Simon Levack's Aztec Mysteries
Reviews
Demon of the Air
Starred
Review "Winner of the CWA Debut Dagger Award, this first novel combines
an amazingly detailed re-creation of Aztec life, rituals, customs, and
belief with a compelling mystery." Library Review
Starred
Review "Historical novels, let alone debuts, don't get much better than
British author Levack's outstanding effort.. Levack makes
comprehensible a society that seems at first glance alien. Sixteenth
century Mexico comes to wonderful life in this gripping, multifaceted
mystery." Publisher's Weekly
"The adventure proves gripping
and always surprising, and uses its historical background to
perfection. A most rewarding read." Maxim Jakubowski in the Guardian
"Gripping,
thoughtful book... Levack's skill as a storyteller... helps him to
imbue his investigative journey through Aztec life with a unique
vision" Chicago Tribune
"Refreshingly complex, historically fascinating and highly intriguing." The Bookseller
"Will satisfy every appetite for information about this fascinating civilization" Kirkus
"This
gripping murder mystery, set in 1517 and recounted by Yaotl, the Chief
Minister's slave, has been meticulously researched, from the historical
context of Tenochtitlan on the eve of the Conquest down to the tiniest
details of daily life, all within the framework of a fast-moving crime
novel. Even the dry humour is grounded in local culture."
www.mexicolore.co.uk
"Pre-Colombian Mexico springs to vivid
life in this remarkable novel, and the Aztecs are presented as a
fascinating mixture of humanity and bloodlust, artistry and barbarism.
Having Yaotl tell the tale in his own words wisely adds an immediacy
that the story truly needs in order to ground it somewhat and take away
some of the sheer strangeness of such an alien culture. The plot is
enjoyably complex and gives another dimension to an already compelling
book. I do hope this will be the first of a new series, and it is not
hard to see why it won the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger
Award. Miss it at your peril!" www.myshelf.com (NB the reviewer, Rachel
A Hyde, chose "Demon of the Air" as one of her Top Ten Reads for 2004)
"The
picture that Simon builds up of Aztec society is complex and
fascinating; details concerning food, clothing, the city, religion and
slavery are woven cleverly into the story. More importantly the levels
of society and the relationships within and between the different
groups are clearly delineated. The brutality of Aztec ways is laid bare
and the framework of ideas that support this harshness are shown...
Yaotl's situation elicits a mixture of sympathy and irritation in the
reader which makes him a good protagonist." www.reviewingtheevidence.com
"The
characters have the same human flaws we find in the humanity of today.
The reader will feel a connection, especially to Yaotl, because even
though his external world is very different, inside he one of us. After
feeling sure this was a book I would not like, I was surprised to find
myself eagerly reading and enjoying it. If you like historical
mysteries, I recommend you check out 'Demon of the Air' ”. The Murder
and Mayhem Book Club www.murderandmayhembookclub.com
"a vivid
and dramatic interpretation of the events leading up to the collapse of
the Aztec empire. It combines a very exciting murder mystery mixed with
a mordant sense of humour and a firm grasp of the history and culture
of the period. A marvellous read and an outstanding introduction for a
first-time writer… one of the few novels to vividly recreate and
clearly describe the glorious but blood soaked culture of the Aztec
empire and its dramatic clash with that of Spain and the Old World."
Paul Doherty, bestselling author of the Brother Athelstan series
"Hooked
me in five pages. I lost an entire Wednesday reading DEMON OF THE AIR…
loved the black humour of the sacrifice… Despite my ignorance [of Aztec
culture], the society felt coherent and brutal, without a sign of
tainting modern values overlaying the events. Intriguing insights… the
main character was fascinatingly complex and unusual… I was very
pleased to know there’s more of Yaotl to come." Conn Iggulden,
bestselling author of EMPEROR
"The writing is excellent… and
given the unusual setting and the intriguing ‘whodunnit’ component of
the story, we look forward to the next exploit of Yaotl… I suspect if a
series emerges, the wily slave will [become] another favourite
historical sleuth." Bernard Knight, author of the Crowner John series
"The
tale makes for a neat twist on the historical detective story and is
packed full of the atmosphere of an Aztec world at its height… Simon
Levack won the Crime Writers’ Association New Writing Competition with
this book, which constitutes a formidable debut." The Good Book Guide
"A fascinating glimpse of an alien culture full of surprises in this well-researched mystery" www.mysterylovers.com
"Mr
Levack's attention to detail draws the reader into the dark and
mysterious world of the Aztecs, from their beliefs and history to the
human sacrifices and deadly omens. With a touch of black humour,
intrigue, drama, treachery and romance, Demon of the Air is a
must-read." Faversham Times
"Levack plausibly recreates the
blood-soaked atmosphere of 1517 Aztec Mexico in this absorbing debut...
