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The Roman Mysteries #17
The Man from Pomegranate Street
September AD 81. Returning from Ephesus to Rome, Flavia and her friends learn of the mysterious and sudden death of the Emperor Titus. Was his death natural? Or was it murder? As the four detectives investigate this mystery, they little dream how much their lives—as well as the future of Italia—will be changed as a result. At last, many of the questions Roman Mysteries fans have been burning to have answered are revealed in the final book of the series.
262 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2009
18 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Lawrence
65 books320 followersCaroline Lawrence won a scholarship to Cambridge to read Classical Archaeology, then did a degree in Hebrew and Jewish studies at University College London. She now lives in London with her English husband and teaches Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Art and French to children.
Series:
* Roman Mysteries
Western Mysteries
Series:
* Roman Mysteries
Western Mysteries
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 29, 2016
AGGHHHHHHHHHHH I AM NEVER GOING TO RECOVER WHAT IS LIFE WHY IS IT OVERRRRRRR THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN ARTICULATE REVIEW AT ALLLLL BUT OHHHHH WELLLL I AM AN EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE 18 YEAR OLD OBSESSED WITH MIDDLE GRADE LITERATURE AND AM GOING TO FIGHT ANYONE CHILD OR ADULT WHO DISPUTES CAROLINE LAWRENCE'S MAGNIFICENCE THIS FINALE WAS AMAZING EVERYONE WHO IS EVERYONE WAS IN IT THAT ENDING WHERE EVERYONE SAID GOODBYE GOT ME GOING I AM STILL NOT RECOVERED THAT ENDING FLACCIA NUBISTO THAT FRIGGING ENDING AGHHHHHH WHILE THE MARRIAGES WERE VERY VERY SUDDEN AND HAD AN AUSTIAN RESOLUTION IT WAS SO CATHARTIC REFLECTIVE NOSTALGIC AND BEAUTIFUL- THERE BETTER BE A FOLLOW UP I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO SOSO AND POPO!!!!!! I think it goes without saying I loved it!
January 10, 2024
The sort-of-non-solving of the final mystery feels satisfying both historically and narratively, rather than frustrating, but there are some rather convenient results including a truly bizarre tying-up of romantic loose ends (particularly weird given how happy Lawrence is to leave at least one quite major plot point unresolved, so why does she need to marry off every minor character who's appeared since book 11?) - still, overall this is a poignant and mature conclusion, I think. They've come a long way from catching dog-killers in the holidays.
Overall score on the reread: probably 4 stars (definitely at least 3.5), but I'll skip #14-16 if I decide ever to do it again. It's always lovely to discover something you loved as a child was actually quite good after all.
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Overall score on the reread: probably 4 stars (definitely at least 3.5), but I'll skip #14-16 if I decide ever to do it again. It's always lovely to discover something you loved as a child was actually quite good after all.
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October 25, 2009
In this conclusion to the Roman Mysteries series, Flavia and her friends return to Rome in AD 81 to learn of the death of Emperor Titus. The death occurred under mysterious circumstances, and many wonder if Titus truly died of natural causes, or if he was assassinated by one of his many enemies.
This is the biggest mystery yet for Flavia, Jonathan, Nubia, and Lupus, but they are determined to solve it, hoping that doing so will clear their names with the new emperor, Domitian, who is Titus’s brother. However, trying to clear their names by solving the mystery ends up putting the friends in more danger, and they may not like some of the answers they find.
The Man from Pomegranate Street is a wonderful conclusion to the Roman Mysteries series, full of adventure, danger, mystery, and for some of the characters, romance. I’ve been reading this series since the first book was published, so I was very excited to read this final book and find out what happened to all the characters. Particularly I wanted to find out who Flavia would marry and I was not disappointed in the answer! Fans of the series are sure to want to read this book, it is an excellent conclusion that will not disappoint. For new readers who think the series sounds interesting, I recommend starting with book one, The Thieves of Ostia.
This is the biggest mystery yet for Flavia, Jonathan, Nubia, and Lupus, but they are determined to solve it, hoping that doing so will clear their names with the new emperor, Domitian, who is Titus’s brother. However, trying to clear their names by solving the mystery ends up putting the friends in more danger, and they may not like some of the answers they find.
The Man from Pomegranate Street is a wonderful conclusion to the Roman Mysteries series, full of adventure, danger, mystery, and for some of the characters, romance. I’ve been reading this series since the first book was published, so I was very excited to read this final book and find out what happened to all the characters. Particularly I wanted to find out who Flavia would marry and I was not disappointed in the answer! Fans of the series are sure to want to read this book, it is an excellent conclusion that will not disappoint. For new readers who think the series sounds interesting, I recommend starting with book one, The Thieves of Ostia.
February 18, 2023
I love this series. Always have, ever since I was a child. But I've never actually read the books in order until this time round (I recommend doing it that way, it's a lot more enjoyable), and because of that I never fully realised how great this whole series is.
I mean, you're learning about so much as you're reading, and not once did I ever find the parts about Roman culture boring. That takes some impressive skill, even if I already do have an interest in Ancient Roman culture.
And I love all the characters. The development of them throughout the book is incredible to watch; even with their flaws you can't help but love each and every one of them. Maybe it's because I'm now 18 reading this series, but I feel such a motherly love towards them all.
The only thing that really bothered me I guess was their ages - how can you expect three 11 year olds and one 9 year old to go running around unsupervised? Maybe things were different back in the day but seriously they're so young
I mean maybe okay in the beginning it was fine their mysteries were not nearly that bad but as you continued on throughout the series they just got more and more dangerous and all I could think was where are your parents? this is not safe or suitable for children
It's a great book and an even greater series. You can't help but fall in love with the characters and I feel like I am testament to the fact that they are such great books because I was first introduced to them when I was 9 or 10 and now all these years later at the age of 18 I still love them. Nothing has changed, and I hope it stays that way.
I mean, you're learning about so much as you're reading, and not once did I ever find the parts about Roman culture boring. That takes some impressive skill, even if I already do have an interest in Ancient Roman culture.
And I love all the characters. The development of them throughout the book is incredible to watch; even with their flaws you can't help but love each and every one of them. Maybe it's because I'm now 18 reading this series, but I feel such a motherly love towards them all.
The only thing that really bothered me I guess was their ages - how can you expect three 11 year olds and one 9 year old to go running around unsupervised? Maybe things were different back in the day but seriously they're so young
I mean maybe okay in the beginning it was fine their mysteries were not nearly that bad but as you continued on throughout the series they just got more and more dangerous and all I could think was where are your parents? this is not safe or suitable for children
It's a great book and an even greater series. You can't help but fall in love with the characters and I feel like I am testament to the fact that they are such great books because I was first introduced to them when I was 9 or 10 and now all these years later at the age of 18 I still love them. Nothing has changed, and I hope it stays that way.
September 23, 2011
Lawrence really seems to lose her inspiration in the last few books of this series. The first fourteen were really great, but the last ones take off on a weird tangent and kind of mess things up. However, I really did love most of the series, so I'm definitely willing to give her another try when her next book comes out.
July 25, 2011
I discovered this series when I was in Year 4, so about seven years ago, when I picked up a random book in the mini library in the corner of the classroom and decided to read it. I did manage to get through it, after 3 months - I was an incredible slow reader when I was younger. Anyway, the book I picked up was 5th in this hugely successful series, and it got me hooked.
I got my copy of this book a couple of years ago, knowing it was the last one in the series (17th) and haven't read it since, so when I reached into my cupboard to get a notebook the other day and discovered this, I decided to finish my Roman Mysteries era.
Synopsis: September AD 81. Returning from Ephesus to Rome, Flavia and her friends learn of the mysterious and sudden death of the Emperor Titus. Was his death natural? Or was it murder? As the four detectives investigate this mystery, they little dream how much their lives—as well as the future of Italia—will be changed as a result.
Review: By looking at the cover of this book above, you instantly think for younger readers. Much younger. One of those mock-ups of ancient historical times so they can learn that, yes, there were other periods of history before the Tudors or Victorians. However, before you judge, hear me out about this book. I admit, there are parts of the book which are more suited to younger children and the fact that I read this series when I was 8/9 and understood it, shows it maybe aimed at younger children. But I am 16 now and I really enjoyed this book, a lot.
It made just a lovely end to a great series and of me was one of the best of The Roman Mysteries. The Roman Mysteries are such a great series because of the way Caroline Lawrence takes you to the Roman times and lets you experience what it is like to live in that era, the pros and cons. There are such unique characters. The main characters of the stories is Flavia, a bossy but clever girl. She lives with Nubia, who she bought as a slave and freed in the first book. Then, there is Jonathan, her Jewish next door neighbour who sees the worse in everything. And lastly, there is Lupus, who used to be a beggar boy as he was mute after someone cut out his tongue. All these create a lovely set of cast that all have different personalities.
The great thing about this book was it was like a character revival. All the main, good characters from the last books came back at some point in this book, minor and major parts, such as Flaccus, Pulchra, Diana. to name a few. It was nice reunion actually, and helped me remember the events in the last books.
The language is quite simple compared to other books in this genre but it is densely backed with historical Roman mentions like food, treatments, names of places, old names for things - the list continues. As you read throughout the series, you learn some of the words meanings, and there are descriptions sometimes to help you understand what it is. However, the thing that helps the most is Aristo's Scroll at the back with meanings for the words. Aristo is the handsome, Greek tutor for the children in the book - he is one of my favourite characters in it and appears in nearly all of the books. The chapters normally end on some kind of cliffhanger or decision being made.
There were so many surprises and twists in the story in this one, more than the other books. It really keeps you on your toes and makes it much more exciting.
The story begins unusually for the Roman Mysteries with Flavia getting ready for her wedding, three years after the Roman Mysteries was set. However, this is kind of a flash forward and then the story begins when Flavia explains their last mystery. It ends by going back to the wedding where you find out who is it she is getting married to which I must say, all Roman Mysteries fans will approve of, I'm sure. The romance between her and the guy she marries is slightly cheesy in my opinion and may not have been said in those days but it fits. Nubia also gets married within the book at one of the most unexpected moments, I must say, although fans will approve of her husband too.
The mystery is nicely done where the reader always thinks they know, and then they are proven otherwise. There have only been a handful of times where I guessed the culprit before the characters did and in this book, that didn't happen at all. The only part that annoys me is that the mystery wrapped up too easily for me, but that may be just me.
The only downside to these books is Jonathan. I do not like him at all, he gets on my nerves a lot. In this book, I think I enjoyed it more because he wasn't in it until nearer the end and I preferred the conversation of the other three together more than him. This is probably just my opinion but for me, he's too negative and grumbly.
This is lovely historical book with lots of unique, exciting things to read about with some amazing characters that I have got to know over the last seven years, it is sad to see the end of the series, even with some loose ends still there, although I think I can guess the outcome. I hope they do crop up in other books like Lawrence says in the Author's Note. This is a great end to a great series of books and makes me love the fact I am doing Classical Civilisation in September even more - this book makes me want to revisit the old books in the series.
Verdict: A lovely end - but read the rest of the books first.
I give it a 5 out of 5
I got my copy of this book a couple of years ago, knowing it was the last one in the series (17th) and haven't read it since, so when I reached into my cupboard to get a notebook the other day and discovered this, I decided to finish my Roman Mysteries era.
Synopsis: September AD 81. Returning from Ephesus to Rome, Flavia and her friends learn of the mysterious and sudden death of the Emperor Titus. Was his death natural? Or was it murder? As the four detectives investigate this mystery, they little dream how much their lives—as well as the future of Italia—will be changed as a result.
Review: By looking at the cover of this book above, you instantly think for younger readers. Much younger. One of those mock-ups of ancient historical times so they can learn that, yes, there were other periods of history before the Tudors or Victorians. However, before you judge, hear me out about this book. I admit, there are parts of the book which are more suited to younger children and the fact that I read this series when I was 8/9 and understood it, shows it maybe aimed at younger children. But I am 16 now and I really enjoyed this book, a lot.
It made just a lovely end to a great series and of me was one of the best of The Roman Mysteries. The Roman Mysteries are such a great series because of the way Caroline Lawrence takes you to the Roman times and lets you experience what it is like to live in that era, the pros and cons. There are such unique characters. The main characters of the stories is Flavia, a bossy but clever girl. She lives with Nubia, who she bought as a slave and freed in the first book. Then, there is Jonathan, her Jewish next door neighbour who sees the worse in everything. And lastly, there is Lupus, who used to be a beggar boy as he was mute after someone cut out his tongue. All these create a lovely set of cast that all have different personalities.
The great thing about this book was it was like a character revival. All the main, good characters from the last books came back at some point in this book, minor and major parts, such as Flaccus, Pulchra, Diana. to name a few. It was nice reunion actually, and helped me remember the events in the last books.
The language is quite simple compared to other books in this genre but it is densely backed with historical Roman mentions like food, treatments, names of places, old names for things - the list continues. As you read throughout the series, you learn some of the words meanings, and there are descriptions sometimes to help you understand what it is. However, the thing that helps the most is Aristo's Scroll at the back with meanings for the words. Aristo is the handsome, Greek tutor for the children in the book - he is one of my favourite characters in it and appears in nearly all of the books. The chapters normally end on some kind of cliffhanger or decision being made.
There were so many surprises and twists in the story in this one, more than the other books. It really keeps you on your toes and makes it much more exciting.
The story begins unusually for the Roman Mysteries with Flavia getting ready for her wedding, three years after the Roman Mysteries was set. However, this is kind of a flash forward and then the story begins when Flavia explains their last mystery. It ends by going back to the wedding where you find out who is it she is getting married to which I must say, all Roman Mysteries fans will approve of, I'm sure. The romance between her and the guy she marries is slightly cheesy in my opinion and may not have been said in those days but it fits. Nubia also gets married within the book at one of the most unexpected moments, I must say, although fans will approve of her husband too.
The mystery is nicely done where the reader always thinks they know, and then they are proven otherwise. There have only been a handful of times where I guessed the culprit before the characters did and in this book, that didn't happen at all. The only part that annoys me is that the mystery wrapped up too easily for me, but that may be just me.
The only downside to these books is Jonathan. I do not like him at all, he gets on my nerves a lot. In this book, I think I enjoyed it more because he wasn't in it until nearer the end and I preferred the conversation of the other three together more than him. This is probably just my opinion but for me, he's too negative and grumbly.
This is lovely historical book with lots of unique, exciting things to read about with some amazing characters that I have got to know over the last seven years, it is sad to see the end of the series, even with some loose ends still there, although I think I can guess the outcome. I hope they do crop up in other books like Lawrence says in the Author's Note. This is a great end to a great series of books and makes me love the fact I am doing Classical Civilisation in September even more - this book makes me want to revisit the old books in the series.
Verdict: A lovely end - but read the rest of the books first.
I give it a 5 out of 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2024
Cover Blurb: The wolf on the cover doesn’t make much sense until you start reading the story itself. I like the color backdrop, but out of the many covers, it’s just not my favorite. No particular reason; it just isn’t.
What I Liked: As always, I love Nubia’s character, and I liked how twisty-turny the mystery was. At times, I exclaimed in dismay when something was “revealed” because it, at first, seemed like a lame explanation. But then it turned out that that isn’t what happened at all, and this worked rather well.
What I Disliked: The romantic mix-ups between Flaccus and Flavia are way, way, way, way, way overdone at this point. I always found their misunderstandings tedious, but it is downright aggravating in this installment.
Believability: Caroline Lawrence always does her research, and she tied in the actual facts of Titus’s death very well into this mystery. I don’t go for “maybe it happened this way; maybe it didn’t” endings for mysteries, but I was okay with it in this instance.
Writing Style: It’s the same quality as usual; the dialogue is generally good, though sometimes the Author uses the “character asks convenient question so Reader can understand what’s going on” ploy way too much. It’s a very movie-ish style, all in all, but it works well enough for the series.
Content: Nothing actually happens, but molestation in a sexual sense and rape are quite often mentioned.
Conclusion: For the ending of a 17-book series, it felt kind of cobbled together, unsatisfying, and downright depressing. Everyone’s lives are wrapped up and shoved away, and poor Jonathan’s family doesn’t even ever know happiness. As a mystery, it was pretty good.
Recommended Audience: Historical fiction and mystery fans. This is one of the girly reads out of the series, and though this is intended for a younger audience, some of the content would keep me from recommending it to them.
What I Liked: As always, I love Nubia’s character, and I liked how twisty-turny the mystery was. At times, I exclaimed in dismay when something was “revealed” because it, at first, seemed like a lame explanation. But then it turned out that that isn’t what happened at all, and this worked rather well.
What I Disliked: The romantic mix-ups between Flaccus and Flavia are way, way, way, way, way overdone at this point. I always found their misunderstandings tedious, but it is downright aggravating in this installment.
Believability: Caroline Lawrence always does her research, and she tied in the actual facts of Titus’s death very well into this mystery. I don’t go for “maybe it happened this way; maybe it didn’t” endings for mysteries, but I was okay with it in this instance.
Writing Style: It’s the same quality as usual; the dialogue is generally good, though sometimes the Author uses the “character asks convenient question so Reader can understand what’s going on” ploy way too much. It’s a very movie-ish style, all in all, but it works well enough for the series.
Content: Nothing actually happens, but molestation in a sexual sense and rape are quite often mentioned.
Conclusion: For the ending of a 17-book series, it felt kind of cobbled together, unsatisfying, and downright depressing. Everyone’s lives are wrapped up and shoved away, and poor Jonathan’s family doesn’t even ever know happiness. As a mystery, it was pretty good.
Recommended Audience: Historical fiction and mystery fans. This is one of the girly reads out of the series, and though this is intended for a younger audience, some of the content would keep me from recommending it to them.
January 28, 2019
I always meant to finish this series but never got around to it, even though this was my favourite series as a kid and I used to save my pocket money just to buy the next book. Turns out the last two books that I had left to read were published 10 years ago, where the hell did the time go.
November 27, 2022
I loved this book so much. I am really sad to have finished the series"The Roman Mysteries ".
March 30, 2017
Meh - I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it. Glad the series is now over. First several were very good, but the later books I dreaded having to listen to (if I had been reading aloud, I probably would have flat refused)
May 6, 2010
awesome
March 17, 2021
3.75/5 A disappointing ending to a great series.
Let me just preface that I read and adored the Roman Mysteries when I was 11-12 years old but I finished them so I finally came back to them for closure. I'd recommend this series to anyone of that age group but I wouldn't necessarily say older readers would enjoy it in the same way. That being said here's my review:
The Man From Pomegranate Street brings us back to the characters Flavia, Lupus & Nubia with the final member of the quartet making a later appearance in the book. They're given their final mystery to solve, who killed Emperor Titus? With his brother, the new emperor Domitian, presenting a looming threat over their heads as they attempt to solve the potential murder with a price on their heads for a crime they didn't commit.
I wouldn't say this was my favourite to read of the series, it missed a lot of the adventure of the earlier books and the addition of romance took away from the childish joy I used to have reading these. There are uncomfortable age gaps between both couples in this book and while I recognise they're realistic of the time, it feels wrong to get invested in them when I feel I've grown up with these kids. However, it still has the high level of historical accuracy that drew me to this series and the characters feel like old friends at this point. It's still a good book, just not as amazing as its predecessors.
