A Point of Law

SPQR #10

by John Maddox Roberts

Decius Caecilius Metellus is moving up in the world. He's won some money and glory fighting pirates in the Mediterranean and expects a speedy election to the office of praetor.

That all changes when a man he's never seen before publicly accuses him of corruption. Decius and his powerful family of Rome's leading politicians scramble to prepare a defense. However, the day of the trial they are greeted with a strange surprise on the steps of the courthouse: the corpse of the man who made the accusation. Now Decius is up against a much more serious charge of murder. It may cost him his chance to run for office, but not if he can help it.

Roberts once again masterfully sets Decius and his adventures against the background of this famed and crumbling Republic, enriching his story with historical detail and the immortal personalities of the day.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Crime, Roman

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

aka Mark Ramsay

John Maddox Roberts is the author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. The first two books in the series have recently been re-released in trade paperback.

Reviews

[Feles_et_libri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Άλλο ένα εξαιρετικό βιβλίο της σειράς SPQR με πρωταγωνιστή τον οξυδερκή και ασυμβίβαστο Δέκιο Καικίλιο Μέτελλο. Σε ορισμένα σημεία η πολιτική ανάλυση ίσως κουράσει, αλλά σίγουρα δεν θα αποθαρρύνει τον αναγνώστη. Η υπόθεση ξετυλίγεται αργά αλλά σταθερά και κρατάει αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον. Όπως πάντα οι ιστορικές αναφορές και οι λεπτομέρειες που αφορούν τη ζωή στην αρχαία Ρώμη αποτελούν ίσως το πιο γοητευτικό κομμάτι του βιβλίου.

Ένα όμως σημαντικό ζήτημα που αδικεί το βιβλίο είναι η μετάφραση. Ορισμένες αγγλικές εκφράσεις έχουν μεταφραστεί αυτολεξεί και φαίνονται εντελώς αφύσικες στην ελληνική γλώσσα ενώ κάλλιστα θα μπορούσα να είχαν μετατραπεί σε έκφραση που υπάρχει και ταιριάζει με το θέμα και το κείμενο. Είναι κρίμα ένα τόσο καλό βιβλίο να υποφέρει λόγω οφθαλμοφανών σφαλμάτων στη μετάφραση.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry in the SPQR series.

Some jabroni accuses Decius of thievery during election season. Nobody takes it all that seriously, until the accuser winds up dead at the forum.

Decius is the primary suspect, and he has to clear his name. He finds a conspiracy, and that the Empire is on the verge of a civil war.

Great stuff.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm reading these a bit out of order, courtesy the public library, it really doesn't matter much. The books tie together, but not in any critical way, so reading book 3 then book 9 then book 1 will not be a problem; you can jump in at any point.

I've read quite a few of these so far, and they're all consistently entertaining, informative, interesting, and have solid mysteries. Roberts' research into Roman culture, history, and details of life is excellent, and what he doesn't (or can't) know, he invents and extrapolates well.

Each mystery is a solid, well-crafted puzzler, largely related to Roman culture or historical events. This one sweeps a bit more broadly than most of the previous books, examining a major conspiracy that is an attempt to deal with the looming threat of the Republic's demise. Caesar and Pompey are fast approaching an inevitable collision, and we know how that turned out from history. Meanwhile most of Rome continues on life as they always have, ignoring the changes around them.

The main character of Decius is likeable and interesting, but refreshingly a man of his times - that is, he has no problem with slavery, regularly presumes Roman superiority to the world, and is not some magically "progressive" person from modern day transplanted into Rome. The only quibble I have is that the language and writing style is very modern and while he avoids (usually) modern idioms and colloquialisms, every once in a while one sneaks into dialog and the style feels too informal and comfortable for modern readers to fit Rome.

In this book, the mystery is very complicated and involves the final days of the Roman Republic, before Caesar takes power as dictator for life. The issues at hand are very Roman and slightly disconnected from modern life, which while difficult to sympathize with, is in my opinion brilliant, because it is a tale that could have only been told in Rome. In brief, Decius is accused of corruption after a brilliant defeat of Pirates around Cyprus, then his accuser is found dead and murder is alleged.

The conclusion of the book wraps up a somewhat confusing tangle of ancestry, elite and common families, Roman law, traditions, and so on and was one I could not see coming or work out in advance. The themes of living in the last days of a once-great republic are uncomfortably modern feeling as well.

[Georgina Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of J.M. Roberts' best. A perfect blend of history, mystery and comedy — five days after reading it and I am still grinning at the book's most comic scenes.

