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Pilot Who Knows The Waters (The Lord Hani Mysteries book 6) by N. L. Holmes – Reviewed by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Pilot Who Knows the Waters (Lord Hani, #6)Pilot Who Knows the Waters by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Hani returns in this his final mission for the royal household and this may just be his most difficult yet, he has been summoned before Queen Meryet-amen to discuss her plans to find a Hittite groom to rule on the throne beside her once the she-king has passed on, she has hopes that she can rule instead of the current she-king’s son, Prince Tut-ankh-aten. There is however, strong opposition from Lord Ay who is wanting his grandson on the throne, no matter what the cost to the rest of the Two Lands, this leads Lord Hani to conduct his mission in secret and hope that Lord Ay doesn’t find out, or that if he doesn’t, that it is too late for him to do anything about the situation.

As he is about to set off, Lord Hani receives word that a local artisan has been killed and it looks like it could be murder, but because he has had the go ahead to travel to the land of the Hittite people, he cannot investigate it himself until he returns. It is a long way to travel and weeks pass on boats and on land with the gifts and the delegation sent along with them from the Queen, but thankfully, the trip goes well and Lord Hani requests the correct permissions with grace and diplomacy which aids his cause and the furtherment of the Queens plans.

When they arrive at the capital of the Hittite kingdom, they are astonished and the size and the manner in which it has been built, so when Lord Hani is brought to have the requested audience with the King and Queen, he is not shocked by the grandeur of the receiving room, only the reaction of the royals. As negotiations progress, Lord Hani is doing his best to convince them that this request is serious and legal and it takes all his finesse to be able to carry it off, however, there are conditions and when he receives correspondence from home, he is hoping that he is doing the right thing after all.

Will Lord Hani be able to convince the Hittite King and Queen that the Queen of the Two Lands is finally wanting an alliance, or will the threat of civil war in him homeland threaten all he has worked for and place himself and his family in more danger than ever before? This is a historical mystery which is full of tension, emotion and negotiations and the future of two countries lies in a delicate balance where one person could tip the scales between disaster and success in this story which will sweep you on a tide of intrigue and keep you hooked throughout, until the final conclusion of this series.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Lake Of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 5) by N. L. Holmes – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Hani is yet again called upon to conduct an investigation for the royal household and since he has had his promotion and been honoured by the royal family, he knows that he cannot say no, but he desperately wants to. This time, he has been tasked to investigate some thefts from the household of the King and although the items are returned after they disappear, answers are still demanded and sought, so although this keeps him closer to home, his heart is worried about his families future.

As he begins this latest investigation, he finds out that people who work at the palace have been killed and that it looks like it was murder, however, when Lord Hani digs deeper, he finds that he victims were all involved in a cover up relating to the Crown Prince’s birth and the unusual circumstances surrounding it, this is where Lord Hani’s anxiety ratchets up a notch when he begins to fear for the life of his daughter and her friend who were also involved.

As the plot thickens and more information and evidence is uncovered, Lord Hani finds that the more he investigates the thefts from the King’s household, the more it is connected to an attempt which is made on the king’s life and the revolutionaries behind it and again Lord Hani is caught in the middle. As the revolutionaries and believers of the old religious regime of Amen-Ra become more daring, the government attempts to clamp down harder on them, but civil war is on the brink of breaking out when it is revealed that the revolution goes as high up the hierarchy as the Queen.

Can Lord Hani escape from between the radical revolutionaries and the government as the investigation progresses, or will he have a crisis of heart and conscience before a conclusion is reached? This is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of emotions as you can see all the players constructing around each other, leaving those in the middle to try and escape while still holding onto the things most dear to them as investigations lead to evidence of secrets and truths which could affect the whole kingdom.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The North Wind Descends (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 4) by N. L. Holmes – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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The North Wind Descends (The Lord Hani Mysteries #4)The North Wind Descends by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Hani returns and has been enjoying his role as a scribe working from his home, rather than going on long trips away like when he was a foreign diplomat, however, he has had a tumultuous few years doing it and although he has tried, he hasn’t had the easiest time keeping his feelings towards the King’s regime private, however, when he is summoned to his superiors office, he has a feeling that things are about to get dangerous again. The meeting goes in a different direction than he expected though when he is told he has a new assignment in Kumidi, but he also receives the news that the King Akhenaten wants to honour him with a title and a promotion, Lord Hani is speechless and so just about manages to accept his assignment and give his thanks for the notification of his new honours and status. When he returns home to spread the news, it is received in good spirits, although, it is also accepted with apprehension because of the past few years and how the change of regime has affected his family and friends, however, when the day comes, they all rally round to congratulate him and celebrate.

