Cleopatra: Whispers from the Nile

About the Book

The Killer Queen

‘Do not fight, little brother, you cannot win…the blue flowers will soon give you peace.’

47 BC. Cleopatra, young and manipulative, is finally able to grasp the throne of Egypt, having seduced Roman general Julius Caesar. He is delighted when she falls pregnant, carrying his son Caesarion and declares her co-ruler with her young brother.

Caesar’s victory in a battle against Cleopatra’s sister, Arsinoe, and her followers finally results in triumph. He returns to Rome leaving Cleopatra behind in Alexandria to scheme.

Cleopatra’s murder of her co-ruler, Ptolemy, opens the door for her to rule alone on the Egyptian throne. She has already murdered other influential opponents and seeks to become Empress of Rome, accepting an invitation to visit Caesar in his villa. But Rome is not as she expects. It is a hotbed of turmoil and political intrigue and she is hated by the people. She creates enemies amongst Rome’s most influential senators and there is one, especially, who is more than a match for her.

Caesar also has a Roman mistress, Servilia. Can Cleopatra overcome her established power and influence? And what of Marc Antony? Most of all, Cleopatra fears Arsinoe who has been exiled to the temple of Artemis at Ephesus.

About the Author

Lorraine Blundell (Parsons) was born in Brisbane, Australia. She lives in Melbourne and has a daughter, Jenni. and a son, Steve. Lorraine graduated from the University of Queensland with a bachelor of arts degree majoring in English and history. She holds a teaching qualification in drama from Trinity College, London.
Lorraine trained for six years as a classical singer at the Queensland State Conservatorium of Music, Brisbane. Spanning that period she sang professionally on television as a solo vocalist. Lorraine regularly performed on channels BTQ7 and QTQ 9 Brisbane, as well as HSV 7 Melbourne. She is an experienced performer in amateur musical theatre productions. Lorraine’s interests are ancient history, singing, and archaeology. She has travelled extensively.