A Point of Law is a lesson on Roman courts: how Ancient Romans dealt with legal issues such as complaints, juries, arrests, investigations and, well, the law in general. As usual, J.M. Roberts made his characters so endearing to the reader that even "killjoy" Marcus Porcius Cato seemed so lovable. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger and the gang make you feel like they are your old friends, and whenever I put down another book (especially this one!) in this series, I feel really sad. If that's not amazing (as in deserving of five stars), I don't know what is. For me, a great book (regardless of its place in whatever critic or bestseller list) leaves you laughing/crying/heartbroken/mad/ecstatic for days after you've finished reading the last page.

SPQR X: A Point of Law is a WORTHY book in MY book :)

[Paul J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Habe vor vielen Jahren die Serie mit diesem Buch angefangen und es ist immer noch eins der Besten aus der Reihe. Ja, es sind viele Namen und es ist manchmal verwirrend.. aber die Namen kommen immer wieder und nach einem oder zwei Bücher bekommt man nen guten Überblick. Die Einführung und das Auftreten von Personen wird von dem Autor sehr gut unterstützt 🙂

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Läsning 2: vid omläsning är detta förmodligen den näst bästa SPQR-boken. Och det vill inte säga lite. Karaktärerna är balanserade, Rom känns romerskt, och oron för den omstörtande diktatorn känns genuin. Väldigt rekommenderad.

Läsning 1: Ytterligare en strålande, om än ganska teatralisk, SPQR-bok. Huvudpersonen blir anklagad för korruption, och därefter dör den anklagande dramatiskt. Båda aspekterna är sidonödvändigheter för att få till stånd en offentlig, politisk, rättegång. Resten av boken är dramat som beskriver denna rättegång. Strålande. Riktigt strålande.

[Thomas W Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatest Roman Era Series

John Maddox Roberts died too soon. I wish he had survived to complete the life of Decius and give us his take on the events after the Ides of March.

But Maddox has still given us 13 volumes of unparalleled, historically researched, exciting books about the last days of the Roman Republic. For that legacy we owe him a libation, I poured out in memory of a great author who took us to the streets of Rome when the world was much different than today.

Or at least I think it was...

[Hotspur]

John Maddox Roberts, sometime SF writer, has created one of the great Roman era detectives in the character of Decius Caecillus Metellus. Operating almost exactly in the same time period as Stephen Saylor's Gordianus "The Finder", Metellus, unlike the somewhat plebian Gordianus, is a patrician from an old and celebrated family. Metellus is ever conscious of his role as a patrician's son and heir and the backdrop of social climbing and snobbery in the Roman class system has always been one of the most amusing things about this series-- unlike the more roguish Falco (from Lindsey Davis), Decius is duty driven and honor bound (pretty much), and is an extremely likable character for all of that. It would be amusing to have Decius meet Gordianus in one of these narratives, but I consider it rather unlikely, alas.

In this installment, Decius returns from the pirate hunting expedition (book IX) and is unexpectedly accused of graft and corruption by a young pup from the provinces trying to make a name for himself. Can it be as simple as that? To quote Cicero, Who Benefits? When the would be accuser turns up dead, Decius is faced with a challenge.

only partially into this one (about a third done) and I have to say they just keep improving. Roberts hit his stride with the SPQR series long ago and continues to improve his craft. Very much recommended.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of JMR's best SPQR books. It has the perfect mix of Roman history, mystery, comedy, and drama, as well as not beholden to a specific historical event to map out the plot, which is always win, makes the story less predictable.

Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is back from Cyprus, and standing for a new political office. Another citizen accuses him of abuse of his powers in Cyprus (a common practice in the political world of Rome, almost part of the job), and then when his accuser his murdered, Decius becomes the prime suspect. With Hermes, now his loyal freedman, at his side, along with his faithful and shrewd wife Julia Minor, Decius must defend himself in court and discover the real culprits.

I really enjoyed the set up, and the information we got on Roman Courts. There was also foreshadowing (if you can call it that) of the upcoming civil war between Caesar and Pompey. Decius is being pressured to pick a side. His wife wants him to be a Caesarian, and his family just wants to stay neutral until forced to pick, and they seem to be leaning toward Pompey more than Caesar.

Decius and Hermes get to do a lot of snooping in this one, breaking and entering to discover evidence to clear Decius's good name. I enjoyed a new character, a female philosopher from Alexandria, Callista. I'm hoping to see her again in future books, though I suspect she's a one-off character.

My favorite part was the trail. I really enjoyed Decius's oration in defense of himself. It was splendid to read.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 10th in the series with all the usual positives. It's particularly pleasing to come across a character like Decius whose attitudes are so consistent and historically realistic for a wealthy and well-connected Roman, and not those of the 21st century. It’s an abrupt unveiling and the plethora of similar names requires full concentration, but it's still a most absorbing read as Decius is framed for corruption and then the murder of the accuser.

It's probably well-suited to those with an interest in the political machinations bound up with the struggle between Pompey and Caesar as those struggles loom large as a motive. Decius, and now freed Hermes, along with wife Julia's subtle assistance and with the help of a few interesting allies, navigates violence and duplicity to uncover a conspiracy.

This is probably not the best place to start with Decius, but it's an absorbing continuation of a great series.

[Joel Thimell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I jumped into the middle of the SPQR series and read book #10 first because that's the only one of the series my library owns. (Sad.)

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, which is written in the first person by a rascally, self-deprecating Decius Metellus, who solves a gruesome series of murders which threaten the stability of the Roman Republic and (more importantly) his own political ambitions.

The characters are well drawn, the description of ancient Roman culture, history and politics detailed and believable. Above all, I enjoyed the sardonic wit of the narrator and the lighthearted telling of a murder mystery. It felt like DCI Jack Frost had been transported back to Ancient Rome...

I will definitely going back to the beginning of this series...

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in John MaddoxRoberts SPQR series ( the tenth) A Point Of Law is maybe his best. Amid a political backdrop of Caesar’s growing dominance our protagonist Decius Caecilius Metellus is charged with bribery and murder. It’s a frame-up but he has to go to trial days before his election as Praetor. If convicted he is disqualified from office. He has three days to investigate and prove his innocence. He uncovers a conspiracy and decodes a cipher that leads him to the solution. Fast moving and brings Ancient Rome alive. Love this series.

[Lena_makridina · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time Decius has ever brought his case to court and not resolved it through a street brawl or a failed assassination attempt. It wasn't his idea though))))

I liked the historical background, especially this idea that not all of the optimates were extremely wealthy families and not all of the commons were half-starved peasants that some of the commons were actually the wealthiest people of Rome.

[M.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t exactly finished this book of the excellent SPQR series, but havent laughed so hard in a long time prompting me to write this preemptive review. Roberts is able to bring Ancient Rome to life, and Decius, Hermes, Julia and the various other historical figures are absolutely colorful and delightful. The story is written with humor and wit, and the intrigue is delightfully complex. I’ll be sorry when I’m finished with this book.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I recall, this is my favorite book in the series. It's certainly my favorite in my Aug 2024 re-read so far. I love the academic interludes with Callista and Julia (they are so entertaining), I always love Hermes and Asklepoides. I like seeing Decius in action in a court of law, alongside Cato, no less.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one quite a lot because the story goes into roman politics and questions the system of just a few families ruling an ever growing empire as if it were still a little city state. Also, this time it's Decius being accused as murderer and having to work to prove his innocence.

[CallaLily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love returning to this Rome created by the author. The series is endlessly entertaining. The sharp wit, political commentary, and machinations of various colorful characters keeps me coming back for more.

Audible
5

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5ish... not as fun as the previous books, IMO.

[Kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite in the series so far. The final trial scene was exciting, especially knowing what is just around the corner for Caesar and the republic.

[Robert B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Wonderful detail as to Roman life of that era. Good plot. Humor.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable adventure featuring Decius Cecilius Metellus the younger. Decius is moving up in world of Roman politics but, just days before he is to be elected to praetor, an unknown fellow citizen accuses him of corruption. Lots of political intrigue and historical details, along with the always great narration of John Lee, made this an entertaining listen.

[Peter Kalnin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, mystery, sex (not stated, just suggested) and political intrigue, this book continues the series in a unified manner driving toward a conclusion.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decius is back in Rome for his 10th outing! He is running for praetor this time but just as he is starting his campaign a young upstart named Fulvius accuses him of corruption while hunting pirates on Cyprus (book #9). Fulvius turns up dead shortly thereafter & Decius is the main suspect. This being the Roman Republic, he isn't locked up and is free to investigate as much as he wants. Though, with this being the Roman Republic there is no guarantee that even finding proof someone else did it will get him off. Roman trials were mostly about slandering the other side, impressing the jury with your rhetoric and straight up bribery. But Decius thinks facts matter. He's still a bit naive that way.
He investigates with the help of his usual band of associates - Hermes, Julia & Asklepiodes.
As he digs further into Fulvius' past and finds a series of letters written in a cipher it turns out Decius has once again uncovered a plot against the Republic and we hear a lot about how the Republic is falling apart and powerful men are too busy aggrandizing themselves at the expense of the state to try and fix it.
The mystery is a solid whodunnit, well written & enjoyable.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenth in the SPQR (Senate and the People of Rome) series by John Maddox Roberts dealing with the exploits of Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger. Set at the time of Julius Caesar, story deals with Metellus, now a Senator, on the eve the election for a praetorship. He is charged with corruption by a new comer to Rome who is found dead the next morning with Metellus the chief suspect. He has to find the real murderer to prove his innocence. Multifaceted plot with a lot of twists.

These stories have good Rome in the last century BC specifics with mixing in historical figures, Roman political plotting, and rivalries which eventually lead to the fall of the Roman Republic to be replaced by the rule of emperors.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: be sure to read these books in order otherwise key characters and events will become confusing.

Our Roman character, Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, is running for the political office of praetor. As he's shaking hands and greeting potential voters, a man steps out of the crowd and points a finger at him. His name is Fulvius and he openly accuses Decius of corruption and political malfeasance during his recent trip to Cyprus. There's just one problem...Decius has no idea who this man is and has never met him before. A quick meeting of Decius' family is called and they discuss how to counteract this hateful accusation.

But the next morning the body of Fulvius is found on the steps of the basillica and Decius is charged with murder! So much for his political career....

[Lance McMurchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars.

This book did some things really well. First, it combined the complex nature of politics, family, legal and class system of the Roman republic. Secondly, it combined all these aspects into a mystery that had me thinking to the end. In fact it made my head hurt. And the clever use of one liners, brilliant!

Though on the downside. The use of the words: penny-pinching and millionaire; these terms do not fit in to roman world thus cheapen the book. Also, the use of code cracking reeks of trying to like 'The Di Vinci Code', which were only written a few years before 'A Point of Law' was released. A bit unnecessary, really.

This book reminded me more of the Sub Rosa series than any other of JMR books - but just a bit more fun.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! After being disappointed and somewhat bored by the previous novel in this series, this book was a great reminded of why I liked this series to begin with. Decius is back in Rome running for praetor when he is accused of political corruption. What follows is a great study in the political machinations in the final years of the Roman Republic. While Caesar and Pompey are still "allies" all of the senators of Rome are prepping for the inevitable civil war. Decius finds himself trapped in the middle of all of this and is finally forced to take sides. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Argum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decius has returned from pirate hunting in Cyprus and is about to stand for election. All is going well until an unknown charges him with bribery and corruption in that pirate hunt. That is bad enough but on the morning they are to appear in court to wrap up this nuisance the accuser is dead. Now he is charged with the murder. He must figure out who is acting behind the dead man and why and all in three days or he won't be able to stand for election or worse. Julia and Hermes and Asklepidos are all there as usual helping sort out what is going on. Enjoyable read conclusion is a bit strange in how it resolves, but fun read as usual

[Konstantinos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Άλλο ένα εξαιρετικό SPQR βιβλίο. Με εξαίρεση το πρώτο επεισόδιο, στο οποίο ο συγγραφέας θυσίασε αναγκαστικά λίγο από το ρυθμό για να στήσει το σκηνικό και τα πρόσωπα της σειράς, όλα τα άλλα παρουσιάζουν την ίδια συνέπεια στην ποιότητα. Η αφήγηση είναι απολαυστικότατη και το βιβλιαράκι άκρως εθιστικό. Μέσα από πολύπλοκες -αλλά πάντοτε ενδιαφέρουσες- ίντριγκες και αστυνομικά μυστήρια ο J.M.Roberts ξαναζωντανεύει με όλες τις ζωηρές και άγνωστες λεπτομέρειες της την καθημερινή ζωή στη Ρώμη της εποχής του Καίσαρα και του Κικέρωνα.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first encounter with Roberts. An entertaining, quick, and amusing read.

Five days in the life of an aspiring Roman noble of the late Republic, as he battles for the Praetorship. He is first accused of corruption, and then murder. With the help of his plucky freedman, plus a host of family, friends, clients, and an attractive Alexandrine philosopher, he navigates a maze of politics to uncover a conspiracy, and prove his innocence.

Not overly deep or meaningful, but certainly enjoyable.