Saturnalia

Marcus Didius Falco #18

by Lindsey Davis

It is the Roman holiday of Saturnalia. Marcus Didius Falco and Helena have returned from Greece only to find that Helena’s brother Justinus’s marital problems have exploded. Justinus’s first love, Veleda, a tribal leader and prophetess from Germania, has been brought to Rome and put under house arrest pending a ritual sacrifice at her capturer’s Triumph.

Justinus is love-struck once more and his wife, the temperamental Claudia, is enraged. Then Veleda escapes leaving behind a corpse. Justinus disappears too and it is up to Falco and the Chief Spy Anacrites to try to find the missing couple all against the backdrop of the orgiastic holiday period when literally anything goes . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Crime, Historical Mystery, Detective

284 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

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

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the festival of Saturnalia, and our pal Marcus is asked to find an escaped prisoner, who may be shacked up with one of his in-laws, before the city spies find her.

A lot of tension is generated. Probably the best in the series I've read so far.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**

Read this book in 2014, and its the 18th volume of the magnificent Marcus Didius Falco series.

Its Saturnalia, the end of the year, when days are short and nights are long, and misrule is allowed to take place during this festival.

But what will take place for Falco is anything but a public holiday of unrule, but domestic problems when his brother-in-law Justinus has left his wife, Claudia, when hearing of the capture of his first love, Veleda, a tribal leader and prophetess from Germania, who later will be shown in a Triumph in Rome.

After given house arrest and awaiting trial this same Veleda escapes right at the same time when Justinus disappears, and a young man gets horrendously murdered.

At the same time Falco also has problems with his arch enemy, the Imperial Chief Spy, Anacrites.

In a race against time Falco is competing against this Anacrites to find the couple first, and be able to help them against the authorities in this time of public festival, while a dark agency is bringing death to the city streets of Rome.

What is to follow is an exciting mystery where anything can go wrong but where Falco in the end will come up with the right solution to this immense problem by solving this case in a world where love and death goes hand in hand.

Very much recommended, for this is another very satisfying addition to this immensely great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "Saturnalia At Its Very best"!

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saturnalia is the 18th book by Lindsey Davis in the Marcus Didius Falco series featuring a private investigator during the Vespasian reign of the Roman Empire. In Saturnalia, we again meet the Germanic princess, Veleda (whose name, incidentally, is an anagram for my wife’s name), first encountered in the Iron Hand of Mars, in which Falco negotiated peace with Veleda.
In Saturnalia, an ambitious Roman general imprisoned Veleda and brought her to Rome for execution. Veleda manages to escape her captivity as the Roman holiday of Saturnalia begins. The emperor promises Falco a generous reward to find her before the end of the week-long celebration. Falco must deal with many impediments to his search, including his nemesis, Anacrites, Chief Spy of Rome, who wants for himself the reward and glory for finding Veleda.
As with all of the books in the series, it is a page-turner. I started reading this series about 20 years ago, and I am very sad as I am near the end of the adventures of Falco, his intelligent wife, their dog Nux, and his good friend, Petro, a Roman vigil.
I very enthusiastically recommend this book.

[Assaph Mehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falco goes back to revisit a character from book 4 (the Iron Hand of Mars) and solve an historical puzzle

Expect a tale of murder, foreign prophetess, annoying arch-nemesis, and general holiday mayhem as Davis offers her own ideas about what happened to Veleda.

Be aware that while it's not necessary to read the books in order, it certainly helps; Falco's family life has evolved throughout the series, and play a big part in describing daily lives and plot points.

--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.

[Kathleen (itpdx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Falco mystery. This is set in Rome and was particularly fun for me to read, as I am just back from Rome. It is fun to try to visualize the forum including the various temples mentioned in the book as it must have been in AD76. And to know how far it is across the forum and up Aventine Hill. I really enjoy how Lindsey Davis includes information on the Saturnalia celebrations, slavery, homelessness, the various practices of medicine, and other aspects 1st century Rome as part of the story without resorting to long, scholarly digressions. I enjoy her depictions of strong, smart women, such as Helena, her mother Julia and Veleda, the German priestess. And Davis's wonderful sense of humor.

[Igenlode Wordsmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remembered the newer Falco novels as being rather disappointing, and wasn't hoping for great things - I thought I hadn't read this one before, but it turns out I had.
From personal prejudice I don't like the way the author has chosen to break up first Petronius's marriage, then Justinus's, and what she does to Veleda seems a bit harsh (if realistic, in terms of barbarians in Rome) as well. That said, i wasn't as disappointed by the book as from memory I had half-expected to be - there's faint praise for you!
The Falco books tend to have a gimmick-of-the-week featuring some new aspect of the Roman world, and here it's (a) the titular festival, which sounds very much like the mediaeval Feast of Misrule, and (b) the different schools of medicine. Quite a few operations take place or are mentioned in this novel, some surprising - I didn't know the Romans could remove cataracts, presumably going in via the pupil of the eye itself.
There is a neat solution to the opening crime, although that was one part of the book I didn't remember at all: it obviously didn't make as much impression on me as the temple at Nemi. There is a rather odd, unexplained and rushed scene at the end. The Saturnalia stuff is entertaining, though I feel it would have been a better book without Anacrites in it at all, or at least with less of him in it. The author seems more attached to him as a character than Falco is, who can't stand him, or this reader is at least.

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read, good story written with wit and never boring. The main character, Falco, is believable with a dry sense of humour as he pursues his goal. Along the way you meet other members of his family along with their foibles and reactions that are recognisable within one's own family. The story never falters but proceeds along at just the right rate to keep your interest and curiosity active.

[Capn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first Lindsey Davis novel. I jumped right in at #18 in the series, because I wanted to know about a specific Roman event on the Aventine (Bona Dea), which I believe was partially mentioned.

I enjoyed it. I'm not sure I'll read another (unless there's a Mithraic episode), because, again - these massive books are a time suck. I've only got a few minutes to read each night, if I'm lucky. I don't want to get stuck wading through some very drawn out tale every night for the better part of a month (I'm glaring at you, Labyrinth!). No, I've got precious little time, and I can't invest it all in a scant few brick books. At least Davis keeps it interesting - I did enjoy it. The characters were fun. I learned quite a lot about Roman culture and practices. I can see how people really got into this series. I'm just not sure I'm one of those people.

[Selina Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful to have been reading this around the time of Saturnalia too!

[Simon Binning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falco is back, and this time, facing the madness of Saturnalia. As those who know him might guess, he's not a fan of the upside down world of the festival. His family and household are mad enough as it is, so the gods alone know what might happen.
Events are further complicated by a reappearance of a figure from the past. A general, with his eye more on personal glory than good sense, has captured a German priestess, Veleda, and brought her to Rome, hoping for a Triumph in which she will be the major exhibit.
However, a long time ago, Falco and Justinus - his brother-in-law - found themselves as Veleda's prisoner. Justinus spent hours with her and managed to persuade her to free them, and Falco has always wondered what happened.
The trouble starts when Justinus goes missing, as does Veleda, after a severed head is found in the villa where she is being held. Falco is called in to sort out the mess before the public find out what has happened, and that there is a supposedly bloodthirsty barbarian priestess loose among them.
Falco is beset by all sorts of family problems, and the job itself is also rather too close to home for comfort. Along the way, he again finds himself going head to head with his old enemy, Anacrites, the Chief Spy. Once again, we see Falco having to deal with officials for who everything has to be - or at least be seen to be - straightforward and black and white. Officials who will happily sacrifice him for their own purposes.
A significant part of the book deals with the medical professions available to Roman citizens (for a price), and their discussions and arguments are mostly entertaining and crucial to the plot. I did feel that at one or two points, the author overdid these to show all her research!
The story is tightly plotted, with lots of twists, and several red herrings and dead ends. The last couple of episodes in this series I found a little ordinary, but this volume is a real return to form. A lot going on, plenty of reflection, conflicts of conscience, and all the madness of Saturnalia. A typical slice of life for Falco!

[TTocs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Lindsey Davis and her Vespasian era detective stories. I love her characters and the historical period she has them swimming in. This book seemed set to complain about the unhappiness that envelopes the Saturnalia holiday (the roman holiday dedicated to the overthrow of Roman norms and a return to the primitive state in midwinter celebrating the harvest past and the harvest to come). This would be the Roman equivalent of Christmas holidays. Davis brings in a huge portion of the extended family to illustrate the problems with these rampant festivities and the misery they hide or create. So much of the family is included in the story that they all get short shrift. Even Veleda the former priestess and prophetess of the germanic tribe the Bructerii gets very little scope in the story. This despite the fact that her appearance in Rome and subsequent disappearance after a murder takes place in her safe house are central to the plot.
All the characters get very little play in the story entering and leaving rapidly often with simply a summary description as in Junia the proper sister, or Allia the tired sister.
The plot also bogs down with an examination of homelessness, ostensibly in ancient Rome but certainly relatable to present day.
The story isn't very funny. Lindsey Davis normally is quite funny.A lot of the characters don't ring true for me. Maia, Veleda, Claudia Rufina, Albia even Brother Justinus don't seem like themselves and they don't really get much to do.
The over ambitious book is uneven, unfunny and feels a little too much like an attempt at moralizing. At least she doesn't kill off building contractors or literary agents like she did in earlier books where she was riding a hobby horse of her own.
Generally I love her books. This one was long and unsatisfying.

[Libri-Diligo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindsey Davis finally lets MDF remain in Rome, and the outcome yields a much better read than the prior few installments. Unless you've read the complete series until now, some of the characters' actions and allusions to other scenes may be hard to follow. My main disappointment was in reading the author comments afterwards - I don't understand why some British authors feel the need to disparage the intelligence of their American audience.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is almost the 20th book in the Falco series, and it seems to be getting a little long in the tooth. All our old friends are back, and it is set in Rome, as the best of the Lindsey Davis books seem to be. A fun, light read, but I feel like I'm going through the usual motions when reading this one.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining, if somewhat discursive, mystery featuring the irrepressible Marcus Didius Falco, professional informer in Rome. Very well narrated, and the plot is interesting although it winds up somewhat abruptly and has a number of threads.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Io Saturnalia! Bah Humbug!

On returning from his Greek odyssey our intrepid Roman gum-sandaled protagonist Marcus Didius Falco is summoned to the Imperial Palace and given a most delicate assignment, namely to discreetly find and apprehend an escaped barbarian prophetess, who he encountered years previously while undertaking a dangerous mission in Germania for Emperor Vespasian. Unable to refuse this request Falco soon realises that this is more than just a missing person’s case since said prophetess appears to be responsible for the beheading of a senator’s relative and also attempting to single-handedly decimate Rome’s population, starting with the city’s down-and-outs. Add to this the general mayhem associated with the solstice celebration of Saturnalia, the hectic and hilarious activities of his extended family, plus all the perils involved in crossing swords with his arch-nemesis, the Chief Spy Anacrites, Falco may be forgiven for donning the persona of a Roman Scrooge. Luckily, help is at hand in the shape of his wife and partner in crime-solving Helena Justina and his best friend and drinking-buddy, Lucius Petronius Longus, watch captain of the Vigiles (the local fire-fighting/police force).

As is the author’s wont, placed amongst the narrative twists and red herrings there is detailed information about first century Rome’s medical practitioners and the reality behind the Empire’s social structure, in particular the lives (and deaths) of slaves and the homelessness. However, as the book is also infused with the author’s trademark sharp wit and repartee these descriptions are not overwhelming. Indeed there are some side-splitting episodes, such as the description of a raucous Vigiles Saturnalia party involving a five-foot carrot and turnip. As I have written in previous reviews I feel that in order to fully appreciate these later Falco novels it is essential to have read the previous books, where an understanding of the family dynamics is particularly rewarding. Interestingly, the barbarian prophetess Veleda and the Roman Governor Gaius Rutilius Gallicus were actual historical figures who appear to have been present in Rome around this time.

[gardienne_du_feu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es ist mitten im Winter, und Falco ist ziemlich genervt. Die in Kürze anstehenden Saturnalien, das Mittwinterfest, das tagelang gefeiert wird und mit Geschenkeaussuchen und Familienbesuchen einhergeht, gehören nicht gerade zu seinen Lieblingsfeierlichkeiten. Zusätzlich hat er den heiklen Geheimauftrag, die germanische Stammesfürstin Veleda aufzuspüren, die in ihrer Heimat gefangengenommen und nach Rom verbracht worden ist, wo sie nun spurlos verschwunden ist. Falco ist der streitbaren Dame schon einmal begegnet und hat sie nicht in allzu guter Erinnerung, aber es hilft ja alles nichts, wenn seine kaiserlichen Auftraggeber ihn auf sie ansetzen.

Als ob das alles nicht schon Ärger genug wäre, kommt es auch noch zu einem merkwürdigen Todesfall in einem herrschaftlichen Haus - der Sohn der Familie treibt, bestialisch ermordet, im Zierteich des heimischen Atriums, und es finden sich weder brauchbare Indizien noch glaubwürdige Zeugenaussagen. Auffällig ist auf den ersten Blick nur die Fülle an verschiedenen Ärzten, die sich um diverse Familienmitglieder kümmern und wetteifernden medizinischen Schulen angehören.

Falco hat also alle Hände voll zu tun,versucht sich nebenbei gegen unliebsame Einladungen zu festlichen Familientreffen zu wehren und bekommt überdies eine Horde chaotischer Soldaten zu Hause einquartiert. Zur Lösung seiner zwei Kopfnuss-Fälle muss er auf zwielichtige Verbündete und die eine oder andere eher unorthodoxe Maßnahme zurückgreifen, Lebensgefahr eingeschlossen ...

Im 18. Band der Reihe prasseln zahlreiche Namen, Handlungsstränge und Eindrücke aus dem alten Rom auf den Leser ein, so dass das Verzeichnis der "dramatis personae" zu Beginn ein willkommenes Hilfsmittel ist. Aber es macht auch wie immer einen Riesenspaß, Falco auf seinen Wegen zu folgen, von gruseligen Gräberfeldern über die Villen der Reichsten bis zu den Weinschenken, die insbesondere sein Kumpel Petro gerne frequentiert. Viel Selbstironie, Situationskomik und diverse schräge Vögel sorgen für witzige Momente, und in der Hektik rund ums große Fest ist unschwer die Parallele zwischen den Saturnalien und dem heutigen Weihnachten zu erkennen. Sicherlich nicht ohne Hintergedanken, schließlich basiert unser Weihnachtsfest in vielerlei Hinsicht auf den römischen Festlichkeiten.

Der Krimianteil ist ebenfalls gelungen, wenngleich es zu Beginn etwa schwierig ist, all die Namen und historischen Hintergründe auseinanderzuklamüsern. In Sachen Veleda hätte ich mir dann doch noch mal ein erläuterndes Nachwort gewünscht. Das ist aber auch mein einziger kleiner Kritikpunkt an diesem ansonsten sehr unterhaltsamen Histo-Krimi.

[Louisa Mead · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat disappointing outing for Falco and co. Some very far-fetched interactions (with unusually forced humour) and a dragged out plot line made it a bit of a slog in places.
However the overall trajectory worked and it ended satisfactorily. You can’t win them all but definitely the weakest one in the series

[Anthony Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. This series has become a bot more patchy as it has gone on, but this was a really good one. I thought it was a really compelling idea, and Falco is one of the great first person narrators.

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite of the Falco series.

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 18th installment in the Marcus Didius Falco mystery series but the first I ever read. The narrator/detective hero is an investigator who often works for the Emperor or other important figures in imperial Rome. The time is 76 A.D., so the emperor is Vespasian, and their December holiday of Saturnalia is just beginning. The plot involves a German warrior priestess fleeing from house arrest immediately after a Roman nobleman's head is found, minus his body, floating ominously in the atrium pool in front of her former quarters. Falco must track her down and turn her in, and to complicate matters, she saved his life years ago and was the first love of his current brother-in-law, who stands accused of treason for aiding her.

I have to say it always helps when a detective-narrator has a great sense of humor, when his observations regularly convey droll wit, and Davis's Falco certainly scores well in that area. The large cast of characters was a bit cumbersome, but there are maps, family trees, and character summaries in the front matter so if you get confused or want to pause and re-focus as you read along, support is available.

I didn't find the process of unravelling who cmmitted the murders particularly compelling in this novel, (yes, the murders accumulate as the book goes on), but for learning more about the society, culture, practices, and geographic layout of first century Rome in an entertaining and enjoyable way, this book was delightful. I am not myself a student of Latin or Classics, but if I was teaching in those areas, I might well consider supplementing coursework with student readings of books like this, because the author taught me quite a bit about the feast of Saturnalia, the first century views on medicine, and the prescribed gender, class, and family relation roles of that culture while I took pleasure in getting to know the main characters and their diverse and often humorous wide range of secondary support characters. It is clear to me just after one book what a charming and smart sidekick Falco's noble wife Helena is during his many investigations, and what a delicious arch-nemesis is provided by his investigative competition, Anacrites the Spy.

I never came across this series before, but it is good enough to consider starting from the beginning, so that one might see the characters' lives go forward as they grow together.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Informer (think private detective) Marcus Didius Falco. He is the Spenser (see Robert B. Parker) of ancient Rome. He even has a Hawk-like friend in Petronius, whom he served in the Legions with. I've read quite a few, 22 to be exact, of Davis' ongoing Falco series and with only one exception, "See Delphi and Die", found them to be delightful reads.

In this episode, Falco is called to the Imperial Palace to be offered an assignment to find and recapture a German Priestess, Veleda, who has escaped from house arrest and with whom he has a history. There are, of course, many complications as in all Falco undertakings, not the least being that his brother-in-law, Justinus, had an affair with Veleda years earlier and he too has disappeared. Aside from palace politics and his own family issues, as well as a few murders, it is the Saturnalia Holiday, a five day drunken celebration and one in which very few people are working.

Somehow, in his usual wise-cracking, way and with the help of his lovely wife, Helena, and friend, Petronius, he is able to tie everything up by the last day of Saturnalia. There are a few surprises as Falco does his thing but all is tied up at the end with a satisfying conclusion to the entire story.

If you've never read any of the Falco Series, this would not be a bad place to start. At some point, though, it would be a good idea to find the first book in the series, "The Silver Pigs", and read it so you can see where he's come from and enjoy the many ironies in Falco's life.

[The Library Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021:Amusingly while I was finishing this on audio, I started reading A Comedy of Terrors, Davis's latest book, and it too is set during Saturnalia.
(And I can't help wishing that Davis could write a Saturnalia novella every year, a la Anne Perry.)

2020:My review from 2007 seems to disappeared, but it still stands. How can you go wrong reading a book that includes a guy dressed up as a 6-ft tall turnip at the ancient Roman equivalent of a police precinct's Christmas party? While there is serious stuff here, and we get to revisit some old acquaintances. But mainly we get to see Falco and family celebrating Saturnalia, complete with squabbles between relatives, marital strife, and the problems of finding the right Christmas present for your mother. It is quite clear that long before the Christian Church latched on to it, there was a "reason for the season," and this book has become one of my annual seasonal reads, right along with Dickens' Christmas Carol. Io, Saturnalia!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series by Lindsey Davis is one of the benign guilty pleasures in my library. I have read all of her books that follow her protagonist Marcus Didius Falco as he solves crimes in ancient Rome. These fun romps are in an interesting setting with just a smattering of historical gloss to keep me grounded in the time period. Written in a style that is closest to the TV sribblers who created Dragnet the plot moves along rapidly with enough twists and turns to remain interesting. A line like, "the mysterious dark haired lady showed up on my doorstep asking for help with a pair of 38's pointed into my chest...she had a gun too." would not be entirely out of character in these works.
In short, nothing profound, but quite entertaining, particlularly if you have followed Davis repeating cast of characters since her first books.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

#16 - 2010.

This is where I left off with the series; picking it up again I discovered that I actually had read the book but had such vague memories that I couldn't remember who the murderer was. I, therefore, read with much enjoyment. As anyone reading this series knows, much of the pleasure is from the development of the regular characters in Marcus Didius Falco's immediate family and author Lindsey Davis's way of making ancient customs and ways accessible to the modern reader. Highly enjoyable.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book tedious at best. In fact, I got just half way through it before skipping ahead, and eventually abandoning it totally. It just seemed to be contrived and without much suspense or even interesting characters or plot. I suspect that the descriptions of Roman life are not all that accurate, but I'm no expert. That just seemed off to me. I have not read any of her other books and now doubt whether I will.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite Falco novels. I’ve listened to it several times, thanks to Christian Rodska’s excellent narration. It is very funny in places - after all Saturnalia is the time for craziness- the plot is interesting and there’s development of the recurring characters in addition. Falco’s extended family are as colourful as ever.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Io, Saturnalia!" = the ancient Roman "Merry Christmas" (sort of), said in an atmosphere of dreadful family parties, riotous workplace celebrations, compulsory gift-giving, festive boughs, and burning logs.

"May I see your license?" = what you should always ask ancient Roman physicians, often more concerned with their reputations than your health.

[Kate Millin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A German prophetess has escaped captivity in Rome, and it is someone Falco and his brother in law have had dealings with before. Falco is asked to find her, while her brother in law disappears. Lots of interesting machinations as Falco has to work around the chief spy Anacrites (when they loath each other) in this quest.

[steve day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal Xmas read

I usually read Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather over Xmas, but think I will add this wonderful read in future. The Author is at her relaxed and humorous best in one of the last books in this excellent series.

[Silke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the season of Saturnalia and Falco, back at Rome after his adventures in Greece, is asked to find an escaped prisoner he and his immediate family know quite well.
What I liked particular in this one, is the description of the female characters, their strength and flaws .