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Sub Rosa: A Valerius Mystery
Rome, 58 AD.
The dinner party didn’t turn out the way Aemilius Valerius expected. He didn’t expect a place at the main table. He didn’t expect to drink that much. He didn’t expect to hook up with one of the scarier dancers. And he most certainly didn’t expect to trip over the bloody corpse of his host on the floor of the informal dining room.
One man’s grisly murder is another man’s opportunity. Valerius teams up with the investigator, a plebeian with a chip on his shoulder, to discover the killer. Mad Uncle Maro promised it would be a smart career move, but that was before a second senator turned up dead. Now everything points towards a corrupt legion, an imperial assassin, and the emperor’s mother. It might have been smarter to accept that honorary priesthood, stupid hat or not.
The dinner party didn’t turn out the way Aemilius Valerius expected. He didn’t expect a place at the main table. He didn’t expect to drink that much. He didn’t expect to hook up with one of the scarier dancers. And he most certainly didn’t expect to trip over the bloody corpse of his host on the floor of the informal dining room.
One man’s grisly murder is another man’s opportunity. Valerius teams up with the investigator, a plebeian with a chip on his shoulder, to discover the killer. Mad Uncle Maro promised it would be a smart career move, but that was before a second senator turned up dead. Now everything points towards a corrupt legion, an imperial assassin, and the emperor’s mother. It might have been smarter to accept that honorary priesthood, stupid hat or not.
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Published November 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 28, 2023
A historical, murder mystery set in Roman times particularly in the reign of Nero, Sub Rosa by Jennifer Burke has been a treat to read.
The world-building and attention to deal was great and the characters were interesting including the supporting cast. The female characters that were introduced so far had been charming and were quite a personality on their own.
Valerius was funny, laid-back, witty, a bit of a cynic and definitely a product of his time and social status. Despite that however, he was good at the tasked he was given and his sense of justice and inner goodness still shone through the imperfections he had. Atreus was a perfect foil for him - stoic and always tries to do the right thing. Being from the working class, he had a much harder time trying to do his work as he often than not get ignored or berated because of his station.
The two leads didn't start on the right foot, but the developing friendship they had throughout was a joy to witness. Their interactions and banter were fun to read. This is not an MM romance so whatever romantic relationship that might happen would definitely be a slow-burn.
Overall, this was a wonderful historical fiction with fascinating characters with a great, drawn out setting and a very compelling plot and mystery that will lure one in, I do recommend giving it a try.
4 stars out of 5 stars.
I received an ARC of this book and I have chosen to publish my fair and honest review.
The world-building and attention to deal was great and the characters were interesting including the supporting cast. The female characters that were introduced so far had been charming and were quite a personality on their own.
Valerius was funny, laid-back, witty, a bit of a cynic and definitely a product of his time and social status. Despite that however, he was good at the tasked he was given and his sense of justice and inner goodness still shone through the imperfections he had. Atreus was a perfect foil for him - stoic and always tries to do the right thing. Being from the working class, he had a much harder time trying to do his work as he often than not get ignored or berated because of his station.
The two leads didn't start on the right foot, but the developing friendship they had throughout was a joy to witness. Their interactions and banter were fun to read. This is not an MM romance so whatever romantic relationship that might happen would definitely be a slow-burn.
Overall, this was a wonderful historical fiction with fascinating characters with a great, drawn out setting and a very compelling plot and mystery that will lure one in, I do recommend giving it a try.
4 stars out of 5 stars.
I received an ARC of this book and I have chosen to publish my fair and honest review.
January 4, 2024
I would like to thank NetGalley, Jennifer Burke and Level Best Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
3⭐- I like historical mysteries but Sub Rosa has so much information and is very detailed about life/culture in ancient Rome. It was hard to connect to the story especially in the beginning, for me it was nearly a DNF.
However I persisted and ended up loving the mystery part of the story.
3⭐- I like historical mysteries but Sub Rosa has so much information and is very detailed about life/culture in ancient Rome. It was hard to connect to the story especially in the beginning, for me it was nearly a DNF.
However I persisted and ended up loving the mystery part of the story.
October 12, 2023
Stunning really. Historical fiction literature, particularly about the Greeks or Romans is very common. What is less common is do to it well. In particular to so successfully tell a murder mystery story of intrigue and substance with that as playground is very difficult. And yet the novel has managed so spectacularly. From the moment I began reading this novel I could not put it down. The style with which it was written was so engaging. The pages seemed to turn themselves and when the end arrived, I was disappointed by its finality. Simply put, I wished it never to end. With delicious prose and an enchanting cast of characters, this book is a sensation. A true knockout.
November 28, 2023
In my experience, the best historical fiction involves stories that show the more things change, the more they stay the same. After all, people are people throughout history, just occasionally with better hygiene. Valerius is the highlight of this extended cast of characters for a story in which Burke effortlessly blends modern voice with a historical setting to create an accessible peek into a world both different but so similar to our own. This murder mystery might be set a few thousand years ago, but for each element of Valerius’s life that is different from a modern 23-year-old’s, the way people interact with those in and out of their class and social circles is incredibly familiar.
This book is packed with characters from every social class, in an era in which massive households and intricate social and political maneuverings were common. Burke immediately infuses even the most minor characters with enough quick individuality that I never once felt overwhelmed. Our narrator Valerius is a ridiculous delight as our accidental detective, an innocent bystander for the initial crime and swept up in events mostly because he needs something to keep him busy until he’s old enough to take the proper place in the Roman social hierarchy to which he is intended. Luckily, he is assisted in this investigation by a working-class citizen competent enough for the job but needing Valerius’ social connections to open certain doors. Together, they make a solid team, likely surprising themselves most of all. The dynamic between Valerius and Atreus, as it grows from a working relationship to a tentative friendship, is compelling enough that I was never once bored during the drudgery of clue-gathering. Though this book has no more than a hint of romance, the way Valerius crushes on Atreus is both sweet and a lovely way to characterize his overall youth despite his interesting backstory.
Half the fun of reading a mystery is trying to solve the crime before the heroes. I made some solid guesses at about the 60% mark, but I was incredibly satisfied by both what I got wrong and what I caught, especially since Burke makes excellent use of red herrings. Even my correct guesses were much more intricate than I anticipated, making the story even more enjoyable. She also interweaves each component of this mystery with integral elements of Roman society, using her knowledge of various aspects of Roman civilian and military life to craft deft plot twists. I’m pretty sure my knowledge of that place and time has increased a thousand-fold after reading this book, but everything is presented smoothly and at the appropriate time, with nary an info dump to be seen. I especially appreciated that Burke doesn’t sugarcoat the established and accepted slavery elements of this world; the darker parts of Roman life are acknowledged but never erased, nor glamorized.
Much like Valerius, I almost forgot until closer to the end that he’s not the only main character of this story. Atreus lives a different but equally intricate life, and one of his subplots allows for excellent character development for Valerius. Burke treads a delicate line between allowing for representation in both of these characters (because queer people have always existed) while still rooting the story firmly in the world’s existent views on homosexuality. The poignant moments between Valerius and Atreus that hint at something more are never center-stage but remain important for the overall relationship I look forward to seeing develop in further books—primarily as investigative partners solving more Roman crimes of high society but possibly with a subtle dash of something more.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
This book is packed with characters from every social class, in an era in which massive households and intricate social and political maneuverings were common. Burke immediately infuses even the most minor characters with enough quick individuality that I never once felt overwhelmed. Our narrator Valerius is a ridiculous delight as our accidental detective, an innocent bystander for the initial crime and swept up in events mostly because he needs something to keep him busy until he’s old enough to take the proper place in the Roman social hierarchy to which he is intended. Luckily, he is assisted in this investigation by a working-class citizen competent enough for the job but needing Valerius’ social connections to open certain doors. Together, they make a solid team, likely surprising themselves most of all. The dynamic between Valerius and Atreus, as it grows from a working relationship to a tentative friendship, is compelling enough that I was never once bored during the drudgery of clue-gathering. Though this book has no more than a hint of romance, the way Valerius crushes on Atreus is both sweet and a lovely way to characterize his overall youth despite his interesting backstory.
Half the fun of reading a mystery is trying to solve the crime before the heroes. I made some solid guesses at about the 60% mark, but I was incredibly satisfied by both what I got wrong and what I caught, especially since Burke makes excellent use of red herrings. Even my correct guesses were much more intricate than I anticipated, making the story even more enjoyable. She also interweaves each component of this mystery with integral elements of Roman society, using her knowledge of various aspects of Roman civilian and military life to craft deft plot twists. I’m pretty sure my knowledge of that place and time has increased a thousand-fold after reading this book, but everything is presented smoothly and at the appropriate time, with nary an info dump to be seen. I especially appreciated that Burke doesn’t sugarcoat the established and accepted slavery elements of this world; the darker parts of Roman life are acknowledged but never erased, nor glamorized.
Much like Valerius, I almost forgot until closer to the end that he’s not the only main character of this story. Atreus lives a different but equally intricate life, and one of his subplots allows for excellent character development for Valerius. Burke treads a delicate line between allowing for representation in both of these characters (because queer people have always existed) while still rooting the story firmly in the world’s existent views on homosexuality. The poignant moments between Valerius and Atreus that hint at something more are never center-stage but remain important for the overall relationship I look forward to seeing develop in further books—primarily as investigative partners solving more Roman crimes of high society but possibly with a subtle dash of something more.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
December 11, 2023
Ein Krimi im alten Rom? Da bin ich doch sehr gerne dabei 😊!
Also, hierum geht es auf Deutsch: Wir schreiben das Jahr 58 AD. In Rom regiert der junge Nero, und das Christentum ist eine kleine jüdische Sekte. Die Dekadenz boomt.
Aemilius Valerius ist 23, steinreich, und hat sich, seit er als Held aus der Armee entlassen wurde, der Dekadenz sehr gerne hingegeben. Sein Vater hat ihn vor kurzem mit der 12 Jahre älteren Fulvia verheiratet, die 2 Kinder aus ersten Ehen (Mz.!) mitgebracht hat. Die Ehe ist zwar arrangiert, aber man mag und achtet sich. Zumindest hat Valerius jetzt eine Ehefrau vorzuweisen, was bei einer politischen Karriere hilfreich ist. Ja, die politische Karriere: die hätte Valerius ja gerne. Bislang konnte er sich aber mit keinem Feld identifizieren, das man ihm vorschlug auf dem Weg dorthin. Partys sind eben cooler. Die letzte Party nun endete allerdings mit einem Toten, und niemand anders als Valerius selbst hat ihn aufgefunden und die Vigiles, die Polizei, gerufen. Der Tote war nicht unbedeutend, und somit wird eine Ermittlung eingeleitet. Dank dem Einfluss von „mad uncle Maro“ wird Valerius zum Ermittler berufen, und gemeinsam mit dem Vigile Junius Atreus schafft er es tatsächlich, eine Verschwörung nationaler Tragweite aufzudecken. Valerius entwickelt mehr Biss, als man es ihm zugetraut hätte, und entkommt mehr als nur einmal knapp dem Tod. Eine rasante Verbrecherjagd quer durch Rom beginnt…..
