Checkmate (The Cordoba Mysteries Book 1)

I really liked this book. It’s a historical murder mystery set in the Caliphate of 9th century Spain, with the Grand Vizier, chief factotum to the Caliph, fulfilling the role of detective.The plot bounces along, the characters were totally believable and the setting, Medieval Cordoba, is well researched and its multicultural society brought to life by the author. There are Historical Notes and a map at the end, and I’d strongly recommend it for anyone looking for a good holiday read, or who has visited Spain.I especially liked General Ghalib, sidekick to Hasdai, the Grand Vizier, and the parallels with Captain Hastings (Poirot) and Dr Watson (Holmes) make him a nicely sympathetic character. He’s just a bit behind the curve intellectually, but coming through with the goods when the chips are down.I hope the female interest, Miryam, will be given a little more space in the next book. It seemed at first there was a shortage of female characters, then Miryam duly turned up, right on cue. Her appearance was nicely timed.In summary, Cadfael had better watch out - I see the Hasdai stories developing into a great little series. But........who will play him on TV?I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

Pathetic. The historical basis may be sound, but the writing and plotting skills are far from being so. A bad rehash on themes done better by others.Simply copying a pattern and adding a plethora of ill defined characters with eminently forgettable names only leads to a confusion that the staggering plot does nothing to alleviate. Yes, I did read the other one. Equally grim.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. An authentic historical background in Córdoba and an interesting plot theme using the game of chess. I live in Spain and found the attention to detail very realistic and will look forward to visiting Córdoba.

An interesting story set in a period of history of which I know little. It was a good story line, and the main characters were well created, but I would have welcomed just a little bit more background regarding the politics of the era, which I found hard to understand. I was only able to partly set this story into its historical context, which is the only reason why I scored it with 4 stars. But I will look out for more from this author.

Checkmate offers a distinctive and unusual setting and period, and the story plays out in a clever and rewarding way. Wonderful characterization and vivid evocations of the locales really add the to the pleasures here. A nicely paced and highly original crime story. My only criticism is with the pedestrian title - but this is more than worth the price.

Interesting insight into Arabic mediaeval society (in what is now Spain) at a time when Christian and Judaic people and practices were tolerated and respected in a Muslim state. Just goes to show how ignorant today's prejudices are whatever your perspective. Good whodunnit story as well

Very enjoyable. Beautifully written and well-researched. I know nothing about the time and the setting, I felt that it took me there.

A city in which faiths are encouraged and which live side by side is possible and did exist. So did skulduggery.