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Marcus Didius Falco #17
See Delphi and Die
Humour, surprises and domestic irony await Roman sleuth Falco as he attempts to solve the disappearance of two newlyweds on their honeymoon trip to Ancient Greece.
With safe seas, good roads, a common currency, and lots of interesting conquered territory, the Romans naturally invented tourism. They believed in a life of leisure — fine for those who could afford it — and some would set off on their travels for maybe five years at a time. As these ancient culture vultures descended on the sights, the tour guide was born to cater to their needs.
“Marcus, you must help me!” Stunned by the dramatic appeal from his otherwise cool mother-in-law, Marcus Didius Falso cannot resist. His brother-in-law, Aulus, has been diverted from his route to Athens University by a man whose newly married daughter and her husband have disappeared while visiting the Olympic Games as part of their wedding trip. Suspecting a classic cover-up, Aulus enrolls Falco’s help in solving the case. And of course his mother-in-law hopes to hurry her son along to university by passing the case over to Falco.
Joining the rest of the married couple’s tour group on the remains of their Grand Tour, Falco and Helena seize the opportunity to interview the owner/manager of “Seven Sights Travel,” as well as the other guests. Seemingly not getting very far, they can at least make the most of the splendid sights; but finally, on reaching Delphi, Falco and Helena unravel the mystery of the bride and groom.
With safe seas, good roads, a common currency, and lots of interesting conquered territory, the Romans naturally invented tourism. They believed in a life of leisure — fine for those who could afford it — and some would set off on their travels for maybe five years at a time. As these ancient culture vultures descended on the sights, the tour guide was born to cater to their needs.
“Marcus, you must help me!” Stunned by the dramatic appeal from his otherwise cool mother-in-law, Marcus Didius Falso cannot resist. His brother-in-law, Aulus, has been diverted from his route to Athens University by a man whose newly married daughter and her husband have disappeared while visiting the Olympic Games as part of their wedding trip. Suspecting a classic cover-up, Aulus enrolls Falco’s help in solving the case. And of course his mother-in-law hopes to hurry her son along to university by passing the case over to Falco.
Joining the rest of the married couple’s tour group on the remains of their Grand Tour, Falco and Helena seize the opportunity to interview the owner/manager of “Seven Sights Travel,” as well as the other guests. Seemingly not getting very far, they can at least make the most of the splendid sights; but finally, on reaching Delphi, Falco and Helena unravel the mystery of the bride and groom.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
139 people are currently reading
948 people want to read
About the author
Lindsey Davis
79 books1,497 followersLindsey 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
June 3, 2024
In See Delphi and Die, Falco has achieved the status of equestrian and acquired some measure of wealth; thus, he has married his aristocrat sweetheart, Helena. Falco, a private investigator in the Roman Empire during the reign of Vespasian, usually works cases for the Emperor, but in this book, he undertakes a private client.
Two young women, one on her honeymoon, have been murdered in Greece while on a guided tour. Falco's brother-in-law, is in Greece studying law and prevails upon Falco and Helena to investigate. Falco, Helena, and several younger relatives and friends traveled to Olympia, Greece, to catch up with the tour group with which the murdered honeymooning woman had been traveling. Falco (with much-needed input from Helena) interrogates the tour guides, the other tourists, and other potential witnesses. Falco's party follows the tour group throughout Greece, unable to piece together facts sufficient to identify the killer or killers. As the tour neared its completion, Falco identified the guilty party but lacked sufficient proof to make an arrest.
Two young women, one on her honeymoon, have been murdered in Greece while on a guided tour. Falco's brother-in-law, is in Greece studying law and prevails upon Falco and Helena to investigate. Falco, Helena, and several younger relatives and friends traveled to Olympia, Greece, to catch up with the tour group with which the murdered honeymooning woman had been traveling. Falco (with much-needed input from Helena) interrogates the tour guides, the other tourists, and other potential witnesses. Falco's party follows the tour group throughout Greece, unable to piece together facts sufficient to identify the killer or killers. As the tour neared its completion, Falco identified the guilty party but lacked sufficient proof to make an arrest.
October 12, 2021
Read this book in 2014, and its the 17th volume of the wonderful Marcus Didius Falco series.
This book is set in Greece, where after a desperate plea from Falco's mother-in-law, Falco and Helena Justina are heading to Greece in search of Helena's younger brother, Aulus, who was supposed to be at Athens University but who's been diverted from his route by a man whose newly married daughter and her husband have disappeared.
Falco and Helena Justina travel with an travel agency that calls itself Seven Sights Travel, a seedy agency that has its favourite destinations in Greece, home of the Olympic Games.
While being in Greece Falco and Helena Justina are at first waylaid in their investigations, but joining the married's couple tour group they try to discover the secrets about their disappearance.
Reaching Delphi Falco and Helen Justina will encounter many dangerous situations, and with various attempts on their lives they are determined to unravel this of missing persons and murder, but before they finally will succeed in their endeavour to solve this mystery, they will also enjoy the sights and cultures of Delphi.
Highly recommended, for this is a terrific addition to this magnificent series, and that's why I like to call this exciting episode: "A Great Greek Tragedy Case"!
This book is set in Greece, where after a desperate plea from Falco's mother-in-law, Falco and Helena Justina are heading to Greece in search of Helena's younger brother, Aulus, who was supposed to be at Athens University but who's been diverted from his route by a man whose newly married daughter and her husband have disappeared.
Falco and Helena Justina travel with an travel agency that calls itself Seven Sights Travel, a seedy agency that has its favourite destinations in Greece, home of the Olympic Games.
While being in Greece Falco and Helena Justina are at first waylaid in their investigations, but joining the married's couple tour group they try to discover the secrets about their disappearance.
Reaching Delphi Falco and Helen Justina will encounter many dangerous situations, and with various attempts on their lives they are determined to unravel this of missing persons and murder, but before they finally will succeed in their endeavour to solve this mystery, they will also enjoy the sights and cultures of Delphi.
Highly recommended, for this is a terrific addition to this magnificent series, and that's why I like to call this exciting episode: "A Great Greek Tragedy Case"!
December 18, 2017
An ancient tourism industry, which sometimes reads like other people's holiday slides
Expect a tale more meandering than the usual, as Falco travels around the Greek countryside chasing philosophers and their students, as well as visiting the Olympic games.
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 Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
Expect a tale more meandering than the usual, as Falco travels around the Greek countryside chasing philosophers and their students, as well as visiting the Olympic games.
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 Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
July 1, 2018
I liked the mystery aspect of this, but it was light on the historical part of the historical fiction. It felt a little too modern for the setting of Ancient Rome. This was a book challenge read and I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise.
The characters also felt modern and a little too stiff. But I liked that they all had purpose and it wasn't just a character parade. I was going to go with 3 stars, but I think I just talked myself into 2.
The characters also felt modern and a little too stiff. But I liked that they all had purpose and it wasn't just a character parade. I was going to go with 3 stars, but I think I just talked myself into 2.
April 28, 2012
The mystery portion of See Delphi and Die is essentially telegraphed fairly early in the narrative. Character is character and character will out. Yet, there are enough “red herrings” and unlikable characters throughout the novel that even when one senses the eventually exposed villain, the trip is worth taking. In fact, the trip is probably more worth taking than the peregrination through Greece that M.Didius Falco, wife, and nephews undertake. I’m sure that even during Vespasian’s reign there was much to see in Greece and, by having the informer (ie. “detective”) and his party following in the wake of a “tour group,” Davis takes the opportunity to describe some of the shrines and great buildings (as well as some of the scoundrels and petty tyrants/societies/priesthoods which would have surrounded such).
