Year Of The Hyenas: A Novel Of Murder In Ancient Egypt (2005) - Plot & Excerpts
Thebes (Egypt) in 1153 B.C. is a growing metropolis that is governed in the east by Paser and in the west by Pawero. When a heinous crime is committed, the rival mayors both claim rights to the investigation of the brutal murder of an elderly priestess named Hetephras. The task goes to the "Clerk of Investigations and Secrets", a man called Semerket who doesn't appear to have what it would take to solve the case. Semerket has been disintegrating ever since his wife divorced him because he could not father a child. Despite the fact that he has turned into a drunk, Semerket has the reputation of being an absolutely honest man. He cannot speak an untruth, even when it would be politically expedient to do so.As Semerket probes into what happened to the priestess, he is stonewalled at every turn by the people of her town, with the exception of Hunro, a local beauty who bestows her favors on many. Semerket begins to expose local secrets, some involving the revered tombs of former rulers. As he proceeds, he uncovers a conspiracy that goes to the highest levels of government with a plot against the ruling Pharaoh, Ramses III.YEAR OF THE HYENAS has a distinctly modern sensibility to it. Semerket could easily have been a down-and-out private investigator in a current day novel. The plot is nicely complex and moves along without being held back by its historical setting. The political intrigues seem not to have changed form all those years ago. Thebes was also an interesting place to set the book, since it encompasses far flung uninhabited areas reserved for the tombs of the dead together with a thriving city. It offers just as many complexities and contrasts as the book's protagonist.I'm not normally a fan of historical mysteries, but I liked YEAR OF THE HYENAS very much. Geagley integrated his research into the narrative seamlessly, and I found it very interesting to learn of some of the customs of the time, such as how the dead were prepared. The mystery depicted in the book is based on history's oldest known "court transcripts". At times, the prose is a little clunky and some mysticism that stretched plausibility; but on the whole, this debut novel is one that is compelling and engaging.
The sights, the smells, the sounds, the tastes - the lifestyle, the climate, the landscapes, and the people all are amply described in this ancient Egyptian murder mystery. This book is based on the mysterious death of Ramses III around 1153 B.C. Geagley has fleshed out this event in his fictional account of a troubled investigator and an aging Pharoah. Known for his ability never to be dishonest, Semerket a clerk of Investigations and Secrets, has been asked to investigate the brutal murder of an elderly, blind priestess named Hetephras in the Place of Truth. We first meet Semerket as a raging alcoholic pounding on the door of his ex-wife Naia. She has divorced him because he could not provide her with a child, and he is still madly in love with her. His brother Nenry must sober him up, present him to Vizier Toh who has requested his presence, and get him started in this investigation of intrigue, greed, criminal activity, and sorcery which ends in an ambitious grasp for power.Among the cast of characters include Paser (Eastern Mayor of Thebes), Merytra (Nenry's nasty wife), Nakht (Naia's present husband who has given her a child), Pawero (the Western Mayor), his sister Tiya (wife of Ramses III), Paneb, Rami, Hunro, Aaphat, Neferhotop, Medjay Qar, Khepura (all people who inhabit the Place of Truth - the village where the tombs of Pharaohs & family are built). Semerket soon discovers that he was not meant to discover Hetephras's murderer and that his life is in extreme danger. This story "merges historical fact and speculation with a nail biting crime story" and is well worth reading if you like stories set in ancient Egypt.
What do You think about Year Of The Hyenas: A Novel Of Murder In Ancient Egypt (2005)?
I really wasn't sure whether I wanted to read this book. I've never been grabbed by Ancient Egypt, so the cover didn't appeal, and the over-enthusiastic synopsis on Goodreads awoke all my cynicism. But it came highly recommended by someone whose views on historical mysteries usually correspond with mine, so I picked it up. Good move!This is a compelling story, mixing the sophisticated history and politics of Ancient Egypt with the story of a group of ordinary working people in a way that really brings the era to life. The detail of life in the tomb-makers village is fascinating, but the author never loses sight of the plot. Every detail is there for a purpose, and it gathers the reader in. The hero, Semerket, is the Clerk of Investigations and Secrets, a flawed but basically decent person, whose dogged search for the truth makes him some dangerous enemies. The other characters whose paths he crosses are all well developed, unique human beings, motivated by universal emotions such as love, greed and ambition.The plot centring around the murder of an elderly priestess is well constructed, and unfolds gradually through Semerket's determined investigations, rather than via any dramatic revelations. That certainly doesn't detract from its interest - on the contrary, it is a strong and realistic plot, and all the threads come together very well.In summary, an original and satisfying mystery which is enhanced by the setting and historical detail. Perhaps if there were more books like this, I'd be more into Ancient Egypt. And I'd love to follow Semerket further, so I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series.
—Pamela
Semerket, former Clerk of Investigations and Secrets under Ramses III, is now a winesoaked madman, wailing nightly outside the gate of his ex-wife. Before her new husband quite kills Semerket, the murder of an old priestess requires the skills of a clerk of investigations. Once he is isolated in the village of artists and builders working on Pharoah's tomb, Semerket discovers that no one in the village wants him to learn who killed their priestess. The village elders have some strange allies in the royal city.Brad Geagley based his mystery on court records connected with Ramses III. He also brought to life an ancient Egyptian setting, and created characters whose story I wanted to follow. When I finished this I went right on to start the sequel DAY OF THE FALSE KING.
—Joy
This is a historical mystery set in Egypt at the time of Ramses III. Features a pretty classic gumshoe character, the ladies like him and he's a troubled yet standup guy, determined to get to the bottom of the murder of a minor priestess though powerful forces around him don't seem to want that.Some problematic bits about strong women, and the detective's apparent alcoholism. Not sure if I'm on board with the author's treatment of both. But the interesting Egyptian historical aspects and the fast moving storyline mean I'll probably check out the second in the series.
—Annmarie
