Questions About The Silver Pigs (Marcus Didius Falco, #1)

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Answered Questions (3)

Is this a pretty typical book for the series (it's #1) or do they get better? I ask since, so far, I haven't liked this one.

Ian Cooper Book one is a bit tough to get through. Book 2 is better, book 3 is even better, and by book 4, Lindsey Davis's writing is fully mature. Writers new t…moreBook one is a bit tough to get through. Book 2 is better, book 3 is even better, and by book 4, Lindsey Davis's writing is fully mature. Writers new to her books may want to start with her (much later) Flavia Albia books and come back to Falco when they're sure they like her writing style.(less)

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I'm not sure if I'll like this series, but I want to check it out. Fans of these books, should I try this one, or is there a different book that better showcases what's good about these? Don't worry, if I like it, I'll start at the beginning and read them all, but I'm open to starting elsewhere if it'll pique my interest more. I've found that the first book in some series can be a turn-off for newcomers. Thanks!

Ian Cooper In my opinion, if you want to get a good start with Falco, start with book 4 in the series: The Iron Hand of Mars. Lindsey Davis's writing is much mor…moreIn my opinion, if you want to get a good start with Falco, start with book 4 in the series: The Iron Hand of Mars. Lindsey Davis's writing is much more mature by this book. Books 1 and 2, although good, are a bit of a grind. Book 3 is better, but in my opinion still not up to the standard of her later works.(less)

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Would this be suitable for a mature 13-year-old reader? She's going to Rome on a school trip so want to find her some novels that would help set the scene, especially re Ancient Rome as it's a Latin trip. They're going to Pompeii also.

Mary Beth Well, I read it as a young teenager and enjoyed it a great deal. There's some sexual innuendo, but absolutely nothing graphic. (If anything, it's a bi…moreWell, I read it as a young teenager and enjoyed it a great deal. There's some sexual innuendo, but absolutely nothing graphic. (If anything, it's a bit coy.) I remember finding passages about the plight of slaves in a mine rather upsetting, but things work out OK for the protagonist. The biggest stumbling block might be the complicated political machinations of the plot, but if the reader in question enjoys that sort of thing and has a dry sense of humor, I think this might be a fun read for her. In any event, Davis does a great job with the setting—the details are vivid, and the politics of ancient Rome factor heavily into the mystery—so it should be good on that score.(less)

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