The Londinium Mysteries, Books 1-3

Londinium #1-3

by John Drake

Londinium, 1st Century AD. Meet Ikaros of Apollonius. former soldier, nobleman and engineer

Ikaros’s life was turned upside down when the Romans invaded Britain. Now he lives an arduous life of servitude.

But the opportunity to solve a mysterious murder promises to change that forever.

Included in this three-book set:

Book 1: Death in Londinium
Londinium, 1st century AD. Wealthy nobleman and native Celt Fabius Scorteus wants Roman citizenship. To gain it, he is willing to fund a new structure for the Imperial Baths. Fabius enlists the help of the best engineer in the Ikaros, his Greek servant. If the project succeeds, Fabius will make Ikaros a free man. But plans are derailed when one of Fabius’s family members is murdered. Ikaros must employ his formidable skills and strategic acumen to catch the killer.

Book 2: Games in Londinium
All is not well in Londinium. As the governor plans his impressive games, others see an opportunity to rebel and further their own agendas. When bodies start turning up, Ikaros turns to military hero Morganus for help. Can they find a link behind the Celtic unrest and the brutal murders?

Book 3: Gods in Londinium
In Londinium, rebellion looms large. As Ikaros and Morganus unveil scandalous murders and druidic cults, a larger conspiracy against the Roman Empire is brewing. Ikaros must navigate the growing tensions between the native Celts and its Roman occupiers. In doing so, he’s drawn into negotiations that may spell the end of Roman rule in Britain. But before he can help, Ikaros must determine where his true loyalties lie.

Genres: Historical Mystery

1118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2023

About the author

Just in case anyone's interested ... my latest Fletcher (Flying Machine) is up and running and selling well. Happy days.

I have just finished the third of my Londinium books (that's Roman London AD 100) and it should be out later this year: 'Gods in Londium'. My usual mixture of bloodstained savagery, plus authentic period detail.

Moving further on ...

'The Fletcher Companion' (all you need to know about Fletcher and his world), will also be available some time this year.

Beyond that, the next Fletcher for March 2023 (if the Lord spares me) will be 'Fletcher and the Constitution'. That's the US Constitution, and it's in deadly peril.

Mind how you go.

John Drake

Reviews

[Mary Heron]

An intriguing set of books they are mysteries set in Roman occupied Brittania set 40 years after the Bouddica rebellion. The main character is a Greek slave Ikaris of Appolonius who was enslaved after the destruction of his city ten years previously. Before this be had been at points in his life a soldier, a senator, a surgeon and a lawyer, he is one of the most intelligent men in the world and has an intuitive understanding of humans and human nature, causing the superstitious Brute and Romans to see him as a magical being who can read minds. The most enjoyable part of the books (for me) is the friendship which develops between Ikaris and the Roman soldiers set to guard him, Marcellius is the highest ranking soldier within the ranks, known as the first spear and he is the most decorated soldier in the army, he is also famous throughout the Roman Empire. Poor Marcellus has the unfortunate job of trying to keep Ikaris under control..........no easy feat.....but the love and respect these two men develop for each other is a really nice touch added to what are great mysteries.........

[Kathie Bouchard]

I just finished John Drake's trilogy set in Roman Britain in Emperor Trajans reign. I loved the development of the characters of a brilliant Greek slave with a tragic past and a steadfast Roman officer whose lives become linked in the attempt to solve a murder. Drakes well researched knowledge of Roman Britain, its laws, politics and religions, provides the framework but his characters bring the story to life. The mental toll of slavery, the clash of cultures of conquerer and conquered and of the belief systems of magic versus science underlie each story. The mysteries are complex and well written despite some errors of spelling in the kindle addition. I was totally engrossed by the 3 stories which build to a strong climax.

[Martin Nunn]

Sherlock of the Romans.

Thoroughly good read. The books brought the Roman occupation of Britain to life, even if not completely accurate as confessed by the author.
I can only give 4 stars due to the typos throughout the 3 books; extra letters in words, extra words in sentences and missing spaces between words. Just enough to keep the reader on their toes but not enough to ruin the books for a pedant like me.
Highly recommended.

[John Kirkup]

intriguing

I read this books so I could have a change from my usual ones and have been totally won over be them. The style of writing, the insight into another, be it part fictional or not has held my interest and added to the enjoyment of the books. A real pleasure and that feeling of being sad that I finished. The main characters became like friends. Well done John Drake and thank you

[Peggy Richter]

Most excellent

I love good historical fiction and this is one of the best. A believable autobiography of a Greek in the early Roman empire. I'm delighted to have found this series and enjoyed the story of a clever, brave, but flawed hero. One hopes in the fictional world he continued to live well, love his wife, and have many clever children and that his centurion friend did likewise

[Darrell L]

a creative and worthy story teller John Drake

This three volume story set was very well done!. The flow and continuity of the characters actions made each page light up. I wish there were more of Mr.Drakes work concerning Rome and Britain available . However I’m pleased that Amazon Prime offered these. Good mysteries, entertaining subplots peopled by believable characters. Thank you John Drake. I wish you further success.

[Jan Mc]

A complete delight

I thoroughly enjoyed this series of three books about a Greek slave working with a Roman soldier to solve mysteries in ancient London. Great characters and lots of history woven into a well crafted story. Highly recommended for historical mystery lovers as well as military fiction readers. I wish the Kindle version had been better edited, but it didn’t trip me up.

[Joy Turvey]

Fun and interesting to read

An enjoyable read for those who find historical settings interesting. It is fiction with sufficient fact to have you think how things were & how different it all is now. It doesn’t matter when in history it is/was the way people behave doesn’t seem to change much.

[J Barton]

Binge Worthy

All human life is here, love, hate, pride, honesty, courage, selfishness, acceptance, bigotry friendship family, regret, pride. A fascinating set of stories set in Roman Britain by a skilled and talented author who brought the characters to life and makes you care about their triumphs and misfortunes. THANK You

[Nancy C. Anthony]

Loved every bit o this series

I am a reader. It is not often that a book grabs me like these did. I confess that I studied Latin. But I knew little about the Roman occupation of Britain. I read them straight through and hated to finish them. I am going to move on to the next series right away.

[Terry]

Awesome historical fiction

A refreshing series completely absent of the modern apologetics woven into so many writers work when telling a story of ancient people. Many unexpected twists and clever insights that keep this series interesting until the last page.

[Su Littleford]

Hail Londinium

I absolutely loved each book not merely because I've always been fascinated by Roman rule of Britannia but because the characters are so alive. Thank you for a wonderful fictional history lesson. I'm from Deva so the history is real for me.

[Val Harris]

Gripping Series set in Roman Britain

Binge read all three books wish there were more. The two main characters work so well together and bring a whole new take to the Roman crime genre.

[Desertlass]

Very entertaining reads. I love the humorously sarcastic attitude of the author (as displayed by the protagonist). Be prepared, however, there are LOTS of typos, missed words, unedited errors. It was fun learning about Roman Britannia.

[TERESA FAGAN]

I loved it

I love this author. I thoroughly enjoy the camaraderie. I am truly amazed by the storytelling. Can't wait to read more of his books!

[MRS V JOHNSON]

Superb

Loved this, felt as if I were there when reading! Did not want it to end, please write more and go into book print so I can buy the books.

[Bob Lamb]

I gave up. Very slow moving the story forward of “who dunit”. Instead it presented lots of info about Roman occupied England. I may pick it back up…enjoyed the characters.

[Keith]

Big fan of Mr. Drake. Thoroughly enjoyed these 3 books. To me these stories are a Roman version of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Engaging reading.