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Agent Strabo's Roman Mysteries #1
Vox Populi
Ancient times, modern problems!
Politics, jealousy, murder: you name it, the Romans had it! Enters our hero, an irreverent crime-fighter with a major personality flaw—decency.
“Vox Populi” is a tongue-in-cheek historical mystery that allows a glimpse into the political life of a provincial metropolis at the height of the Roman Empire. Perfect for Lindsey Davis, David Wishart, and Steven Saylor fans.
It’s election time in the ancient Roman metropolis of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa. However, the whole electoral process risks getting out of hand when Cominius Pontius Poplicola, the popular candidate for one of the chief executive positions, dies under suspicious circumstances.
Was his death an accident, or was he murdered for championing the citizenry’s cause against the Emperor’s interests?
Join Lucius Lucretius Strabo, a former legionary and war veteran, on his quest to solve the mystery and prevent yet another Empire-wide civil war.
Excerpt. © All rights reserved.
"Drinking like there was no tomorrow worked out just fine, he tried to reassure himself. But the words rang hollow for the first time in months.
He was born Lucius Lucretius Strabo in the provincial metropolis of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa during the 14th regnal year of Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus. It was a pompous way of saying that he was 22 years old and was from around town.
He hated both farming and violence, but since he was terrible at the former and reasonably competent at the latter, he joined the legions six years ago, lying about his age so he could enlist before his eighteenth birthday.
Alas, Marcus Aurelius’ son and successor, Emperor Commodus, insisted on pissing everybody off with his megalomania and crazy gladiatorial shit, among other things. Eventually, he got himself assassinated a few months after Strabo joined the Eagles.
Vale Pax Romana, Salve Chaos! Goodbye Roman Peace, Hello Chaos!
The ensuing civil war shattered a century of internal stability and prosperity.
Now that’s what I call perfect timing.
During the next five years, Strabo got to see the world as part of Septimius Severus’ empire-wide tour of death and destruction.
At long last, since Fortuna was a generous little goddess, she decided Strabo shouldn’t go home empty-handed but rather empty-socketed. In the final battle of the Roman-on-Roman power struggle, a howling legionary from Britannia poked out Strabo’s left eye using his standard issue gladius just as he was regularly stabbed in the belly by a diligent Legionary Strabo.
After the unfortunate incident, Strabo learned that Legio XIII Gemina’s taste for twins goes beyond its name. It actually expects its members to have a pair of everything: two hands, two legs, and two eyes, so Strabo was discharged on medical grounds.
In recognition of his service and the crippling wounds he received in combat, Strabo was awarded a missio causaria, including several years’ worth of salary and a deed to a plot in the middle of nowhere. As a bonus, he was officially inducted into the honestiores class of distinguished citizens.
I was back to square one.
With the army no longer an option, returning to his father’s rural estate was again on the table. However, moving back with his parents wasn’t his idea of moving ahead in life, and farming his own land sounded even less appealing.
To add to his woes, he couldn’t get used to being a cripple—Strabo hadn’t realized before how attached he was to his body parts. So he drank. And drank. And drank some more while planning to keep doing so until the end of his days.
That *@% Hilarius had to ruin it all!"
Politics, jealousy, murder: you name it, the Romans had it! Enters our hero, an irreverent crime-fighter with a major personality flaw—decency.
“Vox Populi” is a tongue-in-cheek historical mystery that allows a glimpse into the political life of a provincial metropolis at the height of the Roman Empire. Perfect for Lindsey Davis, David Wishart, and Steven Saylor fans.
It’s election time in the ancient Roman metropolis of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa. However, the whole electoral process risks getting out of hand when Cominius Pontius Poplicola, the popular candidate for one of the chief executive positions, dies under suspicious circumstances.
Was his death an accident, or was he murdered for championing the citizenry’s cause against the Emperor’s interests?
Join Lucius Lucretius Strabo, a former legionary and war veteran, on his quest to solve the mystery and prevent yet another Empire-wide civil war.
Excerpt. © All rights reserved.
"Drinking like there was no tomorrow worked out just fine, he tried to reassure himself. But the words rang hollow for the first time in months.
He was born Lucius Lucretius Strabo in the provincial metropolis of Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa during the 14th regnal year of Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus. It was a pompous way of saying that he was 22 years old and was from around town.
He hated both farming and violence, but since he was terrible at the former and reasonably competent at the latter, he joined the legions six years ago, lying about his age so he could enlist before his eighteenth birthday.
Alas, Marcus Aurelius’ son and successor, Emperor Commodus, insisted on pissing everybody off with his megalomania and crazy gladiatorial shit, among other things. Eventually, he got himself assassinated a few months after Strabo joined the Eagles.
Vale Pax Romana, Salve Chaos! Goodbye Roman Peace, Hello Chaos!
The ensuing civil war shattered a century of internal stability and prosperity.
Now that’s what I call perfect timing.
During the next five years, Strabo got to see the world as part of Septimius Severus’ empire-wide tour of death and destruction.
At long last, since Fortuna was a generous little goddess, she decided Strabo shouldn’t go home empty-handed but rather empty-socketed. In the final battle of the Roman-on-Roman power struggle, a howling legionary from Britannia poked out Strabo’s left eye using his standard issue gladius just as he was regularly stabbed in the belly by a diligent Legionary Strabo.
After the unfortunate incident, Strabo learned that Legio XIII Gemina’s taste for twins goes beyond its name. It actually expects its members to have a pair of everything: two hands, two legs, and two eyes, so Strabo was discharged on medical grounds.
In recognition of his service and the crippling wounds he received in combat, Strabo was awarded a missio causaria, including several years’ worth of salary and a deed to a plot in the middle of nowhere. As a bonus, he was officially inducted into the honestiores class of distinguished citizens.
I was back to square one.
With the army no longer an option, returning to his father’s rural estate was again on the table. However, moving back with his parents wasn’t his idea of moving ahead in life, and farming his own land sounded even less appealing.
To add to his woes, he couldn’t get used to being a cripple—Strabo hadn’t realized before how attached he was to his body parts. So he drank. And drank. And drank some more while planning to keep doing so until the end of his days.
That *@% Hilarius had to ruin it all!"
83 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 8, 2025
Strabo (our protagonist) had been a Roman Legionnaire for many years, until in Britain he suffered the loss of an eye.
"After the unfortunate incident, Strabo learned that Legio XIII Gemina’s taste for twins goes beyond its name. It actually expects its members to have a pair of everything: two hands, two legs, and two eyes, so Strabo was discharged on medical grounds. In recognition of his service and the crippling wounds he received in combat, Strabo was awarded a missio causaria, including several years’ worth of salary and a deed to a plot in the middle of nowhere. As a bonus, he was officially inducted into the honestiores class of distinguished citizens."
This story takes place at the end of the second century C.E. and not in Rome but in the distant territory known as Dacia. When the book opens, he is spending his money and time lying around getting drunk and feeling sorry for himself. Until a chance encounter with his former military superior. When not completely in his cups, Strabo has some keen observation skills. His boss, it seems, has a case of political poisoning on his hands and Strabo is brought into the investigation. He is cautioned: "“No matter how preposterous the allegations might sound, it wouldn’t take a Cicero to convince our colony’s inhabitants that their favorite political star was poisoned at the Governor’s orders. And if Geta was involved, the Emperor was involved.”"
The books about the Roman Empire that I enjoy most have details about everything. Vox Populi certainly comes up to that standard. “The door opened, and Strabo entered the fauces; the entry corridor led to the house's modest atrium. Since the body of Poplicola was not yet laid in state, Strabo guessed the corpse was still with the libitinarii, the guild of the undertakers. The atrium's center was occupied by the customary water basin, the compluvium, regularly fed by rainwater through the rectangular opening in the ceiling—the impluvium. Strabo could see the different cubicles serving as bedrooms or storage places on the wings. The few slaves needed to run a household this size were living upstairs, most probably."
Filled with delightful details and humor, this was a short and very enjoyable tale.
Should I curb my enthusiasm by giving this a 3.5? It appears to be a great start to a new series.
"After the unfortunate incident, Strabo learned that Legio XIII Gemina’s taste for twins goes beyond its name. It actually expects its members to have a pair of everything: two hands, two legs, and two eyes, so Strabo was discharged on medical grounds. In recognition of his service and the crippling wounds he received in combat, Strabo was awarded a missio causaria, including several years’ worth of salary and a deed to a plot in the middle of nowhere. As a bonus, he was officially inducted into the honestiores class of distinguished citizens."
This story takes place at the end of the second century C.E. and not in Rome but in the distant territory known as Dacia. When the book opens, he is spending his money and time lying around getting drunk and feeling sorry for himself. Until a chance encounter with his former military superior. When not completely in his cups, Strabo has some keen observation skills. His boss, it seems, has a case of political poisoning on his hands and Strabo is brought into the investigation. He is cautioned: "“No matter how preposterous the allegations might sound, it wouldn’t take a Cicero to convince our colony’s inhabitants that their favorite political star was poisoned at the Governor’s orders. And if Geta was involved, the Emperor was involved.”"
The books about the Roman Empire that I enjoy most have details about everything. Vox Populi certainly comes up to that standard. “The door opened, and Strabo entered the fauces; the entry corridor led to the house's modest atrium. Since the body of Poplicola was not yet laid in state, Strabo guessed the corpse was still with the libitinarii, the guild of the undertakers. The atrium's center was occupied by the customary water basin, the compluvium, regularly fed by rainwater through the rectangular opening in the ceiling—the impluvium. Strabo could see the different cubicles serving as bedrooms or storage places on the wings. The few slaves needed to run a household this size were living upstairs, most probably."
Filled with delightful details and humor, this was a short and very enjoyable tale.
Should I curb my enthusiasm by giving this a 3.5? It appears to be a great start to a new series.
April 19, 2025
Ancient Rome through lenses of Strabo as we follow his investigation of a murder. He didn't capture my interest or affection as someone to follow with further reading of the series. I gave it a try but must say it has a load of vulgarity that could cause nausea. But then...I am just a little old lady.
Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited
July 18, 2021
As a huge fan of mystery and crime books, I thought this book would be too packed with history for my taste. However, this was such a pleasant short read that had just the right amount of mystery and twists, that kept me guessing until the end. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
December 12, 2023
A somewhat interesting mystery set in ancient Rome under Septimus Severus, and set in what is now called Romania (Dacia, then). The mystery is not particularly challenging, and while Strabo is an interesting enough character he's not especially decent, just not as corrupt as others around him.
A candidate for Aedile is poisoned, and Strabo is hired on as a government intelligence agent (Frumentari) to find out how and why. Every major power in town seems involved and is corrupt to one degree or another.
Overall, the characterizations are fairly well done and distinct enough to tell them apart. The historical elements are not bad, but more details about the Romanian city Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa would have been welcome. It is now a ruins at the border of Transylvania and the Roman colony is long gone.
A candidate for Aedile is poisoned, and Strabo is hired on as a government intelligence agent (Frumentari) to find out how and why. Every major power in town seems involved and is corrupt to one degree or another.
Overall, the characterizations are fairly well done and distinct enough to tell them apart. The historical elements are not bad, but more details about the Romanian city Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa would have been welcome. It is now a ruins at the border of Transylvania and the Roman colony is long gone.
March 6, 2025
Nice to see a n Ancient Roman mystery series the for once is not set in Rome nor does it have famous historical figures depicted. Agent Szabo is an ex centurion invalided (is this a word feels.like.it.should be?) out of the.army after a battle injury causes him to.loose an eye. After spending some.months.trying to.drink himself.to.death his.old.commanding officer shames him into cleaning up. He I then offered a job, working as secret service.agent. Strabo jumps at the chance.to.once again be productive but soon refers his enthusiasm when his first case gives him nothing but trouble............... Written with a humorous slant I really enjoyed...
January 15, 2023
Disappointed
I was expecting a story similar to those by other authors, but this isn't even close to the stories by John Maddox Roberts or Ruth Downie.
