Demetrios Askiates Book #1)
by Tom Harper
GENRE : #Historical-action-mystery
My rating: ★★★★★
😃Wow ! It’s an absolutely amazing historical mystery!
I’m giving it 5 out of 5 stars, but honestly, I’d give it 6 out of 5 if I could. Alongside the gripping and complex mystery, there are several other intriguing subplots that really add depth to the story.
This historical novel kept me hooked from the very first page all the way to the end.
It nails everything—suspense, tension, action, nonstop twists and turns, a fast-paced historical setting, and even a touch of romance that fits perfectly without feeling out of place.
____Before I dive into the details, let's take a look to the SUMMARY OF THE PLOT:
In the year 1096, in Byzantium, an unknown killer directs his lethal shaft toward the emperor. His target is not merely a man, but the crucial foundation of a realm teetering on the brink of collapse. If the emperor should perish, the most formidable Christian state on Earth faces utter fragmentation.
Recognizing the gravity of this crisis, the emperor engages Demetrios Askiates, renowned as the revealer of secrets, to identify and apprehend the potential murderer. Yet, Demetrios is stepping into an entirely unfamiliar realm, a chaotic mix of princes, slaves, mercenaries, pimps, and eunuchs... And he has to navigate a tangled web of betrayal and lies before time runs out.
The danger isn’t just inside the city walls: with the Turks advancing across Asia, the emperor called for mercenaries from the west. But what he gets is a massive army of tens of thousands at the gates—the first Crusaders, who are out for their own gain and hold no loyalty to the empire ...
Like I said, the story grabs you right away. We jump straight into the action when Demetrios is taken from his home and summoned by the eunuch Krysaphios, who assigns him the task of finding the assassin targeting the emperor.
___CHARATCTERS____
The author does a fantastic job introducing the main characters—Demetrios and his daughters, Krysaphios the chancellor, and Sigurd and Aelric, the Varangian guards—with just a few lines and scenes.
It’s done in such a clear and effective way that you instantly feel connected to them.
As the story moves forward, more characters come into play—some are clearly good people like Anna, the woman doctor and some are obvious villains, others shrouded in mystery until the very end like the young Frank named Thomas, plus real HISTORICAL FIGURES like Emperor Alexius Comnenus and his brother Isaac, along with crusaders Baldwin and Godfrey of Bouillon.
Sometimes novels with a large cast get confusing, but not here.
Every character has a meaningful role that ties into the events and their relationships with others.
____ DEMETRIUS is MAIN CHARATER of the story:
He’s a regular young man with strong principles. Once a soldier, he now uses his smarts to solve cases like thefts and disappearances. He cares deeply for his daughters and always stands up for the weak, even though he’s not a super warrior and knows he might be outmatched by dangerous enemies. That makes him all the more relatable.
I really liked him because he’s not perfect, he shows his vulnerabilities, like the hesitation of a loving father about marrying off his daughter, or the quiet attraction a 35-year-old widower feels toward a female doctor after years alone. Demetrios is open-minded, even toward foreigners called “barbarians”, i.e. all the people born outside the empire.
He’s forgiving and knows when to offer a second chance. He’s decisive but also empathetic, understanding the pain behind betrayal.
He’s a positive, easy character to root for, and the author brings him to life so vividly that he feels like someone who really could have existed.
___SETTING and HISTORY:____
The story takes place in the Byzantine Empire (also known as the Eastern Roman Empire) in 1096 under Emperor Alexius Comnenus, who dreamed of restoring the empire to its former glory.
The empire faced threats from Turks, Normans, Bulgarians, Germans, and Venetians.
Alexius’s call for help from the Pope backfired a bit when the first Crusaders arrived: a huge armies looking to claim lands for themselves, bringing famine and hardship to many villages.
The book talks about Byzantium, but during Alexius’s reign, the city was actually called Constantinople (named after Emperor Constantine I in 330 AD), built on the site of the ancient Greek colony Byzantium.
I know a bit about this history since I'm Italian and our schools cover the Roman Empire and the Popes, but I'm no expert. So don’t worry if you’re new to this era, the book is easy to follow even if you know nothing about it.
It’s actually a great starting point to explore more through blogs or Wikipedia.
Everything is explained in an engaging, never boring way :-)
----> One moment I really enjoyed was during the chariot races, where four teams in white, red, green, and blue competed. I pictured Demetrios and his new friend Sigurd, captain of the Varangian guards, cheering and joking from the stands.
It was fun experiencing that with the characters, learning about entertainment back then, and it even inspired me to watch some YouTube videos to dive deeper.
The author keeps the tension high by showing the greed of some Crusaders and the oath Alexius and his brother Isaac forced them to take before continuing their crusade.
Another fascinating part involves the Varangians, the emperor’s elite guards, introduced through two characters who become Demetrios’s friends.
These northern soldiers were prized for their loyalty, ferocity, and fighting skills, serving as bodyguards, shock troops, and police.
The book also introduces the Patzinacks (or Pechenegs), a group of Turkish mercenaries I had never heard of before. The emperor hired them for their loyalty and impressive horsemanship.
___ THE MYSTERY PART:____
The mystery itself is brilliantly complex, full of twists, surprises, and characters who seem to bring you closer to the truth only to lead you down new confusing paths.
---> The title fits perfectly, the truth is like a mosaic made up of countless pieces and shadows, until it suddenly clicks in a way that left me speechless but totally satisfied.
The action scenes balance perfectly with the detective work, so there’s never a dull moment. Every chapter grabs your attention and keeps your curiosity fired up.
The pace is mostly fast, but the last 30% of the book?
I read it all in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down!
:-) For me, it’s the best historical mystery I’ve read in 2025!
___ A TOUCH OF SENSUALITY:___
Like I mentioned, there’s a subtle romantic subplot, but don’t worry, male readers: there’s no cheesy, over-the-top lovey-dovey stuff.
It’s hinted at gently and done with just the right touch of charm and spice, making it easy to understand and connect with Demetrios.
----> This book is the first in a three-part series called "Demetrius Askiates," and I’m definitely planning to read the next two.
-----> The great news is that it has a SATISFYING ENDING with NO CLIFFHANGER, so you can enjoy it as a standalone novel if you want.
By the way, I recently realized I’ve already read another book by the same author, writing under the name Edwin Thomas. That one’s set during the Napoleonic Wars and I really liked it too (I gave it 4 stars).
It was more adventure-focused with a bit of humor, it's called The Haunted Cliffs (The Reluctant Adventures of Lieutenant Martin Jerrold, #1).
WOULD I RECOMMEND "THE MOSAIC OF SHADOWS" TO A FRIEND WHO LOVES HISTORICAL MYSTERIES? Absolutely, yes!
Thanks for reading my opinion, I hope this can be helpful in some way in choosing your next reading.
If you'll read the book I hope you'll love it as much as I did!
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