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Julius Caesar Murder Case, The
(New York, London: D. Appleton-Century Company, Inc., 1935).
Publius Manlius Scribo, star reporter for the Evening Tiber,
finds that his assignment to report on an everyday homicide draws him
deep into conspiracies swirling around Rome's Great Men, who
seem to sound and act just like 1930's-style gangsters. We thought
Shakespeare laid on the straight dope about what really went down on the
Ides of March, but like Josephine Tey, Irwin has his own version.
Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Marcus Antonius, Pompeia, Brutus and Cassius
appear. Irwin's prescient dedication against Mussolini
and Hitler must be the only one of its kind.
[★★★+]
[ORDER USA]
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Stephen J. Kears
|
Twelve Miles From Rome
(Amazon Digital Services, 2015,
Kindle).
In 71 AD Lucius Marius Nola, retired veteran, inherits a farm
outside Rome and tries to escape his violent, troubled past.
But a strange turn of events draws him into murder and intrigue.
First in the series.
[not yet rated]
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Michael Levey
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An Affair on the Appian Way
(London: Hamish Hamilton, 1984).
Julia, chief of the Vestal Virgins, finds herself drawn
into the case of a young patrician woman who is found strangled.
Empress Pompeia Plotina appears. [★★]
[ORDER USA]
[ORDER UK]
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Ben Pastor
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1. The Water Thief
(USA: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2007,
hardcover).
In AD 304 Diocletian assigns Aelius Spartianus to investigate the
mysterious death two centuries before of Hadrian's lover Antinous.
Although little is known of him, in real life Aelius Spartianus is
listed as one of the compilers of the
Historia Augusta,
if one believes, that is, that they actually were the authors. This
appears to be the first mystery novel or short story ever set in
the reign of Diocletian, which, like that of many late emperors,
has been little visited thus far.
First in the series.
[not yet rated]
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2. The Fire Waker
(USA: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2007,
hardcover).
Diocletian has split the empire into four parts, but corruption and
individual power grabs are still the order of the day. Amid this,
Diocletians's official historian, Aelius Spartianus is sent to
Trevorum (ancient Trier) with a sensitive message for Constantius.
A Christian miracle worker has an important role to play.
Second in the series.
[not yet rated]
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Bruce Macbain
|
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1. Roman Games: A Plinius Secundus Mystery
(USA: Poisoned Pen Press, 2010,
hardcover;
audio cassette;
paperback).
During the
Ludi Romani
of 96 AD a notorious senator is found stabbed to death.
Domitian
commands
Pliny the Younger
to investigate. With assistance from the poet
Martial,
he tries to save the senator's slaves by
uncovering the plot, which turns out to include Jews, Christians,
cultists and a dire horoscope.
Nerva,
Petronius
and
Statius
also appear. This Pliny is an older, more dour version of the
young man in the series by
Albert A. Bell.
The author is a professional classicist, which shows in the writing.
Everything feels quite accurate; there is also some tendency to have
things in just for the sake of education – an entire chapter
on the opening of the Roman games, for example, really
does nothing to advance the plot. The 261 pages include an appendix,
historical note, glossary and even questions for discussion,
particularly around the theme of "what is an honest man (Pliny) to
do when faced with a corrupt regime?". Although rather long, this
third person omniscient form works for the most part, even if sometimes
the writing is more functional than inspired. Here Pliny is not
exactly a great detective, but makes many mistakes and in some sense
is more along for the ride than really solving a case,
though in the end it is explained, however improbable that explanation
may be.
[★★★]
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2. The Bull Slayer: A Plinius Secundus Mystery
(USA: Poisoned Pen Press, 2013,
hardcover;
paperback;
Kindle;
MP3 audiobook;
Audible audio).
Pliny becomes governor of Bithynia-Pontus (in Asia Minor)
in a time of turbulence. When a Roman official is found
dead on a desolate hillside, he must deal with corruption and cults
amid the possible breakup of his marriage to a beautiful wife.
[not yet rated]
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Martha Marks
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Rubies of the Viper
(USA: Martha's Art, 2010,
paperback;
Kindle).
In the Rome of Claudius and Nero, Theodosia Varro inherits the family
estate and a great deal of wealth, but now to ensure her safety must
identify her brother's killer.
Nero,
Vespasian,
Titus,
Otho and
Poppaea Sabina appear.
First in the series.
[excerpt]
[not yet rated]
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The Viper Amulet
(USA: Martha's Art, forthcoming
paperback).
Second in the series.
[not yet rated]
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Ray Faraday Nelson
|
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Dogheaded Death
(San Francisco: Strawberry Hill Press, 1989, paperback).
When a wealthy Egyptian is murdered in his home,
Emperor Nero dispatches one of his palace centurions to
Alexandria to investigate. Appearance by Mark the Evangelist.
[★★+]
[ORDER]
|
Albert Noyer
|
|
1. The Secundus Papyrus
(USA: Toby, 2003,
paperback).
In Ravenna, AD 439, surgeon Getorius Asterius and his wife Arcadia
examine the body of a drowned monk. They discover a religiously amazing
document in the process. Then another murder transpires ...
Emperor Valentinian III appears.
First in the series.
[not yet rated]
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2. The Cybelene Conspiracy
(USA: Toby, 2005,
paperback).
In Ravenna of AD 440 Surgeon Getorius Asterius is summoned to
investigate the death of a castrated youth. Arians,
Vestal Virgins, the cult of Cybele, products from
ancient China and his wife Arcadia all play roles.
Second in the series.
[not yet rated]
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3. Death at Pergamum
(USA: Toby, forthcoming,
paperback).
The further adventures of Getorius Asterius and Arcadia.
Third in the series.
[not yet rated]
| |
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The Saint's Day Deaths
(USA: Creative Arts, 2000,
paperback).
In AD 406, in a fictional Roman town which seems based on
ancient Mainz, someone is murdered on the
feast day of every martyr of the calendar, and in the
same way. Treverius and Blandina, husband and wife
cartographers investigate amid the clash of pagans,
Christians and barbarians competing for political power.
