Ethan Gage, the early-nineteenth-century’s answer to Indiana Jones, is hot on the trail of another priceless artifact. This time it’s the Mirror of Archimedes, the (possibly mythical) ancient weapon that wiped out a Roman fleet and could enable its possessor to conquer the world. As usual the story moves at a brisk clip and contains equal parts humor, romance, and action. Ethan, a thoroughly likable adventurer, comes up against one obstacle after another as he travels from France to Greece to Italy, staying one step—sometimes barely that—ahead of the nasty pirates who want the mirror for themselves. As he did in previous novels, Dietrich works real characters and historical events into the mix, expertly blending fact and fiction. Fans of the earlier Gage novels will definitely want to read this one, but the book should be heartily recommended to all action-adventure lovers. --David Pitt
ReviewDietrich works real characters and historical events into the mix, expertly blending fact and fiction. Fans of the earlier Gage novels will definitely want to read this one, but the book should be heartily recommended to all action-adventure lovers. (Booklist )
“Attention to those of you who like thrillers to be high-concept, historical and swash-buckling!” (Daily News )
“As satisfying as an Indiana Jones film and offers enough historical knowledge to render the reader a fascinating raconteur on the topics of ancient Egypt and Napoleon Bonaparte.” (USA Today )
“Gage has many of the same moves as the late George MacDonald Fraser’s irresistible anti-hero, Sir Harry Flashman.” (Sacramento Bee )
“Dietrich is an excellent writer, and fun-loving, amoral, and occasionally deadly Ethan Gage is a compelling hero who tries hard to do the right thing – if only he wasn’t so easily distracted by temptations. An action-filled romp that’s both historically accurate and great fun.” (Library Journal )
“[Dietrich’s] most successful novel yet -- a puzzle-laden page turner.” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer )