Nobody Loves a Centurion

SPQR #6

by John Maddox Roberts

Like so many young men in later generations, Roman playboy/detective Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is faced with the necessity of serving in his country's armed forces. Since a dangerous enemy has become powerful in the politics of Rome, Decius is just as well out of the city for a while. He sets out to join Caesar in Gaul (where the general has come and seen, but has as yet not been able to conquer. The occupying Roman army is at a standstill. When Decius shows up in full parade regalia (much to the amusement of the more informally uniformed veterans) and accompanied only by his young personal slave. Caesar sets him the task of discovering who murdered one of his centurions, a cruel and unfair officer feared and hated by every man of the one hundred soldiers under him. A further prod to Decius is that the main suspect is a youth whose father is a close friend of the Metellus family. With Caesar's decree that another killer be found in a matter of hours or the young man dies, Decius has his work cut out for him.

John Maddox Roberts's series set in the first century A.D. vividly brings to readers a strong sense of the everyday life of the ancient Romans in the context of our own.

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

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

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

[Georgina Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best in the series. So far :)

I've long wanted to find out how the Roman Empire became, well, an empire. This book is a perfect peek into the Roman legion—the well-known secret (pardon the oxymoron) behind Rome's rise to historical glory. Pair that with J.M. Roberts' enviable writing (a perfect blend of wit, philosophy and drollery), and you've got a solid winner in Nobody Loves a Centurion.

I know that I have been gushing nonstop about the books in JMR's SPQR. But if you are at least curious about Ancient Rome and you want to be thoroughly entertained, I strongly suggest that you give this series a try. This book can even be read as a standalone; no wonder that some fans of this series got hooked on SPQR after reading Nobody Loves a Centurion first.

My favorite lines in Nobody Loves a Centurion:
1) "Blame it all on Alexander the Great. Ever since that little Macedonian twit decided that he had to conquer the whole world before he was old enough to shave, every fool with a sword and a decent pair of boots has sought to do the same." —Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger
2) "No man can undo history. We must seize the moment and bend the present to our will." —Caius Julius Caesar
3) "Decius, here in Gaul we are playing the highest-stakes game in the world. When you set a game in motion, you must see it through, however the dice fall." —Caius Julius Caesar

I know that I've been giving JMR four stars (from The King's Gambit to Saturnalia. It's about time to give him five.

[Tonisq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ενα απο τα καλύτερα, αν όχι το καλύτερο, της σειράς

[Mikhail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, refreshing read after wading through the grand complexity of M. A. Carrack's Mask of Mirrors. I first read this book in high school, and I find that it holds up surprisingly well.

Language is nice, clear, and witty, striking a good balance between the strangeness of the historical setting and the familiarity of the character types. The characters are broadly sketched, in a certain Agatha Christie-ish fashion, but human and entertaining all the same, and the protagonist is generally quite likable while still being a Roman Senator. Pacing is extremely good--this is a cracking good read.

The attitudes towards women are somewhat eyebrow-raising, but it doesn't go past eyebrow-raising.

One thing that I did very much appreciate, after a couple of books with very passive mysteries (coughMasterOfDjinncough), was that Decius is a very active investigator. He looks for clues, interrogates people, is generally quite intelligent and astute without going over into Sherlock Holmes territory. It was really quite refreshing.

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 4 out of 5]

Läsning 3: inga tillägg.

Läsning 2: Den var bättre vid omläsning. Det är definitivt en annan slags äventyr än resten av serien, även om premisserna (Decius blir ombedd av en mäktig person att lösa ett problem, som de egentligen inte vill att han löser, utan hjälper dem politiskt med; Decius missförstår eller struntar i undertonen och löser problemet istället för image-problemet, och får därefter kritik för sin lösning) är snarlika.

Läsning 1: Denna var väldigt Alistair McLean. Rekommenderas om man vill läsa pulp.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great mystery set in ancient Rome.