Characters: 4.5/5
I don't feel much attachment to the main character Flavia still who always seemed a little too ego-centric for me but Lupus, Nubia and Jonathan still remain some of the most interesting characters I've found in middle-grade fiction. They're lovable and easy to get invested in.
Setting: 5/5
Ancient Rome and the little fishing port of Ostia feel like real places I should be able to visit at this point and that's all because of the book. Down to the very description of the living rooms, there's such a depth of historical accuracy here. At times it feels like a history book but in the best way possible, it's so easy to learn from this book with the history taking up a natural position in the background of the story.
Plot: 3/5
This is where The Man from Pomegranate Street's faults lie. While the plot is fast-paced and clearly planned out carefully, the twists are a little too predictable and it doesn't hold the same adventure feeling of the earlier books. It felt like it ended when it had only just begun while the other books seemed to have so much happen in their equally as few pages.
All in all, this series still holds up in its unmatched setting and characters but this final conclusion lacks the sense of adventure the earlier books hold. That being said, I'd recommend everyone try this series at some point no matter the age group. It's worth a read for the Ancient Roman history alone.
Representation Rating: 4/5.
There's a Jewish MC, a black MC and a mute MC. They're incredibly well-developed and don't fall into stereotypes.
Content Warnings:
Let me just preface that I read and adored the Roman Mysteries when I was 11-12 years old but I finished them so I finally came back to them for closure. I'd recommend this series to anyone of that age group but I wouldn't necessarily say older readers would enjoy it in the same way. That being said here's my review:
The Man From Pomegranate Street brings us back to the characters Flavia, Lupus & Nubia with the final member of the quartet making a later appearance in the book. They're given their final mystery to solve, who killed Emperor Titus? With his brother, the new emperor Domitian, presenting a looming threat over their heads as they attempt to solve the potential murder with a price on their heads for a crime they didn't commit.
I wouldn't say this was my favourite to read of the series, it missed a lot of the adventure of the earlier books and the addition of romance took away from the childish joy I used to have reading these. There are uncomfortable age gaps between both couples in this book and while I recognise they're realistic of the time, it feels wrong to get invested in them when I feel I've grown up with these kids. However, it still has the high level of historical accuracy that drew me to this series and the characters feel like old friends at this point. It's still a good book, just not as amazing as its predecessors.
Characters: 4.5/5
I don't feel much attachment to the main character Flavia still who always seemed a little too ego-centric for me but Lupus, Nubia and Jonathan still remain some of the most interesting characters I've found in middle-grade fiction. They're lovable and easy to get invested in.
Setting: 5/5
Ancient Rome and the little fishing port of Ostia feel like real places I should be able to visit at this point and that's all because of the book. Down to the very description of the living rooms, there's such a depth of historical accuracy here. At times it feels like a history book but in the best way possible, it's so easy to learn from this book with the history taking up a natural position in the background of the story.
Plot: 3/5
This is where The Man from Pomegranate Street's faults lie. While the plot is fast-paced and clearly planned out carefully, the twists are a little too predictable and it doesn't hold the same adventure feeling of the earlier books. It felt like it ended when it had only just begun while the other books seemed to have so much happen in their equally as few pages.
All in all, this series still holds up in its unmatched setting and characters but this final conclusion lacks the sense of adventure the earlier books hold. That being said, I'd recommend everyone try this series at some point no matter the age group. It's worth a read for the Ancient Roman history alone.
Representation Rating: 4/5.
There's a Jewish MC, a black MC and a mute MC. They're incredibly well-developed and don't fall into stereotypes.
Content Warnings:
November 10, 2022
And it’s done. I am finally at the end of the Roman Mysteries series and I’m actually a little sad about it. I absolutely devoured these books when I was younger so when I made the decision to read them again, I was a little worried that they wouldn’t live up to the memories that I had of them. And while I’ve definitely outgrown the writing style of these books, I can’t deny how much I have just enjoyed them and loved being back in this world.
I was also quite impressed to see exactly how far in to the series I had been the first time around, and how much of the individual stories I actually remembered which was quite a lot all things considered. But even the ones that I didn’t remember a lot of were compelling enough to keep me going.
This seemed like a really fitting end to the story. I loved the little flash forward that the story opened with and found it didn’t detract from the main story at all. And seeing all of the characters that we had met in previous books really felt like the correct send off for them.
I am also absolutely thrilled that Nubia and Aristo finally got their act together. 17 books later but who is counting?!
I was also quite impressed to see exactly how far in to the series I had been the first time around, and how much of the individual stories I actually remembered which was quite a lot all things considered. But even the ones that I didn’t remember a lot of were compelling enough to keep me going.
This seemed like a really fitting end to the story. I loved the little flash forward that the story opened with and found it didn’t detract from the main story at all. And seeing all of the characters that we had met in previous books really felt like the correct send off for them.
I am also absolutely thrilled that Nubia and Aristo finally got their act together. 17 books later but who is counting?!
July 27, 2019
Really bummed to come to the end of this wonderful series. Told as a flashback to the group’s final sleuthing adventure as Flavia is preparing for her wedding, we get to follow the friends as they risk all to clear themselves of a treason sentence and rescue Jonathan from Emperor Domitian’s torture cells. Much dashing about and wrong conclusions ensue until the truth wins out and various romantic entanglements are resolved. For all this is a “children’s book” there are fairly graphic scenes of torture and lascivious actions described. Lots of real historical bits and references to previous cases in the author’s Last Scroll which also encourages new readers to start at the beginning of the series.
Now that the young sleuths have gotten older- some are now married- I wish the author would consider writing an adult series of historical mysteries set in the world of the Roman Empire. Maybe a “spin-off” would be as engrossing as these juveniles have been.
Now that the young sleuths have gotten older- some are now married- I wish the author would consider writing an adult series of historical mysteries set in the world of the Roman Empire. Maybe a “spin-off” would be as engrossing as these juveniles have been.
August 26, 2024
Oof, I was ready for this series to be over. The several books hadn't caught my interest or impressed me as much as earlier installments in the series, and well, seventeen books is a long series. But I didn't expect to be so let down by the series finale. I know it wasn't written for me ... it was definitely written for twelve-year-old girls who like cute boys and dreaming of marrying them. But, like, we just didn't need to have everyone marry off at the end. It seems regressive in an otherwise fairly progressive series. I also never understood the Floppy/Flavia relationship arc; there's no reason he would be so taken with Flavia, it was already unbelievable and this last book took it too far. Also very convenient that they end up with a huge mansion to live with in together in exile ... and that most of them convert to Christianity. I dunno. I'm glad I read the series, but also very glad that it's over.
May 4, 2025
A cautionary tale about the dangers of jumping to conclusions and one of the only books that takes on the absurdity of children trying to plot against the emperor.
Ending with a second cautionary tale for pathologists about not opening the head at PM.
Wouldn't you like to live for ever in a beautiful garden, with no pain and tears?' asked Aristo.
'Actually, no, said Flaccus in his deep voice. 'I prefer city life.’
In the words of my boyfriend “what are you going to read now??” Goodbye Roman mysteries series, thank you for everything. Not convinced all 17 books were absolutely needed, but at least the first 7-8 are essential reading. Will I be continuing with the Roman Quests spin off series? Yes I will. Many thanks Libraries West.
Ending with a second cautionary tale for pathologists about not opening the head at PM.
Wouldn't you like to live for ever in a beautiful garden, with no pain and tears?' asked Aristo.
'Actually, no, said Flaccus in his deep voice. 'I prefer city life.’
In the words of my boyfriend “what are you going to read now??” Goodbye Roman mysteries series, thank you for everything. Not convinced all 17 books were absolutely needed, but at least the first 7-8 are essential reading. Will I be continuing with the Roman Quests spin off series? Yes I will. Many thanks Libraries West.
April 2, 2021
Ah, I'm so pleased with this ending! I was so worried after the last book that we'd have a rather insipid preachy affair but I stand corrected and this is a most satisfying denouement.
I loved the first few books of this series as an eleven-year-old, and I've found them equally engaging at twenty-nine, now I've had the opportunity to devour the whole series. If you love Mediterranean history, intrepid adventures, plenty of mild-to-moderate peril, and gorgeously written character development, I can't recommend this series enough!
I loved the first few books of this series as an eleven-year-old, and I've found them equally engaging at twenty-nine, now I've had the opportunity to devour the whole series. If you love Mediterranean history, intrepid adventures, plenty of mild-to-moderate peril, and gorgeously written character development, I can't recommend this series enough!
April 26, 2023
In some ways this was a fitting ending to the series. Flavia and Nubia were happy, and so was Lupus. But seriously, no happiness at all for Jonathan and his family? His father gone, his brother kidnapped and still lost, his sister dead, it just seems so weird to leave it like that. And Flavia giving up on her detective work, even though it wasn't her fault that everything went wrong? I didn't really enjoy the plot much, I wish for the last book the four had been together more instead of separated from Jonathan, and it just felt like a pretty depressing end to the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2021
kind of hate when children's books especially end with a wedding and it's like. and then she was just some guy's wife forever and didn't have any more adventures BUT at least at the very end Flavia takes on another mystery.
sucks that the series about the twins isn't happening! I'm looking forward to the Threptus books though.
sucks that the series about the twins isn't happening! I'm looking forward to the Threptus books though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2023
5 stars because this book and this series had me giddy, laughing, gasping, screaming and shocked the whole way through.
This was such a lovely and well rounded ending and made me feel so so good to read, and the series as a whole was just incredible and I am so happy I picked it up and committed to it. Fantastic.
This was such a lovely and well rounded ending and made me feel so so good to read, and the series as a whole was just incredible and I am so happy I picked it up and committed to it. Fantastic.
September 16, 2023
Alright, maybe 5 stars is pushing it a BIT - but having read all the 'Roman Mysteries' series it's a very satisfying read and concludes most of the character's plot lines in a way that satisfies and makes you smile. It's been a most enjoyable wander around the Roman world and I feel quite sad that it's come to an end.
March 22, 2019
Excellent end and makes me want more of this story
December 27, 2019
this is a children's book??? torture and violence as well as lascivious behavior...
May 4, 2021
i'm giving this four stars like the others for nostalgia reasons, but this book made me so fucking angry and i ranted for (i kid you not) over six hours after finishing it. what the hell was this!
March 8, 2023
One of my favourites of the series.
December 26, 2025
The end 😭 my second fav in this series recomend for beginner readers who like historical mysteries aka me a few years ago 😀
March 11, 2022
i’m so sad that the book series is over! i don’t want to give away any spoilers, but i absolutely loved this book!
March 11, 2011
Dieser letzte Band der "Roman Myteries" beginnt ungewöhnlich. Drei Jahre sind seit dem letzten Abenteuer vergangen und Falvia Gemina bereitet sich auf ihre Hochzeit vor!
Während dieser letzten Vorbereitungen erzählt sie den Anwesenden von ihrem letzten Abenteuer, das dazu führte, dass sie ihr Leben als Detektivin aufgab.
Das letzte Abenteuer beginnt an einem heißen Nachmittag in Ostia, am 13. September 81 nach Chistus.
Falvia fasst S. 186 recht gut zusammen, wie dieses Dilemma zustande kam, in dem sich die Kinder nun befinden:
"If only she had listened to her father that winter day half a year earlier. If only she had agreed to marry Floppy half a year earlier: If only she had agreed to marry Floppy when he first proposed. Of only she had never gone on the quest for Neros Eye, which had resulted in the edict against them, and had failed anyway. If only she had not fancied herself as a detectrix."
Flavia, Nubia und Lupus sind Jonathan gefolgt, der im vorherigen Band The Prophet from Ephesus (Roman Mysteries) nach Rom abgehauen ist, um etwas Schreckliches zu verhindern. Da auf sie immer noch ein Kopfgeld ausgesetzt ist, müssen sie als Sklaven verkleidet reisen. Sie wollen Kaiser Titus sprechen und ihre Unschuld beweisen. In Rom angekommen müssen sie jedoch mit schrecken feststellen, dass Titus einige Tage zuvor gestorben ist und dass sein Bruder Domitian zu seinem Nachfolger ernannt wurde. Als Domitian den Senat verlässt sehen die Kinder, dass er Neros Auge trägt und er erkennt die Kinder. Sie können gerade noch entkommen und beschließen, dass ihre einzige Möglichkeit darin besteht zu beweisen, dass Domitian seinen Bruder getötet hat. Sie verfolgen die letzten Stunden von Titus und finden tatsächlich Hinweise, dass jemand versucht hat ihn mit Gift zu töten, als Floppy sie mit der Nachricht überrascht, dass Domitian allen seinem Feinden eine Generalamnestie gewährt. Die einzige Bedingung: Sie müssen sich bis Sonnenuntergang in seiner Villa einfinden!
Die Kinder müssen in die Höhle des Löwen und ihren schlimmsten Feind konfrontieren, der Jonathan gefangen hält und foltert.
Der krönende Abschluss der Serie. Über dem ganzen Buch schwebt ein Hauch von Melancholie und Abschied, der durch viele Rückblicke noch verstärkt wird. Flavias Vater hat durch die Suche nach seiner Tochter sein Vermögen verloren und musste das Haus verkaufen. Ihr Onkel bleibt nach dem Schiffsuntergang immer noch verschollen und auch von Popo gibt es keine neue Spur.
Besonders schön ist der in eine mythologische Erzählung verpackte Heiratsantrag, den Aristo Nubia macht und wirklich spektakulär wie und wo sie ihn annimmt.
Während der Zeit, in der die Serie spielt, beobachtet man, wie die 4 Helden von Kindern zu jungen Erwachsenen werden und viel dazulernen. Sie wachsen einem ans Herz und irgendwie tut der Abschied weh. Da tut es gut, dass Falvia letztendlich doch noch erfährt, dass sie in ihrem letzten Abenteuer doch nicht so falsch lag wie sie dachte, und doch beschließt wieder Fälle zu lösen.
In einem Anhang erklärt Carolinie Lawrence letztendlich wer historische Personen waren und wen sie erfunden hat, so dass man noch ein wenig recherchieren kann, ehe man das Buch zur Seite legt.
In einem Ausblick erfahren wir dann doch noch wie es mit den Helden weitergeht.
Ich warte nun gespannt auf die neue Trilogie, die in Flavias, Lupus, Nubias und Jonathans Welt spielen soll und diese vielleicht auch in Nebenrollen auftreten lassen wird. Möglicherweise wird in dieser neuen Reihe geklärt was aus dem verschollenen Zwilling wurde.
Zeitraum der Geschichte:
13. - 17. September 81 nach Chistus
Während dieser letzten Vorbereitungen erzählt sie den Anwesenden von ihrem letzten Abenteuer, das dazu führte, dass sie ihr Leben als Detektivin aufgab.
Das letzte Abenteuer beginnt an einem heißen Nachmittag in Ostia, am 13. September 81 nach Chistus.
Falvia fasst S. 186 recht gut zusammen, wie dieses Dilemma zustande kam, in dem sich die Kinder nun befinden:
"If only she had listened to her father that winter day half a year earlier. If only she had agreed to marry Floppy half a year earlier: If only she had agreed to marry Floppy when he first proposed. Of only she had never gone on the quest for Neros Eye, which had resulted in the edict against them, and had failed anyway. If only she had not fancied herself as a detectrix."
Flavia, Nubia und Lupus sind Jonathan gefolgt, der im vorherigen Band The Prophet from Ephesus (Roman Mysteries) nach Rom abgehauen ist, um etwas Schreckliches zu verhindern. Da auf sie immer noch ein Kopfgeld ausgesetzt ist, müssen sie als Sklaven verkleidet reisen. Sie wollen Kaiser Titus sprechen und ihre Unschuld beweisen. In Rom angekommen müssen sie jedoch mit schrecken feststellen, dass Titus einige Tage zuvor gestorben ist und dass sein Bruder Domitian zu seinem Nachfolger ernannt wurde. Als Domitian den Senat verlässt sehen die Kinder, dass er Neros Auge trägt und er erkennt die Kinder. Sie können gerade noch entkommen und beschließen, dass ihre einzige Möglichkeit darin besteht zu beweisen, dass Domitian seinen Bruder getötet hat. Sie verfolgen die letzten Stunden von Titus und finden tatsächlich Hinweise, dass jemand versucht hat ihn mit Gift zu töten, als Floppy sie mit der Nachricht überrascht, dass Domitian allen seinem Feinden eine Generalamnestie gewährt. Die einzige Bedingung: Sie müssen sich bis Sonnenuntergang in seiner Villa einfinden!
Die Kinder müssen in die Höhle des Löwen und ihren schlimmsten Feind konfrontieren, der Jonathan gefangen hält und foltert.
Der krönende Abschluss der Serie. Über dem ganzen Buch schwebt ein Hauch von Melancholie und Abschied, der durch viele Rückblicke noch verstärkt wird. Flavias Vater hat durch die Suche nach seiner Tochter sein Vermögen verloren und musste das Haus verkaufen. Ihr Onkel bleibt nach dem Schiffsuntergang immer noch verschollen und auch von Popo gibt es keine neue Spur.
Besonders schön ist der in eine mythologische Erzählung verpackte Heiratsantrag, den Aristo Nubia macht und wirklich spektakulär wie und wo sie ihn annimmt.
Während der Zeit, in der die Serie spielt, beobachtet man, wie die 4 Helden von Kindern zu jungen Erwachsenen werden und viel dazulernen. Sie wachsen einem ans Herz und irgendwie tut der Abschied weh. Da tut es gut, dass Falvia letztendlich doch noch erfährt, dass sie in ihrem letzten Abenteuer doch nicht so falsch lag wie sie dachte, und doch beschließt wieder Fälle zu lösen.
In einem Anhang erklärt Carolinie Lawrence letztendlich wer historische Personen waren und wen sie erfunden hat, so dass man noch ein wenig recherchieren kann, ehe man das Buch zur Seite legt.
In einem Ausblick erfahren wir dann doch noch wie es mit den Helden weitergeht.
Ich warte nun gespannt auf die neue Trilogie, die in Flavias, Lupus, Nubias und Jonathans Welt spielen soll und diese vielleicht auch in Nebenrollen auftreten lassen wird. Möglicherweise wird in dieser neuen Reihe geklärt was aus dem verschollenen Zwilling wurde.
Zeitraum der Geschichte:
13. - 17. September 81 nach Chistus
Read
May 24, 2011I hated the last two books in the series. The first fourteen were some of the best I've ever read, but the last few weren't anywhere near as good. I think that the ending was rushed. It doesn't help it that the whole series takes place through about two years. Too much happened in the last book for it to make an impact on the reader and not sound like the author wrote herself into a corner, which I think she did. I thought that it was rather lame that pretty much everybody but Flavia became Christians by the last book, and that Flavia and Nubia both get married in the book, and that Domitian turns out to not be so evil. Gah... this is the worst of the series.
I am waiting for Lawrence to publish that YA trilogy about Philadelphius and Soter that she doesn't think should come out yet. If that series ever comes out, and it's any good, I'll forgive the bad ending. Until then, I'll only consider #1-14 the real books.
I am waiting for Lawrence to publish that YA trilogy about Philadelphius and Soter that she doesn't think should come out yet. If that series ever comes out, and it's any good, I'll forgive the bad ending. Until then, I'll only consider #1-14 the real books.
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