The Messenger of Athens by Anne Zouroudi

Template:Infoboxsort On the Greek island of Thiminos the body of Irini Asimakopoulos was found at the foot of a cliff. Her body was lifted by helicopter, transported in the back of a truck to the nearest town and buried with what might have been considered undue haste if her family had not been anxious that there should be no scandal surrounding her death. It seemed that the memory of her would gradually fade away - until the arrival of the fat man from Athens.

Hermes Diaktoros produced some consternation when he arrived at the local police station to announce that he had been sent from Athens to assist in the enquiry into Irini's death, for not only was there no enquiry, there had been no post-mortem either. There was a suggestion that money might have changed hands as the family preferred that her death should be thought of as an accident rather than suicide. The fat man is determined that the truth of her death will be told and in the days that follow he unearths lies, corruption and tragedy along with a poignant love story.

I should have hated this book as I'm no lover of fantasy and Hermes Diaktoros is, well, a little other-worldly. He knows facts which he shouldn't really have known and moves swiftly over the ground wearing a pair of white tennis shoes which he's constantly touching up with whitener. Even a little knowledge of Greek Mythology will soon point you in the right direction. But, Hermes Diaktoros won me round. He's determined to force the islanders to tell the truth - and he has his own ways of delivering justice.

It was the island of Thiminos which really pulled the heart strings though. In reality it doesn't exist, but I have been there many times and Anne Zouroudi gives an insight into a way of life not seen by the casual visitor. On the surface it's idyllic and calm but it's still a place where an extra-marital affair - or even the intention of one - can have the most dreadful consequences. She captures the landscape too - I was so deeply engrossed at one point that when I glanced up I was rather surprised to find myself in rain-swept England. Just occasionally she slips into over-descriptiveness but it was easy to forgive.

Despite the fantasy element it is a very good mystery story. Stories dating back decades gradually unravel and spill their secrets. Passions flare and threaten the family honour, but eventually there is justice for the woman who died because of a love she could not help.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending this book to The Bookbag.

If this book appeals to you then you might also enjoy Michael Dibdin's final Aurelio Zen book or for another novel set in Athens and the Greek island you might like to try Zone Defence by Petros Markaris.

Please share on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

You can read more book reviews or buy The Messenger of Athens by Anne Zouroudi at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
Template:Waterstonestext

Comments

Like to comment on this review?

Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.