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Marcus Corvinus #15
Solid Citizens
December, AD39. While enjoying the Winter Festival holiday at his adopted daughter’s home in the Alban Hills, Marcus Corvinus discovers that an outwardly respectable pillar of the community, local politician Quintus Caesius has been discovered beaten to death at the rear entrance of the town brothel.
Questioning those who knew the victim, Corvinus is dismayed to find Bovillae a place of small town secrets, bitter feuds, malicious gossip and deadly a world away from the sophistication of Rome. As he is to discover, there are several suspects with reason to bear Caesius a grudge. But who would hate him enough to kill him? And what would a supposedly solid citizen be doing visiting the local brothel?
Questioning those who knew the victim, Corvinus is dismayed to find Bovillae a place of small town secrets, bitter feuds, malicious gossip and deadly a world away from the sophistication of Rome. As he is to discover, there are several suspects with reason to bear Caesius a grudge. But who would hate him enough to kill him? And what would a supposedly solid citizen be doing visiting the local brothel?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
David Wishart
57 books95 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Historical crime writer David Wishart was born in Arbroath, Scotland. He studied Classics - Latin and Greek - at Edinburgh University and after graduation taught for four years in a secondary school.
He then retrained as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language and worked abroad for eleven years, in Kuwait, Greece and Saudi Arabia. He returned to Scotland in 1990 and now lives with his family in Carnoustie, mixing writing with teaching EFL and study skills at Dundee University.
Historical crime writer David Wishart was born in Arbroath, Scotland. He studied Classics - Latin and Greek - at Edinburgh University and after graduation taught for four years in a secondary school.
He then retrained as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language and worked abroad for eleven years, in Kuwait, Greece and Saudi Arabia. He returned to Scotland in 1990 and now lives with his family in Carnoustie, mixing writing with teaching EFL and study skills at Dundee University.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 9, 2022
Read this book in 2013, and its the 15th volume of the sublime "Marcus Corvinus" mystery series.
The year is AD 39, December, during the reign of Emperor Caligula, and Marcus Corvinus and his wife, Perilla, are visiting their adopted daughter and her husband in the Alban Hills enjoying the Winter Festival.
It will become even more enjoying for Corvinus when he start to investigate the murder of the local politician, Quintus Caesius, who's beaten to death at the rear entrance of the town brothel.
This place called, Bovillae, is a town full with secrets, bitter feuds, malicious gossip and deadly rivalry, and in this environment of hate and distrust Corvinus must find his culprit in a field full of suspects.
He will discover that several had an enormous grudge against Caesius, but who was willing enough to kill him for it, and why in this manner.
Also the question remains what a solid citizen was doing in a brothel, and these factors will play an important part in solving this murder, and that will be accomplished with the invaluable help of one very intelligent and clever woman, Corvinus's wife Perilla.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling Roman mystery, in which Corvinus and Perilla excel in solving this mystery with cunning actions by Corvinus and wit from Perilla, and that combination will eventually reveal the culprit behind this murder in a most fascinating fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another marvellous addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Great Solid Citizens"!
The year is AD 39, December, during the reign of Emperor Caligula, and Marcus Corvinus and his wife, Perilla, are visiting their adopted daughter and her husband in the Alban Hills enjoying the Winter Festival.
It will become even more enjoying for Corvinus when he start to investigate the murder of the local politician, Quintus Caesius, who's beaten to death at the rear entrance of the town brothel.
This place called, Bovillae, is a town full with secrets, bitter feuds, malicious gossip and deadly rivalry, and in this environment of hate and distrust Corvinus must find his culprit in a field full of suspects.
He will discover that several had an enormous grudge against Caesius, but who was willing enough to kill him for it, and why in this manner.
Also the question remains what a solid citizen was doing in a brothel, and these factors will play an important part in solving this murder, and that will be accomplished with the invaluable help of one very intelligent and clever woman, Corvinus's wife Perilla.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling Roman mystery, in which Corvinus and Perilla excel in solving this mystery with cunning actions by Corvinus and wit from Perilla, and that combination will eventually reveal the culprit behind this murder in a most fascinating fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another marvellous addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Great Solid Citizens"!
July 14, 2015
I was thrilled to read this recent installment in the Marcus Corvinus mystery series! Our sardonic, irreverent detective, Marcus, and wife, Perilla, are visiting son-in-law Carus, a doctor, and adopted daughter Marilla, in the country, for the Winter Festival [i.e., Saturnalia] holiday. Soon after the visitors arrive, Marcus is asked by the head of the local senate to investigate the murder of a pillar of the community, the "Solid Citizen", Quintus Caecius, whose body has been found near the local brothel, of all places. Marcus Corvinus is soon embroiled in the investigation. He uncovers non-salubrious facts about the town leaders and brings to light long-buried secrets. After two more gruesome murders, Carus examines the bodies and displays his forensic knowledge, such as it was back then in 39 A.D.. There's also a domestic dispute and fistfight among the 'bought help' [i.e., slaves] as to who is responsible for what, since there are servants from more than one household. After the murders are solved and everything else sorted out, everyone happily celebrates the Winter Festival. I always enjoy the domestic upset--a bit of comic relief--in each novel as much as I enjoy the 'whodunnit'. Wishart's mysteries have been getting tighter, better constructed and more complicated with each book.
July 8, 2023
I'm getting close to the end.of this series and I don't know if there are going to be any more written so I am trying to read slower, it's not working out though, the books are too good, I start to read and can't put it down, I'll refer it when I get to the end of the series I know I will but I can't help myself when I get something I enjoy I'm a compulsive reader. Corvinus is this episode is back in Castrimoenium with Perilla visiting his foster daughter Marilla and her husband Clarus, his mother and stepfather will also be joining the family in a few days. It's the family's favourite holiday of the year in a few days, the Winter Festival a five day celebration where the slaves get to be in charge and the masters become slaves, it can be a time of much fun and practical jokes. A delegate arrives from the neighbouring town of Bovillia, Corvinus helped solve a murder there three years ago and it turns out there been another one and the local officials want Corvinus to find out who murdered him. Perilla is not best pleased but Corvinus always gets bored on holiday anyway and is happy to see what he can do. The dead man is a local official and he was found with his head bashed in outside a brothel, where he had obviously just left......................................
July 30, 2019
Solid Citizens has Corvinus trying to go on vacation before Saturnalia, but asked to investigate a murder in the small town.
What to Expect
Seems like every time Corvinus goes to the country-side villa to visit family, someone gets killed. This time it's in the neighbouring town of Bovillae, and it's senate is asking him to solve the murder for them - because it all looks messy and they'd rather not get personally involved.
Wish the cynical title, we get treated to Corvinus' visits and examination of slave life, in particular that of prostitution and how the establishment (and the afore-mentioned solid citizens) treat them. My own Felix would certainly approve of his brothel visits. The mystery aspect is a bit slow to start, but is nicely surprising in an Agatha Christie kind of way - and, of course, the background of the impending holidays is always good fun.
This is book 15 of the series, and though it's not part of the "political" novels it helps if you know the existing characters.
What I liked
I love Corvinus and am going through the series in order. Wishart keeps an excellent balance of humour and suspense, of Roman trivia and mystery writing which make this series a pleasure to read.
Wishart breathes life into all his characters, and you can just see their realistic interactions. Corvinus in particular has a most unique voice that is a joy to read, though throughout the series Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. It makes for very enjoyable experience for lovers of those genres - we're not reading in Latin, after all, so taking a purist view is in itself a untenable proposition.
What to be aware of
Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to Saturnalia as winter Festival). I find this a bit diluting the experience of Rome, which is a big factor to anyone reading Roman-era fiction.
Summary
This is an another classic whodunit in the series, which fans of the series and the genre would no doubt enjoy. If you like cosy mysteries and Roman-era detectives (e.g. by the likes of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, and Ruth Downie), you really need to read the Corvinus series as well.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Seems like every time Corvinus goes to the country-side villa to visit family, someone gets killed. This time it's in the neighbouring town of Bovillae, and it's senate is asking him to solve the murder for them - because it all looks messy and they'd rather not get personally involved.
Wish the cynical title, we get treated to Corvinus' visits and examination of slave life, in particular that of prostitution and how the establishment (and the afore-mentioned solid citizens) treat them. My own Felix would certainly approve of his brothel visits. The mystery aspect is a bit slow to start, but is nicely surprising in an Agatha Christie kind of way - and, of course, the background of the impending holidays is always good fun.
This is book 15 of the series, and though it's not part of the "political" novels it helps if you know the existing characters.
What I liked
I love Corvinus and am going through the series in order. Wishart keeps an excellent balance of humour and suspense, of Roman trivia and mystery writing which make this series a pleasure to read.
Wishart breathes life into all his characters, and you can just see their realistic interactions. Corvinus in particular has a most unique voice that is a joy to read, though throughout the series Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. It makes for very enjoyable experience for lovers of those genres - we're not reading in Latin, after all, so taking a purist view is in itself a untenable proposition.
What to be aware of
Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to Saturnalia as winter Festival). I find this a bit diluting the experience of Rome, which is a big factor to anyone reading Roman-era fiction.
Summary
This is an another classic whodunit in the series, which fans of the series and the genre would no doubt enjoy. If you like cosy mysteries and Roman-era detectives (e.g. by the likes of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, and Ruth Downie), you really need to read the Corvinus series as well.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
January 9, 2018
It was so good to return to Marcus Corvinus, my favourite Roman detective! A completely involving mystery story combined with a full range of fascinating (and rather badly behaved) characters. I was delighted to see that Marcus's problems with the bought help continue... always a source of great humour in these books.
September 1, 2019
I love historical crime drama, so I was pleased to find david wishart. I am truley hooked, but one thing i was dissapointed in was that there was no description of the wedding. at the end of one book it said, "We had a wedding to arrange" at the begining of the next one the wedding was well and trul
y over. As a lynsey davies fan as well, I tend to think that a small epilogue or prologue at the begining of the next would have been good. I think as a woman Lynsey would have done this. This shows the difference between what men and women think is important, as i noticed we had quite a detailed decription of the trial. other than this I love the books and am still catching up ,just about to start Trade secrets.
y over. As a lynsey davies fan as well, I tend to think that a small epilogue or prologue at the begining of the next would have been good. I think as a woman Lynsey would have done this. This shows the difference between what men and women think is important, as i noticed we had quite a detailed decription of the trial. other than this I love the books and am still catching up ,just about to start Trade secrets.
June 18, 2017
Another good instalment in the series. Fans of Marcus Corvinus are getting exactly what they are expecting.
The well known countryside around Bovillae during the Saturnalia is the setting for a mystery which is decent and straightforward.
Marilla and Clarus now have their own household and the usual comic relief topic is revolving around that. Two majordomos and their power struggle - pretty funny - and for once Marcus is putting his foot down.
An entertaining read once more.
The well known countryside around Bovillae during the Saturnalia is the setting for a mystery which is decent and straightforward.
Marilla and Clarus now have their own household and the usual comic relief topic is revolving around that. Two majordomos and their power struggle - pretty funny - and for once Marcus is putting his foot down.
An entertaining read once more.
August 26, 2017
A good, entertaining mystery about classical Rome. It lacks the charm and depth of Lindsay Davis, but the plot is sound, with plenty of clues (and red herrings) and a detective with enough jaundiced doggedness to be engaging.
July 8, 2018
A solid read, but a tad plebeian in scope. Corruption on the dock, insurance, and so forth. ho-hum.
April 18, 2021
Murder mystery set in a Roman suburb in AD 39. Saturnalia. Good plotting and dialogue. Enjoyable read.
January 7, 2016
I struggled with reading this book. I’ll admit I’m not much of a mystery fan, and this book is put forth as a mystery, so maybe that contributes to my dislike. But I think I could have accepted the various clues, leads, and other elements of the mystery aspect if the story wasn’t told in such a beleaguered style. The main character, an experienced stereotypical detective, delves hither and yon through Rome and its suburbs trying to find out who murdered a prominent citizen. Then, once each ‘event’ concludes, he takes the reader through an analysis of what he’s just learned. The conversations as well as the narratives are filled with what I suppose are British anachronisms. For example, everyone in the tavern is referred to as a ‘punter.’ Sometimes his musings to himself and others are so loaded with quirks of speech, it’s difficult to figure out exactly what he’s trying to say. If this were part of the mystery, that would be one thing, but instead it seems the author intends these passages to be humorous, or at least entertaining. Not my cup of tea, old boy.
August 16, 2013
Before receiving David Wishart’s new novel Solid Citizens, I’d already read Ovid, Germanicus, and Sejanus, also Roman mysteries by the same author. I discovered that Solid Citizens is actually the fifteenth Marcus Corvinus mystery.
Germanicus has a much more epic scale, weaving the mystery around the mysterious deaths of the Julio-Claudians, and featuring prominent historical figures. In Solid Citizens, though, Corvinus is having a Winter Festival holiday in a quiet town when the mystery unfolds. City reputations are at state, and not the fate of the entire Roman empire (and therefore much of Western civilization), but a mild and middle-aged Corvinus still gets up to his old tricks, harassing the local bigwigs and snooping around.
Read the rest (contains mild spoilers).
Germanicus has a much more epic scale, weaving the mystery around the mysterious deaths of the Julio-Claudians, and featuring prominent historical figures. In Solid Citizens, though, Corvinus is having a Winter Festival holiday in a quiet town when the mystery unfolds. City reputations are at state, and not the fate of the entire Roman empire (and therefore much of Western civilization), but a mild and middle-aged Corvinus still gets up to his old tricks, harassing the local bigwigs and snooping around.
Read the rest (contains mild spoilers).
July 5, 2014
I picked this up at the library purely because David Wishart is my husband's name - and so I wanted to read it. It is actually part of a series - this is the 12th or 14th book in the series - or something like that.
It is a who dunnit mystery set in Roman times. I actually enjoyed it as a light read - the mystery was quite complex and I didn't figure out who did it until it was revealed - always a good start.
The author must be related to my husband - as they have the same quirky humor and turn of phrase - so I found this quite enjoyable for that reason alone. I may well read a few of the others.
It is a who dunnit mystery set in Roman times. I actually enjoyed it as a light read - the mystery was quite complex and I didn't figure out who did it until it was revealed - always a good start.
The author must be related to my husband - as they have the same quirky humor and turn of phrase - so I found this quite enjoyable for that reason alone. I may well read a few of the others.
November 19, 2014
An acceptable addition to the Marcus Corvinus series.
The Censor elect in Bovillae has been found murdered behind the local brothel. Bovillae's senate engages Corvinus to solve the crime.
The book has some genuinely funny moments and a very twisted plot.
Set in the run up to the Roman winter festival, Saturnalia, the subplot of trouble between Corvinus major-domo Bathyllus and his son-in-law Clarus' major-domo, Lupercus, is actually more entertaining than the crime.
The resolution of the murder is disappointing, but the finale of the book makes up for it.
Mostly recommended to hardcore Corvinus fans.
The Censor elect in Bovillae has been found murdered behind the local brothel. Bovillae's senate engages Corvinus to solve the crime.
The book has some genuinely funny moments and a very twisted plot.
Set in the run up to the Roman winter festival, Saturnalia, the subplot of trouble between Corvinus major-domo Bathyllus and his son-in-law Clarus' major-domo, Lupercus, is actually more entertaining than the crime.
The resolution of the murder is disappointing, but the finale of the book makes up for it.
Mostly recommended to hardcore Corvinus fans.
July 5, 2015
It is Winter Festival time and the family is all together up at Aunt Marcia's, the old lady died a few books ago so that is not as much fun as it was. The town censor one town over is murdered and found on the doorstep of the local brothel. Marcus is asked to step in. Bodies drop progressively through the story as usual and nasty secrets are uncovered. More fun for the family members than the mystery but nice little mystery altogether.
November 4, 2013
A decent entry into the series, however there was so little new in this book, that I at one point thought I had already read this title. I think Marcus Corvinus needs to go on a world tour to mix things up as David Wishart seems to be out of new challenges in Rome's near countryside. Decent, not boring, but not exciting.
December 20, 2013
Much better than the last one. A bit back and forth and name confusing, but a good representation of a Chandler-style investigation set in old Rome. Amusing bit with the three chiefs of the three related families that get together for the Winter Festival.
April 26, 2014
I really like David Wishart's books. The language may be coarse at times but it helps to set the atmosphere. I just wish British authors were more readily available in the states. This one definitely had me guessing throughout the book. Well written and a good mystery.
January 26, 2018
Enjoyed this. I think. I liked the Wishart wit, but it faded a bit around the middle. As I remember, the finale was also a little opaque. Maybe not quite up to his previous standards.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews