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The Roman Mysteries #11
The Sirens of Surrentum
Mystery and adventure for four young detectives in Ancient Roman times...
It's summer in the Bay of Naples - time for fun and relaxation. Everyone is thinking about love at the beautiful Villa Limona, but danger lurks beneath the luxury. A famous murder was committed nearby, and a poisoner is at large amongst the guests. Can Flavia and her friends set a trap to catch the culprit before it's too late?
It's summer in the Bay of Naples - time for fun and relaxation. Everyone is thinking about love at the beautiful Villa Limona, but danger lurks beneath the luxury. A famous murder was committed nearby, and a poisoner is at large amongst the guests. Can Flavia and her friends set a trap to catch the culprit before it's too late?
259 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
11 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Lawrence
64 books320 followersCaroline Lawrence won a scholarship to Cambridge to read Classical Archaeology, then did a degree in Hebrew and Jewish studies at University College London. She now lives in London with her English husband and teaches Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Art and French to children.
Series:
* Roman Mysteries
Western Mysteries
Series:
* Roman Mysteries
Western Mysteries
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 29, 2011
What a fun book! Historical fiction plus a mystery...add in a coming-of-age story, and you've got a winner in my eyes. The Sirens of Surrentum also has enough intrigue and allusions to steamy romance (a number of couples participate in offstage "very kissing") that my seventh graders are interested in reading it (though the main characters are only 11 or 12, and my students' ages range between 12 and 15). In ancient Greece, girls were marriageable at 12, and their fathers usually strategically arranged the match for monetary reasons or influential gain, with no consideration of their daughters' love lives. The history lessons that are woven into this tale provide a great first introduction to the social norms and customs of this time period, and I think it is important for students in grades 5-8 to envision what it might have been like to be growing up in ancient Greece. I especially loved the descriptions of the different lifestyle philosophies (the beliefs of the Stoics and the Epicureans) and the hints at what was going on in the Middle East, with the rise of Christianity out of Judaism. While I would consider Lawrence's writing a little heavy-handed on the visual descriptions (for example, you will always know what color robe everyone is wearing), I still look forward to reading more of The Roman Mysteries, and sharing them with my students.
March 30, 2023
The most saucy one so far. The kids here learn a lot about consent and love and marriage and I am here for it and already warned my kid that we would be having some talks after.
January 2, 2023
this ones for dev because he was complaining about how i never write reviews anymore
i ABSOLUTELY loved this book when i read it as a kid and still love it. The Roman Mysteries are a childhood series that i would read over and over again, though I never got my hands on the full set. Maybe i should read the whole series again this year. Anyways, the Roman Mysteries is still and will probably always be an favourite of mine, Caroline Lawrence, thank you for making my childhood honestly.
i ABSOLUTELY loved this book when i read it as a kid and still love it. The Roman Mysteries are a childhood series that i would read over and over again, though I never got my hands on the full set. Maybe i should read the whole series again this year. Anyways, the Roman Mysteries is still and will probably always be an favourite of mine, Caroline Lawrence, thank you for making my childhood honestly.
August 2, 2020
This book is mistitled. It should have been 'Satyr of Surrentum' or 'Nymphomaniac of Surrentum' since it's about a man who sleeps with most women in Campania and is so respected, powerful and above the law that no one can say or do anything (least of all the women). Consequently there are lots of bastard children all around the region and graffiti on the wall that ‘Everyone loves Felix’. Sadly Flavia the eleven year old protagonist is also infatuated with this 32 year old charismatic and dangerous man. His character hadn’t come across in the previous trip, Pirates of Pompeii (book 3) when the children stayed with Publius Felix and family at his villa. The children are called by his daughter Pulchra to solve the mystery of who is poisoning her mother. Several house guests are also invited including Flaccus from The Colossus of Rhodes book. Information comes to light that leads Flavia to reassess her first ever infatuation with this middle aged man. His interest in young girls is disturbing. I was surprised and pleased to see this adult themed content in a middle grade book. My expectation was that middle grade books might be watered down and sugar coated. I suspect parents will not like their children reading these books. The content is a good way of teaching appropriate boundaries children should have with adults and that they can and should say 'no' to misbehaving adults. Flavia also gets to meet her betrothed for the first time and learn his identity. They start to like each other towards the end of the book but a jealous boy throws a spanner in the works to get rid of his rival. Jonathan and Pulchra find a connection. This book has a lot on relationships.
June 22, 2024
I have been reading and enjoying this series ever since I was a little girl, so when I spotted a signed copy of this hardback in a charity shop? She was all mine! I've been reading this series all out of order, just whenever I was able to get my hands on them in the library or secondhand, but regardless I deeply enjoy them and even almost two decades later I love spending time with Flavia, Nubia, Lupin, and Jonathan.
Reading this as an adult was certainly interesting. Lawrence is a fantastic historian and fills her books with facts and archaeological knowledge about the Ancient Romans, and some of these titbits definitely passed me by as a child reader. Seeing the way that Roman men treated adultery, and the age of those they married or has liaisons with, was especially disturbing.
This book especially is filled with love and the lessons that can be learnt around it. The four children learn a lot about what it is to have a broken heart, or one that can never be too full, and see the impacts this has especially on the enslaved girls of the villa they are visiting.
Whilst homosexual sexual acts are well documented as taking place in Ancient Rome, I still have to applaud Lawrence for including reference to that in this book. This was first published in 2006, and although the one instance of m/m "very kissing" is more censored that the heterosexual partners (and something that knowing younger me would've went totally over my head) it is still something that I could see other authors not being willing to add into their kids novel. Lawrence is all about the historical accuracy though, whilst still making the content appropriate for children, and that is one of the many reasons I adored her books when I was younger.
It's hard to say much more specifically about this book, given that it's so far into a series (and my brain has that series all jumbled up from my weird reading orders) but whether you are tempted to try this out yourself as an adult, or to pass it along to a child, I highly recommend this whole series! This is another fantastic addition to The Roman Mysteries and I really do need to try and find copies of all the other books in this series!
Reading this as an adult was certainly interesting. Lawrence is a fantastic historian and fills her books with facts and archaeological knowledge about the Ancient Romans, and some of these titbits definitely passed me by as a child reader. Seeing the way that Roman men treated adultery, and the age of those they married or has liaisons with, was especially disturbing.
This book especially is filled with love and the lessons that can be learnt around it. The four children learn a lot about what it is to have a broken heart, or one that can never be too full, and see the impacts this has especially on the enslaved girls of the villa they are visiting.
Whilst homosexual sexual acts are well documented as taking place in Ancient Rome, I still have to applaud Lawrence for including reference to that in this book. This was first published in 2006, and although the one instance of m/m "very kissing" is more censored that the heterosexual partners (and something that knowing younger me would've went totally over my head) it is still something that I could see other authors not being willing to add into their kids novel. Lawrence is all about the historical accuracy though, whilst still making the content appropriate for children, and that is one of the many reasons I adored her books when I was younger.
It's hard to say much more specifically about this book, given that it's so far into a series (and my brain has that series all jumbled up from my weird reading orders) but whether you are tempted to try this out yourself as an adult, or to pass it along to a child, I highly recommend this whole series! This is another fantastic addition to The Roman Mysteries and I really do need to try and find copies of all the other books in this series!
August 15, 2024
4.75⭐️: This was always my favourite one as a child and (currently) remains so. It tackles some more adult themes and sees the quartet really start to grow into young adulthood. We meet Floppy again who I love and some other fab characters who I hope make a return appearance!
June 3, 2017
I think this is my least favourite of the Roman Mysteries books so far.
Before now the four heroes had been young children who had a tendency of getting caught up in mystery after mystery. But in this book it all changed. Suddenly they are grown up, talking about lovers and having children and getting married. They have lost their innocence and I found it quite uncomfortable.
This theme continues throughout the book, with various people disappearing into the woods. One of the main characters, Felix, has several lovers and sleeps with basically everyone we see in the book. Honestly he is a horrid man, and I'm glad he got what was coming for him.
Another main theme is suicide, which definitely brings the mood of the book down. We have to deal with a character trying to poison herself and telling Flavia stories of famous women who killed themselves.
This book isn't like the light-hearted stories that came before it. Obviously Roman Mysteries has never been completely innocent, but this is the most mature book I've read. I would recommend being older to read this, maybe waiting until 12 or 13.
Before now the four heroes had been young children who had a tendency of getting caught up in mystery after mystery. But in this book it all changed. Suddenly they are grown up, talking about lovers and having children and getting married. They have lost their innocence and I found it quite uncomfortable.
This theme continues throughout the book, with various people disappearing into the woods. One of the main characters, Felix, has several lovers and sleeps with basically everyone we see in the book. Honestly he is a horrid man, and I'm glad he got what was coming for him.
Another main theme is suicide, which definitely brings the mood of the book down. We have to deal with a character trying to poison herself and telling Flavia stories of famous women who killed themselves.
This book isn't like the light-hearted stories that came before it. Obviously Roman Mysteries has never been completely innocent, but this is the most mature book I've read. I would recommend being older to read this, maybe waiting until 12 or 13.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2012
Still holding up excellently. I am admiring Lawrence’s ability to touch on serious subjects – in this case, a very young girl’s infatuation with a predatory older man and the danger arising therefrom – without compromising the story or the characters.
April 25, 2022
the book was kinda inappropriate. i would not really recommend this book for young readers. but there were some “ok” parts, but mainly not very good parts. I was a little disappointed, but the other books in the series were Awesome!
August 2, 2022
A lot less action here than the previous books, but there was still a tension-filled and rather humorous scene with a poisoner. I actually read this after all the other books because it was hard to find, even as an ebook. So I already had hints of what happened. But it did make me like Pulchra more, or at least sympathize with her.
The theme of this book is the mores of the period, mainly sexual attitudes and gender role expectations. I'm impressed with how the author was able to show all the characters with degrees of cultural influences of the time. Felix is proven to be a typical toxic male and Flavia's betrothed Tranquillus gives us an idea how a Roman boy with such influences would act, though these are toned down as he spends more time with Flavia and her friends. We can see too through the contrasts how the mores of the detective team and their families were made much more palatable to us modern readers while still having some authentic cultural traits. Flavia may have set her slave free, but she takes other slaves for granted. Even Nubia accepts everyday services from slaves. Flaccus shows some toxic male traits, lecturing Flavia and scolding her for dressing like a grown-up and showing hints of jealousy towards her betrothed. We can see he's much better than the other men, though. Just as Jonathan and Lupus are much better than Tranquillus even if they do go with him to spy on naked women--it's not without consequences as they end up capsizing their boat.
Issues of age difference in relationships is also touched upon. We see how women who are much younger than their romantic partners are easily influenced and victimized by them. There's also a hint of relational issues through Jonathan's parents who are struggling to reconnect: Dr. Mordecai doesn't understand his much younger wife's fondness for going out. The fact that the marriage had been arranged without her consent may also be an issue. The problems of marriages that are arranged are generally brought up throughout the series.
There are comparisons of different philosophies and it is also shown how their tenet may be misinterpreted or twisted at will. This sounds heavy for young readers but is made easier to understand by using conversations and stories. I wish the same approach had been done with the descriptions of poisonous plants as that got tedious.
I could have wished for more interactions between Flavia and Flaccus to smoothen the transition to their relationship, but then The Slave Girl from Jerusalem makes up for this. The attentions of grown men to girls we consider nowadays as children will always be awkward, but giving our young heroines such exemplary men as their love interests makes it easier, in fact, a pleasure to accept.
The theme of this book is the mores of the period, mainly sexual attitudes and gender role expectations. I'm impressed with how the author was able to show all the characters with degrees of cultural influences of the time. Felix is proven to be a typical toxic male and Flavia's betrothed Tranquillus gives us an idea how a Roman boy with such influences would act, though these are toned down as he spends more time with Flavia and her friends. We can see too through the contrasts how the mores of the detective team and their families were made much more palatable to us modern readers while still having some authentic cultural traits. Flavia may have set her slave free, but she takes other slaves for granted. Even Nubia accepts everyday services from slaves. Flaccus shows some toxic male traits, lecturing Flavia and scolding her for dressing like a grown-up and showing hints of jealousy towards her betrothed. We can see he's much better than the other men, though. Just as Jonathan and Lupus are much better than Tranquillus even if they do go with him to spy on naked women--it's not without consequences as they end up capsizing their boat.
Issues of age difference in relationships is also touched upon. We see how women who are much younger than their romantic partners are easily influenced and victimized by them. There's also a hint of relational issues through Jonathan's parents who are struggling to reconnect: Dr. Mordecai doesn't understand his much younger wife's fondness for going out. The fact that the marriage had been arranged without her consent may also be an issue. The problems of marriages that are arranged are generally brought up throughout the series.
There are comparisons of different philosophies and it is also shown how their tenet may be misinterpreted or twisted at will. This sounds heavy for young readers but is made easier to understand by using conversations and stories. I wish the same approach had been done with the descriptions of poisonous plants as that got tedious.
I could have wished for more interactions between Flavia and Flaccus to smoothen the transition to their relationship, but then The Slave Girl from Jerusalem makes up for this. The attentions of grown men to girls we consider nowadays as children will always be awkward, but giving our young heroines such exemplary men as their love interests makes it easier, in fact, a pleasure to accept.
December 30, 2020
Although Lawrence never shies away from difficult subjects in her books, this instalment did feel like it took a step up in terms of maturity. Some of the main themes of the book are love and lust and although nothing is explicit – instead the characters refer to ‘really kissing’ the target audience is definitely more secondary school age than primary. As modern readers there are some bits that are slightly uncomfortable reading, when considering the age difference between the characters who are either in relationships or betrothed, however this was of course perfectly normal in the past. The ending was also not as happy and wrapped up as it was in some of the others in the series which shows the series development.
The mystery is really well done in this book as it is more of a mystery than an adventure as our heroes try to find out who is trying to poison their host’s wife. There is a cast of suspects and even a great twist ending. There are some returning characters and some plot points that have developed over the series – such as Flavia’s infatuation with Felix – that are picked up and explored up again in this book, especially concerning relationships, which results in some good character development. Overall a great instalment in this series.
The mystery is really well done in this book as it is more of a mystery than an adventure as our heroes try to find out who is trying to poison their host’s wife. There is a cast of suspects and even a great twist ending. There are some returning characters and some plot points that have developed over the series – such as Flavia’s infatuation with Felix – that are picked up and explored up again in this book, especially concerning relationships, which results in some good character development. Overall a great instalment in this series.
October 22, 2018
I'm reading this book and I hate it even more as I'm reading. First of all, Flavia, an 11 year old girl, who is assigned to marry a boy at her age loves her friend's father, Felix, who is 45 years old and is already married. Meanwhile, Felix is flirting with some guests and his wife's female slaves. At one point, Felix gives one of his female slaves a cake. She bites some of the cake, licks her lips SLOWLY and then gives it back to Felix and then Felix gives the same cake TO HIS WIFE!!! Also, the book is referred to love more than mystery although the title of the series is "The Roman Mysteries". There is also one scene where the characters are discussing about an event in which Nero's mother wanted to marry Nero and there is another scene in which boys go to spy on naked women. Kids could be influenced by all these and grow up differently than they should. I say that because I'm a thirteen year old kid too.
P.S: Parents and teachers, don't give this to kids.
P.S: Parents and teachers, don't give this to kids.
October 30, 2022
Book 11 of 17 down! Only 6 more to go!
This is definitely the last book that I have any memory of reading, so from now on we are in uncharted waters as far as the rest of the series goes.
This book is definitely more grown up than the previous ones, there’s a lot of moments in this story that could go over a lot of children’s heads but older readers would catch on to, which is a bit of a risky manoeuvre from Lawrence but does quite accurately depict how the main characters are growing up and getting themselves into all sorts of new scrapes outside of the mysteries that they solve together.
It’s also interesting to see all the different relationships between the characters and how they are changing as they all grow older.
I’m quite excited to see what happens in the rest of the series as I’m definitely going to be approaching them from a fresh perspective and without knowing what is happening in the stories. Bring it on!
This is definitely the last book that I have any memory of reading, so from now on we are in uncharted waters as far as the rest of the series goes.
This book is definitely more grown up than the previous ones, there’s a lot of moments in this story that could go over a lot of children’s heads but older readers would catch on to, which is a bit of a risky manoeuvre from Lawrence but does quite accurately depict how the main characters are growing up and getting themselves into all sorts of new scrapes outside of the mysteries that they solve together.
It’s also interesting to see all the different relationships between the characters and how they are changing as they all grow older.
I’m quite excited to see what happens in the rest of the series as I’m definitely going to be approaching them from a fresh perspective and without knowing what is happening in the stories. Bring it on!
March 29, 2023
Very mature considering the age group it appears to be aimed at, in my opinion. This book focuses on unrequited love, infidelity and it's effects on everyone, and the struggles of changing from a child into a young adult. But it touches on these ideas in a way that doesn't feel forced, flowing naturally into the ancient times mystery-solving that the series is mainly about. There were times I found the characters annoying, especially Flavia, but she is very young and I remember the difficulties of that weird period where you're too grown up for some activities and too young for others, and noone seems to tell you which is which.
July 12, 2023
Tranquilius is so cute. He's a bit of a shit at first, but I think he's just trying to show off in front of Flavia which is super sweet. His ending in this book makes me kinda sad! But I'm not even sure who I'm gunning for more at this point; him or Flaccus.
I love the part where Jonathan is like "Lupus thought of something earlier. Tell her, Lupus" and lets him write out what he thought of instead of just saying it for him. Such a small act but so beautiful and inclusive, and something that I consistently see scattered throughout Lawrence's story telling.
I did see this ending coming a bit, but it was still well paced and well written and I enjoyed it.
I love the part where Jonathan is like "Lupus thought of something earlier. Tell her, Lupus" and lets him write out what he thought of instead of just saying it for him. Such a small act but so beautiful and inclusive, and something that I consistently see scattered throughout Lawrence's story telling.
I did see this ending coming a bit, but it was still well paced and well written and I enjoyed it.
September 16, 2023
I love the way that Lawrence is able to intertwine the complexities of adult lives and relationships into a children's narrative. This book has the most romance and sex that I think I've ever read in a book written for youth. While I can imagine that it would make some folks clutch their pearls, I think Lawrence does it in a really brilliant way that matches the way in which older children actually navigate and think about these topics, while also showing the realities of children their same age in another time. It also provides a good opportunity for having a discussion of these topics with your kid after they're done with the book.
January 4, 2024
And was it as dodgy as I remember?
... Kind of? No? Treads a really weird line - the bad behaviour is firmly condemned, but everyone still spends a lot of time wet/naked/talking about affairs. The children being shunted between sent-to-bed-before-the-adults-have-dinner and being seen as being right on the verge of sexual maturity is also kind of jarring in a way that was funny when it was crime-solving but isn't here. Still, a good read, and it's good to see some people who deserve it getting a good talking-to/a good scare/their comeuppance.
... Kind of? No? Treads a really weird line - the bad behaviour is firmly condemned, but everyone still spends a lot of time wet/naked/talking about affairs. The children being shunted between sent-to-bed-before-the-adults-have-dinner and being seen as being right on the verge of sexual maturity is also kind of jarring in a way that was funny when it was crime-solving but isn't here. Still, a good read, and it's good to see some people who deserve it getting a good talking-to/a good scare/their comeuppance.
August 4, 2023
A particularly brilliant installment, though I think it is hard not to enjoy a mystery devoted entirely to love and its pitfalls. Some very valuable lessons herein, but also, as ever, amazing introductions to some little pieces of history and philosophy that will surely stick better than other introductions I have had before.
March 24, 2015
I found this one a bit too ridiculous. The whole romance part was childish, making me dislike Flavia's character again. Plus all the suicide attempts were stupid, with people over-reacting. Overall, it just felt too dramatic.
I loved the pre-tense of the children finding out the murderer who was trying to poison Pulchra's mother, and the mystery surrounding that was indeed exciting.
Yet, the whole thing was a bit childish. Her mother trying to poison herself for not feeling loved by her husband, their daughter trying to rown herself because of her parents relationship and Flavia running away from the romantic moment she's been dreaming about, because she's nervous. The whole romance stuff was childish, and I know Flavia is meant to be younger, but the way he reacts is more like a child than a young teen who is fairly mature for her age.
On to number 12...
I loved the pre-tense of the children finding out the murderer who was trying to poison Pulchra's mother, and the mystery surrounding that was indeed exciting.
Yet, the whole thing was a bit childish. Her mother trying to poison herself for not feeling loved by her husband, their daughter trying to rown herself because of her parents relationship and Flavia running away from the romantic moment she's been dreaming about, because she's nervous. The whole romance stuff was childish, and I know Flavia is meant to be younger, but the way he reacts is more like a child than a young teen who is fairly mature for her age.
On to number 12...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2024
Full of delights, not least Flavia meeting her betrothed for the first time and calling him “you smug little runt”
I must start calling more places “a glirarium of licentiousness.”
“Pater says all love poets are strange little men”
I must start calling more places “a glirarium of licentiousness.”
“Pater says all love poets are strange little men”
November 24, 2018
This book clarified the difference between Epicureans and Stoics in a dramatic and memorable way.
I felt a great deal of the content was much too adult for a middle grade book.
I felt a great deal of the content was much too adult for a middle grade book.
February 25, 2019
I've enjoyed the series, but the subject matter in this book is for readers much older than 12.
February 21, 2022
3.9 stars. Pretty mature subject matter, but I still liked it.
December 26, 2023
my favourite in the series 😌
March 10, 2011
Dieses Buch behandelt ein Thema, das man bei einem Kinderbuch nicht erwarten würde.
Flavia verbringt mit ihren Freunden den Sommer in der Villa Limona von Publius Pollius Felix, in welchen sie immer noch verliebt ist. Pulchra hat sie gebenten herauszufinden, wer versucht ihre Mutter zu vergiften. Schon bald müssen die Kinder lernen, wie dekadent und verdorben das Leben in der Villa Limona ist. Publius Pollius Felix ist hinter allem her, was eine Palla trägt, er schläft mit fast jedem weiblichen Gast und hat ein Kind mit so ziemlich jeder (hübschen) weiblichen Sklavin. Flavia erwischt ihn sogar ein Mal beim Beischlaf mit einer der Gäste im Eiskeller. Das alter der Sklavinnen ist Felix ergal, er schwängert auch die 14 jährige Parthenope und letztendlich versucht er sogar Flavia (11 Jahre alt) zu verführen. Heutzutage würde man ihn wohl als Kinderschänder bezeichnen.
Lupus und Jonathan fangen an zu pubertieren. Jonathan macht seine ersten Erfahungen im Küssen mit Pulchra und er findet es toll.
Man lernt viel über Nero und wie er versucht hat seine Mutter umzubringen.
Des weiteren lernt man, dass die Römer sich nicht nur die Handgelenke aufschnitten, wenn sie sich umbrachten, sondern auch in den Kniekehlen die Adern durchtrennten und man lernt auch vieles natürlich vorkommende, sehr tötliche Gifte.
Insgesamt viele Themen, die man in einem Kinderbuch nicht unbedingt erwarten würde. Teils erschien mir das Buch eher wie ein Buch für Erwachsene mit Kindern als Protagonisten.
Auch in diesem Band entwickeln sich die Protagonisten weiter und es kan in Spannung und Qualität mit seinen Vorgängern absolut mithalten. Definitiv kein Einsteigerbuch in diese Serie.
Zeitpunkt der Geschichte:
ca. 15. - 26 Juni 80 n. Chr., ca.1 Monat nach Band 10
Flavia verbringt mit ihren Freunden den Sommer in der Villa Limona von Publius Pollius Felix, in welchen sie immer noch verliebt ist. Pulchra hat sie gebenten herauszufinden, wer versucht ihre Mutter zu vergiften. Schon bald müssen die Kinder lernen, wie dekadent und verdorben das Leben in der Villa Limona ist. Publius Pollius Felix ist hinter allem her, was eine Palla trägt, er schläft mit fast jedem weiblichen Gast und hat ein Kind mit so ziemlich jeder (hübschen) weiblichen Sklavin. Flavia erwischt ihn sogar ein Mal beim Beischlaf mit einer der Gäste im Eiskeller. Das alter der Sklavinnen ist Felix ergal, er schwängert auch die 14 jährige Parthenope und letztendlich versucht er sogar Flavia (11 Jahre alt) zu verführen. Heutzutage würde man ihn wohl als Kinderschänder bezeichnen.
Lupus und Jonathan fangen an zu pubertieren. Jonathan macht seine ersten Erfahungen im Küssen mit Pulchra und er findet es toll.
Man lernt viel über Nero und wie er versucht hat seine Mutter umzubringen.
Des weiteren lernt man, dass die Römer sich nicht nur die Handgelenke aufschnitten, wenn sie sich umbrachten, sondern auch in den Kniekehlen die Adern durchtrennten und man lernt auch vieles natürlich vorkommende, sehr tötliche Gifte.
Insgesamt viele Themen, die man in einem Kinderbuch nicht unbedingt erwarten würde. Teils erschien mir das Buch eher wie ein Buch für Erwachsene mit Kindern als Protagonisten.
Auch in diesem Band entwickeln sich die Protagonisten weiter und es kan in Spannung und Qualität mit seinen Vorgängern absolut mithalten. Definitiv kein Einsteigerbuch in diese Serie.
Zeitpunkt der Geschichte:
ca. 15. - 26 Juni 80 n. Chr., ca.1 Monat nach Band 10
April 23, 2020
Roman mysteries is a bit like the Famous Five with a Roman setting. Four children and a dog solving criminal conspiracies and unravelling some wonderful mysteries in a set of books that just keeps on going. This series deserves to be a classic, and is rich with well researched historical detail that is thoroughly educational as well as thoroughly entertaining. For this reason I would recommend the series to anyone.
However the author has deliberately departed from any Enid Blyton model, and rather like J K Rowling, she has written her books to age with their readers (or their initial readers at least). From the start there are some gruesome storylines. Those storylines will appeal to young readers though, even if their parents shy away a little from having their 8 year old reading about Lupus having his tongue cut out!
In this book though the story takes a leap into teen fiction. This is a story of sexual intrigue. It is carefully written, but that is the overarching theme. This being the case, younger readers will either not wholly understand it or else be turned off by it and parents will be well advised to consider carefully the books suitability.
Those readers who grew up with Roman Mysteries and are already in their teens by the time they read this will not be troubled by the themes though, and the story is another great mystery. Personally I found the resolution a little obvious, but maybe I have just read too many mysteries! It did not matter though as I enjoyed the book thoroughly.
I would give it five stars but I think it would be helpful if the nature of the story was flagged a little more clearly.
I will not be encouraging my 9 year old daughter to read this book any time soon, but I will keep it around for when she is a little older.
However the author has deliberately departed from any Enid Blyton model, and rather like J K Rowling, she has written her books to age with their readers (or their initial readers at least). From the start there are some gruesome storylines. Those storylines will appeal to young readers though, even if their parents shy away a little from having their 8 year old reading about Lupus having his tongue cut out!
In this book though the story takes a leap into teen fiction. This is a story of sexual intrigue. It is carefully written, but that is the overarching theme. This being the case, younger readers will either not wholly understand it or else be turned off by it and parents will be well advised to consider carefully the books suitability.
Those readers who grew up with Roman Mysteries and are already in their teens by the time they read this will not be troubled by the themes though, and the story is another great mystery. Personally I found the resolution a little obvious, but maybe I have just read too many mysteries! It did not matter though as I enjoyed the book thoroughly.
I would give it five stars but I think it would be helpful if the nature of the story was flagged a little more clearly.
I will not be encouraging my 9 year old daughter to read this book any time soon, but I will keep it around for when she is a little older.
March 29, 2016
I am actually finding it hard to articulate my experience of this- having to reconsider how transitional gladiators from Capua was, I never realised the beauty of Lawrence's Narnian depiction of childhood was until she positioned them within this corruptible, licentious environment while the Freudian sexual undercurrents was uncomfortable even for an 18 year old I am glad she retained the platonic affections of the central 4 and actually enjoyed the Austian semantics of foreshadowing their romantic futures and their awareness of the proclivity for this to turn into lust. As always Larwnce pushes the margins of middle grade decorum and never fails to deliver a clandestine plot universally enjoyable and wonderfully never delves into condescension ie the discussion of the relative merits of Stoicism and Epicureanism! Was such a classics geek enjoying the references to Seneca, Lucan, Suetonius, and Flaccus (FLACCIA FOR THE WIN!!!!!) and took away such wisdom concerning arête and the enduring notion unfortunately of sexual grooming and unconsensual relationships! So yeah basically my favourite book so far!!!!
October 29, 2015
In the Bay of Naples in the summer, Flavia and her friends visit their rich friend Pulchra at the luxurious Villa Limona. Beneath all the loveliness of the situation, a poisoner lies hidden amongst the guests, attempting murder on Pulchra's mother, Polla.
With help from Tranquillus, Flavia's future husband, and Pulchra, Flavia and her friends discover that no one is trying to poison Polla - apart from..
..Polla.
As confusing as it sounds, Flavia, Jonathan, Nubia, Lupus, Tranquillus and Pulchra solve the mystery. During the book, Flavia learns Miriam is to have a baby soon (at 14 year old(!)). She also learns that even though she is now eleven and legally she can marry in a year, it's not time for love and romance with Tranquillus. He delivers yucky eel-like kisses, and Flavia doesn't like them!
With help from Tranquillus, Flavia's future husband, and Pulchra, Flavia and her friends discover that no one is trying to poison Polla - apart from..
..Polla.
As confusing as it sounds, Flavia, Jonathan, Nubia, Lupus, Tranquillus and Pulchra solve the mystery. During the book, Flavia learns Miriam is to have a baby soon (at 14 year old(!)). She also learns that even though she is now eleven and legally she can marry in a year, it's not time for love and romance with Tranquillus. He delivers yucky eel-like kisses, and Flavia doesn't like them!
August 28, 2009
I still have a hard time picturing Lawrence's intended readership. The themes she touches on are often more mature that the age-appeal implied by the packaging of the US versions. Here the major themes were love and infidelity with a lot of hanky-panky being indulged in by one adult married character. I know an 11 year old in Roman times was close to marriageable age but do parents of today's 10-12 year olds want them reading about this? Older kids usually don't like reading books with "little kids" as the main characters. As an adult, I find almost all of this series WONDERFUL! I also like the way the author includes maps, floor plans and an informative glossary in each book. Can't say enough good about The Roman Mysteries.
December 9, 2013
This was an average book. There was good mystery and action, but a lot of love and unacceptable stuff. As the name suggests, there was something to do with Sirens ( singing women who attract men), but the author created her own "Siren". Even though there was romance, the book was tolerable because it had a good plot and a satisfying ending and answer. A good book, but a bit of a letdown compare to the rest of the series.
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