First, there is too much Latin in the narrative to make the story flow easily, and I studied Latin . For the average reader, they must be stumbling over the words.
Second, some of the Latin words used are incorrect. Frumentarius = grain farmer. What kind of title is that for an investigator?
If a reader wishes to read a mystery that takes place in Roman times, stick with Roberts and Downie. They are both excellent series.
I was expecting a story similar to those by other authors, but this isn't even close to the stories by John Maddox Roberts or Ruth Downie.
First, there is too much Latin in the narrative to make the story flow easily, and I studied Latin . For the average reader, they must be stumbling over the words.
Second, some of the Latin words used are incorrect. Frumentarius = grain farmer. What kind of title is that for an investigator?
If a reader wishes to read a mystery that takes place in Roman times, stick with Roberts and Downie. They are both excellent series.
November 14, 2022
I found the mystery well done, but the Latin overdone, so much that it interfered with my enjoyment of the read. And when I looked up one of the words, I discovered that it had been used inappropriately. There were a few English mistakes too, for example, after fixing up his apartment, the narrator describes it as homely, when it was pretty clear that he meant homey. But again, the mystery itself worked, and it was a quick read.
April 12, 2026
A quick read but nevertheless full of intrigue. Strabo becomes a special agent after being invalided out of the army. He investigates his first murder, and the story keeps you guessing until the final reveal. The ending was my favourite part, the declaration of one of the main characters is delivered so sublimely, you can feel Strabo’s frustration. I hope Mus returns at some point. If you enjoy your historical fiction joined with a crime to solve, I highly recommend this series.
September 10, 2023
Standard murder mystery with a Roman imperial background. Strabo is a wannabe Lindsey David's Falco. Gives a good idea of the later Empire's Tammany Hall-style politics and skulduggery. The clues are kindly arranged for you in italics. Its great virtue is its length. Its negatives: poor editing and proofing.
June 4, 2025
Move over Colombo
This is a fun brain teaser of a mystery with a principle character who has an uncanny resemblance to Colombo in a toga. Excellent writing, good pacing and enough red herrings to feed a Roman legion. I am looking forward to reading the remaining books in this series.
This is a fun brain teaser of a mystery with a principle character who has an uncanny resemblance to Colombo in a toga. Excellent writing, good pacing and enough red herrings to feed a Roman legion. I am looking forward to reading the remaining books in this series.
October 18, 2024
easy read.
I enjoyed this book. The history was probably reasonably accurate,I detected no outright nonsense. It was interesting in that it was not in Rome or its environs, nor in England.
I enjoyed this book. The history was probably reasonably accurate,I detected no outright nonsense. It was interesting in that it was not in Rome or its environs, nor in England.
April 23, 2021
Meh
Lots of history, and a twist at the end. However, the plot was transparent and not all that interesting. The writer shows great potential, but....... Not there yet.
Lots of history, and a twist at the end. However, the plot was transparent and not all that interesting. The writer shows great potential, but....... Not there yet.
September 24, 2021
A story worth reading
Fast paced easy read. Enough to twist to make it interesting. The character development was very well done. All in all a fun read.
Fast paced easy read. Enough to twist to make it interesting. The character development was very well done. All in all a fun read.
January 9, 2022
Amazing read, strongly recommend to all the adventure seekers and some nice history lessons hidden between the pages.
May 10, 2022
Vox Populi
First time reading this author. I liked it very much. Love ancient history. Didn't realize it was a novella. Will probably read more.
First time reading this author. I liked it very much. Love ancient history. Didn't realize it was a novella. Will probably read more.
April 3, 2024
Excellent
An excellent first in what looks to be a fine new series. I liked it from the beginning, though I would have liked it more if it were about fifty percent longer.
An excellent first in what looks to be a fine new series. I liked it from the beginning, though I would have liked it more if it were about fifty percent longer.
October 27, 2023
No heavy lifting here - entertaining with digs at politicians worldwide.
February 13, 2023
Too much bad language.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews