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The Roman Mysteries #6
The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina
Mystery and adventure for four young detectives in Ancient Roman times . . .
Flavia is suspicious of the new woman in her father's life, Cartilia Poplica. She's certain that Cartilia has an ulterior motive, but to find out the truth Flavia must perform twelve tasks - like the Greek hero Hercules.
So begins a thrilling journey, but what will Flavia learn at the end of her quest?
Flavia is suspicious of the new woman in her father's life, Cartilia Poplica. She's certain that Cartilia has an ulterior motive, but to find out the truth Flavia must perform twelve tasks - like the Greek hero Hercules.
So begins a thrilling journey, but what will Flavia learn at the end of her quest?
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
13 people are currently reading
423 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 66 reviews
August 14, 2021
This is by far the best book in the series yet! Written by the best author in the universe this book is outstanding, amazing, astonishing, exciting and magnificent all put together. It follows the adventures of four friends: Flavia, Johnathen, Nubia and Lupus! All of the books in the series contain a mystery and so this one does as well but as well as that it also contains quite a bit of romance! So if you are a mystery freak or a romance freak or a roman freak or a flavia freak or a nubia freak or a johnathen freak or a lupus freak or a roman mysteries freak or a caroline lawrence freak then read this book NOW!
September 13, 2020
I keep waiting for the day I get bored of this series, but it still hasn't come.
Flavia Gemina, what an iconic flawed hero. Such character development, such human nature.
Yet another sufficiently perplexing mystery to keep me on my toes, plenty of intriguing new characters, as well as our old favourites.
Made me wish I could go to the Roman baths with my friends on an afternoon to discuss mysteries.
Also, I love it when Flavia says "Oh Pollux", calling on one of her family gods with what is surely a sly nod to the word bollocks.
Flavia Gemina, what an iconic flawed hero. Such character development, such human nature.
Yet another sufficiently perplexing mystery to keep me on my toes, plenty of intriguing new characters, as well as our old favourites.
Made me wish I could go to the Roman baths with my friends on an afternoon to discuss mysteries.
Also, I love it when Flavia says "Oh Pollux", calling on one of her family gods with what is surely a sly nod to the word bollocks.
May 7, 2023
I did love the descriptions of Ostia at Saturnalia, and the new characters, and the exploration of Flavia's personal struggles.
March 26, 2023
Two intersecting aspects form this book; tracking down the escaped animals from a Roman circus, and the romance between Flavia's father, a widowed sea-captain, and a mature lady from a well-to-do family, a romance which Flavia dreads will end in marriage.
The time is the winter after the eruption of Vesuvius, during the heady Saturnalia festival, today's Christmas. That's a lot to compress into one slim adventure.
While the focus is on kids under twelve, who have reasonable freedom to run around the port of Ostia, some mature themes are introduced. Romance between adults including parents, kid crushes on adults including a rock-star type crush, divorce, death, epidemic fevers (perhaps malaria), marriage, parental control, and a young woman behaving outside the gender stereotype.
Everyone is shown as being flawed here, except the helpful Jewish doctor and his family. All the Romans are conniving, bossy, dismissive of the feelings of others. Flavia is a flawed heroine, because she is growing up, and these are her role models. Nubia, a freed slave, also has an unrequited love, but she demonstrates her bravery while capturing the animals. The other exception would be Lupus, a mute boy formerly poor, who is growing into his talents.
The twelve tasks are incidental except as pointers to where information may be found, because little has to be done in the way of stable sweeping. They serve to demonstrate how Ostia was filled with murals, statues, temples, references to mythology. And of course, they teach young readers about Hercules.
There are so many twists that a reader too young will just keep going to see what happens next, without fully appreciating the background. Adults and readers from twelve up will get a great deal from the work.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
The time is the winter after the eruption of Vesuvius, during the heady Saturnalia festival, today's Christmas. That's a lot to compress into one slim adventure.
