Well-written, unusual theme, humor, engaging characters but it did nothing for me. I think there's a core audience for this type of book but it's not me. It might appeal to short-story enthusiasts as each chapter seems to be a story unto itself. If you like ancient history and/or swashbuckling adventure you will probably like this book.

The story is interesting especially as it pertains to the lack of legal rights for women throughout history and the issues of removing antiquities from a country for personal gain. The book moves slowly in the beginning and the pace doesn't really pick up until the halfway point. The narrative is choppy in places as it moves between the Athens of 450 BC and early 19th century Turkey, Greece and Europe and the writing seems careless. The character of Mary Elgin seems fairly well fleshed out but Aspasia doesn't quite ring true.

The book was well written and the mystery was complex with a few interesting twists and turns, but the slow pace made it tough to keep my attention focused. Interesting characters and plenty of detail about sights, sounds and smells of the era evoke a great sense of place. Wondering what an excubitor is? These thoughtful authors provide a helpful and educational glossary in the back - An excubitor is a palace guard.