[not yet rated]
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Joan O'Hagan
|
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A Roman Death
(New York: Doubleday, 1988, hardcover).
Set during the dictatorship of Julius Caesar. The marriage
alliance of the Fufidii and Scauri families is headed for
trouble after one of the principals is found dead. When
Fufidius' wife is accused of murder and incest, only Cicero
can hope to win her case. An unusual multiple point-of-view
mystery (perhaps influenced by
The Roman Moon Mystery?) which sheds light
on the life of women in ancient Rome. Cinna the Poet also
appears. [★★+]
[ORDER]
|
Mike Ripley
|
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Boudica and the Lost Roman
(UK: Severn House, 2005, hardcover).
In Britain AD 60 Olussa is sent by Romans to assess taxes on the
Iceni when their king dies, only to be replaced by Boudica, who
as a woman scorned ends up mobilizing her entire tribe against the
Romans.
[not yet rated]
[UK]
[USA]
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John Maddox Roberts
|
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1. SPQR
(New York: Avon, 1990, paperback;
as The King's Gambit,
New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2001,
trade paperback).
Commissioner Decius
Caecilius Metellus the Younger's investigation of the murder of
a spy for Mithridates draws him into the dangerous world of
international power politics during the consulships of Pompey and
Crassus. Cicero and Julius Caesar appear. First in the series.
[★★]
[ORDER]
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2. SPQR II, The Catiline Conspiracy
(New York: Avon, 1991, paperback;
as The Catiline Conspiracy,
New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2001,
trade paperback).
Quaestor Decius Caecilius Metellus uncovers romance and
intrigue while investigating a series of murders of wealthy
merchants. Crassus and Cicero appear. Second in the series. [★★]
[ORDER]
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3. Sacrilege, The: An SPQR Mystery
(New York: Avon, 1992, paperback;
New York: Minotaur, 1999,
paperback).
Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus' investigation of
Clodius' invasion of a matronly gathering almost gets him killed.
Cicero, Caesar and Crassus appear. Third in the series. [★★+]
[ORDER]
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4. Temple of the Muses, The: An SPQR Mystery
(New York: Avon, 1992, paperback;
New York: Minotaur, 1999,
paperback).
Junior Senator Decius joins a Roman
diplomatic mission to Alexandria to escape his enemies in the
Eternal City. But the suspicious death of an irascible philosopher
distracts the sleuth from his enjoyment of the exotic outpost's
many pleasures. Fourth in the series. [★★]
[ORDER]
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5. SPQR V: Saturnalia
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 1999,
hardcover;
New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2003,
paperback).
Junior Senator Decius is recalled to Rome
during the annual
Saturnalia
festivities
to investigate the mysterious death of Metellus Celer.
Decius must delve into the world of soothsayers and poisoners to
discover whether his widow, the infamous Clodia, was involved.
Cicero, Julius Caesar, Crassus, Clodius, Clodia, Milo, Julia,
Fausta, Fulvia and other notables also appear in this longer,
talkier outing. Apparently there will be no paperback version
to match the previous paperback editions in the series.
Fifth in the series. [★★]
[excerpt]
[ORDER]
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6. SPQR VI: Nobody Loves a Centurion
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2001,
hardcover;
New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2003,
paperback).
Out of favor with the powers that be, Decius joins Caesar's legionary
camp at Lake Geneva at the outset of the Gallic war. After page
100 he investigates the murder of a centurion while being
distracted by a dwarf and a ravishing German slave girl. If he
doesn't find the killer, an 8-man squad will be executed.
There is much to learn here about life in an army camp as well as
about ancient Gallic and Germanic culture.
Caesar, Labienus and another, surprise famous name appear.
Sixth in the series.
[★★★]
[ORDER]
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7. Tribune's Curse
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2003,
hardcover;
New York: St. Martin's Griffin, 2004,
paperback).
Back in Rome, Decius is on his way up the cursus honorum,
soon to stand for the post of aedile. Meanwhile Crassus is
set to depart for the Parthians when a tribune bestows a terrible
curse. When said tribune turns up dead, Pompey and Milo order Decius
to investigate. This is a look into the ludicrousness of ancient
religions as well as the feeling of daily life in the ancient
capital, which are handled better than is the believability of
the mystery investigation. Decius' new wife Julia plays a Mycroft
or Myrna Loy role in helping with the investigation.
Also appearing are Cicero, Cato and Clodius.
Seventh in the series.
[★★★]
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8. SPQR VIII: The River God's Vengeance
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2004,
hardcover;
New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2005,
paperback).
When over two hundred lives are lost in a building collapse,
Aedile Decius investigates anomalies in some of the corpses.
He also engages in stomach-testing visits to Rome's sewer (Cloaca Maxima)
and death pits (puticuli), not to mention one to Rome's largest brothel.
At 280 pages can feel a bit long at times, with the motives of both
detective and villains occasionally hard to explain.
Marcus Antonius, Marcius Porcius Cato, Metellus Scipio, Marcus
Aemilius Scaurus and Marcus Valerius Messalla Niger appear.
Eighth in the series.
[★★★]
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9. The Princess and the Pirates
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2005,
hardcover;
New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2006,
paperback).
Rome and his family assign Decius to clear Cyprus of
pirates. There he meets the princess, the young Cleopatra,
but when the island's governor is murdered, it's Decius' duty
to identify and punish the guilty. Features some nice night action
at sea, for a change. Excursions are taken
into the topics of Roman-era ships, Egyptian politics and the
copper and frankincense trades. Decius' wife Julia, Aulus Gabinius,
Titus Annius Milo and a Scythian named Ariston appear. Ninth in
the series.
[★★★]
[ORDER]
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10. SPQR X: A Point of Law
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2006,
hardcover;
New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2007,
paperback).
Decius stands for election as praetor. When someone charges him with
corruption, the accuser gets murdered before he can appear in court.
Decius becomes the main suspect and has trouble proving his innocence.
Improbably, this one begins with a précis describing all of
the characters and much of what they do, giving away plot points in
the process. This looks more like a letter to a publisher than
an item for inclusion in the book. You are not recommended to
read it until you have finished the book itself. While there's a lot
of great information on Roman politics and ways, something about
the resolution feels forced and unconvincing.
Marcus Porcius Cato,
Sallust,
Fulvia
and
Gaius Scribonius Curio
appear.
In addition, Decius' wife Julia once again has a prominent role.
Tenth in the series.
[★★★]
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11. Under Vesuvius
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2007,
hardcover).
Praetor Decius Caecilius' visit to the coast
at Baiae is intended to be a luxurious holiday, but as usual
he stumbles into some mysterious murders, including the daughter
of a Greek priest and others. Assisted by his wife, Julia, and
assistant, Hermes, Decius' faces a new challenge: how to reconcile
investigating a case while also serving as judge over the very same
case. Cicero, his brother and his secretary, Tiro, appear.
Venue is similar to that of
Steven Saylor's
Arms of Nemesis.
Eleventh in the series.
[★★★]
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12. Oracle of the Dead
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2008,
hardcover).
In 49 BC Decius takes a pleasure trip to a combined temple of
Apollo/oracle dedicated to Hecate at Stabiae
near Naples (for other tales in the general area see
Arms of Nemesis
and
Die Pforten des Hades),
but comes upon some macabre surprises.
The need to understand the origins of the underground oracle
and the possible purposes for which it was dug mean that history
and archaeology become integral to the plot. The oracle location
appears to be a real place, by the way, although its history is
controversial. See more at
www.oracleofthedead.com.
Meanwhile, Julius Caesar ponders his
famous crossing of the Rubicon.
Pompey (appearing rather less pompous than in other novels)
and Cato appear.
Twelfth in the series.
[★★★]
|
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13. The Year of Confusion
(New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2010,
hardcover).
Confusion ensues when new dictator Julius Caesar re-synchronizes
the Roman calendar to the seasons. Decius must investigate murder
among Caesar's astronomers. The storyline
jumps right over the civil and Alexandrine wars straight to the
last months of the dictatorship, a
period
covered by many other novels as well.
Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Brutus, Cassius, Lepidus, Cleopatra,
Servilia, Fulvia, Sallust and Cinna the Poet appear.
At 275 pages longer than the usual entry in the series.
Thirteenth in the series.
[★★★]
|
|
John Maddox Roberts has aleo penned two excellent non-detective epic
novels on Ancient Rome, speculating on what might have happened a hundred
years after in a world in which Hannibal ended the Roman Republic:
Hannibal's Children
and
The Seven Hills.
For a preview of likely upcoming novels by Mr. Roberts, click here to see
what has already been published
in German.
|
Rosemary Rowe
|
|
1. Germanicus Mosaic
(London: Headline, 1999, hardcover;
London: Headline, 1999,
paperback).
In AD 186, a freedman named Libertus is instructed to investigate
the murder of a centurion found dead in a hypocaust in Glevum, Britannia
(modern Gloucester). While the point of view of the former slave is well done,
the level of research is perhaps too apparent, especially when the narrator
is explaining what his hearers ought to already know. On the other hand,
none of them seem the least bit surprised when he routinely goes about
twentieth-century-style investigative activities.
First in the series. [★★+]
[AMAZON UK]
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2. A Pattern of Blood
(London: Headline, 2000, hardcover;
Headline, 2000,
paperback).
Libertus investigates threats and political intrigue
against leading figure Quintus Ulpius.
Second in the series.
[not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK! paperback]
| |
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3. Murder in the Forum
(London: Headline, 2001,
hardcover;
London: Headline, 2001,
paperback).
Libertus is enmeshed in politics and schemes as
Perennis Felix, the emperor's favorite, chokes on a nut and dies
at a feast in his honor. Is something more behind this?
Third in the series.
[not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
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4. The Chariots of Calyx
(London: Headline, 2002,
hardcover;
paperback).
Libertus in Londinium looking into the dearth of the corn officer.
Are the chariot racing teams involved?
Fourth in the series.
[not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
|
5. The Legatus Mystery
(London: Headline, 2003,
hardcover;
London: Headline, 2003,
paperback;
London: Headline, 2003,
large text).
Libertus investigates the murder of a Roman ambassador, his
efforts being rewarded by the anger of a mob.
Fifth in the series.
[not yet rated]
| |
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6. The Ghosts of Glevum
(London: Headline, 2004,
hardcover;
London: Headline, 2004,
paperback).
When a guest is found dead in the vomitorium, Libertus finds at
least two motivations for investigation: both he and his patron
are accused of murder. The strange underworld characters of
Glevum are the ghosts of the title.
Sixth in the series.
[not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
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7. Enemies of the Empire
(London: Headline, 2005,
hardcover).
In AD 188 Libertus travels to the Celtic frontier at Isca (modern
Exeter) on official business, but events at Venta lead him on a
perilous path ...
Seventh in the series.
[not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
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8. A Roman Ransom
(London: Headline, 2006,
hardcover;
London: Headline, 2006,
paperback).
AD 188 finds Libertus in Glevum, sick in bed. But he faces a
tricky situation as his patron's wife and child have been kidnapped
against the release of a political prisoner.
Eighth in the series.
(Title is rather too close to Henry Winterfeld's
Mystery of the Roman Ransom.)
[not yet rated]
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9. A Coin for the Ferryman
(London: Headline, 2007,
hardcover;
London: Headline, 2007,
paperback).
In AD 189 a mysterious corpse is found at the occasion of the
manumission and engagement of Libertus' helper Junio.
Ninth in the series.
[not yet rated]
| |
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10. Death at Pompeia's Wedding
(London: Headline, 2008,
hardcover).
A poisoning in which the bride is the suspect brings Libertus into
a new case.
Tenth in the series.
[not yet rated]
| |
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11. Requiem for a Slave
(UK: Severn House, 2010,
hardcover;
paperback).
Libertus discovers a dead body and then is at pains to save the
slave accused of committing the murder.
