Trade Secrets

Marcus Corvinus #17

by David Wishart

The intriguing, witty and irreverent new mystery featuring Ancient Roman sleuth Marcus Corvinus

May, AD 41. The emperor Claudius has acceded to the throne, and the citizens of Rome look forward to an era of peace and stability. Not so Marcus Corvinus however, who finds himself embroiled in not one but two investigations. A friend of his wife has asked him to look into the murder of her brother, found stabbed to death at the Shrine of Melobosis. A wily businessman and notorious womaniser, no one seems to have a good word to say about Gaius Tullius, not even his less-than-grieving widow. But who would have a good enough reason to want him dead?


At the same time, Corvinus’s daughter comes across a dead body in the Pollio Gardens, and urges her father to investigate. At first Marcus refuses to get involved – but when his enquiries lead him to Ostia, Rome’s busy trading port, he uncovers a disturbing connection between the two deaths.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Roman, Historical Mystery, Detective

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Historical crime writer David Wishart was born in Arbroath, Scotland. He studied Classics - Latin and Greek - at Edinburgh University and after graduation taught for four years in a secondary school.

He then retrained as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language and worked abroad for eleven years, in Kuwait, Greece and Saudi Arabia. He returned to Scotland in 1990 and now lives with his family in Carnoustie, mixing writing with teaching EFL and study skills at Dundee University.

Reviews

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will be hard pressed to guess the outcome of this one.

Corvinus is once again approached by a grieving family member to investigate the murder of her brother. He's not too keen, Marilla and Clarus are in town along with their baby Marcus, and Corvinus knows his princess she will want to be involved and help in the investigation.............Clarus is the same. But.......... He can't resist a mystery and this time it looks like an easy solve as the dead man was a philanderer that nobody has a good word for. Obviously it was one of the many husbands. But as always when he takes his findings to Perilla (as he always does) she finds several glaring holes in his conclusions, so it's off again to see if he can find another avenue to explore................... Not to mention the Princess and Clarus come back from a visit to the library (I kid you not) with a wild tale about another murder............

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful Roman mystery is the 17th part of the exciting "Marcus Corvinus" series.
The book in so far as possible has been historically very well researched and the author has tried once more to stay as close to the historical events as possible.
Story-telling is of an absolute wonderful quality and all the characters featuring within this tale come all splendidly to life in this gripping mystery.
This tale is set in the Month of May of the year AD 41, and mainly in Rome and some part of the story in the port of Ostia.
The story is about Marcus Corvinus and his investigations into two separate murders who are somehow disturbingly connected.
The first death Corvinus will investigate is that of the brother of a lady friend of his wife Perilla, and this lady friend asks Corvinus to look into the murder of her brother Gaius Tullius, the murder was committed at the Shrine of Melobosis, while his daughter Marilla and her husband Clarus come across a dead body in the Pollio Gardens, and especially Marilla urges her father to investigate this death too.
What will follow is a thrilling murder mystery in which the two deaths are somehow in a most macabre way connected with each other, and not only Rome but also the trading port of Ostia will play a very important deathly role.
Really recommended, for this is once more an exciting Roman mystery in which "Marcus Corvinus Excels Again"!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much! My favourite of the series without doubt. I love Ostia and it was especially good to see its streets and harbour brought to life.

[Elite Group · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery set in Ancient Rome but with a modern feel

This is the 17th book in the Marcus Corvinus series but the first one that I have read so I had no idea of any of the characters or the style of writing of the author. As a first time reader of the adventures of Marcus I enjoyed the way the author is writing a story about murders in Ancient Rome but uses modern language to describe the events. Marcus himself comes over as an endearing and amusing character although I did feel he was lucky to get away from his laid-back style when dealing with potential murderers.

Although I had some difficulty in sorting out all the various characters many of whom appeared to have the name Marcus or Gaius it is a compliment to the author that this can be read as a newcomer without losing the gist of the plot.

