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Marcus Corvinus #3
Sejanus
Immediately after his father's funeral, Marcus is approached by two senators who want him to dig up some dirt on Sejanus, emperor Tiberius's deputy and likely successor. Despite the dangers, Marcus cannot resist the thrill of more detective work, and his investigations uncover a trail of treason, betrayal - and murder.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 1998
38 people are currently reading
150 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 6, 2022
Read this book in 2008, and its the 3rd volume of the amazing "Marcus Corvinus" series.
In this tale, after his father's funeral, Marcus Corvinus is approached by two senators with the request to dig up some dirt about Sejanus, Emperor Tiberius's deputy and likely successor.
This investigation in the life and dealings of Sejanus will bring much danger and death with it, but still the thrill of it all will accelerate Corvinus into actions in uncovering all about Sejanus.
This investigation trail will show a road of treason, betrayal and murder from Sejanus's part, and this to keep and remain all power when his turn will come as Emperor, but he has not reckoned on the evidence that will be produced by Corvinus to get him convicted to death, and not to forget the annihilation of Sejanus's complete family from the history books.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling Roman mystery, in which Corvinus will excel as an investigator without any scruples and who will get to the bottom of this case to produce the results that will give Rome and Emperor Tiberius some peace for the moment.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent addition to this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Superb Sejanus Mystery"!
In this tale, after his father's funeral, Marcus Corvinus is approached by two senators with the request to dig up some dirt about Sejanus, Emperor Tiberius's deputy and likely successor.
This investigation in the life and dealings of Sejanus will bring much danger and death with it, but still the thrill of it all will accelerate Corvinus into actions in uncovering all about Sejanus.
This investigation trail will show a road of treason, betrayal and murder from Sejanus's part, and this to keep and remain all power when his turn will come as Emperor, but he has not reckoned on the evidence that will be produced by Corvinus to get him convicted to death, and not to forget the annihilation of Sejanus's complete family from the history books.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling Roman mystery, in which Corvinus will excel as an investigator without any scruples and who will get to the bottom of this case to produce the results that will give Rome and Emperor Tiberius some peace for the moment.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent addition to this wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Superb Sejanus Mystery"!
June 9, 2023
The author has done a great job with this book combining facts with fiction to tell an interesting tale. After the events in the previous book - Germanicus - Marcus Corvinius and.his wife Perillia have spent the.last ten years travelling around the empire occasionally returning to Rome to.visit family and to check.on buisness. The visits are never long as Corvinus made (and.kept) quite a few enemies after.his investigation into Germanicus death. But now, the couple had been called home to.Rome after.the sudden death of Marcus s father. At the funeral most of the Senate turn out in honour of Marcus s father and even Sejanus makes an appearance, unfortunately Sejanus does not leave without having a word With Marcus and the word is sorry about your father but make.sure you get out of Rome quickly as there is no place here for you. Turns.out Sejanus.hasn't forgotten Marcus or what he did ten years earlier. But, when most of the.mourners have left Marcus is approached once.more by two.senators who are aware of the events which led to Marcus leaving.Rome and they implode him.to help them. The last time he saw the Empress Livia she told him the time.would come when he would have to take.on Sejanus and somehow proofs to the Emperor Tiberius that the man was a traitor to Rome. The senators inform Marcus the time has come.for.him to keep that promise. Marcus rebels against this, the last job he did for Livia cost him and Perillia their home, family and friends now it could.cost them their.lives, people who oppose Sejanus don't live very long after all. But Livia left him a letter and after reading it Marcus Corvinius realises he left the job half done.ten years ago, yes he discovered the truth behind the death of Germanicus but nobody paid for their part in it, in fact all the conspirators have prospered under Sejanus as he is theoretically in charge now that the Emperor Tiberius has retired to Capri. So Marcus Corvinius is back in the thick.of.things but it's a dangerous situation he's in and he along with everyone.close.to.him is in great danger.....................
July 14, 2015
One of the earlier [and very enjoyable] Roman mysteries in the Marcus Corvinus series and very highly recommended! There's still the same great humor and detective work by our sleuth-in-a-toga. At his father's funeral, Marcus is approached by two senators who want him to find information discrediting Aelius Sejanus, head of the Praetorian Guard. Marcus also comes into possession of a letter from the old Empress, now deceased, expressing her suspicions. She ends with these chilling words: "Sejanus must be killed." Marcus can't resist sticking his nose into this whole business, although he know Sejanus is ruthless and very dangerous. Marcus finds many men with sordid ties to Sejanus in one way or another and he uncovers plots upon plots. There is murder, attempted murders [on Lippillus, Marcus' buddy and commander of the Public Pond Watch district and on Marcus himself], treachery, deceit, double-dealing, spying galore. Accused of treason by Sejanus, Marcus holes up in the Subura for awhile, then finally he and Perilla, his wife, go to Capri, the emperor's present home. Marcus hopes to talk to 'The Wart' frankly, and tell him what he's found out about Tiberius' right-hand man.
With each novel in the series I'm reading, even out of order, I'm getting more of a sense of Marcus' and Perilla's personalities. In this one, although Marcus is a dogged investigator, he reveals a softer side in several of the incidents. The domestic crisis in Marcus' home was hilarious, also the dinner at his mom's place. Upon eating his mom's 'silk-road delicacy' [i.e., spaghetti noodles], Marcus feels they'll never catch on.
With each novel in the series I'm reading, even out of order, I'm getting more of a sense of Marcus' and Perilla's personalities. In this one, although Marcus is a dogged investigator, he reveals a softer side in several of the incidents. The domestic crisis in Marcus' home was hilarious, also the dinner at his mom's place. Upon eating his mom's 'silk-road delicacy' [i.e., spaghetti noodles], Marcus feels they'll never catch on.
January 17, 2019
Sejanus brings to a close events that started in Ovid and continued in Germanicus. If you enjoyed the previous Marcus Corvinus novels, this is a definite must.
What to Expect
Ten years after the events in Germanicus, Wishart returns to the intrigue of Rome under Tiberius and Sejanus. It was a dark time, with plenty of trials for treason and treachery. Corvinus is dragged almost against his will back to political affairs, for his knowledge of the conspiracies presented in previous books. This isn't exactly a cold case like the previous novels, but the theme of unravelling behind-the-scenes political machinations continues.
As this is the third book in the series and refers to past events, I'd recommend reading them in order.
What I liked
Again, Wishart's research of the period is top notch, and he presents all the personas of the period - from the very top to those lesser known figures who made the city and the empire work - as living characters. He goes beyond the 'bare facts' as they are known from (nearly) contemporary reports, and weaves them together into a plausible tale of intrigue that places people and events in a logical causal chain. I personally love going down the rabbit hole of historical research (as broader understanding increases my enjoyment), but it's not needed to follow and enjoy the story.
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. And it works!
What to be aware of
This is a complex conspiracy with many moving parts, set a time and culture different than our own. Be prepared for a lot of characters with Roman names (which can even cause headaches for scholars). Wishart does his best by sticking to consistent names and separating those of the same family as much as possible (because Roman were perfectly fine with having the same name for males of the family for 10 generations straight), but an unsuspecting reader can still get lost with similar sounding names. There's a dramatis personae list in the beginning for easy reference (and Wikipedia for the die-hard rabbit-hole-divers like me), to alleviate some of this.
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 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
Ten years after the events in Germanicus, Wishart returns to the intrigue of Rome under Tiberius and Sejanus. It was a dark time, with plenty of trials for treason and treachery. Corvinus is dragged almost against his will back to political affairs, for his knowledge of the conspiracies presented in previous books. This isn't exactly a cold case like the previous novels, but the theme of unravelling behind-the-scenes political machinations continues.
As this is the third book in the series and refers to past events, I'd recommend reading them in order.
What I liked
Again, Wishart's research of the period is top notch, and he presents all the personas of the period - from the very top to those lesser known figures who made the city and the empire work - as living characters. He goes beyond the 'bare facts' as they are known from (nearly) contemporary reports, and weaves them together into a plausible tale of intrigue that places people and events in a logical causal chain. I personally love going down the rabbit hole of historical research (as broader understanding increases my enjoyment), but it's not needed to follow and enjoy the story.
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. And it works!
What to be aware of
This is a complex conspiracy with many moving parts, set a time and culture different than our own. Be prepared for a lot of characters with Roman names (which can even cause headaches for scholars). Wishart does his best by sticking to consistent names and separating those of the same family as much as possible (because Roman were perfectly fine with having the same name for males of the family for 10 generations straight), but an unsuspecting reader can still get lost with similar sounding names. There's a dramatis personae list in the beginning for easy reference (and Wikipedia for the die-hard rabbit-hole-divers like me), to alleviate some of this.
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 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.
September 10, 2012
I loved this book and I love this series, but I had to give only four stars because of all the modernisms, like "Yeah", "pal", "sunshine" (when addressing someone) - expressions that would be more appropriate for a modern whodunit.
But, Marcus Corvinus is an easy-going aristocrat, keen of wines (I'd really like he could be my guide through all the taverns in and around Rome tasting every wines we can share;)) who is now chasing about Sejanus, the second man and the most-feared man of the capital of the Roman Empire.
In this book there was not too much mystery (Sejanus life and fall is known for everyone), but there were livid and vivid characters, good conversations, and a living ancient Rome I'd love to walk through, for which I am really grateful for Wishart he wrote this down I could smell the river Tiber already.
This was a very good read and after all I'll try to use to these modernisms mentioned below and start with the next Marcus Corvinus Mystery.
But, Marcus Corvinus is an easy-going aristocrat, keen of wines (I'd really like he could be my guide through all the taverns in and around Rome tasting every wines we can share;)) who is now chasing about Sejanus, the second man and the most-feared man of the capital of the Roman Empire.
In this book there was not too much mystery (Sejanus life and fall is known for everyone), but there were livid and vivid characters, good conversations, and a living ancient Rome I'd love to walk through, for which I am really grateful for Wishart he wrote this down I could smell the river Tiber already.
This was a very good read and after all I'll try to use to these modernisms mentioned below and start with the next Marcus Corvinus Mystery.
September 15, 2015
I do agree with some of the previous reviewers that find some of the modernistic language distracting and even a little irritating but having now finished this, the third Corvinus mystery I can see through it and concentrate on the story. I thoroughly enjoyed Sejanus, the plot was convoluted and although it can be difficult to keep a track on all the characters (especially with the e-book version which makes it tricky to flick back to the dramatis personae at the start), it is well worth persevering with as the book reaches a cracking climax. David Wishart writes well and throws in the odd comical moment, none of which feel at all trite or detract from the story. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
December 19, 2018
Wishart maintains his unparalleled historical research but I much more enjoyed the characters now that their background has been established. I also took my advice and referenced characters in order to keep the plot straight, as it is very complex. I would also suggest a family tree of the Julio-Claudian line for another resource. I am in general thrilled with the series, although complex coming in prepared really makes you appreciate Marcus' unique character. A must read series for any Ancient Rome lover.
July 5, 2018
The downfall of Sejanus. This time, without the assistance of Claudius, who does receive the briefest of mentions in this novel. I keep giving Wishart four stars, solid writing, fast-paced, entertaining, yet lacking a certain depth.
August 15, 2019
More of a political thriller than the mystery I expect from this subgenre
November 15, 2020
Excellent.
March 7, 2023
One of the top roman crime novels. My criterium is how does a novel fit fictional events into a historical background? This novel does this in an exceptionally expert fashion and the reader never gets the impression that the personel acts in a way that is not possible two thousand years ago, even though the style is easy going. This was my second read, still very much enjoyable.
July 3, 2013
This book was more of a historical novel than a pure mystery. The first quarter of the book was very dry and I felt I was overwhelmed by the number of people involved in plots. Names - more names - lots of names.
By the middle of the book things pick up and got progressively better through the end.
I am glad I stuck with it.
Great character development - sights, sounds, even the smells of ancient Rome were described in great detail WITHOUT resorting to "history lesson". The author worked everything in very nicely.
By the middle of the book things pick up and got progressively better through the end.
I am glad I stuck with it.
Great character development - sights, sounds, even the smells of ancient Rome were described in great detail WITHOUT resorting to "history lesson". The author worked everything in very nicely.
October 10, 2011
I had a hard time following the action at the beginning of this book, and couldn't keep the characters straight. I think I should have read the prequel
first. I also don't really like all the modernisms, like "Yeah", "pal", "sunshine" (when addressing someone) - expressions that would be more appropriate for a modern whodunit.
first. I also don't really like all the modernisms, like "Yeah", "pal", "sunshine" (when addressing someone) - expressions that would be more appropriate for a modern whodunit.
February 5, 2017
A lighter touch than Robert Graves' I, Claudius & Claudius the God, both of which I have read and seen the Masterpiece Theater versions. According to Wishart, Tiberius didn't know his son Drusus had been murdered, and in the scene in which he finds out, I could only see the actor playing Tiberius, which was well-cast.
Wishart's Marcus Corvinus is rightly terrifed at meeting Tiberius - this scene even more well-written than the rest of the book.
Wishart's Marcus Corvinus is rightly terrifed at meeting Tiberius - this scene even more well-written than the rest of the book.
October 22, 2016
Not really a whodunit. More like ancient conspiracy theory. But a very entertaining story, nonetheless. Marcus Corvinus has a distinct voice that makes his adventures in sleuthing fun to read. (I was in the middle of another book, but I ditched it after reading a page or two of Marcus Corvinus. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a unique, somewhat snarky voice.)
And it puts that boring old Roman history in a new and fascinating light.
And it puts that boring old Roman history in a new and fascinating light.
January 24, 2013
fun. you'll get confused at the start by the number of characters (but there is a handy hint sheet at the FRONT rather than at the back... hate them at the back cos you have to almost read the back page ending!), and you might get annoyed at the anachronisms (pal etc), but over all, a well plotted book, with lots of story, and inspiration to find the previous three in the series.
October 16, 2014
I didn't actually make it to the end of this book, but I tried, and I wanted to like it.. it had a nice colloquial style but it just didn't seem to fit the context. Plus, I'm pretty sure anyone with a lack of Classsical knowledge would have found the subject matter even more dense and difficult to understand than I did. Disappointing.
May 6, 2015
Somewhat heavy historically. Sejanus was real and did nearly become emperor. Facts are true how strung together maybe maybe not. Roman politics were deadly serious and convoluted so playing on that does make for a heady mix to follow. I like Marcus and his wife and various slaves, friends, and family not to mention his enemies there are just an awful lot of them to keep track off.
January 19, 2016
I got a little bogged down/confused by the names and connections between people, so I wish I had read this closer to reading Germanicus. Still, it was kind of interesting to revisit Rome - I feel like watching I Claudius now.
November 22, 2016
An excellent historical novel
An excellent depiction of intrigues, murder and treason during the days of Julio-Claudian rulers of the Roman Empire. The story is very well presented and almost a page turner detective novel.
An excellent depiction of intrigues, murder and treason during the days of Julio-Claudian rulers of the Roman Empire. The story is very well presented and almost a page turner detective novel.
August 8, 2014
As usual, once I got through arranging the historic events and conspiracies in my head, I really enjoyed this one!
April 4, 2017
Very good who-done-it historical fiction set during the late years of Tiberius rule over ancientt Rome. The many characters with 3 names is sometimes confusing but the author provides a list of the charcters to which I constantly referred.
January 26, 2018
Great story! Marcus Corvinus turns out to be the final deciding factor in the famous downfall of Emperor Tiberius' deeply entrenched representative and would-be successor, Aelius Sejanus. As usual the tale is well plotted, each succeeding bit of evidence skilfully revealed at the right time. You share Corvinus' bafflement and subsequent satisfaction when the missing piece of the puzzle slots into place. Then there are the tear-jerking moments, like the 15-year-old girl who appeals to Marcus and Perilla to rescue her from her father's sexual abuse… (And thus I discovered how Marilla came to enter their family.) The only slight downside for me was that he tended to assume the reader would remember characters from his previous two books, "Germanicus" and "Ovid"… But that's a very minor blemish. All in all, Wishart at his scintillating best.
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