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Flavia Albia #7
A Capitol Death
In Rome, ruled by the erratic Emperor Domitian, Flavia Albia is dragged into the worst sort of investigation―a politically charged murder―in Lindsey Davis’s next historical mystery, A Capitol Death .
A man falls to his death from the Tarpeian Rock, which overlooks the Forum in the Capitoline Hill in Ancient Rome. While it looks like a suicide, one witness swears that she saw it happen and that he was pushed. Normally, this would attract very little official notice but this man happened to be in charge of organizing the Imperial Triumphs demanded by the emperor.
The Emperor Domitian, autocratic and erratic, has decided that he deserves two Triumphs for his so-called military victories. The Triumphs are both controversial and difficult to stage because of the not-so-victorious circumstances that left them without treasure or captives to be paraded through the streets. Normally, the investigation would be under the auspices of her new(ish) husband but, worried about his stamina following a long recovery, private informer Flavia Albia, daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, steps in.
What a mistake that turns out to be. The deceased proves to have been none-too-popular, with far too many others with much to gain from his death. With the date of the Triumphs fast approaching, Flavia Albia must unravel a truly complex case of murder before danger shows up on her own doorstep.
A man falls to his death from the Tarpeian Rock, which overlooks the Forum in the Capitoline Hill in Ancient Rome. While it looks like a suicide, one witness swears that she saw it happen and that he was pushed. Normally, this would attract very little official notice but this man happened to be in charge of organizing the Imperial Triumphs demanded by the emperor.
The Emperor Domitian, autocratic and erratic, has decided that he deserves two Triumphs for his so-called military victories. The Triumphs are both controversial and difficult to stage because of the not-so-victorious circumstances that left them without treasure or captives to be paraded through the streets. Normally, the investigation would be under the auspices of her new(ish) husband but, worried about his stamina following a long recovery, private informer Flavia Albia, daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, steps in.
What a mistake that turns out to be. The deceased proves to have been none-too-popular, with far too many others with much to gain from his death. With the date of the Triumphs fast approaching, Flavia Albia must unravel a truly complex case of murder before danger shows up on her own doorstep.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2019
245 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Lindsey Davis
78 books1,493 followersLindsey 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
February 28, 2019
I love Lindsey Davis's Ancient Rome historical mystery series with Falco and now his adopted daughter, Flavia Albia. Flavia is recently married to her second husband, Tiberius, a Roman magistrate (aedile), whom she worries about constantly since he was struck by lightning and his consequent health problems. Emperor Domition has returned from his not so successful military ventures, an insecure and overly sensitive man to any perceived slights, he has demanded and been granted two Triumphs to celebrate his 'victories'. Rome is busy planning the festivities and procession, with all the chaotic co-ordination and jostling this engenders to ensure that Domition is satisfied. So when the transport overseer, Gabinus, falls off the Torpeian Rock on Capitol Hill in what looks like suicide, there are political implications, a situation exacerbated when an elderly woman claims she saw someone with him when he fell. The matter ends up in the hands of Tiberius who passes the job of investigating to his private informer wife, Flavia.
Being a woman means Flavia has to work twice as hard to prove herself, to earn the respect she deserves in this overtly man's world, she sets out to interview witnesses and those who knew the dead man. Her task is hindered considerably when it turns out no-one has a good word to say about Gabinus, who turns out to a be incompetent and an all round nasty piece of work, bullying, abusive, aggressive, a con man, and strife followed wherever he went. The number of suspects with a motive to want him dead are endless, and not everyone is disposed to help Flavia or to tell the truth. Surrounded by intrigue, Flavia looks into the famed mystic augurs, foretelling the future and identifying favourable and not so favourable signs, the talented costumier, Feliculus, the depressed geese keeper, and the stinking shellfish dye makers of the rare colour, imperial purple and more. In a complex and complicated case, it becomes clear Gabinus is not a man who would have ever entertained the idea of suicide, there is another murder and a morass of secrets as danger edges ever closer to Flavia as the Triumph celebrations kick off.
Lindsey Davis draws a hugely compelling and vibrant picture of Rome in this historical period with it's squalor, slaves, sights, sounds and smells. There is plenty of humour and wit throughout the narrative, with the chaos of Flavia and Tiberius's household, with the work shy slave, Dromo, the stray dog, Barley, and the newly acquired tenacious 'maid', Susuza. Flavia's family are determined to push their oars into Flavia's case, overflowing with suggestions and advice, something she is particularly sensitive to as it feeds her insecurities as to whether she will ever be as good as her father. Davis's characterisation is done with skill as she presents us with a large and diverse set of characters. This is another gloriously entertaining addition to the Flavia series which I absolutely adored. Readers of historical mysteries will definitely enjoy this visit to ancient Rome. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
Being a woman means Flavia has to work twice as hard to prove herself, to earn the respect she deserves in this overtly man's world, she sets out to interview witnesses and those who knew the dead man. Her task is hindered considerably when it turns out no-one has a good word to say about Gabinus, who turns out to a be incompetent and an all round nasty piece of work, bullying, abusive, aggressive, a con man, and strife followed wherever he went. The number of suspects with a motive to want him dead are endless, and not everyone is disposed to help Flavia or to tell the truth. Surrounded by intrigue, Flavia looks into the famed mystic augurs, foretelling the future and identifying favourable and not so favourable signs, the talented costumier, Feliculus, the depressed geese keeper, and the stinking shellfish dye makers of the rare colour, imperial purple and more. In a complex and complicated case, it becomes clear Gabinus is not a man who would have ever entertained the idea of suicide, there is another murder and a morass of secrets as danger edges ever closer to Flavia as the Triumph celebrations kick off.
Lindsey Davis draws a hugely compelling and vibrant picture of Rome in this historical period with it's squalor, slaves, sights, sounds and smells. There is plenty of humour and wit throughout the narrative, with the chaos of Flavia and Tiberius's household, with the work shy slave, Dromo, the stray dog, Barley, and the newly acquired tenacious 'maid', Susuza. Flavia's family are determined to push their oars into Flavia's case, overflowing with suggestions and advice, something she is particularly sensitive to as it feeds her insecurities as to whether she will ever be as good as her father. Davis's characterisation is done with skill as she presents us with a large and diverse set of characters. This is another gloriously entertaining addition to the Flavia series which I absolutely adored. Readers of historical mysteries will definitely enjoy this visit to ancient Rome. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
January 10, 2020
Flavia Alba finds herself in a case with Imperial implications and that's no fun. It's up to her to find out why someone had the nerve to commit suicide and mess up the Emperor's processional. The list of suspects seems to grow, and Flavia's promise to keep herself safe might turn out hard to keep. I love the humor and the insights, and the fact that Flavia has to use her intelligence and understanding of humor nature to do her job as an inquiry agent. Plus, it's an interesting look into a time in history over 2000 years ago.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
September 2, 2019
Flavia Albia, a sensible investigator must discover who caused the death of the emperor Domitian's chariot master on the eve of the great triumph.
