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Marcus Corvinus #7
White Murder
When Pegasus, racing mega-star and lead driver of the Whites faction, is found stabbed to death in the alleyway beside a wineshop, Marcus Corvinus is already on site. The local District Watch - crooked to a man - claim that the killer's motive was a simple theft. Tracking the murderer down with the often-unwilling help of his wife Perilla takes Marcus deep into the murky world of Roman chariot-racing with all its secrets, skulduggeries and scams; and his task is not made any easier by the fact that in the process he has a lovesick major-domo, an invisible dagger and Mount Etna to contend with.
518 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2002
25 people are currently reading
122 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 22, 2023
This begins when Corvinus is on site when a body is found stabbed to death in an alley down the side of the wine bar he happens to be drinking in. The watch when called declare the murder a robbery something Corvinus knows to be intrudes he examined the body and he still had.his.purse (full) on him.The victim is a major celebrity, one.of the chariot drivers who race in the colosseum so Corvinus.cannot let this go, the man had obviously been waiting for someone and he was not popular within his own group. The racing is split into.four factions, the reds, whites, blues and greens. The greens and blues are the stars with the reds and whites just making up the numbers. But all that's about to change the whites have got themselves a talented thoroughbred and with the right driver they expect great things. Pegasus was supposed to be that driver. This is a hard case for.Corvinus the facilitator s a closed shop and information is hard to.come.by, added to which you have the gambling organisations that do not like purple strikers hiding around their.buisness................. This is a hard one.for.Corvinus and also.a very sad one by the end although there is some light relief as Corvinus s major domo Bathlyyus is in love and the whole household get s involved in the romance......................
February 7, 2022
Read this book in 2009, and its the 9th volume of the amazing "Marcus Corvinus" series.
In this tale it will start with the murder of Pegasus, racing mega-star and lead driver of the White faction, and he's found stabbed in an alleyway beside a favourite shop of Marcus Corvinus and already on site, a wine-shop.
To track down the murderer, with the help from his intelligent wife, Perilla, is a must for Marcus Corvinus will have to enter the murky world of chariot-racing, with all its secrets, skulduggeries and scams, and in this environment Corvinus must somehow find his culprit, but at the same time he's got to deal with a lovesick major-domo, an invisible dagger as well as Mount Etna.
What is to follow is that after some hard digging and a lot of questions, Corvinus will start to see a pattern and a solution towards solving this murderous mystery, and after some twists and turns, followed by a well executed plot he'll be able to reveal to Pegasus's killer.
Highly recommended, for this is another marvellous addition to this splendid series, and that's why I like to call this episode: A Captivating White Murder"!
In this tale it will start with the murder of Pegasus, racing mega-star and lead driver of the White faction, and he's found stabbed in an alleyway beside a favourite shop of Marcus Corvinus and already on site, a wine-shop.
To track down the murderer, with the help from his intelligent wife, Perilla, is a must for Marcus Corvinus will have to enter the murky world of chariot-racing, with all its secrets, skulduggeries and scams, and in this environment Corvinus must somehow find his culprit, but at the same time he's got to deal with a lovesick major-domo, an invisible dagger as well as Mount Etna.
What is to follow is that after some hard digging and a lot of questions, Corvinus will start to see a pattern and a solution towards solving this murderous mystery, and after some twists and turns, followed by a well executed plot he'll be able to reveal to Pegasus's killer.
Highly recommended, for this is another marvellous addition to this splendid series, and that's why I like to call this episode: A Captivating White Murder"!
July 14, 2015
Around the hippodrome [racetrack] and into the Winner's Circle for Marcus Corvinus!! The mysteries are getting better and better with each book in the series; we still have the same wisecracking Marcus, his astute wife Perilla and their quirky domestic staff. This book was over 600 pp., but not a word was superfluous. This was an enjoyable light mystery I read quickly. And I learned a lot about the sport of chariot racing at the time the story was set--that of the Emperor Tiberius aka 'The Wart'. I recommend this novel highly! This Marcus Corvinus is one of my favorites of his mysteries, along with Food for the Fishes.
White murder concerns the shadowy, scam-filled world of chariot racing in Rome. A megastar driver named Pegasus of the White faction is knifed in an alleyway off a wineshop. Marcus just happens to be in the tavern. Of course, he has to jump into an investigation of the death and he feels something's not quite right. This is not a simple, straightforward murder by someone wanting to steal Pegasus's money, so there's more to the death than meets the eye. The trail leads to each of the four racing factions: Green, Blue, White, Red, their bosses and personnel. Two other faction personnel are murdered, and the Whites' star horse, Polydoxus, is poisoned. Marcus doggedly follows lead after lead. Either Perilla convinces him as to the logic [or illogic] of his conclusions, she comes up with possibilities, or he himself has second thoughts. Many leads are promising but are either dead ends or red herrings. The couple makes a tourist-cum-investigative trip to Sicily and Marcus barely escapes death. On the domestic front, Marcus has to contend with a lovesick major-domo. Finally, after many twists and turns, everything is neatly and logically explained and all ends tied up.
