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A review by rosannelortz
Two for the Lions by Lindsey Davis
4.0
Two for the Lions sees Marcus partnering up with his old nemesis Anacrites as Census fraud investigators. Anacrites (who had tried to arrange for our hero’s death in Last Act in Palmyra) attracted the sympathy of Falco’s ma when he received a severe knock on the head in A Dying Light in Corduba. Much to Falco’s chagrin, the Chief Spy now boards at his mother’s house and considers himself part of the Didius family. The money-grubbing Emperor Vespasian hires the two men to investigate the estates of those who claimed a suspiciously low income during the Census. Vespasian means to have every last denarius due him, and if Marcus and Anacrites can prove tax fraud, they will get a large cut of the profits.
Dovetailing nicely with the previous book, the investigation focuses on the sporting world and, specifically, the purveyors of men and animals. The new amphitheater Vespasian is constructing (i.e. the Coliseum) has produced great tension between rival purveyors. Who will get the contract to supply the gladiators and wild beasts for the huge arena? When a man-eating lion meets with a mysterious accident, Falco decides to investigate the death. His inquiries leads him as far afield as Carthage and onto the sand of the arena where no man is safe.
Two for the Lions is an engaging story, particularly the subplot following Helena’s brother Justinus and the bride he stole from his brother in the previous book. The deserts of North Africa have proved a very unromantic location to elope to. Does Claudia Rufina still have any affection for her new husband, and did Justinus ever have anything else in mind besides her large fortune?
Dovetailing nicely with the previous book, the investigation focuses on the sporting world and, specifically, the purveyors of men and animals. The new amphitheater Vespasian is constructing (i.e. the Coliseum) has produced great tension between rival purveyors. Who will get the contract to supply the gladiators and wild beasts for the huge arena? When a man-eating lion meets with a mysterious accident, Falco decides to investigate the death. His inquiries leads him as far afield as Carthage and onto the sand of the arena where no man is safe.
Two for the Lions is an engaging story, particularly the subplot following Helena’s brother Justinus and the bride he stole from his brother in the previous book. The deserts of North Africa have proved a very unromantic location to elope to. Does Claudia Rufina still have any affection for her new husband, and did Justinus ever have anything else in mind besides her large fortune?