Perhaps the biggest surprise in See Delphi and Die is not the exposition of the mystery (or mysteries) of the narrative, but the fact that it is neither Falco’s diligent 1st century “gumshoeing” that actually solves the issue(s) but a fortuitous provision of the vital puzzle piece from one of the most unlikely sources in the party. This doesn’t, of course, mean that Falco was either ineffective or negligent in his duties (even if he did manage to imply more interest on Caesar Vespasian’s part that was strictly justified in order to secure help with expenses and cooperation from the provincial authorities). It also doesn’t suggest that neither Falco nor the beautiful and wise Helena Justina were never in any danger. No noir detective faces more imminent threats than Falco, in spite of the lack of a “gat” in the ancient world.
As usual, Davis not only provides a mystery, but a superb historical background. For those who are apt to confuse the customs of the modern Olympics with those of the ancient games and those who are unaware of Nero’s travesty in using his influence to rig the games in his favor, Davis reminds us of the conspicuous consumption used to curry Zeus’ favor in exorbitant sacrifices, the all-male attendance at games and feasts, and the confusion in the calendar following Nero’s intrusive competition in the games. I learned two new terms (and I read some Greek) in kottabos (which I should have known, but…alas) and pankration (sometimes transliterated differently, but a term anyone familiar with history should have known—including me). The former, if you are in my leaking boat, was a competition performed with un-decanted wine. In kottabos, one flicks the sediment from the wine toward a target in the center of the banquet room. Obviously, one needs to be fairly far along in the inebriation process for that to be interesting. The latter, of course, is a particularly brutal style of fighting that was part of the original competition and, of course, it pays a role in both one of the main threats to Falco and solving the crime.
So, I believe fans of the series of historical mysteries by Lindsey Davis will enjoy See Delphi and Die as much as any of her previous works. It is entertaining, even if it isn’t as mysterious as some of the others.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in See Delphi and Die is not the exposition of the mystery (or mysteries) of the narrative, but the fact that it is neither Falco’s diligent 1st century “gumshoeing” that actually solves the issue(s) but a fortuitous provision of the vital puzzle piece from one of the most unlikely sources in the party. This doesn’t, of course, mean that Falco was either ineffective or negligent in his duties (even if he did manage to imply more interest on Caesar Vespasian’s part that was strictly justified in order to secure help with expenses and cooperation from the provincial authorities). It also doesn’t suggest that neither Falco nor the beautiful and wise Helena Justina were never in any danger. No noir detective faces more imminent threats than Falco, in spite of the lack of a “gat” in the ancient world.
As usual, Davis not only provides a mystery, but a superb historical background. For those who are apt to confuse the customs of the modern Olympics with those of the ancient games and those who are unaware of Nero’s travesty in using his influence to rig the games in his favor, Davis reminds us of the conspicuous consumption used to curry Zeus’ favor in exorbitant sacrifices, the all-male attendance at games and feasts, and the confusion in the calendar following Nero’s intrusive competition in the games. I learned two new terms (and I read some Greek) in kottabos (which I should have known, but…alas) and pankration (sometimes transliterated differently, but a term anyone familiar with history should have known—including me). The former, if you are in my leaking boat, was a competition performed with un-decanted wine. In kottabos, one flicks the sediment from the wine toward a target in the center of the banquet room. Obviously, one needs to be fairly far along in the inebriation process for that to be interesting. The latter, of course, is a particularly brutal style of fighting that was part of the original competition and, of course, it pays a role in both one of the main threats to Falco and solving the crime.
So, I believe fans of the series of historical mysteries by Lindsey Davis will enjoy See Delphi and Die as much as any of her previous works. It is entertaining, even if it isn’t as mysterious as some of the others.
February 24, 2019
The Falco series by Lindsey Davis tends to split into two halves; those set wholly in or near Rome, and those where she takes her hero to far-flung places. This volume sits firmly in the second camp. There is also a marked difference in atmosphere between the two halves - or is it just me? Although there are just as many murders or nefarious deeds in all the books, the travelling ones always seem lighter.
In this story, Falco's brother-in-law Aulus has disappeared while studying in Greece, and he is asked to go and find him. Simultaneously, it's discovered that some tourists have died mysteriously while travelling in the same area, including a bride on her honeymoon. So Falco takes much of his extended family on a working holiday.
There is much to discover; dodgy travel agents, strange goings-on at the Olympics venues, and what really happens at the oracle at Delphi? Add to that the problems always associated with his own family, Falco has a lot to take in, and there are plenty of twists and turns.
The story moves along at the usual cracking pace, and the large cast of characters are drawn to the authors usual standard. Particularly good are some of the members of the tour group they join up with, who are a real mix of parts of Roman society that we don't always meet in fiction (or much non-fiction, for that matter.) Several of his family members get a slightly larger role here, and we get to know them a bit better. Perhaps they will feature more in future stories?
All in all, a solid entry in the series. A good mystery to solve, lots of digressions and red herrings, and a somewhat surprising end. What's not to like?
In this story, Falco's brother-in-law Aulus has disappeared while studying in Greece, and he is asked to go and find him. Simultaneously, it's discovered that some tourists have died mysteriously while travelling in the same area, including a bride on her honeymoon. So Falco takes much of his extended family on a working holiday.
There is much to discover; dodgy travel agents, strange goings-on at the Olympics venues, and what really happens at the oracle at Delphi? Add to that the problems always associated with his own family, Falco has a lot to take in, and there are plenty of twists and turns.
The story moves along at the usual cracking pace, and the large cast of characters are drawn to the authors usual standard. Particularly good are some of the members of the tour group they join up with, who are a real mix of parts of Roman society that we don't always meet in fiction (or much non-fiction, for that matter.) Several of his family members get a slightly larger role here, and we get to know them a bit better. Perhaps they will feature more in future stories?
All in all, a solid entry in the series. A good mystery to solve, lots of digressions and red herrings, and a somewhat surprising end. What's not to like?
July 21, 2019
Some of Davis' earlier works in her Falco series start off slowly, or peter out at the end, but not this one! Falco gets his case in the first sentence, "Marcus, you must help me!" and does not wrap it up until the last paragraph. Helena Justina makes a strong contribution, and it is fun seeing Albia grow into the family, knowing that Davis' next series will feature her.
The story appears to ramble, with a lot of touristing about and recitations by Helen Justina about history and mythology, but the plot hangs on some of material she presents, so the reader should pay close attention.
There is a surprising twist at the end. But the twist seems inevitable when the reader looks back, because Davis has woven it into the background from the beginning. This is one of Davis' best books.
The story appears to ramble, with a lot of touristing about and recitations by Helen Justina about history and mythology, but the plot hangs on some of material she presents, so the reader should pay close attention.
There is a surprising twist at the end. But the twist seems inevitable when the reader looks back, because Davis has woven it into the background from the beginning. This is one of Davis' best books.
July 1, 2022
I really enjoy the Falco series. In this one Marcus and Helena travel to Greece to investigate the deaths of two different women. There is lots of travel and much about the frustrations of travel. This episode has a little fewer tongue-in-cheek quips and the ending is very abrupt. The story could have used a clean up chapter at the end. Still, recommended.
December 11, 2021
Another book that I appreciate more for the all the background material than the story itself. I’m not much of a mystery genre person, but stories about ancient wherever, I do enjoy, if it seems especially well researched, as this one does.
I should add I did enjoy the play of modern with the ancient -- very fun, and a reminder that while technology changes, people not so much.
Quotes that caught my eye
He decided upon a tour of Greece, to see those things which, through their fame and reputation, had been magnified by hearsay…
He travelled across Thessaly to Delphi, the celebrated oracle. Then he went to the Temple of Zeus Trophonius and saw the mouth of the cave which those who consult the oracle enter …
Then to Athens, also renowned for its hoary antiquity, but still with many sights to see …
He preceded to Corinth. The city was then a splendid one … The Acropolis set on an immense height, girdled with walls and flowering with springs …
Then to Olympia. Here he saw many sights, but what touched him profoundly was the Zeus – he felt he beheld the god in person.
Livy, on Aemilius Paulus taking recreation in 167 BCE.
We had daughters. We loved them, but were under no illusions. I won’t say I regarded girls as hell-raisers – but I was braced for future confrontations. (9)
This was a fad of our time. We had safe roads, free passage on the seas, a common currency throughout the empire, and tracts of fascinating conquered territory. Inevitably, our citizens became tourists. All Romans – all those who could afford it – believed in a life of leisure. Some rich idlers set off from Italy for five years at a time. As these culture-cravers crowded into the ancient places of the world, toting their guidebooks, histories, shopping lists, and itineraries, a travel industry had evolved to cash in.
I had heard leisure travel was sordid. Still, people speak badly of all successful businesses. (9-10)
…and I knew people stink. Bereavement does not improve anybody’s morals. It just gives them more excuses to slam doors in the faces of more ethical people. (16)
There are lots of truly wonderful things you can see and hear a bout in Greece, but there is a unique divinity of disposition about the games at Olympia… Pausanias, Guide to Greece (35)
I take my duties as the lad male in a party seriously: these duties are, to rebuff lechers, to outmanoeuvre purse thieves, to wander off at unexpected moments, and when everyone else is at breading point to exclaim very brightly, ‘Well, isn’t this fun?’ (37)
‘You have to be a Greek,’ put in Gaius. ‘To compete at the Games.’
‘Not any more!’ scoffed Cornelius. ‘Romans rule the world!’
‘We rule with a benign sceptre, tolerating local customs.’
As their uncle, it was my duty to teach them politic. The Greeks no longer held a monopoly on democratic thought and I kept my ears peeled at the baths; I had heard the modern theories. The lads stared at me, things I had gone soft. (39-40)
Our awkwardness could only get worse. We were now in the cradle of democracy, which we had seized for ourselves a couple of centuries ago. Nowhere in the Empire did Romans feel so out of place as in Greece. Imposing democracy on a country that in fact already possessed it raised a few questions. Bludgeoning the originators of the world’s great ideas (and blatantly stealing the ideas) did not make us proud. We were bound to spend a lot of time being lofty, during this trip. It was our only defence. (41)
Every seasoned traveller will tell you: always reach your day’s destination while it is still light. Listen to this advice. (43)
… on it would be placed simple wreaths of wild olive, the only prizes awarded here. Of course Olympic winners would be received back h9ome with mass adulation, a pension in vast vats of olive oil, seaside villas, and lifetime permission to bore the populace with sporting stories…. (47)
Young Claucus inspected the curious starting blocks. ‘You curl the toes of your front foot in these grooves and wait for the signal. There’s a trip-rope system to deter false starts. If a runner takes off too soon, before the judges loosen it, he’ll knock the rope down. He
Then he went out to hang around the many shrines in the Altis, hoping for a sacrifice in process. Even when the hundred oxen were slaughtered at the Games, only the legs, tails and guts were carried up the stops on the altar of Zeus. The body steaks were used to feed the crowd. (87)
‘All the current champions will have gone on the circuit,’ Glaucus reminded me.
‘How many games on the Circuit, Glaucus?’
He grinned. ‘Well, the big four are the Pan-Hellenics: Olympia, Delphi, Nemea and the Isthmus, which don’t happen every year. The Panathenaic in Athens in annual. Add in all the other cities – well, you are looking at bout fifty, Falco.’
Somewhere in the Altis an owl hooted. My stomach emitted a lugubrious glug. I sat still, using the time before my next bout of suffering to think. Diarrhoea can be the informer’s friend. (88)
‘Oh, I can’t show the file to you, Falco. Security.’ This probably meant the governor had given vent to his feelings too rudely – or more likely Aquillius knew the scroll and been put in their dead archive and re-used for packaging souvenirs the governor was sending home. (119)
Gaius had no idea that one of his uncles had been eaten by an arena lion when he offended local sensibilities whilst accompanying me on a mission overseas. (To be truthful, we did not e3ntirely abandon Famia. We cremated the few pieces of him that survived the gnawing, and took the ashes back to Rome.) (122)
Overcome, Cleonyma leaned her head on Minucia’s shoulder; about four pounds of Indian pearls lurched sideways on her flat chest. A fully rounded perfume of rose petals and jasmine on one lady clashed waft for waft with a headier essence of Arabian balsam. After a moment of comfort in a mingled aroma cloud, Cleonyma sat up again; her pearls strands clacked and tumbled straight once more. The women’s two scents uncoiled and slid dangerously against e3ach other like towering clouds moving one way while a second raft of weather moves in the opposite direction underneath. Just like a coming coastal storm, it left us restless and unsettled. Minucia even mopped her forehead, though that could have been the drink overheating her. (133-34)
Albia had perched on a plasterer’s trestle, to watch Glaucus doing weight training. Apart from one of the smallest loincloths I had ever seen, he was naked. Albia gestured to him and exclaimed, ‘the beautiful boy!’ This was a phrase she had picked up from the pederasts at Olympia, who had it painted on vases they gave to young lovers. How pleasing to see travel had had an educational effect. And how nerve-racking, the way Albia gazed at him… (157)
He was mortified at being outwitted by some crone in a straw hat. I assured him the Corinthian drinks scam probably went back centuries. ‘You won’t be the first sweet-natured innocent who fell for it.’ (165)
‘So Cornelius and I think you should go up the acropolis here and talk to her.’
‘Well that’s it.’ I banged my spoon down on the table. ‘This is the last time you two are let out on your own. As a consequence of today’s ridiculous jaunt, I too am supposed to tire myself out and get heatstroke, in order to have some batty conversation with a gnarled old Greek granny who cheats little boys of their pocket money and calls it a public service.’
Nobody spoke for a few moments.
‘You could take a donkey,’ Helena suggested sweetly. After a second she added, ‘I’ll give you some pocket money, darling, so the sorceress can cheat you out of it.’ (165-66)
Local government upsets me: old men making wrong decisions to protect their own trade interests. (228)
‘She speaks, though it is meaningless.’
‘Typical woman!’
‘Bastard. The priests write it down, then they translate the gibberish into words – though they leave you to interpret for yourself what is meant. Typical men.’ (232)
‘We are trying to get hold of the governor. He should sort this problem out for us.’
‘Do you and Phineus know the governor, Polystratus?’ Nothing would surprise me.
‘Oh, you are supposed to be the man with heavy contracts, Falco! Do you know the governor?’
‘No,’ I said sadly. I left it for a beat. ‘I only know the Emperor.’ (283)
‘Athens,’ declared Aulus, working his brain into use, ‘is absolutely full of pedagogues, all specialists. You can choose any branch of philosophy: Pythagorean, Peripatetic, Cynic, Stoic, or orphic.’
‘Avoid all of them. We are Romans. We despise thought.’ (302)
There were more hills whose scenery, since we had no option, we doggedly admired. (316)
Why are drunks so unpleasantly self-righteous? And foreign ones hideously worse? (327)
Low tables had been set before the couches. Now waiters laid these with tempting starters. They brought baskets of bread to us, both brown barley rolls with a nutty taste, and soft white wheat loaves, luxurious but lander. The first course dishes of dainties followed in procession: savoury prawns, tiny roast birds, snails, crispy battered squid, mixed olive relish to eat on the bread with its oil dripping down our chins, almonds and walnuts, sweetbreads, herbed cabbage in honey vinegar. Unidentifiable things in hot pastry sat on the dish longest, but as the service was leisurely, even they went in time. (347)
I should add I did enjoy the play of modern with the ancient -- very fun, and a reminder that while technology changes, people not so much.
Quotes that caught my eye
He decided upon a tour of Greece, to see those things which, through their fame and reputation, had been magnified by hearsay…
He travelled across Thessaly to Delphi, the celebrated oracle. Then he went to the Temple of Zeus Trophonius and saw the mouth of the cave which those who consult the oracle enter …
Then to Athens, also renowned for its hoary antiquity, but still with many sights to see …
He preceded to Corinth. The city was then a splendid one … The Acropolis set on an immense height, girdled with walls and flowering with springs …
Then to Olympia. Here he saw many sights, but what touched him profoundly was the Zeus – he felt he beheld the god in person.