It is not long after this that he heads north to make a start on his assignment, he is hoping that it will be straight forward, however, when he receives news that there has been a murder of a foreign diplomat where he is being sent, that becomes the priority in his investigations as he doesn’t want to offend the other dignitaries and cause any more of a problem. When he arrives, he begins investigating immediately and interviews the commissioner who is based there, as well as the rest of the murdered diplomat’s party, he finds that the information given is not much and he gets even less from the servants, that is until a key piece of evidence is stumbled upon by accident.

This leads to Lord Hani finding that an event from his past is connected to this event in the present in the most bizarre and shocking way, so he has to somehow find justice for both, but will he be able to do this and keep his conscience in tact at the same time? This is another historical mystery which keeps you hooked throughout as past and present collide to reveal another tangled web of intrigue which has to be unravelled for the truth to be found and you will be carried along on the tide of the investigation until its conclusion as well.

 

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Scepter Of Flint (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 3) by N. L. Holmes – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Scepter of Flint (Lord Hani #3)Scepter of Flint by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Hani is back again as has maintained his role as a royal scribe despite everything which has happened over the last seven years and this year, the King is holding a Great Jubilee of the Aten, a celebration of his rule and that of the Aten over the two lands, this is an unusual occurrence this early in a King’s reign, however, this King enjoys the processions and fanfares of celebrations and this one is no different, the sun is beating down on the crowd and nobody is comfortable, so Lord Hani leaves as soon as he can. As the celebrations continue with feasting, gift giving and religious festivals, Lord Hani is called upon again to conduct an investigation, however, this time it is a series of tombs which have been robbed and this crime is one of the most unforgivable, so Lord Hani knows a lot is at stake.

As he starts to look into the robberies, he discovers a deeper plot within the machinations of the group suspected, however, Lord Hani can understand why the local workers may have been led astray when he sees the conditions in which they are living and working, however, information and evidence is not forthcoming. Lord Hani being the compassionate man that he is, goes back to see one of the people he has interviewed and this is when he finds out that someone else is investigating the robberies as well, however, this other person is doing their best to undermine Lord Hani while doing whatever it takes to get a quick closure, but all is not as it seems when Lord Hani finds out just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

As he digs deeper into the mystery, Lord Hani again becomes the centre of attention and is being surveyed, however, the danger is coming from all around him and again he worries about just whom he can trust in the Royal Hall of Correspondence. Will Lord Hani be able to find the evidence he needs to solve the mystery of the robberies before anyone else is hurt, or will he succumb to those trying to stop him? This is another tangled web of a mystery which will lead you along a twisted, but intriguing path with a series of clues which will hook you in to solving the mystery at the same time.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Crocodile Makes No Sound (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 2) by N. L. Holmes – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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The Crocodile Makes No Sound (Lord Hani Mysteries #2)The Crocodile Makes No Sound by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Hani is back and it is four years later, the rule of King Akhenaten is well and truly established and he continues in his role as a scribe for the Royal Hall of Correspondence and a diplomat for foreign affairs, since his last investigation concluded, Lord Hani has been trying to keep a low profile since the King changed the religious regime in favour of Aten over Amen-Ra, where he closed all the temples and made those employed by them redundant, this did not go over well in the community around those temples.

This has deeply affected Lord Hani’s family as they were some of those made jobless, including his brother in law, who disappeared and went into hiding because of this being a firebrand in the side of the royal family and because of this, Lord Hani is under close surveillance, this does not stop a request from the Beloved Royal Wife for him to meet with her. Although, Lord Hani is worried about what will happen if he goes, he responds to the summons and meets with the Beloved Royal Wife, this is where she tells him that she is being blackmailed by someone and she asks him to investigate.

Meanwhile, the King of the vassal state of A’amu is waiting for an audience with King Akhenaten and Lord Hani is asked to permit him and his party to stay at his residence rather than the palace as the wait fir the appointment could be a long one and the party are getting restless and they already know Lord Hani from a previous investigation where they met. This is not ideal, but Lord Hani knows that he cannot refuse the request, so he agrees and makes his family aware of the change in the situation and requests that they don’t talk about anything politically outrageous in the company of their guests.

As Lord Hani leaves his home to investigate the blackmailer, he finds that the information is not easily forthcoming and again is showing that the most part of his superiors cannot be trusted and that danger is again creeping in on him and his family. Will he be able to investigate before the danger becomes too close to home, or will he be able to find the evidence needed, unearth the culprit and keep his conscience in tact? This is another thrilling instalment in this series of historically based mysteries where twists and turns abound as you draw your conclusions along with the characters until the end is reached.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Bird In A Snare (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 1) by N. L. Holmes – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Bird in a Snare (The Lord Hani Mysteries #1)Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Hani is an Egyptian scribe for the Royal Hall of Correspondance where his duties include correlating, translating and transcribing correspondence from around the Two Lands, he is also a diplomat in the foreign service where he undertakes tasks assigned to him by the King Akhenaten. His latest assignment is to spend time with a lord from Syria who is visiting the capital so that they bonds between their two lands can be strengthened and although it isn’t something he enjoys, he has taken the diplomat hunting so that he can guage his opinion of the man. After the diplomat has left, Hani reports to his superior on his oservations and is then given a new assignment based on them to visit another Lord in another part of the kingdom, hwoever, as he is travelling, he receives the news that the diolomat has been killed and that he now has to change direction and investigate the murder.

As Hani prepares for this investigation, he enlists the help of his secretary so that he can enure that he misses nothing in the interviews he has to carry out, hwoever, as he gleans more information from those in and around the murder, the waters muddy and he begins to feel that this murder may be more than meets the eye. The more that Hani investigates and the more information he finds out, the less at ease he feels, who can he trust with the evidence and how far up the hierarchy does the corruption go?

Will Lord Hani’s investigation lead to the prosecution of those guilty of the crime, or will danger surround him like a bird in a snare before he can complete his assignment? This is a mystery based in a historical land where nothing is as it seems and danger lays around every corner, but which will keep you intrigued throughout until you can figure out the culprit is in the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by stephanie nicole

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This fifth installment to this series really blew me out of the water. Full of adventure, mystery, suspense and more, I just simply couldn’t put it down. Once again our main character has a mystery to solve, but can he solve it without putting anyone he loves at risk? Working on thefts from the royal household and an attempt on the king’s life will Hani be able to solve it all? You’ll have to read this fantastic fifth installment to find our for yourself.

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The North Wind Descends (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 4) by N.L. Holmes – Review by stephanie nicole

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The North Wind Descends (The Lord Hani Mysteries #4)The North Wind Descends by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is book four in this series and having read the previous three I was anxiously awaiting this one to hit my kindle. Trust me I was not disappointed. While these can be read as stand alones, im not sure how any one could pick which one to read, since their all so great. Full of royal court politics, murder, and more i couldn’t put this one down. Once again Hani finds himself with a murderer to find, but can he find him before he gets away? You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out.

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Scepter of Flint (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 3) by N.L. Holmes – Review by stephanie nicole

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Scepter of Flint (Lord Hani #3)Scepter of Flint by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third installment to the series, and trust me when I say that this one did not disappoint. Full of mystery, suspense, a tomb robbing and more this mystery will have you on the edge of your seat. While I have read the previous two, each one can be read as a standalone. However they are all so terrific that I personally recommend picking up the whole series. Hani and his supporting characters are perfect together and I can’t wait to see what they get into next.

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The Crocodile Makes No Sound (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 2) by N.L. Holmes – Review by stephanie nicole

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The Crocodile Makes No Sound (Lord Hani Mysteries #2)The Crocodile Makes No Sound by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a great second installment to this series. Once again full of murder, mystery, suspense and more, this book really has it all. The main character is just as realistic, and well written as the first installment to this book. But personally between all the characters, and the immense amount of details I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next.

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Bird in a Snare (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 1) by N.L. Holmes – Review by stephanie nicole

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Bird in a Snare (The Lord Hani Mysteries #1)Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a very interesting start to a new series. The main character was very well written, very realistic, and very likable. This book was full of twists, politics, family and more. When I first read the synopsis of this book I knew right away that I wanted to read it. I love Egypt and this book really gave me a great insight to that culture. So if you love ancient Egypt and your looking for a good mystery then make sure to pick this one up today.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Netania Lim

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve read several of the novels in this series. Just like in previous ones I’ve read, Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5) is full of intrigue and mystery, both personal and political. This is a really fascinating period in Ancient Egyptian history, as the records were destroyed by later kings, so I loved being able to read a fictionalised version of what may have happened. The writing is so detailed and the historical aspects were so interesting. What really makes the novel interesting is Hani’s character development, as his ideals and his loyalty are tested. A cosy mystery read.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Ashley Mandell

