Eric Mayer

Murder in Megara - John, the Lord Chamberlain Mysteries Eric Mayer

Publisher Marketing: John, former Lord Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, has been exiled from Constantinople to a rustic estate John has long-owned in Greece, not far from where he grew up. But exile proves no escape from mystery and mayhem. The residents of nearby Megara make it plain John and his family are unwelcome intruders. His overseer proves corrupt. What of the other staff and his neighbors? Before long, John finds himself accused of blasphemy and murder. Now a powerless outsider, he s on his own, investigating and annoyingly hampered by the ruthless and antagonistic City Defender who serves Megara as both law enforcer and judge. Plus there s that corrupt estate overseer, a shady pig farmer, a servant s unwelcome suitor, a wealthy merchant who spends part of his time as a cave-dwelling hermit, and the criminals and cutthroats populating such a seedy port as Megara. Complicating matters further are two childhood friends whose lives have taken very different paths, plus the stepfather John hated. John realizes that in Megara, the solution to murder does not lie in the dark alleys where previous investigations have taken him, but in a far more dangerous place his own past. Can he find his way out of the labyrinth of lies and danger into which he has been thrust before disaster strikes and exile turns into execution?" Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2015 pg. 46 (EAN 9781464204081, Paperback) Publishers Weekly 08/10/2015 (EAN 9781464204081, Paperback) Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2015 (EAN 9781464204067, Hardcover) Publishers Weekly 08/10/2015 pg. 39 (EAN 9781464204067, Hardcover) Contributor Bio:  Mayer, Eric The husband and wife team of Eric Mayer and Mary Reed published several short stories about John, Lord Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, in mystery anthologies and in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine prior to 1999 s highly acclaimed first full length novel, One for Sorrow. Entries in the series have been honored by a Best Mystery Glyph Award, an honorable mention in the Glyph Best Book category, and was a finalist for the IPPY Best Mystery Award (Two For Joy), nominations for the Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award (Four For A Boy and Five For Silver), and a Glyph Award for Best Book Series (Five For Silver). The American Library Association s Booklist Magazine named the Lord Chamberlain novels one of its four Best Little Known Series. Contributor Bio:  Reed, Mary After 1999's highly acclaimed first full length novel, One for Sorrow, the husband and wife team of Mary Reed and Eric Mayer extended the series with Two For Joy, Three For A Letter, Four For A Boy, and Five for Silver. In June 2003 Booklist Magazine named the John the Eunuch novels one of its four Best Little Known Series.