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Marcus Corvinus #4
The Lydian Baker
Marcus Corvinus receives a letter from his stepfather Priscus, who has learned that the gold statue of a female baker, a gift to the Delphic Oracle in the 6th century BC, has reappeared and is on the black market. Marcus agrees to try to buy it, but finds himself caught up in a deadly struggle.
294 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1998
29 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
David Wishart
57 books95 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Historical crime writer David Wishart was born in Arbroath, Scotland. He studied Classics - Latin and Greek - at Edinburgh University and after graduation taught for four years in a secondary school.
He then retrained as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language and worked abroad for eleven years, in Kuwait, Greece and Saudi Arabia. He returned to Scotland in 1990 and now lives with his family in Carnoustie, mixing writing with teaching EFL and study skills at Dundee University.
Historical crime writer David Wishart was born in Arbroath, Scotland. He studied Classics - Latin and Greek - at Edinburgh University and after graduation taught for four years in a secondary school.
He then retrained as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language and worked abroad for eleven years, in Kuwait, Greece and Saudi Arabia. He returned to Scotland in 1990 and now lives with his family in Carnoustie, mixing writing with teaching EFL and study skills at Dundee University.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 6, 2022
**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**
Read this book in 2008, and its the 4th volume of the very exciting "Marcus Corvinus" mystery series.
This mystery is strongly connected with the gold statue of the female baker, that was gifted to the Oracle at Delphi by King Croesus and that was missing for over three centuries, this statue unexpectedly turns up in the black market in Athens.
Asked by his stepfather, Helvius Priscus, to make bids for this statue and hopefully make the purchase, but there are many others who want to obtain that famous statue.
As it turns out purchasing this statue will cause a lot of trouble, even murder, and soon enough Corvinus is investigating a murder case connecting to this statue.
What is to follow is an fantastic and thrilling mystery, in which Marcus Corvinus will excel once more as an able investigator, by solving this case in a most competent and decisive manner, and all told by the author in a most entertaining fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another wonderful addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Excellent Lydian Baker Mystery"!
Read this book in 2008, and its the 4th volume of the very exciting "Marcus Corvinus" mystery series.
This mystery is strongly connected with the gold statue of the female baker, that was gifted to the Oracle at Delphi by King Croesus and that was missing for over three centuries, this statue unexpectedly turns up in the black market in Athens.
Asked by his stepfather, Helvius Priscus, to make bids for this statue and hopefully make the purchase, but there are many others who want to obtain that famous statue.
As it turns out purchasing this statue will cause a lot of trouble, even murder, and soon enough Corvinus is investigating a murder case connecting to this statue.
What is to follow is an fantastic and thrilling mystery, in which Marcus Corvinus will excel once more as an able investigator, by solving this case in a most competent and decisive manner, and all told by the author in a most entertaining fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another wonderful addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Excellent Lydian Baker Mystery"!
June 12, 2023
Another.convoluted tale.
Marcus Corvinius and Perillia are back in Athens again. After.the events in the last book (Sejanus) Corvinus couldn't get out of Rome fast enough and if Emperor Tiberius is right about what lies in Romes future then he wants to.be as far away as possible. So,.he and Perillia are living quietly in Athens when a message comes.from his.stepfather in Rome. There's a statue that's been lost for hundreds of years which has been found and is being offered for.sale. The Lydian Baked is a five foot solid gold status and it is priceless............but Corvinus stepfather wants two things for him to.confirm.it's authenticity (using an expert) and if it's real to but it.for.him. Corvinus is highly sceptical but the chore will relieve his boredom for a few days............ Little does he know, he's not the.only buyer interested in the Baker and pretty soon the bodies begin piling up................. Somebody wants the statue and wants it so bad they're prepared to kill to get it......................
Marcus Corvinius and Perillia are back in Athens again. After.the events in the last book (Sejanus) Corvinus couldn't get out of Rome fast enough and if Emperor Tiberius is right about what lies in Romes future then he wants to.be as far away as possible. So,.he and Perillia are living quietly in Athens when a message comes.from his.stepfather in Rome. There's a statue that's been lost for hundreds of years which has been found and is being offered for.sale. The Lydian Baked is a five foot solid gold status and it is priceless............but Corvinus stepfather wants two things for him to.confirm.it's authenticity (using an expert) and if it's real to but it.for.him. Corvinus is highly sceptical but the chore will relieve his boredom for a few days............ Little does he know, he's not the.only buyer interested in the Baker and pretty soon the bodies begin piling up................. Somebody wants the statue and wants it so bad they're prepared to kill to get it......................
January 24, 2019
The Lydian Baker is the first "independent" Corvinus mystery, in that Wishart isn't covering specific historical events but a more general investigative mystery.
What to Expect
Living in Athens, Corvinus is whiling his time away from the dangerous politics of Rome. He gets dragged into running an errand for his stepfather, and gets embroiled in the (literally) cut-throat antique trade. Expect the usual Corvinus style, with plenty of twists, theories, and the occasional bash on the head as Marcus tries to locate an ancient stolen treasure.
Although this is book 4 of the series and there is some continuity from past books (recurring characters), because events are not related to the previous three novels it can form a good entry point to the series.
What I liked
Again, Wishart's research of the period is top notch, as usual. Athens under Roman rule was an interesting place - no longer the Athenian heyday, but still vibrant. Wishart depicts the dual snobbery and reliance of Athenians on the Roman ruling class, from philosophers to dockhands. The mystery itself is on a small scale (with thankfully a smaller cast of characters then the previous novels), though it harkens back to legends 600 years back (two and half millenia go) that still thrill history lovers.
Wishart knowingly diverges from the common view on some of those real events for the sake of the story (as he notes in the afterword), but as he doesn't contradict the main facts it just makes for a pleasant interpretation for a rich background.
Stylistically, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. It makes for very enjoyable reading for lovers of those genres.
What to be aware of
Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin (and Greek) terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to the Forum as Market Square). I find this a bit diluting the experience of Rome, which is a big factor to anyone reading Roman-era fiction.
Summary
The novel was a pleasure to read. If you liked Roman-era myteries by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read Wishart 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.
What to Expect
Living in Athens, Corvinus is whiling his time away from the dangerous politics of Rome. He gets dragged into running an errand for his stepfather, and gets embroiled in the (literally) cut-throat antique trade. Expect the usual Corvinus style, with plenty of twists, theories, and the occasional bash on the head as Marcus tries to locate an ancient stolen treasure.
Although this is book 4 of the series and there is some continuity from past books (recurring characters), because events are not related to the previous three novels it can form a good entry point to the series.
What I liked
Again, Wishart's research of the period is top notch, as usual. Athens under Roman rule was an interesting place - no longer the Athenian heyday, but still vibrant. Wishart depicts the dual snobbery and reliance of Athenians on the Roman ruling class, from philosophers to dockhands. The mystery itself is on a small scale (with thankfully a smaller cast of characters then the previous novels), though it harkens back to legends 600 years back (two and half millenia go) that still thrill history lovers.
Wishart knowingly diverges from the common view on some of those real events for the sake of the story (as he notes in the afterword), but as he doesn't contradict the main facts it just makes for a pleasant interpretation for a rich background.
Stylistically, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. It makes for very enjoyable reading for lovers of those genres.
What to be aware of
Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin (and Greek) terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to the Forum as Market Square). I find this a bit diluting the experience of Rome, which is a big factor to anyone reading Roman-era fiction.
Summary
The novel was a pleasure to read. If you liked Roman-era myteries by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read Wishart 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.
July 14, 2015
Marcus Corvinus, in Greece, agent for his stepfather in buying a solid gold statue. Of course, there are complications and Marcus involves himself. One of the author's better mysteries.
December 24, 2019
This book started off really well and I was soon drawn into the adventure as Marcus goes off in search of the famous, legendary statue, the Lydian Baker for his stepfather. As the plot progressed it increased in complexity and the body count continued to rise.
I have not read the original three novels but have read others in the series and the Marcus in this novel was a little more immature and a little seedier than the one I encountered in later novels. I’m not sure if its because he is younger or just a slight change in the author’s style, but I prefer the narrator I encounter later in the series.
One of the absolute joys of this series is the humorous, domestic side plots and this is one of the best ones I’ve read so far. Marcus acquires a parrot with a foul mouth which results in some humorous incidents.
The book was brought to a satisfying conclusion and overall was an enjoyable read.
I have not read the original three novels but have read others in the series and the Marcus in this novel was a little more immature and a little seedier than the one I encountered in later novels. I’m not sure if its because he is younger or just a slight change in the author’s style, but I prefer the narrator I encounter later in the series.
One of the absolute joys of this series is the humorous, domestic side plots and this is one of the best ones I’ve read so far. Marcus acquires a parrot with a foul mouth which results in some humorous incidents.
The book was brought to a satisfying conclusion and overall was an enjoyable read.
July 6, 2018
A beguiling story, about a golden statue of great wealth, that brings with it a great number of corpses. In the city of Athens our enterprising ancient detective tracks down, finally, the missing statue, but losses it again in the briny depths of the Piraeus. The soon-to-be emperor Gaius is involved peripherally.
January 29, 2022
I think this is actually better than the previous 3. Because the first 3 were based around known, documented events, they had to become very convoluted conspiracy theories to make a good story. This one doesn’t need anything like as much confusion and detail to make the story work. And the parrot is excellent!
August 11, 2017
Interesting history
The history is interesting, but the story telling is a bit tiring. A few characters appeared superfluous, their omission could have shortened the length of the book without affecting the story. It was definitely not a good read
The history is interesting, but the story telling is a bit tiring. A few characters appeared superfluous, their omission could have shortened the length of the book without affecting the story. It was definitely not a good read
September 5, 2019
Wishart is always good for a fun tale.
The Lydian Baker is an entertaining story, grounded in historical detail. Corvinus is a privileged, incorrigible snoop, with questionable methods and manners, who nonetheless has good instincts, and some morals. A fun read.
The Lydian Baker is an entertaining story, grounded in historical detail. Corvinus is a privileged, incorrigible snoop, with questionable methods and manners, who nonetheless has good instincts, and some morals. A fun read.
February 22, 2018
I really like this series of books. Keeps you guessing till the end, and I have got really attached to the main characters. I really appreciate Wishart’s very amusing way of writing.
January 17, 2013
Originally published on my blog here in February 2002. I would now reverse the comparison of Wishart and Davis, especially for their more recent novels.
There is considerable competition in the field of historical crime fiction, which has blossomed in the last decade or so, and the Roman period seems to be among the most popular (following the medieval). Even so, it is odd that I have not already come across the novels of David Wishart, of which this is the fifth. Like Lindsey Davis' Falco novels, the style of these Corvinus stories is in imitation of Raymond Chandler. Wishart is more serious than Davis, though, and (having been a classics teacher) more academic. This means that his novels stand somewhere between those of Davis and Steven Saylor.
Corvinus, an upper class Roman living in Athens, is a rather different central
character from Falco and Gordianus, both of whom are professional investigators. In The Lydian Baker, he becomes involved in a series of murders related to a large solid gold statue, which Corvinus is bidding for as agent for his stepfather, a keen art collector. The statue really existed and is at the centre of a real mystery. Originally given by Lydian king Croesus to the oracle at Delphi, the 1.5m statue disappeared before the first century AD, fate unknown. It was probably stolen by one of the groups which sacked Delphi in the previous couple of centuries (these included Greeks, Gauls and Romans). The statue was probably of a Lydian goddess, but it was nicknamed the baker because it was in the form of a woman holding a loaf and a wheatsheaf.
The Lydian Baker is an interesting mystery, with a detailed and convincing background. The occasional point may be beyond the reader's knowledge (most people are unlikely to get asides dependent on knowledge of untranslated Greek names), but that doesn't really harm. A more serious problem is that Wishart's unrelenting Marlowe pastiche becomes irritating after a while, but that hasn't stopped me wanting to catch up on the earlier novels in the series.
There is considerable competition in the field of historical crime fiction, which has blossomed in the last decade or so, and the Roman period seems to be among the most popular (following the medieval). Even so, it is odd that I have not already come across the novels of David Wishart, of which this is the fifth. Like Lindsey Davis' Falco novels, the style of these Corvinus stories is in imitation of Raymond Chandler. Wishart is more serious than Davis, though, and (having been a classics teacher) more academic. This means that his novels stand somewhere between those of Davis and Steven Saylor.
Corvinus, an upper class Roman living in Athens, is a rather different central
character from Falco and Gordianus, both of whom are professional investigators. In The Lydian Baker, he becomes involved in a series of murders related to a large solid gold statue, which Corvinus is bidding for as agent for his stepfather, a keen art collector. The statue really existed and is at the centre of a real mystery. Originally given by Lydian king Croesus to the oracle at Delphi, the 1.5m statue disappeared before the first century AD, fate unknown. It was probably stolen by one of the groups which sacked Delphi in the previous couple of centuries (these included Greeks, Gauls and Romans). The statue was probably of a Lydian goddess, but it was nicknamed the baker because it was in the form of a woman holding a loaf and a wheatsheaf.
The Lydian Baker is an interesting mystery, with a detailed and convincing background. The occasional point may be beyond the reader's knowledge (most people are unlikely to get asides dependent on knowledge of untranslated Greek names), but that doesn't really harm. A more serious problem is that Wishart's unrelenting Marlowe pastiche becomes irritating after a while, but that hasn't stopped me wanting to catch up on the earlier novels in the series.
April 29, 2015
The first part was so slow I almost didn't bother finishing it. I'd liked Ovid, Germanicus and Sejanus, and was curious what would happen to the girl they seemed to be adopting, but sheesh! So slow! The best part was the foul mouthed parrot that looked like his uncle Cotto (the consul). I was hoping they'd give it to him for a gift. The second act was fairly exciting and fast moving, but I have gotten thoroughly sick of his coming up with theories to try to organize the facts he's collected so far. We know he does it, but I don't need to hear it. It's almost as bad as when the author withholds information until the reveal!
June 15, 2015
Marcus and Perilla are living in Athenian exile. A simple favor for stepdad turns into a pile of murders, because Corvinus. The Lydian Baker is a missing solid gold statue that has resurfaced and Marcus is just meant to supervise its authentication and then purchase the item. But the seller turns up dead then the authentication guy goes missing and tada Marcus is knee deep in it as usual. Did not see the real culprit and am a little confused by book order, but fun little read. Marcus is not a real Ancient Roman in language, but the cities get described well.
January 4, 2014
Marcus Corvinus and wife Perilla are in Athens, when he gets a request from his antiquarian step-father to act as middleman in purchasing a long-vanished statue: a four and a half foot tall, solid gold statue of a female baker. As he looks into this, there's a body (of course), then another, and he finds himself in personal danger before finding the statue and the killer(s).
Lively, spirited, and a dash or three of humor; recommended.
Lively, spirited, and a dash or three of humor; recommended.
August 31, 2014
Despite other readers' lower ratings, I found the book an enjoyable read. The author lets things out gradually with every plot twist, so there's still some satisfaction each time you've anticipated what's coming only a page or two before. Now I'll go back and read Sejanus, which should be listed here and on Amazon and eBay as Corvinus #3!
March 1, 2016
David Wishart's protagonist, Corvinus, is growing on me with each successive book I read. This was a corker with a convoluted, richly painted plot which kept me turning the pages. Looking forward to Book 5 now - this is book 4 by the way not book 3. You need to read Sejanus first in order to avoid some confusion later on in this book.
May 21, 2013
Corvinus is a nice addition to the other Roman investigators about at present. In this one he is in Athens, and his search for a golden statue leads him into all the usual trouble
January 26, 2018
Good, vintage Wishart. Thoroughly enjoyed the humour that always pervades his stories: especially Perilla and the parrot!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews