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Flavia Albia #3
Deadly Election
In the blazing July heat of imperial Rome, Flavia Albia inspects a decomposing corpse. It has been discovered in lots to be auctioned by her family business, so she's determined to identify the dead man and learn how he met his gruesome end.
The investigation will give her a chance to work with the magistrate, Manlius Faustus, the friend she sadly knows to be the last chaste man in Rome. But he's got other concerns than her anonymous corpse. It's election time and with democracy for sale at Domitian's court, tension has come to a head. Faustus is acting as an agent for a 'good husband and father', whose traditional family values are being called into question. Even more disreputable are his rivals, whom Faustus wants Albia to discredit.
As Albia's and Faustus' professional and personal partnership deepens they have to accept that, for others, obsession can turn sour, and become a deadly strain that leads, tragically, to murder.
The investigation will give her a chance to work with the magistrate, Manlius Faustus, the friend she sadly knows to be the last chaste man in Rome. But he's got other concerns than her anonymous corpse. It's election time and with democracy for sale at Domitian's court, tension has come to a head. Faustus is acting as an agent for a 'good husband and father', whose traditional family values are being called into question. Even more disreputable are his rivals, whom Faustus wants Albia to discredit.
As Albia's and Faustus' professional and personal partnership deepens they have to accept that, for others, obsession can turn sour, and become a deadly strain that leads, tragically, to murder.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2015
167 people are currently reading
882 people want to read
About the author
Lindsey Davis
78 books1,493 followersLindsey Davis, historical novelist, was born in Birmingham, England in 1949. Having taken a degree in English literature at Oxford University (Lady Margaret Hall), she became a civil servant. She left the civil service after 13 years, and when a romantic novel she had written was runner up for the 1985 Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize, she decided to become a writer, writing at first romantic serials for the UK women's magazine Woman's Realm.
Her interest in history and archaeology led to her writing a historical novel about Vespasian and his lover Antonia Caenis (The Course of Honour), for which she couldn't find a publisher. She tried again, and her first novel featuring the Roman "detective", Marcus Didius Falco, The Silver Pigs, set in the same time period and published in 1989, was the start of her runaway success as a writer of historical whodunnits. A further nineteen Falco novels and Falco: The Official Companion have followed, as well as The Course of Honour, which was finally published in 1998. Rebels and Traitors, set in the period of the English Civil War, was published in September 2009. Davis has won many literary awards, and was honorary president of the Classical Association from 1997 to 1998.
Her interest in history and archaeology led to her writing a historical novel about Vespasian and his lover Antonia Caenis (The Course of Honour), for which she couldn't find a publisher. She tried again, and her first novel featuring the Roman "detective", Marcus Didius Falco, The Silver Pigs, set in the same time period and published in 1989, was the start of her runaway success as a writer of historical whodunnits. A further nineteen Falco novels and Falco: The Official Companion have followed, as well as The Course of Honour, which was finally published in 1998. Rebels and Traitors, set in the period of the English Civil War, was published in September 2009. Davis has won many literary awards, and was honorary president of the Classical Association from 1997 to 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
May 19, 2017
"Flavia Albia is an informer (investigator), daughter of another informer. She is living during the time when Domitian was the tyrant of the Roman Empire. This is over a century later than Gordianus, the finder (Steven Saylor). Finder or informer, we are talking about the profession of a private detective."
This is a bit of a change for our Flavia. She is tapped to be a "political consultant" for her friend, Manlius Faustus, who is backing his friend's candidacy for a significant position. The election is hotly contested and there are some question about this condidate being a good "family man." Flavia must find a way either to divert attention (if he isn't) or to show his behavior as accepable.
This book at its core is an exploration of family/families. Some may find it slow paced but I was delighted with its careful chronicle of daily life. We finally get to see Flavia performing in the family business as auctioneer!
The plot is very complex with a lot of interesting characters, so I was grateful that Davis listed them at the start of the book. The simplified map of Rome was also a help. As, I noted above, everything revolves around families. We learn some more about Flavia's. Faustus' family story is very interesting. Flavia finds that the key to unraveling the central mystery rests will being able to peel back the layers of family ties that involve all the candidates.
Lindsey Davis does a fine job of making the Rome of this era memorable. This would not be the best book to start reading about Flavia, but for those who enjoy her, it's a delight.
This is a bit of a change for our Flavia. She is tapped to be a "political consultant" for her friend, Manlius Faustus, who is backing his friend's candidacy for a significant position. The election is hotly contested and there are some question about this condidate being a good "family man." Flavia must find a way either to divert attention (if he isn't) or to show his behavior as accepable.
This book at its core is an exploration of family/families. Some may find it slow paced but I was delighted with its careful chronicle of daily life. We finally get to see Flavia performing in the family business as auctioneer!
The plot is very complex with a lot of interesting characters, so I was grateful that Davis listed them at the start of the book. The simplified map of Rome was also a help. As, I noted above, everything revolves around families. We learn some more about Flavia's. Faustus' family story is very interesting. Flavia finds that the key to unraveling the central mystery rests will being able to peel back the layers of family ties that involve all the candidates.
Lindsey Davis does a fine job of making the Rome of this era memorable. This would not be the best book to start reading about Flavia, but for those who enjoy her, it's a delight.
August 26, 2015
It's steamy July in 89 AD Rome but Flavia Albia is recovered and doing both professions she has sought and fallen into, respectively. At 29 years of age, she is 10 years a widow and enjoying her singular life Fountain Court 4th floor flat. The same building that Falco, her Dad, now owns. It's even more decrepit than when he lived there 20 years before. Her Mom, Dad, sisters and brother are all on the coast for summer, as they are sane and do not want to bake in Rome. The Emperor is a tyrant but he is away conquering just now, so the politico is dicey for some electoral quests and judicial paths. Her Mom's two brothers are now in the Senate and they briefly appear in spots. As does her Dad's cohort from the Fifth, Petro.
Her auctioneer gig is interesting (trying to take her grandfather's place is impossible) and the plot turns upon a tale of two families competing in the politico for sons and son-in-laws running for the same offices. Only 4 will win and there are at least 6 running.
Two bodies, several trips and a long term love affair for Albia are all history by the end. Flavia Albia's Rome is interesting and her thoughts witty, but I think the entire loses 1 whole star for the Roman naming systems and multiple divorce and court hearings that leave you exhausted. Too many Julias! That's not Lindsey Davis's fault, but Albia is not as savvy as Falco to knit them all together with increasing tension. She can be just as nasty in a pinch, but the mundane here kind of drags.
Her auctioneer gig is interesting (trying to take her grandfather's place is impossible) and the plot turns upon a tale of two families competing in the politico for sons and son-in-laws running for the same offices. Only 4 will win and there are at least 6 running.
Two bodies, several trips and a long term love affair for Albia are all history by the end. Flavia Albia's Rome is interesting and her thoughts witty, but I think the entire loses 1 whole star for the Roman naming systems and multiple divorce and court hearings that leave you exhausted. Too many Julias! That's not Lindsey Davis's fault, but Albia is not as savvy as Falco to knit them all together with increasing tension. She can be just as nasty in a pinch, but the mundane here kind of drags.
March 30, 2021
I really enjoyed this reread, and loved the developing relationship between Flavia Albia and Faustus. The plot was complicated and involved lots of women called Julia! The audio was good.
February 7, 2017
I tried the Flavia Alba books when the first one was released, and couldn't get in to them. Couldn't make the adjustment from Falco to his adopted daughter Flavia being the main character.
After seeing the reviews of "Deadly Election" by a few friends on here, I decided to give it a go.
I'm glad I did. I've been long enough away from Lindsey's work that it was easier to accept Flavia Alba and not judge her by Falco.
In this book Flavia is helping with finding out scuttlebutt for electioneering purposes, when a rotting corpse turns up in a chest being auctioned at the family auction house. Naturally, Flavia investigates.
Well plotted, well written, and very enjoyable.
Highly recommended.
After seeing the reviews of "Deadly Election" by a few friends on here, I decided to give it a go.
I'm glad I did. I've been long enough away from Lindsey's work that it was easier to accept Flavia Alba and not judge her by Falco.
In this book Flavia is helping with finding out scuttlebutt for electioneering purposes, when a rotting corpse turns up in a chest being auctioned at the family auction house. Naturally, Flavia investigates.
Well plotted, well written, and very enjoyable.
Highly recommended.
December 29, 2018
This exciting Roman mystery by Lindsey Davis is the 3rd volume of the delightful Flavia Albia series.
The series has for grown from strength to strength and this book can now certainly be compared to the fabulous Falco series, her foster-father, in excitement and suspense.
The historical background is pictured in a most wonderful way, so much so that it feels as if you're walking alongside Flavia Albia while dangerous and loving events are taking place in and around Rome.
Apart from her uncles, the Camillus brothers, some other exciting personages who are making their presence felt are, Falco's best friend and old crony Lucius Petronius Longus and Falco's sister and now wife of Petronius, Maia Favonia.
The story is set in Rome in the year AD 89, during the reign of the Emperor Domitian, and while inspecting a decomposing corpse Flavia Albia suspects that foul play has been committed and she decides to set off to investigate the identity and death of this man.
But it's also election time and when democracy is for sale anything might and can happen to people, and so while Flavia Albia and the Magistrate, Manlius Faustus, are investigating the candidates, everything at any moment can turn sour between people and eventually it can turn into murder.
What follows is a "Tremendous Roman Mystery", one that Marcus Didius Falco would be, as foster-father, very proud of!
The series has for grown from strength to strength and this book can now certainly be compared to the fabulous Falco series, her foster-father, in excitement and suspense.
The historical background is pictured in a most wonderful way, so much so that it feels as if you're walking alongside Flavia Albia while dangerous and loving events are taking place in and around Rome.
Apart from her uncles, the Camillus brothers, some other exciting personages who are making their presence felt are, Falco's best friend and old crony Lucius Petronius Longus and Falco's sister and now wife of Petronius, Maia Favonia.
The story is set in Rome in the year AD 89, during the reign of the Emperor Domitian, and while inspecting a decomposing corpse Flavia Albia suspects that foul play has been committed and she decides to set off to investigate the identity and death of this man.
But it's also election time and when democracy is for sale anything might and can happen to people, and so while Flavia Albia and the Magistrate, Manlius Faustus, are investigating the candidates, everything at any moment can turn sour between people and eventually it can turn into murder.
What follows is a "Tremendous Roman Mystery", one that Marcus Didius Falco would be, as foster-father, very proud of!
October 27, 2016
3.5 stars
August 5, 2021
2021 bk 247. It's election time. Normally not of interest to Flavia Albia since as a woman she cannot vote, but her aedille has taken an interest in backing his best friend for the position he now holds. Flavia Albia is the perfect person to help ferret out the truth about their opponents. At the same time, being the dutiful daughter she is, she must oversee and help at her father's summer auction while he is out of town. The two world's collide when her auction staff finds a dead body in a trunk, a trunk belonging to one of the families promoting an aedille candidate. Politics can be very ugly.
May 14, 2015
Deadly Election is book three in the Flavia Albia series and returns us to Rome about a month after the events of the previous book
Enemies at Home
. This book was a lot of fun, but in some ways far more about Albia and Faustus than about the case. We learn more about Albia’s role as her father’s representative at the family auction house, about Faustus’ past, and perhaps most importantly and most entertainingly the developing bond between Albia en Faustus.
The case at the heart of the book can be summed up as it’s all about the Julia’s. Once again Davis shows how much Roman life revolved around the family structure and how deeply rooted family loyalty and honour is and simultaneously how deeply families can be torn apart internally when things go wrong. It also showed how complex Roman family life was when people divorced and remarried for advantage, not just love, and those decisions were often made by the head of the family, not the partners themselves. Not to mention how hard this must have been for the offspring of the various marriage and the way their loyalties would be pulled six ways till Sunday. Life in Rome seems to have been a messy business.
I loved seeing more of Flavia Albia the auctioneer’s daughter, instead of Albia the private investigator. The glimpses we got of the day to day running of the auction house was quite interesting and I always love a good auction scene. The fact that Albia gets to wield the gavel was the icing on the cake. The way Falco, and by extension Albia, treat their employees says a lot about their outlook on life. I loved the fact that they got their head porter Gornia a donkey to get around on to accommodate his advanced age. Patchy the donkey was a great element to the narrative, with him consistently showing up and having to arrange for his care being something Albia has to deal with, instead of him just being transportation.
As the title might have given away, there is a lot of political intrigue in the narrative. Set against the campaign for the election of the new aediles of Rome, it turns out that politics actually haven’t changed that much in over 2000 years. Albia is hired by Faustus to dig up dirt on all the various candidates that are running against the candidate he is campaigning for, his childhood friend Vibius. The dirt Albia finds ranges from the somewhat shameful to the tragic. At the same time she is also investigating the dead body found at her family’s warehouse in one of the items they are to auction. The way these investigation intertwine is quite well done and I really enjoyed putting the puzzle together. During the course of Albia’s investigation we finally get to meet Faustus’ uncle Tullius, who turns out to be even worse than he’d been previously described, which made for a very cool confrontation between him and Albia. The one complaint I had about the character list is that there were a great number of similarly named people and if not for the dramatis personae at the start of the novel, I would have had to take notes to keep them straight.
My favourite thing about the book was the slow tango between Albia and Faustus and I absolutely loved its conclusion. There were some lovely touches, such as the dolphin bench that ends up in Albia’s courtyard and Faustus’ worrying about Albia’s health. And Dromo’s commentary on Albia and Faustus made for some delightful comic relief. It’ll be interesting to see how Albia and Faustus will develop their relationship in the next book, and I’m curious whether and to what extent their partnership echoes – or perhaps mirrored is a better term – that of Albia’s parents. Could any of my readers enlighten me on that score?
While this may not have been my favourite case of the three books featuring Albia thus far, I loved the character development in Deadly Election as the Albia/Faustus dynamic is my favourite thing about this series. I’m very much looking forward to reading Albia’s next adventure. If you enjoy a well-written, humour-infused, Roman mystery then you can’t go wrong with Deadly Election and the Flavia Albia series as a whole.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
The case at the heart of the book can be summed up as it’s all about the Julia’s. Once again Davis shows how much Roman life revolved around the family structure and how deeply rooted family loyalty and honour is and simultaneously how deeply families can be torn apart internally when things go wrong. It also showed how complex Roman family life was when people divorced and remarried for advantage, not just love, and those decisions were often made by the head of the family, not the partners themselves. Not to mention how hard this must have been for the offspring of the various marriage and the way their loyalties would be pulled six ways till Sunday. Life in Rome seems to have been a messy business.
I loved seeing more of Flavia Albia the auctioneer’s daughter, instead of Albia the private investigator. The glimpses we got of the day to day running of the auction house was quite interesting and I always love a good auction scene. The fact that Albia gets to wield the gavel was the icing on the cake. The way Falco, and by extension Albia, treat their employees says a lot about their outlook on life. I loved the fact that they got their head porter Gornia a donkey to get around on to accommodate his advanced age. Patchy the donkey was a great element to the narrative, with him consistently showing up and having to arrange for his care being something Albia has to deal with, instead of him just being transportation.
As the title might have given away, there is a lot of political intrigue in the narrative. Set against the campaign for the election of the new aediles of Rome, it turns out that politics actually haven’t changed that much in over 2000 years. Albia is hired by Faustus to dig up dirt on all the various candidates that are running against the candidate he is campaigning for, his childhood friend Vibius. The dirt Albia finds ranges from the somewhat shameful to the tragic. At the same time she is also investigating the dead body found at her family’s warehouse in one of the items they are to auction. The way these investigation intertwine is quite well done and I really enjoyed putting the puzzle together. During the course of Albia’s investigation we finally get to meet Faustus’ uncle Tullius, who turns out to be even worse than he’d been previously described, which made for a very cool confrontation between him and Albia. The one complaint I had about the character list is that there were a great number of similarly named people and if not for the dramatis personae at the start of the novel, I would have had to take notes to keep them straight.
My favourite thing about the book was the slow tango between Albia and Faustus and I absolutely loved its conclusion. There were some lovely touches, such as the dolphin bench that ends up in Albia’s courtyard and Faustus’ worrying about Albia’s health. And Dromo’s commentary on Albia and Faustus made for some delightful comic relief. It’ll be interesting to see how Albia and Faustus will develop their relationship in the next book, and I’m curious whether and to what extent their partnership echoes – or perhaps mirrored is a better term – that of Albia’s parents. Could any of my readers enlighten me on that score?
While this may not have been my favourite case of the three books featuring Albia thus far, I loved the character development in Deadly Election as the Albia/Faustus dynamic is my favourite thing about this series. I’m very much looking forward to reading Albia’s next adventure. If you enjoy a well-written, humour-infused, Roman mystery then you can’t go wrong with Deadly Election and the Flavia Albia series as a whole.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
March 17, 2019
At the end of the previous book in this series - Enemies at Home - Flavia Albia had been seriously ill, nursed initially by her new friend, Manlius Faustus, before being 'rescued' by her mother. After a few weeks recovering with her family at their country estate, she's bored, and returns to Rome, but is far from fit and healthy.
In the city, it's election time. Although with Domitian as Emperor, the elections are not as open and fair as they might be. Manlius Faustus, one of the current plebeian aediles, and someone Albia has worked with previously, is acting as agent for a friend who is running for the same post in the coming year.
As she is the only family member currently in the city, she is called to the family's auction business, when the staff find a badly decomposed body in a trunk entered for their next sale. As usual, the authorities are not too concerned, but Albia is keen to identify the victim.
Manlius Faustus then asks her to help in their election campaign. This basically consists of digging up dirt on the opponents; real or imagined, it doesn't really matter. The candidates are an interesting bunch; from a mother's boy, to a couple of bruisers. All have to convince the Senators who will eventually decide the election that they are right for the posts. All this costs a lot of money, as bribery is never far away, though strictly illegal, of course. It then turns out that the chest with the body was part of a sale being run for another of the candidates.
Her experience as an informer means it is perfect work for Albia, even if not completely to her taste. It proves easy to find lots of information about the various candidates, and use it in anonymous graffiti, spreading rumours, and hinting in public speeches. Then, mysteriously, the leading contender drops out of the race.
As usual, there is a large cast list. And this time, there is some confusion. A domineering matriarch and her daughters - all called Julia - are central to the plot, and disentangling them is difficult. But part of the plot is the fact that Albia and Manlius have difficulty as well, so it's deliberate on the author's part.
Some members of Albia's family make an appearance again; her uncles the Camillus brothers, as well as Petro, now retired from the vigiles. Another familiar face is that of Claudius Laeta, now retired, but an old acquaintance of her father, and still very much with his finger on the pulse.
The plot moves rapidly; from the candidate's office to the forum, to the Didii auction house. The relationship between Albia and Manlius Faustus continues to grow, but you're never quite sure where it's going. It's handled lightly, and being ultra-critical, you could say it's a bit too similar to the story of Falco and Helena Justina. But it is amusing, frustrating and believable.
The story is quite complicated, particularly with the relationships between some of the characters. These are slowly revealed as we see Albia discover them, and this allows us to unravel the mystery with her; occasionally ahead of her. This may sound obvious, but not all mysteries manage this successfully. This one does.
This is the third book in the Flavia Albia series, and Lindsey Davis has found her top form with all three. Albia is a likeable, believable character; confident, smart and determined, but with her own doubts and insecurities. The mysteries she has been asked to solve are on a par with any of the Falco books. I'm looking forward to the next volumes.
In the city, it's election time. Although with Domitian as Emperor, the elections are not as open and fair as they might be. Manlius Faustus, one of the current plebeian aediles, and someone Albia has worked with previously, is acting as agent for a friend who is running for the same post in the coming year.
As she is the only family member currently in the city, she is called to the family's auction business, when the staff find a badly decomposed body in a trunk entered for their next sale. As usual, the authorities are not too concerned, but Albia is keen to identify the victim.
Manlius Faustus then asks her to help in their election campaign. This basically consists of digging up dirt on the opponents; real or imagined, it doesn't really matter. The candidates are an interesting bunch; from a mother's boy, to a couple of bruisers. All have to convince the Senators who will eventually decide the election that they are right for the posts. All this costs a lot of money, as bribery is never far away, though strictly illegal, of course. It then turns out that the chest with the body was part of a sale being run for another of the candidates.
Her experience as an informer means it is perfect work for Albia, even if not completely to her taste. It proves easy to find lots of information about the various candidates, and use it in anonymous graffiti, spreading rumours, and hinting in public speeches. Then, mysteriously, the leading contender drops out of the race.
As usual, there is a large cast list. And this time, there is some confusion. A domineering matriarch and her daughters - all called Julia - are central to the plot, and disentangling them is difficult. But part of the plot is the fact that Albia and Manlius have difficulty as well, so it's deliberate on the author's part.
Some members of Albia's family make an appearance again; her uncles the Camillus brothers, as well as Petro, now retired from the vigiles. Another familiar face is that of Claudius Laeta, now retired, but an old acquaintance of her father, and still very much with his finger on the pulse.
The plot moves rapidly; from the candidate's office to the forum, to the Didii auction house. The relationship between Albia and Manlius Faustus continues to grow, but you're never quite sure where it's going. It's handled lightly, and being ultra-critical, you could say it's a bit too similar to the story of Falco and Helena Justina. But it is amusing, frustrating and believable.
The story is quite complicated, particularly with the relationships between some of the characters. These are slowly revealed as we see Albia discover them, and this allows us to unravel the mystery with her; occasionally ahead of her. This may sound obvious, but not all mysteries manage this successfully. This one does.
