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Judge Marcus Flavius Severus Mystery #9
The Dagger of Nemesis
The Dagger of Nemesis is the 9th in the series of highly acclaimed and best selling Judge Marcus Flavius Severus mysteries in Ancient Rome. This story takes place in the year 173 CE during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. It is 2 years after the events in A Shipwreck Conspiracy.
Judge Severus is retired from the Court of the Urban Prefect and living with his family in the countryside, where he can study philosophy and history and astronomy and contemplate.
But Fate intervenes. The Prefect of the City of Rome seeks his help to solve a series of murders that no one has been able to solve in the month since they were committed. There were three murders in three days. The first victim was a famous charioteer of the Red faction. The second was a famous courtesan. The third was an obscure shoemaker. Each victim had their throat slit with a dagger and the number I, II, or III written on their cheek in their own blood.
Severus assembles his complement of helpers for the investigation, his secretary Alexander, his police aides Vulso and Straton, his bodyguard Crantor, his court clerk Proculus, his former assessor Flaccus and, of course, his wife Artemisia.
This book, as the others in the series, is not only a mystery, but also captures the daily life of ancient Rome and is a sojourn into the world of courts, police, and criminal law of the period. All laws, rescripts and legal procedures are from Roman law sources.
Judge Severus is retired from the Court of the Urban Prefect and living with his family in the countryside, where he can study philosophy and history and astronomy and contemplate.
But Fate intervenes. The Prefect of the City of Rome seeks his help to solve a series of murders that no one has been able to solve in the month since they were committed. There were three murders in three days. The first victim was a famous charioteer of the Red faction. The second was a famous courtesan. The third was an obscure shoemaker. Each victim had their throat slit with a dagger and the number I, II, or III written on their cheek in their own blood.
Severus assembles his complement of helpers for the investigation, his secretary Alexander, his police aides Vulso and Straton, his bodyguard Crantor, his court clerk Proculus, his former assessor Flaccus and, of course, his wife Artemisia.
This book, as the others in the series, is not only a mystery, but also captures the daily life of ancient Rome and is a sojourn into the world of courts, police, and criminal law of the period. All laws, rescripts and legal procedures are from Roman law sources.
- GenresMystery
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2021
26 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 17, 2023
Another tricky case.
This is book 9 in the series and while the series is really enjoyable with complex cases with no easy answers there is an innocence and naivety to the way the books are written. The characters are the important part of the books less emphasis is given to physical evidence the investigation is mostly accomplished by interviewing suspects and witnesses. Oh and what helpful people were around in Ancient Rome, ask a question and the answer is usually " whatever I may do to help you" so nice.............. In this regard they remind me of cosy mysteries, but the plots as I have said are complex, I usually work out a whodunit quite easily but these manage to keep me guessing I think it's because everything happens so fast, they are short books at around 240 ish pages. The only issue I have is that the author is having too much time pass between books when we first met the Judge he was 37 (I did the math) his son Who is 7 and daughter Flavia 5 their younger son Quintus had not yet been born. Now after 9 books it's fifteen years later the Judge is 52 his children 22, 20 and 14 respectively. This is making the time go too fast there is a book 10 which will probably see the Judge at 54 this is old for an ancient Roman ( though some did live long lives ) but his colleagues who work with him are also getting older............it's just a worry I have that the books will have to end because everybody gets too old.
This is book 9 in the series and while the series is really enjoyable with complex cases with no easy answers there is an innocence and naivety to the way the books are written. The characters are the important part of the books less emphasis is given to physical evidence the investigation is mostly accomplished by interviewing suspects and witnesses. Oh and what helpful people were around in Ancient Rome, ask a question and the answer is usually " whatever I may do to help you" so nice.............. In this regard they remind me of cosy mysteries, but the plots as I have said are complex, I usually work out a whodunit quite easily but these manage to keep me guessing I think it's because everything happens so fast, they are short books at around 240 ish pages. The only issue I have is that the author is having too much time pass between books when we first met the Judge he was 37 (I did the math) his son Who is 7 and daughter Flavia 5 their younger son Quintus had not yet been born. Now after 9 books it's fifteen years later the Judge is 52 his children 22, 20 and 14 respectively. This is making the time go too fast there is a book 10 which will probably see the Judge at 54 this is old for an ancient Roman ( though some did live long lives ) but his colleagues who work with him are also getting older............it's just a worry I have that the books will have to end because everybody gets too old.
October 19, 2021
This is the 8th in the series following Severus, supposedly retired judge who is always being called out of retirement for one more job. Goodreads needs to update listing since they stop at 7 in the series.
I enjoy these visits to ancient Rome and can picture the sites included vividly as the stories unfold. There are several murders that require investigation, the first character being the woman who introduced Severus to the world of physical love when he was 16.
The characters are interesting and discoveries along the way contain historical references I appreciate with regard to the study of planets, painting, charioteers and their lifestyles to name a few.
Severus conducts investigation and delivers a just and very Roman verdict after coming to a conclusion that some victims of reported crime were not, in fact, dead.
Kindle Unlimited
I enjoy these visits to ancient Rome and can picture the sites included vividly as the stories unfold. There are several murders that require investigation, the first character being the woman who introduced Severus to the world of physical love when he was 16.
The characters are interesting and discoveries along the way contain historical references I appreciate with regard to the study of planets, painting, charioteers and their lifestyles to name a few.
Severus conducts investigation and delivers a just and very Roman verdict after coming to a conclusion that some victims of reported crime were not, in fact, dead.
Kindle Unlimited
March 11, 2024
Author Scribner continues to write engaging mysteries set in the time of Marcus Aurelius, Rome's greatest emperor. (I'm not sure if I'm reviewing this in sequence but it doesn't matter -- each book stands on its own, although there's a timeline as the characters age).
The author clearly believes that the Romans were more like us than not, and he presents us with a challenging plot. Three bodies are discovered. They are numbered on their faces 1, 2, and 3, so it appears to be a serial killer. The victims are not related in any obvious way. They didn't know each other, they don't live near each other, they wouldn't generally meet because of what they did for a living. One is a successful charioteer with millions of fans, another is a retired courtesan who has participated in Judge Severus's coming of age many years earlier, and the third is a shoemaker. The authorities recognize that they have no idea how to solve the mystery, so they call Judge Severus out of retirement to deal with it.
The author shows his encyclopedic knowledge of the topography of ancient Rome as well as the customs and language, but the mystery is the center of the book and the details don't hinder the non-Latin reader from following the plot. The characters are believable people, much like us, even though it matters if you're dressed in a Senatorial or Equestrian toga how much respect or cooperation you get. Some of the characters are slaves and they have to do their masters' bidding, although they complain to each other about their lot. There's no forensic science, no cameras or recordings, and while a witness can be tortured, it's recognized that testimony under torture isn't reliable so courts frown on it. Judge Severus is a married man with children and his family all get sucked into the investigation to help him. While of course it's a bit hard on the victims, the overall impression is of a positive, rather light sort of mystery that will not seem "dark" or offensive.
The author clearly believes that the Romans were more like us than not, and he presents us with a challenging plot. Three bodies are discovered. They are numbered on their faces 1, 2, and 3, so it appears to be a serial killer. The victims are not related in any obvious way. They didn't know each other, they don't live near each other, they wouldn't generally meet because of what they did for a living. One is a successful charioteer with millions of fans, another is a retired courtesan who has participated in Judge Severus's coming of age many years earlier, and the third is a shoemaker. The authorities recognize that they have no idea how to solve the mystery, so they call Judge Severus out of retirement to deal with it.
The author shows his encyclopedic knowledge of the topography of ancient Rome as well as the customs and language, but the mystery is the center of the book and the details don't hinder the non-Latin reader from following the plot. The characters are believable people, much like us, even though it matters if you're dressed in a Senatorial or Equestrian toga how much respect or cooperation you get. Some of the characters are slaves and they have to do their masters' bidding, although they complain to each other about their lot. There's no forensic science, no cameras or recordings, and while a witness can be tortured, it's recognized that testimony under torture isn't reliable so courts frown on it. Judge Severus is a married man with children and his family all get sucked into the investigation to help him. While of course it's a bit hard on the victims, the overall impression is of a positive, rather light sort of mystery that will not seem "dark" or offensive.
February 22, 2022
I’ve certainly enjoyed Alan Scribner’s bookish “detective” series set the Rome of Marcus Aurelius. In this ninth entry, Judge Marcus Flavius Severus is called yet again from retirement to investigate a serial murder case, the victims connected by no more than tablets that summon them to their deaths and the bloody “calling card” the murderer leaves after.
The narrative is straightforward and clear, the inspector’s personal life playing only a small role in the story—though he does have a harrowing moment. As always, details of Roman life are rendered convincingly but with perhaps less energy here than in some of the previous books. Overall, a clever, if not quite memorable, story.
The narrative is straightforward and clear, the inspector’s personal life playing only a small role in the story—though he does have a harrowing moment. As always, details of Roman life are rendered convincingly but with perhaps less energy here than in some of the previous books. Overall, a clever, if not quite memorable, story.
September 28, 2021
While there is no doubt the author is extremely well versed in Greek history, his writing about that history is overwhelming and IMO weighs down the plot.
The story is further bogged down by the way it is told. The use of simplistic language to describe a scene does not jibe with the language used to describe an historical fact, almost as if 2 different people were writing the book.
This book needs a really good story/language editor to tighten it up. I’d rather this book be 25 pages shorter with crisp dialogue and story telling, then the way it is now.
The story is further bogged down by the way it is told. The use of simplistic language to describe a scene does not jibe with the language used to describe an historical fact, almost as if 2 different people were writing the book.
This book needs a really good story/language editor to tighten it up. I’d rather this book be 25 pages shorter with crisp dialogue and story telling, then the way it is now.
June 10, 2022
Another fascinating Judge Severus mystery. The throats of three people are cut. Severus is tasked with finding who did it and why. He and his usual team feel there is a connection among the three because of the numbers I, II, and III written in their blood. Were the murders possibly revenge killings? There is no trial per se, but after the reveal the author gives us the Roman law for punishment in cases such as these. The author's strength is Roman law.
May 28, 2022
A charioteer of the Red faction is brutally murdered. Word is spread, however, that he died in an accident in the arena because of fears of retaliation against the White, Blue, and Green factions. Judge Severus is called in to investigate. A simple, uncomplicated mystery with a little twist at the end. Nothing that might alarm 21st century sensibilities.
June 1, 2025
It's a very doubtful 4 stars.
Weird.
At least it's a proper mystery.
But, but, but.
The motive for the first murder is contrived.
Other motives are murky.
At least one innocent bystander is treated shabbily.
Normally clever people aren't. (Because the story wouldn't work otherwise).
And the Judge is getting detached from reality. Thank goodness he isn't trying normal cases.
Weird.
At least it's a proper mystery.
But, but, but.
The motive for the first murder is contrived.
Other motives are murky.
At least one innocent bystander is treated shabbily.
Normally clever people aren't. (Because the story wouldn't work otherwise).
And the Judge is getting detached from reality. Thank goodness he isn't trying normal cases.
July 24, 2024
Great mystery series
I recommend this ancient Roman.mystery series because it's very historically accurate. I love the interaction between the characters. Alan Scribner is an excellent author.
I recommend this ancient Roman.mystery series because it's very historically accurate. I love the interaction between the characters. Alan Scribner is an excellent author.
November 12, 2024
mailing in the last one
This was the most perfunctory exercise in writing that I’ve yet encountered. I liked all the books in this series, but the quality dropped off noticeably after the 3-4th installment. If you’re actually paying, you can skip this one. Boring.
This was the most perfunctory exercise in writing that I’ve yet encountered. I liked all the books in this series, but the quality dropped off noticeably after the 3-4th installment. If you’re actually paying, you can skip this one. Boring.
December 4, 2021
A great book in a great series
A serial killer in ancient Rome. A Roman investigative judge uses the law and tools of the period to solve a series of killings.
A serial killer in ancient Rome. A Roman investigative judge uses the law and tools of the period to solve a series of killings.
February 24, 2022
so-so
Not too good, very wooden, irritating modern slang included. I could read another one but,it’s like reading a laundry list in terms of life and emotion.
Not too good, very wooden, irritating modern slang included. I could read another one but,it’s like reading a laundry list in terms of life and emotion.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews