The Son of Heaven
A Septimus Quistus Book, #2
by Philip Boast
If you have read The Third Princess (also reviewed
on this site) you will know that Septimus Severus Quistus no longer possesses his name, nor anything else. Nero
took it all away from him, including his home, job, slaves, wife and large brood of children (apart from two who
are supposed to have escaped). Since then, he has been firmly down and out, reduced to sleeping off drunken nights
among a seedy tavern’s pigs. But somebody has noticed his prowess at uncovering secrets during his last case, and
wants to hire him. This person is no less than the Son of Heaven himself, the heir apparent of the throne of Qin
(or China), who is in Rome and on the run from enemies. Somehow Quistus has to get the better of these, solve a
murder, unmask a traitor and get Prince Zhang home...
If Agatha Christie were describing this book it would definitely be called an "extravaganza"; no other word
quite gets there. You have the lot in here - gold painted assassins, an epic journey, the Spice Road, Nero burning
Rome, fireworks and hordes of fierce Huns. It is not a whodunit so much as an adventure story.
I do not profess to know much about China in the 1st century but I suspect some liberties have been taken with
historical verisimilitude. All for the sake of a good story of course, and anybody who likes a fast-paced novel
couldn’t find one much faster than this without exceeding the speed limit. Sure to appeal to anybody who finds
the average whodunit formulaic, and even surer to appeal to fans of fantasy novels, as it rather resembles one.
Good fun in fact, and refreshingly original. |
The Book |
Severn House |
June 1, 2007 |
Hardback |
9780727864987 |
Historical Crime - 64AD, Rome, China and various places en route |
More at Amazon.com
US||
UK |
Excerpt |
NOTE: Some violence |
The Reviewer |
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewed 2007 |
NOTE: |
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