Livy, on Aemilius Paulus taking recreation in 167 BCE.
We had daughters. We loved them, but were under no illusions. I won’t say I regarded girls as hell-raisers – but I was braced for future confrontations. (9)
This was a fad of our time. We had safe roads, free passage on the seas, a common currency throughout the empire, and tracts of fascinating conquered territory. Inevitably, our citizens became tourists. All Romans – all those who could afford it – believed in a life of leisure. Some rich idlers set off from Italy for five years at a time. As these culture-cravers crowded into the ancient places of the world, toting their guidebooks, histories, shopping lists, and itineraries, a travel industry had evolved to cash in.
I had heard leisure travel was sordid. Still, people speak badly of all successful businesses. (9-10)
…and I knew people stink. Bereavement does not improve anybody’s morals. It just gives them more excuses to slam doors in the faces of more ethical people. (16)
There are lots of truly wonderful things you can see and hear a bout in Greece, but there is a unique divinity of disposition about the games at Olympia… Pausanias, Guide to Greece (35)
I take my duties as the lad male in a party seriously: these duties are, to rebuff lechers, to outmanoeuvre purse thieves, to wander off at unexpected moments, and when everyone else is at breading point to exclaim very brightly, ‘Well, isn’t this fun?’ (37)
‘You have to be a Greek,’ put in Gaius. ‘To compete at the Games.’
‘Not any more!’ scoffed Cornelius. ‘Romans rule the world!’
‘We rule with a benign sceptre, tolerating local customs.’
As their uncle, it was my duty to teach them politic. The Greeks no longer held a monopoly on democratic thought and I kept my ears peeled at the baths; I had heard the modern theories. The lads stared at me, things I had gone soft. (39-40)
Our awkwardness could only get worse. We were now in the cradle of democracy, which we had seized for ourselves a couple of centuries ago. Nowhere in the Empire did Romans feel so out of place as in Greece. Imposing democracy on a country that in fact already possessed it raised a few questions. Bludgeoning the originators of the world’s great ideas (and blatantly stealing the ideas) did not make us proud. We were bound to spend a lot of time being lofty, during this trip. It was our only defence. (41)
Every seasoned traveller will tell you: always reach your day’s destination while it is still light. Listen to this advice. (43)
… on it would be placed simple wreaths of wild olive, the only prizes awarded here. Of course Olympic winners would be received back h9ome with mass adulation, a pension in vast vats of olive oil, seaside villas, and lifetime permission to bore the populace with sporting stories…. (47)
Young Claucus inspected the curious starting blocks. ‘You curl the toes of your front foot in these grooves and wait for the signal. There’s a trip-rope system to deter false starts. If a runner takes off too soon, before the judges loosen it, he’ll knock the rope down. He
Then he went out to hang around the many shrines in the Altis, hoping for a sacrifice in process. Even when the hundred oxen were slaughtered at the Games, only the legs, tails and guts were carried up the stops on the altar of Zeus. The body steaks were used to feed the crowd. (87)
‘All the current champions will have gone on the circuit,’ Glaucus reminded me.
‘How many games on the Circuit, Glaucus?’
He grinned. ‘Well, the big four are the Pan-Hellenics: Olympia, Delphi, Nemea and the Isthmus, which don’t happen every year. The Panathenaic in Athens in annual. Add in all the other cities – well, you are looking at bout fifty, Falco.’
Somewhere in the Altis an owl hooted. My stomach emitted a lugubrious glug. I sat still, using the time before my next bout of suffering to think. Diarrhoea can be the informer’s friend. (88)
‘Oh, I can’t show the file to you, Falco. Security.’ This probably meant the governor had given vent to his feelings too rudely – or more likely Aquillius knew the scroll and been put in their dead archive and re-used for packaging souvenirs the governor was sending home. (119)
Gaius had no idea that one of his uncles had been eaten by an arena lion when he offended local sensibilities whilst accompanying me on a mission overseas. (To be truthful, we did not e3ntirely abandon Famia. We cremated the few pieces of him that survived the gnawing, and took the ashes back to Rome.) (122)
Overcome, Cleonyma leaned her head on Minucia’s shoulder; about four pounds of Indian pearls lurched sideways on her flat chest. A fully rounded perfume of rose petals and jasmine on one lady clashed waft for waft with a headier essence of Arabian balsam. After a moment of comfort in a mingled aroma cloud, Cleonyma sat up again; her pearls strands clacked and tumbled straight once more. The women’s two scents uncoiled and slid dangerously against e3ach other like towering clouds moving one way while a second raft of weather moves in the opposite direction underneath. Just like a coming coastal storm, it left us restless and unsettled. Minucia even mopped her forehead, though that could have been the drink overheating her. (133-34)
Albia had perched on a plasterer’s trestle, to watch Glaucus doing weight training. Apart from one of the smallest loincloths I had ever seen, he was naked. Albia gestured to him and exclaimed, ‘the beautiful boy!’ This was a phrase she had picked up from the pederasts at Olympia, who had it painted on vases they gave to young lovers. How pleasing to see travel had had an educational effect. And how nerve-racking, the way Albia gazed at him… (157)
He was mortified at being outwitted by some crone in a straw hat. I assured him the Corinthian drinks scam probably went back centuries. ‘You won’t be the first sweet-natured innocent who fell for it.’ (165)
‘So Cornelius and I think you should go up the acropolis here and talk to her.’
‘Well that’s it.’ I banged my spoon down on the table. ‘This is the last time you two are let out on your own. As a consequence of today’s ridiculous jaunt, I too am supposed to tire myself out and get heatstroke, in order to have some batty conversation with a gnarled old Greek granny who cheats little boys of their pocket money and calls it a public service.’
Nobody spoke for a few moments.
‘You could take a donkey,’ Helena suggested sweetly. After a second she added, ‘I’ll give you some pocket money, darling, so the sorceress can cheat you out of it.’ (165-66)
Local government upsets me: old men making wrong decisions to protect their own trade interests. (228)
‘She speaks, though it is meaningless.’
‘Typical woman!’
‘Bastard. The priests write it down, then they translate the gibberish into words – though they leave you to interpret for yourself what is meant. Typical men.’ (232)
‘We are trying to get hold of the governor. He should sort this problem out for us.’
‘Do you and Phineus know the governor, Polystratus?’ Nothing would surprise me.
‘Oh, you are supposed to be the man with heavy contracts, Falco! Do you know the governor?’
‘No,’ I said sadly. I left it for a beat. ‘I only know the Emperor.’ (283)
‘Athens,’ declared Aulus, working his brain into use, ‘is absolutely full of pedagogues, all specialists. You can choose any branch of philosophy: Pythagorean, Peripatetic, Cynic, Stoic, or orphic.’
‘Avoid all of them. We are Romans. We despise thought.’ (302)
There were more hills whose scenery, since we had no option, we doggedly admired. (316)
Why are drunks so unpleasantly self-righteous? And foreign ones hideously worse? (327)
Low tables had been set before the couches. Now waiters laid these with tempting starters. They brought baskets of bread to us, both brown barley rolls with a nutty taste, and soft white wheat loaves, luxurious but lander. The first course dishes of dainties followed in procession: savoury prawns, tiny roast birds, snails, crispy battered squid, mixed olive relish to eat on the bread with its oil dripping down our chins, almonds and walnuts, sweetbreads, herbed cabbage in honey vinegar. Unidentifiable things in hot pastry sat on the dish longest, but as the service was leisurely, even they went in time. (347)
February 26, 2019
Falco hatte schon viel Kundschaft aus allen möglichen Schichten und Gruppen, doch mit einem Auftrag seiner Schwiegermutter hätte er nicht gerechnet. Sein Schwager Aulus sollte eigentlich endlich was Vernünftiges tun und in Athen studieren, doch auf dem Weg dorthin ist er in eine Reisegruppe geraten, der eines Tages eine junge Braut abhanden kam - die wenig später ermordet aufgefunden wurde.
Ein paar Jahre zuvor kam schon einmal eine junge Frau unter mysteriösen Umständen auf einer Griechenlandrundreise ums Leben. Spätestens als sich herausstellt, dass beide Damen ihre Reise beim gleichen Anbieter gebucht hatten, läuten bei Falco die Alarmglocken, und er lässt sich, natürlich nicht ohne Helena, auf einen Trip ein, der auf ganz andere Weise aufschlussreich ist als die üblichen Touren, die "Seven Sights Travel" sonst so anbietet ...
Die Falco-Reihe ist ja eine der Krimiserien, bei denen mir die Ermittlungen an sich schon beinahe egal sind, weil ich die altbekannte Besetzung und den sarkastischen Humor so gerne mag. Aber natürlich beschwert sich die geneigte Leserin nicht, wenn ihr im Gesamtpaket auch noch ein spannender Mordfall geliefert wird, so wie hier.
Nicht, dass das Buch nicht alleine schon wegen der Art lesenswert wäre, wie Lindsey Davis den Tourismus aufs Korn nimmt (der sich, wenn man ihr Glauben schenkt, damals abgesehen von den Verkehrsmitteln der Wahl gar nicht so sehr von heute unterschieden haben dürfte), eine Reisegruppe voller schräger Vögel erschafft und die alten griechischen Mythen mit der Handlung verwebt.
Doch auch die Ermittlungen haben es in sich. So harmlos, wie sie scheinen, sind die Mitreisenden wohl fast alle nicht, und es wird ein paarmal richtig brenzlig für Falco und seine Mitstreiter (neben Helena hat er diesmal Albia, zwei Neffen und praktischerweise einen bärenstarken Kraftsportler im Schlepptau), während er mehr oder weniger ergeben der Reiseroute der Gruppe folgt. Für ihn ziemlich anstrengend, vor allem auf See, für die Leserschaft eine interessante Tour durchs alte Griechenland und ein buchstäblich bis zur allerletzten Seite mitreißender und wendungsreicher Fall.
Einer der besten Fälle der Reihe, in dem sich Humor, Spannung und viel Atmosphäre perfekt die Waage halten.
Ein paar Jahre zuvor kam schon einmal eine junge Frau unter mysteriösen Umständen auf einer Griechenlandrundreise ums Leben. Spätestens als sich herausstellt, dass beide Damen ihre Reise beim gleichen Anbieter gebucht hatten, läuten bei Falco die Alarmglocken, und er lässt sich, natürlich nicht ohne Helena, auf einen Trip ein, der auf ganz andere Weise aufschlussreich ist als die üblichen Touren, die "Seven Sights Travel" sonst so anbietet ...
Die Falco-Reihe ist ja eine der Krimiserien, bei denen mir die Ermittlungen an sich schon beinahe egal sind, weil ich die altbekannte Besetzung und den sarkastischen Humor so gerne mag. Aber natürlich beschwert sich die geneigte Leserin nicht, wenn ihr im Gesamtpaket auch noch ein spannender Mordfall geliefert wird, so wie hier.
Nicht, dass das Buch nicht alleine schon wegen der Art lesenswert wäre, wie Lindsey Davis den Tourismus aufs Korn nimmt (der sich, wenn man ihr Glauben schenkt, damals abgesehen von den Verkehrsmitteln der Wahl gar nicht so sehr von heute unterschieden haben dürfte), eine Reisegruppe voller schräger Vögel erschafft und die alten griechischen Mythen mit der Handlung verwebt.
Doch auch die Ermittlungen haben es in sich. So harmlos, wie sie scheinen, sind die Mitreisenden wohl fast alle nicht, und es wird ein paarmal richtig brenzlig für Falco und seine Mitstreiter (neben Helena hat er diesmal Albia, zwei Neffen und praktischerweise einen bärenstarken Kraftsportler im Schlepptau), während er mehr oder weniger ergeben der Reiseroute der Gruppe folgt. Für ihn ziemlich anstrengend, vor allem auf See, für die Leserschaft eine interessante Tour durchs alte Griechenland und ein buchstäblich bis zur allerletzten Seite mitreißender und wendungsreicher Fall.
Einer der besten Fälle der Reihe, in dem sich Humor, Spannung und viel Atmosphäre perfekt die Waage halten.
January 20, 2011
I'm an easy sell for anything with an ancient setting, but this failed to impress. I beg leave to doubt that there really was a Roman mass-tourism industry, though I'm sure the great shrines and spas did have their guides and vendors and touts just as modern tourist attractions do. But never mind the setting; it's the plot that fails to impress, and as a whodunit it this is a complete flop. Oh, and did I mention the sloppy editing, which results in some sentences that are barely English? A turkey.
July 8, 2018
I have not read any Falco and Helen books for some time- so it took me a bit of time to get into the book and remind myself about the main characters. This time they are investigating the death of 2 women who are travelling Greece with a dodgy travel organisation. They follow the current group to Greece where more dodgy dealings are happening. We get lots of descriptions of Greece as well as an intriguing story
May 29, 2023
2.5
Me gustaría empezar diciendo que no leí los libros anteriores (como 16) pero no fue necesario para entender la historia. El misterio es autoconclusivo.
Vengo de leer a Steven Saylor y buscaba más de eso acá: Antigua Roma + detective + misterio policial. Me tenía que gustar.
Sin embargo lo encontré decepcionante. Me costó acostumbrarme a la narración: hay cortes entre párrafos que en teoría indicarían que se termina un tema y empieza otro, pero en realidad en este caso continúa el mismo tema anterior, con lo cual los cortes no tenían mucho sentido. La forma de escribir de Davis no me volvió loca. Había veces que se extendía largo y tendido en descripciones o cuestiones históricas y otras en las que simplemente y cito decía "No me voy a detener a describir Atenas" o "Por supuesto que fuimos al Acrópolis". El tono del narrador cambiaba todo el tiempo, entre crónica seria y anécdota cómica a amigos. No encontré que esto funcionara del todo.
Por otra parte, el misterio dejó bastante que desear. Siento que al libro le sobraron unas 100 o 200 páginas. Se estanca en el medio y no se avanza en nada. Se re entrevista a la misma gente una y otra vez sin obtener información nueva. Me recuerda un poco al primer libro policial que escribió J. K. Rowling y que no me gustó mucho por esto, pues no hay pistas visibles para el lector, no nos podemos adelantar al final ni descubrir por nosotros mismos al culpable. Es como que te van contando todo sin darte lugar a sacar conclusiones.
A su vez, sentí a esta novela muy moderna. No solo en diálogos sino en su encuadre de Roma del Siglo I. No pude encontrar por ningún lado que las Agencias de viajes turísticos ya existieran en la antigüedad, pero incluso si existían, está presentada muy como lo son ahora, con un coordinador que te consigue hoteles y excursiones y comida y con viajeros quejosos de que el plato elegido no era el deseado. El turismo existía en la Antigua Roma, sí, pero dudo que haya sido como lo es hoy en día. Simplemente me chocó mucho y me costó creerme la mitad de las cosas que ocurrían por esto. El protagonista detective percibía todas las cuestiones místicas sobre dioses y oráculos con el escepticismo de un hombre promedio occidental del Siglo XXI, cuando la realidad es que los antiguos eran muy respetuosos y honraban a los dioses con devoción. Me pareció una mirada muy moderna también. Si esta historia se ubicaba en la actualidad, solo habría necesidad de cambiarle los nombres a algunos personajes y lugares, y ya está.
A pesar de ello me enganchó mucho y me devoré las últimas cien páginas. No me cambió la vida y no creo leer más de esta autora. Cumplió su función de entretenerme y mantenerme enganchada, eso es todo.
Me gustaría empezar diciendo que no leí los libros anteriores (como 16) pero no fue necesario para entender la historia. El misterio es autoconclusivo.
