Review: The Messenger of Athens
When Irini is found dead on the Greek island of Thiminos, everyone accepts the local authority’s pronouncement that it was a suicide. Then Hermes Diaktoros shows up saying he has been sent from Athens to help with the investigation, and they all assume he’s a policeman, and cooperate with his investigation.
Hermes gets to the bottom of things, discovering corruption, murder and deception. But, who he is, who sent him to Thiminos, and how does he know about events from the past?
The Messenger of Athens by Anne Zouroudi started out slow for me, only picking up about halfway through the book. I’m not sure why, but I suspect it’s because it’s rather an old fashioned mystery – there’s no violence or suspense involved. There is however a wonderful setting and some interesting characters and once I got attached to them, I began to become engrossed in the book.
One of the biggest mysteries of the book is who is Hermes – or the fat man, as he is called – and who sent him, but the reader is never given any background about him, and I found that frustrating at times. I wanted to know how he knew all that he did.
The Messenger of Athens is the first book in a series featuring detective Hermes Diaktoros. Overall, I found the writing of the book to be lovely, but the story to be a little bit slow. I think readers who enjoy a more old-fashioned mystery will enjoy this one much more than I did.
Challenges: Reagan Arthur Books Challenge
Review copy provided by Hachette Books. I am an Indiebound Affiliate.
I’m near the beginning of this one and so far it’s interesting but not yet gripping.
I’m looking forward to reading this one for the setting if nothing else. Thanks for sharing.
Did you find out more about Hermes by the end of the book, or were you left with loose ends?
Interesting review. Just reading it I’m curious who ‘the fat man’ is.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
I’m still intrigued. I think I”ll give it a try in a few weeks.
As you know, I totally agree. It was beautifully written but much too slow!
I have heard similar complaints about this book and think that it sounds like I might have trouble with it. I am not a huge mystery fan, but usually, if a book is done well, the genre doesn’t bother me. This book might be a little slow for my liking.
A Greek mystery? “The fat man”? Sounds like it might be fun, if it’s not too slow-paced. At the least, it would be a vicarious trip to a place I’ve never been…
I’m also reading a book now where they don’t tell you anything about the main character – weird, isn’t it? It makes you feel disconnected.
I like the idea that it takes place in Greece – that might make up for the fact that it is slow. But you know, The Singer’s Gun was a slow mystery and I couldn’t put it down. Go figure.
I like my mysteries to be fast pace and thrilling where I can’t put down the book and catch my breath. Although that’s an interesting way to write a book without giving any details about the main character. How was the character development then?
I doubt this is a book for me. But the mystery sounds fascinating. Especially if you are eager to find out how the guy knew everything.
Thanks for the review Kathy. I really doubt this is a book for me but the setting does sound nice.
I’m glad you enjoyed the setting.
This sounds exactly like something I would enjoy. I like old-fashioned mysteries, I guess I’ll just have to see if the pacing drives me bonkers or not.
I just put this one on hold, since it was a Reagan Arthur book! What a coincidence to come over and see you’ve given it a good review! I think an old-fashioned mystery sounds like just the ticket for this fall. I love the cover.
This actually sounds like one I would enjoy. I like an old-fashioned mystery occasionally.
Sounds like it’s not my type of book. I keep wanting to read historical mysteries, but whenever I do I don’t enjoy them as much as I want.
Kathy, great review as usual. Sounds like a good choice when you’re in the mood for an old-fashioned mystery.
I’m not a big mystery fan, but this sounds like a good book for those mystery lovers. Of course, the setting of Greece must add to the plot elements, I’m assuming. Setting is so important for me both as a reader and author.
Probably not the one for me.
This probably isn’t my kind of book just because I usually don’t do mysteries in general.
The biggest thought in my head when I look at the cover, and I probaby shouldn’t admit this, is that I think they used the same dead bird from the cover of Lullaby, by Chuck Palahniuk.
Oy!
Sometimes I like to read a quieter novel, mystery thrown in, etc., but I’m concerned that there are pieces to Hermes himself that you’re never really informed about. I wonder if perhaps a series is expected?
I do enjoy an old-fashioned mystery every now and then. I think its mostly because it offers a much needed change of pace. This sounds like something I could really enjoy. I love the idea of the beautiful scenery and the mysterious character who everyone talks about but very few seem to actually know about.
That always bugs me! I hate it when you want to know more about a character and the author doesn’t comply.
Thanks for the review as I’m always on the lookout for a good mystery, especially ones that don’t have too much violence in them.
not sure I like it that we never find out Hermes’ story.
my friends just got back from a trip to greece- i may have to tell them about this one
I like old fashioned mysteries so I think I’ll give this one a chance.
What an interesting setting. I am a fan of older mysteries, so hopefully I’d like this too.
I don’t mind slow, old-fashioned mysteries, but I also like all or at least the most important loose ends to be tied up at the end of the book.
From your review, it sounds like this is not the case? It might not be for me then.
Wow, a mystery in Greece. That sounds appealing. I’m hooked on European mysteries ever since i read Kostova’s The Historian.
The setting sounds great, but if Hermes is the main character in a new series, you’d think there would be more background information about him.
Like Sandy, THE SINGER’S GUN comes to mind (not fast-paced, but beautifully written). Is this a ‘cozy’ mystery, or just a little too slow?
It does sound “old-fashioned” but that isn’t always a bad thing, right?
I’m not sure if I’d be reading this series, but I do like the blue cover…