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I don’t typically read books of this genre, I’m thankful that I gave Lake of Flowers a chance. N.L. Holmes did an excellent job of bringing the book to life by providing realistic details of the characters, setting, and era in which this story line takes place. Lord Hani is a wonderful character. I was instantly engaged in the story due to the banter between Hani and his family. I enjoyed reading about his family, travels, and the mystery that he must uncover in this installment of the Lord Hani Mysteries.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Katie Kearney

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 5) by N.L. Holmes. I’ve come to really enjoy these books. This genre is way outside my comfort zone but I took a chance and I haven’t regretted it yet. This is why one should always look to expand your horizons. This author keeps me completely hooked from start to finish. The characters are complex and truly bring this book to life. There’s so much this book has to offer within its pages. The main character truly takes readers on a journey looking for clues about what’s going on. It’s a well written storyline paced nicely never feeling rushed or lacking anything. If you’re looking for something new I highly recommend this author and this series. If you think it’s not your kind of reading I highly recommend you just taking the leap and giving it a try. Four big stars and highly recommended!

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lake of Flowers is the fifth book in N.L. Holmes’ Lord Hani Mysteries series. By this point, the characters really feel like old friends and it’s so wonderful to catch up with them and hear how they’re coping in a turbulent world.
I adore Holmes’ writing for how vividly she depicts ancient worlds. Her work is heavily influenced by archaeology and research so while it’s fiction the story follows the course of real historical events. What really makes it special for me, though, is the small details. What characters eat and wear, their physical characteristics, how they travel, that sort of thing. The multisensory depiction immerses the reader in the world, and familiar elements (beer, honey, even garlic which really surprised me and I had to look that one up to see if they really would have eaten it!) brought me closer to the past.
Lake of Flowers begins with a tragic death that threatens to destabilise the kingdom’s political structure. Hani and his family and associates are all invested in the outcome of the inevitable unrest, and the mystery that deepens as the story progresses. Young Neferet plays a prominent role, with her position as a royal physician entangling her in the events of the book. She’s a fantastic character – funny, clever and independent.
I would recommend reading this series from the beginning (Bird in a Snare) to get to know the characters and the setting. There are lots of names to remember but Holmes does a good job of reminding readers in text as well as including a character list to refer to.
For me, this is a five-star read. I’d recommend it to fans of history and mystery! The series might also appeal to fans of high fantasy – although itself not fantasy, the setting and stories do at times remind me of fantasy books I’ve enjoyed with worlds based on history.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Erica Fish

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lake of Flowers is the fifth book in The Lord Hani Mysteries by N.L. Holmes. I highly recommend reading the first four books to see what else Hani has been investigating. Being this is a historical mystery, I was excited to start reading that we were in Ancient Egypt. Egypt has an amazing history with the artifacts and the mystery surrounding it in present times. The details N.L. Holmes gives the reader paints a picture of what she wants the reader to see. The characters are fully developed and easily form a bond with them. I love Hani. He is very relatable and I enjoy our mysteries together. This time Hani finds himself in a tight corner. He is trapped between the government or revolutionaries. What will Hani uncover? Will he be able to restore some peace? You will have to read this book to find out about Hani and his story.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Ashley Dover

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Hani is a Royal Investigator. He is asked by the king to find out why there have been thefts and then returns of items within the king’s household. Beginning this investigation leads to a web of interrelated mysteries that Hani must solve including one that involves the king’s son whose parentage is being questioned. The issue of a baby swap comes to light as witnesses of this occurrence are turning up dead. Someone is after his daughter Neferet and her friend who are physicians of the king’s ladies. Caught between the kingdom’s politics and his own desire for the kingdom to return to Amen-Ra, Hani must solve all the mysteries to restore some truths to his life and lessen his anxiety over his daughter’s welfare. Can he solve them all before it’s too late?

Although this book is a part of a series, I have not read any of the previous books. The story still intrigued me with its complicated mystery plot.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Jana Lewis

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I expected to find a well-written mystery and I was not disappointed! As with the previous book I read by N. L. Holmes, I enjoyed this mystery set in ancient Egypt, a period I have found interesting but don’t know a lot about it. This story includes family, love, murder, tests of loyalty, danger, hierarchical society, and even rumors of royal scandals. I enjoyed the setting and food descriptions and loved exploring a time period so different from our own. I have not read the previous books in the series (and don’t feel that it hindered me at all) but may find time to go back and check them out, as well! I had suspicions of who was doing what and was surprised to find that I had them all wrong! Next time, I’ll pay more attention and see if I can solve it before the end.

Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Sara Oxton

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes a fantastic five-star read. This is number five in the Lord Hani Mysteries and we follow Hani on his journey, you don’t have to read them in order as they all focus on a different main story, and just follow Hani as he creates and solves mysteries, that always makes writing reviews for this series difficult, as I never know what to say without spoiling the mystery and the drama, as the author has a great way of keeping that tension level high and keeping you guessing. If you like a good mystery, then you need to pick this series up.

Review by @saraoxo

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Heidi Schoolman

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 5th book in The Lord Hani Mysteries series. This is Historical Mystery novel and is 292 pages. This story follows Lord Hani as he begins to investigate some things that have come up missing and a mysterious death of a midwife. This story is set in ancient Egypt, and once again, the author does a fantastic job with details to the period. Turns out, it is not just a one-time incident – more midwives are coming up dead. Could they all be related to the recent Prince’s birth?

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Betsy Melano

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lake of Flowers by N. L. Holmes is the fifth book in The Lord Hani Mysteries. The story takes place in ancient Egypt. What gets me every time with this series is the descriptions of the area and the times when Pharaohs ruled Egypt. It really helps you feel like you are there in person. As in the previous books of the series, Lord Hani is being tasked with finding out why suspicious things keep happening in the royal household. As Lord Hani is researching these minor crimes he wonders if they are somehow connected.
With this series, it really helps if you read the books in order. The names and areas which are well researched by the author, it can get confusing with all the different names. The glossary is a huge help.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Kerry Carr

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the 5th book in The Lord Hani Mysteries Series. I’ve loved these book from the very first one. Each one is captivating and the author does an amazing job of transporting you back to Ancient Egyptian times. The author’s knowledge of Ancient Egypt, the relationships between the people and their gods and how they all link together is what really makes this story come alive for me. I love anything to do with Ancient Egypt and the detail and how accurate the author is really makes these books stand out for me.

Lord Hani is back and things are changing fast. Lord Hani is hired to find out who is behind the thefts  that are happening in from the Royal household. However these aren’t normal thefts and could be connected to an attempt on the King’s life.

At the same time there are revolutionaries who are looking to restore things to the way they were. As they grow in number Hani finds himself draw towards them and treads a fine line between serving his King and plotting against him.

It is a step back into a complicated time where things aren’t always what they seem and there are always more secrets and lies than first expected.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Sheri Schrader

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes is the fifth book in The Lord Hani Mysteries series. I recommend reading these because it helps to understand the characters and the story elements that continue from book to book. This book features a more complex series of events that ties with Hani. He is such a loyal man, and he is being forced to pick sides. I really enjoy the historical elements and how the author works a mystery and sleuthing into ancient Egypt. Also, I have enjoyed the interactions between the characters. There is always complexity in relationships when government, religion, and personal relationships merge and weave together. I look forward to reading more in this series soon.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have now been following Hani, an Egyptian Diplomat from book one and I always look forward to a new story and I am never disappointed. Each book can be read as a standalone story, however I feel that the reader will enjoy the novels more if they are read in order. This story is set in ancient Egypt, around the seventeenth and final year of Akh-en-aten’s reign, which is about 1338 BCE. Hani makes a great main character as he is well defined and is both relatable and likeable and he really helps brings the plot together. Due to the authors wonderfully descriptive narrative I always feel engaged with Hani and immersed in his world, so much so that I feel I am solving the mystery alongside him.

This time Hani is investigating thefts from the household of the king which on closer inspection appear to be related to a sinister attempt on the kings life. Alongside the main mystery Hani is worried for his daughter who was present at the crown prince’s birth as those present begin to die as secrets emerge about the princes identity. Hani is caught between the government and the radical revolutionaries who would like to restore Amen-Ra by civil war. This unfortunately involves the Queen, who Hani has sworn to serve. As usual this is a complex historical crime mystery story with an action packed plot which had me hooked from start to finish. The twists and turns kept me guessing and I enjoyed figuring out the mystery elements of the storyline alongside Lord Hani.

There are a lot of characters mentioned which can be confusing but the list of characters at the beginning of the book is very helpful and I found it interesting to know which characters were based on a real person and those who are fictional. The authors knowledge and research shines through in her writing and I found the historical notes particularly fascinating along with the glossary of terms. I continue to enjoy ‘The Lord Hani Mysteries’ series and I look forward to book number six, hopefully!

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Penelope Taylor

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lake of Flowers is the fifth in the Lord Hani series. It is the first novel I have read by this author and can be read as a standalone. NL Holmes has done an excellent job of setting the story in ancient Egypt, I could feel the heat and environment that the characters were experiencing. I struggled a little with the general conversation used by characters and felt that it perhaps didn’t fit the time. Otherwise, the novel is very well written and researched. I also intend to read more of this series as it now has me intrigued!

 

Review by Penelope Taylor July 2021

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars
Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes

Lake of Flowers in the fifth book in The Lord Hani Mysteries by N.L Holmes. To say I was super excited about this book is a understatement. I’m a huge historical fan and this one is set in ancient Egypt and is packed with historical details which I find very intriguing. I highly recommend reading this series in order if you haven’t already started. It’s a great series and we get to follow Hani on all his adventures. This one is no different than the others as you’ll be pulled in from the beginning and wont want to stop till you’ve finished. Get ready to follow along with Lord Hani as he takes us on yet another adventure to solve a mystery , there are thefts happening at the Kings house. Find out what happens next as Hani finds himself caught up in the middle of secrets. I can’t wait to read more from this Author.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Faith Jackson

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have followed this series from the start and it keeps getting better. I love the entire series and what it means for the historical references. I love how the author takes the time to make the books seamlessly coincide and are also filled with action. I love how much I’ve learned from or about the characters and it’s all for the best. Enjoy this book and the others as well!

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Colleen Guggenberger

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love any opportunity I get to visit Egypt. This book takes you there, but also has you seeing the colours, smelling the decadent florals and feeling like you are really there, among the pageantry and people. If you are looking for a page turner, and wanting to go on an adventure, filled with twists and turns, then this is the book for you. This author does not disappoint at all, and has been added to my favourites list. I am proud to display her on my shelves, and have recommended her to many of my friends. If you are a fan of ancient Egypt, then this is a must read book.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Emma Clawson

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think this is the best one yet in the Lord Hani series. N. L
Holmes description of people amd the places in the novel is just amazing. When people that witnessed the birth of the prince start dying, Hani is worried about his daughter. He’s on a mission to solve crimes for the king while trying to keep his daughter safe. While its not necessary to read the series in order, I do suggest that you do. I absolutely love this series and the author is amazing.

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Sherry Sharpnack

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“Lake of Flowers” is my second book by NL Holmes, who does a very thorough job creating ancient worlds that are new to me. In “The Lightning Horse,” we learned about the Hittite Empire; in the series of which “Lake of Flowers” is Book #5, we are in the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, in the reign of Queen Nefertiti (King Akhen-Khepra-Ra in the book).
Hani is a diplomat of the Dynasty. He is tasked by Lord Ay (the king’s father) and also by the Great Royal Wife Mery-Aten to look into the suspicious death of a midwife, and also into the thefts of small things from the Queen’s chamber. These are two completely different mysteries – or are they? But since the new king’s husband had just died, all diplomatic assignments are on hold, so Hani and his trusty secretary/son-in-law, Maya, set about investigating in both the new capital city and the old.
As I said, there is all sorts of world-building, as well as a BUNCH of confusing names. I would probably have been better off starting the series w book #1 but it was #5 that presented itself to me cheaply. I never did keep the names all straight, but really loved the action scenes, which Holmes writes very well, and Hani’s interactions w/ his family members, one of whom is a physician in the royal household, are also engaging. What does Hani’s physician daughter know about the thefts – or the midwife’s murder?
Things become progressively more complicated as the thefts turn out to be attempted poisonings – and more midwives start getting murdered. Do the murders have something to do w/ the actual parentage of the boy-prince, Haru-in-the-Nest (to be known as Tukhen-Aten to history)?
I like that the Lake of Flowers has to be crossed to get to the Field of Reeds – the afterlife. It is a lovely metaphor for Hani getting through the dangers caused by these investigations into a smoother life for himself and his family, although there is a lot of suspense and action getting to his smoother life!
The world created by the book has really stuck w/ me for days. Even though there are too many hard names of characters and places, and the plot line started s-l-o-w-l-y, I give the story 3.4 stars, rounded down to three.

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