Novels in Italian

in italiano Last updated XI JUNIUS 2008 Lindsey Davis Le miniere dell'imperatore (Milan: Giallo Mondadori, 1994) originally published in English as Silver Pigs. Misteri Imperiali (Milan: Giallo Mondadori, 1994) originally published in English as Shadows in Bronze. Rosario Magrì 1. Il medico delle Isole (Milan: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Collezione Omnibus, 1982). First in the series. [not available for review] 2. La Statua d'Oro: Claudio Galeno alla corte dell'imperatore (Milan: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Collezione Omnibus, 1984). Pontius Epaphroditus, head of the fire-brigade/police, investigates the theft of a golden statue, the present of the Emperor to the famous doctor Galenus. Set in Ostia and Portus, the harbor of Rome. Second in the series. [not available for review] 3. Il sale in bocca (Milan: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Collezione Omnibus, 1990). Pontius Epaphroditus, head of the fire-brigade/police investigates the death of an anonymous beggar. But soon it appears that people of great political importance are. Set in Ostia and Portus, the harbor of Rome. Third in the series. [not available for review] 4. Indagine sulla morte di un schiavo (Milan: Arnoldo Mondadori, 1991). Pontius Epaphroditus again stars in this story set in Ostia and Portus. Fourth in the series. [not available for review] 5. Il medico dell'Imperatore (Milan: Edizioni Ares, 2004). Claudio Galeno is personal physician to Emperor Septimmius Severus, a powerful position, which however arouses envy in others and thus he becomes involved in palace intrigues. Pontius Epaphroditus is again beset by the evil genius of heir-apparent Caracalla. Fifth in the series. [not available for review] Nino Marino Rosso pompeiano (Milan: Rusconi, 1991; Milan: Rusconi, 1995). Set in the Pompeii of the fateful year AD 79, involves a beautiful aristocrat's daughter, a president of a musical group, a young Greek slave and the scholar Pliny the Elder, admiral of the Misenum fleet. [not available for review] Danila Comastri Montanari 1. Mors Tua (Milan: Giallo Mondadori, 1990; Milan: Giallo Mondadori, 1994; Milan: Hobby & Work, 1997, 1998; Milan: Hobby & Work, 2000 with the addition of "Una filosofa per Publio Aurelio Stazio"). Senator Publius Aurelius Statius, a rich and charming Roman Epicurean, finds the corpse of a young freedwoman and decides to investigate her death, assisted by a Greek slave, Castor. During the inquiry, the deceased's former lover dies and Aurelius is accused of the murder so the senator invites to a banquet all the suspects, declaring that he will cut his veins to protest his innocence before the end of the supper... Set in the reign of Claudius during the first century AD. First in the series. [not available for review] 2. In Corpore Sano (Milan: Giallo Mondadori, 1991; Milan: Giallo Mondadori, 1994; Milan: Hobby & Work, 1998; Milan: Hobby & Work, 2000 with the addition of "Un'eredità per Publio Aurelio Stazio"). The daughter of a Jew, a friend of Aurelius, dies of a hemorrhage. Knowing the philosophy of the Jews, Aurelius doubts the given story of deliberate abortion. Visiting gynecologists and midwives, he falls in love with a woman, the clever and Greek physician Mnesaretes. On the way, his inquiries lead to a famous bordello, where he knows a very particular prostitute... Second in the series. [not available for review] 3. Cave Canem (Milan: Giallo Mondadori, 1993; Milan: Hobby & Work, 2000 with the addition of "La prima inchiesta di Publio Aurelio Stazio)." In a villa on Lake Avernus, the mystic door to hell, three male members of Plautia family suddenly die according to the rhymes of a mysterious prophecy. However, Aurelius is an Epicurean and doesn't believe in miracles or prophecies. The inquiry is complicated by the presence of many dangerous women: Plautilla, an old senator's lover; Helene, a beautiful widow; her young daughter Nevia; the aristocratic matrona Paolina, etc... Third in the series. [not available for review] 4. Morituri Te Salutant (Milan: Mondadori, 1994; Milan: Hobby & Work, 2000 with the addition of "Una dea per Publio Aurelio Stazio"). When a famous gladiator is killed, Aurelius is required by the Emperor Claudius to investigate. Delving into the violent world of the arena, step by step, he discovers that the murder hides a dangerous conspiracy threatening the life of the emperor ... Fourth in the series. [not available for review] [full plot summary] 5. Parce Sepulto (Milan: Giallo Mondadori, 1996; Milan: Hobby & Work, 2000 with the addition of "Una perla per Publio Aurelio Stazio"). The strange death of a girl on the day of her marriage to a young grammarian brings Aurelius to investigate the teachers and students of Roman schools. Also involved is the victim's twin sister, Camilla, the wonderful wife of the worst senator's rival. Evidence seems to lead to the worshippers at the Bona Dea ... Fifth in the series. [not available for review] 6. Cui Prodest? (Milan: Hobby & Work, 1997; Milan: Hobby & Work, 2000 with the addition of "Una moglie per Publio Aurelio Stazio"). In the slums of Rome, a serial killer cuts the throats of many young men, leaving as his signature a pawn from the Roman chess-like game, latrunculi. When a slave of his own domus is murdered, Aurelius swears on the altar of the lares that he will capture him. Among the suspects are a champion at latrunculi, a funny editor, a carefree girl of good family, a shrewd boy and a strange maid claiming to be an adherent of Stoic philosophy. Sixth in the series. [not available for review] 7. Spes, Ultima Dea (Milan: Hobby & Work, 1999; Milan: Hobby & Work, 2000). In a German forest in 26 AD, a legion commander dies in a very strange manner, while awaiting an attack by the barbarians. One of the few survivors is the young tribune Publius Aurelius Statius. Twenty years later, a friend of Aurelius is killed in the Subura. The murder seems to be connected with the mystery of the commanders's death and with a series of fires devastating the Esquiline. The English translation of the title is Hope, Last Goddess. Seventh in the series. [not available for review] 8. Scelera (Milan: Hobby & Work, 2000). Aurelius makes three inquires in the Flegrerian Fields of Baiae, Puteoli and Misenum. Eighth in the series. [not available for review] 9. Gallia Est (Milan: Hobby & Work, 2001). In Arelate, Gaul (modern Arles), Publius Aurelius investigates murders which appear to be a revival of Druidic ritual homicide. Iconographic and archaeological images are available at the book's website. Ninth in the series. [not available for review] 10. Saturnalia (Milan: Hobby & Work, 2002). Aurelius' investigations of violence and trafficking in children take him to the Subura, the temple of Vesta and that of Saturn, site of the state mint. Tenth in the series. [not available for review] 11. Ars Moriendi (Milan: Hobby & Work, 2003). In AD 47 a predecessor to Jack the Ripper is at work among the prostitutes of Pompeii. Eleventh in the series. [not available for review] 12. Olympia (Milan: Hobby & Work, 2004). Aurelius is drawn into investigation of a crime occurring just before the Olympic games. A chariot race reminiscent of Ben-Hur is involved. Twelfth in the series. [not available for review] 13. Tenebrae (Milan: Hobby & Work, 2005). The threat to seven sisters, a slave revolt in Etruria, a murder without a corpse and an enigmatic code challenge Aurelius this time. Thirteenth in the series. [not available for review] 14. Nemesis (Milan: Hobby & Work, 2007). Twenty-two years earlier the Legio III Gallica was guilty of the massacre of a hundred civilians. Now the only survivor has taken the name Nemesis and appears in Rome to settle accounts. Needing help to track them down, he takes hostage Aurelius' friend Pomponia to force him to help. But as he begins his investigation, the legionnaires start turning up murdered, a small wooden tiger figurine being found on each corpse. Nemesis denies responsibility, which triggers a second investigation. Fourteenth in the series. [not available for review] Henry Winterfeld The Italian translation of Caius in der Klemme (). Originally published in Germany as Caius in der Klemme Detective in Toga (Milan: Mondadori, Giallo junior, 1992). Originally published in Germany as Caius ist ein Dummkopf: Eine lustige und spannende Detektivgeschichte für Kinder. Copyright © 1994-2014 by Richard M. Heli. Portions copyright © 1997 by Danila Comastri Montanari. 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.