Reviews

The Third Nero by Lindsey Davis

zeozombz's review

adventurous challenging informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This book in the series was a bit hard to follow in the beginning as there are a lot of characters and names involved. This by itself may not seem like too big of a deal, if you possess more knowledge Roman history than just being familiar with it, as myself. I did truly like the political aspect of this particular book and found it quite fascinating.

tessisreading2's review against another edition

3.0

Early on in this book, I found myself getting irritated with the plotline - the contortions required to get Flavia Albia involved in the mystery and up-to-date on the background necessitate lengthy and boring "as you know Bob" digressions - but finally came to the realization that you don't read these books for anything even resembling a standalone mystery; you read them because you want to spend more time hanging out with the Didii and their chipper, colorful version of Rome. Davis definitely falls prey to the temptation to project modernism backwards (plumbers with ubiquitous toga wedgies? really?) but it's fun to spend time with everyone again. I was pleased to see Marcia, although there were so many friends, relatives, cousins, and flashbacks that this book got a little crowded.

catrink's review against another edition

4.0

I love a good mystery, and those become ever more difficult to find. Who is the traitor? Why does Flavia Albia initially resist this case, and then insist on payment up front?

This is not the first I've read from Lindsey Davis, and it does not disappoint. Set during Domition's rule in Rome, the amount of effort sent in researching the culture and political events of the time comes through in the well developed characters and plot. Enjoy!

queencleo's review against another edition

2.0

My least favorite of the series so far.
Nothing much happens for the first entire third of the novel, as Flavia talks about the aftermath of her new husband being struck by lightning on their wedding day and the vast swathe of characters in this bloated tale of Roman political intrigue

veronica87's review against another edition

3.0

It's Rome 89 A.D., just three days after the end of the previous book which saw Flavia Albia wed Tiberius Manlius Faustus, the man she loves. Of course the groom just happened to get struck by lightning on his wedding day so he's still not feeling 100%. This is a source of worry for Albia who is also faced with the task of setting up a new household. Then, to top things off, she soon finds herself drawn into the frustrating and dangerous world of imperial palace politics, a place she never wanted to be, but when the stability of the government (already a train wreck in Albia's eyes) is at stake there isn't much choice.

This book had more history on the politics of ancient Rome's dealings with neighboring countries/provinces than previous books. Since I'm not very knowledgeable about this particular time period I found myself losing the story thread at times. I also felt the loss of Faustus who was understandably less active this time around. The combination of these two things made this not my favorite book in the series. Still, Albia's wit is ever present and that's always fun.

raptorimperator's review against another edition

4.0

It was a slow start, but picked up around the middle. Flavia Albia gets caught up in some palace politics and intrigue, as well as foreign espionage involving Rome's greatest enemy, Parthia. Overall, a fun read, plus we see how Flavia Albia and Tiberius Manlius Faustus adjust to life as a married couple, with the added complication of Faustus recovering from getting struck by a bolt of lightning at the end of the previous book ([b:The Graveyard of the Hesperides|26114261|The Graveyard of the Hesperides (Flavia Albia Mystery, #4)|Lindsey Davis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452963966l/26114261._SY75_.jpg|46061168]). Some mentions of Falco and Helena, though not any true appearances, but we do get to see some other members of the extended Didius clan.

suddenbreakdown's review against another edition

funny informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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

2.0

Too much hard to follow political intrigue this time around (I should have known when I saw the length of the cast of characters--and the number of bureaucrats it contained--at the front of the book). And Domitian is channeling Donald Trump, which may be the point but is nonetheless stressful.

gillothen's review against another edition

4.0

Good fun, and with lots of intriguing detail about actual political conspiracies during Domitian's reign. Cameo references to the older generation, too.

judenoseinabook's review

adventurous challenging funny informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Another Roman romp with Flavia Albia. Interesting story but the plotters all got a bit jumbled up in my head especially as several had similar names.