In the Shadow of the Bull

By Eleanor Kuhns,

Book cover of In the Shadow of the Bull

Book description

In a world of Goddess worship, sacred snakes and sacrifice, human jealousy, resentment and betrayal still run wild . . .

Ancient Crete, 1450 BC.When her sister Arge drops to the floor in convulsions and then dies at her wedding, fifteen-year-old Martis, a young poet and bull leaper in training,…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked In the Shadow of the Bull as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love this YA murder mystery in which we visit Ancient Crete.

The premise of having a young girl investigate her sister’s death on the day of her marriage, takes us around the everyday lives of the people, both the women-dominated society and travelling merchants.

The brilliant touch is making the sleuth a trainee bull-jumper, showing that young women, as well as men, carried out this spectacular sport and ritual. I learned a lot and lived the history. 

Want books like In the Shadow of the Bull?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 31 books like In the Shadow of the Bull.

Browse books like In the Shadow of the Bull

Book cover of Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective
Book cover of Murder at the Mendel
Book cover of The Darkest Evening

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,531

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in detectives, Crete, and presidential biography?

Detectives 3,109 books
Crete 24 books