Trimalchio's Feast and other mini-mysteries

The Roman Mysteries

by Caroline Lawrence

Full of the sights and sounds of ancient Rome, each of the stories in this thrilling collection brings to life events from the lives of Flavia, Jonathan, Nubia, and Lupus that were alluded to in previous volumes of the Roman Mysteries series. Set during the dangerous, exciting reign of Emperor Titus, these stories are accompanied by notes that provide background on their inspiration and relevance to rest of the series.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Childrens, Mystery, Short Stories, Young Adult

132 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Caroline 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

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great set of short stories that take place between the novels in the Roman Mysteries series . . . definitely better if read after completing the entire series! These stories fill in some gaps and explain some minor mysteries of what happened between major episodes (the novels) . . .

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read (again) popsugar 2020 book with a map. Nice set of stories mostly fun. Great for kids

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bubbles were all bubbles. I still think about this story sometimes

[sabisteb aka callisto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diese Kurzgeschichtensammlung füllt einige der Lücken zwischen den Büchern. Einige sind wirklich gut, andere eher schwach, aber ganz nett.

1. The case of the missing coin (Juli 79 v. Chr.) **
vor Caroline Lawrence - Die Diebe von Ostia (Roman Mysteries 1)
Ganz nett, einer von Falvias ersten Fällen aber nichts besonderes.

2. Trimalchio's feast (März 80 v. Chr.) ***
Caroline Lawrence - Im Auftrag des Hercules (Roman Mysteries 6)
Wir erfahren, wann Lupus Geburtstag hat: 1. Februar. (Wenn man im alten Rom nicht wusste wann genau in einem Monat jemand geboren wurde, wurde der Geburtstag einfach am 1. gefeiert)

3. Jonathan vs. Ira (März 80 v. Chr.) **
nach Caroline Lawrence - Die Feinde des Jupiter (Roman Mysteries 7)
Jonathans Zeit bei den Gladiatoren.

4. The case of the citrus-wood table (April 80 v. Chr.) ***
nach Caroline Lawrence - The Charioteer of Delphi (Roman Mysteries 12)
Netter Kurzkrimi ohne neue Erkenntnisse.

5. The case of the talking statue (October 80 v. Chr.) ***
nach Caroline Lawrence - The Slave-Girl from Jerusalem (Roman Mysteries 13)
Wir erfahren wie Alma aussieht. Sie ist ca. 30 und moppelig.
Wirklich sehr netter Kriminalfall. Man lern z. Bsp. den Unterschied zwischen prodigy und omen.

6. Death by vespasian (Februar 81 v. Chr.) ***
nach Caroline Lawrence - The Slave-Girl from Jerusalem (Roman Mysteries 13)
Wunderbar zweideutiger Titel
Schon gewußt, dass die Vigilen von Rom nach Ostia barfuß liefen und ihre neuen Schuhe erst in Ostia bekamen?

Im Interview gab es einen tollen Hinweis, warum es Caroline Lawrence gelingt alles so plastisch darzustellen:
"I try to include on word in every phrase or every other phrase so the sights, smells and sounds are embedded in the story." (S. 128 )

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little set of stories. The most fun is just reconnecting with the characters. But the best part of the book is the interview with the author. Some solid advice for would-be writers, and her experience of having characters pop unplanned into a novel is surely shared by any author who leaves his/her plot open to the Muses. And that's the best advice: Jot down notes, and plan and outline all you want, but set as little in stone as possible, and while you're writing, prop open the door to creativity and never let it close.

[Diana Sandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of short stories involving Lawrence’s four Roman children. Not bad, but Really short, just sketches really.

[Vicki Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

These short stories fit in between the novels. They're quite amusing and the author has an afterword following each story to say why she wrote it.