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alisonkinkead's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting one - I admire the fact that Davis chose to grapple with slavery, which must surely be one of the more difficult aspects of ancient Roman life for a fiction writer: abhorrent to modern readers, it was taken for granted by Romans. That said, the end result is somewhat discomfiting. The narrator, Flavia Albia, narrowly escaped a life of slavery herself, and knows it; she does not have slaves and prefers to live independently. She is sympathetic to the concerns of slaves. At the same time, the narrative demands of the mystery mean that she can't be too sympathetic to the slaves, and that's where it starts to get dicey: Albia happily pals around with slave owners who complain about the bad attitude of a slave (who was, as Albia admits, forced into her owner's bed probably at puberty, bore him as many as ten children, had all of the children taken from her and sold off, then was scheduled to be sold off herself when her owner remarried), and dislikes the slave herself, in part because she keeps making eyes at men. Albia can't stand women like that, who rely on men for everything, who are not independent! Oh. Well, that's nice. Albia is a Roman citizen with a (probably ahistorically) loving and protective yet independence-granting family, so this is intensely grating to read, and the fact that Albia acknowledges how rough the slave had it doesn't actually help. The power differential makes it difficult to read the conflict neutrally. At the same time, Albia is sympathetic enough (and her voice and attitudes are modern enough) that I think we're supposed to read her as somehow better than the Romans who mistreat their slaves or take them for granted - but Davis doesn't pull that off. I almost wish she'd just gone whole hog and made Albia dislikeable in her attitude towards slaves.
It's very difficult, from the mystery-reader perspective, to view a slave character the same way you view a free character, because the back stories and motivations are so horrifying to the modern reader that murder seems entirely justified. When the novel begins there is a temple full of slaves who are fleeing execution for not preventing the murder of their owners. I mean, from page one they're operating at a disadvantage that makes it hard to view them critically, and the free Romans are working within a system that is horrifyingly unfair. Yet the book read as though we were supposed to be reading these characters the same way we'd be reading, say, suspects in a Sherlock Holmes story - but Victorian servants, at least, would not be facing this kind of arbitrary execution, and at least hypothetically could find new employers. Awful though the situation of Victorian servants was, it's a different level of awful. This level of awful is so high that the narrative just didn't work for me. Like I said, interesting.
It's very difficult, from the mystery-reader perspective, to view a slave character the same way you view a free character, because the back stories and motivations are so horrifying to the modern reader that murder seems entirely justified. When the novel begins there is a temple full of slaves who are fleeing execution for not preventing the murder of their owners. I mean, from page one they're operating at a disadvantage that makes it hard to view them critically, and the free Romans are working within a system that is horrifyingly unfair. Yet the book read as though we were supposed to be reading these characters the same way we'd be reading, say, suspects in a Sherlock Holmes story - but Victorian servants, at least, would not be facing this kind of arbitrary execution, and at least hypothetically could find new employers. Awful though the situation of Victorian servants was, it's a different level of awful. This level of awful is so high that the narrative just didn't work for me. Like I said, interesting.
queencleo's review against another edition
4.0
The next installment in the adventures of Flavia "Albiola" and Tiberius Manlius Faustus.
A newlywed couple has been murdered in their bed and the slaves of the house have claimed sanctuary at the local Temple of Ceres, where they are all under suspicion.
To confuse matters, the household silverware has disappeared and not resurfaced - despite being a very distinctive set
I love reading these new relationships unfold and it was very nice to revisit Justinus and Aulus in this one, even though in my head they are young men of twenty still and not senators of almost 40
I did miss Posthumos in this one though, hopefully he'll be back.
This series has been a salve to the chaotic times we live in with the Covid pandemic. It's a relief to sink into the fantasy world of an anachronistic Ancient Rome and Ms Davis' brand of humour
A newlywed couple has been murdered in their bed and the slaves of the house have claimed sanctuary at the local Temple of Ceres, where they are all under suspicion.
To confuse matters, the household silverware has disappeared and not resurfaced - despite being a very distinctive set
I love reading these new relationships unfold and it was very nice to revisit Justinus and Aulus in this one, even though in my head they are young men of twenty still and not senators of almost 40
I did miss Posthumos in this one though, hopefully he'll be back.
This series has been a salve to the chaotic times we live in with the Covid pandemic. It's a relief to sink into the fantasy world of an anachronistic Ancient Rome and Ms Davis' brand of humour
raptorimperator's review against another edition
4.0
The city of Rome is famous for being one of the largest populated cities during antiquity. But one thing about Rome that is largely forgotten by moderns is that the slave population often outnumbered the free born citizenry. Hence the title of Lindsey Davis's second Flavia Albia novel ENEMIES AT HOME.
I enjoyed this tale, and the interaction Flavia Albia have with both recurring (Tiberius Manlius Faustus, and the Camillii brothers, who I remember from the Falco books) and new (Dromo, Titianus, Galla Simplicia, Gratus) characters. I particularly hope to see more of the slave Dromo, he reminds me a little of Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger's slave Hermes from John Maddox Roberts SPQR series.
This story explores the hidden world of the slaves within Rome, specifically the house slaves of a well-off family. When the master and mistress are killed in their bed, Faustus commissions Flavia Albia to determined whether or not the slaves are responsible, as the local vigiles suspect. In doing so, Flavia Albia must uncover the truth hidden underneath the facade of a supposedly happy and loyal household. If she cannot uncover the true killer, all the household slaves--per Roman law--must be put to death.
Unlike the first book, where I guessed the killer almost immediately, this one kept me guessing, offering up more red herrings, though I came to the same conclusion not long before Flavia Albia. I enjoyed watching her relationship with Faustus deepen, the the surprise appearance of Helena Justina near the end. Still waiting for Marcus Didius Falco to make an appearance outside of brief references, but I can forgive the lack of my favorite sardonic informer, since I understand Davis doesn't want to take away from Flavia Albia, and setting up her stories. I'm finding I enjoy Flavia Albia's musings and thoughts just as much as Falco's. She definitely picked up a lot from her adoptive father. Hoping Falco makes an appearance in one of the next books. I miss that rascal.
I would greatly enjoy seeing Falco met Faustus, as I definitely feel Flavia Albia and Faustus will be seeing a lot more of each other, both professionally and personally, even though she tries to act like the latter is impossible because of his position and the difference in their social standings. After all, Falco was a Plebeian who worked his way up into the Equestrian rank, and managed to win the heart and love of the noble Helena Justina, a Patrician.
I enjoyed this tale, and the interaction Flavia Albia have with both recurring (Tiberius Manlius Faustus, and the Camillii brothers, who I remember from the Falco books) and new (Dromo, Titianus, Galla Simplicia, Gratus) characters. I particularly hope to see more of the slave Dromo, he reminds me a little of Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger's slave Hermes from John Maddox Roberts SPQR series.
This story explores the hidden world of the slaves within Rome, specifically the house slaves of a well-off family. When the master and mistress are killed in their bed, Faustus commissions Flavia Albia to determined whether or not the slaves are responsible, as the local vigiles suspect. In doing so, Flavia Albia must uncover the truth hidden underneath the facade of a supposedly happy and loyal household. If she cannot uncover the true killer, all the household slaves--per Roman law--must be put to death.
Unlike the first book, where I guessed the killer almost immediately, this one kept me guessing, offering up more red herrings, though I came to the same conclusion not long before Flavia Albia. I enjoyed watching her relationship with Faustus deepen, the the surprise appearance of Helena Justina near the end. Still waiting for Marcus Didius Falco to make an appearance outside of brief references, but I can forgive the lack of my favorite sardonic informer, since I understand Davis doesn't want to take away from Flavia Albia, and setting up her stories. I'm finding I enjoy Flavia Albia's musings and thoughts just as much as Falco's. She definitely picked up a lot from her adoptive father. Hoping Falco makes an appearance in one of the next books. I miss that rascal.
I would greatly enjoy seeing Falco met Faustus, as I definitely feel Flavia Albia and Faustus will be seeing a lot more of each other, both professionally and personally, even though she tries to act like the latter is impossible because of his position and the difference in their social standings. After all, Falco was a Plebeian who worked his way up into the Equestrian rank, and managed to win the heart and love of the noble Helena Justina, a Patrician.
suddenbreakdown's review against another edition
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
willt486's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
styxx's review against another edition
3.0
This is, in my opinion, a better book than the first of the Flavia Albia series. She seems not only more comfortable with the characters, but less stilted and awkward in the writing style. This makes it easier to sit back and enjoy the story.
otherwyrld's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second in the Flavia Albia stories and while it was better than the first book, I found myself still missing her father Falco in these stories.
Flavia is hired to investigate the murder of a couple a few days after their wedding, and the theft of some valuable silverware. Suspicion naturally falls on the household slaves, but it is a far more complicated story than that, and she has to pick her way through a tangled web of lies and omissions to get to the truth.
In some respect these stories are darker and more angry than the Falco books as we, through the eyes of Flavia, are forced to confront the harsh realities of Roman life. As a woman, she struggles much more than her father did, but this pales by comparison with the lives of the slaves that we get to meet here. Most of them, it has to be said, will not come to a good end in this story, though to a certain extent they brought their doom upon themselves by not protecting their master in the first place, and then by lying about what really happened to the authorities.
While I enjoyed this book, I still felt that it lacks a certain spark for the most part, and certainly is not in the same league as even the lesser Falco novels. There are a couple of occasions when promise is shown - one where a group of women sit around getting drunk together in defiance of all Roman convention, for example. The epilogue, in which the case has been solved, shows a lot more promise, so if the author can build on this then the series will be worth reading. I would also like to see a bit more about the politics of the time featured - Vespasian and Titus played a major part in the Falco stories, and I would like to read more about how Domitian affects the world in which this series is set.
So, possibly 3 1/2 stars for this book.
Flavia is hired to investigate the murder of a couple a few days after their wedding, and the theft of some valuable silverware. Suspicion naturally falls on the household slaves, but it is a far more complicated story than that, and she has to pick her way through a tangled web of lies and omissions to get to the truth.
In some respect these stories are darker and more angry than the Falco books as we, through the eyes of Flavia, are forced to confront the harsh realities of Roman life. As a woman, she struggles much more than her father did, but this pales by comparison with the lives of the slaves that we get to meet here. Most of them, it has to be said, will not come to a good end in this story, though to a certain extent they brought their doom upon themselves by not protecting their master in the first place, and then by lying about what really happened to the authorities.
While I enjoyed this book, I still felt that it lacks a certain spark for the most part, and certainly is not in the same league as even the lesser Falco novels. There are a couple of occasions when promise is shown - one where a group of women sit around getting drunk together in defiance of all Roman convention, for example. The epilogue, in which the case has been solved
Spoiler
only for Flavia to fall deathly ill and has to be nursed by her employerSo, possibly 3 1/2 stars for this book.