June Trop

June Trop (est. birth 1945 in rural New Jersey) – veteran educator and Professor of Teacher Education (emerita) at SUNY New Paltz, author of the Miriam bat Isaac mystery novels. This 6-volume (soon to be 7) series is deeply rooted in the Jewish historical experience of first-century Alexandria, a period when the city was a global center for both Hellenistic culture and Jewish intellectual life. The protagonist is based on Maria Hebrea (also known as Mary the Jewess), a real historical figure credited as the founder of Western alchemy.

Historical Inspiration: Jewish Identity: Miriam is a young Jewish woman navigating a male- dominated field. Her identity is central to her character, influencing her moral compass and her commitment to justice and protecting the innocent.

Sociopolitical Setting: The books explore the Jewish Quarter of Alexandria and the tension between the Jewish population and the Roman authorities. This includes depictions of historical events like the Alexandrian riots, which left a lasting impact on Miriam’s worldview.

Cultural Intersection: The series depicts the complex intersection of Jewish tradition and Hellenistic science, showing how Miriam uses her alchemical knowledge—often associated with mystical or pagan traditions—while maintaining her Jewish heritage.

Regional Context: Some installments, such as The Deadliest Hate, expand the setting to Judea and Caesarea, involving Judean political factions and regional conflicts. 

Mystery Components:

Protagonist Sleuth: Miriam acts as a “natural sleuth” and “super-sleuth,” using her skills as an alchemist to solve crimes through deduction and analysis similar to Sherlock Holmes.

Crime Solving: The plots revolve around investigating murders, heists, kidnappings, and missing persons.

Classic Tropes: The author utilizes classic mystery structures, such as the ”locked-room mystery” in The Deadliest Sport, where a crime occurs in a seemingly inaccessible place. [Google/AI]

Trop, June, [Miriam bat Isaac #1] (The Deadliest Lie [pb, Bell Bridge Books, 2013,]) 978-1611943672

Trop, June, [Miriam bat Isaac #2] (The Deadliest Hate: A Miriam bat Isaac Mystery in Ancient Alexandria [pb, Bell Bridge Books, 2015]) 978-1611946673

Trop, June, [Miriam bat Isaac #3] (The Deadliest Sport [pb, Black Opal Books, 2017]) 978-1626947559

Trop, June, [Miriam bat Isaac #4] (The Deadliest Fever [pb, Black Opal Books, 2018]) 978-1626948754

Trop, June, [Miriam bat Isaac #5] (The Deadliest Thief [pb, Black Opal Books, 2019]) 978-1644372012

Trop, June, (The Deadliest Deceptions: A Collection of Nine Miriam bat Isaac Short Mysteries [pb, Level Best Books, 2023] 978-1685122751

Trop, June, [Miriam bat Isaac #6] (The Deadliest Returns: A Collection of three Miriam Bat Isaac Novelettes [pb, Level Best-Historia, 2024] 978-1685125851

Trop, June, [Miriam bat Isaac #7] (Sweet Revenge – forthcoming, according to author’s website)