I best liked the Big Chariot Race that the couple attend, as guests of the Whites' boss, both the action, along with Marcus's irreverent comments. Also, I enjoyed the trip to Sicily, especially to Mt. Etna. The attempted asassination was pretty chilling. The 'Author's Note' gave a short, informative history of the history of chariot racing in Rome, then in Constantinople when the western empire fell.
White murder concerns the shadowy, scam-filled world of chariot racing in Rome. A megastar driver named Pegasus of the White faction is knifed in an alleyway off a wineshop. Marcus just happens to be in the tavern. Of course, he has to jump into an investigation of the death and he feels something's not quite right. This is not a simple, straightforward murder by someone wanting to steal Pegasus's money, so there's more to the death than meets the eye. The trail leads to each of the four racing factions: Green, Blue, White, Red, their bosses and personnel. Two other faction personnel are murdered, and the Whites' star horse, Polydoxus, is poisoned. Marcus doggedly follows lead after lead. Either Perilla convinces him as to the logic [or illogic] of his conclusions, she comes up with possibilities, or he himself has second thoughts. Many leads are promising but are either dead ends or red herrings. The couple makes a tourist-cum-investigative trip to Sicily and Marcus barely escapes death. On the domestic front, Marcus has to contend with a lovesick major-domo. Finally, after many twists and turns, everything is neatly and logically explained and all ends tied up.
I best liked the Big Chariot Race that the couple attend, as guests of the Whites' boss, both the action, along with Marcus's irreverent comments. Also, I enjoyed the trip to Sicily, especially to Mt. Etna. The attempted asassination was pretty chilling. The 'Author's Note' gave a short, informative history of the history of chariot racing in Rome, then in Constantinople when the western empire fell.
March 17, 2019
White Murder deals with one of Rome's most cherished, most popular sports - chariot racing!
What to Expect
First, of course, is the subject mater. Historically, "Bread and Circuses" - or "games" in general - referred to racing a lot more than it referred to gladiatorial games (the Circus Maximus racing arena was older, and could host at least three times more spectators than the famous Colosseum). Just like soccer or football today it was the true obsession for Roman-era sports fans, at all levels of society (where do you think Caligula got his favourite horse from, before trying to appoint it a senator?)
This novel brings us in-depth treatment of the four "factions" (racing clubs), how they competed both on the track and off it: luring the best drivers, getting the best horses, closely guarding their clubs and ensuring the prime positions. And naturally we also get a glimpse into the darker aspects, from the scams and backstabbing to the large scale organised gambling and crime that were associated with it.
Although this is book 7 of the series and there is some continuity from past books (recurring characters), because events are not related to the previous novels it can be read out of order. Only the first three deal with more historical events (where order is important), and the rest of the series so far are fairly independent mysteries.
What I liked
I absolutely love the treatment of chariot racing (which far eclipsed gladiatorial games at the time), as well as Corvinus' usual sleuthing style. Perilla (his wife) is also a bit more active and present here, which is often missing in other novels, and the B-story (love amongst the bought help) is an entertaining counter-point.
As usual, Wishart's research into and depiction of Roman life is absolutely excellent. The mystery itself is in the style of traditional hard-boiled detective, as he chases clues and suspects around town, and even goes on a field-trip to Sicily.
As with the previous novels, 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 reading for lovers of those genres.
What to be aware of
To give this worthy subject the treatment it deserves, the book's length is comparable to epic fantasy more than your usual detective. Wishart covers a lot of ground in this one - which is not a complaint, as it's highly enjoyable.
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 the Forum as Market Square). I find this a bit diluting the experience of Rome, which is a big factor to anyone reading Roman-era fiction.
Summary
The novel is so far my favourite of the series. If you like Roman-era mysteries by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read the Corvinus series as well. This is as good a starting point as any.
--
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
First, of course, is the subject mater. Historically, "Bread and Circuses" - or "games" in general - referred to racing a lot more than it referred to gladiatorial games (the Circus Maximus racing arena was older, and could host at least three times more spectators than the famous Colosseum). Just like soccer or football today it was the true obsession for Roman-era sports fans, at all levels of society (where do you think Caligula got his favourite horse from, before trying to appoint it a senator?)
This novel brings us in-depth treatment of the four "factions" (racing clubs), how they competed both on the track and off it: luring the best drivers, getting the best horses, closely guarding their clubs and ensuring the prime positions. And naturally we also get a glimpse into the darker aspects, from the scams and backstabbing to the large scale organised gambling and crime that were associated with it.
Although this is book 7 of the series and there is some continuity from past books (recurring characters), because events are not related to the previous novels it can be read out of order. Only the first three deal with more historical events (where order is important), and the rest of the series so far are fairly independent mysteries.
What I liked
I absolutely love the treatment of chariot racing (which far eclipsed gladiatorial games at the time), as well as Corvinus' usual sleuthing style. Perilla (his wife) is also a bit more active and present here, which is often missing in other novels, and the B-story (love amongst the bought help) is an entertaining counter-point.
As usual, Wishart's research into and depiction of Roman life is absolutely excellent. The mystery itself is in the style of traditional hard-boiled detective, as he chases clues and suspects around town, and even goes on a field-trip to Sicily.
As with the previous novels, 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 reading for lovers of those genres.
What to be aware of
To give this worthy subject the treatment it deserves, the book's length is comparable to epic fantasy more than your usual detective. Wishart covers a lot of ground in this one - which is not a complaint, as it's highly enjoyable.
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 the Forum as Market Square). I find this a bit diluting the experience of Rome, which is a big factor to anyone reading Roman-era fiction.
Summary
The novel is so far my favourite of the series. If you like Roman-era mysteries by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read the Corvinus series as well. This is as good a starting point as any.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
September 2, 2019
By my normal standards I should have hated this book because it contains two things I normally hate in mysteries: an overly complicated plot and its huge at over 600 pages. However, something about this book just worked and I really enjoyed it and it never felt like it was dragging. Our charming narrator often repeats his thinking to his equally charming wife which gives the reader a chance to catch up on the main points of the mystery.
The mystery is centred on chariot racing, which, in my experience, is often neglected as a topic in Roman era fiction. I loved delving in this world, which with its scams and betting is a very suitable setting for a murder mystery. It is also clear Wishart has meticulously researched his topic. Stylistically, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life and avoids a lot of Latin terms (e.g. using Market Square for Forum and mantle for toga). I have seen this in other books where it has not worked, but overall, I think Wishart really pulls it off and has a very unique and lively style.
The characters are another highlight of the book. I loved our wine connoisseur narrator and his cultural loving wife who often helps him with his developments in solving the case. The side characters are also fun and I especially loved Bathyllus (a slave of Mardcus Corvinus’) and his love affair and Meton the chef who will get revenge if you are late for his lovingly prepared dinner.
Everything combines to make a smart but light and fun read and although I’m not sure by the end I still understood every detail of the plot I would definitely read another and at some point would even consider a reread of this book.
The mystery is centred on chariot racing, which, in my experience, is often neglected as a topic in Roman era fiction. I loved delving in this world, which with its scams and betting is a very suitable setting for a murder mystery. It is also clear Wishart has meticulously researched his topic. Stylistically, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life and avoids a lot of Latin terms (e.g. using Market Square for Forum and mantle for toga). I have seen this in other books where it has not worked, but overall, I think Wishart really pulls it off and has a very unique and lively style.
The characters are another highlight of the book. I loved our wine connoisseur narrator and his cultural loving wife who often helps him with his developments in solving the case. The side characters are also fun and I especially loved Bathyllus (a slave of Mardcus Corvinus’) and his love affair and Meton the chef who will get revenge if you are late for his lovingly prepared dinner.
Everything combines to make a smart but light and fun read and although I’m not sure by the end I still understood every detail of the plot I would definitely read another and at some point would even consider a reread of this book.
November 11, 2019
This was my first outing with David Wishart. He has a modernising approach to historical fiction which I like as it makes everything more credible than endless arch archaising references. The plot was pleasingly intriguing (I nearly got there....) and there were some nice details en route. I was more than happy with his take on early imperial Rome and though I didn't agree with one of his views about the mechanics of chariot racing that didn't effect anything at all. There's a slight bow to Dorothy Sayers in all this which I rather liked too. The social status of the character and his wife make them far more credible than a rival production... What I didn't like was the implausible ending to the subplot which didn't work at all in my opinion and wrecked the characterisation of its protagonist. It's a bit of a marathon at 600 pages, but an enjoyable one and given the views expressed about Germanicus I shall be back for more as I'm intrigued.
January 26, 2018
This was the second time of reading, the first being the paperback version—my initial encounter with David Wishart. This time, steeped in his other books, I found this one rather lacking. The copious racing details became rather tedious, and it seemed static and slow-moving compared to his other stories. However, all the red herrings were ingenious, and it was satisfying to follow Corvinus' reasoning through to the final surprising denouement. Not to mention Bathyllus's hilarious love affair, which of course I was much better able to appreciate this time.
January 8, 2018
Interesting mystery story
Though very boring at times with details, not a bad read on the whole. The mystery was tangled too much, to the point of annoyance. The author should have some pity towards his readers and not think about the count of pages all the time.
Though very boring at times with details, not a bad read on the whole. The mystery was tangled too much, to the point of annoyance. The author should have some pity towards his readers and not think about the count of pages all the time.
February 24, 2023
A cracking read. All I will say that a murder mystery that keeps you guessing to the end of a 400-odd page book is very well written. David Wishart is consistently brilliant with these Marcus Corvinus books.
January 26, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this. See my review of the Kindle version.
August 21, 2018
Corvinus solves a complex murder, racing, and money mystery.
October 22, 2019
An easy, enjoyable read.
January 15, 2024
I just love this series so much.
August 5, 2011
well...unfortunately I picked up that 7th book from the Macus Corvinus Mysteries...and I really enjoyed it.
I would compare to Steven Saylor (my favourite fiction-history writer) so I have a second chance to enjoy the ancient Roman life wiht very fascinating characters.
Marcus Corvinus, the unusual Roman nobleman, wiht his special interest about wines and wineshops and crimes, is trailing the murderer of the racing mega-star Pegasus, who was stabbed in an alley...
and this leads him to discover the dirty secrets of the racing factions, the Ox Valley and Mount Etna in Sicily, the horse breeding mysteries.
I really enjoyed this book, the characters are very alive, have humour and sparks in their style.
The supporting characters are also very good written, Bathyllus, the love-sick major domo, and the vengeful chef in Corvinus' household...rulez, not to mention Felicula, the Red Boss' wife Cammius the White's Boss and Eutactycus, the bettling carter boss. I wouldn't cross his path...
The crime story is also very spectacular, interesting and at the end...this was a great WOW!
I will definitely read this series!
I would compare to Steven Saylor (my favourite fiction-history writer) so I have a second chance to enjoy the ancient Roman life wiht very fascinating characters.
Marcus Corvinus, the unusual Roman nobleman, wiht his special interest about wines and wineshops and crimes, is trailing the murderer of the racing mega-star Pegasus, who was stabbed in an alley...
and this leads him to discover the dirty secrets of the racing factions, the Ox Valley and Mount Etna in Sicily, the horse breeding mysteries.
I really enjoyed this book, the characters are very alive, have humour and sparks in their style.
The supporting characters are also very good written, Bathyllus, the love-sick major domo, and the vengeful chef in Corvinus' household...rulez, not to mention Felicula, the Red Boss' wife Cammius the White's Boss and Eutactycus, the bettling carter boss. I wouldn't cross his path...
The crime story is also very spectacular, interesting and at the end...this was a great WOW!
I will definitely read this series!
March 7, 2014
As historical fiction it's wonderful. Wishart expertly uses detail, setting, and a modern voice to allow the reader to feel what life was like in Rome at the height of the empire in a way that is always interesting and never pedantic. The main characters are enchanting and realistically drawn, for that matter Wishart manages to pack a lot of personality into even bit characters, such as the devoted but filandering millionaire wife of a faction-master. As mystery, I felt it dragged a bit. There were too many hudred pages that followed the same pattern of: Corvinus goes out and talks to people, comes home and re-hashes it with Perilla, then after she's set him straight he goes back out the next morning to check another lead, repeat, repeat. Even so, it managed to hold my interest, but sometimes just barely. It could have been a little bit tighter and a little bit shorter without losing anything.
October 31, 2013
Once you get used to the narrator's anachronistic voice, it's a decent story: complex plot, a few too many similarly named charaters to keep them straight, but certainly adventurous and entertaining. It's my first Marcus Corvinus mystery and I'm coming in in the middle of the so I expect there's a lot of backstory I don't pick up on but I have the first book "Ovid" on order and understand that it will clear up a lot of my questions about the charaters and their relationships.
June 29, 2015
This book was just too long for its own good. Convoluted motives and scams and yet the big reveal had been a niggling in my mind at least by page 100. Slog through. I do like Corvinus and Perilla and we got a dose of old friends I think all of them by the time we finished. Just too much
March 27, 2008
Okay. Pretty good until the last 20 pages when I got lost as to whodunit. Enjoyed secondary characters of Pudens and wife.
February 10, 2012
Couldn't put this one down. Great plot and plenty of humour. Learned a few things as well.
Read
November 18, 2012I enjoy this series, a combination history and murder. . .yeah.
September 9, 2013
Extra long, and I figured out whodunnit before the end. Better luck next time, I reckon.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews