the identity of the man, and if this man is really the one who he claims to be is for you reader to find out by reading this marvellous book.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous continuation of this great trilogy, and that's why I like to call this second episode: "A Superb Egyptian Pharaoh Sequel"!
April 30, 2024
A very interesting take on the time.if Akenahten and Tutenkhamun.
I really enjoyed the first in this trilogy and found the first half.if this book just as good. But...............the problem (for me) is it's starting to drag, there is a lot of time and pages taken up with conspiracies and counter conspiracies which is all.quite obvious and that in the end are treated as inconsequential. Example, Mahu goes out to an oasis, deep in the desert, the site of a massacre, Why? To confirm what he already knows, and what does he do with this knowledge.............nothing. Ay and Katy are like two chess grandmasters moving their pieces around the board adversarial but ultimately they have the same goal. The survival and continued reign of the boy pharaoh so you would expect them to be more closely allied. I look forward to the last in the trilogy.......
I really enjoyed the first in this trilogy and found the first half.if this book just as good. But...............the problem (for me) is it's starting to drag, there is a lot of time and pages taken up with conspiracies and counter conspiracies which is all.quite obvious and that in the end are treated as inconsequential. Example, Mahu goes out to an oasis, deep in the desert, the site of a massacre, Why? To confirm what he already knows, and what does he do with this knowledge.............nothing. Ay and Katy are like two chess grandmasters moving their pieces around the board adversarial but ultimately they have the same goal. The survival and continued reign of the boy pharaoh so you would expect them to be more closely allied. I look forward to the last in the trilogy.......
January 5, 2020
I am loving this trilogy although in this second volume, Akhenaten has disappeared and feared dead. Tutankhamun is still a child, so Mahu’s adventures take center stage completely with his intricate relationships with Ay, Sobeck, Horemhab and Ramses all playing their own type of game of thrones. Dr. Doherty brings the 18th dynasty to life and I love spending time there. On to the last book in the trilogy and then I plan to read his ancient Egyptian detective series.
May 27, 2021
Akhenaten has disappeared, has he been murdered or has he fled Aten? And so his 6 year old son becomes the pawn in a game of power and that son is Tutankhamen. Lord Many continues to protect the prince from his grandfather Lord Ay and those who wish to gain control of Egypt. Yet another absorbing read filled with information and characters from the past.
June 3, 2017
I'm a little sad finishing this as it means I'm one book closer to finishing the trilogy
This author is simply amazing ...beautiful writing , excellent suspense and mystery all set in ancient Egypt
This author is simply amazing ...beautiful writing , excellent suspense and mystery all set in ancient Egypt
July 23, 2012
Casual reader beware: this is a historical fiction novel which places the
reader into a context where it is helpful to have a background of the New
Kingdom of ancient Egypt, specifically during King Tut's life span.
The focus is on the political intrigue and the characters around Tut, with him as a
backdrop character. The central narrator is one of his guardians, Mahu, who has
responsibilities similar to a policeman and or personal guard. The cast of
characters are historical figures projected into working personalities who are
spinning out a web of ruler-ship intrigue. Combined elements include alliances
with exterior Egyptian enemies, wartime clashes, the trade and stockpiling of
commercial goods, Nile travel, and historical settlement locations portrayed as
they may have been during their extant history. The reader may feel an
impending outbreak of 'CSI - Old Egypt'.
Sketch maps showing locations and terrain references would have been very
handy. Trying to map reference locations against current maps is difficult.
Visualizing buildings, town centers, and crowd masses would have been
beneficially aided by artist sketches. Since this is a fictional book, and not
a movie or play, then the additional media doesn't fit the traditional pulp
writing, but here with the amount of detail and movement drawing the reader
forward, the extra media would would have been worth the extra cost.
reader into a context where it is helpful to have a background of the New
Kingdom of ancient Egypt, specifically during King Tut's life span.
The focus is on the political intrigue and the characters around Tut, with him as a
backdrop character. The central narrator is one of his guardians, Mahu, who has
responsibilities similar to a policeman and or personal guard. The cast of
characters are historical figures projected into working personalities who are
spinning out a web of ruler-ship intrigue. Combined elements include alliances
with exterior Egyptian enemies, wartime clashes, the trade and stockpiling of
commercial goods, Nile travel, and historical settlement locations portrayed as
they may have been during their extant history. The reader may feel an
impending outbreak of 'CSI - Old Egypt'.
Sketch maps showing locations and terrain references would have been very
handy. Trying to map reference locations against current maps is difficult.
Visualizing buildings, town centers, and crowd masses would have been
beneficially aided by artist sketches. Since this is a fictional book, and not
a movie or play, then the additional media doesn't fit the traditional pulp
writing, but here with the amount of detail and movement drawing the reader
forward, the extra media would would have been worth the extra cost.
January 11, 2019
Andy's review
Downloaded this as it is the second in the trilogy and I enjoyed the first one enormously, & I was not disappointed. Slightly slower pace than the first, I still enjoyed all the plot twists and I am looking forward to the 3rd & final part of the trilogy.
Downloaded this as it is the second in the trilogy and I enjoyed the first one enormously, & I was not disappointed. Slightly slower pace than the first, I still enjoyed all the plot twists and I am looking forward to the 3rd & final part of the trilogy.
May 25, 2019
Painfull deliniation
Marvelous,detailed characterization, intricate and ugly. More fascinating glimpses of the time period. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It's a good read.
Marvelous,detailed characterization, intricate and ugly. More fascinating glimpses of the time period. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It's a good read.
November 11, 2023
The second novel in the series set in the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, tells of events as the reign of Akhenaten comes to an end.
Mahu, the Police Chief in the new city of Akhetaten, is the central figure in the novel and tells of how the reign of Akhenaten comes to an end with his disappearance and how Ay, father of Nefertiti, becomes the most powerful figure in Egypt.
Doherty has created a cast of fascinating characters, bringing to life the central figures in the story of Akhenaten and his son Tutankhamen.
Mahu, the Police Chief in the new city of Akhetaten, is the central figure in the novel and tells of how the reign of Akhenaten comes to an end with his disappearance and how Ay, father of Nefertiti, becomes the most powerful figure in Egypt.
Doherty has created a cast of fascinating characters, bringing to life the central figures in the story of Akhenaten and his son Tutankhamen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2017
Really interesting read.
Does feel a bit like I have already read the story, by virtue of other books by the same author I have already that cover the same subject matter from a different character's POV - but in no way did that detract from enjoyment of the story.
The descriptions of life in ancient Egypt never fail to keep me interested.
Will be a little sad when Year of the Cobra, and this trilogy, are done.
Does feel a bit like I have already read the story, by virtue of other books by the same author I have already that cover the same subject matter from a different character's POV - but in no way did that detract from enjoyment of the story.
The descriptions of life in ancient Egypt never fail to keep me interested.
Will be a little sad when Year of the Cobra, and this trilogy, are done.
October 4, 2022
Brilliant
Brilliant Doherty, as always. Once you figure out the maze he has created, sit back and enjoy thee journey. And now for Book 3......
Brilliant Doherty, as always. Once you figure out the maze he has created, sit back and enjoy thee journey. And now for Book 3......
February 13, 2017
Second book of a trilogy. Following the story of Mahu, and the time of Tutankhamen. Interesting twists and turns. I might look up the next book in the series.
July 20, 2014
I think the reason this booked kept me engaged was the variety of characters who I was left rooting for. Mahu is a fantastic protagonist: down to earth, courageous, thoughtful, caring, ruthless and an amazing judge of character. His friend Sobeck begs intrigue and in this book in particular the author writes a sequence and plot which only deepened my favor for him.
I guess the one tiny area which had room for improvement was the continual objectifying of the female characters, but I guess it was written from the point of view of a red blooded "guard dog", so in the circumstances it was not so uncouth I suppose. I'm really looking forward to the final part I must say.
I guess the one tiny area which had room for improvement was the continual objectifying of the female characters, but I guess it was written from the point of view of a red blooded "guard dog", so in the circumstances it was not so uncouth I suppose. I'm really looking forward to the final part I must say.
September 8, 2020
By the time the troops assembled at Bubastis, Horemheb was in command of four thousand infantry, crack troops divided into four corps: the Fire of the Horus; the Power of Isis; the Anger of Seth; and the Glory of Amun.
Read
June 1, 2011Super mystery
November 4, 2013
good book about tut
Read
March 25, 2013I couldn't get through this one. Put down after 10 pages, but did read the Historical Note.
Read
May 21, 2013ilginç bir biyografi tarih kokması da ayrı bir tar katıyor
July 18, 2016
read while in jail. Actual rating: 4.3
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews