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A review by katykelly
The Thieves of Ostia by Caroline Lawrence
5.0
I missed these in my own childhood, but would have loved this sort of series. It's a wonderful first book to a series set in Ancient Rome, always a favourite period for primary students, and involving children solving mysteries and murders.
With Sherlock so popular at the moment, the detective genre should receive a boost, and the fact that this is quite instructive on life in Roman times as well as including a murder and several personable young amateur sleuths is in its favour.
Wealthy Flavia and her new neighbours find dogs killed in their street. Alongside the slave girl she rescues and a mute beggar boy, the quartet set out to find who has killed them and why, and of course, involving themselves in a bigger (and more dangerous) mystery.
I loved the historical detail, about every aspect of life from food and houses to slaves and books. The children are well written and not too eager or unrealistic in their language. The audiobook version I read is well-narrated with a talented actor giving distinct voices to all of the characters.
Great start to a series. I would read more if I were the right age, probably 9-12.
With Sherlock so popular at the moment, the detective genre should receive a boost, and the fact that this is quite instructive on life in Roman times as well as including a murder and several personable young amateur sleuths is in its favour.
Wealthy Flavia and her new neighbours find dogs killed in their street. Alongside the slave girl she rescues and a mute beggar boy, the quartet set out to find who has killed them and why, and of course, involving themselves in a bigger (and more dangerous) mystery.
I loved the historical detail, about every aspect of life from food and houses to slaves and books. The children are well written and not too eager or unrealistic in their language. The audiobook version I read is well-narrated with a talented actor giving distinct voices to all of the characters.
Great start to a series. I would read more if I were the right age, probably 9-12.