While the focus is on kids under twelve, who have reasonable freedom to run around the port of Ostia, some mature themes are introduced. Romance between adults including parents, kid crushes on adults including a rock-star type crush, divorce, death, epidemic fevers (perhaps malaria), marriage, parental control, and a young woman behaving outside the gender stereotype.
Everyone is shown as being flawed here, except the helpful Jewish doctor and his family. All the Romans are conniving, bossy, dismissive of the feelings of others. Flavia is a flawed heroine, because she is growing up, and these are her role models. Nubia, a freed slave, also has an unrequited love, but she demonstrates her bravery while capturing the animals. The other exception would be Lupus, a mute boy formerly poor, who is growing into his talents.
The twelve tasks are incidental except as pointers to where information may be found, because little has to be done in the way of stable sweeping. They serve to demonstrate how Ostia was filled with murals, statues, temples, references to mythology. And of course, they teach young readers about Hercules.
There are so many twists that a reader too young will just keep going to see what happens next, without fully appreciating the background. Adults and readers from twelve up will get a great deal from the work.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
November 5, 2023
2023 52 Book Challenge - 45) First Word in the Book is the Word "The"
This isn't one of my favourites of the series, but it was nice to see a more personal aspect to the characters, and the expansion of Nubia, Aristo and Marcus's characters. While it mostly focuses on Flavia and her love, and her father's new relationship, it was nice to get more background information, like the various places that they visit, and the Saturnalia celebration that the book occurs during.
This isn't one of my favourites of the series, but it was nice to see a more personal aspect to the characters, and the expansion of Nubia, Aristo and Marcus's characters. While it mostly focuses on Flavia and her love, and her father's new relationship, it was nice to get more background information, like the various places that they visit, and the Saturnalia celebration that the book occurs during.
March 13, 2021
the ending of this book is genuinely evil. no wonder im an adult mess if i was reading things like this as an infant
August 1, 2012
Flavia is suspicious of a new woman her father's shown an interest in. She and her friends investigate, and help round up some animals who have escaped from a traveling circus. The twelve tasks are related to similar ones Hercules had to perform.
April 30, 2016
Probably my least favourite in this series ... I do love it though! I think I just find the mystery a bit less convincing. But I love the insight into Flavia and Nubia's characters, and Jonathan! I love him! I'm a bit less convinced by the Tarantula stuff, but hey-ho.
March 30, 2018
I really felt like Flavia was focused on way to much. ( Even though her name is in the title.)
May 16, 2024
Continuing my series of reviews on the entire Roman Mysteries series by children's author, Caroline Lawrence, I have finally, definitively read the first book I hadn't read before or knew anything about.
My goodness, how good it was too! For now, Lawrence's writing seems to be growing with confidence just as her child detective characters grow too. Each book seems to have a specific focus around one of the four children. This one looks at the lead character - Flavia Gemina. With Nubia, Jonathan and Lupus, there were certain mysteries about their past which previous books explored (although we still have a lot more to learn about Nubia, the slave girl Flavia rescued, I suspect). Flavia though, was a fairly well known constant.
What we get this time then is a combination of learning more about the girl and solving a mystery. We start with the very young Flavia being told by her father that she must marry and have children or she will be letting him down. Her father is a widower and has no other children. The bloodline dies if she doesn't marry and he thinks that should be soon. She's far too independent, running around solving mysteries, and it is time to settle down.
Flavia blames the woman who seems to have caught her father's eye, Cartilia Poplica, believing she has bewitched him. Flavia and her friends set out to find out the truth. Meanwhile, it is the festival of Saturnalia and Flavia has a dream tell her she has to carry out the twelve tasks of Hercules in order to find out the truth. But how can she do such things?
As we journey with these young friends to find the truth, we find out more about them and the tangled love affairs of all the supporting characters too. We're reaching a point where the books are no longer stand-alones and so we stop getting potted summaries of what might have been missed for new readers. Now Lawrence seems to be assuming anyone reading the sixth book in the series is already invested in the characters; and she's right to do so!
In previous reviews I've talked about my concern that the author was giving a less-than-subtle push for Christianity. By book V I was pretty much certain this is definitely the case. I then googled Lawrence (something I rarely do with authors before I've written my review so that I don't get swayed by biased views). Sure enough, it seems the author has embraced her Judeo-Christian roots and turned to at least some form of Jewish Christianness. So that seemed to be the final nail in the coffin then.
But in book VI there's no such push. If anything, there seems to be a delight in the pagan beliefs of the time. Gods are worshipped and admired and they seemingly give visions to our heroes along the way. I'm really rather delighted to see this and makes me much more accepting of any Christian references.
As always, there's misconceptions, false leads and deceptions that have taken place and the heroes - especially Flavia - have to unpick these and sometimes realise they've got things wrong and caused upsets. This is a common theme. Lawrence likes to make the point to young minds that sometimes we can get the wrong end of the stick.
It is no wonder that Lawrence won awards for making Roman history interesting. These are books for anyone young at heart (I think I'm now past the age where anyone could call me 'young man' any longer, so 'at heart' is all I have left) who loves anything to do with ancient Rome. I do find myself wondering if there is anyone who has written a similar series about ancient Egypt? I would read those happily!
For now, I have these books and that will have to do. It is certainly no hardship. Easy to read, fun while complex enough to leave you guessing about whatever 'mystery' Flavia has her sights on now, I'm enjoying every word, every single minute I spend reading. I'm not even halfway through the series yet - I do hope the high standard remains!
My goodness, how good it was too! For now, Lawrence's writing seems to be growing with confidence just as her child detective characters grow too. Each book seems to have a specific focus around one of the four children. This one looks at the lead character - Flavia Gemina. With Nubia, Jonathan and Lupus, there were certain mysteries about their past which previous books explored (although we still have a lot more to learn about Nubia, the slave girl Flavia rescued, I suspect). Flavia though, was a fairly well known constant.
What we get this time then is a combination of learning more about the girl and solving a mystery. We start with the very young Flavia being told by her father that she must marry and have children or she will be letting him down. Her father is a widower and has no other children. The bloodline dies if she doesn't marry and he thinks that should be soon. She's far too independent, running around solving mysteries, and it is time to settle down.
Flavia blames the woman who seems to have caught her father's eye, Cartilia Poplica, believing she has bewitched him. Flavia and her friends set out to find out the truth. Meanwhile, it is the festival of Saturnalia and Flavia has a dream tell her she has to carry out the twelve tasks of Hercules in order to find out the truth. But how can she do such things?
As we journey with these young friends to find the truth, we find out more about them and the tangled love affairs of all the supporting characters too. We're reaching a point where the books are no longer stand-alones and so we stop getting potted summaries of what might have been missed for new readers. Now Lawrence seems to be assuming anyone reading the sixth book in the series is already invested in the characters; and she's right to do so!
In previous reviews I've talked about my concern that the author was giving a less-than-subtle push for Christianity. By book V I was pretty much certain this is definitely the case. I then googled Lawrence (something I rarely do with authors before I've written my review so that I don't get swayed by biased views). Sure enough, it seems the author has embraced her Judeo-Christian roots and turned to at least some form of Jewish Christianness. So that seemed to be the final nail in the coffin then.
But in book VI there's no such push. If anything, there seems to be a delight in the pagan beliefs of the time. Gods are worshipped and admired and they seemingly give visions to our heroes along the way. I'm really rather delighted to see this and makes me much more accepting of any Christian references.
As always, there's misconceptions, false leads and deceptions that have taken place and the heroes - especially Flavia - have to unpick these and sometimes realise they've got things wrong and caused upsets. This is a common theme. Lawrence likes to make the point to young minds that sometimes we can get the wrong end of the stick.
It is no wonder that Lawrence won awards for making Roman history interesting. These are books for anyone young at heart (I think I'm now past the age where anyone could call me 'young man' any longer, so 'at heart' is all I have left) who loves anything to do with ancient Rome. I do find myself wondering if there is anyone who has written a similar series about ancient Egypt? I would read those happily!
