In conversation with Barbara Peters, founder of The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Dana Stabenow discusses her new book, Disappearance of a Scribe, the second installment in the “Eye of Isis”, the trilogy of Ancient Egyptian crime novels that began with Death of an Eye. The event was both enlightening and entertaining, filled with fascinating insights into Dana’s writing process and the historical backdrop of her series.
During the conversation, Dana highlighted the beauty of physical books, especially those from her British publisher, which featured stunning maps and intricate cover designs. She also gave us a sneak peek into her writing journey and shared her inspiration for the series, set during the time of Cleopatra’s reign in Egypt and the transition to Roman rule.
Dana and her Barbara traveled to Egypt and discussed its historical significance, its transition from a fertile province to a desert country, and its complex political landscape during Cleopatra’s time. They touched on how her characters navigate this world, with a special focus on the series’ protagonist, Tetisheri, Cleopatra’s personal investigator.
Dana’s deep research and personal experiences in Egypt shone through as she discussed various aspects of her novels, from murder methods involving Rhakotis sandals to the importance of historical records like tax and property filings, the importance of the Great Library of Alexandria in the plot, or her research on ancient construction materials.
The audience engaged with Dana in a lively Q&A session, covering topics ranging from Cleopatra’s psychology before her suicide and the strategic errors that led to her defeat at the Battle of Actium, to the historical accuracy of descriptions of food and beverage popular in Egypt, such as beans, citrus, fish, and bread.
The event was an enlightening and engaging event for history and mystery lovers alike. If you enjoyed this recap, share it on social media, and stay tuned for more exciting events by subscribing to our newsletter.