Eleventh in the series.
[not yet rated]
|
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12. The Vestal Vanishes
(UK: Severn House, 2011,
hardcover).
A retired vestal virgin is to be married, but on the very day of the
wedding turns up missing. Libertus' investigations suggest that Druidic
rebels may be involved.
Twelfth in the series.
[not yet rated]
|
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13. A Whispering of Spies
(UK: Severn House, 2012,
hardcover;
paperback;
US hardcover).
Libertus must save his own skin when he is accused of stealing a treasure cart.
Thirteenth in the series.
[not yet rated]
|
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14. Dark Omens
(UK: Severn House, 2013,
UK hardcover;
US hardcover).
Fear and superstition rule the day as
after Libertus has laid a new pavement, the commissioner goes
missing in the middle of winter, which is followed by a botched
official sacrifice, the death of the emperor and discovery of two
mutilated corpses.
Fourteenth in the series.
[not yet rated]
|
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15. Fateful Day
(US: Severn House, 2015,
hardcover;
Kindle).
While his patron is at Rome visiting new Emperor Pertinax,
Libertus is nearly run down by a carriage. Next day he
discovers a dead man hanging in his hut, and all the slaves have
disappeared.
Fifteenth in the series.
[not yet rated]
|
|
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16. The Ides of June
(US: Severn House, 2016,
hardcover;
Kindle).
Libertus investigates the murder of a councillor in a time when
new leadership in Rome has deprived Libertus' patron
of privilege and protection. He uncovers an ancient crime and
a grisly secret that have important ramifications.
Sixteenth in the series.
[not yet rated]
|
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17. The Price of Freedom
(US: Severn House, fothcoming February 2018,
hardcover;
Kindle).
Libertus investigates the death of a tax-collector and the
disappearance of collected monies, but the case takes grisly,
unexpected turns.
Seventeenth in the series.
[not yet rated]
|
Steven Saylor
|
|
1. Roman Blood
(New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991
hardcover;
Ivy Books, 1992,
paperback;
London: Robinson Publishing, 1997,
paperback).
Gordianus the Finder investigates the
murder of a Roman noble by his own son. Based on the Sextus
Roscius case. Cicero and the Dictator Sulla appear in this tale
of Republican Rome. First in the series. [★★★★]
[excerpt]
[complete synopsis including spoilers]
[ORDER USA]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
|
2. Arms of Nemesis
(New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992;
Ivy Books, 1993,
paperback;
London: Robinson Publishing, 1997,
paperback).
Gordianus goes to Naples to investigate
the murderer of a Roman nobleman by his own slave. Unless he can
discover otherwise, many innocent slaves will die. Crassus appears.
Second in the series.
[★★★★]
[ORDER USA]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
|
3. Catilina's Riddle
(New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993;
Ivy Books, 1994,
paperback;
London: Robinson Publishing, 1998,
paperback).
A headless corpse turns up in the barn,
meanwhile Gordianus finds himself in the middle of the Catiline
Conspiracy. Cicero and Catilina appear. Third in the series.
[★★★★]
[ORDER USA]
[ORDER UK]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
|
4. The Venus Throw
(New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995, hardcover;
New York: G.K. Hall & Co., 1995, hardcover large print;
New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996,
paperback;
London: Robinson, 1999,
paperback).
Gordianus is set to visit his son Meto in Gaul when a visitor not
all she seems turns up on his doorstep. It's murder and the Finder
has his hands full between a hostile Cicero and the seductive,
notorious Clodia. Fourth in the series. [★★★+]
[ORDER USA]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
|
5. A Murder on the Appian Way
(New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996, hardcover;
St. Martin's Press, 1997,
paperback;
London: Robinson Publishing, 1997,
hardcover;
London: Robinson Publishing, 1998,
paperback).
The fifty-eight year old Gordianus finds his
services much in demand following the murder of the populist
politician Clodius. Cicero, Titus Annius Milo, Clodia, Pompey,
Caesar and Marcus Antonius appear. Fifth in the series. [★★★★]
[ORDER USA]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
|
6. Rubicon
(New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999,
hardcover;
London: Robinson, 1999,
hardcover;
London: Robinson, 2000,
paperback;
New York: Minotaur, 2000,
paperback).
Shortly after Caesar crosses the Rubicon in his march on Rome,
Pompey's kinsman
turns up murdered in Gordianus' very own garden, setting off a
chain of events in the course of which Gordianus seems
to cross his own Rubicon.
The novel ends shortly after the attempted siege
of Brundisium and is clearly closely coupled with
Last Seen in Massilia.
Julius Caesar, Pompeius Maximus, Marcus Antonius,
Cicero and Tiro appear. Sixth in the series.
[★★★+]
[ORDER USA]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
|
7. Last Seen in Massilia
(New York: Minotaur, 2000,
hardcover;
London: Robinson, 2000,
hardcover;
London: Robinson, 2001,
paperback;
New York: St. Martin's Press, 2001,
paperback).
During the civil war between Pompeius and Julius Caesar, Gordianus' son
Meto goes missing in Massilia (ancient Marseilles) in a grim and gruesome
tale in which characters are assailed not only by murder, but also starvation,
suicide, siege, war, drowning, deceit, remorse and even ugliness. Veers away from
logical detection and toward pure historical novel.
Julius Caesar, Titus Annius Milo, Gaius Verres and
Gaius Trebonius appear. Seventh in the series.
[★★★]
[ORDER USA]
[AMAZON UK]
| |
|
8. A Mist of Prophecies
(New York: Minotaur, 2002,
hardcover;
London: Robinson Publishing, 2002,
hardcover;
New York: St. Martins, 2003,
paperback).
While Pompeius and Caesar square off in Greece, the 62-year
old Gordianus is back at Rome denying his mortality in the male
way and also questioning the city's famous women re the death
of a prominent seeress. No doubt the ladies deserve their day,
with the difficulty in kindling dramatic interest in this hair
dryer excursion being a modern equivalent to defeating Caesar on
the battlefield. Tullia, Terentia, Calpurnia, Antonia, Fausta,
Clodia, Fulvia
(upon whom the creators of the
Rome mini-series based
their character Atia), Marcus Caelius and one other appear.
