Abduction of a Slave is set in the ancient world of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and a host of brilliantly drawn characters. Stabenow excels at vivid descriptions and the masterful intertwining of history and fiction. I appreciated the detail. If this time period is your obsession, you will love the way she brings history to life.
Sadly, the plot isn’t as precisely drawn. We have a lot going on, a lot of conversation, a bunch of fun scenes with plenty of characters, but we don’t have a plot that moves from A to B. I was expecting a murder mystery, which does happen, but it’s near the middle of the book before the blood flows. We have a bunch of political intrigue—fascinating—but complex, possibly continuations from the previous installments in the series. I can usually jump into a series and figure out where I am, but this one proved difficult.
If you are drawn to this period in history, start with the first in the series. I can’t say enough good things about the way Stabenow colors this world through the eyes of her characters and her clear and succinct descriptions of places, people, relationships, and culture. But the wandering plot sent me flipping pages to find the action in this one.
Abduction of a Slave is the fourth book in Dana Stabenow’s Eye of Isis series. I wish I’d known that at the beginning. Just an aside, but I had a publisher once who decided not to put series info in the book and discouraged it in the blurb. I always thought it was a serious disservice to readers who do need to know what they’re biting off. Rant over.

This is a far cry from the Kate Shugak Alaska novels. I don't prefer the ISIS novels. But for thos interested in the topic, this might work for you.

Dana Stabenow continues the Eye of Isis series in the Abduction of a Slave in which Tetisheri, the chief spy or Eye of Isis for Cleopatra is sent to Cyrenaica to help a friend of Cleopatra, Cornelia Metella. Tetisheri is also assisting her uncle to try out their new ship and find out where his factor is. In the meanwhile King Juba and the Pompeians are getting ready to finish accounts with Caesar. What could go wrong? The factor was murdered and his family gone; Tetisheri was also looking into the family of a colleague in Alexandria; unfortunately they are enslaved by a brutal master. Tetisheri has her hands full. Historically accurate and intriguing.

Abduction of a Slave by Dana Stabenow was a difficult book for me to get into. It was partly the unfamiliar names, I guess. It is the story of an Ancient Egyptian trader/merchant that was known by Cleopatra, the empress, for whom she carried out missions. It is the fourth in the series, and this is the first I’ve read, contributing to my inability to understand. As always, Stabenow is an excellent writer, clear and concise. I had trouble following. Don’t read unless you’ve read the others.

I was invited to read Abduction of a Slave by Bloomsbury USA. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BloomsburyUSA #DanaStabenow #AbductionOfASlave

So I realized far too late that this is a fourth in a series. I was wondering why so many names were being dropped in the beginning with no context or introduction, and it turns out that is my fault entirely. That being said, I still only have this one a 3 ⭐. It's billed as a mystery, but honestly the murder is an afterthought. There's no dramatic buildup, and you have to get halfway through the book before there's a body. There are much more interesting games being played and plots being hatched than the death of a salesman. I say "plots" because "Abduction of a Slave" is overflowing with them. There's the murder, the missing silicium for merchants, the titled rescue of a slave, Cleopatra's machinations, the engagement of a lover, not to mention all the political subterfuge and impending battle described above. It's as though the author could not choose which plot was best and so they used them all. That, or they wanted to wrap up the last read and set up the next one all in the same book. By the end, none of them are entirely fulfilling. As confusing and seemingly overloaded this one was, I really enjoyed Tetisheri's character. Despite her tendency to dramatically crumble at the sight of her lover, she is otherwise tactful, observant, incredibly intelligent and determined. If it weren't for her, and her endearing Uncle Neb, I might not have finished. The other positive about this work is the setting. The Egypt created by Stabenow is immersive and enthralling and the research definitely shows!

I admit to struggling with this tale of palace intrigue set in ancient Egypt. I missed the first books and I'm hazy on the details of the period which meant I was more than a little at sea keeping track of who's who and what's important. That said, it was an interesting diversion. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I can't be the only one who picked this up because of the Kate Shugak series, which is definitely is not.

I was expecting this to be a mystery set in ancient Egypt, but it’s really not. It’s full of palace intrigue, with a host of characters I couldn’t keep track of. I’m sure others will enjoy it, but it’s not what I was looking for. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I love her writing and will always support her but I still love Kate shugak myseteries best . This was good though and she is a master and plot and characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me review book

I thank NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an advance reader copy of “Abduction of a Slave.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Once again (this is the fourth book), Dana Stabenow combines real people and historical events as background for Queen Cleopatra’s “Eye of Isis,” the fictional investigator Tetisheri, in “Abduction of a Slave.” This time she is dealing with the disappearance of an expensive spice, one that helps to fill the coffers of her and her uncle’s warehouses. And to make things worse, war is coming.

As readers of the series know, the author enjoys combining her fictional tale with actual historical happenings. Caesar will flex his warlike muscles, which bodes ill for a whole lot of people in our story. We will learn what becomes of the fabulous spice that everyone is so enamored of. And as far as the mystery behind the machinations, those age-old motives for murder -- greed and fraud -- aren’t hard to ferret out in the author’s capable hands. Teti and Uncle Neb and all their associates will have their hands full sorting out who is and isn’t an ally.

At least there’s something good that comes out of it all (remember that prologue). From horror will come happiness, at least for some.

The Acknowledgements detail the sources for the plot and offers up a bit of “the rest of the story.” “Abduction of a Slave” brings ancient Egypt to life with another thoroughly entertaining installment in the series.

Historical Mystery set in 47 BCE Egypt following a successful trader, Cleopatra's childhood friend and her Eye as she travels to a neighboring Kingdom to investigate suspicious goings on.

5/5 stars: This is the fourth entry in Stabenow's Eye of Isis series which is a Historical Mystery set in 47 BCE Egypt featuring a successful trader, Cleopatra's childhood friend and her most able and trusted agent, her Eye, as she travels to a neighboring Kingdom for herself, to uncover why a they've lost contact with their factor, what's happened to a valuable commodity and on a mission to free a slave, and her her queen, uncover the hidden agendas involving Pompey's widow and Caesar's sworn enemies on the eve of war. With plenty of twists and turns, Stabenow has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Stabenow's writing and character work are stellar; the main characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Tetisheri AKA Sheri and her family and friends. Also I like seeing how her relationship with Apollodorus is progressing. Additionally, I love the great extended cast of characters. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Death of an Eye. If you're looking for something different, try this series; highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA | Head of Zeus – an Aries Book in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

"The gripping new historical mystery from New York Times bestselling author Dana Stabenow. In Cleopatra's Egypt, the clouds of war are on the horizon...

Cleopatra, seventh of her name, all-powerful ruler of Egypt, has found her most able and trusted agent in Tetisheri, her Eye of Isis. So when Tetisheri asks permission to visit the Kingdom of Cyrenaica, she is surprised - and suspicious - when her queen grants her leave from Alexandria.

A middleman in Cyrenaica has ceased communication and Tetisheri's uncle, a master trader, is on a mission to find out why. But there are others in Cyrenaica with hidden agendas: Julius Caesar's spies, Caesar's sworn enemy Mettelus Scipio, and the ever duplicitous King Juba I.

Tetisheri soon realises why Cleopatra consented to her mission, for Cyrenaica is a web of intrigue that also includes Pompey's widow and an army readying to take on the might of Caesar, who is massing his legions in Sicily. With war on the horizon, Tetisheri's skills will be stretched to the limit as she also tries to decipher a murder mystery closer to home."

I am ALL. ABOUT. EGYPT! Especially with a side of Rome!

3.5⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I had no idea this was part of a series when I received this book. Thankfully I wasn't too lost, although I wished I knew more about some of the side characters and their relationships to one another, and the main character (there were also quite a few to try and keep track of). This book gave me the feeling of slipping into a comfortable and well-worn world - the author clearly enjoys this setting and cast quite a bit, which I really appreciated.

There was a bit of a slow start and really not too much of a mystery, but I enjoyed it as a historical fiction novel. An easy read and quite enjoyable.

This is billed as a mystery, and is the fourth book in a mystery series, but the murder and resolution is the least interesting part of the story. Read it as historical fiction instead.

Not bad.

I have really enjoyed her Kate Shugak series so was excited for this new book. I am truly sorry that I did not enjoy this book.