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Lynda S. Robinson

“This exceptional debut melds ancient Egyptian religious belief and practice with court intrigue to produce a riveting mystery. ” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

The body of a much-hated scribe has been found in the sacred place of embalming, and the resulting outrage could threaten the reign of Tutankhamun. So the boy king tasks his investigator, Lord Meren, to look into the crime. The quest will take Meren into the worlds of nobles, slaves, and schemers in the royal court—all while he fights to keep the teenaged pharaoh safe from those who would take advantage of this crisis …

“It’s always a pleasure to negotiate the treacherous corridors of power with Lord Meren. ” —The New York Times Book Review

“Robinson’s research, both criminological and archaeological, serves her well. ” —San Jose Mercury News

“A marvelous series. ” —Historical Novel Society

MysteriousPress.com/Open Road

The Lord Meren Mysteries

Murder in the Place of Anubis

A “complex and exciting” mystery set during the reign of Tutankhamun (The New York Times Book Review).

Egypt is under threat from the Hittites, and the teenage pharaoh has additional troubles stemming from the heresy of his late father, Akhenaten. Fate seems to be pointing a finger at him when a priest topples to his death—from a statue of none other than Tutankhamun himself. Now Lord Meren, the confidential agent who protects the boy king, must struggle to uncover Tutankhamun’s most threatening enemies, some within the court at Thebes …

“Robinson knowledgeably instructs readers in the cultural and political life of a fascinating period in history while entertaining us with a puzzling plot, accessible characters, and the domestic details of their daily lives. ” —Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

“Delightful … Robinson makes ancient Thebes come alive as she describes the personalities, clothing, golden jewelry, the intrigue, and the smells of the desert, the terrors of a hippo hunt. ” —San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle

“A compelling narrative comprised of vividly depicted background and characters and a well-plotted mystery. ” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Ms. Robinson is an archeologist by training and a storyteller by inclination. Using her scholarship to penetrate the inner precincts of court and temple, she has written a complex and exciting narrative that reflects the twisted machinations of politicians—royal and otherwise. ” —The New York Times Book Review

Murder at the God's Gate

“As Robinson deftly juggles ancient Egyptian political intrigue and a riveting mystery, she proves again her mastery of the historical whodunit. ” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

During a celebration for Lord Meren, an agent of King Tutankhamun, one of his relatives is murdered. Known for her sharp tongue and numerous lovers, Anhai could’ve been targeted for any number of reasons, but Meren fears her death might have something to do with the undercover mission he’s currently working on. He’ll have to rummage through family secrets and face a nest of vipers to uncover the truth …

“A classic country-house mystery with a delicious twist: the country estate is located in the Nile Valley and belongs to Lord Meren, the confidential agent of King Tutankhamen … Good scholarship authenticates the historical setting; imagination provides the sense of danger and romance to make it come alive. ” —The New York Times Book Review

“Fascinating. ” —The Washington Post Book World

Murder at the Feast of Rejoicing

A spate of murders is either divine justice or earthly evil in this historical mystery that “brings ancient Egypt alive” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

In the city of Memphis in ancient Egypt, multiple victims have been found with their hearts torn from their chests, and white feathers left in their place. The latest corpse belongs to a Hittite prince who insulted King Tut—in whose service Lord Meren works. Now Meren must put aside his quiet inquiries into the death of Queen Nefertiti to investigate this new string of killings. The circumstances suggest the likely culprit is the god Ammut. But if the murderer is in fact mortal, it’ll be up to Meren and his adopted son to end the carnage…

“Lord Meren’s fourth case taxes all his skills as investigator, statesman, warrior, householder, and father, while displaying his author’s powers of invention and intrigue at their peak. ” —Kirkus Reviews

“Ms. Robinson brings warm life and much wit to the machinations at court. ” —The New York Times Book Review

Eater of Souls

A spy in ancient Egypt investigates who killed Queen Nefertiti in “one of the most engrossing and sophisticated historical mystery series running” (Publishers Weekly).

Lord Meren serves as mentor—and eyes and ears—to the boy king Tutankhamun. But to keep the young pharaoh safe, he’s keeping his investigation into the death of Nefertiti a secret. Meren has concluded succumbed to poison, not the plague, and he’s narrowed his potential suspects down to three men. His clandestine efforts are interrupted when Tut asks him to look into a mysterious fatality at the royal zoo, but Meren remains focused—even when someone uses his own knife to make an attempt on Tut’s life …

“The story has a dark, romantic power… . It’s always a pleasure to negotiate the treacherous corridors of power with Lord Meren and his wily associates, eavesdropping on the priests in Pharaoh’s court, ducking the knife fights on the back streets of Memphis—and picking up beauty tips from Nefertiti. ” —The New York Times Book Review

“A mesmerizing blend of tantalizing suspense, high-speed action, and gripping historical intrigue … An outstanding thriller. ” —Booklist

Drinker of Blood

The search for Queen Nefertiti’s killer brings terror and treachery to the pharaoh’s investigator in this “marvelous series” (Historical Novel Society).

Lord Meren, protector of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, is convinced the boy king’s stepmother, Queen Nefertiti, didn’t die of the plague as others believe, but was instead poisoned. As Meren journeys around Egypt to gather clues, visiting the lush countryside and tombs of the dead, his investigation will lead him to a treacherous—and lethal—conspiracy …

“With a seamless blend of fact and fiction, the author makes ancient places and historical figures seem extraordinarily real. A compelling story does the rest to keep the reader hooked. ” —Publishers Weekly

“A lushly detailed [and] fascinating series. ” —The New York Times Book Review