The scene is as blackly funny as it is alien... Yaotl, who reveals bits
of his backstory throughout the narrative, is a resourceful, determined
fellow with a sardonic sense of humor. The Aztec setting is convincing,
strange and thoroughly human even in its religious savagery. Levack
provides a suspenseful plot with some neat twists and his writing is
lively and colorful. An auspicious debut." Portsmouth Herald
"[I]t's a choice read for those with inquiring minds, people who like to learn as they are entertained. And Levack, in spite of this being his first published novel, is a good writer with the ability to create suspense and instil a desire in readers to keep those pages turning... It's a welcome change of pace and a most interesting plot." www.reviewingtheevidence.com
Shadow of the Lords
Starred
Review "Levack's second 16th-century Aztec mystery (after 2005's
impressive Demon of the Air) is another intellectual page-turner that
will satisfy even those with no previous knowledge of the ancient
Central American civilization... The author matches impressive
period research with tight plotting and the rare ability to make the
inhabitants of a different world and time seem familiar." Publisher's
Weekly
"An exhilarating, fast-paced tale that describes in
Yaotl's own words all the minutiae of a very unfamiliar way of
life. There is plenty of plot, well-rounded characters and some
black humour to make this second book a delight." Historical Novels
Review
"Engrossing" South Wales Argus
"This is an
exciting, breathless tale full of the meticulously described
intricacies of a very alien way of life along with plenty of plot, some
lively characters and yes, I think it will also be one of the stand-out
whodunnits for 2005... Highly enjoyable." www.myshelf.com
"The
excitement doesn't let down for a moment. The reader is caught up
in the chase and is determined, with Yaotl, to solve the mystery.
The book has lots of action and suspense, and a puzzle that is quite
challenging. Mr Levack certainly gives the reader their money's
worth and leaves one with the taste for even more of Yaotl's
adventures." The Murder and Mayhem Book Club
www.murderandmayhembookclub.com
"[The Aztec] civilization was
indeed different from modern Mexican civilization. Levack tries
to deal with these differences in historical context, and succeeds...
the next instalment of Yaotl's story is eagerly awaited."
www.reviewingtheevidence.com
"The audience obtains a deep
insightful look at the Aztec Empire in the early sixteenth century.
Yaotl is a terrific amateur sleuth who seems to be in the wrong place
at the wrong time, but has no choice as he follows the clues wherever
they lead. Readers will appreciate this astonishingly well written
exhilarating tale that is sure to obtain award nominations and make
Simon Levack a sub-genre favorite." Harriet Klausner
"The
author’s vivid portrayal of the Aztec world really captures our
imagination. Fast paced (with no obtrusive clots of exposition to slow
us down), evocative, and altogether enjoyable." Booklist (American
Library Association)
"Levack has created a memorable detective;
this Aztec equivalent of the seen-it-all canny gumshoe barely manages
to escape most of the wrath of his owner, Lord Feathered in Black. The
author has included helpful explanations, with maps, information on
Nahuatl (the Aztec language), and access to the Aztec calendar, but it
is Levack's writing that makes it surprisingly easy to find sure
footing in this very alien culture. It would be best to begin with the
first book; this novel ends with Yoatl facing an uncertain future as well. The book is fascinating." Schools Libray Journal
City of Spies
"Brave and original" The Times
"Hapless
slave Yaotl is back with a third helping of breathless, black humoured,
blood-soaked mayhem in this hugely diverting series... This is another
fast paced, standout novel in this wonderfully imaginative series and
my verdict of it is a thumbs-up sign and the phrase 'business as
usual.' Expect the unexpected, as Pre-Colombian Mexico springs to
vivid life as you have never seen it before outside of a history book
or a very good TV documentary. Having Yaotl tell the tale in his
own words was a masterstroke, for it provides an essential window into
a very alien culture, grounds some of the more amazing parts, and gives
it an immediacy that it might otherwise lack. The plot is
exciting and tortuous, the sort that you need to carefully read every
word of, but my favorite aspect of this series continues to be the
Aztecs themselves. Normally they are not allowed to appear unless
carefully chaperoned by those conquistadors, rather as if they are not
sufficiently interesting to be allowed out on their own. Now we
can see them in all their feather-bedecked, blood-soaked, flowery glory
enjoying the party for as long as possible before those pale faced,
bearded men arrive and spoil the party. Highly enjoyable, and
worthy of another award." www.myshelf.com
"Slick with
entertaining characters and some good turns, this is certainly one for
those who like crime novels with a historical setting." The Law
Society's Gazette
"At the end there is a very surprising
finish... [The author] takes great trouble to make the story
intelligible to the modern reader... Levack's well-structured narrative
engages the reader's mind into believing the historical basis to this
excellent story. May there be many more stories about Yaotl and
the Aztecs" www.eurocrime.co.uk
"This book is a true delight. If
you have ever felt any curiosity about the history of the Aztec (or
Mayan, for that matter) civilisation prior to the coming of the
conquistadors, you could do far worse than to read this meticulously
researched book. Not only does Simon Levack present the facts, some of
which are decidedly unpalatable, about the old empire, he also tells a
very good story to sweeten the pill of history... The characterisations
are particularly well done. Yaotl fairly leaps off the page, so
convincingly is he drawn and Lily, Kindly and Nimble are equally
persuasive. The implications of the advent of the conquistadors, too,
are more than sufficient to hone the interest of the reader in
subsequent books. While CITY OF SPIES is but one of the Aztec series,
it is sufficiently stand alone to satisfy any reader."
www.reviewingtheevidence.com
Tribute of Death
"These books really are a treat. Not only does Levack win my approval for picking a totally different setting for his whodunits, but he has done his homework to make this surely one of the most entertaining history lessons possible. Pre-Colombian Tenochtitlan is shown warts and all, and this is very much a story about the daily lives of ordinary people and their problems. Yaotl tells the tale, and his matter-of-fact tone gives us an essential window into an unfamiliar culture, where human sacrifice is an everyday thing and people believe in all kinds of gods and spirits to explain the world around them. Racing in front of this impressive backdrop is the story itself, which hits the ground running and doesn’t let up once. If you have read the rest of the series I can say that this is the same high standard, and if you haven’t, what are you waiting for? Catch these books quick before those rascally Conquistadors arrive and the Aztecs disappear forever..." www.myshelf.com