The Ionia Sanction gets a starred review from Publishers Weekly

You can tell release day is fast approaching, because the reviews are coming in. This is a period in an author's life pretty much guaranteed to reduce even the most stable human beings to nervous wrecks, but so far I've lucked out. The shiny red star next to the review is the publishing world's equivalent of a cherry on top.

 The Ionia Sanction

In Corby’s excellent second mystery set in fifth-century B.C.E. Greece (after 2010’s The Pericles Commission), professional investigator Nicolaos, a protégé of Athens’ leading citizen, Pericles, looks into the death of Thorion, the “proxenos” or consular representative for the city of Ephesus in Athens. Thorion was found hanging in his private office after Pericles received a note in which the dead man confessed to betraying his position and his city.
 Nicolaos soon finds sufficient evidence of homicide to persuade his boss that further inquiry is warranted. Pericles’ certainty that a scroll stolen from Thorion is crucial to the safety of Athens sets in motion a complex series of events that sends Nicolaos to Ephesus.

  Despite the high stakes involved, Corby is able to integrate humor appropriately into the action. His lead, like Steven Saylor’s Roman sleuth, Gordianus, manages to retain his integrity, despite being buffeted by powerful forces and morally challenging situations.

6 comments:

Stephanie Thornton said...

Yay, indeed!

You may be a nervous wreck, Gary, but we all know the reviews will be great. I'm looking forward to reading this one--I just hope I'm done with my own edits in time for its release date. Otherwise I'm going to have to cheat on my current no-reading ban!

And then, of course, I'll proceed to blame you if I don't meet my self-imposed deadline. Ha!

Ricky Bush said...

Oh so sweet! Kudos, Gary.

Gary Corby said...

Thanks Ricky!

You might know the reviews will turn out well, Stephanie, but let me assure you, your turn will come, and when it does you'll discover there's no such thing as a guaranteed good review. So I'm grateful for the ones I get!

Marty said...

Congratulations Gary GREAT news!

Anonymous said...

Humor, action, betrayal, high stakes. Sounds like a winner! Congratulations on the recognition.

Anonymous said...

Humor, action, betrayal, high stakes. Sounds like a winner! Congratulations on the recognition.