Description

443 BC, and, after decades of war with Persia, peace has finally come to Athens. The city is being rebuilt, and commerce and culture are flourishing.

Aspiring playwright Philocles has come home to find a man with his throat cut slumped against his front gate. Is it just a robbery gone wrong? But, if so, why didn’t the thieves take the dead man’s valuables? With the play that could make his name just days away, he must find out who this man is, why he has been murdered – and why the corpse was left in his doorway.

But Philocles soon realises he has been caught up in something far bigger, and there are those who don’t want him looking any further . . .

Publisher Review

Fresh ... An enjoyable debut with a strong historical setting -- Antonia Senior * The Times * Intriguing . . . an excellent combination of history within a mystery that have been intertwined to form an incredibly well-written narrative. Alvey not only portrays Athens in all its daily feverish light but also provides a pacey story full of humour, quirky detail, and all within an excellent plot that will keep you riveted to your chair . . . A wonderful addition to the historical crime genre. Philocles joins the ranks of somewhat reluctant sleuths we want to see on our bookshelves. Highly recommended -- Ayo Onatade * Shots mag * The historical detail is excellent, and the story and characters expertly spun out - a very entertaining and satisfying read -- Glyn Iliffe, author of The Adventures of Odysseus series Alvey has combined the best features of a crime novel and a work of historical fiction. The result is a pacy, exciting and intelligent story set in a rich world overlooked by most modern novelists. The plot is clever and solidly rooted in history, the characters vivid, sympathetic and lifelike and the world of Athens is gloriously recreated. Best of all, for me, while Shadows of Athens is taut and historically detailed, it also displays a quirky sense of humour - [I] loved it -- Simon Turney, author of CALIGULA It's about time someone did for ancient Athens what Lindsey Davis' Falco novels do for Ancient Rome. Alvey sets the scene perfectly, with easy brushstrokes and lightly worn learning. In Philocles we have an aspiring playwright, man of the people and reluctant detective. I look forward to his next case... -- Jack Grimwood, author of MOSKVA Intriguing . . . a refreshingly different setting portrayed with a convincing air of authenticity. I hope it's the first of many -- Andrew Taylor, author of ASHES OF LONDON As vivid and lively as a Greek wedding - but with rather more blood! -- Val McDermid, author of the Kate Brannigan Mysteries I loved it; great sense of place, terrific characters and a cracking plot -- Joanne Harris, author of CHOCOLAT Historical crime writing that virtually reinvents the genre. Ancient Athens is recreated with a masterly touch, while the beleaguered Philocles is the perfect protagonist to lead us through this vividly evoked menacing world -- Barry Forshaw, Financial Times crime critic If you like C J Sansom's Tudor sleuth Matthew Shardlake, you'll love this - a gripping murder mystery set in a fantastically fully-realised ancient Athens, which will keep you guessing to the very end -- James Wilde, author of HEREWARD and PENDRAGON Historical sleuthing finally gets its grown-up trousers. The book's got wit and knowledge and the winning knack of immersing the reader in ancient Greece and the whole theatrical scene there. It shows a thorough understanding of time and place, and has a dark heart of thuggery and murder. Finally, someone has taken on Saylor and Davis and brought us out of Rome at last! -- Robert Low, author of the Oathsworn series Superb . . . A fabulous read * IRISH TIMES * There is a new star in the classical firmament. Philocles is engaging, inspiring and feels absolutely real. This is historical writing at its best and crime writing worthy of prizes. Riveting -- Manda Scott, author of the Boudica series