Decius is sent to Gaul, to assist Julius Caesar in his war. He finds this is not like other wars, as the Germans are trying to cross the River Tiber. A centurion is found murdered, and Decius is assigned to solve the mystery. On the plus side, he is given a beautiful German slave to do with as he wishes. Nice work if you can get it.

Nice descriptions of Gallic and Germanic cultures of the times, with a pretty good mystery too.

[Μαρία Ζαχαριάδου · Rating 5 out of 5]

Συνδυασμός ιστορικού και αστυνομικού μυθιστορήματος με ενδιαφέρουσα πλοκή. Το ξετίναξα, πολύ καλό !

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is far from home in this one, and the comforts of civilization. His nemesis Clodius has been elected Tribune of the People, so needing to get him out of Rome for the duration of Clodius's term in office, his family send him up (along with his slave Hermes) to Gaul to serve as an officer in Proconsul Julius Caesar's legion, the famous 10th Legion. Of course, Decius wastes no time getting himself into trouble once there, making a personal enemy in the person of Centurion Titus Vinius, First Spear of the 10th. Vinius is murdered, and Caesar orders Decius to investigate the death. At first I thought Decius would be considered the guilty party and have to work to clearing his name, but it was others, namely one of his client and his fellows whom he worked at clearing.

I always enjoy the story when it takes Decius out of Rome, and into new settings, this being the second time in the series that the story takes place out of the Eternal City. The case was actually pretty good, I thought, as I didn't see the twist at the end coming, like Decius, I had thought he'd solved the case, but there was more to it. But the vast majority of the story, from how I see it, is seeing Decius--a true city dweller--having to live and work in an army camp. Hermes accompanies this with his usually complaining and bemoaning, but even the harsh army camp life can't stifle his snark and insolences. The only downside in the setting was that we weren't treated to some witty banter between Decius and Julia Minor. Though Decius, once again, allows his weakness for the opposite sex to cloud some of his judgment in the personage of a German slave woman, whose attractive presence caused some of the problems that had got Decius in trouble with Vinius before the centurion was murdered.

Overall, this was a good, solid addition to the SPQR series, and I look forward to the next book.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Men do not achieve the centurionate by being mild. Nobody loves a centurion. But they're seldom murdered." So says Caesar to Decius Metellus the Younger, who is putting in his mandatory year of military service in Gaul with Caesar. A brutal centurion has been murdered; Burrus, one of Decius's clients, and prime suspect, along with the other members of his contubernium, has been accused of the murder. Unless the murderer can be found in ten days, the squad will be executed. So Decius and his slave Hermes hop to their investigation. Their nosiness leads them to a German encampment, where damning evidence leads Decius to a culprit. But, afterwards, back at the camp, trying to piece together anamolies in the chain of events, he has second thoughts....

Pacing was good and Decimus was a likeable character. Nice to know that Decius acted as Caesar's secretary and in proofing Caesar's notes, had to figure out Caesar's atrocious handwriting and correct his miserable spelling. I'd say the grammar was fine; nothing was said about it one way or the other and Caesar's still being read today. :) I figured out the significance of the death early on but I didn't guess the real culprit. This was a quick, fun read.

[Vicki Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decius has gone to Gaul to serve under Julius Caesar. A young client of Decius', a legionary, has been accused, along with others, of killing a brutal centurion. Decius has to figure out who the real culprit is to save their lives. One of the funny parts of the book happens when Decius, one of whose jobs is to copy Caesar's commentaries on the war (Caesar has atrocious handwriting and is a bad speller), rereads what he's been copying and realizes what literary genius Caesar is. This is an interesting story, but I do miss Rome and the characters there.

[Lance McMurchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminds me of a line from the TV show Blackadder, "it twists and turns like a twisty, turnie thing". Great book. It is full with lots of great themes; roman army life; the religion and culture of Gauls and Germans and how they contrast in the first century BC, as well as there fighting style. thrown in a great murder mystery. And, like you expect from JMR, lots of great one liners. this book had a better flow to it than the previous book in the series, and certainly keeps you thinking. Yep, this is one of this best.

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read featuring the Roman investigator Decius Caecilius Metellus. This time he is destined to solve a murder in Caesar's army camp that's situated in Gaul, whilst the Germans have breached the terms of their pact with the Romans and crossed the Rhine. It is quite amusing in some places and informative: you even get an insight as to how the Romans planned the layout of their camps and a glimpse of the hierarchy within.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly like the descriptions of the roman military life. Decius' views on the 'barbaric' peoples were also fascinating and hillarious and Freda is a great character. The case itself was a bit boring in my opinion. But the book is still worth a read for everything surrounding the main story.

[Maria Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable mystery! However, Decius Caecilius Metellus, the new "kid on the block", is not as fascinating and witty as Falco or Gordianus.
I probably I will be reading more by this author, if I happen to stumble on the other books of the series.

[jammaster_mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the audiobook version of this book.

Great period murder mystery! Lots of insight into a Roman legion and the politics of the time but not so much that it distracted from the mystery. Well written and interesting characters that I find myself wanting to know more about.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like this one as much as the other. For some reason it took me longer to get into the story. I miss Rome and Asklepiodes.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is well written and entertaining.

[Sergio Muñoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

La serie de SPQR cuenta las aventuras de un detective en el periodo tardío de la República Romana, que podría pensarse primitivo pero es mucho más parecido a nuestros días de lo que parece.
Decius Cecilius Metellus El Joven es un invento que el autor ubica en una familia real de la aristocracia romana. La serie entera entreteje esos elementos ficticios con los históricos con mucho éxito, contando una novela detectivesca al mismo tiempo que un relato de costumbres históricas. En este sexto título, a Decio lo manda su padre a servir en las legiones que "pacifican" la Galia (hoy Francia), para que el chamaco se foguee en la tropa y haga carrera política. Cabe resaltar que estas legiones son comandadas por un polémico senador llamado Cayo Julio César, por lo que rápidamente esta misión se vuelve también un caldero de intrigas y ambiciones tanto militares como polítcas. Para terminar de hervir las cosas, uno de los comandantes más importantes del campamento romano amanece brutalmente asesinado. La moral termina de tocar el suelo, las tropas están bien ciscadas y creen que es un mal augurio, la cadena de mando ha perdido un eslabón crucial, los galos declaran la guerra y tienen el apoyo de los alemanes, así que Julio César encarga a Decius descubrir quién mató al general antes de ejecutar lentamente al escuadrón que tenía bajo su mando, y que por ley marcial debe pagar por la muerte de su superior sí no se encuentra un culpable (los romanos no se tentaban el corazón).

Como la anterior novela de la serie, Saturnalia, la trama avanza con rápidez, el diálogo es ágil y creíble, la exposición es muy poca y cuando se requiere es presentada de una manera muy orgánica (nadie anda explicando en voz alta lo que todos los demás ya saben, más el autor nunca avienta una referencia sin explicarla de alguna manera, nunca asume que eres experto del periodo ni tampoco te marea poniendo lo que va atrás de las planillas), los personajes son divertidos, creíbles y fáciles de visualizar. Se trata de una serie de libros un poco difícil de conseguir pero que lo vale, aunque es mejor buscarlos usados, ya que hasta los supuestos "nuevos" son de segunda mano, debido a que la última impresión fue hace más de diez años. El envío vale más que el libro mismo, pero es el precio que pagamos por no mandar pergaminos en caballo.

[Sebastian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Im Vergleich zu den vorherigen SPQR-Romanen etwas anders, da Protagonist Decius Caecilius Metellus hier nicht im antiken Rom (oder Ägypten) ermittelt, sondern in einem Lager der römischen Truppen im Rhonetal, wo sich Julius Caesar mit seiner Armee auf einen Krieg gegen die Helvetier vorbereitet.

Leider dauert es jedoch sehr lange, bis es für Decius überhaupt etwas zu ermittelt gibt, daher zieht sich vor allem die erste Hälfte sehr in die Länge. Im Anschluss wird die Geschichte zwar etwas ereignisreicher, dennoch ist "Tod eines Centurio" insgesamt nur mäßig spannend.

Dafür ist aber auch dieser SPQR-Band wieder sehr lehrreich und von John Maddox Roberts mit viel historischem Hintergrundwissen gespickt, wenngleich es aber gerade in Hörbuchform wie von der Reihe gewohnt oft eine Herausforderung ist, im komplexen Figurengeflecht den Überblick zu behalten. Die wie immer muntere Lesung von Erich Räuker hilft zudem über manch schleppende Phase des Buches hinweg.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Roman “detective” who is a relative of Caesar is attached to his legions in Gaul as they move against the Helvetii in 58BC. A loathed centurion is murdered and Caesar assigns the investigator the task of finding the killers as the legions prepare for battle. It’s much lighter in tone than Saylor’s series but still an enjoyable read, particularly in the details of Roman military life and the solution inextricably linked to the nature of Roman politics.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Maddox Roberts’ sixth in his SPQR series finds Roman Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus assigned to Caesar’s camp in Gaul about to attack the Helvetii. In No One Loves a Centurion, he tangles with the brutal First Spear of the tenth legion and is punished by Caesar for it only to see the First Spear murdered. The entire Tenth is disgraced and shamed until Decius can unravel the mystery. Gauls, Germans and Druids all play a part in the unfolding drama. A good yarn.

[Thomas W Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved SPQR-6, best in series so far.

Decius is in Gaul with Caesar's legions. When an obnoxious, brutal centurion is murdered,
ordinary soldiers are accused of the crime, including a young client of the Metellus family. They face a horrible death sentence unless Decius finds the true culprit.

Savage tribes, Druids, sexy German slave girl--what's not to love?

HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger has traveled to Gaul to serve under Caesar but still finds a mystery to solve within the Legion. Decius is as fun as usual and the historical details were fascinating. Listened to the audio version which was read by John Lee who always does a great job.

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree-- this is the best of the series that I have read. Having Decius away from Rome, off in the forests of Gaul, reduces the, at times, confusing complexity of Roman politics in the plot, and produces a better structured mystery with a nice little twist at the end.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime investigation in Gaul at the time of Julius Caesar. Will carry on with the series - enjoyed the twists and turns

[Christopher Crum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as previous books in the series and it had a boring end but not bad overall.

[Vicki Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the books that take the reader out of Rome, but this was too slow in developing for me.

[Aris Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome laughs

Can't get enough of rome detective. Makes your mood and you learn history too. I read it before sleep .

[Mike A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable setting, characters, and plot

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining read (I keep saying that). Our hero is now in Gaul, facing untold numbers of Gauls and Germans, with only a desire to be elsewhere, but maintaining well the facade of a Roman noble.

The story: a nasty first spear centurion is found murdered outside the camp of the 10th legion. A dozen legionaries are facing death, at the hands of their comrades, as the guilty parties, unless Decius can find the truth. He does so, and discovers terrible betrayal. The centurion had sold our Caesar to the Germans, but in turn had been discovered and executed by Caesar.

At the very nick of time, at the last minute, fleeing captivity by the German King, Decius races back to Caesar, blames the Druids, and secures the release of the legionaries.

Entertaining (did I say that already?).

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time Decius (our main character) and his slave, Hermes, are sent to Gaul to fight with Julius Caesar in his latest military campaign. Decius shows up in full military dress and becomes the laughing stock of the veteran soldiers. Caesar assigns him the duty of finding the killer(s) of a sadistic Centurion (First Spear). The deceased was feared and hated by the troops and the honor and dignity of the legion is at stake. If Decius can't name the killer within a few days, Caesar will have no choice but to executed selected individuals of that century (100 troops) and shame the remainder. Between raiding barbarians, ticked off troops, creepy forests and assassinated Druids, our poor Decius has his back to the wall and must work against the ticking clock....