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A review by jacquierogers1
Poetic Justice by Fiona Forsyth
5.0
The Roman poet Ovid was famously exiled by Emperor Augustus to the small city of Tomis, on the Black Sea, in AD 10. We don’t know why, but clearly author Fiona Forsyth has her own ideas, which she hints may emerge during her exciting new trilogy.
What does become apparent quickly in this twisty dark murder mystery is that all is not well in the pleasant little town, despite the warm welcome the disgraced poet receives.
Fortunately, his old friend Avitius has been posted to the same new province, and involves Ovid in investigating some strange nastiness to give the depressed poet something to do.
But unsettling animal sacrifices are just the harbingers of much worse; when an innocent young barmaid is murdered, Ovid begins to wonder whether there is a connection with his latest poem, stolen from his luggage en route to Tomis.
From here the tension and danger ramp up swiftly, and while we, the readers, get insight into the mind of a deadly young assassin, her true motivations remain obscure till the end. A major twist, which I confess with delight I did not see coming, sets up the next book in the series. I hope we don’t have a long wait!
There are so many terrific characters in this book, I hesitate to pick a favourite. Some are not at all who they seem! Oh, go on then — I’ll admit to quite a crush on Avitius, the perfect Roman soldier and administrator. And even grumpy middle-aged Ovid grew on me.
Overall, a beautifully written atmospheric crime novel, with plenty of jeopardy and unexpected twists, showcasing the author’s classical learning and leaving us begging for more.
What does become apparent quickly in this twisty dark murder mystery is that all is not well in the pleasant little town, despite the warm welcome the disgraced poet receives.
Fortunately, his old friend Avitius has been posted to the same new province, and involves Ovid in investigating some strange nastiness to give the depressed poet something to do.
But unsettling animal sacrifices are just the harbingers of much worse; when an innocent young barmaid is murdered, Ovid begins to wonder whether there is a connection with his latest poem, stolen from his luggage en route to Tomis.
From here the tension and danger ramp up swiftly, and while we, the readers, get insight into the mind of a deadly young assassin, her true motivations remain obscure till the end. A major twist, which I confess with delight I did not see coming, sets up the next book in the series. I hope we don’t have a long wait!
There are so many terrific characters in this book, I hesitate to pick a favourite. Some are not at all who they seem! Oh, go on then — I’ll admit to quite a crush on Avitius, the perfect Roman soldier and administrator. And even grumpy middle-aged Ovid grew on me.
Overall, a beautifully written atmospheric crime novel, with plenty of jeopardy and unexpected twists, showcasing the author’s classical learning and leaving us begging for more.