Death in Cyprus : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A nice old-fashioned mystery with strong local colour
Review: Although written in 1956, the book is still enjoyable - like a trip back in time. Today it would be labelled "romantic suspense" and would have to contain some explicit sex; the romance is a bit understated for modern taste, and the end just a tad quick. You never find out the hero's actual profession and position, for instance. On the plus side, the young heroine is very likeable and plucky (as they said then). The social mores of the upper and upper middle class were not particularly admirable, from the evidence of this book - but of course it had to provide plenty of viable suspects. Just about anybody seems capable of the vile deeds that occur in the lovely Mediterranean setting.

Rating:
Summary: A nice old-fashioned mystery with strong local colour
Review: Although written in 1956, the book is still enjoyable - like a trip back in time. Today it would be labelled "romantic suspense" and would have to contain some explicit sex; the romance is a bit understated for modern taste, and the end just a tad quick. You never find out the hero's actual profession and position, for instance. On the plus side, the young heroine is very likeable and plucky (as they said then). The social mores of the upper and upper middle class were not particularly admirable, from the evidence of this book - but of course it had to provide plenty of viable suspects. Just about anybody seems capable of the vile deeds that occur in the lovely Mediterranean setting.

Rating:
Summary: Sweeps you off your Feet
Review: Death in Cyprus was captivating. I'll admit, it has a slow beginning, but once the story gets going in Cyprus you can't put the book down. The unlikely hero and witty, romantic dialogue gives the book a very lovable angle that will make you pick it up again and again. The suprise ending is very much of a suprise and (unless your Sherlock Holmes,) you won't even recognise some of the clues until the end. Death in Cyprus is not the best of M.M. Kaye's mysteries, but it's a romantic thriller that will sweep you off your feet.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST!
Review: I have read lots of mystery stories, and I must say, this is the one that I can read over and over again. The setting is gorgeous - you can almost feel the sun on your face and the sand at your feet, and you almost feel like visting Cyprus, the beautiful land of Kyrenia, icosia, Huilarion, the Abbey of Belapais, the palace where Queen Berengaria waited for Richards ships. The tone used used is hilarious and the conversations and the hero as well as the heroine and enchanting. It is a must read!!

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST!
Review: I have read lots of mystery stories, and I must say, this is the one that I can read over and over again. The setting is gorgeous - you can almost feel the sun on your face and the sand at your feet, and you almost feel like visting Cyprus, the beautiful land of Kyrenia, icosia, Huilarion, the Abbey of Belapais, the palace where Queen Berengaria waited for Richards ships. The tone used used is hilarious and the conversations and the hero as well as the heroine and enchanting. It is a must read!!

Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: I have read several of M.M. Kaye's mysteries. I love them because of the time in history, the late 1930's to early 1950's probably. They are British drawing room mysteries without the drawing room. Instead, they take place in exotic locales with all the usual British characters, and usually with an American thrown in for good measure. Everyone is on holiday, seeing the sights, meeting for tea or cocktails, skulking around plotting murder and mayhem. Lots of fun and great escape. I'm a big fan of Ms. Kaye.

Rating:
Summary: Good "British Empire" mysteru
Review: If M.M. Kaye had written more books like her "Death" series, she might have had a place almost as exalted as that of Agatha Christie. Best known for "The Far Pavilions," Kaye also wrote other stories set in the exotic locations that she had visited in the past. Though it may be politically incorrect to reminisce for times when the British were a strong presence around the world, it's hard not to wish oneself into one of these exotic mysteries.

Twenty-one-year-old Amanda Derington is newly freed from her strict, oppressive uncle, and is travelling to Cyprus with a tour group that includes her uncle and aunt, a cynical romance novelist, a faux invalid and her doting husband, and an oddly attractive young artist. But after her aunt Julia enters a state of jealous hysteria and then dies mysteriously, Amanda finds a bottle of poison in her room. The artist, Steve, urges her not to reveal where she found it.

Amanda comes to Cyprus, with the incident seemingly behind her. But her host, the kindly Glenn Barton, has to relocate her to the eccentric Miss Moon's. His wife Anita has left him and is now living with an artist, claiming that her husband is cheating on her with several women. And as Amanda tries to find out who killed Julia, she finds that more murders may be in store -- including her own.

As always, M.M. Kaye evokes a bygone time of muted glamor, rugged Army officers, lots of flowers and atmospheric settings in exotic locales. Descriptions are good, not too flowery but help to bring images to mind. The dialogue is sprightly and realistic, very different for each person, and often hiding subtle clues as to the person's inner thoughts. Her characterizations are multilayered; characters like Anita Barton are not as simple as they seem, and may not be fully explained until the last pages.

Amanda is much like Kaye's other mystery heroines -- young, pretty, bright, observant, brave, a little naive, and essentially kindhearted. Love interest Steve is attractively insolent and brainy, while the mild-mannered Glenn Barton hides unusual secrets; his wife Anita also hides secrets, behind a facade of alcohol and scandal. Monica Ford, Glenn's secretary, inspires either indifference or pity, depending on the part of the book one is reading. Miss Moon is the truly unique character, an effervescent old lady who dresses on opulent clothing and jewelry according to the day of the week.

For a bit of nostalgic escapism, open "Death in Cyprus" and enjoy the exotic places and mind-bending mysteries. Then read the rest of the series, which is every bit as good as this book.

Rating:
Summary: Death In Cyprus
Review: This book was excellent. Death, romance, mystery and suspence were all combined to make a wonderful classic mystery. Death in Cyprus took me to a place in antoher part of the world and taught me about the culture along with a creative story. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give an 11