The Taint of Midas: A Novel
"Anne Zouroudi writes beautifully - her books have all the sparkle and light of the island landscapes in which she sets them."—Alexander McCall SmithPRAISE FORTHE TAINT OF MIDAS:"Hermes Diaktoros is a delight. Half Poirot, half deus ex machina, but far more earth-bound than his first name suggests, the portly detective has an other-worldly, Marlowesque incorruptibility as he waddles through the mean olive groves. There is also a cracking plot, colourful local characters and descriptions of the hot, dry countryside so strong that you can almost see the heat haze and hear the cicadas - the perfect read to curl up with as the nights draw in."—The Guardian"While Zouroudi has a lightness of touch, she is unflinching in her condemnation of corruption, and a sticky end is meted out to those, and there are many of them, who are in thrall to Mammon. There is realistic horror in The Taint of Midas but Hermes, operating as a kind of deus ex machine, dispenses his own particular brand of justice."—Times Literary SupplementPRAISE FORTHE MESSENGER OF ATHENS:"This powerfully atmospheric mystery embraces Mediterranean passion, mythic meddling and patriarchal persecution."—The Independent"The Messenger of Athensis a cautionary tale about the deadly sin of lust - a riveting story told with the help of flashbacks and in a mix of first- and third-person voices. It proves as surprising as a classic detective story, and as sad and inevitable as an ancient Greek drama."—Tom Nolan,Wall Street Journal"Absorbing and beautifully written . . . reveals the savage, superstitious reality behind the pretty facade that is all most of us know of any Greek island."—Literary Review"Set on an isolated Greek island, this elegant mystery has the hallmarks of a classic Greek tragedy...The irony, of course, is how a place of such beauty could be filled with such ugliness."—Carole E. Barrowman,Minneapolis Star-Tribune"A fantastic tale of passion, corruption and murder on a remote Greek island . . . wonderfully written."—Woman's Own"Atmospheric...Zouroudi has a deft way with words and an uncanny ability to create a sense of place."—Library Journal, Starred Review"This literary mystery has all the breeziness of a Greek isle, and its charming, eccentric chief detective deserves a sequel."—Carmela Ciuraru,Moremagazine