Mein Leseeindruck: Das war mal richtig cool gemacht. Flotter Stil, teils fast schon schnodderig, sehr lebendig und witzig. Allein das Personenregister ist klasse; ich zitiere: „Q. Aemelius Valerius, our hero. / Julia Drusilla, his stepdaughter, a pain / Gn Gavius Silanus – Fulvia’s Ex, Julias Papa, a prick / oder, mein favorite: Hursa, a slave, a waste of money,“ *lol*. Allerdings leistet besagter Hursa Valerius beim Trinken gerne Gesellschaft. Alleine trinkt es sich halt nicht so nett. Also, in dem Stil geht es weiter. Ich fand es klasse.
Historisch war das Buch übrigens, so weit ich es beurteilen kann, sehr gut recherchiert. Ganz nebenbei haben wir so einiges über Neros Regime erfahren, und ich fand, die Autorin hat ziemlich treffend ein Sittengemälde der Zeit gemalt.
Insgesamt war das hier ein gelungener Mix aus historischem Roman und Krimi, flüssig geschrieben – hat mich abgeholt. Und Valerius war halt einfach klasse. Er hat sich wirklich gemausert, vom verwöhnten Patriziersohn zum ernstzunehmenden Ermittler.
Ja, war richtig gut – kann ich weiterempfehlen!
Herzlichen Dank an den Verlag und an Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!
Also, hierum geht es auf Deutsch: Wir schreiben das Jahr 58 AD. In Rom regiert der junge Nero, und das Christentum ist eine kleine jüdische Sekte. Die Dekadenz boomt.
Aemilius Valerius ist 23, steinreich, und hat sich, seit er als Held aus der Armee entlassen wurde, der Dekadenz sehr gerne hingegeben. Sein Vater hat ihn vor kurzem mit der 12 Jahre älteren Fulvia verheiratet, die 2 Kinder aus ersten Ehen (Mz.!) mitgebracht hat. Die Ehe ist zwar arrangiert, aber man mag und achtet sich. Zumindest hat Valerius jetzt eine Ehefrau vorzuweisen, was bei einer politischen Karriere hilfreich ist. Ja, die politische Karriere: die hätte Valerius ja gerne. Bislang konnte er sich aber mit keinem Feld identifizieren, das man ihm vorschlug auf dem Weg dorthin. Partys sind eben cooler. Die letzte Party nun endete allerdings mit einem Toten, und niemand anders als Valerius selbst hat ihn aufgefunden und die Vigiles, die Polizei, gerufen. Der Tote war nicht unbedeutend, und somit wird eine Ermittlung eingeleitet. Dank dem Einfluss von „mad uncle Maro“ wird Valerius zum Ermittler berufen, und gemeinsam mit dem Vigile Junius Atreus schafft er es tatsächlich, eine Verschwörung nationaler Tragweite aufzudecken. Valerius entwickelt mehr Biss, als man es ihm zugetraut hätte, und entkommt mehr als nur einmal knapp dem Tod. Eine rasante Verbrecherjagd quer durch Rom beginnt…..
Mein Leseeindruck: Das war mal richtig cool gemacht. Flotter Stil, teils fast schon schnodderig, sehr lebendig und witzig. Allein das Personenregister ist klasse; ich zitiere: „Q. Aemelius Valerius, our hero. / Julia Drusilla, his stepdaughter, a pain / Gn Gavius Silanus – Fulvia’s Ex, Julias Papa, a prick / oder, mein favorite: Hursa, a slave, a waste of money,“ *lol*. Allerdings leistet besagter Hursa Valerius beim Trinken gerne Gesellschaft. Alleine trinkt es sich halt nicht so nett. Also, in dem Stil geht es weiter. Ich fand es klasse.
Historisch war das Buch übrigens, so weit ich es beurteilen kann, sehr gut recherchiert. Ganz nebenbei haben wir so einiges über Neros Regime erfahren, und ich fand, die Autorin hat ziemlich treffend ein Sittengemälde der Zeit gemalt.
Insgesamt war das hier ein gelungener Mix aus historischem Roman und Krimi, flüssig geschrieben – hat mich abgeholt. Und Valerius war halt einfach klasse. Er hat sich wirklich gemausert, vom verwöhnten Patriziersohn zum ernstzunehmenden Ermittler.
Ja, war richtig gut – kann ich weiterempfehlen!
Herzlichen Dank an den Verlag und an Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!
June 15, 2024
I think the first question of many would be: how does this stack up against Falco, Medicus, etc? To me, favorably though a bit lighter, more cozy; although, it's the first in a possible series, so quite lengthy to establish a set-up for Valerius' world.
I had trouble with his age, feeling he seemed older though it's later made clear he's only 23, with a wife in her 30s, along with step-children of 16 and 11. That does make it easier to understand his being at loose ends following requited military service. The household also includes his sister, Octavia, mysteriously divorced from a guy who seemed terrific. This comes into play fully for the denoument. Two of the slaves also have important roles, foe different reasons.
What to expect: He finds himself second on the scene to finding the corpse. Shortly thereafter, he's deputized to work with the cop assigned to the case. So, we have the police know-how experience with his access to the patrician world of the suspects. As with Falco, there's a criminal boss terrorizing the city, as well as a dubious story regarding the deceased's regiment (Falco's brother). So, the duo makes their way through Rome, high and low, to a well-done culprit revelation.
The author is said to have written same-sex romance stories previously. I give her credit for not going for toga-ripping passion, but a developing story. However, I found her presentation of sexuality frustrating. At first it seems as though he's questioning himself, but we later discover that he had no interest in women all along. A bit of a spoiler that his wife seems to have understood that when they married; she needed to get away from her late husband's horrible family to belong to a new husband. The blurbs imply that the detectives are a couple, well ... all I'll say is that angle was not so smoothly handled to me.