A Roman triumph is a huge public event to celebrate a military commander who has successfully completed a foreign war. He rides through the main streets in a big fancy chariot. In a ceremonial procession, the general and his troops are welcomed home with wild enthusiasm; their glittering booty is admired and their exotic captives are derided or, if the poor souls look miserable enough, even pitied. It takes a very long time, costs squillions and leaves behind vast quantities of litter, which the public slaves are too tired to deal with. People behave badly. All the temples are open but there are never enough toilets. Often more divorce follows than after a Saturnalia.
To spend a full day watching a march-past is supposedly wonderful. This is Rome. Romans love street festivity. To me, they are a simple people, who never learn from their mistakes. They call it tradition. The barmier a ritual is, the more they love it.
image:
Did he jump, or was he pushed?
It began with a man falling to his death off the Tarpeian Rock. It looked like suicide. Unfortunately for those who tried to hush things up, an old woman saw him drop. With no idea of tact, she kept insisting loudly that someone had been up there with him.
Planning a city wide triumph can be a logistical nightmare
Four men in their thirties with logistical talents and public ambitions should be enough to knock together a carnival, I thought. Mine claimed it was more complicated. As Tiberius said in private to me, Rome may be a great power, capable of magnificent civic and military feats, but if a situation can be a pig’s arse (some committee term, apparently) it will be.
‘And this is a pig with dysentery. We have a Praetorian prefect who thinks he is organising, because of the army connection, a committee of palace freedmen who know they are in charge, and a clerk with a bunch of ragged public slaves who is doing all the work. Heaven knows where my colleagues and I are supposed to fit in. We get stuck with the rubbish jobs as usual. If something involves buckets and mops, the other beggars all think they can pass it to us.’
‘Buckets, darling?’
‘For horse dung.’
‘Lots of that?’
‘Shitloads.’
‘I expect you have done calculations …’ Tiberius was that kind of man. He would have counted the horses, obtained an ostler’s estimate of how much solid waste per horse should be expected over a twelve-hour period, measured by both weight and volume, and he would prepare an adequate rota of slaves to collect it. Luckily I saw him as a treasure – otherwise he would drive me nuts. ‘Any chance you can siphon off some for compost on roses?’
Flavia's challenge
‘I like a challenge,’ I replied, as I got to my feet. ‘I see I am in for days of disgruntlement from this man’s enemies. I wonder how many will tell me they loathed his guts yet swear they never gave him the heave-ho off Tarpeia’s Rock. All of them will gloat at me that I can’t prove anything against them, at the same time as they assure me they are ecstatic that he is dead …’
There were no car chases in ancient Rome, but running from a maddened killer through deserted temples is the next best thing
I turned and ran.
He could not help himself. Like a dog seeing a rabbit race away, Nestor came pounding after me.
I had really done it now. I had been in some stupid situations, but this beat everything: high on the Capitol, symbol of Rome’s indestructibility, all on my own, being chased by a maddened Praetorian guard who had no option but to kill me.
image:
Follow Flavia as she interviews senators through to slaves investigating the mysterious death.
Enjoy!
A Roman triumph is a huge public event to celebrate a military commander who has successfully completed a foreign war. He rides through the main streets in a big fancy chariot. In a ceremonial procession, the general and his troops are welcomed home with wild enthusiasm; their glittering booty is admired and their exotic captives are derided or, if the poor souls look miserable enough, even pitied. It takes a very long time, costs squillions and leaves behind vast quantities of litter, which the public slaves are too tired to deal with. People behave badly. All the temples are open but there are never enough toilets. Often more divorce follows than after a Saturnalia.
To spend a full day watching a march-past is supposedly wonderful. This is Rome. Romans love street festivity. To me, they are a simple people, who never learn from their mistakes. They call it tradition. The barmier a ritual is, the more they love it.
image:
Did he jump, or was he pushed?
It began with a man falling to his death off the Tarpeian Rock. It looked like suicide. Unfortunately for those who tried to hush things up, an old woman saw him drop. With no idea of tact, she kept insisting loudly that someone had been up there with him.
Planning a city wide triumph can be a logistical nightmare
Four men in their thirties with logistical talents and public ambitions should be enough to knock together a carnival, I thought. Mine claimed it was more complicated. As Tiberius said in private to me, Rome may be a great power, capable of magnificent civic and military feats, but if a situation can be a pig’s arse (some committee term, apparently) it will be.
‘And this is a pig with dysentery. We have a Praetorian prefect who thinks he is organising, because of the army connection, a committee of palace freedmen who know they are in charge, and a clerk with a bunch of ragged public slaves who is doing all the work. Heaven knows where my colleagues and I are supposed to fit in. We get stuck with the rubbish jobs as usual. If something involves buckets and mops, the other beggars all think they can pass it to us.’
‘Buckets, darling?’
‘For horse dung.’
‘Lots of that?’
‘Shitloads.’
‘I expect you have done calculations …’ Tiberius was that kind of man. He would have counted the horses, obtained an ostler’s estimate of how much solid waste per horse should be expected over a twelve-hour period, measured by both weight and volume, and he would prepare an adequate rota of slaves to collect it. Luckily I saw him as a treasure – otherwise he would drive me nuts. ‘Any chance you can siphon off some for compost on roses?’
Flavia's challenge
‘I like a challenge,’ I replied, as I got to my feet. ‘I see I am in for days of disgruntlement from this man’s enemies. I wonder how many will tell me they loathed his guts yet swear they never gave him the heave-ho off Tarpeia’s Rock. All of them will gloat at me that I can’t prove anything against them, at the same time as they assure me they are ecstatic that he is dead …’
There were no car chases in ancient Rome, but running from a maddened killer through deserted temples is the next best thing
I turned and ran.
He could not help himself. Like a dog seeing a rabbit race away, Nestor came pounding after me.
I had really done it now. I had been in some stupid situations, but this beat everything: high on the Capitol, symbol of Rome’s indestructibility, all on my own, being chased by a maddened Praetorian guard who had no option but to kill me.
image:
Follow Flavia as she interviews senators through to slaves investigating the mysterious death.
Enjoy!
January 21, 2020
This Roman adventure mystery is the 7th volume of the delightful "Flavia Albia" series from the author, Lindsey Davis.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a well-drawn map of Rome, AD 89, with the Capitol, the Arx and the Tarpeian Rock, with a note concerning that same Tarpeian Rock.
Storytelling is of a very good quality, the figures featuring in this mystery come splendidly to life, and besides wonderful research by the author and great knowledge of Rome she certainly has, this story as a whole has been somewhat below standard, at least from what we are used to from this author, and its less flowing than its 6 predecessors.
The other 6 books were absolutely marvellous, but this one is somewhat below that same level, simply because there's too much addressing this mystery as a kind of a Rome travel-guide and that's slowing this mystery very much down in pace, and in my belief the fictional Flavia Albia deserves better treatment, although there have been also some witty and lovely domestic moments in this story.
The mystery is set in November, AD 89, on the verge of a double Triumph for Emperor Domitian, and our lead protagonist, female investigator in a man-ruled Rome, Flavia Albia, is once again called for help to conduct an inquiry into the death of Gabinus, which is quickly followed by the murder of Lemni.
And so Flavia Albia sets off in her pursuit to find the culprit(s) of these murders, and while being thwarted in every possible way by certain people, she'll find a kind of friend in Scorpus, the Chief of the 1st Cohort of the Vigiles.
What will follow is a somewhat , and I have to be honest, tame mystery with a weak plot, in which Flavia Albia will eventually discover the truth behind these domestic murders, and where she will be able to pinpoint the reasonably predictable culprit(s) of these horrible murders in the end.
Really recommended, although this is not the best one in this great series, it is certainly worth a read, and that's why I call this episode: "A Satisfactory Capitol Murder Case"!
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a well-drawn map of Rome, AD 89, with the Capitol, the Arx and the Tarpeian Rock, with a note concerning that same Tarpeian Rock.
Storytelling is of a very good quality, the figures featuring in this mystery come splendidly to life, and besides wonderful research by the author and great knowledge of Rome she certainly has, this story as a whole has been somewhat below standard, at least from what we are used to from this author, and its less flowing than its 6 predecessors.
The other 6 books were absolutely marvellous, but this one is somewhat below that same level, simply because there's too much addressing this mystery as a kind of a Rome travel-guide and that's slowing this mystery very much down in pace, and in my belief the fictional Flavia Albia deserves better treatment, although there have been also some witty and lovely domestic moments in this story.
The mystery is set in November, AD 89, on the verge of a double Triumph for Emperor Domitian, and our lead protagonist, female investigator in a man-ruled Rome, Flavia Albia, is once again called for help to conduct an inquiry into the death of Gabinus, which is quickly followed by the murder of Lemni.
And so Flavia Albia sets off in her pursuit to find the culprit(s) of these murders, and while being thwarted in every possible way by certain people, she'll find a kind of friend in Scorpus, the Chief of the 1st Cohort of the Vigiles.
What will follow is a somewhat , and I have to be honest, tame mystery with a weak plot, in which Flavia Albia will eventually discover the truth behind these domestic murders, and where she will be able to pinpoint the reasonably predictable culprit(s) of these horrible murders in the end.
Really recommended, although this is not the best one in this great series, it is certainly worth a read, and that's why I call this episode: "A Satisfactory Capitol Murder Case"!
February 8, 2019
The Flavia Albia books are must-reads for me every year. This one is a slow burner but it is full of fascinating sections on what it may well have been like in Rome during the chaotic days leading up to an emperor's Triumph. I love the idea that costume designers had to dress up actors to parade through the streets because Domitian had failed to capture a single enemy. I found the mystery itself a little slow and confusing, particularly during the final third, but there is much in the novel to make up for it, not least Flavia Albia herself and Lindsey Davis's wonderful writing, humour and historical insight. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
September 23, 2024
On the eve of Domitian's baseless triumph over the Dacian campaign poor Flavia Albia finds herself once again involved in a murder case but this time she's against time as this has to be solved before crazy Master and God Domitian enters Rome for his Triumph.
Albia and Co. did not disappoint and now we see the addition of helpful Paris and intrepid Suza, even if the ending felt a bit abrupt I still enjoyed it and can't wait to see what happens next in the life of Albia and Tiberius.
Albia and Co. did not disappoint and now we see the addition of helpful Paris and intrepid Suza, even if the ending felt a bit abrupt I still enjoyed it and can't wait to see what happens next in the life of Albia and Tiberius.
April 4, 2019
A Capitol Death is the seventh novel in the Flavia Albia series of historical mysteries set in Ancient Rome, and this is yet another great addition to a super series. Not surprisingly, the Roman setting is what makes this book truly unique, and not only do we have an intriguing mystery surrounding the untimely death of a highly despised man, but we also have some humour to lighten the load, which makes this such a fun read for the times we indeed live in.
Due to reading a lot of mystery/thrillers I tend to find unless they are very unusual I can guess what is about to happen, and I'm afraid that's exactly what happened here, however, the novel has more to get your teeth into than just the crime element, namely the hilarious quips interspersed throughout and the historical timeframe of first-century Rome, which is described in such beguiling detail you cannot fail to be engrossed by it. From the profoundly intriguing to the most mundane Davis depicts an engaging city with its sight, sounds and smells. It is clear that either the author enjoys this period of history or researched it thoroughly before writing the series, or perhaps both.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC.
Due to reading a lot of mystery/thrillers I tend to find unless they are very unusual I can guess what is about to happen, and I'm afraid that's exactly what happened here, however, the novel has more to get your teeth into than just the crime element, namely the hilarious quips interspersed throughout and the historical timeframe of first-century Rome, which is described in such beguiling detail you cannot fail to be engrossed by it. From the profoundly intriguing to the most mundane Davis depicts an engaging city with its sight, sounds and smells. It is clear that either the author enjoys this period of history or researched it thoroughly before writing the series, or perhaps both.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC.