Marcus’ wife, Perilla, is approached by a member of her book club, Annia, to investigate the murder of her brother Gaius Tulllius who has been found stabbed inside a shrine. However neither the sister or the widow seem to be mourning about the deceased which piques Marcus’ interest. He is less interested when his adopted daughter, Marilla and her husband Clarus discover another dead man on a park bench even though the man has died of natural causes but has been stabbed in the back despite being already dead. One murder is quite enough for Marcus but as he starts investigating it would appear that the two murders are connected.

The action switches between Rome and Ostia as Marcus discovers an elaborate scam involving a ship and a consignment of wine and oil and manages to work out not only how the scam was engineered but also the identities of the murderers in his own inimitable style which invariably involves chatting to dubious characters whilst drinking wine in a variety of drinking emporiums. The interaction between Marcus and his intelligent wife is enjoyable although I am not sure that I would like to be called ‘lady’ constantly!!

I did like the way the author writes about a historical period in a modern way, it is an unusual concept but the plot itself was quite difficult to follow sometimes but that is probably due to the fact that this was my first experience of the ‘Marcus’ series of books. I imagine people who have read at least some of the previous books would enjoy this more than me but nevertheless as a first time reader I did enjoy this book but would probably not read any of the previous ones.

There are just too many books to read and too many other authors to discover!!

Dexter

Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of the book to review

[Roman Clodia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love the books in this series but this one feels like a bit of a chore: Corvinus' voice is rendered as entertainingly as ever but the characters aren't differentiated enough and I found it difficult to separate the various suspects. Wishart's Rome is always a delight, as is Corvinus' household - one for the fans, but don't start here if you're new to the series: 3.5 stars.

[Assaph Mehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trade Secrets is another of Corvinus' "regular" mysteries, when he's asked to look at two unconnected murders at the same time.

What to Expect

Tnis is another classic historical murder mysteries in the inimitable Corvinus style. One is of a businessman whom nobody seems to have liked or miss much, but a friend of Corvinus' wife insists he look into. The other is the stabbing of a man already dead from natural causes, discovered by Corvinus' daughter.

Corvinus only has time to look at one murder, but both take him down to Ostia - Rome's sea port. A significant part of the novel happens down there, and we get a view in to shady shipping practices and scams in the Roman empire - as well as a connection between the two murders.

This is book 17 of the series, and though it's not part of the "political" novels it helps if you know the existing characters.

What I liked

As usual, the why and wherefore of the murders, the personalities of those involved and their motivations, are the best part of the whodunit.

In prose and storytelling, Wishart keeps an excellent balance of humour and suspense, of Roman trivia and mystery writing which make this series a pleasure to read. He breathes life into all his characters, and you can just see their realistic interactions.

Corvinus himself has a most unique voice that is a joy to read, though throughout the series Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. It makes for very enjoyable experience for lovers of those genres - we're not reading in Latin, after all, so taking a purist view is in itself a untenable proposition.

What to be aware of

Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to Saturnalia as winter Festival). Interestingly, as the series progresses Wishart slowly includes more of them.

Summary

This is a classic historical mystery, and can be read standalone from previous novels in the series. Whether you read in order or just want to jump in, it's a great read. If you enjoyed historical mysteries and Roman-era detectives (e.g. by the likes of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, and Ruth Downie), you really need to read the Corvinus series as well.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.

[Brett Bydairk · Rating 4 out of 5]

17th in the series, Marcus Corvinus is enjoying some time with his grand-son, when his daughter asks him to look into the matter of a dead body she came across in the Pollio Gardens. He reluctantly agrees. At the same time, a friend of his wife wants him to investigate the murder of her brother, a notorious womanizer and generally unlikable person found in an abandoned shrine (now used for lovers' trysts). He soon finds the two cases are related, and have events in Ostia in common.
Marcus' breezy attitude and dialog make for an enjoyable read, with a couple of nice twists in the plot.

[James W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marcus Corvinus mysteries are always enjoyable to read. I could easily feel like a welcome guest in his home and with his family. But, most of all, the mysteries are believable and fun to solve. I'm always watching for the next episode of this excellent series.

[Italo Italophiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marcus Corvinus Mystery Series is one a handful of detective mysteries set in Ancient Rome that are currently running. Trade Secrets is the latest book in that series. It is as entertaining as the predecessors but doesn't have a link to the Emperor, who during the course of this story is Claudius, having just taken over the throne after the murder of Caligula.

The author sets his detective apart by having his upper-class detective narrate his own mysteries in a journal or memoirs fashion in a snarky, colloquial-British tone, showing up the man's lazy, slightly obnoxious character, and his underlying better attributes. The narrator's comments suggest it is a diary of sorts, written just when the case has been resolved.

Some of those better attributes of Marcus Corvinus are his desire for truth and his dedication to protecting his family from harm. Marcus Corvinus enjoys a good puzzle and frequent tipples at wine bars. His wife, Perilla, is his sounding board. The continuing story of his family and life in general comes between the investigative work, which begins right away with someone bringing him a case to investigate.

The author writes with the assumption that his readers know their history basics and many specifics too, like the traditional Roman clothing and the caste system, as can be seen in this quote:

"...most of the punters are plain mantles at best, with a fair sprinkling of freedmen... The purple-striper brigade wouldn't be seen dead doing their drinking and social networking there."

We are dropped down into busy, cosmopolitan Rome, and treated to much local color, including addresses and neighborhood reputations. A map of Ancient Rome with the locations for the book marked would have been a nice accompaniment to the story, actually.

While some of the language and situations may feel out of time and place, they are actually quite in line with what we know about Ancient Roman society, albeit translated to a British vernacular.

The author emulates the popular Roman novel style from the Roman era, even down to his narrator's vulgar tongue and earthy sense of humor. If you are sensitive to vulgarities, this isn't the book or series for you. The story of this solid entry in the series is tied up nicely in the end.

The author skillfully fills the reader in on what he needs to know about the relationships between the regular characters, and about the narrator's past. The book uses the British single-quote in place of the double-quote, which may annoy or slow down some readers.

In the end, this is a private investigator story, with our investigator chasing down clues and suspects, having to face some danger from heavies, and to deal with men and women from all levels of society who are invariably hiding things. I received a review-copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Please visit my Italophile Book Review site for the full and illustrated review.
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...

[Judy Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again a book in the Marcus Corvinus series did not disappoint. The first requirement for reading these novels is to understand you will get modern language while the story takes place in ancient Rome, here in May, AD 41. That little bump in the road came as a shock to me when I read my first book in this series, but now I look forward to the easy way this complicated historical period is presented just by having it told in today's style of speaking. Everything else is kept strictly in the period so you still get all the flavor of ancient Rome.

Marcus Corvinus is willing to face multiple dangers when he's investigating, but when his wife Perilla has her poetry group meet at their house Marcus makes himself scarce. Unfortunately when he returns one of the group members is still there, waiting for him and he is none too pleased about that, because she wants him to investigate the murder of her brother. Gaius Tullius was found dead from a stab wound inside the Shrine of Melobosis and someone needs to find out what happened. When Marcus visits the widow he finds that not only is the sister of the deceased not very cut up about his death, neither does he find a grieving widow. Who was this Gaius Tullius that nobody seems to mourn? More out of general cussedness than anything else, Marcus decided to investigate. What he doesn't want to investigate is the scenario his daughter Marilla came across when she and husband Clarus were enjoying an outing. Who was the dead man stabbed while sitting on the park bench? Marcus doesn't really care until the two deaths begin to have close connections.

The wit of the author is very much in evidence in this novel as Marcus travels the fourteen miles from Rome to Ostia to investigate both deaths. The Roman world is well represented and the mystery was quite good. It was a change to see how the citizens of Ostia didn't appear to be nearly as impressed to have a "purple striper" among them since the distance from Rome seemed to make them more independent of the government. There are many characters who return from previous novels and I got many a chuckle when Marcus and Perilla and Bathyllus ( major-domo for the household) were dealing with the cat from the next door neighbors. There are a lot of characters in this novel so you might want to make use of the Dramatis Personae in the beginning of the book to help you keep track. My one criticism is that it would have been a nice touch to have had a gathering-of-the-clan type of ending to tie up all the loose ends. Maybe next time.

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, with each book in this series, the mysteries keep getting better--and more sophisticated. I can't say as much for the character development; although Marcus and Perilla are astute and the bought help still have their quirks, that aspect is pretty much at a standstill. In this outing, Marcus is faced with two murders--one the husband of one of Perilla's friends whose body is found in the temple of an obscure nymph and of a businessman from Ostia who has been stabbed. The murders both take place in Rome. Although one victim is Roman and the other from Ostia, Marcus finds a strong connection between the two men. In the course of the investigation, much of which is in Ostia, Marcus uncovers a shipping scam. Red herrings pop up, plus attacks on Marcus, fortunately unsuccessful. The latter show him he's on the right track. On the domestic front, we are privy to a visit from adopted daughter, Marilla and husband Clarus, a doctor, along with their baby son, called The Sprog by Marcus. Also, there's dissention between Marcus and next-door neighbor; Another mini-mystery, the innocent Marcus is accused of killing the man's precious Persian cat. The owner is a cat lover's cat lover.

Despite any clues [and I read the book twice] I never would have guessed the perp or perps first time through. Certain verbal phraseology tics in Marcus' narration are becoming a bit threadbare--"not by a long chalk", "in spades", "on his own bat." But the construction of the mystery and pacing make up for them.

Highly recommended.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable, easy read even if you haven't read any earlier books in the series. Marcus Corvinus is at this time a settled, respectable citizen with a family and his life in Rome is enlivened by other respectable citizens asking him for help in the matter of solving crimes. This tale is set during the emperor Claudius's reign and business life is brisk for merchants. A man who imported and exported pottery and glass is killed and his family ask Corvinus to find out the truth. The man was a womaniser, and fell foul of irate husbands; his business partner isn't distraught at the news; there are shady characters around. All in all a lively time awaits the sleuth.

The warehouses and docks in Ostia are a good setting; we see various workshops and premises. The tone of conversations is generally informal and I found it coming across as quite English with terms like chummy and OTT used; these do jar on the delicate eye but we don't know what the normal Roman people said in conversation. There's an element of fun and intrigue which a new reader can enjoy. Anyone seeking to learn about daily life in ancient Rome can use this book for a good sampling.

[Vontel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I discovered this book on display at Surrey library. It's the 17th in a series of mysteries featuring Marcus Corvinus and taking place in Rome, this one in AD41. I have never heard of this series before, but have enjoyed Lindsey Davis's Marcus Didius Falco books for years. It will be interesting to see any comparisons and parallels between the books.

I was disappointed. Most of the book contains "hard-boiled detective novel" language from the 1930's to 50's, including slang not likely in any ancient vocabulary. I think it compares poorly to Lindsey Davis's series with Falco, who incidentally is born the year this book is supposed to take place. There are two mysteries that intertwine in this book, with a resolution, but
I think I will stick with Davis.

[Argum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corvinus is such a hard egg. Fun to hang out with for a while, this time a lot in Ostia so a lot of Agron too. A friend of Perilla had asked him to look into the murder of her brother, a lousy guy with bad business dealings and a penchant for other men's wives. Then while visiting Clarus and Marilla find a dead body who may be connected through business in Ostia. I didn't figure out all the whyfores or the big baddie, but had good pieces put together. Always enjoy a Marcus visit

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I enjoy the series and keep current I wish there would be more character development.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

up to his usual standard

[Alan Spinrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining murder mystery set in ancient Rome, with breezy, flip smart ass grade B detective. Funny. Alot of characters to try to track.

[Dan Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Wishart


Have read all his other stuff and if you like his reimaging ancient Rome as modern London this book is for you

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

:-)

[Herneith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heartedly enjoyed this!

[Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much like a 1950's hard-boiled detective set in Ancient Rome.

[Steve Pillinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun, as always!