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Marcus Corvinus #6
Last Rites
It is the morning after the nocturnal rite of the good Goddess, an all-female ceremony, and the body of a young woman has been found with her throat cut. Hoping to avoid scandal, Senator Lucius Arruntius calls in Marcus Corvinus to do some discreet sleuthing. Inevitably, to solve the mystery, Marcus must look beyond the obvious and untangle a complex web of treachery and deceit.
339 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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95 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 29, 2019
I'm finding Marcus Corvinus and his cases are consistently and reliably pleasant reading: no pretensions to literature, just the same great humor and satisfying mystery. This one is another knotty problem Marcus solves, aided by his wife Perilla; the Watch Commander Lipillus; and a flutegirl, Aegle. A Vestal Virgin, Cornelia, is found dead: is it murder or suicide? At the request of the Chief Vestal, Junia Torquata, a quirky lady permanent member of the cast, and of a senator, Marcus is called upon to get at the bottom of the situation. He eagerly jumps in. "Five minutes back in the Hub of the World and we're already hitting corpses," grouses Marcus.
Upon examining the body, his verdict is murder. More bodies with either close or tenuous connections to the deceased pile up. This labyrinthine plot reaches into all strata of society from the Transtiber and the Subura, all the way to the Imperial family. I really liked best the domestic crisis subplot in this novel: Perilla buys a super sophisticated, state-of-the-art water clock, which turns out to be absolutely temperamental. It chooses a very inauspicious time to pop its cork for good. I wouldn't be surprised if that was Wishart's sly satire on our modern electronic gadgets...
Upon examining the body, his verdict is murder. More bodies with either close or tenuous connections to the deceased pile up. This labyrinthine plot reaches into all strata of society from the Transtiber and the Subura, all the way to the Imperial family. I really liked best the domestic crisis subplot in this novel: Perilla buys a super sophisticated, state-of-the-art water clock, which turns out to be absolutely temperamental. It chooses a very inauspicious time to pop its cork for good. I wouldn't be surprised if that was Wishart's sly satire on our modern electronic gadgets...
February 7, 2022
**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**
Read this book in 2008, and its the 6th volume of the wonderful "Marcus Corvinus" series.
In this tale Senator Lucius Arruntius calls in the help of Marcus Corvinus to do some dicreet sleuthing on his behalf.
The reason for this request is the discovery of a dead young woman, her throat cut, during the morning after the nocturnal rite of the good Goddess, and all female affair and strictly out of bounds for the male species.
Is it suicide or murder, and this Senator is hoping to avoid a scandal by having it investigated by Marcus Corvinus, who will get some help from without and from within in the form of his clever wife, Perilla.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling Roman mystery, where deceit and treachery will once more form the basis for this murder, and for Marcus Corvinus the task to uncover the truth and reveal the culprit of this cruel and abusive deed.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: An Excellent Last Rites"!
Read this book in 2008, and its the 6th volume of the wonderful "Marcus Corvinus" series.
In this tale Senator Lucius Arruntius calls in the help of Marcus Corvinus to do some dicreet sleuthing on his behalf.
The reason for this request is the discovery of a dead young woman, her throat cut, during the morning after the nocturnal rite of the good Goddess, and all female affair and strictly out of bounds for the male species.
Is it suicide or murder, and this Senator is hoping to avoid a scandal by having it investigated by Marcus Corvinus, who will get some help from without and from within in the form of his clever wife, Perilla.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling Roman mystery, where deceit and treachery will once more form the basis for this murder, and for Marcus Corvinus the task to uncover the truth and reveal the culprit of this cruel and abusive deed.
Highly recommended, for this is another splendid addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: An Excellent Last Rites"!
June 18, 2023
Corvinus.and.Perilla are back in Rome
I almost took a star off as Corvinus has this annoying habit of answering "yeah" to anyone.speaking to him, it bugs me.as.in certain situations it can be seen as disrespectful or.just downright rude. Moan over into the.book. The couple have returned to Rome and have happily settled into their new home but are not back even a month before Corvinus is summoned by the head vestal urgently. Turns out the night before had been the date for.a.religious ceremony (one at which only women were allowed) attended by the six vestals about fifteen of Rome's cream.of.society and a dozen flute girls. All locked in together from dusk till dawn. The reason they need Corvinus................one.of.the vestals has been found dead in suspicious circumstances, the manner of death while violent could have been a suicide but what reason would a vestal.have for.killing herself. The head vestal and chief priest want Corvinus to look into the matter.......discreetly........and get answers for them by the time of the winter festival............very reluctantly Corvinus agrees, after all be fled Rome.for ten years last time.he got mixed up in an investigation he's not so willing to leave again so soon...........These books are really well written, the historical.accuracy is impressive and the way the author combines real and fictional characters is seamless. The thing I like most about the books though is the relationship between Corvinus and Perillia she is his sounding board, he regularly goes over his progress in the investigation with her and Perillia always has logical reasons as to why he's got it wrong, the relationship between the tapas well as their household is the highlight of the books for me.........................
I almost took a star off as Corvinus has this annoying habit of answering "yeah" to anyone.speaking to him, it bugs me.as.in certain situations it can be seen as disrespectful or.just downright rude. Moan over into the.book. The couple have returned to Rome and have happily settled into their new home but are not back even a month before Corvinus is summoned by the head vestal urgently. Turns out the night before had been the date for.a.religious ceremony (one at which only women were allowed) attended by the six vestals about fifteen of Rome's cream.of.society and a dozen flute girls. All locked in together from dusk till dawn. The reason they need Corvinus................one.of.the vestals has been found dead in suspicious circumstances, the manner of death while violent could have been a suicide but what reason would a vestal.have for.killing herself. The head vestal and chief priest want Corvinus to look into the matter.......discreetly........and get answers for them by the time of the winter festival............very reluctantly Corvinus agrees, after all be fled Rome.for ten years last time.he got mixed up in an investigation he's not so willing to leave again so soon...........These books are really well written, the historical.accuracy is impressive and the way the author combines real and fictional characters is seamless. The thing I like most about the books though is the relationship between Corvinus and Perillia she is his sounding board, he regularly goes over his progress in the investigation with her and Perillia always has logical reasons as to why he's got it wrong, the relationship between the tapas well as their household is the highlight of the books for me.........................
February 10, 2012
Been a while since I read a Marcus Corvinus novel. I had forgotten how dry the humour was. I must buy the remaining books in the series.
Really enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, and the humour.
Really enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, and the humour.
February 15, 2019
Last Rights sees Corvinus back in Rome, after a long absence. This time he is called upon to investigate the death of a Vestal Virgin - something that Romans would have taken as a bad sign for the city as a whole, no matter what.
What to Expect
In December 33 CE, Corvinus returns to Rome's winter in time for Saturnalia. Barely having time to unpack (and for his wife to acquire a newfangled water-clock), and he's called by the chief Vestal to look into a death of a Vestal Virgin. Was it suicide due to pregnancy, or cold-blooded murder? Either solution brings shame to the state, and is a sensitive subject. Unlike the previous novel, this one has him stymied with a distinct lack of leads and suspects, but you can expect the usual Corvinus style with plenty of wisecracks, twists, theories, and occasional gruesome murder as Corvinus navigates Ancient Rome from its worst slums to the highest society.
Although this is book 6 of the series and there is some continuity from past books (recurring characters), because events are not related to the previous novels it can form a good entry point to the series.
What I liked
Wishart's research of the period is top notch, as usual. The mystery itself is in the style of traditional hard-boiled detective, as he chases clues and suspects around town. I loved his treatment of 'modern' technology, as well as his lively characters from all walks of (Roman) life.
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 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 mysteries by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read Wishart as well. This is as good a starting point as any.
--
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
In December 33 CE, Corvinus returns to Rome's winter in time for Saturnalia. Barely having time to unpack (and for his wife to acquire a newfangled water-clock), and he's called by the chief Vestal to look into a death of a Vestal Virgin. Was it suicide due to pregnancy, or cold-blooded murder? Either solution brings shame to the state, and is a sensitive subject. Unlike the previous novel, this one has him stymied with a distinct lack of leads and suspects, but you can expect the usual Corvinus style with plenty of wisecracks, twists, theories, and occasional gruesome murder as Corvinus navigates Ancient Rome from its worst slums to the highest society.
Although this is book 6 of the series and there is some continuity from past books (recurring characters), because events are not related to the previous novels it can form a good entry point to the series.
What I liked
Wishart's research of the period is top notch, as usual. The mystery itself is in the style of traditional hard-boiled detective, as he chases clues and suspects around town. I loved his treatment of 'modern' technology, as well as his lively characters from all walks of (Roman) life.
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 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 mysteries by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read Wishart as well. This is as good a starting point as any.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
January 8, 2023
Splendid, as usual.
March 27, 2008
Easier to follow than Germanicus. I think I'll try another one from this series. Liked the bit with the fluteplayer. Clock was funny, too.
December 24, 2019
Wishart again serves up another reliably enjoyable mystery novel. Out of all Marcus Corvinus mysteries I’ve read so far, this has been one of the easiest to follow, which I appreciated as sometimes the plots can be a little complicated to keep track of.
The novel starts off with the murder of a Vestal Virgin, however the plot does not focus on this topic. The highlight of the book is the domestic scenes between Marcus, his wife Perilla and his household staff, especially when focusing on Marcus’ acquisition of a new water clock, which radiate dry humour with several laugh out loud moments.
If you’ve read other Marcus Corvinus mysteries, you will know what to expect in this instalment. The book did its job in providing an amusing, easy read but was not my favourite of the series and was a little forgettable.
The novel starts off with the murder of a Vestal Virgin, however the plot does not focus on this topic. The highlight of the book is the domestic scenes between Marcus, his wife Perilla and his household staff, especially when focusing on Marcus’ acquisition of a new water clock, which radiate dry humour with several laugh out loud moments.
If you’ve read other Marcus Corvinus mysteries, you will know what to expect in this instalment. The book did its job in providing an amusing, easy read but was not my favourite of the series and was a little forgettable.
September 14, 2017
Once I got used to the sort of British gangster / private eye speech patterns (which just struck me as odd in an ancient Rome setting), I liked Marcus Corvinus pretty well. I still prefer Saylor's Gordianus the Finder novels, though.
July 15, 2020
Once I got used to the anachronistic modern blokey language and stopped bothering trying to remember all the names, this was quite amusing especially Perilla and the flute girls. I might seek out the earlier installments in the series at some point.
January 10, 2023
As good as The Maltese Falcon?
It always tickles me how Marcus Corvinus sounds like Humphrey Bogart on the case. Right, sunshine. Makes for enjoyable reading during the complexities of figuring out who done it. Delightful!
It always tickles me how Marcus Corvinus sounds like Humphrey Bogart on the case. Right, sunshine. Makes for enjoyable reading during the complexities of figuring out who done it. Delightful!
June 28, 2015
Corvinus is minding his own business when the Chief Vestal summons him. A vestal is found dead after the Good Goddess rites - maybe suicide, maybe not, definite problem. Corvinus tracks down a major scandal and takes us through some Eastern rites, some Roman rites, and some flute players. Nothing immersive in this one. Did not try to figure out the killer and his motives and did not solve ahead of the prose. Perilla and the household staff as usual add a great deal of fun to the mystery
October 9, 2016
Another fine example of the hard-boiled detective story, but set in ancient Rome. The distinct voice pulled me in from page one, and Marcus' relationships with his wife and slaves added humor and believably to the story. And the whole subplot with the water clock--well, you'll just have to read it yourself. I am glad I managed to track down this author (whom I discovered through Goodreads) and I plan on reading more in the future.
September 10, 2016
mony@herneith.com
January 26, 2018
Another excellent Corvinus novel. This time the laughing-point was the clepsydra, the Greek water clock that, unless kept in check, pisses over the atrium floor… The plot was good, the characters their usual flamboyant selves, the cultural background illuminating (priesthood and religion in Rome, and the Saturnalia or winter festival), and the climax grim but fitting. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews