Under Vesuvius

SPQR #11

by John Maddox Roberts

Things are going well for Decius Caecilius Metellus. He is Praetor Peregrinus. His cases will be those dealing with foreigners, and all of Italy is his province. His first stop is Campania, Italy's most popular resort district. Decius and his wife, Julia, are happy for a change of scenery. But the good times end when, in a town near Vesuvius, a priest's daughter is murdered. Decius must find her killer and keep the mob off a young boy who everyone blames, but who he believes to be innocent.

Decius may have acquired more prestige, but he's also acquired more trouble.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Historical, Historical Mystery, Roman

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

aka Mark Ramsay

John Maddox Roberts is the author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. The first two books in the series have recently been re-released in trade paperback.

Reviews

[Νεκτάριος Καλογήρου · Rating 4 out of 5]

Εξαιρετική ιστορία με πλοκή αστυνομικού μυθιστορήματος με φόντο τη ρωμαϊκή αυτοκρατορία.
Γραμμένο σε πρώτο πρόσωπο και αφηγητή έναν ανώτερο δικαστικό (ξενοδίκη) που φθάνει στην πόλη των Βαϊων (ανήκει στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Πομπηίας), ξετυλίγει ένα κουβάρι σειράς δολοφονιών που στο τέλος όλες μαζί δένουν σ' ένα απολύτως ικανοποιητικό τέλος.
Εχει πρόσωπα - πρωταγωνιστές που εύκολα αγκαλιάζουν το αντρικό και το γυναικείο αναγνωστικό κοινό.
Ολα αυτά συνδεδεμένα με εικόνες μιας άλλης εποχής.

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ytterligare en strålande Metellus-bok. Denna satt i handels- och kurorten Baiae, där fokuset är pengar och socialt inflytande mer än politisk makt. Variationen förvirrar Metellus, vilket gör hela äventyret ännu mer spännande. Jag rekommenderar den varmt.

[Georgina Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was supposed to read this book two months ago, but a very disappointing discovery (with the Amazon Kindle version) prevented me from doing so. So I had to order the actual "physical" book from Amazon and wait for, argh, months.

As soon as I started reading the first few pages, I realized one thing (and one thing only): Under Vesuvius was worth the wait. Period. Decius (yes the protagonist) is now praetor peregrinus in this book, a position with real power (meaning he now has imperium, or the power to summon and lead armies at will). One of the many things I like about the SPQR series is how the reader learns about the Ancient Roman public career (i.e. the cursus honorum or the path of honor)through the main character. Decius, who belongs to one of Ancient Rome's greatest and most powerful families, started as a very low-ranking official in the series' first book (Decius commanded the night watchmen in the squalid Subura district, looking out for fires and such), then became quaestor (The Catiline Conspiracy,), senator (The Sacrilege,), diplomat (The Temple of the Muses), Caesar's "secretary" (Nobody Loves a Centurion), aedile (The River God's Vengeance), then at last, praetor. I feel as if I am one of Decius' clients, monitoring (and looking after) his career, wishing always the best for this very delightful character.

I won't discuss the merits of Under Vesuvius anymore, because fans of Decius will know what I'm going to write about. But let me just say that I feel very sad, because the next book I'm going to read will be the second to the last in the (existing) series :( Hurry up hurry up with SPQR XIV, Mr. Roberts. Please. After all, XIII is a very unlucky number, innit?

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine addition to a solid, entertaining, and informative Roman era mystery series. Decius is at the height of his power, right before Caesar takes over. His job is to oversee areas outside Rome in the Italian peninsula, particularly acting as a magistrate. Naturally, everywhere he goes is plagued with particularly challenging troubles.

This particular mystery wasn't the most cryptic of the series but did a nice job of peeling back the decadence and corruption under Rome's fairly civilized exterior. There are more interesting bits of culture and history revealed, and this time he's in Baiae (now mostly underwater) and Vesuvius is making rumbles hinting at future disaster. He is not in the area when it finally erupts in 79 AD (the story is set in 50 BC).

There are minor quibbles with historical terms (courtyard is used a couple times, the proper term is 'atrium') but they do not detract from the overall entertainment.

[Lance McMurchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this is the best book in the series that I have read so far. The book has hummer, twists and intrigue. And, for a small book of just under 200 pages, it packs a punch. As well as quality of the mystery itself, the book does well in comparing the life in Rome with that of rich Bay of Naples. When I had finished the book, it left me chucking with a smirk on my face. This is a great read, and not just for those who like Roman based literature.

[Michael Kotsarinis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quite pleasant book of the series. What I really like in this series is the way you get a wealth of information on Roman life in a "natural", unbiased way.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this tale in the SPQR series, Decius is Praetor Peregrinus, which means he'll oversee judicial matters involving resident foreigners through the Italian pennisula. In this particular book, Decius is in the Bay of Naples, along with his loyal freedman Hermes, and family relatives Marcus, in his praetorian retinue. Also accompanying him is his wife, Julia Minor, and two of her friends, Circe (another Julia in the Julii clan) and Antonia, sister of Marcus Antonius (known to modern audiences as Mark Antony).

Most of the story takes place in Baiae, a coastal town that is opulent and luxurious. Decius is expecting a relaxing year in office, as it's more of "a vacation with duty hours." Soon enough, Decius gets himself involved in murder investigation, that soon gets out of hand, with multiple murders all linked. Cicero makes a cameo, and his freedman Tiro gets to stand as lawyer in a court presided by Decius.

I don't really want to think about how there are only 2 more books in the series after this one. JMR's Decius Caecilius Metellus has become a favorite character, and I'm going miss him when I finish the series. This story was fun, with Decius constantly comparing Rome with the more laidback coastal Bay of Naples, and how even though they are Roman citizens, he still views them as being foreigners, since most of them are more Greek than Roman. He's also happy to be out of Rome, so he doesn't have to listen to people constantly talk about Pompey and Caesar (the civil war is fast approaching). He's blissfully happy, until well over halfway through the book they are finally mentioned.

There's a good mystery in this one. I didn't start to figure out whodunit until Decius himself started to suspect. There is even some action sequences been bandits set upon Decius as he and some of his men are riding into town. Overall, a fun, enjoying story in the SPQR series.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Returning to this author after years away, I could pick up quite easily because his characters are so solid and well drawn. And this one was in the shadow of Vesuvius pre the 79 AD eruption. Which made for lovely detail of descriptions in and on the estates that the primes spent in their year of duties for the province. 3.5 stars, but I cannot round it up only for the surrounds of Naples.

Because I didn't think the plot was all that poignant, nor were any of the elite company owning much good intent for the time deciphering the murderer or their crew. But it puts me back into their epoch of Roman Peace just before Julius and I look forward to continuing the journeys (mostly in litters) going down the Via and of course always returning to Rome.

Having a Caesar as his wife, sure gives the onus for some more interesting plots ahead than this one played out to be.

The writing is easy read but there are always so many characters and some have similar names, of course. So that makes these novels, though short, hard to get into or sustain embedding at times. This one had dozens introduced. And at the parties/ fetes and with court/ trial etc.- that number was hard to follow, IMHO. Still John Maddox Roberts does a good job giving most of the characters considerable depth despite their numbers so that the recognition does eventually cement in their various cabals.

The slaves and freed servants of the mighty always have it far, far worse in outcomes. Here was no exception.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this 11th of the series, the author is thoroughly into his stride with another enjoyable, engaging and non-anachronistic read in the Decius Metellus series.

Here, he is Praetor, having to judge cases in Baiae, a wealthy, liberated town near Vesuvius, a former Greek colony.

A Numidian slave-trader’s son is accused of murdering a young daughter of a priest and Decius, with wife Julia’s and ex-slave Hermes’ assistance has to unravel a tangled web. Several suspects and further murders complicate and the wealthy and the powerful pressure him as Cicero makes a crucial appearance in a well-resolved mystery.

[Maj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this one was fun. It kept me guessing and it dangled Cicero in front of my eyes (if not fully utilising him) a few times. And my dear Tiro. Cameos, but they counted.
Decius, as a man of power, gravitas and pietas is maturing nicely, and working much better than I would have anticipated, based on his early wild Roman days.

This is a 5/5 in the context of the series, definitely among the best. Obviously, it's hardly a literary masterpiece, but it breaths life into my favourite period of Ancient Rome and it does it brilliantly.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Maddox Roberts produces another in the SPQR mystery series in Under Vesuvius. Now Praetor , Decius Caecilius Metellus has to unravel several murders in the normally luxuriant Baiae in the Bay of Naples not used to the crime and mayhem of Rome. His sometimes haughty style damages both his investigation and trial over which he presides. His wife Julia, relative of Caesar, provides the insights to resolve the crimes. I remain a sucker for anything Roman.

[Thomas W Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of Fun--Good Mystery Set in Roman Times

Decius Caecillius Metellus is now Praetor for Foreigners. His official visit to the enchanting resort city of Baiea in southern Italy gives the uber-magistrate an opportunity to sit in judgment AND investigate a series of in murders. Mostly women victims.

Great fun. More exotic settings and brilliantly drawn characters.

Highly recommend.

[Crazytourists_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Αρκετά συμπαθητικό βιβλίο της σειράς στην οποία πρωταγωνιστεί ο Δέκιος Καικίλιο Μέτελος.
Αρκετά τολμηρό και καλογραμμενο. Κρατάει το ενδιαφέρον αν και η λύση του μυστηρίου έρχεται αρκετά απότομα στα τελευταίο κεφάλαιο.
Διαβάζεται ευχάριστα και αυτό είναι το σημαντικό για τον συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο.

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Maddox Roberts books are always entertaining and interesting and this one is no exception. This is another enjoyable story featuring the Roman detective Decius Metellus who has climbed the cursus honorum to become a judge and is thoroughly enjoying the perks but still cannot resist investigating crimes himself.

[Lena_makridina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss good old days.

Ambushes and assassination attempts, street brawling with a castetos and a dagger. Decius is too respectable now, a Roman magistrate. Too many extras around him now.

I have a sneaking suspicion that John Maddox Roberts misses good old days too and that's why only two more books is left in the series.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sad this series is ending in only two more books. The characters are old friends. If you like the Marcus Didius Falco books, give this series a try. It's not as overtly funny as Lindsay Davis' books, but really well done.

[Jacqueline Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an improvement on the last book in the series! A colorful cast of characters and a plot that kept me guessing. I especially enjoyed the step outside Rome (although I love Rome) into Baiae and the surrounding areas.
A great summer read.

[paolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a pleasure read Maddox. Well written nice plot.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at a wave of murders outside Rome, in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.

Odd hearing the characters being complacent about the volcano when you know what is coming for them in coming years.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining entry in this consistently good historical crime series set in ancient Rome. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by the always impeccable John Lee.

[Gustavo Vicent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me hubiera gustado un poco más de contexto y explicación más extensa, con detalles, descripciones... de las provincias romanas, pero esta interesante.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decius is now Praetor Peregrinus and finally holds a position with imperium - real power. He has begun his period as praetor in Campania, the popular resort area. This means Decius is dealing with businessmen, not politicians for a change & he remarks a few times how odd it is Caesar & Pompey are never mentioned.
The first murder happens shortly after his arrival, the daughter of a priest was killed while bathing & the main suspect is a Numidian slaver's son. This gives Decius all the authority he needs to take over. He thinks the son is innocent. Then the slaver himself is killed. Then a slave girl. The civic dignitaries are in an uproar. Can he solve these murders and prevent a riot?
Decius is at his noble, snoopy best in this murder. He has the help of Hermes & Julia as usual, with cameos from Cicero as well.
Great mystery, lots of twists, told with plenty of details of Roman life at the period and the usual humor.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the SPQR books in sequential order up to this book (#11). IMHO, this is the best of the series (so far). A read page turner, it drove me on and on ("Who did it?"). I never even saw it coming. The author writes very tight plots. He introduces all the pertinent characters in the beginning so you don't get lost. He carries the story of the book (before the one you're reading) in a short summary in order to keep the reader oriented (in case it's been awhile since you've read the previous book). And all the while he's keeping the bigger picture in the background (Pompey, Caesar, Marc Antony, Cleopatra etc) so you know about what time period our hero and his wife (and freedman Hermes) are in. Very enjoyable series that puts readers into Roman politics of the time. I highly recommend these!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decius cannot seem to go a day without finding a body, in the idyllic, Italian resort town of Baiae, where as the foreign praetor, he must hold court and dispense justice.

A beautiful, prominent, and much sort after young lady is murdered. The seemingly guilty young man, who was one of her suitors, seems, to the experienced eyes of Decius the younger, to not be the guilty party. A complex investigation ensues, which uncovers a great deal of social deception, economic intrigue, and corruption amongst the powerful. The usual.

The young man was not murderer, rather his stepmother did the deed, for the obvious reasons. Inheritance. A fact obvious in hindsight, and after being revealed by our diligent investigator.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decius Metellus has risen in the ranks to praetor peregrinus. He's a judge, but he must do his judging outside of Rome and so we find him in Campania. But even in this idyllic place, murder and mystery follow Decius. He must discover the murderer of a priest's daughter and prevent the mob from taking "justice" into their own hands. Once again, Roberts has constructed a very satisfying tale full of details of the daily life of the ancients. He does this so very well - all those facts are woven into the mystery so intricately that one learns without even realizing that one is learning! Maybe the best way to do it...

[Argum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decius has been elected to the praetorship from the previous book. He is assigned to foreigners in the Italian peninsula. He visits Baiae and finds a very relaxed very decadent group of locals. The priest's daughter is killed and a slaver's son is accused. Decius doesn't think he did it so tries to help. He finds dark secrets in the place instead and more soon die. Julia helps and she has crazy girlfriends with her on the trip. As usual you can't solve the mystery suspect wise with information at hand, but you can get the motive straight or different pieces put together. A bit of hand waving, but nothing contradictory in the foundation of the story.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

"like a vacation with duty hours""
A pleasant duty round as Praetor in Campania erupts into violence when a young girl is found murdered and her admirer is accused of the killing. But Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger believes him innocent and hopes to save the youth from the death sentence he himself will otherwise have to proclaim. As possible witnesses also start to disappear or die, finding the needed proof becomes almost impossible. Twists and turns set in a debauched society even by Roman standards all told with deliciously dry humour and, as usual, nicely narrated by John Lee. Delicious

[Vicki Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decius is one of my favorite characters. The first book in the series, , was the first Roman mystery I had read, and it got me hooked on the genre. I like Decius because he's slightly irreverent and smart-alecky, but he still has some respect for his aristocratic family (the Caecillii Metelli) and for "the way things are done." He is now praetor peregrinus and gets to travel around Italy presiding over cases involving foreigners. Mayhem ensues.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleventh in the SPQR series set at the time of Julius Caesar. Like the others, it is a fun read with good humor as well as a good plotted mystery.

This time Decius Metellus is south of Rome in the Vesuvius area, Rome's resort district, fulling his obligations judging cases involving foreigners. As he enjoys the luxury of the area, there are a series of murders, efforts to cover up, etc. which he unravels.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one. Out of Rome and into the luxurious district of Baiae we get to see another side of Decius. In Rome Decius often comes off as a bit lazy as he isn't as ambitious as many of the other members of his family, but in Baiae he seems like the most hard-working guy around. The mystery was good and twisted, but the only thing I didn't like was who actually ended up being the killer.