Today, I’m delighted to welcome NL Holmes and her new book, Pilot Who Knows the Waters to the blog #HistoricalMystery #AncientEgypt #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Here’s the blurb

Hani must secretly obtain a Hittite bridegroom for Queen Meryet-amen, but Ay and the faction behind Prince Tut-ankh-aten are opposed–to the point of violence. Does the death of an artisan have anything to do with Ay’s determination to see his grandson on the throne? Then, another death brings Egypt to the brink of war… Hani’s diplomatic skills will be pushed to the limit in this final book in The Lord Hani Mysteries.

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My Review

Pilot Who Knows the Waters is a really well-written novel, stuffed full of historical detail and with a charming main character, Hani.

I have a real fascination with ancient Egypt, (some might blame Stargate but I actually think it’s more to do with Paul Doherty’s mystery books, the Amerotke Mysteries), and I love it when authors manage to recreate so much of the detail. It also perhaps helps that I’ve just read Simon Turney’s new Egypt-based Roman stories, The Capsarius and Bellatrix. It’s fabulous to find all the little connections between these stories.

The writing style is very engaging, and I don’t think many authors manage to recreate the omnipresent, but character specific point of views in the main narrative well, but NL Holmes certainly does so. With the point of view switching from Hani to his son in law, and also his father, the audience are treated to a number of different thoughts and feelings.

I also really enjoyed the fact that the author provided enough detail for the long journeys but without making it a day by day account of what was happening. Again, I think this is a real skill.

I’m so glad I decided to read Pilot Who Knows the Water, and yes, it might be book 6 in a series, but that just means I get to go back to the beginning now and read the stories that have led to this moment.

A wonderful novel, rich in historical detail, but incredibly readable and with a lovely pacing. So enjoyable.

Meet the author

N.L. Holmes is the pen name of a professional archaeologist who received her doctorate from Bryn Mawr College. She has excavated in Greece and in Israel, and taught ancient history and humanities at the university level for many years. She has always had a passion for books, and in childhood, she and her cousin (also a writer today) used to write stories for fun. Today, she and her husband live in France with their chickens and cats, where she weaves, plays the violin, gardens, and dances.

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