I'd recommend it, unless one wants a lot of hard-boiled rough stuff. This is definitely cozier material, though not entirely. Regarding the audio edition, the narration is a good fit for the material, although at times it seems a bit ... overdone, shall we say.
I had trouble with his age, feeling he seemed older though it's later made clear he's only 23, with a wife in her 30s, along with step-children of 16 and 11. That does make it easier to understand his being at loose ends following requited military service. The household also includes his sister, Octavia, mysteriously divorced from a guy who seemed terrific. This comes into play fully for the denoument. Two of the slaves also have important roles, foe different reasons.
What to expect: He finds himself second on the scene to finding the corpse. Shortly thereafter, he's deputized to work with the cop assigned to the case. So, we have the police know-how experience with his access to the patrician world of the suspects. As with Falco, there's a criminal boss terrorizing the city, as well as a dubious story regarding the deceased's regiment (Falco's brother). So, the duo makes their way through Rome, high and low, to a well-done culprit revelation.
The author is said to have written same-sex romance stories previously. I give her credit for not going for toga-ripping passion, but a developing story. However, I found her presentation of sexuality frustrating. At first it seems as though he's questioning himself, but we later discover that he had no interest in women all along. A bit of a spoiler that his wife seems to have understood that when they married; she needed to get away from her late husband's horrible family to belong to a new husband. The blurbs imply that the detectives are a couple, well ... all I'll say is that angle was not so smoothly handled to me.
I'd recommend it, unless one wants a lot of hard-boiled rough stuff. This is definitely cozier material, though not entirely. Regarding the audio edition, the narration is a good fit for the material, although at times it seems a bit ... overdone, shall we say.
November 28, 2023
Many thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books for this opportunity to review Sub Rosa. All opinions and comments are my own.
Author Jennifer Burke has brought us an engaging character in the form of Quintus Aemilius Valerius, in Sub Rosa, a new historical mystery series set at the time of Nero’s Rome. And he turns out to be a pretty good detective, one that wouldn’t be out of place today. He might busy doing nothing at the beginning, but when a prospective relative is murdered, and conspiracy after conspiracy begin to be uncovered, well, things ramp up, that’s for sure.
There’s great characterization here, and a lot of witty dialog. You’ll have to wait a bit for the story to get going, but it’s worth your time. Along the way Valerius has doubts about himself, which he needs to work out. And he also needs to work out his feelings for Junius Atreus, the young vigile who’s first on the scene of the murder. This is not your grandparents’ story, just so you know.
Eventually, the truth comes out, as it always does. This is Rome, after all. Corruption, treason, and treachery are everyday events. The emperor will be satisfied, and Quintus will be a popular man. Always good for advancement, friends in high places. Sub Rosa ends on a high note, with a partnership being formed, personally and professionally.
A note should be made that the language is strong in this book, and it has adult situations. It is an elegantly crafted story, with great characters and twists and turns on practically every page. “Sub Rosa” is an excellent addition to the historical mystery genre.
Author Jennifer Burke has brought us an engaging character in the form of Quintus Aemilius Valerius, in Sub Rosa, a new historical mystery series set at the time of Nero’s Rome. And he turns out to be a pretty good detective, one that wouldn’t be out of place today. He might busy doing nothing at the beginning, but when a prospective relative is murdered, and conspiracy after conspiracy begin to be uncovered, well, things ramp up, that’s for sure.
There’s great characterization here, and a lot of witty dialog. You’ll have to wait a bit for the story to get going, but it’s worth your time. Along the way Valerius has doubts about himself, which he needs to work out. And he also needs to work out his feelings for Junius Atreus, the young vigile who’s first on the scene of the murder. This is not your grandparents’ story, just so you know.
Eventually, the truth comes out, as it always does. This is Rome, after all. Corruption, treason, and treachery are everyday events. The emperor will be satisfied, and Quintus will be a popular man. Always good for advancement, friends in high places. Sub Rosa ends on a high note, with a partnership being formed, personally and professionally.
A note should be made that the language is strong in this book, and it has adult situations. It is an elegantly crafted story, with great characters and twists and turns on practically every page. “Sub Rosa” is an excellent addition to the historical mystery genre.
October 18, 2023
A patrician, a plebeian and plenty of corpses… I smell trouble...
Aemilius Valerius is wasting his life… Or that’s what most people think. After returning home as a hero, he finds himself stranded in no one’s land, an uncomfortable guest for most, and the position he is waiting for it taking longer than expected to arrive. Until a dinner party turns into a murder scene and Aemilius finds himself tasked with the investigation. Partnering with Atreus, a vigile and with the inestimable help of his loyal slave Juba, Aemilius soon will discover that trying to gain a position investigating murders may cost him more than he expected… Even his life.
I love historical novels, and detective tropes, so I jumped at the chance of reading Sub Rosa… and I’ve loved every single line of it. The main characters are great, both Aemilius with his laid back demeanour and his sense of humour, and Atreus with his stoic stance and his gravity. And the myriad of secondary characters provide a vivid background of the relationships between classes in Classic Rome. The murder plot easily intertwines with the Palatine intrigues, giving us a greater picture of what’s going on in the society at the moment…
With a fluid narrative, an engrossing plot and a relentless pace, SubRosa soon becomes the sort of book you cannot put down… I’ve read it practically in one sitting… and loved every single minute of it!
Highly recommendable
I’ve received an ARC and this is my voluntary review
Aemilius Valerius is wasting his life… Or that’s what most people think. After returning home as a hero, he finds himself stranded in no one’s land, an uncomfortable guest for most, and the position he is waiting for it taking longer than expected to arrive. Until a dinner party turns into a murder scene and Aemilius finds himself tasked with the investigation. Partnering with Atreus, a vigile and with the inestimable help of his loyal slave Juba, Aemilius soon will discover that trying to gain a position investigating murders may cost him more than he expected… Even his life.
I love historical novels, and detective tropes, so I jumped at the chance of reading Sub Rosa… and I’ve loved every single line of it. The main characters are great, both Aemilius with his laid back demeanour and his sense of humour, and Atreus with his stoic stance and his gravity. And the myriad of secondary characters provide a vivid background of the relationships between classes in Classic Rome. The murder plot easily intertwines with the Palatine intrigues, giving us a greater picture of what’s going on in the society at the moment…
With a fluid narrative, an engrossing plot and a relentless pace, SubRosa soon becomes the sort of book you cannot put down… I’ve read it practically in one sitting… and loved every single minute of it!
Highly recommendable
I’ve received an ARC and this is my voluntary review
October 28, 2023
I am a sucker for any sort of story set in history. Doesn't matter the time period but I have a fascination for ancient Rome and this is set during Nero's time as Emperor of that great empire. I got so immersed in the city and its' people with this story, it really felt like I was walking the street with Valerius and Atreus. I loved Valerius, a young man trying to find his place after coming home from the army and with a house full of strong women - a wife, sister and stepdaughter who really rule that roost even though Valerius is nominally the head of the household.
I loved Valerius' family, particularly his wife who is pragmatic above all else and it's not just a marriage in name for them, I think there's real respect and love there even though they don't sleep together, I think she knows full well where Valerius' heart and desires truly lie. The story was fantastic too, a crime story with far reaching implications for both MCs, and I loved the very slow burn of their relationship, no doubt in future stories this will develop and I'm here for that. I loved both men and can't wait for more in this universe. There's a great cast of supporting characters too, from Valerius' eccentric family to the senate and the wider world of Nero's Rome.
Loved it and can't wait for more.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I loved Valerius' family, particularly his wife who is pragmatic above all else and it's not just a marriage in name for them, I think there's real respect and love there even though they don't sleep together, I think she knows full well where Valerius' heart and desires truly lie. The story was fantastic too, a crime story with far reaching implications for both MCs, and I loved the very slow burn of their relationship, no doubt in future stories this will develop and I'm here for that. I loved both men and can't wait for more in this universe. There's a great cast of supporting characters too, from Valerius' eccentric family to the senate and the wider world of Nero's Rome.
Loved it and can't wait for more.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
April 6, 2024
( Format : Audiobook )
"All dogs have four legs."
Loved it.
Fabulous detective tale set in Rome, 58 AD. When Aemilius Valerius was still occupation hunting, no urgency, he didn't med the money, he attended a banquet which ended disastrously and landed him the unwanted position of investigator. Together with the proletarian leader of the local vigiles, the nobleman tries to hunt down a killer when any one who knew anything was not in any way compelled to speak with him and avoiding being badly harmed by illegally armed bandits, discovering ever growing sexual desire for his companion, whilst also trying to sell a share in a useless racehorse for much more than it was worth, dispose of a vacant house, appear to be head of the family when constantly outshine by his fabulous female relatives and almost always in an at least semi intoxicated state. All is told in the first person so very up close and personal. Perfect for anyone who enjoys books humorously set in the ancient Roman world which are not just a military reinaction, but more domestic day by day. Great fun, informative, and action filled with both domestic and street visuals
All is performed by Vikas Adam, who really becomes the young nobleman used to the luxury life jand ust filling in time until he can start on his civic duties several years in the future.
A definite recommendation.
"All dogs have four legs."
Loved it.
Fabulous detective tale set in Rome, 58 AD. When Aemilius Valerius was still occupation hunting, no urgency, he didn't med the money, he attended a banquet which ended disastrously and landed him the unwanted position of investigator. Together with the proletarian leader of the local vigiles, the nobleman tries to hunt down a killer when any one who knew anything was not in any way compelled to speak with him and avoiding being badly harmed by illegally armed bandits, discovering ever growing sexual desire for his companion, whilst also trying to sell a share in a useless racehorse for much more than it was worth, dispose of a vacant house, appear to be head of the family when constantly outshine by his fabulous female relatives and almost always in an at least semi intoxicated state. All is told in the first person so very up close and personal. Perfect for anyone who enjoys books humorously set in the ancient Roman world which are not just a military reinaction, but more domestic day by day. Great fun, informative, and action filled with both domestic and street visuals
All is performed by Vikas Adam, who really becomes the young nobleman used to the luxury life jand ust filling in time until he can start on his civic duties several years in the future.
A definite recommendation.
October 3, 2024
An incredibly fun murder mystery set in ancient Rome during the early years of Caligula's reign. Valerius is your typical young Patrician man – too young to run for senator, too old to be a soldier, resigned to spending his nights drinking and days soaking away hangovers in the public baths, at least until one of his family members eventually succeeds in making him develop an ambition.
Valerius's problems: 1) someone was murdered at a dinner party he attended, and no one seems to care about figuring out who did it except for the annoying, tight-laced Plebeian watchman, Atreus.
2) Valerius is gay. Which would be fine if he just wanted to bang some pretty dancers, but an upstanding patrician man isn't supposed to want to bottom for said stoic plebeian watchman... What to do???
Burke uses a lot of modern slang, which I know annoys some readers of historical fiction, but I enjoyed it. She clearly knows a lot about the period, and her research shines through. She also doesn't make her heroes too modern in their attitudes; Valerius owns slaves, has no problems with the patriarchy, is a complete class snob, and is utterly unselfaware, but he's also just enough of relatable guy (and enough of a loser) that I liked him anyway. His relationship with his family and with Atreus were all very well-developed, and I really hope this gets a sequel, because I'd love to read more.
Valerius's problems: 1) someone was murdered at a dinner party he attended, and no one seems to care about figuring out who did it except for the annoying, tight-laced Plebeian watchman, Atreus.
2) Valerius is gay. Which would be fine if he just wanted to bang some pretty dancers, but an upstanding patrician man isn't supposed to want to bottom for said stoic plebeian watchman... What to do???
Burke uses a lot of modern slang, which I know annoys some readers of historical fiction, but I enjoyed it. She clearly knows a lot about the period, and her research shines through. She also doesn't make her heroes too modern in their attitudes; Valerius owns slaves, has no problems with the patriarchy, is a complete class snob, and is utterly unselfaware, but he's also just enough of relatable guy (and enough of a loser) that I liked him anyway. His relationship with his family and with Atreus were all very well-developed, and I really hope this gets a sequel, because I'd love to read more.
November 28, 2023
4 Stars
Set in the early days of Nero's Rome, this murder mystery takes us on an epic journey through everyday Rome, with all the political machinations of the time. Each Character had their own secrets and the murder mystery was well played out. I'm not sure if it was because I was enjoying the story and immersing myself in the culture but I never once worked out the killer, and I did like how actual events were woven into the story and the conclusion of the case.
You can tell the author has done a lot of research as the characters came alive, whether they were of the affluent class or the slaves; each character had their own personality and place within the story. I loved reading all the interactions between Valerius and his slaves - His jokes with Hursa to the banter with Juba, who was smarter than a bodyguard but stuck in the position anyway. Everyone liked to think that the man ruled the house but Valerius was under no illusion that the women folk ran his life. He accepted it and was quite happy in the way it was.
I did find it hard at the start with a lot of the characters being addressed in different ways depending on who they were talking to, I believe this would have been correct forms of address but with them each having their name and family name, our main character himself was Valerius or Quintus depending on who was speaking to him.
Valerius was a hard character to like at the start as he came across as a wastrel and a drunk. Once he found something to put his mind to he became a much better narrator and showed off his intelligence.
I very much liked Atreus. He was a quiet achiever who stuck to his guns and did the right thing. He was frustrated at being blocked from investigating properly at times and the doors that Valerius could open for him due to his status. The friendship that developed between the two men was really nice to read.
Looking forward to the next case these guys look into.
Arc provided by Author
Set in the early days of Nero's Rome, this murder mystery takes us on an epic journey through everyday Rome, with all the political machinations of the time. Each Character had their own secrets and the murder mystery was well played out. I'm not sure if it was because I was enjoying the story and immersing myself in the culture but I never once worked out the killer, and I did like how actual events were woven into the story and the conclusion of the case.
You can tell the author has done a lot of research as the characters came alive, whether they were of the affluent class or the slaves; each character had their own personality and place within the story. I loved reading all the interactions between Valerius and his slaves - His jokes with Hursa to the banter with Juba, who was smarter than a bodyguard but stuck in the position anyway. Everyone liked to think that the man ruled the house but Valerius was under no illusion that the women folk ran his life. He accepted it and was quite happy in the way it was.
I did find it hard at the start with a lot of the characters being addressed in different ways depending on who they were talking to, I believe this would have been correct forms of address but with them each having their name and family name, our main character himself was Valerius or Quintus depending on who was speaking to him.
Valerius was a hard character to like at the start as he came across as a wastrel and a drunk. Once he found something to put his mind to he became a much better narrator and showed off his intelligence.
I very much liked Atreus. He was a quiet achiever who stuck to his guns and did the right thing. He was frustrated at being blocked from investigating properly at times and the doors that Valerius could open for him due to his status. The friendship that developed between the two men was really nice to read.
Looking forward to the next case these guys look into.
Arc provided by Author
November 25, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed Sub Rosa by Jennifer Burke. It is set in post-Caesar Rome and like most historicals the reader will have a deeper appreciation if they know something about the time period. However, this is not necessary for Sub Rosa since the author gives subtle hints as to the time-period background without an info dump. As a classics major undergrad who still has her Robert Graves books on the shelf, that set my standard. If I had not read the I, Claudius duology I would have given this five stars. One of the things I especially liked about Sub Rosa is the way the author made Valerius’s bisexuality, a recent term, natural, as it was for most of Greek and Roman ancient times. The mystery was entertaining and the solution not obvious, which always makes the story more engrossing. I did not immediately warm up to Valerius, but as events proceeded, I found myself liking him. The other main character, Atreus, was easier to relate to, being a working-class investigator rather than nobility. I thought their relationship progressed in an organic way, class distinctions notwithstanding. As the author points out, this is not a MM romance, so their attraction is of the very slow-burn variety. A highly worthwhile read.
November 28, 2023
Things I liked about this book:
The plotting. The mystery is compelling, deftly built, and layered in ways that make each discovery feel like both a revelation and the tip of the iceberg.
The setting. This author has probably forgotten more about ancient Rome than I will ever know, and they did a lovely job of weaving historical detail and context into something that felt both immersive and approachable. These characters feel like the products of their time and place, which makes things interesting in so many good ways.
The characters. There are some truly intriguing personalities here, but lets focus for a second on our protagonist, Valerius, because he’s kind of everything. Sharp wits, clear eyes, a sense of cynicism I can only envy (and hope to one day cultivate) and a sense of humor that fits with the rest of the package. He’s not perfect, which just makes him more likable, but he is the perfect person for the task he gets. I can’t wait to see how his relationship with Atreus (and other figures in his life) takes shape over the course of more stories.
Tl;dr: this is a historical novel that has it all: compelling characters, a well-drawn setting, and a plot that will draw you in and not let go.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
The plotting. The mystery is compelling, deftly built, and layered in ways that make each discovery feel like both a revelation and the tip of the iceberg.
The setting. This author has probably forgotten more about ancient Rome than I will ever know, and they did a lovely job of weaving historical detail and context into something that felt both immersive and approachable. These characters feel like the products of their time and place, which makes things interesting in so many good ways.
The characters. There are some truly intriguing personalities here, but lets focus for a second on our protagonist, Valerius, because he’s kind of everything. Sharp wits, clear eyes, a sense of cynicism I can only envy (and hope to one day cultivate) and a sense of humor that fits with the rest of the package. He’s not perfect, which just makes him more likable, but he is the perfect person for the task he gets. I can’t wait to see how his relationship with Atreus (and other figures in his life) takes shape over the course of more stories.
Tl;dr: this is a historical novel that has it all: compelling characters, a well-drawn setting, and a plot that will draw you in and not let go.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
January 18, 2024
A visceral and authentic look at Ancient Rome under Nero. Great character building and storytelling, with only a few modern American anachronisms which rankled i.e. use of ‘block’ as measure of distance! I don’t mind some of the language being updated for current audiences but this has to be carefully handled. One thing I felt the author managed very well was reflecting the attitudes and prejudices of the time; towards slaves, marriage, social status and justice. I particularly found the investigating methods towards murder and other crimes, fascinating- and certainly learnt things I’m not sure I wanted to know, including the fact that the murder victim’s slaves would be questioned under torture as a matter of course - and this was taken for granted by everyone involved. If you are interested in this period of history and enjoy a good murder mystery, try this very accomplished debut novel. Just found out that this is actually Lisa Henry - no wonder I like the writing. Such a change from her usual work, that I can understand why this is published under a pseudonym.
June 25, 2024
Parts I loved. Parts were meh.
Nero-era Romans congregate like 1950's housewives when some of the very rich, very connected few are mysteriously murdered.
Narrator rich boy Aemilius Valerius (name puns abound) then is asked to help the plebeian investigator -- a large square jawed bonecrusher whose brash ways characteristically harmonize with Aemilius's soft mannerism.
In a Janet Evanovich way, stumbling Aemilius gets the job done in an extremely unorthodox way. His comments about impressions he has of others are often gut chortling funny. These parts I loved.
The bad guys are stereotypically obscene rich seeking to be richer. And, anyone who dares to interfere, will get it. Get it? The privileged are different, right? These parts were meh.
The good parts outnumber the meh. And, Aemilius's sexual desires are another "not meh" portion. For any pride reader, these portions may be what you want.
The modern Valley Boy approach to this 2000 years ago backdrop is a unique story.
Fun read. Summer read, for sure.
Nero-era Romans congregate like 1950's housewives when some of the very rich, very connected few are mysteriously murdered.
Narrator rich boy Aemilius Valerius (name puns abound) then is asked to help the plebeian investigator -- a large square jawed bonecrusher whose brash ways characteristically harmonize with Aemilius's soft mannerism.
In a Janet Evanovich way, stumbling Aemilius gets the job done in an extremely unorthodox way. His comments about impressions he has of others are often gut chortling funny. These parts I loved.
The bad guys are stereotypically obscene rich seeking to be richer. And, anyone who dares to interfere, will get it. Get it? The privileged are different, right? These parts were meh.
The good parts outnumber the meh. And, Aemilius's sexual desires are another "not meh" portion. For any pride reader, these portions may be what you want.
The modern Valley Boy approach to this 2000 years ago backdrop is a unique story.
Fun read. Summer read, for sure.
November 29, 2023
Like a child deprived of a playmate, I wandered around the house annoying everyone else.
That's all Aemilius Valerius seems to be in the beginning. Spoiled, bored and wasting his young life away. At first, the plot moves as slowly as his life but once he gets invested in the murder investigation, the pace picks up as well. It took some time to get through that slow-paced part but as the book is written in first person POV the pace also fits the main character's sluggish life very well. And just like Valerius' own persistence to stay on the case gets rewarded in the end, the plot and the developing (more than?) friendship between Atreus and Valerius is also well worth the readers' patience.
Although this is not a genre I usually read, I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to reading further Valerius mysteries in the future.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
That's all Aemilius Valerius seems to be in the beginning. Spoiled, bored and wasting his young life away. At first, the plot moves as slowly as his life but once he gets invested in the murder investigation, the pace picks up as well. It took some time to get through that slow-paced part but as the book is written in first person POV the pace also fits the main character's sluggish life very well. And just like Valerius' own persistence to stay on the case gets rewarded in the end, the plot and the developing (more than?) friendship between Atreus and Valerius is also well worth the readers' patience.
Although this is not a genre I usually read, I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to reading further Valerius mysteries in the future.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
March 17, 2025
Honestly, the story was good enough and the characters interesting enough; why did the author feel compelled to create the main character as a homosexual? It wasn't necessary for the plot and it wasn't common in ancient Rome.
The humor was appreciated and I chuckled a few times. There was a lot of anachronistic language, of course ("brain cells, anyone?"), but modern readers need to be able to relate to the story.
The narrator of the audiobook, Vikas Adam, paused between sentences, which threw off the pacing for me. Otherwise, he sounded great; his American accent worked well and I never had to wonder who was speaking.