Title from Aeschylus' Agamemnon: "After the darkness of
her speech, I go bewildered in a mist of prophecies." The author
is partly inspired by the work of fellow Berkeleyite
Jeannine Davis-Kimball
and concepts of the Sarmatian
woman warriors.
Eighth in the series.
[★★★]
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9. The Judgement of Caesar
(New York: Minotaur, 2004,
hardcover;
London: Robinson, 2004,
hardcover;
New York: Minotaur, 2004,
paperback).
The author can handle a lighter tone very well. Unfortunately here
the dark times in Gordianus' family are made to contrast with
the already well-trod dark times in Egypt, Gordianus serving as
the sometimes improbable witness-to-history. The mystery proper
does not begin until after page 200. Julius Caesar, Cleopatra
and Ptolemy appear. Ninth in the series.
[★★]
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10. The Triumph of Caesar
(New York: Minotaur, 2008,
hardcover;
paperback;
audio CD;
Kindle;
London: Robinson, 2008,
hardcover;
paperback;
audio CD;
MP3).
By 46 BC Caesar and the not-as-dead-as-we-feared
Gordianus have both returned to a Rome where
the former plans to celebrate four triumphs, but everyone
seems to be acting out of character. Meanwhile, is someone trying to
remove the Dictator? Actually, there is so
much discussion of calendrical reform and imperial ambition that an
alternate title might be "Of Calendars and Kings".
This site's comments on the
last two volumes in the series have discussed the delay in the
mystery and the hero's incongruous age; this one starts with the
hero saying how healthy he feels (at 64) and puts a dead body in
chapter one. Hel-lo! Despite his pose as a man of the people, the
Finder mostly hobnobs with the rich and famous; Caesar, Cicero,
Mark Antony, Octavian, Atia, Calpurnia, Fulvia (whose mother Sempronia
is portrayed as still alive though
Wikipedia has her dead almost twenty years earlier),
Vercingetorix, Brutus,
Volumnia Cytheris, Arsinoe and Cleopatra appear.
Once again, the emphasis is more on character sketches (including
that of the city itself) than detection, but not as much as in
A Mist of Prophecies.
It's not that detection is so exciting, by the way, but it does
help to propel the story. Motivation and resolution are somewhat
dubious, and the Meto character seems to have reversed himself
on concerns expressed in the last book,
but as always writing style and dialog carry the day.
Tenth in the series.
[★★★+]
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11. The Seven Wonders
(USA: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2012,
hardcover;
London: Robinson, 2012,
hardcover).
The 18-year old Finder goes with his old tutor, the historical
Antipater of Sidon
on a tour to each of the ancient seven wonders of the world, plus a
couple of wonder wannabees. Many of the chapters have
previously been published as
short stories
including
"Something to Do with Diana" (Temple of Artemis),
"Styx and Stones" (Hanging Gardens of Babylon),
"The Widows of Halicarnassus" (Mausoleum of Halicarnassus),
"The Witch of Corinth" (not a wonder, but the ruins of Corinth),
"The Monumental Gaul" (Colossus of Rhodes),
"O Tempora! O Mores! Olympiad!" (not a wonder, but the ancient
Olympic games)
and
"The Return of the Mummy" (the Great Pyramid).
Clicking the above links yields comments on the individual stories.
Overall, they contain plenty of good information on
the wonders and the parallels between stories and the deep meanings
of the wonders are very well considered. Perhaps it's too much to
ask then that the stories vary at least a little in form. The
overarching story seems a bit of a stretch, historically, as does
the ability of the characters to reach the most distant wonder, but
it does have an ending worthy of a Republic Pictures serial.
Maybe Hollywood will finally do something with this series after all?
Eleventh in the series chronologically, but first in terms of
the Finder's storyline.
[★★★+]
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12. Raiders of the Nile
(USA: Minotaur, 2014,
hardcover;
London: Minotaur, 2014,
hardcover).
In
88 BC,
i.e. two years after the events of
The Seven Wonders,
Gordianus lives in Alexandria and begins his career as a solver of
mysteries, but one of his most troubling cases ever is close at hand,
the kidnapping of Bethesda. All of this occurs amid the impending
invasion by the
brother
of
Ptolemy IX.
Like the old
Columbo
series the conclusion, or at least close, is given first, so the
mystery is not what the solution is, but how the hero will reach it.
Actually, the investigation portion of this 336-page tome is fairly
short; the rest is part thriller, part episodic adventure in the
vein of
A Thousand Nights and a Night,
and part Dickensian family romance as
our hero is more carried by the sweep of events than making his own
decisions. For some tastes this may be okay, but as in some of
the previous novels the lack of an investigation causes drag
at times. Features a bandits camp that seems rather idealized
and the surprise return of a character from the previous novel.
Twelfth in the series chronologically, but second in terms of
the Finder's storyline.
[★★★]
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13. Wrath of the Furies
(USA: Minotaur, 2015,
hardcover;
London: Minotaur, 2015,
hardcover).
Still in
88 BC,
Mithridates takes advantage of the Social War raging in Italy
to conquer the Roman provinces in Asia Minor. Gordianus receives a
mysterious message that carries him to his ex-teacher, Antipater of
Sidon, in Ephesus and leads to his playing the role of a spy.
Antipater,
Mithridates VI,
Queen Monime,
Publius Rutilius Rufus
(great uncle of Julius Caesear),
and
Manius Aquillius
appear.
This is an often mysterious tale, but not a traditional mystery,
rather a thriller or spy tale. It is also too frequently a story of
people in deep misery, perhaps chosen to echo the Syrian
refugee crisis of the mid-twenty-teens. There are many stories one
can tell and perhaps some do read
fiction as a political essay, but many of us get enough of this
in the daily news whereas we read novels to escape. Other oddities:
While in the novel on the seven wonders there was nothing
about the very long journey to Babylon, here relatively short
journeys receive quite detailed treatments. More apparent padding
appears whenever characters travel in a town and up and down
stairs and so on.
A dubious historical explanation of the
Mithridatic War seems to ignore Mithridates' initiation of the
conflict.
Motivations – the
reasons for taking the journey, the explanation of its trigger,
etc. – seem rather doubtful.
A Zoroastrian magus inexplicably participates in
a sacrifice in the Greek religion.
Gaius Cassius, presumably
the father of the more famous murderer of Caesar of the same name,
appears. Whereas Shakespeare describes the son as "lean, hungry",
here the father is deliberately called "stout". Probably no one
today knows the reality – an inside joke?
Thirteenth in
the series chronologically, but third in terms of the Finder's
storyline.
[★★+]
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14. The Throne of Caesar
(USA: Minotaur, 2018,
hardcover;
London: Minotaur, 2018,
hardcover).
In 44 BC, just before the famous Ides of March,
harkening back to the very first novel in the series,
Cicero's secretary, Tiro, comes to Gordianus requesting help on
the same day that he gets a summons from Julius Caesar.
The events around the death of Caesar have been recounted in
many mystery novels
as well as the works of Shakespeare, Colleen McCullough, Robert
Harris and many movies. When it comes to these events we are
looking at "familiar" in the
rear view mirror. This novel takes us through them, but unlike many
versions, we are not in the meetings of the plotters and do not
really establish their points of view.
Although there is a detective case of sorts apart from Caesar's murder,
once again there is also little to no actual "detection", a
disappointment to the mystery reader, if not the history one.
So let's talk history. The book spends quite a bit of
time with Caesar, here a good guy, intelligent, urbane, thoughtful,
humble. Ambitious, sure, but very accomplished. Very generous and
clement to his Roman enemies, but that's not a bad strategy as he
was hoping they would let him be king. In reality Caesar must have
been a cold-blooded killer using state resources to conduct wars of
aggression against
fawaray peoples for no reason apart from his lust for glory,
killing thousands upon thousands and selling his captives into
slavery so he could earn millions. Although a paragraph
near the very end mentions this, it is but a small brick in
a wall of positive Caesarian propaganda. The characterization of
the assassins as being only motivated by personal ambition and the
dismissal of his other enemy, the humanist philosopher Cicero, only
provide the capstone. Ostensibly these histories are
supposed to be Rome under the covers; it's unfortunate there was no
character such as a Gaul sold into Roman slavery to provide a more
accurate perspective.
There is also a great deal about poetry in this book, including a
lost work recounting a tale of incest, Zmyrna.
Once again the author has been fortunate that current events seem
to echo the book. In our own time line one president has said
that he would date his daughter if she were not related and in
China a president has been elected, like Caesar, to a life term.
The ending perhaps strains credulity, but let's not say any more
about that.
The author's style is as enjoyable as ever, the writing clear and
easilly accessible, even when recounting very long poems. Gordianus,
who never takes himself too seriously, is a pleasant narrator,
and his family and friends are fun to be around. If this is the
end of the series, as is hinted, it will be a sad turn of events.
Gaius Helvius Cinna,
Servilia,
Marcus Junius Brutus,
Porcia,
Gaius Cassius,
Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus,
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus,
Servilius Casca,
Tillius Cimber,
Gaius Trebonius,
Lucius Cornelius Cinna,
and Cleopatra also appear.
392 pp., including a short author's note.
Fourteenth in the series. [★★+]
Notes on first American hardcover edition:
p. 49: "you've reach" should be "you've reached"
p. 61: A character casually mentions a tiger and his listeners apparently
easily understand what he means, but
tigers were unknown in Rome before 11 BC,
thirty-three years later.
p. 93: A character displays in his home the type of artwork that Etruscans
famously used in tombs to remember the dead. Is it really likely that they
would have used such deathly sculptures in their homes?
p. 102: Mention that Servilia was sister to Cato. Actually she was only a half sister.
p. 121: "feeing" should be "feeling"
p. 180: "you fathers" should be "your fathers"
p. 285: Dionysus was a Greek god. Bacchus was the Roman name of a similar
god. The most famous story about him, The Bacchae by the Greek
playwright Euripides, is
in Greek and uses "Dionysus", which is the more popular usage in English
today. But as this is a Roman story, "Bacchus" is used many, many times,
except, oddly on p. 285 it suddenly, and confusingly, reverts to Dionysus.
p. 332: A character anachronistically uses the term "sense memory". This term only began with modern psychology.
p. 345: A male character comprehends a woman's breasts in a sexual sense.
It isn't actually known whether ancient Romans had this modern concept.
p. 368: An odd repetition of the use of "Dionysus" rather than "Bacchus".
The Liberalia, being about males coming of age was rather different than described. The identification of Father Liber with Bacchus and then with Dionysus is a bit of a stretch.
The character Fulvia, who has appeared in this series before,
seems to be two characters. Sometimes she is an ambitious schemer
who will stop at nothing. At other times she is a righteous
crusader. There doesn't seem any way for the two to meet.
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Alan Scribner
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1. Mars the Avenger
(CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012,
hardcover).
During the reign of
Antoninus Pius
in AD 158 Roman judge
Marcus Flavius Severus comes upon a murder victim while
investigating the disappearance of a senator's wife.
Said to take considerable interest in Roman daily life.
Also available in Kindle edition.
[not yet rated]
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2. The Cyclops Case
(CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013,
hardcover).
It's 161 CE and change is afoot.
Marcus Aurelius
and
Lucius Verus
are the new co-emperors
and the Parthians have invaded the empire. Judge Severus relaxes
on vacation with his family at the Bay of Naples when a one-eyed
general, lately recalled to join the army, instead turns up dead on
the beach. Severus' investigations draw him into robbery, spying and
counterfeiting. References the
Jewish Revolt.
Second in the series.
[not yet rated]
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Kelli Stanley
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1. Nox Dormienda
(Five Star Mysteries, 2008,
hardcover).
During the reign of
Domitian,
sometime detective, Arcturus,
a Romano-Briton working as private physician for Agricola,
governor of Britannia province, investigates the murder of
an imperial envoy. Title means "A Long Night for Sleeping"
in this overlong and often slow-moving book which may have too
much evidence of the oil lamp. First in the series.
[★+]
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2. The Curse Maker
(Minotaur, 2011,
hardcover).
Set in Britain's Bath, takes place in 84 AD, nine months
after the first installment.
Second in the series.
[not available for review]
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A.C. Tassie
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Death of a Blue Hero
(Salt Lake City: Northwest Publishing, 1995,
paperback).
Anthus, ambitious slave steward of Prefect of the Watch Macro,
investigates the murder of a popular chariot racer,
in the course of it uncovering corruption and more murders.
This unusual multiple point-of-view mystery with first-person
narrator delves in where Graves leaves off. Set in AD 26
during the reign of Tiberius. Livia, Claudius, Sejanus and
a surprise character also appear. [★★+]
A complimentary copy was provided to this site.
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Death of a Vestal Virgin
(Canada:
Felinity Press,
2006, paperback).
When a Vestal Virgin is murdered, Anthus investigates amid
religious, gladiatorial and aristocratic settings. The author's
influences appear to be many. One is a sort of James Clavell
book in which there are many characters acting quite
independently and we see all of their points of view, eventually
all coming together. Another might be the television program
Law & Order where the crime is committed and an arrest
made in the first half with the trial ensuing in the second. Yet
another is shown in the prodigious amounts of research which
appear. Sue Feder would have said that too much time was spent
"under the oil lamp", i.e. doing historical research that shows
up on the page, but actually does little to advance plot or
character. Chapter XXXIII, for example, is nothing but a trip to
the horse races. But on the other hand Melville's Moby Dick
does much the same with all its detail about whale killing, but
is often accorded a modern classic. There were a few too many
characters and historical bits for this reader, but there were
enjoyable parts too, especially the relationship between Macro
and Anthus, master and man, an area in which the author seems to
have many insights. Historical notes and glossary are included.
Emperor Tiberius, Caligula, Vespasian, Macro and other luminaries
appear. A complimentary copy was provided to this site.
[★★]
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Marilyn Todd
|
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1. I, Claudia (A Mystery: 13 BC)
(London: Macmillan Books, 1995;
London: Pan Books, 1996,
paperback).
A beautiful 24-year old endeavors to discover why her male
clients are being knocked off one by one, while the ambitious
aristocrat Marcus Cornelius Orbilio investigates from the official
side of the street. (Setup is reminiscent of
The Roman Moon Mystery.)
Photography of the protagonist in ancient Roman
garb makes for a unique dustcover.
First in the series. [★★]
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2. Virgin Territory
(London: Macmillan Books, 1996,
hardcover;
London: Pan Books, 1997, paperback;
London: Isis Large Print, 1997,
large text).
Six weeks after the events in I,
Claudia, Claudia is asked to accompany a retired Vestal Virgin
to Sicily, but Orbilio is suspicious. Then he
discovers a female corpse... Another competitive investigation ensues.
Second in the series.
[★]
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3. Man Eater
(London: Macmillan Books, 1997,
hardcover;
PAN, 1998,
paperback).
This time it appears that Claudia has been set up for a charge
of murder when a man is found dead in her rooms.
Third in the series.
[not yet rated]
[ORDER]
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4. Wolf Whistle
(London: Macmillan Books, 1998, hardcover;
Australia: Macmillan Books, 1999, paperback;
London: Pan Books, 1999,
paperback).
With the Empire in crisis and insurrection looming, Claudia
investigates the brutal murders of five slave girls, each killed on
Market Day and linked by a dragon tattoo they each wear on their arms -
and which marks them out as the "Children of Arbil".
Fourth in the series.
[not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
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4. Jail Bait
(London: Macmillan Books, 1999, hardcover;
PAN, 2000,
paperback).
Claudia goes on holiday but it seems a cheat when her friend turns up dead.
Fifth in the series.
[not yet rated]
[ORDER]
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6. Black Salamander
(
London: Macmillan Books, 2000,
hardcover;
London: Macmillan Books, 2001,
paperback).
Claudia is delivering a pouch sealed with a black
salamander when a rockfall in ancient Switzerland
leaves her party stranded amid suspicious circumstances.
Sixth in the series.
[not yet rated]
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7. Dark Horse
(London: Severn House, 2002,
hardcover).
Horse racing and pirates are featured.
Seventh in the series.
[not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
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8. Dream Boat
(London: Severn House, 2002,
hardcover;
(London: Severn House, 2004,
paperback).
Claudia's young relation is abducted.
Eighth in the series.
[not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
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9. Second Act
(London: Severn House, 2003,
hardcover).
A murderer lurks about the house during the
Saturnalia
season.
Ninth in the series.
[not yet rated]
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10. Widow's Pique
(London: Severn House, 2004,
hardcover).
Claudia looks into the mysterious deaths that befall a king's family.
Tenth in the series.
[not yet rated]
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11. Stone Cold
(London: Severn House, 2005,
hardcover).
Claudia ventures as far as Gaul, but more importantly, into her
past, to discover the truth of her father's disappearance a decade
earlier. The disappearances of several young women deepen the case.
Eleventh in the series.
[not yet rated]
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12. Sour Grapes
(London: Severn House, 2005,
hardcover).
Claudia goes out to Tuscany to visit her stepmother, encountering
a sorceress and a handsome horse trader along the way, as well as a
series of murders.
Twelfth in the series.
[not yet rated]
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13. Scorpion Rising
(London: Severn House, 2006,
hardcover;
paperback).
Claudia encounters priestesses keeping men as sex slaves while
tracking down a murderer in southwestern Gaul.
Thirteenth in the series.
[not yet rated]
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David Wishart
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1. Ovid
(London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1995,
hardcover;
London: Sceptre, 1996,
paperback ).
Aristocrat Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus
uncovers a conspiracy of silence which prevents his recovery of
the ashes of the exiled Ovid. In the tradition of Suetonius and
Graves. The writings of ill-fated General Quinctilius Varus
appear, regrettably less so, those of Ovid.
A mystery with political thriller. First in the series. [★★+]
(By the way, the cognomen "Corvinus" means "The Crow", a name granted to
one branch of the Valerius sept after events of 384 BC in
which an army tribune by name of Valerius was challenged to
single combat by a Celtic chieftain in lieu of a general melee.
As the battle began, a crow perched on Valerius' helmet and
then proceeded to attack the eyes and face of the Celt, who,
dismayed by this divine disfavor, collapsed and was killed.)
This novel is discussed in
Two thousand years of solitude: exile after Ovid,
which includes a Helen Lovatt essay,
"The Mystery of Ovid's Exile: Ovid and the Roman detectives".
[AMAZON UK]
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2. Germanicus
(London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1997,
hardcover;
London: Sceptre, 1997,
paperback).
After the trial of Piso, Livia commissions Marcus Valerius
Messalla Corvinus with solving the death of Germanicus in Syria.
Tiberius, Sejanus, Agrippina, Drusus, Livilla and the consul
Marcus Valerius Cotta Maximus Messalinus also appear in this
political thriller about events and characters which never really
manage to thrill, or even make us care. Second in the series.
[★]
[AMAZON UK]
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3. Sejanus
(London: Sceptre, 1998,
hardcover;
London: Sceptre, 1998,
paperback).
Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus receives an assignment from Livia
to check the growing power of Imperial prefect Sejanus.
Third in the series. [not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
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4. Lydian Baker
(London: Sceptre, 1998;
hardcover;
London: Sceptre, 1999,
paperback).
While exiled to Athens, Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus
investigates how a valuable Greek artifact has
suddenly come on the open market and who purchased it, which lead
to the dangerous world of organized crime.
Fourth in the series. [not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
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5. Old Bones
(London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2000,
hardcover;
London: New English Library, 2001,
paperback).
Marcus must clear his father-in-law of murder and find the real culprit
in a story interwoven with myth and history.
Fifth in the series. [not yet rated]
[AMAZON UK]
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6. Last Rites
(London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2001,
hardcover;
London: Sceptre, 2002,
paperback).
Wishart's turn to take a look at the Bona Dea ceremony,
previously treated by
John Maddox Roberts
in
The Sacrilege
and in
The Venus Throw
by Steven Saylor,
posits the mysterious death of a young woman.
Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus is back to investigate of course,
being helped once again by his wife as well as a young flute player.
Sixth in the series. [not yet rated]
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7. White Murder
(London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2002,
hardcover;
paperback).
Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus investigates the death of yet another
unfortunate champion charioteer, a topic previously taken up in
Shadows in Bronze,
SPQR II, The Catiline Conspiracy,
Death of a Blue Hero,
La Course de l'espoir,
Rebellion im Circus Maximus,
Mörderisches Rennen
and
"The Consul's Wife",
Mount Etna also makes an appearance.
Seventh in the series. [not yet rated]
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8. A Vote for Murder
(London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2003,
hardcover;
London: Coronet, 2003,
paperback).
Corvinus investigates the sudden death of a consular candidate.
Eighth in the series. [not yet rated]
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9. Parthian Shot
(London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2004,
hardcover;
London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2004,
signed hardcover;
London: Coronet, 2004,
paperback;
New York: Hodder & Stoughton, 2004,
hardcover;
New York: New English Library, 2004,
paperback).
Corvinus investigates an attack on a Parthian prince and learns a lot about the spice trade.
Ninth in the series. [not yet rated]
[AMAZON USA]
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10. Food for the Fishes
(London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2005,
hardcover;
London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2005,
paperback).
The owner of a fish-farm is found drowned in one of his own eel tanks.
Tenth in the series. [not yet rated]
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11. In at the Death
(London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2007,
hardcover;
London: Hodder Paperback, 2007,
paperback).
Marcus investigates the apparent suicide of a young man, but in the
process finds political dimension to a likely murder.
Eleventh in the series. [not yet rated]
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12. Illegally Dead
(London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2008,
hardcover;
London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2009,
paperback).
Corvinus is off to Castrimoenium (modern Marino in central Italy)
upon hearing of a possible murder. Soon two other corpses are
found ...
Twelfth in the series. [not yet rated]
[USA hardcover]
[USA paperback]
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13.
Bodies Politic
(UK: PlashMill Press, 2010,
paperback).
Corvinus visits Alexandria and encounters anti-Semitic Greeks.
Cover looks like someone just grabbed one of the
Fayum mummy portraits
and stuck it on a black background:
Thirteenth in the series. [not yet rated]
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14. No Cause for Concern
(UK: CreateSpace, 2012,
paperback).
Crime boss Sempronius Eutacticus returns after four years because his
stepson is missing. Marcus Corvinus investigates.
Fourteenth in the series. [not yet rated]
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15. Solid Citizens
(UK: Creme de la Crime, 2013,
hardcover;
USA: Creme de la Crime, 2013,
hardcover).
During the
Saturnalia
of AD 39, Corvinus discovers a politician
beaten to death at a brothel in the Alban Hills.
In
Bovillae
he finds small town intrigue sufficient to match that
of Rome itself. A rare Roman mystery set in the reign of
Caligula.
Of course, Caligula should have arranged for a nice, long reign, like
Augustus;
he'd have had more novels.
Fourteenth in the series. [not yet rated]
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16. Finished Business
(UK: Creme de la Crime, 2014,
hardcover;
USA: Creme de la Crime, 2014,
hardcover).
In AD 40 Corvinus investigate the death of a wealthy aristocrat,
uncovering scandals and a wide number of suspects.
The emperor Caligula appears.
Sixteenth in the series. [not yet rated]
|
Copyright © 1994-2014 by Richard M. Heli.
Permission granted to reprint so long as this notice is
preserved in its entirety and I am informed prior to the re-use. Published since June 1994.
histmyst.org
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21. 
