Book Review: 'The Messenger of Athens' story is charming if deadly
The Greek Isles have long been a staple of fiction writers, often with entertaining results. Anne Zouroudi's "The Messenger of Athens" (Little Brown an Co. 324 pages, $23.95) is one of the good ones.
The island of Thiminos is the scene of this crime novel where private investigator Hermes arrives to investigate the accidental death of young Irini, married to a fisherman whom she no longer loves. Seems she had fallen for Theo after watching him pass her house.
Lots of local lore, much made of the herbs in the air of the island and of Hermes' investigation. It's not easy for a stranger to get locals to open up, but Hermes manages to do so, right up to the final chilling discovery of how Irini died.
Available at the Carson City Library new books section, this is a pleasant jaunt through traditional Greek ways. And Hermes' personal mystery is not quite solved as he sails away on his beautiful yacht, complete with crew able to handle most crises.
— Sam Bauman