For now, I have these books and that will have to do. It is certainly no hardship. Easy to read, fun while complex enough to leave you guessing about whatever 'mystery' Flavia has her sights on now, I'm enjoying every word, every single minute I spend reading. I'm not even halfway through the series yet - I do hope the high standard remains!
August 10, 2025
Flavia's father is the real witch in this book. He yells at Flavia for mentioning Felix, says she's too independent and cannot leave the house without his permission, decides that at 10 years old, it's high time he got her betrothed to someone (BARF), and takes zero minutes to ponder why it might be that his daughter is upset and having a hard time accepting the sudden appearance of a new woman in her father's life. Like, bro. You suck.
Not my favorite of the Roman Mysteries series. I'm bored by all the Cupidy, love potiony mystery themes, and Flavia's father just got me mad. But all that being said, Lawrence can certainly paint a scene. The first chapter, establishing the wintry Roman setting, is just gorgeous and cozy. Perfectly engages all the senses. The type of writing that makes this series so enchanting.
It's a good book, but compared to the rest of the series, the themes and topics aren't my favorite, and it doesn't focus on my favorite characters either. And the ones that are featured are kinda jerks. Don't get me started on Aristo, for example. And even Flavia is a bit extra mean (understandably, though, I think).
I still enjoyed it, but when I'm looking for a re-read, it's not going to be the first one in the series I reach for.
Not my favorite of the Roman Mysteries series. I'm bored by all the Cupidy, love potiony mystery themes, and Flavia's father just got me mad. But all that being said, Lawrence can certainly paint a scene. The first chapter, establishing the wintry Roman setting, is just gorgeous and cozy. Perfectly engages all the senses. The type of writing that makes this series so enchanting.
It's a good book, but compared to the rest of the series, the themes and topics aren't my favorite, and it doesn't focus on my favorite characters either. And the ones that are featured are kinda jerks. Don't get me started on Aristo, for example. And even Flavia is a bit extra mean (understandably, though, I think).
I still enjoyed it, but when I'm looking for a re-read, it's not going to be the first one in the series I reach for.
April 26, 2019
like this book because it is very emotional. I am now starting to have a more human view on Captain Flavius Marcus Geminus. He must be very traumatized because he has lost almost all his money and is starting to rebuild his fortune. I hope that his fortune will accelerate once he has the Vespa up and going. I am starting to feel very sad for these characters, unlike the modern day, there is no advanced medical research happening for stopping aging. In this time period, everyone will eventually have their end and demise. I hope that they will live a full life after this and Flavia’s family and Lupus can rebuild their wealth using the Vespa. I hope the best for these young children and wish them a happy stay in the living world. I think that Flavia has grown a lot from this book she has escaped the tarantula’s bite of passion and has rid herself from the shackles of love. Caroline Lawrence does a wonderful job in displaying the setting of the play and it seems that she has done her research very well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2023
Oh my god immediately I was worried about how this book will go. Flavia being old enough to be betrothed makes me so uneasy because, though she is absolutely brilliant, she is still very much a child. And she kept consistently mentioning how much older and more mature Miriam is, but Miriam is only 14 while Flavia is literally 10, so I can't even imagine the mindset she would have as a younger child being told she's about to be betrothed to someone.
Random death has become so common now, my god. It's still a bit shocking how often someone we know dies. I mean, I guess it's true to the times that many more people would die more often from a variety of things, but jeez.
I love the Tarantula dance; I think it's such a lovely belief and a nice moment for the characters and the women of Ostia to do together.
Random death has become so common now, my god. It's still a bit shocking how often someone we know dies. I mean, I guess it's true to the times that many more people would die more often from a variety of things, but jeez.
I love the Tarantula dance; I think it's such a lovely belief and a nice moment for the characters and the women of Ostia to do together.
October 19, 2022
I had definitely forgotten what happens in this book, well I remembered little fragments but I didn’t think that they came from this book. So I actually feel like I enjoyed this one more than some of the others just purely because it actually felt like I was reading it for the first time.
