Pandora's Boy

Flavia Albia #6

by Lindsey Davis

Flavia Albia is a private investigator, always drawn to an intriguing puzzle - even if it is put to her by her new husband's hostile ex-wife. On the Quirinal Hill, Clodia Volumnia, a very young girl with stars in her eyes, has died, amid suggestions that she was poisoned by a love-potion. It will have been supplied by a local witch, who goes by the name of Pandora, though Albia learns that Pandora carries on a trade in herbal beauty products while hiding much more dangerous connections. Pandora's beloved grandson, a trainee hack lawyer, is one of the dead girl's empty-headed friends; can this be relevant?

As she homes in on the truth, Albia has to contend with the occult, organised crime, an unusual fertility symbol, and celebrity dining. She discovers the young girl was a handful; her father mediates in disputes, yet has divorced his grief-stricken wife and is now suing his own mother-in-law; Clodia's so-called friends were none too friendly. The supposedly sweet air of the Quirinal hides the smells of loose morality, casual betrayal and even gangland conflict. When a friend of her own is murdered, Albia determines to expose as much of this local sickness as she can - beginning with the truth about the death of little Clodia.

'Davis's prose is a lively joy, and Flavia's Rome is sinister and gloriously real.' The Times on Sunday

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

400 pages, Hardcover

First published April 5, 2018

About the author

Lindsey Davis, historical novelist, was born in Birmingham, England in 1949. Having taken a degree in English literature at Oxford University (Lady Margaret Hall), she became a civil servant. She left the civil service after 13 years, and when a romantic novel she had written was runner up for the 1985 Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize, she decided to become a writer, writing at first romantic serials for the UK women's magazine Woman's Realm.
Her interest in history and archaeology led to her writing a historical novel about Vespasian and his lover Antonia Caenis (The Course of Honour), for which she couldn't find a publisher. She tried again, and her first novel featuring the Roman "detective", Marcus Didius Falco, The Silver Pigs, set in the same time period and published in 1989, was the start of her runaway success as a writer of historical whodunnits. A further nineteen Falco novels and Falco: The Official Companion have followed, as well as The Course of Honour, which was finally published in 1998. Rebels and Traitors, set in the period of the English Civil War, was published in September 2009. Davis has won many literary awards, and was honorary president of the Classical Association from 1997 to 1998.

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #5 was a flat transition to Flavia as a newlywed and her husband who is on the mend after receiving collateral damage from a lighting strike. Pandora’s Boy starts out with his former wife coming by and suggesting a bit of work for Flavia with a friend of hers. The friend’s daughter was found dead in her bed and mother thinks it was of a broken heart, but father thinks it was from a love potion gone wrong.

I found “The Third Nero,” the preceding book, lacking https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So for me, “Pandora’s Boy” brought a sigh of contentment.

One of the distinguishing aspects of this series is that, unlike the books in the “Falco” series, these are told from a woman’s perspective and we get to go “where men fear to tread.” This is a layered tale with plenty of Roman domestic elements, and Davis shows her skill with a growing cast of characters. Flavia is on her game and there are plenty of humorous asides to lighten a story that becomes progressively darker. Davis’ decision to give Flavia’s husband, Tiberius Manlius, a larger role is a relief as they are back to sparring and to covering for each other. The final chapters don’t need pyrotechnics to reach a satisfactory conclusion. A well-earned 4.5*

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the ancient Rome that Lindsey Davis evokes. This is one of my favourites of the series, not for the mystery at its heart, but for its portrait of life and society in Rome, especially for women and young people. The relationship between Flavia Albia and her husband is so wonderfully drawn here. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best of the Flavia Albia mysteries so far.

Lindsey has got into her stride and the characters are now as rounded and believable as the ones she created in the Falco series. Speaking of Falco, he makes a cameo appearance in this book.

A girl is found dead in bed. Her father insists she has been poisoned with a love potion supplied by a witch named Pandora. Albia is engaged to find out exactly what happened. As with any Lindey Davis mystery, things are never simple, and the outcome is never going to be what you suspect.

Brilliantly written and engaging.

A rare 5 stars from me.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so entertaining that I considered giving it a 5 star rating. Although it has some slight flaws, it is absolutely my most favorite Flavia Albia so far. And this is #6 already!! Forgive me if I go a bit long here. There's so much excellent reading that I can't just fluff over this one.

In this one we have a tragedy that occurs within a group of young adults who are still residing at home with their parents in Rome 89 AD- and yet are living the lives of extended adolescence despite being into their 20's. And a 15 year old girl has been found dead in her bed, the youngest and "follower" of that "in crowd" group.

Flavia's task is a hire from her parents to find out what, where, how, why this grief has landed at their door. And the parents are really and sincerely within immense sorrow for losing their cossetted and precious only daughter.

It's longish and it also holds dozens of characters. Falco is heard from through others, as well. He's actually "aging" metal vases just like his father did too. Selling antiques is more profitable than ever! And Domitian is coming home and expecting a Tribute splendor- so everyone in Rome of any authority down to the vagrants are also walking on pins and needles trying to jimmy some level of power, pecking order or other concerns towards putting up those garlands and hauling out the booty carts just at the right times. Or they know that change will not be their friend. It's Senate better scurry times to get that arch up- indeed! In fact about 80 to 100 of the advance soldiers are in the city proper without their weapons. Watch out- one may fall on you!

But the best in this is the people here quite beyond the placements. The beginning is rather slow and I was disappointed that once again Flavia seems to have misplaced her husband. But just read and you will be mightily rewarded for a complex and multi, multi peopled type of introduction.

There are several very, very, very (I know that is 3 too many) sharp and nervy and critical FEMALE eyes in this one. About 8 mothers are core. 3 grandmothers are the original pivots. And a beauty industry coupled with a possible love potion and witchy circle headed by the Grandma of the current Mafia (no, it is not Southern Italian this time) family is the very nugget in the middle. Also stared in her pale and slender dictates is Flavia's husband's ex-wife. All of their slaves and the locale vigiles are also intrinsically involved. But the women's angle (probably 30 different women and you KNOW all of them) is the entire baseline for this book. Their dress, their groups of converse, their sneaking meetings, their wiles to obtain wealth, their looks, their philosophies (there are a set of Stoic parents that are exactly like the old hippie "just let your hair grow until it stops by itself" of the 1960's). And so much more too. Davis has hit the ceiling for social types and parenting styles in this one, as well. Not to forget for a momento that she also knows both psychology and family deeper than any other fiction writer in this genre, IMHO.

The humor is immense in this one, despite the initial tragedy. And being an informer also is defined here too. Flavia knows there are crowds to which you DON'T ask the questions. Or try to buy a property or business from either.

So who is Pandora's Boy? He is our very own Roman 89 AD version of a better built Michael Corleone. That is not a spoiler. It's hard to guess who are the 9 people present at the last dinner for our dear deceased Clodia (15 year old departed) alone. Lots that is in full view is really quite hidden?

HOW she uncovers all the details is the prime here. It's pure excellence.

There is a woman only seance. There is my most favorite restaurant placed couple of chapters here for all time within fiction (better than Tom Jones). Truly it was magnificent. Down to the getting through the "in" line all the way to the dessert "I'll take it in a box home" details. Better than a 1970's disco crossed with a $$$$ 2 year waiting list tortured food with oysters that come all the way from Brittany in barrels exclusive club.

And a dear, dear friend is sadly caught in the local battling gangster gangs feud too. Just by trying to buy the restaurant.

And we (Flavia gets company here) are in new digs on the Quirinal Hill to be within the investigated family's compound too. That's another whole view.

Any mother or father who has had a wild 15 year old daughter will want to read this one. The more things change, the more that they remain the same.

Or anyone with adult children who find it easier to stay home and "live off the estates". Or someone who knows the real and actual consequences of drinking alcohol too much for too long.

Highly recommend this read for some scrumptious double meanings and tongue in cheek wit.

One truly wonders if Lindsey Davis has not had someone "move back home". LOL!

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy of Pandora's Boy, the sixth novel to feature Flavia Albia, the first century Roman informer.

When Laia Gratiana, ex wife of Albia's husband Tiberius, comes to Albia with the offer of a new case she isn't interested until Tiberius goes missing and then she takes it on to stay busy. A 15 year old, Clodia, has been found dead in her bed. Her father accuses her mother and grandmother of giving her a love potion that kills her, they deny all knowledge. The investigation leads Albia into murkier waters than she had anticipated.

This is the first novel in this series that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot is satisfactorily complicated and Albia's sarcastic take on events, just like her father's, makes for an amusing read. The novel is preceded by an intimidatingly long cast list but it is easy to slot all the characters in place and not get lost, always an issue in novels with unfamiliar names. Ms Davis does an excellent job of introducing her characters, situating them in the plot and making them memorable so that the reader knows exactly what's what. Albia's voice and general take on events makes it all possible.

The plot, despite the setting, is suitably modern with gangsters, cons and dissolute youth. I liked seeing these perennial problems and how they're dealt with in another setting. It would seem that nothing much changes over the centuries. I followed Albia's investigation with interest as she interviewed and re-interviewed her suspects and witnesses, sorting the lies and wishful thinking from the truth. The heart of the plot, Clodia's death, is fairly simple but, then, it's not the main point of the novel which is these interviews, human frailty and nature, Roman life and a good dollop of humour. Plus ça change etc..

Pandora's Boy is an entertaining read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Karen Witzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of the new series as Davis becomes more confident with Albia acting as chief informant in Falco's family. This confidence allows her to more liberally incorporate the family history into this new iteration, making great fun for long-time readers of these mysteries set in Flavian Rome (this is my 26th?), but in no way hampering new ones. As always, I recommend going back to The Silver Pigs and seeing where it all began.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm done with this series.Little,about nothing.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me because I was not interested in emphasis on youth. Roman version of gossip girl stuff that I think teens and young people could more easily get into. Flavia Albia is hired to find what led to the death of a 15-year old girl. There is probably a lot to interest a younger audience, but it seemed to represent a group of spoiled rich kids that could just as easily be in the here and now.
I am old and grumpy I guess. I loved the Falco (her "father") series before this series launched. I believe I maintained interest in the daughter's career and background, but this book just did not hold my interest.

[Babel · Rating 4 out of 5]

La pizpireta y decidida Flavia Albia vuelve a explorar los recovecos del alma criminal con una aventura nueva que, en esta ocasión, la lleva al barrio del Quirinal, en la Antigua Roma. Una adolescente mimada ha muerto repentinamente por lo que se sospecha era un filtro amoroso proporcionado por una tal Pandora, algo que está prohibido por el emperador.

Al mismo tiempo, Flavia tiene que hacer frente a una emergencia con el hombre de su vida, lo cual la sitúa en un aprieto emocional en el que nunca se había encontrado.

Con la paciencia de un perro pastor y su avispada mente analítica, la hija de Marco Didio Falco se embarca en su característico periplo por las calles de Roma en busca de pistas y culpables. Siempre me ha conquistado su agudo sentido del humor. Parece fuera de lugar entre templos dedicados a dioses y viviendas en constante peligro de incendio, pero es justo lo que refresca una lectura minuciosa de los pormenores de una investigación a la usanza del interrogatorio de múltiples personajes. A lo que añadimos una vívida familiaridad de las costumbres, tanto ordinarias como grandiosas, de esta urbe que era el ombligo del mundo en su época.

Gracias a la persistencia inquisitiva de esta antigua huérfana britana, nos adentramos en casas señoriales, puestos de fruta y tabernas de escaso menú. Flavia se mete en líos con todos por igual, pero ella no desiste de analizar testigos, potenciales culpables y confidentes en pos del detalle que pueda iluminar sus teorías sobre la muerte de Clodia.

Me he reído con su elocuente ironía, con una escena algo picarona con lechugas de Egipto (que da mucho juego y salacidad) y con su discreta relación amorosa que la trae a mal traer, pero que a mí me encanta porque es mitad melosa mitad recelosa. Una chica avispada como Flavia se puede enamorar, pero eso no le quita ni un ápice de cinismo.

Otra cosa que me gusta mucho de la autora es su atención al detalle a la hora de perfilar a los personajes más secundarios imaginables. Todos ellos, desde un tendero hasta el famoso emperador Domiciano, reciben pinceladas descriptivas que permiten humanizarlos vivamente.

Aunque el humor pervive en todo el texto, el fino análisis de sabueso se mezcla también con algunas escenas más dramáticas. Por otro lado, no es tan fácil dar con el mea culpa responsable de la muerte en cuestión, puesto que empezamos en un sitio y terminamos muy lejos, enredados en una madeja de proporciones muy distintas a las que apuntaba el comienzo doméstico.

Alcanzamos el colofón de este "cozy mystery" romanizado en un escenario melodramático heredero de las viejas obras teatrales, en el cual Flavia Albia hace alarde de su astucia deductiva para exponer a todos los implicados en la extraña muerte de una jovencita con mal de amores. ¿Será un novio harto, un amigo indiferente, un desconocido cuyos planes había molestado sin saberlo?

No os diré nada más concreto salvo que el final resulta lúgubre y brutal. Deja un poso de malestar, pero profunda satisfacción por la intensidad sobria de las emociones que despierta. El futuro en el Quirinal se ha tornado oscuro de repente.

Magnífica novela, como siempre.

Por cierto, he aprendido un dato sobre la famosa caja de Pandora que no conocía.

Opinión original de Babel en Torre de Babel
http://torretadebabel.blogspot.com

[Elite Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flavia Albia is an ancient Roman version of Miss Marple

Flavia Alba was born in Britannia and adopted by Marcus Didius Falco (of Falco novel series) who became a famous private investigator during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. Flavia became the new sleuth during the reign of Emperor Domitian.

Flavia Alba was hired by Dolumnius Firmus and Sentia Lucretia to investigate the death of their daughter, Clodia, when she heard the big fight between Clodia’s grandmothers in an atrium.

The love potion from Pandora was thought to be the poison, but there was no poison, no off-colour and no vomit syndromes on Clodia’s corpse, according to the doctor’s autopsy report.

Flavia Albia interviewed the suspects including Clodia’s lover, Vincentius Theo, and her brother, Volumunius Auctus, who arrived in Rome from the army in North Africa. Flavia got some clues and then assembled all the interviewed suspects including Clodia’s family, like Miss Marple, who had the final answer to the death of the victim.

I still enjoy this ancient Roman historical detective novel series as I compare Falco and Flavia to Poirot and Miss Marple from Agatha Christie.

Caesar 13

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

[Rhode PVD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this may be my favorite Flavia novel of all so far. The mystery is mostly a pretext to show a slice of life under Domnitian — in this case the feckless, wealthier parts of the middle class. The women are half illiterate and spend their days getting beauty treatments, gossiping and planning their next affair. The men do the masculine version of this. Their teenagers are bejeweled, with too large allowances, little supervision, spending their time doing the same.

What I’ve always liked best about this author is her wry sensibility as she describes everyday life in Ancient Rome. So often the scenes are funny because they are so similar to life now. In particular there’s a longish scene in a trendy gourmet restaurant that any 21st century foodie will immediately recognize.

This is one of the lower angst novels in the series, although several characters die of unexpected violence. Flavia, though, has found her feet at last in her adult life. It’s a pleasure to behold, especially if you’ve been aware of her ever since she was a miserable, truculent teenager.

A real pleasure of a read.

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laia Gratiana, Tiberius's ex wife turns up at Flavia Albias house one morning looking to send her off to be hired by friends of hers (yes she has friends). Their daughter has died and the authorities will not investigate the father's claims that it is a suspicious death. Flavia Albia refuses the commission but then finds she has somehow mislaid her husband, he has removed his rings and fine clothes and wandered off. It does not look good for Albia's reputation not to be able to.find her own missing husband, so she takes herself off across town to the commission from Laia (it gives her and excuse for not looking for Tiberius) a young girl, fifteen was found dead in her bed with no evidence of ill health of foul play but there is talk of a love potion, so maybe witchcraft was involved. Albia, agrees to look into things but it's all very secretive and sordid. There a clique of entitled young people in their early twenties who are all far too disolute and self absorbed to be good role models for a fifteen year old. .,................

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

First a personal note - I've read all the Davis books over the years and while I consume large amounts of audio books in general, I have always steered away from them when it comes to Lindsay Davis, primarily because I was worried the narrator would not have the same tone as my imagination had given the characters over the years. Turns out this was not so - the Audiobook version was very enjoyable.

The story in Pandora's Boy is very typical of Davis' latest works. It is competent, witty and enjoyable but unfortunately predictable. As before, we have a large amount of characters each of which seem to divulge only a small bit of information at any given time. The reveal at the end has a twist, but usually one that can have been seen a mile away. To be honest, as a murder mystery it's not much to speak off.

To summarize the plot: Flavia is called upon solve the death of a young teenage girl by her husband's ex-wife - and there is scandal in the air as a love potion is rumored to be the cause. Love potions are the realm of witches and witchcraft is illegal. The cast involves the extended family of the deceased as well as her young friend who could easily be mistaken for teens of today.

Where the true enjoyment of these books still comes from is the witty dialogue and that is still very much on par. I also love the main characters Flavia Albia and her husband - both are finally operating as a pair in the fine art of mystery solving. Their interactions alone are worth a couple of stars. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Brittany Wouters · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first chapter was delightful, the second chapter less so, and by the time I as a reader struggled up to the moment I'm going to call Incognito Lettuce Man, well...the less said about that the better.

The plot dragged liked a dead body behind a wagon, the author spent 90% of the time telling us what characters said, rather than having decent dialogue tags, and frankly since Flavia spent most of the time telling us how she felt, instead of showing us, she came off as emotionless and boring. The surrounding cast were some of the worst people I've ever read about (those Pretty Young Things made me want to heave), and that bloody statue took up an entirely unnecessary 12% of the book. Who cares that you weaved it in successfully? Like the enormous phallus, it had no place in this novel!

The ending at least made more sense than the previous book, but I really regret reading this. It was so boring, and the writing was so stilted and unnatural. What happened? The last book was a joy!

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another marvelous entry in one of my favorite series.
Albia very reluctantly gets involved with a case brought to her attention by her husband's nasty ex-wife. Manlius Faustus has gone missing shortly after this meeting--rather than fret herself to death, Albia decides to keep herself busy investigating the death of 15 year old Clodia Volumnia. It seems to be a case of young love thwarted by parental opposition. There are even rumors of a love potion, but why would Clodia have drunk such a potion?
As Albia learns her away around this upscale neighborhood of Quirinal Hill, she meets the friends and neighbors of Clodia, learns of the family feud between Clodia's grandmothers, and also learns of the famous herbalist/cosmetician known as Pandora. Pandora's beauty products are all the rage; it is quietly whispered that she might be a witch and the source of the alleged love potion. Albia soon discovers that Pandora also has close ties to one of Rome's premier organized crime families. This certainly adds a degree of difficulty to her investigation.
The case is twisty and occasionally very dark. Levity is supplied by the man who runs the neighborhood green goods stand, with his larger than life-size statue of the Egyptian fertility god Min, and by the greengrocer's assistant. Albia also makes the acquaintance of Iucundus, an elderly bon vivant friend of her father's, who is a font of local gossip, always ready with a quip.
By the time Albia solves the case (and presents her solution in a great reveal scene) all manner of ugliness has been revealed. And the mood in Rome is getting darker--a gangland war is breaking out and the Emperor (the incredibly paranoid Domitian) is returning from his foreign campaign.
I suspect the next book is going to be rather grim...

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't planned on reviewing this book, but it became a project for me in the sense that some friends of mine will finish a book, even though they admit part way through that they really aren't enjoying it. I feel strongly the other way, but decided to stick with this one to see whether I could do it. A disclaimer at that I did lose the thread of the story a couple of times, but never felt like going back to retrieve it, especially with an audiobook where that is more difficult. Now, on to the review ...

I could tell early on that I probably wouldn't enjoy a story that focuses on a bunch of brats from families with more money than brains. The audio narration here may have actually turned out to be a negative as it highlighted how silly and self-absorbed these people could be. I found the characters difficult to tell apart as well. The villain such as we have, Pandora, rarely appears herself come up instead casting a shadow over the story. I had high hopes for the seance scene in which she presides, but it turned out to be a rather brief episode.

I feel I could have, and probably should have, just skipped this story and not lost anything regarding the arc of the series. Three stars was a generous rating, as I could have rounded down to two stars without much effect on my conscience.

[Shoshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have loved Lindsey Davis’s Marcus Didius Falco books, you will love the stories of his adopted daughter Flavia Albia. If you are not acquainted with Falco you have a tremendous treat awaiting you, and what better way to start than with this book.

The newly-married Flavia Albia is inveigled by the ex-wife of her husband to take the case of a fifteen-year-old girl from a good family who died suddenly. Albia does not want to take the case as she wants nothing to do with the ex-wife, but with Tiberius (the husband) acting oddly after having been struck by lightning, she ends up taking it. I don’t like spoilers, so I am not going to give any, but suffice it to say that things are more complicated than they seem at the beginning, although everything is satisfactorily explained in the end.

As always, Davis is masterful in her depiction of Rome and its people. The reader feels immersed in the Eternal City and can follow Flavia Albia as she makes her way around.

“Pandora’s Boy” is a worthy successor to the previous Flavia Albia novels, just as Albia herself is a worthy successor to her father. I heartily recommend this book, and if you are new to the series I can happily recommend that you rectify that as soon as possible.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021 bk 251. I know I've read this before, it has my mark. But I had no flashbacks, no recollections of prior memory as I read Pandora's Boy yesterday. Another amazingly well-done mystery by Lindsey Davis. When her husband's first wife calls with a job for her, Albia doesn't want to take it. But after her husband disappears, well she could either sit around and brood or head out to solve one mystery. This one involves the world of teenagers and youngish adults. When a 15 year old girl is found dead, the parents want to know why. This investigation turns up more than teen angst as rival criminal gangs, the grandmothers, occult, and even her father are drawn into the events around this small neighborhood. Well crafted book!

[Alex in Spades · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 Stars

Meddling ex-wives, killers, love potions and missing husbands. This book was so good, and I think my new favorite from this series! The portrait of the Roman society was so brutal in this one, it gripped me (also I feel like we could add different gadgets to the young people of today, and not much would change with their reckless behaviours). This story was so engaging, I was not expecting the conclusion. The ending in the style of Poirot was so amazingly done. Also Flavia and Tiberius have my heart, their relationship is so precious, and their banter is just perfect. I am so happy that I'm cought up on this series, but on the other hand, I need the next book ASAP!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most current book in the series and I have read all to date. I enjoyed the dialogue, the characters new and returning and the setting immensely. The descriptions of day to day life, the customs during this time and the continuing women rights in that society were eye opening. Where there is a will there is always a way :)

[Catherine Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, but still a fun read. Lots of funny parts, as usual, and I love Albia's character. Seemed like this one had a lot of setup for ongoing mysteries/difficulties, so I'm looking forward to seeing where that leads in future books.

[Kathleen Schilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this installment in the Flavia Albia series. The relationship elements were lighter and although the mystery had some dark pieces, I found it compelling and interesting.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had almost forgotten what it really means to hold a book you cannot put down. Lindsey Davis' books are like that: funny, at times instructive, but those familiar with her books remember they are reading a finely crafted novel that will lead to a satisfying conclusion. This had an extra twist at the end that added to the pleasure.

[John Wintersteen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a super excellent book. Very detailed look at Roman life sometimes very grim

[John Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read. The gathering to bring the death of Clodia to a conclusion was definitely a Hercule Poirot moment. An ending I didn’t see coming, although my thoughts were heading in that direction. The final ending to the book sets up the next novel nicely!!!

[Nathalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s the first book by this author that I am reading. In the beginning I found it refreshing: settings in Ancient Rome. But I started doubting a few things: the description of teen behavior is very accurate for the present times we live in. What else could be more ‘now’ than ‘then’ ? And that put me off reading on. Found the story slow and somewhat boring.

[Suzanne Robertson Moutis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Lindsey Davis, how do you do it time after time?

Pandora's Boy is another in the long line of amazing stories by this oh-so-talented writer. I love how Davis can transport readers into ancient Rome with such skill, evoking the sights, sounds, tastes and feel of this historic city. I bought this book in London in June, and have had it on my bedside table since, unwilling to start reading it because I knew that when I began I wouldn't want it to end. I have been reading the Falco/Flavia series for about 25 years, and feel such a kinship with the characters. I can't wait for the next installment.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exciting Roman mystery is the 6th volume of the delightful "Flavia Albia" series.
The book contains a wonderful well-drawn map of Rome, Districts VI+VII, with the Quirinal Hill and its historical background that will play a very important part in this story, and besides that you'll find a great list of Characters who'll play an exciting part in this gripping eventful story.
One of the fascinating things in this book is the (cameo) appearance of Marcus Didius Falco, Flavia's foster-father, and the main character of the must read Falco series.
Storytelling is as always of a top-notch quality, because the author manages to make this story come alive with authenticity and atmosphere, in these Roman times of fear, intrigue, betrayal and murder.
The story is set in the month of October and onwards in the year AD 89, while Rome is reigned by the Emperor Domitian.
The tale starts with a visit from Laia Gratiana, Flavia's husband Tiberius Manlius Faustus ex-wife, and she's demanding that Flavia Albia takes on the case of Clodia, who apparently has been poisoned with a love potion, although at first Flavia is refusing the case, but due to a rather unpleasant domestic situation at home with her husband Flavia takes on the case and starts investigating.
What will follow is an amazing and thrilling mystery, which is fast-paced with quite a few twists and turns, before Flavia can finely unravel the truth about Clodia's sudden death and catch the culprit(s) of this deed.
Highly recommended, for not only this series is getting better all the time, but this volume is also for certain: "Another Flavia Albia Triumph"!

[Mary A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Flavia Albia series - but I didn't think this was one of Lindsey Davis's best.
Some of the scenes in this book were more farfetched than usual, the dialogue could have used some serious editing and, frankly, the group of spoiled young people were totally unbelievable (plus their behaviour seemed pretty anachronistic!)
Having said that, Flavia and her husband are charming and I adored the description of the banquet at Fabulo's.
I'll certainly keep reading the series, but I would like to see a return to the standard of some of the earlier novels.

[Vicki Kondelik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pandora’s Boy is the sixth in Lindsey Davis’ mystery series set in ancient Rome, featuring private investigator Flavia Albia. Flavia is a British orphan adopted by Marcus Didius Falco, the protagonist of Davis’ previous series, and she has followed in her father’s footsteps. It is 89 CE, during the reign of the tyrannical emperor Domitian. Flavia is newly married to the magistrate Tiberius Manlius Faustus, who is recovering after being struck by lightning at their wedding. In the previous volume, The Third Nero, Flavia had nursed her husband back to health, but she is still concerned that he has not completely recovered.

Tiberius’ ex-wife, Laia Gratiana, comes to Flavia with a case she wants her to investigate: a young girl, Clodia Volumnia, the daughter of a well-to-do-family, has died in mysterious circumstances. Flavia and Laia hate each other, and at first Flavia does not want to take the case, but then Tiberius disappears, and Flavia is afraid he suffered memory loss after the lightning strike and wandered off somewhere. She takes the case after all, hoping to find her husband. Soon she finds him, going incognito as an assistant to a lettuce-seller. This does not surprise Flavia, since Tiberius often goes around Rome in disguise to help her with her cases. He is hoping to hear what people are saying about Clodia Volumnia’s death.

Flavia meets with Clodia’s family, and finds that the girl’s parents are about to divorce because the family is so deeply divided over what caused her death. Clodia’s father thinks his daughter, who was in love with Numerius, a young man her family considered unsuitable, died after drinking a love potion supplied by the herbalist Pandora. Clodia’s mother insists there was no love potion, and that her daughter died of a broken heart after Numerius broke off the relationship. The two grandmothers each sided with their own children and have gotten into a fight, in which a slave, who intervened, has broken his arm. After talking with Clodia’s so-called friends, Flavia realizes they were no friends to her. They are a group of spoiled, self-centered young people, all older than Clodia, who spend their lives drinking, having casual sex, and playing practical jokes. They are all friends of Clodia’s older brother, who has joined the army and is stationed in Africa, and they considered Clodia an annoying hanger-on. Clodia’s boyfriend, Numerius, never cared much for her and has several other girlfriends, and it turns out that, shortly before her death, Clodia had fallen in love with Vincentius, the handsome grandson of Pandora the herbalist (the “Pandora’s Boy” of the title).

As Flavia investigates the family of Pandora and Vincentius, she discovers that Pandora is more than just an herbalist, and that she is involved with witchcraft, which is illegal in Rome. Pandora belongs to an organized crime family which Flavia has been trying to bring down for a while, and Vincentius is being trained as a lawyer so he can defend his family in court if he needs to. Could Clodia have been the victim of gang warfare between Vincentius’ family and another crime family? As Flavia comes closer to the truth, her own life is endangered, and then a friend of Falco’s, who has been helping her in her investigations, is murdered. Flavia realizes she must find the killer before she becomes the next victim.

Pandora’s Boy is very suspenseful, with the plot taking many twists and turns. Lindsey Davis knows the details of life in ancient Rome extremely well. Each book in the Flavia Albia series takes place in a different neighborhood in Rome, and each focuses on different aspects of Roman life. Pandora’s Boy is excellent in its details of the lives of young people, crime families and gang warfare, and witchcraft. Flavia is a wonderful character, with much of Falco’s dry wit and sarcasm, even though she is a more solitary person than her father. She and her husband, Tiberius, often bounce ideas off of each other, and they work very well as a team. Falco makes a brief appearance in this book, after being on the sidelines in previous volumes. He and Flavia quarrel after Falco’s friend is murdered while helping Flavia, but they soon make up again. I am looking forward to many more adventures of Flavia Albia.