When I read JM Alvey’s debut novel ‘Shadows of Athens’ back in February 2019 I was so excited to hear that there was going to be a series of murder mysteries set in Ancient Greece. I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel and the introduction of the characters of playwright Philocles, his partner Zosime, and the players.

Book two in the series, Scorpions of Corinth sees Philocles take his play ‘The Builders’ on tour to Corinth. The differences in culture between Athenian society and the society in Corinth were fascinating and so very different. It is clear that JM Alvey’s knowledge and research has created an accurate representation of the differences within different areas of Ancient Greece.

I loved getting to know the recurring characters better in this book, and the murder mystery element of the story was intriguing and kept me guessing throughout the book. It really is a perfect murder mystery in the style of Agatha Christie, but in a completely historic setting, and it works so well that this was an easy 5 star for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Orion Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review, and a special thank you to Alainna Hadjigeorgiou for my physical copy of the book.

I really really enjoyed JM Alvey's second novel, even more than the first. Her Athenian sleuth Philocles is a great character, with a depth that is explored further in this book. Hes an ex hoplite, a playwright, and a natural detective and leader of men. The plot is clever and fast paced, and really did keep me guessing to the final few pages. I loved the ending, it felt very.... natural. It leaves an opening for book 3, which cant come soon enough!

The best praise i can heap on Alvey is this - her knowledge of the Ancient Greek world reads like a Christian Cameron novel, and the plot of her books reads like Lindsey Davis at her best. Its witty, sharp, intelligent and engrossing.

I'm a fan of good mystery thrillers and this book had me interested from the time I got the book. And it turned out to be an engrossing and entertaining book. The book was quite well researched and the characters were likeable and well written and was quite able to keep me interested till the very end.. Overall an enjoyable book and one that I won't hesitate to recommend to anyone who's looking for a good historical mystery. And a big thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

I'm a fan of mystery set in Ancient Greece and this one was a very good one.
It's engrossing and entertaining and it kept me interested till the end.
I liked the likeable and well written cast of characters, the well researched historical background and the mystery that kept me guessing.
I hope to read other books with this cast of characters as I really liked them.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Philocles playwright in Ancient Greece is touring with his group of actors when they arrive in Corinth. The first death occurs by poison to their fixer Eurnelos. When Philocles looks into the death with his actors he must also lookout for the cities religious brotherhoods. Two of these brotherhoods are determined to disrupt the plays performance. Tainted wine would be used for the audience. Could the cities politics overshadow the real murderer of Eurnelos. There are many twists and turns in this Greek mystery. It may be left up to the gods for justice.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I adored the Falco series by Lindsey Davis so this new historical murder mystery was right up my alley!

Philocles is a popular playwright and he and his band of actors are travelling throughout Ancient Greece, pulling together alliances with their dramatic works, sponsored by some wealthy Athenians

Eumelos has been acting as their guide and "fixer" in Corinth but when he drops dead Philocles finds himself amidst a murder mystery, family feuds and political shenanigans.

He doesn't exactly have an easy time of it, he gets stonewalled more than he is helped. But he does find some help from willing slaves and his ragtag bunch of actors!