Seeing Gaius and Miriam married and then the different conversations around marriage and betrothals is quite interesting because I’d never really though about the fact that young girls would be getting betrothed at such a young age like this. And I keep forgetting how old Miriam is supposed to be in these books because I always picture her as older than she is.
But if I remember correctly then this is the point where the books take a slightly darker turn so I’m intrigued to see what comes next.
Seeing Gaius and Miriam married and then the different conversations around marriage and betrothals is quite interesting because I’d never really though about the fact that young girls would be getting betrothed at such a young age like this. And I keep forgetting how old Miriam is supposed to be in these books because I always picture her as older than she is.
But if I remember correctly then this is the point where the books take a slightly darker turn so I’m intrigued to see what comes next.
May 28, 2017
I've read others' reviews and how many were disappointed because it was focused mainly on Flavia........buy the title of the book pretty much covers that. She IS the main character and how this whole series started....she deserves a book mostly focused on her life (as much as the other books focused on other characters).
I loved this book, but also saddened at the ending. I am off to start the next book in the series.....I can't put them down!!
I loved this book, but also saddened at the ending. I am off to start the next book in the series.....I can't put them down!!
September 25, 2017
This was an ok book - but as it was for much younger readers, the story lacked depth which decreased my enjoyment. (My fault for choosing to read a book aimed at people much younger than myself).
The characters were well-written and quite appealing in many ways, but the plot moved very slowly. The ending was sad and didn't really add much to the story. However, I am sure it will appeal to younger readers.
The characters were well-written and quite appealing in many ways, but the plot moved very slowly. The ending was sad and didn't really add much to the story. However, I am sure it will appeal to younger readers.
December 8, 2025
Este es de los más flojitos de la colección. El misterio es un poco forzado; de hecho, apenas hay misterio; y los sucesos del libro quedan un poco desordenados. Es interesante para aprender un poco sobre las saturnales, pero no me parece que aporte mucho al conjunto de la colección. No recuerdo leerlo mucho de pequeña y me costará un poco volverlo a coger más adelante, aunque se lee rápido. No está mal para no perderse absolutamente nada de la serie, pero no es de mis favoritos.
April 12, 2021
Another rather enjoyable read, this time inspired by the twelve tasks of Hercules, following Flavia as she uncovers the truth about the new woman in her father's life. Though I find Flavia to be one of the less interesting characters and the mystery was rather lack-lustre, particularly in relation to the Aristo storyline, the Saturnalia element was really fascinating.
February 3, 2023
These are so well written and researched that I love them despite the fact that they are middle grade books. The fact that my oldest daughter likes them too is an added bonus. At first I didn’t think I would like this one much but there was great character growth in the end! I recommend the series!
February 4, 2023
In book 6 of the Roman Mysteries series, Flavia Gemina and her friends are trying to solve a mystery around Saturnalia - a mystery which strangely seems to have clues based around the Twelve Labors of Hercules. Flavia's father wants her to settle down and possibly get married, and is involved himself with a new woman, who seems very suspicious to Flavia . . .
January 25, 2024
This book was awesome! Written beautifully by Caroline Lawrence, this book explores life in the Roman Era. Following Flavia and hers friends’ mysteries was a truly remarkable experience and I recommend this book for all ☺️
August 1, 2024
4.75⭐️: This was my new favourite! I don't think I've read this one before but I know the story and really enjoy it. I loved seeing more of the other characters' opinions and thoughts. This one made me a little emotional!
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March 26, 2017i love these series and i have nearly read all of them!!! i am so excited. but the thing is that i am not raeding them in order.
July 24, 2019
A childhood favourite, re-read for the first time in 12 years :)
December 10, 2020
Saturnalia with a fever epidemic subplot so. unfortunately timely.
December 11, 2020
The excitement and thrill dragged me in like a magnet
February 2, 2022
My favorite in the series! Very sad ending, though.
February 2, 2022
I remember loving Flavia so much
January 18, 2023
This is one of the books in this series that has stuck with me all these years. Reading it again was so lovely. I forgot how sad the ending is though!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews