Bird in a Snare (A Lord Hani Mystery) by N. L. Holmes

Overall Rating: **** (4 stars)

Bird in a Snare is the first in a series of historical mystery novels, written by N. L. Holmes, set in the late Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt. This story may or may not work for the reader as a mystery, but it does give us a superb portrait of an Egyptian official, trying to serve his king under very trying circumstances.

Bird in a Snare introduces Lord Hani, an Egyptian scribe who serves the royal house as a messenger and diplomat. Hani is actually an historical figure, mentioned in the Amarna Letters which document many events of the late Eighteenth Dynasty. The story presents him as a decent and diligent man, as devoted to his wife and children as to his royal patron.

At the beginning of the story, we see Hani serving as host to Abdi-Ashirta, a Syrian magnate who is visiting Egypt in an attempt to gain the favor of Pharaoh. All seems well, but when Abdi-Ashirta returns home, he is murdered. Hani is sent as Pharaoh’s envoy to discover who committed the assassination, and to represent Egyptian interests in the region. This assignment proves far easier said than done. What with the schemes of various parties in Syria, the death of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and drastic changes under the new Pharaoh (Akhenaten), Lord Hani’s life soon becomes very complicated . . . and more than a little dangerous.

N. L. Holmes is a trained archaeologist who is very familiar with the relevant history. Indeed, the plot and setting of Bird in a Snare reflect recent developments in scholarly study of the period. Political maneuvering, the religious revolution of Akhenaten, and the details of everyday Egyptian life all ring with authenticity. Best of all, her lead characters – Lord Hani, and his assistant Maya – are thoroughly likable and easy to sympathize with. Seeing the world of the late Bronze Age through their eyes is a treat.

I found that the story didn’t quite work for me as a mystery. Hani and Maya do take steps to investigate the murder of Abdi-Ashirta, and to follow a trail of corruption that leads all the way back to Pharaoh’s court. Yet for the most part the mystery seems to resolve itself, without much need for Hani and Maya to take action. Hani’s most important decision isn’t how to solve the crime, it’s what to do with the information once he has it. The result might be anticlimactic for readers who expect a fair-play “whodunnit.”

Another small issue: the book begins with many pages of historical notes and a glossary, rather than placing such material at the end. Some readers may find this useful. The story itself doesn’t pull any punches with Ancient Egyptian names and vocabulary, which may be difficult for readers not familiar with the period. Readers who prefer to jump right into the narrative should be prepared to riffle through quite a few pages before the story itself begins.

Still, these are minor complaints. Overall, the book was very well done with superb production values, and I caught very few copy-editing errors. The story worked very well as a window into an ancient and largely forgotten world.

I enjoyed Bird in a Snare very much, and I’m looking forward to later books in the series. Recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the ancient world.