Nemesis

Marcus Didius Falco #20

by Lindsey Davis

  Nemesis is the twentieth book in Lindsey Davis' bestselling Falco series.

In the high summer of 77AD, Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco is beset by personal problems. Newly bereaved and facing unexpected upheavals in his life, it is a relief for him to consider someone else's misfortunes. A middle-aged couple who supplied statues to his father, Geminus, have disappeared in mysterious circumstances. They had an old feud with a bunch of notorious freedmen, the Claudii, who live rough in the pestilential Pontine Marshes, terrorising the neighbourhood.

When a mutilated corpse turns up near Rome, Falco and his vigiles friend Petronius investigate, even though it means travelling in the dread marshes. But just as they are making progress, the Chief Spy, Anacrites, snatches their case away from them. As his rivalry with Falco escalates, he makes false overtures of friendship, but fails to cover up the fact that the violent Claudii have acquired corrupt protection at the highest level. Making further enquiries after they have been warned off can only be dangerous -- but when did that stop Falco and Petronius?

Egged on by the slippery bureaucrats who hate Anacrites, the dogged friends dig deeper while a psychotic killer keeps taking more victims, and the shocking truth creeps closer and closer to home.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Crime, Historical Mystery, Audiobook

286 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

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

[Julie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a book is good when it finishes and you wish it wasn't done. When you feel sad that is over. When you need time when it done and can't read a new book right away because you are still too emotionally attached to it.

I've read the Falco series since the beginning, so I've been with these characters through many, many books. I love how she develops both great mystery plots and great character plots. To see where the characters have come until now...there's a deep connection. I found this book very poignant that way, to see the turn some of the characters have taken. I got quite emotionally involved and didn't want it to end.

Also, it is just so enjoyable. Falco's perspective on Roman life is witty and lively and it all is vivid, funny, sad--and also so close to home, in that it may be Ancient Rome, but, really, they are very much like us. I always love the connections she makes between 'then and now'. The characters are fantastic! Very real people. The mysteries are also excellent...clever, engaging. Brilliant!

This is one of the best historical, comedic mystery series EVER. A pure pleasure and I highly recommend any Lindsey Davis book. 5 stars each, the lot of them.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2014, and its the final fantastic episode of the Marcus Didius Falco series.

Its high Summer in AD 77, Falco is beset by personal problems.

Newly bereaved and facing unexpected upheavals in his life, he feels content when he can start to investigate someone else's problems.

It all starts when a middle-aged couple, who supplied statues to Falco's father, Geminus, disappears after an old feud with the Claudii.

When a corpse turns up in the Pontine Marshes, Falco and his best Vigiles friend, Petronius, start too investigate. even travelling in the dread marshes.

But when they are making progress the case is taken from them but the despicable Imperial Chief Spy, Anacrites, which will make Falco furious and the situation will certainly escalate.

Even more so when Anancrites is trying to befriend Falco, but forgetting to mention that the Claudii have obtained corrupt protection from the highest level.

Although being warned off from on high they will dig deeper, also egged on by slippery bureaucrats who hate Anacrites, and they will get to the bottom of this case.

By getting closer all the time they will note that the killings and the shocking truth are closer to home than they think, so that they have to take a resolute action to stop Falco's deadly Nemesis once and for all, and all that will be done in the one and only appropriate and justifiable way possible, for Falco and Petronius.

Highly recommended, for this is a most awesome way to finish this amazing wonderful series, and that's why I like to call this last episode: "A Fabulous Falco's Famous Final Scene"!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Falco books. I like his anti-noir and his realistic grit. I like the pithy style and the sense of humour. I like Helena, and all the ways in which Marcus is extremely human. I like the darkness that comes along with the seedy underside and being this close to it. In all of this I am well-served once again by this book, the twentieth (and last?) in the series.

I have a problem, though, and that's that I have never quite bought into Anacrites as the villain of the piece. I don't like it as a narrative choice (too easy when Marcus could have had to just plain be wrong about disliking him) and I don't like it given that he is a servant of the Emperor (which Marcus dislikes) and a freedman (which Marcus has attitude about) and thus he is delivered as constantly slightly off, when Marcus has been displayed as a slanted and occasionally unreliable narrator. I resisted believing it was true (that Anacrites was off) for all those reasons for a very long time, and for longer still because it just became habit. So I was never going to be satisfied with the way things end up in this book.

Further adventures about Albia would be awesome, though. It would be awesome to get a different viewpoint - a woman's, and a foreigner's - on Rome.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better installments of the Falco series, to my mind (and they're all good.) I found the portrayals of Falco's and Helena's grief over their baby's loss resonant and true. I'm not surprised that this was written while the author was grieving, but I'm amazed how much of that particular to losing a CHILD was so masterfully portrayed by someone who hasn't done it. The plot was one of the darker ones she's written, and brought out a side of Falco and Petro that we don't see as much of in the later books (though it's hinted darkly at more in the earlier books, and to some extent while Petro was off self-destructing after his mob-moll affair.) Overall, a fitting addition to the series and another demonstration of Davis' mastery of writing human characters as well as good mystery plots.

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

All good things come to an end ahhh but what an end. An enemy Falco has had from the beginning (he's tried and failed to have Falco killed more than once) must finally be dealt with and it's not going to be easy. Falco is not even looking for a case when he stumbles into a situation he can't ignore, and that's before he's not ordered off. But it won't be an easy matter to get to the bottom of a series of murders, the killers are known, they do not try to hide. But the path to justice is blocked. Falco , Petro and the rest of the gang must find ways to carry on investigating while appearing to have given up. The thing I enjoy most about these books is the ending you think you have it all worked out but Falco always throws you a twist you never see coming. I always knew the series would end (all good things do) but in a way I'm glad it ended here. Falco made an enemy of Dominitan, Vespasian's second son in the first book and he will end up emperor in the year 82 and this book is set in the year 77. Falco's only hope of surviving Dominitans rule would be to change his name and run with his family as far from Rome as he can get (in my opinion) so maybe best to end here when everything is looking positive in his life. I still want more though so I'll give it a week or so then start the Flavia Albia series. She's is Falco's adopted daughter and also wants to work as an informer..........................

[Assaph Mehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The grand finale to the series, tying up loose ends

Expect a darker than usual Falco novel, as he deals with ancient Rome's version of rednecks and his constant arch-nemesis. This is the last Falco mystery, and Davis was aiming to bring a closure to the series. While most things have been dealt with in a way that can bring satisfaction to the reader, the ending can be a tad frustrating.

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 [[ASIN:B015TXPPG6 Murder In Absentia: Togas, Daggers, and Magic]] - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nemesis is the 20th and final novel featuring Marcus Didius Falco, a private investigator during the reign of Vespasian during the Roman Empire. Falco has inherited a fortune from his estranged father but continues his vocation as an informer (as private investigators are called in Roman times). In Nemesis, Falco and his best friend, Petro, a Roman Vigiles, are on the case of a serial killer (or killers). Falco’s nemesis, Anacrites the Chief Spy of the Roman Empire, impedes the investigation. Falco and Petro solve the case and learn the reason Anacrities has interfered. The one negative about this novel, as well as the others in this series, is the number of characters with difficult-to-pronounce names (although Davis lists the characters in the introductory pages, she identifies their roles in a “tongue in cheek” manner.) This negative is not enough to cost a star. This is another “can’t put” novel by Davis. I read this book when it was first released in 2009, but it is well worth a second read.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Davis' darkest books, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The strong investment Davis convinces us to place in her characters - in particular the marriage of Helena Justina and Falco - comes in part because they don't have fantasy or fairytale lives. The tragedies that mix in with their triumphs are part of the reason we root for them, and makes their attempts to build a loving, ethical family core more valuable. The ethics as well as the love at that core are sorely tested in this book, and Davis avoids giving her protagonists easy 21st Century morals as a way to resolve it.

There is a lot of Anacrites in this book, that unusual thing of a character Davis never made work properly. She almost succeeds here - turning the characters inconsistent to silly behaviour into a plot point - but still falls down on making him come to life. The gravitas of the rest, however, makes this less irritating than in other books.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last Falco novel, Nemesis, exists entirely to wrap up loose ends and set up for the spinoff series about Albia. Definitely not one to read as a stand alone it was much darker than the rest of the series and was missing a lot of the fun and intrigue that I enjoyed in the previous novels. Almost boring if it wasn't so grim, the entire plot centres around Anacrites, who has until now only been a Guest Appearance character.

If you haven't read the previous 19 you could probably survive not reading this one. Nevertheless it's satisfying to complete the set and 20 is an admirable number

[Simon Binning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, here we are; the end of the series; the last book. I have followed Marcus Didius Falco through nineteen adventures, and this is the final one. Different authors choose different ways to end a long running series, and I wondered how Lindsey Davis would choose to end hers.
The story starts with a bit of a shock, which causes even more issues than normal in his rather dysfunctional family. So it comes as a bit of relief to be asked to investigate the disappearance of a couple who supplied statues to Geminus, his father. There are even some obvious suspects; the Claudii, a notorious family who inhabit the Pontine Marshes, and seem almost untouchable.
Petronius, Falco's old friend, then has to deal with a mutilated corpse, and a possible connection means that the two pool their knowledge. However, just as they get going, they are taken off the case by their old enemy, Anacrites. Unhappy at being replaced, they continue their investigations in secret.
It soon becomes clear that the Claudii have protection in high places. Encouraged by Anacrites' rivals at the palace, they pursue the truth, but things become increasingly dangerous, and not only for Falco and Petronius, but their families as well.
I won't give any more of the plot away, as it is as complex as usual, but it is a real thriller to end the series. Add in the arrival - yet again - of Thallia, with something of a bombshell, and the scene is set for a final confrontation with Anacrites.
I will confess that I haven't always been keen on the Chief Spy as a character. He was something of an all-purpose 'rent-a-villain'. Sometimes an all-powerful government official, sometimes a bit of a wet blanket. Here, he plays a crucial role, and we learn a lot more about him, and see both his subtle and less subtle sides.
Indeed the whole family play a part in this ending volume. Hard decisions need to made on a variety of things, and everyone finally pulls together. Helena is her usual measured, supportive self, and Albia finally becomes more than one of the children, playing an important part. (Clearly preparing for the future!)
The end of a much-loved series is always difficult, for both the author and the reader. I think Lindsey Davis has achieved a good balance. A lot happens in this book, much of it quite serious, so the humour is a little less prominent than usual. But this is understandable, given that it is the last time we will follow the lives and adventures of Falco and his family.
I'd like to say a huge thank you to Lindsey Davis for the pleasure of accompanying her creation through twenty books. But at least I can now start on the Flavia Albia series, and see if it keeps up the same level of interest and enjoyment. If you haven't read any of the Falco books, I strongly advise you to start at the beginning; you won't regret it.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh wow and how! Davis really packs it into this book. The teaser blurbs make the book seem more depressing that it really is. Not quite a spoiler--but for those who were worried, as I was--Helena is okay. Nope-Davis does not kill off Helena. But several other people bite the dust during this one and that doesn't include the numerous crime victims.

This book actually reads like the end of the series. A goodly number of long-running story arcs are wrapped up. If it all ends with this one, I will be satisfied.
On the other hand--with the boards cleared, Davis is free to send Falco and Co off on other adventures. She has another couple of historical years to play with. (When Vespasian's second son, Domitian, becomes Emperor in 81 AD, he decides to wipe out the informers-fatally!in the arena! Not the fate we want for Falco!!)
Anyway you look at it, this is one of the stronger entries in this long-running series. And the ending is a real corker!

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Marcus Didius Falco historical mystery novel set in first century AD Rome. It opens in AD 77 Rome with Falco dealing with he and his wife Helena dealing with the deaths of their new born son and Falco's father. He has to deal with both while assuming control of his father's business and various homes, etc. which significantly increases his financial status. As an informer, Roman private investigator, he becomes involved in a series of deaths seemingly connected to a family known for violence living in the marsh area south of Rome. The family has a high up Roman protector. As usual, Falco has difficulties with the emperor's chief spy who doesn't like him. As usual for this series, the story moves along on several levels all working together to produce a good story and a good mystery with humor.

[Stan Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the better books in this series. Marcus Didius Falco is an informer (detective) in Rome of 77AD. These Lindsey Davis books are meticulously researched and her tone is so readable that it is dangerous to pick one up late at night if you need to get up early the next day. I would not say that it is easy to begin this series in the middle. I would recommend reading "Silver Pigs" first, and there are many others before this book. The series begins in 69AD just after Vespasian has become Emperor after the year of the four emperors (Vespasian is the fourth). Marcus Didius Falco's social status is very low on the totem pole, but that is about to change.
Here is her website; http://www.lindseydavis.co.uk/#
The site is rather slow due to the Java.

[Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this early novel in the Falco series as it filled in some of the gap about his adopted Celtic-Britannic daughter Flavia & his early marriage days in 1st century Rome; the storyline itself was compelling with all the usual finely-tuned details of day-to-day life in Rome, including the life of slaves, as well as believable scenarios that include some of the Italian peninsula--all that one comes to expect from this author. The plot has a sudden & slightly surprising ending but does leave you wondering quite if the Emperor (Tiberius) would approve of his action (no spoilers here). Will watch the library shelves for any others that I haven't read in this series, all so intriguing!

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

wtf was that ending

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was it - the last book in the Falco series. A series that I read and loved, not so much for the mysteries, but for the characters, I'm going to miss Falco, Helena and their family and friends. Yes, I know I could read the Flavia Albia books but it's just not the same.

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve finally done it - I finally finished this series. It’s one of my favorite historical crime series - I love, or love to hate - all the regular characters. And speaking of hating, that ending. WOW. Although I suspected the outcome, I didn’t suspect the slickness of the denouement.

I’m ready to leave this time period for now. It’s gritty and brutal, and I’m ready for something a little more modern. I’ll probably catch up with one or more of the Victorian-era series that I enjoy. But at some point, I’ll read Flavia Albia’s books.

[Paul Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading the Marcus Falco series for many years now. They are always entertaining especially if you enjoy books set in ancient Rome days. These books are very similar but normally keeps you interested. This one was a good one, not the best but worth reading

[Luis Rodríguez Álvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pues ya está. Después de cinco años de espera (esto que lo vas dejando, lo vas dejando y cuando te quieres dar cuenta, han pasado cinco años), por fin me he terminado el último libro de la saga de Falco. Y la verdad es que ha valido la pena. Una aventura que me ha desconcertado, con un Falco sometido a grandes cambios en su familia y con un evidente sabor a despedida. Además, leyéndolo me he dado cuenta de que el hecho de haber leído la saga de Falco tan joven ha hecho que tal vez no haya podido disfrutarlo todo lo que podía. Tal vez deba encontrar un momento para volver a empezar toda esta maravillosa saga desde cero

[The Library Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023:
This is not a just-read-this review. I read it when it came out, have read it a number of time since, and just listened to it again as a recorded book

This is sadly the last in Davis's magnificent, marvelous Falco books, but she ends it with panache.
Things that have been building throughout the saga culminate here There is tragedy and joy, new beginnings and a final showdown with an old enemy. It ends with the action ending, as it began in The Silver Pigs, with a confrontation in Nap Lane and a new informer on the balcony in Fountain Court. And it's not a spoiler to note that that investigator is Flavia Albia, Falco's adopted daughter, because Davis has now brought us a whole new series with this new generation of the Falco family.

[Kasia James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the twentieth novel of this series, and somehow Lindsey Davis manages to keep producing engrossing books! The Roman world is brought to life so vibrantly, and yet with a light hand, so the reader doesn't feel like they are being lectured. The plot is complex, and the characters,as ever, are eminently beleivable.
There are some quite dark part of this book, which gives a new slant on the lead character, Falco. My only real criticism is that the death of his son, which starts off the story, is not really discussed, nor its effect on Helena, his wife, other than to say she was a it low. Perhaps this is how things were in a highly patriarchal society with a high infant mortaility rate, but found the description in one of the earlier books, of the effects of a miscarriage, much more beleivable. Maybe Marcus Didius Falco is just getting harder in his middle years...

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a little hard to rate this one. I like this series quite a bit, and the character development over time is superb. Marcus and Helena's relationship in this book continues to develop, and here they are dealing with the loss of a child. We also see Albia growing and becoming more independent--in fact, I hope Albia continues to become a prominent character.

But parts of this plot seemed too contrived. A bit too much blaming of mothers, and a direction for Anacrites that doesn't quite hold up.

[Shelley Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoy this series, especially its historical authenticity, the character of Falco irritates me. There are mature, moving bits in the stories, such as Falco's love for Helen, but on the whole he's portrayed as a man with an infantile sense of humor.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The anachronisms bothered me- like saying that the insects carried diseases. They didn't know that in Roman times. Made me wonder what else is historically inaccurate. Otherwise good book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the Marcus books have been absolutely fabulous I have thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of ancient Rome. I have loved the adventures in the countryside and in the early areas of the Roman empire in the first century A.D.. Vacation sites for ancient people were explored, other large cities like Alexandria was very exciting to explore in a previous book, and holidays culture food and way of living was such a pleasure to read in these books. This book is the end of the Falco series and I am very sad. I’ve already read eight of the Flavia alba stories and will finish the last and then look for more Roman reading in my future in ancient historical fiction as well! These books are a well worth read not a moment of your time is wasted and I thoroughly recommend every single book by this author to everyone who has an interest in ancient times.

[Louisa Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark! Much more so than you would perhaps expect but very satisfyingly so. Falco has a dual tragedy at the start and there is - well - a tragic end in many ways as many threads resolve themselves for the end of the series… cuing up the next series where Albia takes the lead.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I listened to the audiobook of this title and are sad that this is the last of the Didius Falco stories with him as the lead. It was very well done, however, and I applaud Ms. Davis for the story and how it tucked in a lot of threads that had been ongoing throughout the series. We are looking forward to the next set with Flavia in the lead.

[Penny Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably not a good idea to start with the last book of the series 😕
The second half was much better than the first as the story then got going. I got annoyed with the characters having multiple names - I should have guessed this would be complicated when a list of Principal Characters is the first thing in the book.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love fiction set in ancient Rome and when it is a mystery, my favorite genre, so much the better. The Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis is one of my favorites of the type. I've read them all and now I've read this latest one.

I have to say it was not my favorite of the lot, but it was very good, very entertaining and kept me guessing, although I did have a glimmer of the solution about two-thirds of the way through.

The book starts with a double tragedy. Falco loses two family members in one day and the losses change his life forever. While he is working through his bereavement, he is presented with the mystery of the disappearance of a couple who had been supplying his antique dealer and auctioneer father with statuary. A shipment was delivered but when payment was attempted the suppliers could not be found. Soon Falco is on the trail of the disappeared pair and that leads him into confrontation with a notorious and violent family. A family which may very well be involved in mass murder.

Falco's vigiles friend, Petronius, becomes involved when a murdered and desecrated body is found. The body turns out to be the man who was supplying the statuary, but as Petronius and Falco investigate this turn of events, the case is abruptly stolen from their juridiction by their old nemesis Anacrites. Of course, when did that ever stop this doughty and stubborn pair?

The case gets curiouser and curiouser and Falco's extended family becomes involved in its pursuit. But the faithful Lindsey Davis reader can be assured that all will come right for our heroes in the end.

Davis really has the knack of putting her readers right in the middle of ancient Rome. One can almost smell the streets as one strolls through one of her stories. I like the historical detail and the way that she has of showing that the ancient Romans were really no different from us. Some have complained that she sometimes puts modern terms in the mouths of her characters (e.g., "Have they lawyered up?") but that doesn't bother me. I just assume that this is a modern translation of Falco's memoirs.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm generally restricted to audiobooks and readalouds for Dad these days because of my commitment to Kirkus, I managed to get a whole month ahead on my Kirkus books, so I carved out some time to read one of my books. It has been more than a year and a half since my last foray into ancient Rome with Marcus Didius Falco, so naturally, this was the first on my list.

This is certainly the darkest Falco book since Two for the Lions, in fact, the darkest in the series. It begins with a double tragedy for the Falco family, then the pursuit of a serial killer and renewed danger from the slimy, jealous, smart and dangerous Imperial Chief Spy, Anacrites. Falco and Petro do some seriously dirty deeds as the book progresses, far beyond their usual rough, tough game.

Yes, there's still the wisecracking cynicism that we all know and love from Falco, but it doesn't gloss over the dark dealings in this book. This series normally is a good balance between comedy, history and detective mystery, but this time it's far more drama than anything else.

Charts new territory for Falco. I have to say that because of the different balance in the book I didn't enjoy this one as much because it's so much less lighthearted than the usual Falco read, but it was just as unputdownable.

One wonders where Davis is heading.