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bexwat's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
silvernfire's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
4.0
Lines from a Bob Dylan song kept running through my mind as I was reading this. Remember "When I Paint My Masterpiece"? It's the one that starts "Oh, the streets of Rome are filled with rubble..." and it goes on to mention several famous sites in Rome. The streets of 89 C.E. Rome may not have been filled with rubble exactly, but they often seem to have been strewn with quite a lot of the less salubrious effluvium of city life. In other words, you had to watch your step. With these kinds of meticulous details, Lindsey Davis paints vivid pictures of ancient Rome in her historic mysteries. The reader can easily imagine herself on those streets.
Several years ago, Davis had a series featuring private detective, or "informer" as she styles the profession, Marcus Didius Falco. The first in the series came out in 1989 and the twentieth and last book was published in 2009. I read and loved them all. Falco was and is a great character, tough and full of sardonic humor but with a heart of gold for the underprivileged. But then his father died and left him the family auction business and Falco hung up his gumshoes, so to speak, and became a businessman. But he and his wife Helena had an adopted Briton daughter called Flavia Albia who had learned well at her father's knee. Independent-minded and seeking to be self-sufficient and with her parents' blessing, she set herself up as a private informer. Thus began a new series that has now grown to nine books. I read the first one when it came out in 2013, then I moved on to other things and I never got around to the later books. But when I saw that the latest one had been published, I decided it was time to visit ancient Rome once again. It's nice to learn that Lindsey Davis hasn't lost her touch.
Flavia Albia is now pushing thirty and is recently remarried (after widowhood) to one of Rome's aediles (magistrates) and they are foster parents to the aedile's two young nephews whose mother has died and whose father is irresponsible. Albia and husband Tiberius preside over a chaotic but benevolent household of various family members, servants, and hangers-on. We meet them all during December Saturnalia celebrations when things are possibly even more chaotic than usual.
Albia's work is in a slow period but she is determined to continue with it despite her new responsibilities as a parent. When she is approached by a woman who claims to want to leave her abusive husband and disappear into a new life, she takes the case and agrees to help her. It is only later that she learns that the situation may not have been quite what the woman had described.
Meantime, Tiberius is conducting his own investigation with the help of the vigiles (police/firemen in ancient Rome). It is an investigation of fraud in the nut-selling business, an important enterprise, especially during Saturnalia. One nut leads to another and soon the investigation reveals even more rampant fraud, bribery, intimidation, and murder. Moreover, the investigation overlaps with Albia's case, and the two join forces to combat evil and a threat to their family. They are on a tight schedule because Tiberius' term in office and his authority end with the new year so they need to wrap it all up swiftly.
This story includes some fairly disgusting and grisly goings-on at times as one might expect in ancient Rome but Davis tells it all with a light touch. Albia has evidently learned her humor from her father so she has a way of delivering the narrative (and we see everything through her eyes) with frequent sardonic bon mots that can't fail to bring a smile. Davis even brings on Falco and Helena in guest appearances for nostalgia's sake. Best of all perhaps, Lindsey Davis continues to excel at her descriptions of life in that ancient city. Walk through those streets and watch out for the rubble and that less salubrious effluvium and you'll find that the city teems with all the delight and delirium of life lived large. I'm glad I decided to check in on this series again.
Several years ago, Davis had a series featuring private detective, or "informer" as she styles the profession, Marcus Didius Falco. The first in the series came out in 1989 and the twentieth and last book was published in 2009. I read and loved them all. Falco was and is a great character, tough and full of sardonic humor but with a heart of gold for the underprivileged. But then his father died and left him the family auction business and Falco hung up his gumshoes, so to speak, and became a businessman. But he and his wife Helena had an adopted Briton daughter called Flavia Albia who had learned well at her father's knee. Independent-minded and seeking to be self-sufficient and with her parents' blessing, she set herself up as a private informer. Thus began a new series that has now grown to nine books. I read the first one when it came out in 2013, then I moved on to other things and I never got around to the later books. But when I saw that the latest one had been published, I decided it was time to visit ancient Rome once again. It's nice to learn that Lindsey Davis hasn't lost her touch.
Flavia Albia is now pushing thirty and is recently remarried (after widowhood) to one of Rome's aediles (magistrates) and they are foster parents to the aedile's two young nephews whose mother has died and whose father is irresponsible. Albia and husband Tiberius preside over a chaotic but benevolent household of various family members, servants, and hangers-on. We meet them all during December Saturnalia celebrations when things are possibly even more chaotic than usual.
Albia's work is in a slow period but she is determined to continue with it despite her new responsibilities as a parent. When she is approached by a woman who claims to want to leave her abusive husband and disappear into a new life, she takes the case and agrees to help her. It is only later that she learns that the situation may not have been quite what the woman had described.
Meantime, Tiberius is conducting his own investigation with the help of the vigiles (police/firemen in ancient Rome). It is an investigation of fraud in the nut-selling business, an important enterprise, especially during Saturnalia. One nut leads to another and soon the investigation reveals even more rampant fraud, bribery, intimidation, and murder. Moreover, the investigation overlaps with Albia's case, and the two join forces to combat evil and a threat to their family. They are on a tight schedule because Tiberius' term in office and his authority end with the new year so they need to wrap it all up swiftly.
This story includes some fairly disgusting and grisly goings-on at times as one might expect in ancient Rome but Davis tells it all with a light touch. Albia has evidently learned her humor from her father so she has a way of delivering the narrative (and we see everything through her eyes) with frequent sardonic bon mots that can't fail to bring a smile. Davis even brings on Falco and Helena in guest appearances for nostalgia's sake. Best of all perhaps, Lindsey Davis continues to excel at her descriptions of life in that ancient city. Walk through those streets and watch out for the rubble and that less salubrious effluvium and you'll find that the city teems with all the delight and delirium of life lived large. I'm glad I decided to check in on this series again.
kathrynje3sr's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best Albia case...I kept forgetting who was who in the different families. Still a good listen!
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
Call it what you want but the Winter silly season has cause problems since it was invented.
Christmas/Saturnalia - they both mean family squabbles, over-eating and running around buying presents.
Flavia and Tiberius may be recently wed but that won't get in the way of them solving a murder or three, investigating ancient Loan Shark organisations or interfering in the lives of their nearest and dearest. Oh and possibly annoying a vigile or two.
There are plenty of visits from Falco, Helena and the extended Didii family. I swear Postumus is either going to be the ancient version of a CSI or a serial killer LOL. There are also some references to the earlier Falco books so devoted readers like myself will get the jokes/references but newer readers won't feel too left out.
I loved their way of dealing with getting the bad guy using Sheep! Reminded my al Al Capone! I have loved this series from the start and am so enjoying this very British Roman matron's total disregard for the customs of her time. She is just too much of her adopted father's daughter!
Christmas/Saturnalia - they both mean family squabbles, over-eating and running around buying presents.
Flavia and Tiberius may be recently wed but that won't get in the way of them solving a murder or three, investigating ancient Loan Shark organisations or interfering in the lives of their nearest and dearest. Oh and possibly annoying a vigile or two.
There are plenty of visits from Falco, Helena and the extended Didii family. I swear Postumus is either going to be the ancient version of a CSI or a serial killer LOL. There are also some references to the earlier Falco books so devoted readers like myself will get the jokes/references but newer readers won't feel too left out.
I loved their way of dealing with getting the bad guy using Sheep! Reminded my al Al Capone! I have loved this series from the start and am so enjoying this very British Roman matron's total disregard for the customs of her time. She is just too much of her adopted father's daughter!
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I always have a lot of fun in reading Lindsey Davis' books and this one was no exception.
I was happy to catch with the characters as they are sort of old friends.
The historical background is as vivid as usual and the mystery is full of twists and turns.
It was a gripping and entertaining read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I was happy to catch with the characters as they are sort of old friends.
The historical background is as vivid as usual and the mystery is full of twists and turns.
It was a gripping and entertaining read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
halopink's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
Received an arc from goodreads giveaways & leaving this review freely. *I will also note this is the first of Davis’ novels I’ve read so those invested in the series may enjoy*
Unfortunately this novel just wasn’t for me even though I originally was really excited for it. As someone who’s in school essentially specializing in classics and can understand all the roman references, I was super excited for a Roman mystery. I should’ve DNF’d but felt obligated to finish since I won a copy. Overall I wasn’t a giant fan of the story or the writing or the attempts at humour.
I found this book extremely boring and Flavia herself to be unlikeable. Around the half way point I did get more invested in the Nephele betrayal but that intrigue didn’t last long. I felt like a lot of this book was filler and/or mentioned so early and then revisited too late to the point that you barely remembered the original point of mention for it to be relevant. I also felt like this just wasn’t resolved even though it technically was. Not to say I wanted a more stereotypical mystery plot line but I do think it would’ve benefitted to have more suspense, build up and more focus on certain aspects so that I could be more invested in the plot.
Overall just left with a “that’s it?” Feeling finishing this book.
Unfortunately this novel just wasn’t for me even though I originally was really excited for it. As someone who’s in school essentially specializing in classics and can understand all the roman references, I was super excited for a Roman mystery. I should’ve DNF’d but felt obligated to finish since I won a copy. Overall I wasn’t a giant fan of the story or the writing or the attempts at humour.
I found this book extremely boring and Flavia herself to be unlikeable. Around the half way point I did get more invested in the Nephele betrayal but that intrigue didn’t last long. I felt like a lot of this book was filler and/or mentioned so early and then revisited too late to the point that you barely remembered the original point of mention for it to be relevant. I also felt like this just wasn’t resolved even though it technically was. Not to say I wanted a more stereotypical mystery plot line but I do think it would’ve benefitted to have more suspense, build up and more focus on certain aspects so that I could be more invested in the plot.
Overall just left with a “that’s it?” Feeling finishing this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Animal death, and Fire/Fire injury
metchap's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
Rome A.D. 89 December. Festival of Saturnalia, the time to play pranks. Husband Tiberius is investigating gangsters involved in a nut war, but this also involves loan sharks. Meanwhile Flavia is helping a wife leave her gangster husband. Is all as it seems
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its large cast of likeable and well-drawn characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its large cast of likeable and well-drawn characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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