The King's Gambit

SPQR #1

by John Maddox Roberts

In this Edgar Award nominated mystery, John Maddox Roberts takes readers back to a Rome filled with violence and evil. Vicious gangs ruled the streets of Crassus and Pompey, routinely preying on plebeian and patrician alike. So the garroting of a lowly ex-slave and the disembowelment of a foreign merchant in the dangerous Subura district seemed of little consequence to the Roman hierarchy. But Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, high-born commander of the local vigiles, was determined to investigate. Despite official apathy, brazen bribes and sinister threats, Decius uncovers a world of corruption at the highest levels of his government that threatens to destroy him and the government he serves. Set in 70 B.C.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Crime, Audiobook

274 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1990

About the author

aka Mark Ramsay

John Maddox Roberts is the author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. The first two books in the series have recently been re-released in trade paperback.

Reviews

[♡ Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ein Krimi aus dem Alten Rom. Ich habe das Buch schon vor Jahren gelesen als Teenager und war damals sehr angetan. Ich habe mir damals noch weitere Bände aus dieser Reihe gekauft und gelesen.
Jetzt habe ich das Hörbuch gehört und habe mich auch gut unterhalten gefühlt, allerdings hatte ich durch meine positiven Erinnerungen an das Buch wohl zu hohe Erwartungen. Oder mein Geschmack hat sich etwas verändert. Jedenfalls mochte ich die Geschichte, vor allem aber auch das Setting und die Zeit. Man erfährt viel über das Leben im Alten Rom.
Die Geschichte hatte allerdings auch ein paar Längen für mich; das kann aber auch am Hörbuch gelegen haben. Wenn ich lese statt höre, empfinde ich die Geschichte meist intensiver :)

[Jim Fonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

(A revision of an earlier review)

A great novel rich in historical detail about Rome, especially the complexities of politics and how people rose to power. We also learn a lot about daily life in Rome: meals, customs, slavery.



We also learn a lot about crime and street thugs in ancient Rome. Many people are murdered at this time in Rome, buy it only matters to the authorities if it is someone of social significance. It wasn't always safe to go out in the streets at night despite the supposedly tight control of the city by the Roman legions.



And we have a murder mystery. This is the first in a series of SPQR books by Roberts. But a good companion book to this one by another author is Pompeii: A Novel by Robert Harris which focuses more on Roman architecture and hydraulic engineering (aqueducts).

top image by Amelie Veaux on redditmedia.com
lower image from alamy.com - ERGTNX

[Allen Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.5 star mystery but an absolute, unequivocal 5 stars for the rich and vibrant setting of Rome. Really incredible cultural, societal, and historical info in here. If you're interested at all in Roman life, that alone is worth the price.

[Georgina Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while taking a break from Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series. Because I only had two Roma Sub Rosa books left to read, I was scouting for another series set in Ancient Rome (can't get enough of this genre). I saw Roberts' SPQR while surfing the Net, bought the first book in the series, and read it after finishing Saylor's A Mist of Prophecies.

I wasn't disappointed.

While the Roma Sub Rosa series can be described as fast-paced (I practically gobbled up every exhilarating book in the series), SPQR allowed you to savor every page--morsel by interesting, well-written morsel. I want to compare Roma Sub Rosa's Gordianus with SPQR's Decius, but this is supposed to be a "review" of The King's Gambit. Besides, that would be unfair because they are both wonderful protagonists.

I loved the book; it painted Ancient Rome vividly and wonderfully. Many of the characters that I encountered in Saylor's books, such as Caesar, Pompey, and the Clodians, I also encountered here (Roma Sub Rosa and SPQR were both set in the late Roman Republic). It was interesting to take a look at them from another author's perspective (e.g. Titus Annius Milo here was far more likable than in Roma Sub Rosa).

I kinda panicked while reading the last few pages of the book because I thought it was going to wrap up "flatly," but there was a touching surprise at the end. All I can say is, SPQR lessens the pain of having to end Roma Sub Rosa :)

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little foray into the well-trodden territory (by now, at any rate) of the dying decades of the Roman Republic. Pretty steamy stuff for an early '90s historical fiction book, as well!

[Ozymandias · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been disappointed with several of the Roman mysteries on offer and found myself looking back fondly on the old SPQR and Falcoseries. I remembered these books as standouts and was curious how tainted my memory was by nostalgia. I’ve learned a lot about the ancient world since reading these books and I wondered whether my affection for these books would be reduced by the number of liberties taken.

I’m pleased to say that the books are as good as I remember, although this of course was never the best of them. Decius is such a fun character to spend time with. Principled but not pushy, clever but not a showoff, dilettantish but not excessively so... Decius makes a great viewpoint character. He’s also a great narrator for his witty and cynical remarks: “I’ve suspected him of many things, but never of innocence.” “Moralists loved to rant about decadent Baiae. It sent people flocking there.” Comments like this are what keep you reading when all else fails.

The accuracy, as expected of historical murder mysteries, is spotty, although better than most. The chief anachronisms come from the attitudes people have. No Roman would have cared so much about the murder of people he didn’t know, certainly not if they were only freedmen and foreigners. And the idea of taking on the most powerful men in the state for the sake of duty is fairly unbelievable as well. But the depiction of political activity and Roman governance is strong. Roberts gets how the more limited Roman government worked and all the petty feuding and infighting. There are plenty of interesting social tidbits here as well.

I’m pleased to say I still like this series. Decius is just plain fun, the mystery is suitably complicated (although immediately jumping to the top seems so typically rushed for a debut novel), and the world is well realized. As I recall, the series gets even better in later books as some new characters are introduced and Decius climbs higher up the cursus honorem.

Plot: 5 (Perhaps a bit rushed and lopsided)
Characters: 8 (Fun and engaging)
Accuracy: 8 (Attitudes wrong, facts mainly right)

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in the SQPR series.

Decius is just starting out in his first public office, as sort of a low level fire chief/peacekeeper, when not only is somebody murdered, but a building is set on fire. Decius starts to investigate, and the clues take him into ever higher social circles. Things keep heating up for him, but he follows his duty, only to wish he hadn't found the truth after all.

Good stuff. You can see why it became a series.

[Natasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself is simple and could be written in a few pages but it is the complexities of Roman society, the culture, language, social issues and politics that make these stories rich in detail with characters that are interesting, sympathetic, scandalous, and very human.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First in the SPQR historical mystery series revolving around Decius Caecilius Metellus and his interest in snooping, LOL.

My Take
Roberts is using a first-person narration, and it's odd to hear him tell us what's happening now AND of various characters' futures at the same time. Useful, but odd. It does, however, contribute to my feeling of being hit over the head. As though I'm not bright enough to pick up on the clues.

That bit when Roberts introduces the forensics aspect of it with Asklepiodes and his wounds study helped that feeling along. Definitely an eye-rolling moment. The overt patriotism Decius proclaims is very admirable, but it has a juvenile feel to it. It doesn't help that Decius stumbles over so many clues that should have had him questioning events and people much earlier in the story.

Roberts does spend a lot of time informing us of the history of wars and Roman politics; I'm assuming it's to ensure we have a background against which we can follow along with the clues. I just wish it didn't feel quite so much as if he were telling us. Decius' consultation with Cicero, however, was very well done in providing us with background information but disguised as advice.

Like Steven Saylor in Roman Blood , Roberts also relays Roman customs of daily and religious life. There's more of an emphasis in this one on the military service required of Roman men, and a tremendous importance on putting on the toga when paying calls or anytime you want to impress people. I'm also grateful for our current religious practices---I'd hate to be so beholden to omens and portents!

There's a very useful explanation of the difference between plebeians and patricians. Hmm, Roberts has made me curious about Spartacus. All I know is about the movie and that he had been a slave. Now I want to know more.

"I'm learning street-level politics from Macro."

"And you're learning Senate-level politics from me," I said.

"You're right. And so far, it looks just like the street."

It's been an interesting blend of books I've been reading lately, and it's set me to thinking about life before radio, television, and the Internet. When people had to entertain themselves. They learned to play instruments, memorize poems and plays, hold dances, perform in theatricals. As much as I love my TV and Internet, I do wish we had a bit more of the community involvement. Yes, and then my second thought, but don't make me participate. Oh, brother, I'm such a hypocrite!

It's obvious from the start that Decius isn't expected to do more than sign off on the investigation. It's also obvious that he's a conservative thinker.

LOL, I did like how Sergius Paulus got around the matter of the disbursement of his estate and slaves!

I'm having a hard time warming up to this. I like the characters---they're certainly colorful!---but there's a feeling of detachment, a coldness to this. And I find I'm getting confused between Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa and Roberts' SPQR. I like Saylor's tale more---it's warmer and pulls me in with the characters as opposed to viewing them---and I'll likely read Saylor's series first.

The Story
A fire at Paramedes' warehouse and a series of murders creates a stir of interest around Metellus the Younger. And it soon becomes obvious that he's expected to stamp this case closed.

The Characters
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is serving as a commissioner for the Commission of Twenty-six and has discovered he has a flair for snooping. Burrus is an old soldier and part of Decius' required entourage. Cato is one of his slaves, the janitor or doorkeeper.

Decius Caecilius Metellus the Elder, a.k.a., Cut-Nose, served under General Marius and is now an Urban Praetor; he'll stand for Consul in two years. The Caecilii Metelli are a plebeian nobility with the only real negative that they are not qualified for certain priesthoods---young Decius sees this as a plus. Aunt Caecilia, the Vestal, was now the Virgo Maxima, the head of the college and of the Temple of the Vestals. The Metellis' patron is Quintus Hortensius Hortalus (his character also appears in Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series).

Publius Claudis Pulcher is a young hothead and planning to change his patrician status and become a Clodius instead. Claudia is his much brighter sister with plans of her own. Chrysis is her maid. Prince Tigranes of Armenia is on the run from his father, King Tigranes the Elder.

Caius Julius Caesar seems to have shed his propensity for debauchery and debt to pursue a career in politics. On the side of the Populares, no less! He's currently married to Cornelia, a daughter of Cinna. [Decius says that he is "the most brilliantly cold-blooded schemer".] General Marcus Licinius Crassus is one of the richest and a Consul of Rome along with Pompey. And Roberts repeats the "rumors" of Crassus' habit of being the first at a fire.

Sergius Paulus is a freedman, but one of the richest men in Rome. Pepi is the slave who sleeps across his bedroom door. Marcus Ager was another freeman who used to fight under the name of Sinistrus. Paramedes is an Asian Greek from Antioch, and the pirates' representative in Rome. Zabbai is a silk merchant. Hasdrubal sells cloth in Ostia.

Macro is a gang boss with political connections, including being a client of Hortensius. Titus Annius Milo is a former rower who now works for Macro. I suspect he'll be a regular in the cast. A good thing, if so, as I do like him.

General Lucius Licinius Lucullus is battling Mithridates, Rome's most current enemy, and is under fire in Rome. Tribune Gnaeus Quintilius Carbo brings news of the war and Decius gives him warning.

Lucius Satilius runs the gladiator school, Ludus Satilius. Asklepiodes is the physician who has done a study of wounds.

The cautious Rutilius is Commissioner for the Trans-Tiber district; Optimius is Commissioner in charge of the Aventine, Palatine, and Caelian districts. Junius is the Senate freedman who acts as secretary. Quintus Curius is an "extraordinarily dissipated young Senator. Cicero is here as is Tiro, his secretary slave. Lucius Sergius Catilina.

The Forum had been a mass of temples, market stalls, fortune teller's booths, speakers' platforms, a place for men to idle, etc.

The Cover
The cover is gorgeous with a man's surprised face done in a Roman-style mosaic, blood pooling along his jawline and banded top and bottom with marble.

The title is a chess move and I'm not sure if it's Roberts' play on King's Gambit being the first in a series or if it refers to Decius' move within this story.

[Estelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I wasn't in the right mood, or maybe it just wasn't very good... I don't know. I just didn't care much for it.
I'll stick to Marcus Didius Falco, he's a much more entertaining protagonist.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

The following is about the series as a whole, to most of which I give 5 stars. I actually liked the later ones better than this one, the first, which was certainly good.

I'm an amateur Latinist with scholarly training, and have long had a particular interest in the late Roman Republic, the period of this series. I'm astonished at how well Roberts gets into the minds of the Romans, into the details of their lives, into events and the politics and other factors behind those events. I find them much more true-to-life than the other Roman series (Saylor, Davis, which I nonetheless liked). This is the real Rome, not Hollywood Rome, or the Rome of second-rate teachers and innumerable hack historians. As far as large-scale events, their causes, and implications are concerned, you can just about read these books as history. Where the history is subject to interpretation, Roberts is among the most perceptive interpreters. In fact, never mind the "just about". Many historians have been less adequate and less and balanced.

Even the historical characters seem astonishingly real, and true to history and to the personae they have left in literature. Roberts makes even the shadowy Pompey into a lifelike character as has no other historian I've read (I haven't read Gelzer on P.), a character who would have done exactly what the historical Pompey did.

One notable exception (and virtually the only significant departure from known fact that I've detected) is the character of Milo. Roberts' Milo is plausible enough. He's a bit larger than life, but this was a setting (like Elizabethan England and the early American West) that generated many people who actually were larger than life normally gets. The real Milo did what Roberts' Milo did in this series, as far as the historical record shows. But I've never seen any indication that Milo was ever a free rower, or that his origins were in the street. The historical Milo was from the local nobility of a town outside of Rome, though he was certainly a gang-leader and political agitator in Rome, and nothing much else. If I recall correctly, in later books, Roberts reconciles Milo's background with the historical record as far as possible without deviating from the account given in the earlier books. I would guess that Roberts' Milo makes for much better fiction than the real one would have, and again, this is the only departure from history that I've detected, and one which does not entail any other departures.

The historical accuracy comes with no tradeoff in entertainment value, however. Roberts is a fiction writer first and foremost. Characterization, color, action, plot, and puzzle all make for a first-rate read.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a few books on ancient Rome recently and came across this Edgar nominated mysteries by John Maddox Roberts. He is a new author to me but I understand he is a well known Sci-Fi writer. The book takes place in about 70 B.C.E. and follows Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, who is a patrician and former soldier how is now a low ranking official in the commission of Twenty Six (sort of policeman). The garroting of a manumitted gladiator, a foreign merchant and a wealthy freedman all in a short time in his district has Decius investigation the murders. He uncovers a conspiracy by Publius Claudius Putcher. Roberts is using a first-person narration. Robert does spend a lot of time in forming us of the history of wars and Roman politics of the time. The author also relays Roman customs of daily life and religious life into the story. Decius’s consultation with Cicero was well done in providing background information but disguised as advice. Lots of famous people in the book such as, Cicero, Pompey and Crassus as the dual consuls, Roman General Lucullus commander in Asia, and also Prince Tigranes of Armenia, brings history to life. The story provides a murder mystery along with a bit of history of ancient Roman and information into the daily life of a Roman. Makes for a fun read with a bit of education along the way. I read this as an audio book. Simon Vance did his usual excellent job narrating the book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read the Falco series, this one is more hard-boiled, less snarky; although, Decimus isn't bad with apt commentary. Technology hadn't changed that much in the century between the series, so day to day life remained pretty similar.

Pirates feature in this story, which I don't recall much in Falco's travels, with one exception and that I recall more as smuggling. I'm a fan of the sidekick Milo, as well as being drawn by John Lee's narration.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I listened to the audiobook for this tale of murder in ancient Rome. I can't swear that I followed the plot 100% of the time but I liked the main protagonist, his rather dry humor, and his cynical POV. The narrator added an extra layer of murderous fun.

Story: 3 stars
Narration: 4 stars

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Läsning 3: Författaren gömmer ledtrådar som tog mig till denna läsning att tolka. Bra skrivet.

Läsning 2: minst lika bra som sist. Denna bok tar tre timmar att läsa, och är väl värd de timmarna.

Läsning 1: Jag får börja med att medge att jag är romarnörd. Det gör att jag kan förväntas vara ohemult imponerad av böcker som gör Rom rättvisa, och det gör denna (till största delen; de tillagda improvisationerna är om något trevliga snarare än stötande). Intrigen är tillräckligt välsignalerad för att man skall kunna följa med utan svårighet, och tillräckligt komplex för att man inte skall uppleva att det var självklart förutsägbart. Jag rekommenderar den varmt.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery, well-narrated. Not certain why Blackstone has re-recorded with John Lee; although I haven't listened to Simon Vance's recording, I imagine it's as good as Lee's fine version. Moves at a fairly leisurely pace, as it's filled with interesting historical details; first in series sets up characters, including real historical personages; complex mystery; polished style; rather dark tone.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting historical political whodunnit, easy to read and follow if seeped in historical minutiae to give it immersion and flavor. A fun summer read.

[Jonathan Richter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wer sagt, dass das Sherlock Holmes in der Antike ist, hat beides nicht gelesen.
Bisschen viel Name- und Begriff-dropping.
Mal sehen was der zweite Teil bringt.

[Madhulika Liddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of the SPQR series, The King’s Gambit is narrated by its detective, Decius Caecilius Metellus, one of the commissioners of Rome. On the same night that a fire breaks out and destroys a warehouse, its owner, a foreigner, is found murdered. A would-be gladiator, more a street thug than anything else, is also found, separately, dead. Neither foreigner nor thug warrants the attention of an official, but Metellus is too conscientious to let that deter him. So he begins an investigation…

I liked the way John Maddox Roberts brings alive Ancient Rome in this book. Not so much what it looked like, but the people: their society, their schisms, the corruption and prejudices and practices. Their traditions (the concept of hospitium, for instance, was something I’d never heard of before) and the way they regarded other members of society. Plus, the politics of the time, with men like Pompey and Crassus jostling for power, the aftermath of the Servile War, the beginning of the rise to power of Julius Caesar: fascinating.

The mystery is fair enough, and there was a certain sense of veracity about how the final outcome played out: that was something I could believe. And there are some likeable characters here, especially Decius Caecilius Metellus himself, who has a self-deprecating sense of humour that I found endearing.

Overall, satisfying. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

[Jamie Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

This reads like a dry history lesson compared to the richness of Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series. There's way too much exposition, with a convenient foreigner present who needs Rome's customs and traditions explained to him. I could see potential in the main character, though, so I'll try the second book to see if there is an improvement in the prose.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I like period detail, there was too much of it in this book for me. I felt like the author wanted to show every bit of his research here. The book was entertaining though, and the narration of the audiobook was excellent. I'm willing to give the series another chance.

[Xabi1990 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le ha caído la cuarta estrellita porque la ambientación y detalles de la vida romana en los finales de la Republica es muy, muy buena.

Por personajes y por trama detectivesca se me quedaba en tres. Lo cierto es que para detectives romanos prefiero a Lindsey Davies y su Didio Falco.

[Jakub Spilka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poutavý příběh a zápletka v živém starém Římě. Baví, učí a vysvětluje.

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a history buff and love all things late Roman Republic, this is a most excellent read, as Bill or Ted might describe it. As a whodunit mystery novel chock full of murder most foul, intrigue, a few double crossings, a dab of licentious sex, and peopled by corrupt politicians, street brawlers, early CSI Greek physicians, and even a contortionist, this book is sure to delight.

Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is of the plebian nobility, which means he's an up-and-comer in the late Republic. With stout heart, a strong sense of Roman duty, and a family name, Decius works in public office as a commander of the vigiles in his district of Suburia. In other words, he's the sheriff of his district, looking out against crime in all shapes and sizes: fire, theft, assault, murder. In investigating a series of murders in his district, Decius gets unwittingly caught up in the machinations of the consuls Pompey and Crassus and two foreign kings, of Pontus and Armenia.

The setting of ancient Rome is a fun one, and made more so if the reader already has knowledge of the characteristics of the time period. And, even if the reader is a newbie to the world of ancient Rome, the book is an easy read, the characters are relatable, and the plot a decent one. Recommended.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I am spoiled with Steven Saylor Rome series that I am more critical of other Rome series.
However, I did like this one.. I just didn't love it. BUT, what I really love about this book is the insight into Roman law, the history, the actual senators, rulers, etc. (i.e. Pompey, Cicero).

This story was about Decius, a young investigator of his region, gets himself caught up in the biggest political scandal... murders, coverups, etc. He keeps investigating and so people are trying to kill him to stop digging... but he continues... and uncovers lots of things that are going on that might not shock many since Rome was so corrupt at the time. But still.. he endures and well, you have to find out what happens!!

[Rick Rapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a mildly entertaining book set in Ancient Rome. It is filled with historical figures and commentary from one who realizes how events played out. The mystery is a bit convoluted at times although everything makes sense in the highly improbable end. A nice distraction and a reminder that political corruption and high stakes machinations are as old as time itself.

[jjmann3 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The King's Gambit is a decent story, as much a pulp novel as a work of historical fiction. I found the tale not terribly engrossing and its characters not really deep, but the ending proved satisfactorily open-ended enough to pique my interest in the next of the series.

[Thomas W Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman Life and Political Intrigue

John Maddox Roberts takes you to the closing decades of the Roman Republic in this first novel in his remarkable SPQR series. You'll see the ancient world through the eyes of Decius Caecillis Matellus the Younger, and it will change you forever. Great characters from history come alive. Highly recommend.




Excellent

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: it's Rome in 70 BC and Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, commander of the vigiles, is determined to investigate two violent crimes.

[MasterSal]

1. Historical fiction detective novel - 👍👍
2. Available on audio on the plus catalogue - 👍👍👍
3. Library of Allenxandria gives it his seal of approval

Ok ok …. Onto the TBR it goes