Some applicable violence, lots of F-bombs, not much sexual content.
The humor was appreciated and I chuckled a few times. There was a lot of anachronistic language, of course ("brain cells, anyone?"), but modern readers need to be able to relate to the story.
The narrator of the audiobook, Vikas Adam, paused between sentences, which threw off the pacing for me. Otherwise, he sounded great; his American accent worked well and I never had to wonder who was speaking.
Some applicable violence, lots of F-bombs, not much sexual content.
January 27, 2025
A Great detective novel set in Ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. MC is only 23, but already married to much older wife, with a set of step kids and a political career down in the drain.
I loved the various cast of characters and unflinching look at Roman society - including slavery, murder and copious wine drinking and partying. Its obvious that author did her research and I really enjoyed how she portrayed our main character - self described as lazy, man very fond of wine and happy to use nepotism to his advantage, cynical, queer, yet also very compelling, smart and surprisingly empathetic.
Can't wait to read the more books in the series!
I loved the various cast of characters and unflinching look at Roman society - including slavery, murder and copious wine drinking and partying. Its obvious that author did her research and I really enjoyed how she portrayed our main character - self described as lazy, man very fond of wine and happy to use nepotism to his advantage, cynical, queer, yet also very compelling, smart and surprisingly empathetic.
Can't wait to read the more books in the series!
November 30, 2023
4.5 stars. After a somewhat slow start (which did match the life of Valerius at that time) the story became more and more interesting as it continued. The mystery was intriguing and it certainly wasn't obvious what was happening. As far as I can remember (it's been quite some time since I studied the history) the Roman life and times are portrayed really well. The other characters are also really enjoyable. This wasn't a romance as such although there is something slow burn happening between the MCs.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
December 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this murder mystery set in Ancient Rome. Valerius and all the people in his life were interesting and multidimensional. There was a mix of historical facts, contemporary language, and a mystery that kept me guessing. It was interesting to see the behavior between the classes, and I liked that some of Valerius's opinions lost their sharp edges as the story played out.
This was a terrific start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to more from this world and these characters.
This was a terrific start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to more from this world and these characters.
November 28, 2023
This was a different read for me. But once it got going, I really enjoyed it!
This is a murder mystery set in Ancient Rome, I found the characters fascinating, the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, this book was a real page turner.
While there's a romantic sub plot, it's not the main thread of the story. I very much enjoyed the world building, the chemistry and connection between characters. Aemilius Valerius was a fascinating character for me and I can't wait for more!
This is a murder mystery set in Ancient Rome, I found the characters fascinating, the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, this book was a real page turner.
While there's a romantic sub plot, it's not the main thread of the story. I very much enjoyed the world building, the chemistry and connection between characters. Aemilius Valerius was a fascinating character for me and I can't wait for more!
November 28, 2023
Valerius finds himself at an awkward stage in his life.
Married and floundering, he's searching for something in order to make his mark.
Invited to a party he quite literally stumbles upon a body.
He roped into investigating and suddenly finds this might be something he's actually good at and more importantly something he quite enjoys.
I really enjoyed the historical background and the side characters were very interesting in particular Jubba.
Married and floundering, he's searching for something in order to make his mark.
Invited to a party he quite literally stumbles upon a body.
He roped into investigating and suddenly finds this might be something he's actually good at and more importantly something he quite enjoys.
I really enjoyed the historical background and the side characters were very interesting in particular Jubba.
February 18, 2025
Murder mysteries set in Ancient Rome are catnip for me, basically, so I was eager to try this new-to-me series. It's a lot more humorous/lighter than I expected, I enjoyed this aspect a lot. It reminded me of the Ancient Rome murder mystery series I grew up with, Danila Comastri Montanari's Publium Aurelius Statius series. As far as I know they've never been translated into English, though. Anyway, this was highly enjoyable and I immediately bought the sequel.
August 15, 2025
I enjoyed both Sub Rosa and Juvenalia so much! The unique Roman setting was handled so beautifully that I understood it all in context, and every character sparkled so well. I loved the banter and the wit (Juba for the win <3 ) and the gently-evolving romance was perfectly pitched. And I know as an author what a 2-edged sword this kind of feedback is! but I really hope there will be more books from this series.
November 29, 2023
I get in the mood to read lots of mysteries over the winter months and finding this first in a new Roman historical mystery series started things off beautifully. Valerius and Atreus make a wonderful detecting pair and the world they inhabit is superbly drawn. Lots of interesting characters, great red herrings and an involving mystery. I hope there are lots more of these to come.
November 8, 2025
Lisa Henry writing a Roman mystery? Color me intrigued! I really enjoyed this - Valerius was hilarious, and I learned a lot of interesting facts about Rome (without feeling like I was just getting all the author's research dumped on me). Finished it and immediately started reading the second. I'd love more Valerius/Atreus moments, though!
January 9, 2026
I liked this book, the mystery was not spectacular but it didn't need to be. The narrating character was likable and engaging, and different than the main characters of the other two roman era mysteries I've read in the past.
Already went and got the sequel and hope it is at least as good if not better.
Already went and got the sequel and hope it is at least as good if not better.
November 27, 2023
Interesting
I'm not usually into historical themed stories but I found this one to be very interesting to read. It didn't take too long for me to really get into it.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I'm not usually into historical themed stories but I found this one to be very interesting to read. It didn't take too long for me to really get into it.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
December 18, 2024
Great book!
I liked this book. The characters are well fleshed out, and for once, I didn’t guess the villain. Looking forward to the sequel.
I liked this book. The characters are well fleshed out, and for once, I didn’t guess the villain. Looking forward to the sequel.
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