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kestrellady's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book took me a while to get into. This is a sequel series to the author's long running Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries, which I think is one of the reasons why I struggled with it. There's lots of references that I can tell I'm supposed to get, but don't since I haven't read those books.
The writing style is a bit more abrupt than I’m used to-it kind of reminded me of old noir mysteries, though it’s set in ancient Rome- but the ending absolutely hooked me for the series.
The writing style is a bit more abrupt than I’m used to-it kind of reminded me of old noir mysteries, though it’s set in ancient Rome- but the ending absolutely hooked me for the series.
dogearedandfurry's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this. Kind of gum shoe private eye feel (reminded me of Sue Grafton's books) but set in Ancient Rome so no running fingerprints, DNA, etc. found myself skipping quite easily into the history, which educated without feeling overtaught - you were left to fill in based on clues or context.
Now going back to start with book 1 in the series featuring Flavia's father, Falco.
Now going back to start with book 1 in the series featuring Flavia's father, Falco.
veronica87's review
3.0
Flavia Albia is female Informer (private investigator) in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Domitian. This means that she often has to take on cases that her male counterparts turn down. When the death of her latest unsavory client leads Albia to suspect that a serial killer is on the loose, she soon finds herself in the middle of the intrigue.
I ended up liking this book in spite of the fact that there were several reasons why I shouldn't. First of all, it's not written using the speech patterns of the time period and that sort of thing usually pulls me out of the story. The writing style seems to set up the story with a definite comedic bent though so the lack of authentic language ended up not being an issue for me after all. Secondly, the mystery itself was a bit weak. I picked out the murderer early on (and that almost never happens) and also immediately figured out another reveal long before Flavia Albia. Now, however, I wonder if the author intended for these things to be obvious to the reader, if perhaps the point of the story was to watch Albia stumble her way through the process to show that she is a normal person of regular intellect who is not immune to errors of judgement. I also had some trouble getting into the story at first. Not being familiar with this time period meant that I spent a lot of time googling various things.
What ultimately saved the book for me is Albia herself. Her acerbic wit may come as off-putting to some but I quite liked her, and her sardonic observations of and commentary about life and people often had me chuckling. She is the adopted, now grown daughter of the main character of the author's other, long running series. I haven't read that series but I didn't find that an impediment to settling into this one. I look forward to reading more books featuring Flavia Albia.
I ended up liking this book in spite of the fact that there were several reasons why I shouldn't. First of all, it's not written using the speech patterns of the time period and that sort of thing usually pulls me out of the story. The writing style seems to set up the story with a definite comedic bent though so the lack of authentic language ended up not being an issue for me after all. Secondly, the mystery itself was a bit weak. I picked out the murderer early on (and that almost never happens) and also immediately figured out another reveal long before Flavia Albia. Now, however, I wonder if the author intended for these things to be obvious to the reader, if perhaps the point of the story was to watch Albia stumble her way through the process to show that she is a normal person of regular intellect who is not immune to errors of judgement. I also had some trouble getting into the story at first. Not being familiar with this time period meant that I spent a lot of time googling various things.
What ultimately saved the book for me is Albia herself. Her acerbic wit may come as off-putting to some but I quite liked her, and her sardonic observations of and commentary about life and people often had me chuckling. She is the adopted, now grown daughter of the main character of the author's other, long running series. I haven't read that series but I didn't find that an impediment to settling into this one. I look forward to reading more books featuring Flavia Albia.
raptorimperator's review against another edition
4.0
It has been a while since I read one of Lindsey Davis's books, and I had forgot how much I enjoy her writing style. She's one of the few authors I know that can pull off first person narrative really well. Plus the short chapters help to find places to pause, though most of her books are also pager turners, making them hard to put down.
It didn't exactly hold the same magic as [a:Lindsey Davis|24844|Lindsey Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1269886022p2/24844.jpg]'s Falco Mysteries did for me, but Flavia Albia can still hold her own. I'll admit, I was slightly disappointed that despite the fact the main character was their adoptive daughter, Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina only appear in this book via mentions. I know this was a set-up book for Flavia Albia's own series, but--for me, at least--it would still have been nice to have seen Falco and Helena make more of an appearance other than brief mentions.
Besides that it had an intriguing premise and set-up for Flavia Albia, set almost a decade after [b:Nemesis|7624792|Nemesis (Marcus Didius Falco, #20)|Lindsey Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320538529s/7624792.jpg|19018093], showing how she has now followed in the footsteps of her adoptive father, Falco, and works as an informer. She has definitely picked up a lot from Falco and Helena, but has her own strong personality and unique style that holds some smarts and wit, and a clever tongue for banter. Flavia Albia is joined by some fun new characters I hope return in the other books, such as the vigils investigator Titus Morellus and. The story touches some on Flavia Albia's tragic past (some of which Falco Mysteries readers already know) and reveals some of the things that happened during the in-between. While liking her independence, it was nice to see how Flavia Albia still values and fiercely loves her adoptive family.
Just like Falco, Flavia Albia seems determined and willing to rush headlong into danger, correcting wrongs and bringing those responsible to justice in whichever way she can.
I'm looking forward to reading more of her adventures.
It didn't exactly hold the same magic as [a:Lindsey Davis|24844|Lindsey Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1269886022p2/24844.jpg]'s Falco Mysteries did for me, but Flavia Albia can still hold her own. I'll admit, I was slightly disappointed that despite the fact the main character was their adoptive daughter, Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina only appear in this book via mentions. I know this was a set-up book for Flavia Albia's own series, but--for me, at least--it would still have been nice to have seen Falco and Helena make more of an appearance other than brief mentions.
Besides that it had an intriguing premise and set-up for Flavia Albia, set almost a decade after [b:Nemesis|7624792|Nemesis (Marcus Didius Falco, #20)|Lindsey Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320538529s/7624792.jpg|19018093], showing how she has now followed in the footsteps of her adoptive father, Falco, and works as an informer. She has definitely picked up a lot from Falco and Helena, but has her own strong personality and unique style that holds some smarts and wit, and a clever tongue for banter. Flavia Albia is joined by some fun new characters I hope return in the other books, such as the vigils investigator Titus Morellus and
Spoiler
Tiberius Manlius FaustusJust like Falco, Flavia Albia seems determined and willing to rush headlong into danger, correcting wrongs and bringing those responsible to justice in whichever way she can.
I'm looking forward to reading more of her adventures.
suddenbreakdown's review against another edition
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this (after my initial assessment of "meh"). Entertaining.
styxx's review against another edition
3.0
The first in a new series of historical crime fiction by Lindsey Davis, 'The Ides of April' stars Falco's adopted daughter, Flavia Albia, who has become an informer in her own right. If I had two minor quibbles with this book it is that it was a little slow to get started, and also that (presumably in her determination to establish her new characters) the author is very reluctant to use characters from her previous popular series. This despite the fact that Albia is a member of the family of the lead characters in the series. It even extends to 'telling, rather than showing' at times as we get statements like 'I went to breakfast with the family and Papa said...', rather than just showing us the scene and letting the dialogue flow naturally. This was a little disappointing.
However, those quibbles aside, this was a competent historical crime story with an interesting lead character. The premise is that Albia is now working as an informer herself, specialising in helping women. A case brings her to the aedile's office and thus inadvertently into the midst of a different case featuring a rash of mysterious deaths that might, possibly, be murder. There is nothing new or ground-breaking about the story that follows, but it was enjoyable to read.
However, those quibbles aside, this was a competent historical crime story with an interesting lead character. The premise is that Albia is now working as an informer herself, specialising in helping women. A case brings her to the aedile's office and thus inadvertently into the midst of a different case featuring a rash of mysterious deaths that might, possibly, be murder. There is nothing new or ground-breaking about the story that follows, but it was enjoyable to read.
willt486's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
didactylos's review against another edition
4.0
Some of the plot was very transparent but there were surprises. Difficult to follow Falco but certainly a worthy new series