The Ishtar Cup

The Bart Northcote Series Book 1

Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
174 Pages
Reviewed on 02/24/2016
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Author Biography

I have been a collector and a reader of mystery novels for many years. I really like the style of the 1940s, and I try to give my novels a 1940s vibe. I should know that era well, since it was my childhood!
In my spare time I was a forensic psychiatrist. I shared my mystery hobby with many of my friends in the field, who also devoured psychological thrillers. Some people like murder mysteries or other dark subjects. I try to keep my writing lighter, without (I hope) sacrificing character development.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

The Ishtar Cup: The Bart Northcote Series Book 1 by Murray Lee Eiland Jr. is a classic detective novel with all of the elements of intrigue, suspense, and drama. The Ishtar Cup introduces a detective named Bart Northcote whose hobbies include reading detective fiction and a love of art. He also makes no bones about the fact that he believes detectives ought to be paid like doctors or lawyers, and generally only chooses to take on affluent clients who can afford his services. Bart lives in LA and the story is written from a first person perspective which allows a glimpse into his mind and thoughts as he solves the mystery. The story begins when a beautiful and elegant woman enters his office one day and tells him that she wants to hire him to find the Ishtar cup, this without revealing her name. The Ishtar cup is a piece of ancient art that was smuggled out from Iraq after the Gulf war and she explains how she was acquainted with it. As she hires him to keep an eye on other people, Bart suspects that she has secrets of her own and that the case is not as simple as it might appear. The plot leads readers to wonderful places with plenty of drama with Bart and his beautiful client in the midst of it all.

The Ishtar Cup: The Bart Northcote Series Book 1 by Murray Lee Eiland Jr. is a mystery novel and is book 1 in a series. The detective, Bart Northcote, cuts an interesting figure who frankly admits to enjoying working strictly for money and expresses his opinions on things honestly and without guilt. The element of the mystery woman makes for a refreshing change from your run-of-the-mill client and creates an aura of mystery around the real motives behind this search. The writing style is quite engaging and at times humorous. Readers who enjoy mysteries will enjoy this book!