Book Review: THE MARATHON CONSPIRACY by Gary Corby

This is the fourth book in Gary’s Athenian Mysteries series, which features the young investigator, Nicolaos and his feisty partner (in more ways than one), Diotima. Since the first book, THE PERICLES COMMISSION, Nico has been employed by Pericles to investigate mysterious deaths of apparent importance. In this case, the skull of the Hippias, tyrant and traitor of Athens, turns up just outside the city. Thirty years before, the Athenians fought off an overwhelming army of Persians at Marathon to keep Hippias out of the city. Now he’s back, and Pericles wants to know why. If that’s not enough, one of the teenage girls who found the skull has been discovered mauled to death. The other girl has gone missing. Can Ancient Greece’s answer to Thomas and Charlotte Pitt uncover what Hippias’ skull is doing back in Attica, who murdered the girl, where the other girl is, and if there’s a connection between these events?

I have a sticker on the cupboard above my desk that reads, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” It’s clear from these books (and from his blog A Dead Man Fell from the Sky…) that Gary Corby loves writing mysteries and loves Ancient Greece. That’s the only way I can explain why these books are good examples of “great work.” The way he blends great storytelling, a good mystery, and Ancient Athenian culture is what makes me a fan of this series. Gary knows his stuff, so the story is packed full of details about the Battle of Marathon, the Sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron, Ancient Greek weddings, and the societal structure of Classical Athens, but never at the expense of the story. As with all good historical fiction, the facts lend color and verity to the plot and the characters. That’s not to say Gary isn’t prepared to bend some facts and ignore certain details to serve his narrative (as he freely confesses in the Author’s Note at the end). But we are willing to forgive him this for the fact that for the majority of the time, his information is solid, and we’re too busy enjoying the story to care anyway!

And Gary doesn’t resist the temptation to try to answer questions that still keep Classicists awake at night, such as who signaled to the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. He also attempts to fill in some details history has left open, such as how the Sanctuary of Artemis was staffed. But these are the things that make historical fiction such fun to write. And Gary’s in his element with this book.

I studied Ancient History at A’ Level (that’s N.E.W.T. level in the Harry Potter world), and while I did okay, I know my studies would have been greatly enhanced if these books had been around back then. So, if you’re a student struggling with Ancient Greek history, you need to read these books. But even if you’re not so much into Ancient Greek history, if you love mysteries, you’ll have a lot of fun with this series. Gary guides you through the culture of the period so it’s never a hindrance to your enjoyment. And in Nico we have an excellent narrator, using a 21st century A.D. style, but from a 3rd century B.C. worldview.

There’s very little profanity in this book, though what there is, along with some sexual references, persuade me to give it a PG-15 rating. But I have no hesitation in giving it 5 stars.