I must admit I have not heard of Anne Zouroudi until she asked me whether I was interested in reading a book she wrote. A book set in Greece. But of course, I was. And not knowing what she wrote about and not having read any reviews either, made it more interesting.

I got The Messenger of Athens delivered right after I came from my vacation and couldn’t wait to read it. I have read mostly e-books this year so this was a nice change to actually have my hands on an “old fashioned” printed book.

The novel is set on the Greek island of Thiminos, a tiny rock which seems forgotten in time. And certainly not troubled by the modern problems. The community is small and everyone knows what everyone is up to and the gossiping goes faster than the bus. But the idyllic life was shattered when the body of a young woman was discovered at the bottom of a cliff. The local police officer quickly dismissed the case as being suicide.

But a strange person comes from Athens and starts investing the crime he believed had been committed. Hermes Diaktoros, the Greek detective (or is he not?), sets out to find out what exactly has happened to Irini, refusing to believe that suicide was the cause of death. His methods of finding the information needed are…well, unorthodox , simply telling the locals that they either tell the truth or face the consequences.

Adding to the mystery, no one seems to know Hermes and what he actually is. He is not working for the Police in Athens , he is not a lawyer …but what is he? By the end of the book, every party involved gets their fair share of punishment while those who need time away from the island suddenly have the means to do so. And yes, Irini was killed. How and by whom it’s your job to find out…from the book. I would say that Hermes is the angel who saved the tormented souls and the devil who punished the ones needing punishment.

Aside from the wonderful flow of action which keep you reading on and on until you fall asleep with the book in your hands, the narration brings out stunning images of the Greek island. It’s as if you are there and can smell the flowers, the coffee and see the scenery with your own eyes.

If you have visited Greece before, the book will make you find a way to go there again, as soon as you can. If you haven’t had this chance yet, it will make you want to see what is it that keeps people returning to Greece and wanting to live there.

Having been raised in a rather similar society where everyone knows everyone and the gossip turns truth whether it is true or not, I understood the problems linked to any attempt at a hidden relationship. Because it was passion and love that led to the death of Irini.

The book is part of The Greek Detective series which also comprises The Taint of Midas, The Doctor of Thessaly, The Lady of Sorrows, The Whispers of Nemesis and The Bull of Mithros.

>> you can get the book from here

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