A young woman from ancient Alexandria, Tetisheri works in dealing luxuries and antiques with her merchant uncle. She also happens to be the lifelong friend of Cleopatra, a friend sorely needed in the dangerous world of Roman and Alexandrine politics. When Cleopatra asks Tetisheri to find some newly-minted currency that's gone missing, Tetisheri cannot refuse.

As the "eye" of the queen, Tetisheri teams up with hunky bodyguard Apollodorus to investigate Cleopatra's envious brother Ptolemy and the Roman officials in Julius Caesar's entourage. Her own frightening past resurfaces as she is forced to confront the cruel and disgusting man who used to be her husband. Interrogation, murder, and pirates are the order of the day as the queen's eye searches through Alexandria and beyond to accomplish Cleopatra's bidding.

A detective story set in the ancient world cannot help but lend itself to comparison with Lindsey Davis' Falco books, particularly since Tetisheri is in the auction business with her uncle just as Falco is with his father. In many respects, the comparison is an unfavorable one for Stabenow. While Davis' Falco books steep in history, they also sparkle with wit and create memorable characters that walk off the pages. The Death of an Eye struggled to accomplish all those tasks, and while I did feel generally enriched regarding the history of the period, I struggled to enjoy the characters or to follow all the loose historical threads brought in for the finale. In the end, Cleopatra's machinations, while evidence of her cleverness, ended up making Testisheri's whole quest feel pointless. 

One oddity is that the book was strangely clean and simplistic throughout most of it but had a few jarring episodes of sex and obscene language. With those scenes removed, I think this book would fare well as a young adult novel. 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

"Alexandria, 47BCE: Cleopatra shares the throne with her brother Ptolemy under the auspices of Julius Caesar, by whom Cleopatra is heavily pregnant with child. A shipment of new coin meant to reset the shaky Egyptian economy has been stolen, the Queen’s Eye has been murdered and Queen Cleopatra turns to childhood friend Tetisheri to find the missing shipment and bring the murderer to justice."

Egyptian mystery? Can we say yas queen?

I couldn’t get into this story. It’s very different from her previous books. DeathOfAnEye #NetGalley

A historical mystery, set in Cleopatra's Alexandria. Tetisheri, a merchant's niece, is asked by her childhood friend Cleopatra to investigate when a shipment of coins is stolen and Cleopatra's agent--her Eye--is killed.

The characterizations are good, the historical milieu is well-done, and the mystery is reasonably satisfying. If this is the start of a series, I'll read more.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, atmosphere, and characters. I would recommend the book to friends and family for their reading pleasure.

Thanks to Head of Zeus for this review copy in exchange for honest review.

Stabenow does historical fiction like a house on fire. It will burn brightly in your mind for a long time. Historically on point, with characters that pop off the page, and leave you chasing them in your imagination.

Death of an Eye is an intriguing mystery that pulls the reader in to Cleopatra’s Egypt right from the start. I was impressed with how Dana Stabenow manages to blend historical facts with a captivating mystery whose twists and turns feel fresh.

Tetisheri is a childhood friend of Queen Cleopatra. Cleopatra carefully navigates palace intrigue in her role as Queen of Egypt and mother of Caesar’s child. She even has someone who acts as the “Queen’s Eye,” investigating crimes, sabotage and possible conspiracies. When the current Eye is found murdered, and a shipment of newly minted coins disappears, Cleopatra summons her old friend to find out what really happened and to take on the duties of the Queen’s Eye. Tetisheri is assisted by the smart and handsome Apollodorus, a member of the Queen’s guard, and the engaging pair are dogged in their pursuit of the truth. The mystery keeps the readers’ attention with the discovery of new clues, all within the world of the Roman occupation of Egypt.

I’ll admit that while I love Stabenow’s Kate Shugak series, I’m not a fan of some of her other historical novels. Death of an Eye was a pleasant surprise, incorporating a puzzling mystery into a setting that I might not have be interested in without the author’s captivating characters and prose. While I can’t wait to read another Kate Shugak mystery, I’m also excited to see what Tetisheri’s next case has in store.

Cleopatra has person called The Eye, who has absolute authority to carry out the Queens wishes. The Eye on a mission for Queen is murdered. Book is a mystery thriller and keeps reader engaged until the end. I enjoyed the book.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

When Cleopatra’s most trusted servant is murdered and her newly minted coins stolen she asks her childhood friend Tetisheri to investigate both crimes. As Tetisheri is plunged into the shadowy heart of Alexandra she discovers that nothing and nobody can be taken at face value, and that she cannot trust anyone, not even her old childhood friend.
I requested this book as I love history and historical fiction, and Ancient Egypt fascinates me. I have never read this author’s work before, although I do have quite a few of her crime novels waiting to be read, so I was really looking forward to this but I found myself disappointed with it. My problem with it is that while some of the content would be more suitable for adults it reads as though it was written for a younger market.

Dana Stabenow has moved on from Kate Shugak and Alaska into the realm of historical fiction with aplomb and gusto. She takes us back to 47 BCE and Alexandria, the House of Ptolemy throne is shared by Cleopatra and her spoiled and over privileged brother, Ptolemy. It is Cleopatra who is the able one one, but there are tensions and enemies all around her, waiting for any opportunity, no matter how slight, to bring her down. Pregnant with Julius Caesar's child, her Eye, her special spy agent, Khemet, has been found murdered and a shipment of newly minted coins from Cyprus, vital for the local economy, has been stolen. Cleopatra will not rest until the coins are returned and the killer of her Eye identified. For these crucial tasks, she calls on her trusted long term childhood friend, Tetisheri Nebenteru, to venture into the shadowy dangers of aristocratic feuds, court intrigues and ethnic feuds lurking within the city. Aided by the ex-bodyguard of the Queen, Appollodorus, one of the 5 Soldiers who run the premier warrior training and gymnasium centre, Tetisheri is to find that not everything is as it seems, as she endeavours to untangle the lies and deceit she comes up against and where absolutely no-one can be trusted

Tetisheri has a past that includes an abusive ex-husband, Hunifer, a man allied to Ptolemy, and suffered the trauma of a still birth. She has risen from the ashes to become a partner of her amiable Uncle Neb's enterprises, he is a successful and well known merchant trader who travels far and wide to bring back highly desirable commodities. Working with Aristander, the Head of the Shurta, the city police, Tetisheri interviews Captain Laogonus and his crew, and travels to Cyprus to find out what happened to the missing cargo of coins whilst juggling her responsibilities of work and the unwanted socialising required in Uncle Neb's business. Faced with further murders, pirates, and more, a determined Tetisheri uncovers far more than she could possibly have imagined and a new role for the future that is sure to be exciting and testing.

Stabenow has created a terrific and colourful new series in which she vibrantly brings alive an Alexandria that is the centre of trade, scholarship, culture, history, where people believe in their Egyptian gods and goddesses, and cats are everywhere. The man made Port of Kibotos on the River Nile is a bustling and busy place, there is the search for new herbs and spices, experimentation with new medicinal potions and mouth watering foods, and all the scents associated with thriving market stalls peddling their exotic fruits, fish, and cooked dishes. It is Stabenow's ability to immerse the reader in this historical period with its detailed descriptions, atmosphere and the real life characters of the time that made this a brilliant read for me. I am not so sure of the intense and romantic attachment that Tetisheri forms, but other than that, I loved her feisty character and her need to help free those female slaves that she can. This is a fantastic beginning, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.

Title: Death of an Eye (The Eye of Isis Mysteries Book One)

Publisher: Head of Zeus

Author: Dana Stabenow

Pages: 400 pp

Price: $29.95 (hardcover)

Alexandria, Egypt. Cleopatra VII Philopater has won the heart and support of Julius Caesar, but she is surrounded by enemies -- among them, her own brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy. When her most loyal covert agent is murdered, Cleopatra calls upon her oldest friend to investigate: Tetisheri .... Only recently divorced from an abusive husband and still aching from the loss of her child at birth, Tetisheri is reluctant to answer the Queen's call. But Cleopatra and Egypt alike need her. The future of her Queen and her homeland are at stake. With the assistance of Apollodorus, once the Queen's bodyguard, Tetisheri sets out to discover how and why her predecessor was murdered and what lengths the enemies of Egypt will go to to see Cleopatra dead ....

I stumbled across an advance copy of Death of an Eye on netgalley, and immediately snatched it up. I had never read a book by Stabenow, but the premise intrigued me; plus, I love almost anything having to do with Cleopatra VII.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Death of an Eye. Stabenow did her homework. The attention to detail is amazing. I could almost see Alexandria in my head, and I got hungry walking its streets with Tetisheri and Apollodorus. Cleopatra is as cunning as I expected, while Tetisheri is wonderful: loyal and intelligent, fair-minded and compassionate -- so much so that she goes around rescuing slaves (especially female slaves) whenever she can. Apollodorus is a real treat, as well: handsome, but not arrogant, and lethal when he needs to be, though he dislikes killing.

The mystery is also engaging. Who knew that I would find ancient economics, the manufacture of coins, and the production of Egyptian grain so interesting?

Pagan and polytheist readers will be especially struck by the respect shown to devotion and the Gods in Death of an Eye. Tetisheri herself rarely goes anywhere without her little pendant of Bast. One of the slaves whom she rescues decides to take the name Nike, in honor of the Goddess of Victory. Aristander, the head of the Shurta (the city police), is especially devoted to Maat, whom he worships every day and offers sacrifices to every feast day. Khemit the weaver had an altar with idols of Maat, Bast, and Nit in her home, and paid to have all of her servants attend celebrations at the Temple of Isis on Pharos. Cleopatra herself even escorted the new Baucis bull to the temple of Hermonthis.

Overall, Death of an Eye is an engaging and entertaining mystery, filled with historical details and sympathetic characters. Highly recommended to fans of historical murder mysteries, historical fiction set during the reign of Cleopatra VII, and Pagan readers looking for a good book that takes their faith seriously.

An intriguing story dealing with history and Cleopatra. Interesting characters. You might find yourself comparing them with modern politicians. Lots of twists that will keep you reading until the end.

DNF at 54%

I'm not usually one to abandon books, but Death of an Eye just failed to engage me.

I absolutely love Egyptian history, so I'm rather bummed that I didn't enjoy this one.

Oh well. It wasn't awful, but the plot lacked action and excitement.

This was a surprisingly good read, surprisingly because for me the last few books written by this writer have been a disappointment but this story was fresh and engaging! Give it a try!!!

This book has everything we look for in ancient historical fiction - a spunky fearless female serving an even more spunky Queen, an intriguing mystery and a love interest with brains and brawn. Tetisheri is on of Queen Cleopatra's oldest friends and so she is trusted with being a spy and finding what happened to the shipment of gold coins that have gone missing as well as a series of murders. Along with the help of another one of the Queen's trusted advisors Apollodorus, Tetisheri must overcome court politics, steer clear of overconfident Roman dignitaries and the murderer all in secret. Dana Stabenow brings the exciting city of Alexandria to life. Her characters are very approachable and likable, even Queen Cleopatra is shown as a powerful woman caught between a demanding Cesaer and her murderous brother the Pharaoh. I can't wait for number two! My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Well, we sure aren't in Alaska anymore. This is good Stabenow - quality writing and competent structure and plotting. But I'd put it in more in the historical romance category, (with much more emphasis on romance than usual), than in the mystery category.

A fantastic journey into Ancient Egypt and a different point of view of Cleopatra than what I have read before. This novel really made her seem more human and the advantures portrayed in this novel, of murder and mystery, kept me waiting impatiently for answers until the very end.

Death of an Eye is a fabulous work of art. Dana Stabenow is a fantastic author and her book with take you on a wonderful journey. This is well written and the characters are great.