Le Cafe Singe Bleu Serving generous portions of history and mystery from our monthly menu Volume 1, Issue 2, February 2003
The Wings of Isis
Marilyn Todd
EQMM, March 2003
Detective: Cleopatra Time: 44 BC Location: Rome Pages: 19
Should you read this story: Mais oui!
Review by Dot Emm
Opening Lines
''So then.''
With two clicks of the imperial fingers, the handmaidens fell back in a wave, but it took an imperial glare befores Kames, head of the queen's bodyguard, retreated his men out of earshot as well. Cleopatra had to lift her head to look into the eyes of her captain of archers.
''What are they saying about me this time, Benet? That the queen speaks nine languages fluently and can't say no in any one of them?''
Spies, deep undercover, kept her abreast of the scheming and plotting among her so-called trusted council. Feedback from the common people was no less important.
Benet swallowed his smile. ''Nothing of the sort, Your Royal Highness. Your people are behind you all the way in-'' He paused, ostensibly to adjust his sword belt.. ''-in Egypt's alliance with Rome.''
Cleopatra, wife of Caesar, mother of Caesearion, is in Rome, being sanctified as Isis, a goddess incarnate, when Renenutet, priestess of Bast falls from the top of the temple. Although she's seen by all below, Cleopatra suspects that it is murder, not suicide. Such a defilement of the temple cannot by tolerated.
Cleopatra instructs her captain of archers, Benet, to investigate the body, and he does conclude that it is murder. Cleopatra must discover why Renenutet was murdered, and how, for her plans to renew the power of Egypt, and keep herself on the throne of that country, must not be thwarted by Egyptian priests or Roman senators.
Much of the story is told in flashback. The investigations and deductions which allow Cleopatra to discover, and punish, the killers, are given briefly.
''Have you worked out how the trick was done?'' Cleopatra asks Benet.
''I have indeed, Your Royal Highness.''
''Good,'' she said. ''Because if you can tell me how, I can tell you where and when.''
Between them, it should tell her who.
Most of this fast moving story gives the intriguing history of Cleopatra and Caesar, and her intentions of making Rome a vassal of Egypt, rather than the other way around. Fascinating stuff. If there is a flaw, it's that Todd uses modern speech for her characters, but as one gets used to it, it isn't that obtrustive.
Marilyn Todd's novels (featuring Claudia Seferius), take place in ancient Rome around this time period, and she handles the setting well. Cleopatra is an appealing character - ambitious, clever, witty, and, with the reader knowing her fate, bittersweet.
Much recommended.
Characters
Character
Role
Cleopatra
Queen of Egypt
Kames
Head of the Queen's bodyguard
Benet
Captain of the Queen's archers
Yntef
the shaven-headed high priest
Renenutet
Priestes of Bast
Tamar
Hathor's priestess
Mark Antony
Emissary from Caesar
Cleopatra's Funeral Mask
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine is published monthly by Dell Publications. There are two period mystery stories in the March 2003 issue, ''The Wings of Isis,'' by Marilyn Todd, and ''The Mountain of Jade,'' by Edward D. Hoch.
Other stories in this issue are:
''Acts of Revenge,'' by Mark SaFranko
''Anything for Olivia,'' by John morgan Wilson
''A Gathering at Lake St. Catherine,'' by O'Neil De Noux
''Rogues' Gallery,'' by Robert Barnard
''Deadly Copy,'' by Charles McConnell
''Little Miss Muffett,'' by Marianne Strong
''The Spaces Between,'' by Mary Freeman
''The Grass is Always Greener,'' by Sandy Balzo.
The Jury Box by Jon L. Breen reviews books, and there are two poems.
