Review of Bird in a Snare

[jrbrady]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Bird in a Snare" by N.L. Holmes.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes is the first installment in the Lord Hani Mystery Series. The events in the book take place against the magnificent backdrop of ancient Egypt. Hani is a loyal emissary serving Akhenaten, the Pharoah of the two kingdoms. He is a seasoned diplomat, respected family man, bird lover, and writer of maxims. When Akhenaten’s rise to power heralds a drastic change in Egyptian religion and society, Hani and his family find their loyalties divided. He is sent to investigate the murder of a notorious Kharu highwayman but finds more questions than answers. Hani and his scribal assistant Maya quickly find themselves mired in political intrigue that endangers their career and family.

I devour any engaging Egyptian- themed stories, and this one did not disappoint! The historical notes and character list at the beginning of the book are helpful. I relied on the character list because the Egyptian names are complicated. The author explained that Hani's character was inspired by a real Egyptian emissary! Akhenaten’s reign was a controversial time in Egypt’s history, so it was fascinating to experience those societal changes from the perspective of Hani and his family. I enjoyed reading a story where the protagonist is a settled middle-aged man. It was a nice respite from an excess of coming-of-age stories. I loved that this novel is character driven rather than action-packed. Hani’s love of birds was woven throughout the story and cleverly ties into the book title.

My quibble about this story is that the murder mystery is not compelling. I understand that investigations during this historical period are severely limited. It made more sense for me to appreciate it as a drama or historical political thriller. Once the murder was solved, I realized I was no longer invested in the outcome. It was distracting when the author inconsistently shortened the complicated character names. There are two jarring incidences of profanity. I point this out not because cursing is unacceptable but because it was awkward timing for the character to use it.

I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars. It was exceptionally well-edited and enjoyable to read! The middle of the story lacks plot momentum, but the loveable characters carried me through to the climax. The author is a seasoned archaeologist whose knowledge and experience add compelling richness to her story. I will read the other books in this series to follow up with Hani and his family!

I recommend this novel to an older teen or adult audience. The language and sensitive themes make it inappropriate for younger audiences. Although not explicitly depicted, the villain sexually exploits children. A lover of ancient Egypt will enjoy this adventure!

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Bird in a Snare
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