This is the third book in the Flavia Albia series, and Lindsey Davis has found her top form with all three. Albia is a likeable, believable character; confident, smart and determined, but with her own doubts and insecurities. The mysteries she has been asked to solve are on a par with any of the Falco books. I'm looking forward to the next volumes.
September 7, 2018
Whilst you could jump into the Flavia Alba series with book 2, I would not recommend you do so with book 3. Unfortunately my bookclub did just that. We start once again with a body, this time in some goods to be sold by Flavia Alba’s family. I must have missed something somewhere, as Uncle Falco owns the auction house. He must have inherited it from his father.
Since Flavia was on duty in the family trade, she gets to discover the body. It has been putrifying in the August heat for some days. Meanwhile, Tiberius (aka Faustus) has asked her to help as he lends his support to a potential aedile, up for election in the winter. The candidates need to be whiter than white to resist the mud-slinging from their rivals.
These nuances of Roman life can be confusing, and although the author explains them well, I still find them tortuous. Each of Flavia’s quests is in itself understandable, until they entwine (as they inevitably would do). Like Falco’s book involving the Roman legal system, The Accusers, Flavia’s involving the election system gets somewhat dense. Worse, Davis chooses to contrive a whole family of sisters (five?) named Julia. Julia this, Julia that… I found it impossible to keep them straight and eventually let them wash over me. The trick is to think of them only by their second names, so the plot eventually made enough sense to be enjoyable. But did she really have to do that to her readers? It was pretty much a death knell to my bookclub.
So, a good enough story, with nice developments between Flavia Alba, Tiberius (Manlius Faustus) and the rest of the family. (I kept being distracted by the appropriateness of Flavia’s beau’s real name being Manlius. I suppose he is manly enough for her.) This story showed another side of the Roman system. But it’s one for devotees only, I think.
Since Flavia was on duty in the family trade, she gets to discover the body. It has been putrifying in the August heat for some days. Meanwhile, Tiberius (aka Faustus) has asked her to help as he lends his support to a potential aedile, up for election in the winter. The candidates need to be whiter than white to resist the mud-slinging from their rivals.
These nuances of Roman life can be confusing, and although the author explains them well, I still find them tortuous. Each of Flavia’s quests is in itself understandable, until they entwine (as they inevitably would do). Like Falco’s book involving the Roman legal system, The Accusers, Flavia’s involving the election system gets somewhat dense. Worse, Davis chooses to contrive a whole family of sisters (five?) named Julia. Julia this, Julia that… I found it impossible to keep them straight and eventually let them wash over me. The trick is to think of them only by their second names, so the plot eventually made enough sense to be enjoyable. But did she really have to do that to her readers? It was pretty much a death knell to my bookclub.
So, a good enough story, with nice developments between Flavia Alba, Tiberius (Manlius Faustus) and the rest of the family. (I kept being distracted by the appropriateness of Flavia’s beau’s real name being Manlius. I suppose he is manly enough for her.) This story showed another side of the Roman system. But it’s one for devotees only, I think.
August 16, 2018
3,75 Are We In Love? Stars
It's always interesting to find an anonymous dead body in a chest in your family's auction house. I really enjoyed the case in this story, though because it was a very politically focused one, I was a bit overwhelmed at times (my brain just had some troubles, and I really had to focus). But on the other hand my romantic heart is so very happy, with how Flavia and Tiberius are wonderful together. These two make me swoon. This series is truly amazing, and my inner mystery/crime fan is a happy reader right now.
It's always interesting to find an anonymous dead body in a chest in your family's auction house. I really enjoyed the case in this story, though because it was a very politically focused one, I was a bit overwhelmed at times (my brain just had some troubles, and I really had to focus). But on the other hand my romantic heart is so very happy, with how Flavia and Tiberius are wonderful together. These two make me swoon. This series is truly amazing, and my inner mystery/crime fan is a happy reader right now.
May 10, 2015
Flavia Albia has come into her own as a character after a bit of a shaky start. She was somewhat bitter and unlikeable in the first book, but has mellowed as they keep coming. Did the author take note, or was that the plan?
A body is found in a strongbox just as it's about to be the star item in a quiet summer auction handled by the employees and slaves of Falco's auction house. Albia steps in as the only family member left in the city over the summer and tries to find the identity, and murderer of said ripe body. Her not boyfriend also employs her to dig up dirt on his friends Senatorial opponents.
Might the jobs be connected? Duh! Then another corpse turns up. . .
The clues are all there to be solved, and indeed, I was a few steps ahead, but I like that. It's always annoying when the mystery is solved by obscure, barely credible, means.
Falco's old Palace boss crops up, as does his best pal, so there are links to the Falco series, and some loose ends get tied up, but Falco and Helena are very much 'off stage' characters. They are there, just not actually there, if that makes sense? That may change in the next book, judging by the end of this one.
A body is found in a strongbox just as it's about to be the star item in a quiet summer auction handled by the employees and slaves of Falco's auction house. Albia steps in as the only family member left in the city over the summer and tries to find the identity, and murderer of said ripe body. Her not boyfriend also employs her to dig up dirt on his friends Senatorial opponents.
Might the jobs be connected? Duh! Then another corpse turns up. . .
The clues are all there to be solved, and indeed, I was a few steps ahead, but I like that. It's always annoying when the mystery is solved by obscure, barely credible, means.
Falco's old Palace boss crops up, as does his best pal, so there are links to the Falco series, and some loose ends get tied up, but Falco and Helena are very much 'off stage' characters. They are there, just not actually there, if that makes sense? That may change in the next book, judging by the end of this one.
September 17, 2015
I am so glad the family tradition of "informant" was creatively and competently carried on by Flavia Albia as I so enjoyed Falco's adventures. I will keep on reading if Lindsey Davis keeps on writing with her grand sense of humor as she brings ancient Rome to life.
January 3, 2018
An intriguing if somewhat convoluted and dry mystery. The charm, though, lies in our lovely heroine Flavia Albia and the author's characteristically entertaining turn of phrase.
July 29, 2015
Series is finding its groove and the groove is Albia/Faustus in the time of Domitian replacing Falco/Helena in the time of Vespasian. Relaxing with old friends.
December 27, 2017
The third in the Flavia Albia mystery series set in Imperial Rome and featuring the feisty female informer is replete with excellent characterization, brisk pacing and just enough romance.
June 5, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am giving it 4 1/2 stars because I tend to enjoy every book and while this one is great I have another murder-mystery series I am reading that is outstanding. With that said, I truly do recommend this series of books. The story lines are good, the characters are well developed, the main characters are easy to relate to, and the series offers a little kiss of history.
This particular book in the series is about an election and a couple of close knit families. I feel like you get a little glimpse of early Rome (although I am not a historian and cannot confirm how historically accurate the book is for the time period of 89 CE) may have been during the reign of Domitian. You get the feel from the book that he was a corrupt leader, but he is not a focus.
The series flows really well from book to book and the character’s relationships develop quite nicely in this book. I find that I enjoy the main character being such a strong female that still knows she has to gently and professionally maneuver through a man’s world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am giving it 4 1/2 stars because I tend to enjoy every book and while this one is great I have another murder-mystery series I am reading that is outstanding. With that said, I truly do recommend this series of books. The story lines are good, the characters are well developed, the main characters are easy to relate to, and the series offers a little kiss of history.
This particular book in the series is about an election and a couple of close knit families. I feel like you get a little glimpse of early Rome (although I am not a historian and cannot confirm how historically accurate the book is for the time period of 89 CE) may have been during the reign of Domitian. You get the feel from the book that he was a corrupt leader, but he is not a focus.
The series flows really well from book to book and the character’s relationships develop quite nicely in this book. I find that I enjoy the main character being such a strong female that still knows she has to gently and professionally maneuver through a man’s world.
September 2, 2019
Titan's tripes Lindsey Davis can write an involving crime novel - Despite the Roman setting, which Davis captures perfectly, Deadly Election could very easily pass as a modern political thriller/murder mystery (once you changed the setting obvs.)
The setting is perfect, at times you can almost smell the atmosphere of first century CE Rome, and the characters fit well but are relatable to the reader now. The plot is well done and clever, and it's a proper 'not able to put down' sort of a book - the Flavia Alba series is rapidly becoming one of my favourite things in crime fiction so put that in your teapot and pour water over it.
The setting is perfect, at times you can almost smell the atmosphere of first century CE Rome, and the characters fit well but are relatable to the reader now. The plot is well done and clever, and it's a proper 'not able to put down' sort of a book - the Flavia Alba series is rapidly becoming one of my favourite things in crime fiction so put that in your teapot and pour water over it.
January 1, 2019
Another splendid read in this highly enjoyable series. I am greatly enjoying the highly practical, low-key approach to a romantic storyline among the murders and cold breakfasts of Ancient Rome.
September 12, 2021
I was lost a lot. Too many people with the same name. I stuck to it and figured it out, but I hope the author doesn't try that again.
August 3, 2024
Despite the normal helpful list of characters there was lots of people with very similar sounding names and too many Julia’s! However a very helpful family tree provided near the end of the book explained matters very clearly. Lots of intrigue and information gathering in the run up to the election. The developing relationship between Flavia and Manlius is also a good story line as was the work taken by both to solve two murders. The next book should be interesting!!!!
June 25, 2023
Aufregung im Auktionshaus, das Marcus Didius Falco von seinem Vater geerbt hat: eine Truhe, die versteigert werden soll, ist nicht so leer wie erwartet, doch im Inneren befinden sich keine verborgenen Schätze oder irgendwelcher Krimskrams, sondern eine Leiche! Als Privatdetektivin und Familienmitglied ist Flavia Albia geradezu prädestiniert, herauszufinden, wer der Tote war und vor allem, wer ihn getötet und in die Truhe gepackt hat.
Die hat gleich noch einen potentiellen Auftrag aus dem unmittelbaren Umfeld vor der Brust - Manlius Faustus, der Albia nicht mehr so richtig aus dem Kopf geht, macht Wahlkampf für seinen guten Freund Sextus und will Albia engagieren, um herauszufinden, wer von Sextus' Rivalen welchen Dreck am Stecken hat. So richtig glücklich ist sie nicht damit, denn es ist in Rom noch nie eine gute Idee gewesen, sich mächtige Leute zu Feinden zu machen, und es dauert nicht lange, bis sie Grund hat, an Faustus zu zweifeln.
Ein typischer Davis-Krimi mit allem, was dazugehört: politische Intrigen und Verflechtungen, undurchsichtige Typen, römische Sommerhitze und ein Panoptikum an Verdächtigen, das sich gewaschen hat. Typisch auch, dass ich hin und wieder mit all den ähnlichen Namen und Politikverwicklungen etwas überfordert war, was aber, auch wie immer, dem Verständnis des Falls als solchem nicht geschadet hat.
Der Wahlkampf im alten Rom erinnert gar nicht so selten an den Wahlkampfzirkus von heute, insbesondere den in den USA, aber nicht nur die entsprechenden Seitenhiebe sorgen immer wieder für einen Lacher, sondern auch Albias staubtrockene Kommentare und einige schräge Vögel, die gelungene Situationskomik ins Spiel bringen.
Ein lebendiges Abbild von Rom Ende des 1. Jahrhunderts, ein spannender Krimi und sehr unterhaltsame Lektüre.
Die hat gleich noch einen potentiellen Auftrag aus dem unmittelbaren Umfeld vor der Brust - Manlius Faustus, der Albia nicht mehr so richtig aus dem Kopf geht, macht Wahlkampf für seinen guten Freund Sextus und will Albia engagieren, um herauszufinden, wer von Sextus' Rivalen welchen Dreck am Stecken hat. So richtig glücklich ist sie nicht damit, denn es ist in Rom noch nie eine gute Idee gewesen, sich mächtige Leute zu Feinden zu machen, und es dauert nicht lange, bis sie Grund hat, an Faustus zu zweifeln.
Ein typischer Davis-Krimi mit allem, was dazugehört: politische Intrigen und Verflechtungen, undurchsichtige Typen, römische Sommerhitze und ein Panoptikum an Verdächtigen, das sich gewaschen hat. Typisch auch, dass ich hin und wieder mit all den ähnlichen Namen und Politikverwicklungen etwas überfordert war, was aber, auch wie immer, dem Verständnis des Falls als solchem nicht geschadet hat.
Der Wahlkampf im alten Rom erinnert gar nicht so selten an den Wahlkampfzirkus von heute, insbesondere den in den USA, aber nicht nur die entsprechenden Seitenhiebe sorgen immer wieder für einen Lacher, sondern auch Albias staubtrockene Kommentare und einige schräge Vögel, die gelungene Situationskomik ins Spiel bringen.
Ein lebendiges Abbild von Rom Ende des 1. Jahrhunderts, ein spannender Krimi und sehr unterhaltsame Lektüre.
August 25, 2016
Dejadme que os cuente una historia.
Hace muchos años, antes de que Babel fuera Babel, durante precisamente un verano, estaba ella paseándose entre las estanterías de un centro comercial. Babel se topó con un libro desconocido, La plata de Britania, se lo llevó a casa y así comenzó un idilio histórico que nunca llegó a olvidar.
Reseña de Torre de Babel http://torretadebabel.blogspot.com
De vuelta al presente...
La autora, esa abuelita anglosajona que todos podríamos imaginar con una taza de té en la mano, ha escrito 20 novelas sobre Marco Didio Falco. Aquel hombretón duro e inteligente se dedicaba al dudoso oficio de detective en la Antigua Roma. Ahora es el turno de su hija. Y yo sigo igual de fascinada con el estilo único y sagaz de esta escritora. Da la sensación de estar viviendo allí, en el año 89 d.C., husmeando entre las peores callejuelas y los foros más concurridos de conspiradores y oportunistas. Lo curiosos de estas novelas es que se presentan menos como documentales y más como vida de barrio.
En esta novela en particular, Flavia Albia, de origen britano y afincada por su cuenta en un piso con portero (sí, los había entonces), divide su tiempo durante un caluroso verano entre dos empresas. Primero, se ha descubierto un cadáver en un cofre perteneciente a los Calixto. Por otro lado, su amigo Manlio Fausto solicita su ayuda para la candidatura de Sexto Vibio Marino a las elecciones de gobernador.
A través de sus recorridos a pie o en burro por la ciudad de Roma, Flavia muestra el talante bruto de sus habitantes, sus desmanes, las costumbres de los patricios, el miedo que impregnaba los ánimos respecto al vengativo emperador Domiciano. Entre trapicheos, investigaciones arteras, giros de trama muy enrevesados que nunca te dejan ver la verdad hasta que las piezas encajan con exquisita tortura, la historia se va desgranando con ritmo ágil debido a una razón fundamental. El HUMOR. La autora combina el misterio inteligente con un sentido del humor incisivo que resulta adictivo.
Me divierto mucho con los juicios que Flavia Albia hace de los pintorescos individuos con los que se topa en sus investigaciones. Los diálogos son tanto sonsacar información como hacer uso del ingenio y el humor. Algunas escenas son francamente divertidas, por ejemplo, la que sucede en la subasta.
Otra baza de esta novela es la forma en que el pasado histórico, de la vida cotidiana de esta fascinante civilización, se manifiesta con realismo a través de los escenarios que recorre la protagonista. Tabernas, la limpieza de las calles, las leyes, las normas sociales en la casa que se visita, las comidas esperpénticas que eran normales por entonces... Es un caleidoscopio interesantísimo.
En esta ocasión, asistimos de primera mano a los entresijos de la política que rodeaba a las elecciones de gobernador. Quiénes son los candidatos, cómo se conducen en tiempos de campaña y los feroces insultos que se profieren en tribuna pública. Me han recordado a estos tiempos modernos que vivimos XD
Por tanto, he disfrutado con la trama vil y retorcida, llena de venganza, odio, secretos y multitud de personajes con oscuras conexiones. Y sobre todo, me he regodeado en este excelente personaje femenino por su mente inquisitiva, su inusual vida y su franco y precioso romance que ha añadido otra pizca más de humor y originalidad a esta gran novela.
Hace muchos años, antes de que Babel fuera Babel, durante precisamente un verano, estaba ella paseándose entre las estanterías de un centro comercial. Babel se topó con un libro desconocido, La plata de Britania, se lo llevó a casa y así comenzó un idilio histórico que nunca llegó a olvidar.
Reseña de Torre de Babel http://torretadebabel.blogspot.com
De vuelta al presente...
La autora, esa abuelita anglosajona que todos podríamos imaginar con una taza de té en la mano, ha escrito 20 novelas sobre Marco Didio Falco. Aquel hombretón duro e inteligente se dedicaba al dudoso oficio de detective en la Antigua Roma. Ahora es el turno de su hija. Y yo sigo igual de fascinada con el estilo único y sagaz de esta escritora. Da la sensación de estar viviendo allí, en el año 89 d.C., husmeando entre las peores callejuelas y los foros más concurridos de conspiradores y oportunistas. Lo curiosos de estas novelas es que se presentan menos como documentales y más como vida de barrio.
En esta novela en particular, Flavia Albia, de origen britano y afincada por su cuenta en un piso con portero (sí, los había entonces), divide su tiempo durante un caluroso verano entre dos empresas. Primero, se ha descubierto un cadáver en un cofre perteneciente a los Calixto. Por otro lado, su amigo Manlio Fausto solicita su ayuda para la candidatura de Sexto Vibio Marino a las elecciones de gobernador.
A través de sus recorridos a pie o en burro por la ciudad de Roma, Flavia muestra el talante bruto de sus habitantes, sus desmanes, las costumbres de los patricios, el miedo que impregnaba los ánimos respecto al vengativo emperador Domiciano. Entre trapicheos, investigaciones arteras, giros de trama muy enrevesados que nunca te dejan ver la verdad hasta que las piezas encajan con exquisita tortura, la historia se va desgranando con ritmo ágil debido a una razón fundamental. El HUMOR. La autora combina el misterio inteligente con un sentido del humor incisivo que resulta adictivo.
Me divierto mucho con los juicios que Flavia Albia hace de los pintorescos individuos con los que se topa en sus investigaciones. Los diálogos son tanto sonsacar información como hacer uso del ingenio y el humor. Algunas escenas son francamente divertidas, por ejemplo, la que sucede en la subasta.
Otra baza de esta novela es la forma en que el pasado histórico, de la vida cotidiana de esta fascinante civilización, se manifiesta con realismo a través de los escenarios que recorre la protagonista. Tabernas, la limpieza de las calles, las leyes, las normas sociales en la casa que se visita, las comidas esperpénticas que eran normales por entonces... Es un caleidoscopio interesantísimo.
En esta ocasión, asistimos de primera mano a los entresijos de la política que rodeaba a las elecciones de gobernador. Quiénes son los candidatos, cómo se conducen en tiempos de campaña y los feroces insultos que se profieren en tribuna pública. Me han recordado a estos tiempos modernos que vivimos XD
Por tanto, he disfrutado con la trama vil y retorcida, llena de venganza, odio, secretos y multitud de personajes con oscuras conexiones. Y sobre todo, me he regodeado en este excelente personaje femenino por su mente inquisitiva, su inusual vida y su franco y precioso romance que ha añadido otra pizca más de humor y originalidad a esta gran novela.
July 29, 2022
Originally published at Reading Reality
I want to start this with “Once upon a time” but I’m not sure whether that’s once upon a time, in 1989, the author published the first book in a historical mystery series featuring a hard-boiled rapscallion of a private inquiry agent named Marcus Didius Falco. The series ran for 20 books, until Falco passed the investigative torch to his adopted daughter Flavia Albia. Deadly Election is the third book in her series, which is now at ten books and continuing.
It could be “once upon a time”, back when audiobooks were still on actual tape, I listened to that first book, The Silver Pigs, and picked up all the subsequent books I could get my hands on in any form.
At the time, the series was a bit like the bear dancing, in that you are not surprised it’s done well, you’re surprised it’s done AT ALL. But in the end, it was done and done very well indeed, in spite of the seeming implausibility of the protagonist.
Once you’ve read the fortunes and misfortunes of the father, it seems natural to continue the adventure with the daughter who brings her own version of wry intelligence mixed with utter cynicism to her own investigations – following in her father’s often self-indulgent footsteps.
Flavia Albia is a different kind of investigator altogether. Not that she doesn’t find herself in trouble as often as her father did. It’s just that many of the times Falco had to be broken out of jail it was his own fault due to some of that self-indulgence. When Flavia Albia gets into trouble it’s usually because she’s working too hard or following too closely in a case. The former at least was something her father was seldom accused of.
And if it seems like I’m meandering a bit or giving a lot of background, that’s actually kind of how both series work. Because there is generally a lot of background, all to the purpose of immersing the reader in the world inhabited by Flavia Albia and her frequently disreputable family – with her “dear old dad” as the head disreputable. Without his redoubtable wife, Helena Justina, he would never have managed to stay any course long enough to have enough to retire on – as he has.
But as we walk the streets of Imperial Rome with Flavia Albia, we are able to immerse ourselves in her world. It’s a fascinating view of a time and place long subsumed by history, made all the more absorbing because as much as many things are different, human beings don’t seem to have changed a bit.
For good and for ill. Considering Albia’s profession, she’s better off if a few more people are doing ill – as then they might need her services as an “informer” – otherwise known as a private inquiry agent or, as anachronistic as the term would be – private detective.
In Deadly Election, she has two cases to wrangle with. One comes to her through her friend – and possibly her eventual lover, Manlius Faustus. He’s already been elected to public office, but he’s now mentoring his childhood friend into the business. They’re using Albia’s services to investigate their rivals to see if some dirt can be found to foul up their campaigns – while trying to keep ahead of whatever dirt their opponents might dig up on them.
But the election has already turned deadly, as Albia’s other work, assisting with the family auction house, has turned up a dead body locked in a storage crate scheduled for auction. At first, Albia has no clue to the corpse’s identity, but as she investigates she discovers that the late lamented may not have had an enemy in the world, but he certainly had a relative in that race for public office.
It’s up to Albia to figure out who done it and why at a time and place where forensics were non-existence, women officially had no public role (unofficially was an entirely other matter) and where everyone is afraid to talk because the emperor’s agents are everywhere – looking for possible – or potential traitors.
Escape Rating A-: Part of what makes these series fun is that each book begins with what almost seems like a lot of extraneous information. Information that turns out not to have been extraneous at all by the time the story ends. But it does feel like an immersion process, that it takes time to become acquainted, or re-acquainted, with Albia’s Rome as she experiences it.
And to get used to her first-person voice, because she’s an intelligent outsider who has learned to be whoever and whatever she needs to be to get the job done and get paid by her client. But behind her mask of professional politeness she’s wry and snarky and frequently wishes she could let loose with a cutting remark or ten – because so many of her clients deserve it. Her thoughts can feel very modern, just as her adopted father’s did, but it works surprisingly well.
As Flavia goes on with her business and takes us through her Rome, we start to feel the cobbles under our feet, the mud between our toes, and even smell the overwhelming decay of the liquefying corpse the auction house’s staff find locked in a chest.
At first we’re watching her, and then we’re with her, in a way that wouldn’t work nearly as well if the story didn’t circle around to the case the way it does.
A lot of this particular story is about family ties and nepotism in politics. (Doesn’t that sound all too familiar?) Also it takes place in the middle of a very long, very hot summer, and that seems familiar as well. Forensics are non-existent. She has to solve her cases by painstakingly asking questions of everyone involved and piecing together the parts of the answers that might be true.
It’s easy for both Albia and the reader to get lost in the cover ups and lies, and isn’t that just politics all over.
At the same time, Albia’s relationship with Faustus is driving her crazy. He seems to be the only man in Rome immune to her charms. He’s divorced, she’s a widow, there’s no reason they can’t embark on an affair. Except that they are not of the same class. How much social opprobrium he’s willing to endure is not something she’s willing to risk her heart on.
But this case throws them together at every turn. Which makes it a lot of fun for the reader to wonder whether they’re going to get together or even if they should, while Albia takes a hard look at all the candidates for office and all the murder suspects for that poor corpse and begins to think they might be one and the same.
The heart wants what the heart wants, the cases aren’t going to be easy to solve, and the emperor is insanely paranoid – adding a level of unpredictable danger to a situation that no one except Flavia Albia wants to cope with in the first place!
But it’s all a lot of fun for any reader, like this one, who loves historical mysteries set in unusual times and places. And for any reader who likes their protagonists to have an inner asshole voice that isn’t always as inner as it should be.
In other words, I had a ball with this book, even if Albia wasn’t always having one herself. I’ll be back sometime with the next book in the series, The Graveyard of the Hesperides, the next time I’m in the right mood, if only to see how Albia’s romance is – or isn’t – going!
I want to start this with “Once upon a time” but I’m not sure whether that’s once upon a time, in 1989, the author published the first book in a historical mystery series featuring a hard-boiled rapscallion of a private inquiry agent named Marcus Didius Falco. The series ran for 20 books, until Falco passed the investigative torch to his adopted daughter Flavia Albia. Deadly Election is the third book in her series, which is now at ten books and continuing.
It could be “once upon a time”, back when audiobooks were still on actual tape, I listened to that first book, The Silver Pigs, and picked up all the subsequent books I could get my hands on in any form.
At the time, the series was a bit like the bear dancing, in that you are not surprised it’s done well, you’re surprised it’s done AT ALL. But in the end, it was done and done very well indeed, in spite of the seeming implausibility of the protagonist.
Once you’ve read the fortunes and misfortunes of the father, it seems natural to continue the adventure with the daughter who brings her own version of wry intelligence mixed with utter cynicism to her own investigations – following in her father’s often self-indulgent footsteps.
Flavia Albia is a different kind of investigator altogether. Not that she doesn’t find herself in trouble as often as her father did. It’s just that many of the times Falco had to be broken out of jail it was his own fault due to some of that self-indulgence. When Flavia Albia gets into trouble it’s usually because she’s working too hard or following too closely in a case. The former at least was something her father was seldom accused of.
And if it seems like I’m meandering a bit or giving a lot of background, that’s actually kind of how both series work. Because there is generally a lot of background, all to the purpose of immersing the reader in the world inhabited by Flavia Albia and her frequently disreputable family – with her “dear old dad” as the head disreputable. Without his redoubtable wife, Helena Justina, he would never have managed to stay any course long enough to have enough to retire on – as he has.
But as we walk the streets of Imperial Rome with Flavia Albia, we are able to immerse ourselves in her world. It’s a fascinating view of a time and place long subsumed by history, made all the more absorbing because as much as many things are different, human beings don’t seem to have changed a bit.
For good and for ill. Considering Albia’s profession, she’s better off if a few more people are doing ill – as then they might need her services as an “informer” – otherwise known as a private inquiry agent or, as anachronistic as the term would be – private detective.
In Deadly Election, she has two cases to wrangle with. One comes to her through her friend – and possibly her eventual lover, Manlius Faustus. He’s already been elected to public office, but he’s now mentoring his childhood friend into the business. They’re using Albia’s services to investigate their rivals to see if some dirt can be found to foul up their campaigns – while trying to keep ahead of whatever dirt their opponents might dig up on them.
But the election has already turned deadly, as Albia’s other work, assisting with the family auction house, has turned up a dead body locked in a storage crate scheduled for auction. At first, Albia has no clue to the corpse’s identity, but as she investigates she discovers that the late lamented may not have had an enemy in the world, but he certainly had a relative in that race for public office.
It’s up to Albia to figure out who done it and why at a time and place where forensics were non-existence, women officially had no public role (unofficially was an entirely other matter) and where everyone is afraid to talk because the emperor’s agents are everywhere – looking for possible – or potential traitors.
Escape Rating A-: Part of what makes these series fun is that each book begins with what almost seems like a lot of extraneous information. Information that turns out not to have been extraneous at all by the time the story ends. But it does feel like an immersion process, that it takes time to become acquainted, or re-acquainted, with Albia’s Rome as she experiences it.
And to get used to her first-person voice, because she’s an intelligent outsider who has learned to be whoever and whatever she needs to be to get the job done and get paid by her client. But behind her mask of professional politeness she’s wry and snarky and frequently wishes she could let loose with a cutting remark or ten – because so many of her clients deserve it. Her thoughts can feel very modern, just as her adopted father’s did, but it works surprisingly well.
As Flavia goes on with her business and takes us through her Rome, we start to feel the cobbles under our feet, the mud between our toes, and even smell the overwhelming decay of the liquefying corpse the auction house’s staff find locked in a chest.
At first we’re watching her, and then we’re with her, in a way that wouldn’t work nearly as well if the story didn’t circle around to the case the way it does.
A lot of this particular story is about family ties and nepotism in politics. (Doesn’t that sound all too familiar?) Also it takes place in the middle of a very long, very hot summer, and that seems familiar as well. Forensics are non-existent. She has to solve her cases by painstakingly asking questions of everyone involved and piecing together the parts of the answers that might be true.
It’s easy for both Albia and the reader to get lost in the cover ups and lies, and isn’t that just politics all over.
At the same time, Albia’s relationship with Faustus is driving her crazy. He seems to be the only man in Rome immune to her charms. He’s divorced, she’s a widow, there’s no reason they can’t embark on an affair. Except that they are not of the same class. How much social opprobrium he’s willing to endure is not something she’s willing to risk her heart on.
But this case throws them together at every turn. Which makes it a lot of fun for the reader to wonder whether they’re going to get together or even if they should, while Albia takes a hard look at all the candidates for office and all the murder suspects for that poor corpse and begins to think they might be one and the same.
The heart wants what the heart wants, the cases aren’t going to be easy to solve, and the emperor is insanely paranoid – adding a level of unpredictable danger to a situation that no one except Flavia Albia wants to cope with in the first place!
But it’s all a lot of fun for any reader, like this one, who loves historical mysteries set in unusual times and places. And for any reader who likes their protagonists to have an inner asshole voice that isn’t always as inner as it should be.
In other words, I had a ball with this book, even if Albia wasn’t always having one herself. I’ll be back sometime with the next book in the series, The Graveyard of the Hesperides, the next time I’m in the right mood, if only to see how Albia’s romance is – or isn’t – going!
November 6, 2019
This is an amazing book. It transcends the genre. The genre would had been Murder Mystery/Private Investigator Procedural in Ancient times, i.e. Crime Drama intersects with historical fiction. But Ms Davis has gone beyond that.
I was initially irritated, as the novel wound up, that the plot was so muddled. Flavia Albia found out the culprit, but it was not through her own doing -- she was told. The plot revolved around a dysfunctional family, with an excessive number of women named Julia -- to the point that Davis had to include a figure of the family tree, lest the reader become lost.
Goodness knows, I was about to throw in the towel. I was not so interested in "When Dynasties collide".
But then, everything changed. I realized that this was only incidentally a crime drama. It was really a story about human relationships, and particularly, relationships within families. The denouement was something extraordinary. Something quintessentially Roman, and alien to the present.
If you love the classics, and have a heart for ancient Roman culture. Lindsey Davis has done a masterful job of reimagining what it must have been like. She has a masters hand on the topography and ambiance of the city. It seems both accessible, and real, but alien.
I recommend this book.
Addendum:
2019-11-06: I have been rereading the Flavia Albia series, and I stand by what I wrote in 2016. My review was spot on.
I was initially irritated, as the novel wound up, that the plot was so muddled. Flavia Albia found out the culprit, but it was not through her own doing -- she was told. The plot revolved around a dysfunctional family, with an excessive number of women named Julia -- to the point that Davis had to include a figure of the family tree, lest the reader become lost.
Goodness knows, I was about to throw in the towel. I was not so interested in "When Dynasties collide".
But then, everything changed. I realized that this was only incidentally a crime drama. It was really a story about human relationships, and particularly, relationships within families. The denouement was something extraordinary. Something quintessentially Roman, and alien to the present.
If you love the classics, and have a heart for ancient Roman culture. Lindsey Davis has done a masterful job of reimagining what it must have been like. She has a masters hand on the topography and ambiance of the city. It seems both accessible, and real, but alien.
I recommend this book.
Addendum:
2019-11-06: I have been rereading the Flavia Albia series, and I stand by what I wrote in 2016. My review was spot on.
November 2, 2017
I admit Lindsey Davis is my favorite author, so I'm predisposed to love anything she writes. This book kept me happy for two days. It's as much a relationship novel as it is a mystery, and I am very pleased with the way the relationship has developed. Two people who actually talk to one another and discuss whatever is happening in their lives...it's unusual to find in fiction and quite gratifying.
The mystery had me guessing right up until the last bit of evidence unfolded. If the wrap-up seems a bit tame compared to some of the derring-do in Albia's father's adventures, it has to be remembered that things are necessarily different when the leading character is a woman, particularly a woman in such a repressive society. Albia is far more independent and assertive than the average Roman woman (thank you, Helena Justina!) but she is never going to be a modern-day Action Girl. Perhaps in future, Faustus will play the hero for her, but I don't imagine she'll thank him for the effort.
The mystery had me guessing right up until the last bit of evidence unfolded. If the wrap-up seems a bit tame compared to some of the derring-do in Albia's father's adventures, it has to be remembered that things are necessarily different when the leading character is a woman, particularly a woman in such a repressive society. Albia is far more independent and assertive than the average Roman woman (thank you, Helena Justina!) but she is never going to be a modern-day Action Girl. Perhaps in future, Faustus will play the hero for her, but I don't imagine she'll thank him for the effort.
March 13, 2019
When you go back to ancient Rome with Lindsey Davis, whether in the Falco series or these with Flavia Albia, you are immersed into the regular every day life of most of the populous. Almost every strata of society is represented, from emperor to slaves and we get to see an almost "You Are There" picture of the times. That, however, doesn't get in the way of a cracking good story. The author inserts tidbits and educates us almost unknowingly as we follow the characters, trying to go about their business and then trying to solve murders. Even with this one, set during an election, we aren't shown toga-wearing marble busts but well delineated characters that live and breathe and act logically. It's a brutal world Flavia lives in but with her own strength and wits she successfully navigates her way in a "man's" world with aplomb and grace. I really enjoy her as a character, as much as I enjoyed Falco! Top notch!
January 6, 2017
Novela de misterio ambientada en la Roma Imperial de Domiciano. Entretenida y fácil de leer, con una protagonista con la que empatizas enseguida: mujer independiente, inteligente y con sentido del humor.
Tiene de todo: misterio, amor, política (nos explica como se realizaban las elecciones a edil en la antigua Roma), la vida cotidiana en esa época, etc.
El misterio/crimen bien hilvanado, sencillo.
Es de esas novelas que gusta leer sentada en la hamaca de la playa.
Recomendable para pasar un buen rato.
Tiene de todo: misterio, amor, política (nos explica como se realizaban las elecciones a edil en la antigua Roma), la vida cotidiana en esa época, etc.
El misterio/crimen bien hilvanado, sencillo.
Es de esas novelas que gusta leer sentada en la hamaca de la playa.
Recomendable para pasar un buen rato.
June 13, 2022
1.5 rounded down to 1.
I didn't like this one much at all. The pacing was too slow, everyone had 2 Roman names (and half of them had the first name Julia), the mystery (which is what drew me to the book) was practically non existent, the writing and language didn't match the era, and... nothing happened. I feel like if I'd read the first 20 pages then the last 40 pages, it would have been enough to figure everything out. The ~330 pages in between were absolutely torturous to go through and I ended up skimming a lot of it. I'm glad I can move on to something else now.
I didn't like this one much at all. The pacing was too slow, everyone had 2 Roman names (and half of them had the first name Julia), the mystery (which is what drew me to the book) was practically non existent, the writing and language didn't match the era, and... nothing happened. I feel like if I'd read the first 20 pages then the last 40 pages, it would have been enough to figure everything out. The ~330 pages in between were absolutely torturous to go through and I ended up skimming a lot of it. I'm glad I can move on to something else now.
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