"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.