August 28, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up for its intriguing and tension filled last 30 pages. With Domitian's Double Triumph beginning in the dawn hour, the ending is above average for a Davis. All the preparations for costumes, vehicles, acted scenarios etc. to accomplish a worthy Triumph being a huge proportion of this book's word copy overall. I would guess about 1/3rd of the novel.
That aspect was a feat in itself that Lindsey Davis composed. The research had to be mighty for such detail.
Overall the mystery of a double who-dun-it was maze like. Too many characters and at multiples of levels for society, Rome locale etc. It's difficult to keep them all straight. And the finale was not one that was unexpected in most regards. I had guessed it.
Overall the new dog, Barley- and Juno's Geese were some of the best features and characters in this book. Some of Flavia's Dad's former charges in the Royal Flock even get names here. And they appear as pivotal repeatedly.
Much about the newly married couple with the much improved in health and wit bridegroom- more than in the last few books. So much so that the newly built (still unfinished) and ever forming household is in a cozy spot to have added two deeply nuanced and quite interesting additional/ adopted to the whole servants. Quite apart from just Dromo, Paris, and brilliant new chef/ cook (Fornix) who are now quite "worked in" to the Tiberius style (flip and kind)- on top of it.
So now we hold a huge background for more of Flavia's business and societal bases. BOTH! I just wish the book would have held less redundancy in the middle within inquiry characters. Perhaps also more of the feast that her parents had planned for the night of the Tribute at Flavia's new house- at the ending. You need patience to get through the mundane in this one- the proportions of it are overwhelming. Most of it holds little action in process, just inquiry of aftermath situations.
You need to love Rome 89 AD quirks to fully appreciate A Capitol Death. It's about 1000 minutia details as much as about the characters in the case tale. The snark, tongue in cheek language and character ploys "eyes" in remarks all around - those are double speed the factor as in less "talky" Flavia Albia Mysteries. Everyone is on much deserved egg shells for what may be coming next with Domitian "at home" too. Everyone is nervy and under demand for constant frenetic activity to be judged up to snuff in the coming days. #7 of the series is one that some readers who don't appreciate immense description and slow burn character development/ reveal will likely disdain.
You are starting to hear more about Flavia's little brother, who is 12 years old at this juncture. I think he features large in future books for this informer business. Just my opinion.
That aspect was a feat in itself that Lindsey Davis composed. The research had to be mighty for such detail.
Overall the mystery of a double who-dun-it was maze like. Too many characters and at multiples of levels for society, Rome locale etc. It's difficult to keep them all straight. And the finale was not one that was unexpected in most regards. I had guessed it.
Overall the new dog, Barley- and Juno's Geese were some of the best features and characters in this book. Some of Flavia's Dad's former charges in the Royal Flock even get names here. And they appear as pivotal repeatedly.
Much about the newly married couple with the much improved in health and wit bridegroom- more than in the last few books. So much so that the newly built (still unfinished) and ever forming household is in a cozy spot to have added two deeply nuanced and quite interesting additional/ adopted to the whole servants. Quite apart from just Dromo, Paris, and brilliant new chef/ cook (Fornix) who are now quite "worked in" to the Tiberius style (flip and kind)- on top of it.
So now we hold a huge background for more of Flavia's business and societal bases. BOTH! I just wish the book would have held less redundancy in the middle within inquiry characters. Perhaps also more of the feast that her parents had planned for the night of the Tribute at Flavia's new house- at the ending. You need patience to get through the mundane in this one- the proportions of it are overwhelming. Most of it holds little action in process, just inquiry of aftermath situations.
You need to love Rome 89 AD quirks to fully appreciate A Capitol Death. It's about 1000 minutia details as much as about the characters in the case tale. The snark, tongue in cheek language and character ploys "eyes" in remarks all around - those are double speed the factor as in less "talky" Flavia Albia Mysteries. Everyone is on much deserved egg shells for what may be coming next with Domitian "at home" too. Everyone is nervy and under demand for constant frenetic activity to be judged up to snuff in the coming days. #7 of the series is one that some readers who don't appreciate immense description and slow burn character development/ reveal will likely disdain.
You are starting to hear more about Flavia's little brother, who is 12 years old at this juncture. I think he features large in future books for this informer business. Just my opinion.
August 20, 2019
Entertaining mystery, perfect as an escape for the weekend. Loved the case Flavia Albia worked, all the cameos of her family made me smile. I also adore the dynamics between her and her husband Tiberius. Lindsey Davis and her sense of humour is a delight for me. As well as the ancient Roman setting of the series - all the little details, and insights are always a treat. I truly had so much fun with this one, and I can't wait for what is next for Albia.
March 17, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of A Capitol Death, the seventh novel to feature Roman informer Flavia Albia.
When the logistics manager for Domitian’s Triumph falls off a cliff it assumed to be either suicide or an accident until a witness says she saw another person on the cliff with him. The Byzantine politics of Ancient Rome devolve the investigation to Flavia Albia’s husband Tiberius and his fellow Aediles who promptly pass it on to her. With an obnoxious victim and preparation for the Triumph making everyone uninterested she has her work cut out.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Capitol Death which is a highly amusing romp through first century Rome. It is told in the first person by Flavia Albia and as she has a jaundiced, cynical view of her fellow Romans it make me laugh on a regular basis, not least the geese but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out more. The plot is fairly see through and the perpetrator relatively easy to guess but how it comes about is less obvious. The devil is in the detail and it’s quite cunning.
I find the historical detail in the novels fascinating. Ms Davis brings the everyday life of Romans to life from the seedy bars to dealing with bureaucracy and insolent slaves. It would seem that the stresses and strains of living under the rule of a paranoid narcissist are not so different from nowadays. I’m glad, however, that I read the novel on Kindle as it allows me to easily look up the many references I didn’t understand. The width and depth of Ms Davis’ research is amazing.
Flavia Albia is a wonderful protagonist. Not so different from her father, Marcus Didius Falco, in outlook she is well able to appreciate the absurdities of Roman society and comment on it. She is also a smart detective with an independent streak, Something her new husband is happy to indulge.
A Capitol Death is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When the logistics manager for Domitian’s Triumph falls off a cliff it assumed to be either suicide or an accident until a witness says she saw another person on the cliff with him. The Byzantine politics of Ancient Rome devolve the investigation to Flavia Albia’s husband Tiberius and his fellow Aediles who promptly pass it on to her. With an obnoxious victim and preparation for the Triumph making everyone uninterested she has her work cut out.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Capitol Death which is a highly amusing romp through first century Rome. It is told in the first person by Flavia Albia and as she has a jaundiced, cynical view of her fellow Romans it make me laugh on a regular basis, not least the geese but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out more. The plot is fairly see through and the perpetrator relatively easy to guess but how it comes about is less obvious. The devil is in the detail and it’s quite cunning.
I find the historical detail in the novels fascinating. Ms Davis brings the everyday life of Romans to life from the seedy bars to dealing with bureaucracy and insolent slaves. It would seem that the stresses and strains of living under the rule of a paranoid narcissist are not so different from nowadays. I’m glad, however, that I read the novel on Kindle as it allows me to easily look up the many references I didn’t understand. The width and depth of Ms Davis’ research is amazing.
Flavia Albia is a wonderful protagonist. Not so different from her father, Marcus Didius Falco, in outlook she is well able to appreciate the absurdities of Roman society and comment on it. She is also a smart detective with an independent streak, Something her new husband is happy to indulge.
A Capitol Death is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
August 9, 2021
2019 bk 241. 2021 bk 252. How Lindsey Davis is so consistently excellent in her production of these mysteries is amazing. The writing is well done, the mystery finally crafted, the clues are there, but slightly obscured until, voila, all is revealed. Flavia Albia is one of my heroines, a strong independent woman - who remains that way after marriage. She has broad shoulders taking in those needing a home, caring for her injured bridegroom, retaining ties to her parents and siblings, all through the fringes of solving some of the mysteries of the Roman capital city. These mysteries are well researched, well crafted, and well received in this household!
August 25, 2019
Really closer to 3.5 stars, but I rounded up because I love Flavia Albia and her hunky husband Tiberius Manlius.
The plot is almost too convoluted and the similarities of the characters names didn't help matters. I figured out who the second murderer was early on--but it took to the end of the book to find out why he did it. The identity of the first murderer is one of the twisty plot bits.
Davis always gives the reader a good helping of Roman trivia, served up as part of the plot. This time around we get a lesson on making the imperial purple dye and another on how to stage a Triumph. I loved those bits.
Sigh, now comes the wait, wait, wait for the next book.
The plot is almost too convoluted and the similarities of the characters names didn't help matters. I figured out who the second murderer was early on--but it took to the end of the book to find out why he did it. The identity of the first murderer is one of the twisty plot bits.
Davis always gives the reader a good helping of Roman trivia, served up as part of the plot. This time around we get a lesson on making the imperial purple dye and another on how to stage a Triumph. I loved those bits.
Sigh, now comes the wait, wait, wait for the next book.
August 12, 2019
I just checked the books listed by this author to see if I have read them all and found three Falco books I have not read, to my surprise. I will correct that as soon as. I have enjoyed all the Lindsey Davis books I have read, for certain.
This was another entertaining episode of Flavia Albia taking on the investigation of a suspicious death on her husband's behalf. The atmosphere in Rome is more hectic than usual as the city prepares for the Triumph festivities celebrating Domitian. A man falls to his death from the Tarpeian Rock, initially thought a suicide, but Flavia finds one eyewitness who saw two men up there with one being pushed.
The wisecracking Flavia is our narrator and the sarcasm is pretty much nonstop. It is a comic tale yet full of ancient Roman artifacts, landmarks, social life and household practices.
Library Loan
This was another entertaining episode of Flavia Albia taking on the investigation of a suspicious death on her husband's behalf. The atmosphere in Rome is more hectic than usual as the city prepares for the Triumph festivities celebrating Domitian. A man falls to his death from the Tarpeian Rock, initially thought a suicide, but Flavia finds one eyewitness who saw two men up there with one being pushed.
The wisecracking Flavia is our narrator and the sarcasm is pretty much nonstop. It is a comic tale yet full of ancient Roman artifacts, landmarks, social life and household practices.
Library Loan
August 22, 2019
Lindsey Davis probably can’t write a bad novel, but she can occasionally produce one that’s less engaging than expected.
“A Capitol Death” continues her Flavia Albia line of mysteries set in Rome’s Flavian period, with the Emperor Domitian here returning to Rome to celebrate a dubious Triumph. As the celebrations ramp up, Flavia, a private informer, is hired to investigate the death of an official hurled from the Tarpeian Rock. Good premise.
But, as backstories for victims and suspects alike accumulate, the tale slows down. It doesn’t help that there’s a pair of twins and a pair of brothers to sort out and so many temples and monuments to ponder. Even Flavia’s trademark cynicism begins to wear thin— though all her carping about the Emperor makes us wish he’d make an appearance.
And yet the novel is so adroit and knowledgeable that you can’t help but admire it and look forward to the next—maybe with a little more screen time for T. Manlius Faustus?
“A Capitol Death” continues her Flavia Albia line of mysteries set in Rome’s Flavian period, with the Emperor Domitian here returning to Rome to celebrate a dubious Triumph. As the celebrations ramp up, Flavia, a private informer, is hired to investigate the death of an official hurled from the Tarpeian Rock. Good premise.
But, as backstories for victims and suspects alike accumulate, the tale slows down. It doesn’t help that there’s a pair of twins and a pair of brothers to sort out and so many temples and monuments to ponder. Even Flavia’s trademark cynicism begins to wear thin— though all her carping about the Emperor makes us wish he’d make an appearance.
And yet the novel is so adroit and knowledgeable that you can’t help but admire it and look forward to the next—maybe with a little more screen time for T. Manlius Faustus?
October 2, 2019
I always enjoy Lindsey Davis' books. There is also something to learn from them. This time included details about the dyers who work with the murex shells to produce the expensive purple dye used by the high ranking officials in the Roman Empire. However, I thought that this plot was a bit garbled and hard to follow. In the end, the crime solving proved to be a big letdown.
April 27, 2019
Rather slow
I've followed and enjoyed the series. It was a good step to transfer to Flavia Albia. She's settled into domesticity, gaining a new dog and two useful household servants, whilst managing to investigate two murders. The background of life in ancient Rome adds interest but it's overdone this time. It makes the story very slow. We're told every road, temple, gate, hill, administrative building, set of steps etc. The story was swamped.
I've followed and enjoyed the series. It was a good step to transfer to Flavia Albia. She's settled into domesticity, gaining a new dog and two useful household servants, whilst managing to investigate two murders. The background of life in ancient Rome adds interest but it's overdone this time. It makes the story very slow. We're told every road, temple, gate, hill, administrative building, set of steps etc. The story was swamped.
August 11, 2019
A consistently amusing series set in Domitian’s Rome, which is akin to Trump’s Washington in many respects. The book could serve as a guide map to the ancient city, that’s how good Davis is at creating the muse en scene.
August 1, 2019
In Rome, in 89 AD, while the city is preparing for the return of the cruel Emperor Domitian, murder is literally in the air. The body of a minor government official has been found at the base of the symbolic Capitoline Hill, and it appears that he was pushed off the top of the cliffs. While a case like this would usually be a low priority for the city’s authorities, the man who died was responsible for all the transportation during the Emperor’s upcoming triumph and his death is now politically sensitive.
Enter Flavia Albia, professional informer and adopted daughter of the legendary investigator Falco. Employed by her husband, the magistrate Faustus, to investigate the murder for the city, Flavia sets out to discover who is responsible for this crime. However, that is easier said than done, as the victim is revealed to have been an extremely unpleasant individual whose attitude and shady dealings made him a very unpopular person. With a huge list of suspects lining up before her, Flavia has her work cut out for her.
When a second murder occurs on the hill, the case becomes even more complicated. Flavia must work out the connection between the two victims and who would want to murder both of them. As the start of the Emperor’s triumph gets closer, Flavia must interrogate a lengthy list of people, including oyster farmers, slaves, diviners, goose handlers, seamstresses and more in order to find the killer. What happens when the killer finds her instead?
A Capitol Death was another great addition to the Flavia Albia series, and well worth the wait. Davis once again sets a compelling mystery within her excellent Roman historical setting, and sets her unconventional protagonist on the case to find out the truth in an ancient city that is portraying some very modern attitudes and mentalities. The result is a captivating and entertaining read that I was able to finish off in relatively short order. While I did not quite enjoy A Capitol Death as much as the last two Flavia Albia novels, this was still a fantastic piece of historical crime fiction and I will be grabbing the eighth instalment of this series when it comes out next year.
View the full review at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2019/08/01/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Enter Flavia Albia, professional informer and adopted daughter of the legendary investigator Falco. Employed by her husband, the magistrate Faustus, to investigate the murder for the city, Flavia sets out to discover who is responsible for this crime. However, that is easier said than done, as the victim is revealed to have been an extremely unpleasant individual whose attitude and shady dealings made him a very unpopular person. With a huge list of suspects lining up before her, Flavia has her work cut out for her.
When a second murder occurs on the hill, the case becomes even more complicated. Flavia must work out the connection between the two victims and who would want to murder both of them. As the start of the Emperor’s triumph gets closer, Flavia must interrogate a lengthy list of people, including oyster farmers, slaves, diviners, goose handlers, seamstresses and more in order to find the killer. What happens when the killer finds her instead?
A Capitol Death was another great addition to the Flavia Albia series, and well worth the wait. Davis once again sets a compelling mystery within her excellent Roman historical setting, and sets her unconventional protagonist on the case to find out the truth in an ancient city that is portraying some very modern attitudes and mentalities. The result is a captivating and entertaining read that I was able to finish off in relatively short order. While I did not quite enjoy A Capitol Death as much as the last two Flavia Albia novels, this was still a fantastic piece of historical crime fiction and I will be grabbing the eighth instalment of this series when it comes out next year.
View the full review at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2019/08/01/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
August 8, 2019
Another excellent addition to the Flavia Albia series. The author's depiction of actual everyday life in ancient Rome is still getting better and better. The plot in this book is 'thinner' than normal, but to me this is made up by her great characterizations. Several new additions to Albia's household will be fun to follow in future works.
January 25, 2020
Having read the whole Falco series, and all the Flavia Albia ones to date, and loved them, this one might have suffered a little from lack of reading time. (But then, would I have made the time if I’d been more entertained? Not sure.)
Most everything else I’ve read from Lindsey Davis would earn at least a solid 4 stars, and this had the same elements: humour, likeable characters, and a mystery solidly grounded in a setting which weaves in the most amazing historical knowledge. Davis vividly recreates the daily life of ancient Rome, peopling it with rogues from all walks of life, both upstanding and dodgy patricians, and a host of characters involved in various trades and religious offices.
I always learn something new from her books. This time, for example, she takes us behind the scenes to show what was involved in organising transport and costumes for one of Domitian’s triumphs, a huge logistical task. I’d never given it any thought, but the level of attention to detail needed, such as having spare beasts along the route to swap out when the originals became tired - it’s snippets like these I find fascinating.
If I could pinpoint where this one lacked, it was maybe the lesser role her husband Tiberius played - these two make a charming team, and their unconventional courtship in earlier books was adorable - and the suspects seemed a bit all over the place, shuffling back and forth like a pack of cards. As Flavia herself acknowledges: I had talked to a large number of people in this inquiry, many more than usual...I had encountered a series of participants in the victims’ lives. Perhaps that’s why it seemed to lack a little of the cohesion of the others.
So not the best of the bunch but still lots to recommend it. And I’ll be reading the next one in the series for sure.
Most everything else I’ve read from Lindsey Davis would earn at least a solid 4 stars, and this had the same elements: humour, likeable characters, and a mystery solidly grounded in a setting which weaves in the most amazing historical knowledge. Davis vividly recreates the daily life of ancient Rome, peopling it with rogues from all walks of life, both upstanding and dodgy patricians, and a host of characters involved in various trades and religious offices.
I always learn something new from her books. This time, for example, she takes us behind the scenes to show what was involved in organising transport and costumes for one of Domitian’s triumphs, a huge logistical task. I’d never given it any thought, but the level of attention to detail needed, such as having spare beasts along the route to swap out when the originals became tired - it’s snippets like these I find fascinating.
If I could pinpoint where this one lacked, it was maybe the lesser role her husband Tiberius played - these two make a charming team, and their unconventional courtship in earlier books was adorable - and the suspects seemed a bit all over the place, shuffling back and forth like a pack of cards. As Flavia herself acknowledges: I had talked to a large number of people in this inquiry, many more than usual...I had encountered a series of participants in the victims’ lives. Perhaps that’s why it seemed to lack a little of the cohesion of the others.
So not the best of the bunch but still lots to recommend it. And I’ll be reading the next one in the series for sure.
August 13, 2019
Reading this book is like having an enjoyable conversation with an old friend where one hears what she has been up to since you talked to her last. A lot of that has to do with the skill of the author in having at its center an intelligent and hard-working and spunky woman in Flavia Albia and having suitable characters around her, like her loyal and patient husband, the manly Manlius, her clear-headed adoptive parents, her complex household of servants of one kind or another, and the other people of the city of Rome (and Ostia) that she interacts with through the course of the investigation, some of which show up over again (like Scorpus). In this novel the author shows her careful knowledge and awareness of logistics and her fondness of giving credit to the often-forgotten and neglected people who never made the history books but who keep society running. This sort of book is really the best example I can think of when it comes to works that deal with subjects that would normally be viewed as social justice but do not come off as being overly political, but rather the result of someone who writes who simply happens to be just and observant about the larger world than just the leaders who tend to be focused on in most accounts.
The plot itself is not terribly surprising and it deals with problems that have political ramifications but which are also intensely personal. At its core, the book's two murders show some serious hostility and bad blood between two small and fatally connected families. First, Gabinus is found dead after having been suicided from the Arx hill, which has a bad reputation. After that, Flavia Albia keeps on running into people who are not very forthcoming with the truth, including someone who is angry that their hut is being appropriated for an upcoming Triumph and that his mother has found a younger lover. Meanwhile, an augur's assistant seeks to help out his sister from her deadbeat husband. The loose ends multiply and the case gets stuck until our informer finds a bosomy young woman who survived an attempted rape by the first dead person and who seeks to join her household as a maid and enjoy the city life, and untangles the connections between the dead people, and finds herself at risk as she solves the case, in danger from a violent and sadly incompetent killer.
There are at least a few aspects of this book that are deeply interesting. For one, the author is able to blend personal and political concerns well while also writing about the importance of family, not only families of blood but also families of adoption. Flavia Albia adds a dog as well as a maid to her growing family, and finds out the way that so many worlds are so small and so deeply interconnected, such that people end up living and working in the same places and going to the same dives and being too close for comfort when some of them are people whose behavior is loutish and crude. This particular book ends with an abrupt conclusion, and suggests that there may be some interesting fallout for our protagonists given what happens, but the book's sudden ending suggests that the author is less interested in tying up loose ends than in providing a compelling conclusion that also suggests that her characters are going to be deeply involved the politics of a highly divided Rome. All of this suggests more interesting novels to read in the future, all of which is very good for this author's many fans.
The plot itself is not terribly surprising and it deals with problems that have political ramifications but which are also intensely personal. At its core, the book's two murders show some serious hostility and bad blood between two small and fatally connected families. First, Gabinus is found dead after having been suicided from the Arx hill, which has a bad reputation. After that, Flavia Albia keeps on running into people who are not very forthcoming with the truth, including someone who is angry that their hut is being appropriated for an upcoming Triumph and that his mother has found a younger lover. Meanwhile, an augur's assistant seeks to help out his sister from her deadbeat husband. The loose ends multiply and the case gets stuck until our informer finds a bosomy young woman who survived an attempted rape by the first dead person and who seeks to join her household as a maid and enjoy the city life, and untangles the connections between the dead people, and finds herself at risk as she solves the case, in danger from a violent and sadly incompetent killer.
There are at least a few aspects of this book that are deeply interesting. For one, the author is able to blend personal and political concerns well while also writing about the importance of family, not only families of blood but also families of adoption. Flavia Albia adds a dog as well as a maid to her growing family, and finds out the way that so many worlds are so small and so deeply interconnected, such that people end up living and working in the same places and going to the same dives and being too close for comfort when some of them are people whose behavior is loutish and crude. This particular book ends with an abrupt conclusion, and suggests that there may be some interesting fallout for our protagonists given what happens, but the book's sudden ending suggests that the author is less interested in tying up loose ends than in providing a compelling conclusion that also suggests that her characters are going to be deeply involved the politics of a highly divided Rome. All of this suggests more interesting novels to read in the future, all of which is very good for this author's many fans.
February 3, 2020
Gave this later volume in the series a shot, but disappointed. I had read the 1st in the series and thought I'd try again with a later one. Too sarcastic, irreverent, and snarky for my taste. Doesn't hold a candle to the Didius Falco series. Flavia solves two murders. I did enjoy the explanation of the murex fishermen and the purple dye made therefrom. I'll avoid any others in this series in future.
August 26, 2019
The Flavia Albia series just keeps getting better. Lindsey Davis has a genius for overlaying the minutiae of modern life into the world of Ancient Rome, making it sizzle into life. A family returns from a trip, laden with luggage and knocks on the door. Nobody answers. Down go all the bags and hats and other baggage and all the impedimenta of travel are dumped on the porch, s key is found and inserted, and presto! Someone opens the door!
The mystery is good, the suspense is solid, and once again Davis shows her sympathy and understanding in her skill in writing young characters. It’s a terrific read.
The mystery is good, the suspense is solid, and once again Davis shows her sympathy and understanding in her skill in writing young characters. It’s a terrific read.
January 30, 2020
It seemed like a meandering start developing but the story settled into a good pace halfway through and kept it to the end. Love Flavia’s strong and confident female persona undaunted by challenging characters, drama or problems. She is certainly driven to find answers.
January 18, 2020
This is an adequately satisfying book. All of its elements conspire to please: gruesome deaths, twins, sacred geese, vivid depictions of geography and architecture, chesty young women, a deadly chase--on foot!--that is exhausting as well as terrifying, a shocking and surprising denouement in the penultimate chapter. It comes to a sharp conclusion, rather than trailing off, the way the previous book did.
But, the book seems choppy. It is composed of sixty four, chapters--strings of them in a row rather than inserted for emphasis as is Davis common practice hither-to.
It's a page-turner, though. I'm happy to have read it.
.
But, the book seems choppy. It is composed of sixty four, chapters--strings of them in a row rather than inserted for emphasis as is Davis common practice hither-to.
It's a page-turner, though. I'm happy to have read it.
.
September 18, 2019
Albia is as clever as ever.
August 4, 2019
The whole Flavia Albia series is a great follow on to the Falco series.
July 11, 2019
The latest FA novel.
Albia and Faustus are now settling into married life, and accruing a household.
In the midst of this domestic idyll comes the news that Domition, Emporer and despot, feared by his people is returning from his triumph over enemies of Roman and wants a Truimph to welcome him back.
To refuse or similar will ensure your immediate and very painful death - so the Senate immediately agrees. The full weight of the Empire's Civil Service swings into action to arrange everything from spare bullocks for the official sacrifice to the requisite number of actors to fill in for the slaves from the beaten nations. Never mind Domition not beating them back in battle but coming to a bit of a wimpy paid off don't ask too many questions way, the Emperor will not be denied.
In the midst of this, a body is found at the base of the main temple sited rock/hill called the Tarpien Hill (excuse the spelling!). The body is identified as the transport manager who everyone who every despised as a matter of course after one conversation with him.
Desperate to get this matter tidied away and not incur the deadly wrath of the Emperor for daring to cast a shadow over this Truimph.
Albia wades in willingly, and in between the body count, threats of violence and interviews in dodgy bar (Normal Operating Procedure for FA), she and Faustus continue to build their home around them.
A welcome new addition to the FA story arc. Finished and will be returned to the library this weekend.
Albia and Faustus are now settling into married life, and accruing a household.
In the midst of this domestic idyll comes the news that Domition, Emporer and despot, feared by his people is returning from his triumph over enemies of Roman and wants a Truimph to welcome him back.
To refuse or similar will ensure your immediate and very painful death - so the Senate immediately agrees. The full weight of the Empire's Civil Service swings into action to arrange everything from spare bullocks for the official sacrifice to the requisite number of actors to fill in for the slaves from the beaten nations. Never mind Domition not beating them back in battle but coming to a bit of a wimpy paid off don't ask too many questions way, the Emperor will not be denied.
In the midst of this, a body is found at the base of the main temple sited rock/hill called the Tarpien Hill (excuse the spelling!). The body is identified as the transport manager who everyone who every despised as a matter of course after one conversation with him.
Desperate to get this matter tidied away and not incur the deadly wrath of the Emperor for daring to cast a shadow over this Truimph.
Albia wades in willingly, and in between the body count, threats of violence and interviews in dodgy bar (Normal Operating Procedure for FA), she and Faustus continue to build their home around them.
A welcome new addition to the FA story arc. Finished and will be returned to the library this weekend.
September 30, 2019
Another enjoyable tale from Ms Davis.
What I really like about these and the Falco novels is how Davis brilliantly describes Roman society as it probably really was. She doesn't tell stories about the high and mighty, the rich and famous, but rather the ordinary working and middle class people who remain eternally anonymous but who lived through all these historical events while trying to stay employed, fed and, above all, alive! She also cleverly uses her novels to reveal the intricacies of some aspect of Roman life: the water supply and aqueduct systems, the Circus industry, the olive oil industry and, in this case, how a Roman Triumph really (probably) came about.
Davis shows the relentlessly hard life many people in ancient Rome endured and I don't just mean slaves. The working class poor who worked 12 hours a day, 365 days a year at some godsawful job (sewing braid onto tunics, keeping sacred geese alive, creating jewelry for wealthy patrons) just to keep roof over their heads. Eating dreadful food, unable to afford any medical care, living hand-to-mouth every day under the control of batshit crazy emperors and ambitious politicians.
This novel contains a clever mystery with lots of intricate plotting and a nice twist at the end. Looking forward to more adventures with Flavia Albia!
What I really like about these and the Falco novels is how Davis brilliantly describes Roman society as it probably really was. She doesn't tell stories about the high and mighty, the rich and famous, but rather the ordinary working and middle class people who remain eternally anonymous but who lived through all these historical events while trying to stay employed, fed and, above all, alive! She also cleverly uses her novels to reveal the intricacies of some aspect of Roman life: the water supply and aqueduct systems, the Circus industry, the olive oil industry and, in this case, how a Roman Triumph really (probably) came about.
Davis shows the relentlessly hard life many people in ancient Rome endured and I don't just mean slaves. The working class poor who worked 12 hours a day, 365 days a year at some godsawful job (sewing braid onto tunics, keeping sacred geese alive, creating jewelry for wealthy patrons) just to keep roof over their heads. Eating dreadful food, unable to afford any medical care, living hand-to-mouth every day under the control of batshit crazy emperors and ambitious politicians.
This novel contains a clever mystery with lots of intricate plotting and a nice twist at the end. Looking forward to more adventures with Flavia Albia!
April 4, 2019
Flavia Albia returns as Agatha Christie of the ancient world.
Domitian Caesar returned to Rome as the triumphant imperator and called for his parade through his city, Rome to the Capitol Hill with his army, the prisoners of war and the war trophies.
A dead body was discovered on the Tarpeian Rocks at the bottom of the Capitol Cliff in Rome. That corpse was identified as Gabinus the project manager, who was tasked with organising the Emperor’s parade. An old woman, Valeria, told the private investigator, Flavia Albia, that she saw a drop and someone was at the top of Capitol Hill that night. Nobody believed her thinking that it was suicide.
Gabinus was the real intoxicated troublemaker in the city. Somebody tried to get rid of him, and Flavia attempted to identify the real killer until she found some clues that caught her eyes. Another dead body was also found, and she was suspicious of some people who knew the victims.
I love this great historical crime detective story, and I thank Lindsey Davis for this excellent novel.
Caesar XIII
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Domitian Caesar returned to Rome as the triumphant imperator and called for his parade through his city, Rome to the Capitol Hill with his army, the prisoners of war and the war trophies.
A dead body was discovered on the Tarpeian Rocks at the bottom of the Capitol Cliff in Rome. That corpse was identified as Gabinus the project manager, who was tasked with organising the Emperor’s parade. An old woman, Valeria, told the private investigator, Flavia Albia, that she saw a drop and someone was at the top of Capitol Hill that night. Nobody believed her thinking that it was suicide.
Gabinus was the real intoxicated troublemaker in the city. Somebody tried to get rid of him, and Flavia attempted to identify the real killer until she found some clues that caught her eyes. Another dead body was also found, and she was suspicious of some people who knew the victims.
I love this great historical crime detective story, and I thank Lindsey Davis for this excellent novel.
Caesar XIII
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
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