Vengo de leer a Steven Saylor y buscaba más de eso acá: Antigua Roma + detective + misterio policial. Me tenía que gustar.
Sin embargo lo encontré decepcionante. Me costó acostumbrarme a la narración: hay cortes entre párrafos que en teoría indicarían que se termina un tema y empieza otro, pero en realidad en este caso continúa el mismo tema anterior, con lo cual los cortes no tenían mucho sentido. La forma de escribir de Davis no me volvió loca. Había veces que se extendía largo y tendido en descripciones o cuestiones históricas y otras en las que simplemente y cito decía "No me voy a detener a describir Atenas" o "Por supuesto que fuimos al Acrópolis". El tono del narrador cambiaba todo el tiempo, entre crónica seria y anécdota cómica a amigos. No encontré que esto funcionara del todo.
Por otra parte, el misterio dejó bastante que desear. Siento que al libro le sobraron unas 100 o 200 páginas. Se estanca en el medio y no se avanza en nada. Se re entrevista a la misma gente una y otra vez sin obtener información nueva. Me recuerda un poco al primer libro policial que escribió J. K. Rowling y que no me gustó mucho por esto, pues no hay pistas visibles para el lector, no nos podemos adelantar al final ni descubrir por nosotros mismos al culpable. Es como que te van contando todo sin darte lugar a sacar conclusiones.
A su vez, sentí a esta novela muy moderna. No solo en diálogos sino en su encuadre de Roma del Siglo I. No pude encontrar por ningún lado que las Agencias de viajes turísticos ya existieran en la antigüedad, pero incluso si existían, está presentada muy como lo son ahora, con un coordinador que te consigue hoteles y excursiones y comida y con viajeros quejosos de que el plato elegido no era el deseado. El turismo existía en la Antigua Roma, sí, pero dudo que haya sido como lo es hoy en día. Simplemente me chocó mucho y me costó creerme la mitad de las cosas que ocurrían por esto. El protagonista detective percibía todas las cuestiones místicas sobre dioses y oráculos con el escepticismo de un hombre promedio occidental del Siglo XXI, cuando la realidad es que los antiguos eran muy respetuosos y honraban a los dioses con devoción. Me pareció una mirada muy moderna también. Si esta historia se ubicaba en la actualidad, solo habría necesidad de cambiarle los nombres a algunos personajes y lugares, y ya está.
A pesar de ello me enganchó mucho y me devoré las últimas cien páginas. No me cambió la vida y no creo leer más de esta autora. Cumplió su función de entretenerme y mantenerme enganchada, eso es todo.
September 4, 2023
Na tuhle knížku koukám vždycky, když jsem na návštěvě u rodičů. Máme dva díly a doteď nevím, jestli jsem jako dítě nebo teenager četla tenhle a nebo ten druhý. Teprve teď jsem se dozvěděla, že tohle je 17. díl série, ale to nevadí, protože to funguje i jako samostatný příběh.
Miluju, neuvěřitelné detaily, které vás nutí věřit, že si dokážete představit, jak vypadal život v Římě a v Řecku v prvním století n.l.
To hrozně chceš, cestovat po všech těch úžasných památkách, které jsou ještě nádherně zachovalé, barevné a majestátní. Navštívit Sedm divů světa, cpát se olivama, sýrem, chlebem a medem a zapíjet to vínem. Vyprávět si mýty a dojít si pro věštbu k orákulu. A taky samozřejmě zajít se podívat na Olympijské hry. I když většina tady těch kratochvíli je samozřejmě jenom pro chlapy. Jinak to mi-lu-ju. V nějakém dalším životě budu studovat latinu a řečtinu.
Ze všeho nejzřetelněji jsem si pamatovala Helenu (Justýnu) <3 a taky Marka (Didiuse Falcona).
Už ve starověkém Řecku znali základní pravidlo cestování: "Čůrat, když je příležitost."
"Člověk může umřít jen jednou a určitě neškodí, pokud předtím bude chvíli žít."
Při další návštěvě rodičů si pučím ještě Saturnálie (které si myslím, že jsem četla spíš). Dám si teď ale chvilku pauzu.
Jo, doprčic, a foreshadowing, který jsem měla zkušeně rozklíčovat, ale nepovedlo se mi to, takže poslední překvápko skoro na poslední straně!
Miluju, neuvěřitelné detaily, které vás nutí věřit, že si dokážete představit, jak vypadal život v Římě a v Řecku v prvním století n.l.
To hrozně chceš, cestovat po všech těch úžasných památkách, které jsou ještě nádherně zachovalé, barevné a majestátní. Navštívit Sedm divů světa, cpát se olivama, sýrem, chlebem a medem a zapíjet to vínem. Vyprávět si mýty a dojít si pro věštbu k orákulu. A taky samozřejmě zajít se podívat na Olympijské hry. I když většina tady těch kratochvíli je samozřejmě jenom pro chlapy. Jinak to mi-lu-ju. V nějakém dalším životě budu studovat latinu a řečtinu.
Ze všeho nejzřetelněji jsem si pamatovala Helenu (Justýnu) <3 a taky Marka (Didiuse Falcona).
Už ve starověkém Řecku znali základní pravidlo cestování: "Čůrat, když je příležitost."
"Člověk může umřít jen jednou a určitě neškodí, pokud předtím bude chvíli žít."
Při další návštěvě rodičů si pučím ještě Saturnálie (které si myslím, že jsem četla spíš). Dám si teď ale chvilku pauzu.
Jo, doprčic, a foreshadowing, který jsem měla zkušeně rozklíčovat, ale nepovedlo se mi to, takže poslední překvápko skoro na poslední straně!
January 10, 2023
Falco and Helena.travel.to.Greece and get to see some of the wonders of the world. Falco has been dispatched by his.mother in law to take care of his brother in law Aulua, who has set out travelling to Greece intending to study law. on his travels he comes across a group of tourists who have suffered a tragedy. A young woman, a newlywed on her honeymoon, has been murdered. Her husband is obviously the main suspect but Aulus who has gotten to know the young man believes him innocent. Coincidentally another young lady went missing on a tour run by the same group three years ago only for her remains to be found a year later. Julia Justinia (Falco's mother in law) wants Falco to.go out to Greece and make sure the matter is looked into while at the same time making sure Aulus makes it to Athens to start his studies. Helena travels with him..........well she refuses to be left behind........... As do other members of the family, may as well make the most of the trip. As it is Falco's not sure there's much he can do there's no witnesses, evidence or suspects..........but he will do his best....
February 19, 2025
Narrated by Christian Rodska
Falco and Helena set off for Greece to investigate two deaths, three years apart, that have occurred to travellers journeying with Seven Sights Travel a somewhat seedy company. The current batch of customers are an odd lot, but don’t seem capable of murder – though they might be victims. Marcus thrashes around fruitlessly before finally solving the case (or cases). Christian Rodska voices Falco very well, though the storyline gets a bit lost in the middle.
Falco and Helena set off for Greece to investigate two deaths, three years apart, that have occurred to travellers journeying with Seven Sights Travel a somewhat seedy company. The current batch of customers are an odd lot, but don’t seem capable of murder – though they might be victims. Marcus thrashes around fruitlessly before finally solving the case (or cases). Christian Rodska voices Falco very well, though the storyline gets a bit lost in the middle.
January 6, 2021
Falco, Helena and some of their folks set of to Greece in order to find out what happened to some members of a travelling group.
The mystery in this one was easy to solve, almost right from the beginning, but the atmosphere, the usual banter between the characters and my own nostalgia for this series made it an enjoyable read - nothing more but also nothing less.
The mystery in this one was easy to solve, almost right from the beginning, but the atmosphere, the usual banter between the characters and my own nostalgia for this series made it an enjoyable read - nothing more but also nothing less.
October 16, 2022
One of the weaker entries in the series, but its still Falco!
August 25, 2015
Another great Falco book, but a little slow to start. This time one of Helena’s brothers has been shipped off to Athens for higher education, but sends a letter home about some unexplained death. At the same time, another unexplained death has been brought to Falco’s attention. He takes the case, with a little prodding from an emperor’s aide, which at least means some expenses might be forthcoming, and sets off on a package tour to Athens, via Olympia (not in Olympic year, despite some confusion over the dates, thanks to Nero). And Delphi, where strange events lead to even nastier things happening at another oracle’s site.
I am committed to Falco, but either I’m getting tired, or he is, or maybe Ms Davis is. I feel it lacked the sparkle of previous stories, although the historical events and daily life are portrayed as accurately as ever, and the range of characters as diverse, too. But I enjoy Falco and always will. I’m sure I wouldn’t have the staying power with my characters to produce seventeen (let alone twenty) unique and exciting stories about them.
I am committed to Falco, but either I’m getting tired, or he is, or maybe Ms Davis is. I feel it lacked the sparkle of previous stories, although the historical events and daily life are portrayed as accurately as ever, and the range of characters as diverse, too. But I enjoy Falco and always will. I’m sure I wouldn’t have the staying power with my characters to produce seventeen (let alone twenty) unique and exciting stories about them.
January 15, 2019
Falco is asked by a grieving father to search for an answer to his daughter's death while on a tour. Now Falco's brother-in-law has gone AWOL from his supposed trip to Athens to study law and a young bride was killed on his tour- run by the same man. Who killed them and why? And mom-in-law wants her son found. Falco finds the murderer (and b-i-law) at the end but explanations are somewhat lacking. Otherwise who knew that there were tour groups in the first century AD?
November 14, 2020
Falco and wife go to Greece to investigate the deaths of two young women. They follow a travel company and see many temples and statues. More deaths follow and around and around they go. We get to know a couple of Falco's nephews a bit more. Sometimes you have to really concentrate to keep up with all the characters and the Roman names. Their girls stay at home in Roma with Julia Justa. Take a trip to Greece in the 70 AD times.
July 25, 2015
Falco is always good fun, but this time I struggled a bit with the story...there were very good bits and some gripping moments, but in general I didn't get that feeling of having to keep reading because the plot is that amazing. Nope, not this time. I hope the next one in the series is back to the usual quality.
February 20, 2016
I've read all of the Falco series and this is probably my least favourite. It just felt like a (not very inspiring/interesting) travel guide with a (very small) bit of detecting thrown in. I studied Ancient History at university so would usually be very interested in reading about the various sites that Falco visited, but this was just dreary.
July 8, 2019
I enjoyed my visit with Falco and company as usual, but the ending for this one was... abrupt, and in some ways made me feel the whole book was a set up for the last line. "Don't eat the stew" indeed. Still, looking forward to the next in the series, though I'm getting close to the end, which will be a sad day.
October 9, 2021
All aboard for a tour of ancient Greece, when it was not nearly as ancient as it is now! See the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the temple of Apollo at Corinth, the temples that housed the oracles at Delphi and Epiudauros, and the Parthenon in Athens.
But watch out for those ancient tour companies, especially the ones whose young female clients suddenly die on them.
But watch out for those ancient tour companies, especially the ones whose young female clients suddenly die on them.
January 15, 2018
In the Falco series set in ancient Rome. Though the detective has rather modern sensibilities, the whole series is fun. Falco and Helena, with assorted characters from their families, travel on the tourist route through Greece. Fun and with the MeToo movement pertinent.
September 27, 2011
Disappointing, weak plot nowhere near as good as her other Falco stories
January 7, 2026
He’s a soft one that Didius Falco
December 22, 2021
Κριτική στα Ελληνικά πιο κάτω...
I chose this book out of curiosity, due to era, setting and title (coming from Delphi my self). I knew this was part of a series, but I hadn't realise this was the 17th (!) of the series. There are some nods to previous books that sometimes feel confusing, but generally speaking, this can stand alone.
The author depicts the characters and their lifestyles and way of thinking and the society back then as too modern to be even slightly realistic, while she often uses some phrases and terms that don't seem to fit a story taking place in 76 AD. This didn't irk me so much as first, when the plot held my interest and the narration featured a poignant, clever humor. I knew this is light read, not to be taken too seriously, so I didn't have great expectations. The premise seemed decent, the cast of characters and the various red herrings kept my interest up to a point, while at first I enjoyed the descriptions of the ancient locations.
Unfortunately, after a promissing start, it bacame obvious that Lindsey Davis kept inventing scenes and very slight developements in order to describe various places, while the plot didn't move much. I was very curious and excited to reach the chapters set in Delphi, but I feel the book really went downhill after that point. The pace dropped significantly while all this repetitive moaning about the evils of tourism started to grate on my nerves. There is no redeeming quality at all and the author didn't bother to include even one decent local character in the book. There isn't a single Greek character who's not a rascal, a trickster, an eejit, a rip-off, a show-off, a scammer or all combined.
I'm sorry to say that towards the end of the book I got really bored, the narration didn't hold any substance or interest to me, while the conclusion of the story is simply unacceptable and the end too abrupt and ridiculous. I don't want to write spoilers here, but the author really pissed me off!
Not the worst book I've ever read, but it had potential that never materialised. 3 stars for the first half of the book! I feel that maybe reading one of the first books in the series would be way better. The authors (and their stories) lose steam after a while and I feel this is what might have happened here...
Διάλεξα αυτό το βιβλίο από περιέργεια, λόγω εποχής και φυσικά τοποθεσίας και τίτλου. Είχα καταλάβει ότι αυτό είναι μέρος μίας σειράς, αλλά δεν είχα καταλάβει βέβαια ότι αυτό είναι το 17ο (!) μιας σειράς. Υπάρχουν νύξεις για περιστατικά από προηγούμενα βιβλία που κάποιες φορές είναι λίγο άκυρα αν δεν τα έχεις διαβάσει, αλλά σε γενικές γραμμές διαβάζεται και από μόνο του.
Η συγγραφέας δίνει έναν πολύ σύγχρονο τόνο στη νοοτροπία, στην κοινωνία και σε πολλά άλλα πράγματα που υποτίθεται λαμβάνουν χώρα το 76μ.Χ. και χρησιμοποιεί αρκετές εκφράσεις και λέξεις που δεν μου ταίριαξαν στο πνεύμα του βιβλίου, ωστόσο όσο η πλοκή είχε ένα κάποιο ενδιαφέρον και η ιστορία ήταν γραμμένη με σκωπτικό χιούμορ, αυτό δεν με ενόχλησε όσο αργότερα. Ήξερα ότι αυτό είναι ένα ελαφρύ ανάγνωσμα και δεν είχα υπερβολικές απαιτήσεις. Η υπόθεση μου κίνησε το ενδιαφέρον, όπως και η περιγραφή των χαρακτήρων και διάφορα στοιχεία που οδηγούσαν σε διαφορετικούς ύποπτους και σε έκαναν να αναρωτιέσαι, ενώ μου άρεσε ταυτόχρονα και η περιγραφή του αρχαίου κόσμου στα πρώτα κεφάλαια.
Από κάποιο σημείο και μετά όμως είναι εμφανές ότι η Lindsey Davis έγραφε σκηνές απλά επειδή ήθελε να μας μεταφέρει σε διάφορες τοποθεσίες, ενώ η ιστορία δεν προχωρούσε σχεδόν καθόλου. Ανυπομονούσα λόγω καταγωγής από Δελφούς να φτάσω στα σχετικά κεφάλαια, αλλά από αυτό το σημείο και μετά το βιβλίο νομίζω ότι πήρε την κάτω βόλτα. Ο ρυθμός έπεσε πολύ, ενώ όλη αυτή η δεικτική γκρίνια για όλα τα στραβά του τουρισμού άρχισε να κουράζει κάπου. Ακόμα, η συγγραφέας δεν σκέφτηκε να βάλει ούτε έναν ντόπιο χαρακτήρα που να έχει κάποια αρετή, όλοι ήταν απατεώνες, στραβόξυλα, κομπιναδόροι, κουφιοκέφαλοι κτλ κτλ.
Προς το τέλος πλέον είχα βαρεθεί τη ζωή μου, η αφήγηση έχασε οποιαδήποτε ουσία κι ενδιαφέρον είχε, ενώ η λύση του μυστηρίου και το τέλος είναι εντελώς απαράδεκτα. Δεν θέλω να γράψω spoilers, αλλά έλεος!
Υπήρχαν προϋποθέσεις για κάτι καλύτερο εδώ, τα τρία αστέρια είναι για το πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου. Νομίζω ότι οι σειρές που τραβάνε τόσο πολύ σπάνια πετυχαίνουν στα τελευταία βιβλία, ίσως αν διαβάσω κάποιο από τα πρώτα να μου αρέσει πιο πολύ...
I chose this book out of curiosity, due to era, setting and title (coming from Delphi my self). I knew this was part of a series, but I hadn't realise this was the 17th (!) of the series. There are some nods to previous books that sometimes feel confusing, but generally speaking, this can stand alone.
The author depicts the characters and their lifestyles and way of thinking and the society back then as too modern to be even slightly realistic, while she often uses some phrases and terms that don't seem to fit a story taking place in 76 AD. This didn't irk me so much as first, when the plot held my interest and the narration featured a poignant, clever humor. I knew this is light read, not to be taken too seriously, so I didn't have great expectations. The premise seemed decent, the cast of characters and the various red herrings kept my interest up to a point, while at first I enjoyed the descriptions of the ancient locations.
Unfortunately, after a promissing start, it bacame obvious that Lindsey Davis kept inventing scenes and very slight developements in order to describe various places, while the plot didn't move much. I was very curious and excited to reach the chapters set in Delphi, but I feel the book really went downhill after that point. The pace dropped significantly while all this repetitive moaning about the evils of tourism started to grate on my nerves. There is no redeeming quality at all and the author didn't bother to include even one decent local character in the book. There isn't a single Greek character who's not a rascal, a trickster, an eejit, a rip-off, a show-off, a scammer or all combined.
I'm sorry to say that towards the end of the book I got really bored, the narration didn't hold any substance or interest to me, while the conclusion of the story is simply unacceptable and the end too abrupt and ridiculous. I don't want to write spoilers here, but the author really pissed me off!
Not the worst book I've ever read, but it had potential that never materialised. 3 stars for the first half of the book! I feel that maybe reading one of the first books in the series would be way better. The authors (and their stories) lose steam after a while and I feel this is what might have happened here...
Διάλεξα αυτό το βιβλίο από περιέργεια, λόγω εποχής και φυσικά τοποθεσίας και τίτλου. Είχα καταλάβει ότι αυτό είναι μέρος μίας σειράς, αλλά δεν είχα καταλάβει βέβαια ότι αυτό είναι το 17ο (!) μιας σειράς. Υπάρχουν νύξεις για περιστατικά από προηγούμενα βιβλία που κάποιες φορές είναι λίγο άκυρα αν δεν τα έχεις διαβάσει, αλλά σε γενικές γραμμές διαβάζεται και από μόνο του.
Η συγγραφέας δίνει έναν πολύ σύγχρονο τόνο στη νοοτροπία, στην κοινωνία και σε πολλά άλλα πράγματα που υποτίθεται λαμβάνουν χώρα το 76μ.Χ. και χρησιμοποιεί αρκετές εκφράσεις και λέξεις που δεν μου ταίριαξαν στο πνεύμα του βιβλίου, ωστόσο όσο η πλοκή είχε ένα κάποιο ενδιαφέρον και η ιστορία ήταν γραμμένη με σκωπτικό χιούμορ, αυτό δεν με ενόχλησε όσο αργότερα. Ήξερα ότι αυτό είναι ένα ελαφρύ ανάγνωσμα και δεν είχα υπερβολικές απαιτήσεις. Η υπόθεση μου κίνησε το ενδιαφέρον, όπως και η περιγραφή των χαρακτήρων και διάφορα στοιχεία που οδηγούσαν σε διαφορετικούς ύποπτους και σε έκαναν να αναρωτιέσαι, ενώ μου άρεσε ταυτόχρονα και η περιγραφή του αρχαίου κόσμου στα πρώτα κεφάλαια.
Από κάποιο σημείο και μετά όμως είναι εμφανές ότι η Lindsey Davis έγραφε σκηνές απλά επειδή ήθελε να μας μεταφέρει σε διάφορες τοποθεσίες, ενώ η ιστορία δεν προχωρούσε σχεδόν καθόλου. Ανυπομονούσα λόγω καταγωγής από Δελφούς να φτάσω στα σχετικά κεφάλαια, αλλά από αυτό το σημείο και μετά το βιβλίο νομίζω ότι πήρε την κάτω βόλτα. Ο ρυθμός έπεσε πολύ, ενώ όλη αυτή η δεικτική γκρίνια για όλα τα στραβά του τουρισμού άρχισε να κουράζει κάπου. Ακόμα, η συγγραφέας δεν σκέφτηκε να βάλει ούτε έναν ντόπιο χαρακτήρα που να έχει κάποια αρετή, όλοι ήταν απατεώνες, στραβόξυλα, κομπιναδόροι, κουφιοκέφαλοι κτλ κτλ.
Προς το τέλος πλέον είχα βαρεθεί τη ζωή μου, η αφήγηση έχασε οποιαδήποτε ουσία κι ενδιαφέρον είχε, ενώ η λύση του μυστηρίου και το τέλος είναι εντελώς απαράδεκτα. Δεν θέλω να γράψω spoilers, αλλά έλεος!
Υπήρχαν προϋποθέσεις για κάτι καλύτερο εδώ, τα τρία αστέρια είναι για το πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου. Νομίζω ότι οι σειρές που τραβάνε τόσο πολύ σπάνια πετυχαίνουν στα τελευταία βιβλία, ίσως αν διαβάσω κάποιο από τα πρώτα να μου αρέσει πιο πολύ...
May 24, 2020
Greece is the World
Our intrepid Roman gum-sandaled protagonist Marcus Didius Falco and his wife and partner in crime-solving Helena Justina travel to Greece to join a package tour group where the unexplained death of a member of the party mirrors that of another suspicious death three years earlier. Both young women, both belonging to the same tour company and both occurring in Olympia. In this entertaining jaunt Falco is accompanied by some of his extended family (plus Nux the dog), who provide some marvellous opportunities for caustic observations while there are some wicked descriptions of members of the tour party. There are numerous red herrings as the narrative proceeds to its abrupt and disturbing conclusion in a raucous Athenian party. As expected Lindsey Davis provides intriguing insights into aspects of the time – in this case the use of oracles and shrines, the customs and practices of the ancient Olympic Games and the attitude of Romans towards Greek culture. However, reading the descriptions of some of the monuments and statues (especially those in Delphi) was hard going. Nevertheless, another satisfying and enjoyable read.
Our intrepid Roman gum-sandaled protagonist Marcus Didius Falco and his wife and partner in crime-solving Helena Justina travel to Greece to join a package tour group where the unexplained death of a member of the party mirrors that of another suspicious death three years earlier. Both young women, both belonging to the same tour company and both occurring in Olympia. In this entertaining jaunt Falco is accompanied by some of his extended family (plus Nux the dog), who provide some marvellous opportunities for caustic observations while there are some wicked descriptions of members of the tour party. There are numerous red herrings as the narrative proceeds to its abrupt and disturbing conclusion in a raucous Athenian party. As expected Lindsey Davis provides intriguing insights into aspects of the time – in this case the use of oracles and shrines, the customs and practices of the ancient Olympic Games and the attitude of Romans towards Greek culture. However, reading the descriptions of some of the monuments and statues (especially those in Delphi) was hard going. Nevertheless, another satisfying and enjoyable read.
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