From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Those who like their historicals with a touch of humor will welcome Australian author Corby's promising debut, set in fifth-century B.C.E. Greece. When the arrow-pierced body of Ephialtes, the main force behind democratic reform in Athens, literally falls at the feet of Nicolaos, a sculptor's son expected to follow in his father's footsteps, fate hands Nicolaos another career. Ephialtes's politician friend, Pericles, who appears on the scene moments after the murder, is impressed enough by Nicolaos's preliminary conclusions to hire him to solve the crime. Members of the Areopagus, the city's ruling council, had the most to lose from Ephialtes's policies, but the neophyte detective finds that not even his exalted employer is above suspicion. The bodies pile up as the investigation continues, leading to a dramatic climax in which Nicolaos's survival hinges on his cracking the mystery. Corby displays a real gift for pacing and plotting.
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From Booklist

After Ephialtes, who brought democracy to ancient Greece, falls dead from the sky at Nicolaos’ feet, Nico is offered a commission by politician Pericles to find the killer. Against the advice of his father, Nico, who aspires to politics himself, investigates. He perseveres, with the help of Diotima, a priestess of Artemis, even when additional murders occur, and it becomes clear that someone wants to stop the investigation now. Nico, a principled, engaging young man, is the older brother of Socrates, who appears here as an annoying little brother. The mix of historical and fictional characters works well, and the author’s account of the life and times of ancient Greece adds appealing texture; unfortunately, Nico’s first-person voice is distinctly modern in language and tone, and the large cast of characters makes the otherwise satisfying story hard to follow at times. Still, this series has promise and is worth another look. --Sue OBrien