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Pompeii #5
Pompeii: Pluto's Maze
A reputation for solving mysteries leads Tay and Macellus to a gruesome discovery.As the populace of Pompeii await the long anticipated games in the amphitheater, Marcellus and Tay match wits with a mystrious foe.Once a hostage is taken, the city leaders realize that they have made a grave mistake by selecting an infamous gladiatrix to participate in the games. Searching for the truth, Tay and Marcellus begin to understand that no one in Pompeii is safe with Boudicca in the arena.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2014
10 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Robert Colton
27 books38 followers I became interested in Roman history at a very young age. While always reading or writing, I didn’t know that my true passion would be the invention of my trio of fictional characters attempting to make their way in Pompeii, until I was reading "The Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglas. I am a fan of the happily ever after conclusions,and "The Robe" did not offer that.
I put my other unending writing projects down and started typing the tale of a young noble Roman who was a bit less noble than Douglas’s hero. After years of research on Pompeii and the details of Rome that would have influenced a likeable, and unfortunate young man, an entire world came together for me. "Pompeii: A Tale of Murder in Ancient Rome" is just the beginning.
A fan of autumn and a lover of animals, I am always reading something that takes me back to the glory days of Rome. I stumble through the day, quoting Cicero and daydreaming about a time long gone, but not forgotten.
I put my other unending writing projects down and started typing the tale of a young noble Roman who was a bit less noble than Douglas’s hero. After years of research on Pompeii and the details of Rome that would have influenced a likeable, and unfortunate young man, an entire world came together for me. "Pompeii: A Tale of Murder in Ancient Rome" is just the beginning.
A fan of autumn and a lover of animals, I am always reading something that takes me back to the glory days of Rome. I stumble through the day, quoting Cicero and daydreaming about a time long gone, but not forgotten.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 23, 2018
Another Tay and Marcellus adventure mystery, or should I say Regulus and Demetrius as it seems these two will be in their alternate personas for quite sometime. I am becoming increasingly saddend by the length of the Pompeii novels. I miss the witty banter between Tay and Marcellus, it appears there is no time for it any long, as the two are all business in quickly putting to rest their current crime in question. There is also a lack of new characters, except those that are clearly involved in the crime. Where are Julia and Cornelia? Now that Marcellus has moved his affections to Gavia, the other women in his life are non-existent, along with all their lower class dependents. I didn't enjoy this novel any less than the others and aside from Ice and Fire, I don't think I've read 5 novels in any other series, but I need more of the story I fell in love with, not less.
The arena has been closed for 5 years after a riot led to a ban on the games from the emperor, but due to the recent earthquake and need for funds, the games are back on. The most anticipated match is between a Celtic slave, Boudicca, named after a rebellious Britannia Queen, and an Egyptian named Arsinoe. When a Celtic slave is killed in the manner of a druid priest, Pompeii becomes an unsettled and dangerous place. The Celtic slaves are on edge as they prepare to cheer on the representation of their fallen queen.
Tay and Marcellus are called upon to investigate the murder of the Celtic slave, as they've made a name for themselves in this sort of venture. The elite of the city wish all to go smoothly as the games are sponsored by their sons, who wish to be elected. Marcellus would rather leave well enough alone as he focuses on his relationship with Gavia, who has done away with her disguise in lieu of the fire, 9 months prior. Put Tay is focused on maintaining his reputation and when Gavia goes missing, Marcellus is forced to follow Tay in keeping another riot from affecting the games.
There has to be more novels for Pompeii to come, so many story lines left unfinished, and now we found Tay in the midst of Pompeii politicians. I just hope that the novel return to their former strength. The true pleasure in these stories was the relationship between Tay and Marchellus, who seem to be drifting apart in their new roles. I wait patiently to see what will become of these heroes of Pompeii.
The arena has been closed for 5 years after a riot led to a ban on the games from the emperor, but due to the recent earthquake and need for funds, the games are back on. The most anticipated match is between a Celtic slave, Boudicca, named after a rebellious Britannia Queen, and an Egyptian named Arsinoe. When a Celtic slave is killed in the manner of a druid priest, Pompeii becomes an unsettled and dangerous place. The Celtic slaves are on edge as they prepare to cheer on the representation of their fallen queen.
Tay and Marcellus are called upon to investigate the murder of the Celtic slave, as they've made a name for themselves in this sort of venture. The elite of the city wish all to go smoothly as the games are sponsored by their sons, who wish to be elected. Marcellus would rather leave well enough alone as he focuses on his relationship with Gavia, who has done away with her disguise in lieu of the fire, 9 months prior. Put Tay is focused on maintaining his reputation and when Gavia goes missing, Marcellus is forced to follow Tay in keeping another riot from affecting the games.
There has to be more novels for Pompeii to come, so many story lines left unfinished, and now we found Tay in the midst of Pompeii politicians. I just hope that the novel return to their former strength. The true pleasure in these stories was the relationship between Tay and Marchellus, who seem to be drifting apart in their new roles. I wait patiently to see what will become of these heroes of Pompeii.
March 12, 2020
An interesting read
Story moved along quickly. Easy to read and understand. I found it difficult to put down and do my work
Story moved along quickly. Easy to read and understand. I found it difficult to put down and do my work
September 18, 2016
I read the first and then skipped ahead to check in and see if I could really like this series... surmising it would continue to appeal for the time/place/interesting characters. Sure enough this was full of action including that of the gladiator type. I now have to backtrack to what I think were two books in between, but it would appear that any of the books can stand alone, so I should be good. There is unifying element used as assist to the narrator of letters from older man to his friend I rather like. The wrongly-accused young Roman (not guilty of killing his father) continues his charade as servant to his actual slave who successfully masquerades as wealthy influential Roman, and it works (so far).
December 20, 2014
Definitely a series that continues to improve with each installment. I liked that mystery and appreciated the nod to British history - and the correct spelling of Boudicca.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews