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SPQR #7
The Tribune's Curse
Decius Caecilius Metellus is happy. The weather is beautiful and he is standing for office (literally, standing, in the Roman Forum soliciting votes) with a sure chance of winning. Caesar's ongoing dreary war is far off in Gaul. Decius is confident that another war looming over Rome-instigated by one Crassus against the Parthians-will be voted down in the Senate. But the vote does not stop Crassus. On the day he and his troops set out from Rome, the Tribune Ateius Capitus, leader of the opposition, shrieks an ancient and terrible curse over the huge crowd assembled-a curse that frightens not only the man in the street but the highest Romans. And when Ateius is murdered, a reluc-tant Decius is chosen to find his killer.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
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About the author
John Maddox Roberts
127 books253 followersaka 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 14, 2024
I got this book at one of the Little Free Libraries in which the selection of choices wasn't too good. Looking at the cover, I wasn't expecting much. However, this book turned out be a nice slice of life for an experience of Late Republic Rome during the First Triumvirate.
The plot revolves around a Roman senator, Decius Caecilius Metellius, tasked with investigating a major sacrilege involving some of the most sacred beliefs and practices of Rome. As the plot progresses, it turns eventually into a murder mystery more involved than the original sacrilege being investigated.
As Metellius conducts his investigation, we get a nice view of daily life in Rome as we get his views on various aspects of his society, culture, government, and fellow Romans. With his wry pragmatism and cynicism, the book reminded in some ways of "I, Claudius".
The glossary at the end of the book is a nice bonus, offering additionally interesting information on Roman life and society.
I recommend this book for fans of Ancient Rome and for those enjoying historical fiction.
The plot revolves around a Roman senator, Decius Caecilius Metellius, tasked with investigating a major sacrilege involving some of the most sacred beliefs and practices of Rome. As the plot progresses, it turns eventually into a murder mystery more involved than the original sacrilege being investigated.
As Metellius conducts his investigation, we get a nice view of daily life in Rome as we get his views on various aspects of his society, culture, government, and fellow Romans. With his wry pragmatism and cynicism, the book reminded in some ways of "I, Claudius".
The glossary at the end of the book is a nice bonus, offering additionally interesting information on Roman life and society.
I recommend this book for fans of Ancient Rome and for those enjoying historical fiction.
January 16, 2023
It's election time in Rome once again. Cassus, the richest man in Rome, wants to start a war with the Parthians, so he can loot and pillage, but many Romans are against the war. So he raises his own army. As he is leaving, a minor politician appears, and puts a curse on the city of Rome. Then he disappears.
Decius is charged with finding the man, and helping to break the curse.
Really great, with a description of a famous event from Roman history.
Decius is charged with finding the man, and helping to break the curse.
Really great, with a description of a famous event from Roman history.
November 20, 2021
Another solid outing from Roberts, this time the hero just fresh back from Gaul and running for the dubious honor of the office of Aedile. Set just as Crassus sets out for his doomed campaign to defeat the Parthians, our hero Decius Metellus the younger is caught up in yet another mystery.
This time the mystery is twofold and appears separate, and is even more complex and mystical than ever before. The writing is solid and enjoyable, with plenty of historical information and insights into ancient Rome.
One thing I truly appreciate and enjoy about this series is how seriously and honestly John Maddox Roberts takes the faith, superstitions, and beliefs of the time period. His narrator, Senator Metellus, is very Roman and finds non-Roman ideas and behavior strange and even suspicious. He presents the beliefs and religion of the people non-ironically, and the hero is not the typical "only skeptic in the time period who is just like modern man" that so many writers of historical fiction do.
A solid mystery with fascinating details, another fine read.
Upon re-reading I have a bit more patience with Decius because he has suffered significant physical trauma (the scene of carrying a massive litter with animals sleeping atop it is epic but shows how messed up he would be for the rest of the story). So he's not at his peak ability to think and understand what has happened. And, given his life and experiences, it makes sense that he misses such an obvious, blatant clue.
This time the mystery is twofold and appears separate, and is even more complex and mystical than ever before. The writing is solid and enjoyable, with plenty of historical information and insights into ancient Rome.
One thing I truly appreciate and enjoy about this series is how seriously and honestly John Maddox Roberts takes the faith, superstitions, and beliefs of the time period. His narrator, Senator Metellus, is very Roman and finds non-Roman ideas and behavior strange and even suspicious. He presents the beliefs and religion of the people non-ironically, and the hero is not the typical "only skeptic in the time period who is just like modern man" that so many writers of historical fiction do.
A solid mystery with fascinating details, another fine read.
Upon re-reading I have a bit more patience with Decius because he has suffered significant physical trauma (the scene of carrying a massive litter with animals sleeping atop it is epic but shows how messed up he would be for the rest of the story). So he's not at his peak ability to think and understand what has happened. And, given his life and experiences, it makes sense that he misses such an obvious, blatant clue.
January 29, 2025
Läsning 2: jag är inte lika säker på att denna är bäst så lång längre - däremot är den klart bra.
Läsning 1: Återigen en bok som var strålande, fram till de sista sidorna. Mitt problem är att upplösningen saknar dramatik och därför inte ger tillfredsställelse. Själva kruxet är godtagbart.
Det som gör denna bok speciell, är att djupet i världen är så stort. Religionsvarianterna och skräcken inför det övernaturliga är fascinerande, och den gör aldrig misstaget att gå över i historisk fantasy. Jag rekommenderar den definitivit, och den är med bred marginal den bästa hittills i SPQR-serien.
Läsning 1: Återigen en bok som var strålande, fram till de sista sidorna. Mitt problem är att upplösningen saknar dramatik och därför inte ger tillfredsställelse. Själva kruxet är godtagbart.
Det som gör denna bok speciell, är att djupet i världen är så stort. Religionsvarianterna och skräcken inför det övernaturliga är fascinerande, och den gör aldrig misstaget att gå över i historisk fantasy. Jag rekommenderar den definitivit, och den är med bred marginal den bästa hittills i SPQR-serien.
May 7, 2012
Another absorbing read from John Maddox Roberts. I like how he focuses on different aspects of Ancient Roman life and relives them enthusiastically for the modern reader. There were just some scenes in this book which I felt could use a "fresher" treatment (like Decius getting jumped at near his home: a scene that can be read in almost every book in this series). Otherwise, good job JMR. As always.
September 12, 2020
This next mystery in the SPQR series is different from the rest. Usually our protagonist, Decius Caecilius Metellus, is confronted by the 'dilemma du jour' early on, but in this one, John Maddox Roberts, takes his time setting up the situation before Decius is instructed to conduct an investigation.
As can be noted from the blurb, "The Tribune's Curse" is set just before Crassus goes off to prosecute his disastrous campaign against the Parthians, which some, if not most of the Romans have mixed feelings about. One faction is very much against it and campaign vociferously to stop Crassus from prosecuting his campaign, among them, Gaius Ateius Capito, the eponymous tribune of the title. Just as Crassus is leaving Rome to lead his troops, Tribune Ateius Capito lays down a curse upon him, in front of all the movers and shakers of Rome, the likes that has never been seen.
This curse was so over the top that I thought to myself, this must be completely fictionalized. Nope. As usual, Roberts takes a moment in history and crafts a compelling story around it. It turns out, Tribune Gaius Ateius Capito actually was so against Crassus' campaign that he did cast this ancient curse. As quoted from Plutarch, (Plutarch, Crassus 16.5–6, from Sarah Iles Johnston, Religions of the Ancient World (Harvard University Press, 2004), p. 510).
"Ateius then ran on ahead to the city gate where he set up a brazier with lighted fuel in it. When Crassus came to the gate, [Ateius] threw incense and libations on the brazier and called down on [Crassus] curses which were dreadful and frightening enough in themselves and made still more dreadful by the names of certain strange and terrible deities. … The Romans believe that these mysterious and ancient curses are so powerful that no one who has had them laid upon him can escape from their effect. … So on this occasion people blamed Ateius for what he had done; he had been angry with Crassus for the sake of Rome, yet he had involved Rome in these curses and in the terror which must be felt of supernatural intervention."
What follows is a masterclass in how to entertain a reader, while at the same time educating them on the finer points of Roman history, culture, and politics. What would be a dry info dump in the hands of any lesser writer, Roberts skillfully weaves these academic strands together in a organic manner that doesn't feel as if you're being lectured by your college professor.
This being Rome of the dying days of the Republic, most of the major movers and shakers are here: Pompey, Cicero, Cato, Milo, Clodius and many others. Julius Caesar is mentioned often, but he's off stage, prosecuting his own war in Gaul, at this time.
As usual, the pressure is on, and Decius must put everything together quickly or the consequences will be disastrous. (Details omitted to avoid spoilers).
Another fun and educational story, not to mention a very nice mystery to sit back and enjoy.
Highly recommended.
As can be noted from the blurb, "The Tribune's Curse" is set just before Crassus goes off to prosecute his disastrous campaign against the Parthians, which some, if not most of the Romans have mixed feelings about. One faction is very much against it and campaign vociferously to stop Crassus from prosecuting his campaign, among them, Gaius Ateius Capito, the eponymous tribune of the title. Just as Crassus is leaving Rome to lead his troops, Tribune Ateius Capito lays down a curse upon him, in front of all the movers and shakers of Rome, the likes that has never been seen.
This curse was so over the top that I thought to myself, this must be completely fictionalized. Nope. As usual, Roberts takes a moment in history and crafts a compelling story around it. It turns out, Tribune Gaius Ateius Capito actually was so against Crassus' campaign that he did cast this ancient curse. As quoted from Plutarch, (Plutarch, Crassus 16.5–6, from Sarah Iles Johnston, Religions of the Ancient World (Harvard University Press, 2004), p. 510).
"Ateius then ran on ahead to the city gate where he set up a brazier with lighted fuel in it. When Crassus came to the gate, [Ateius] threw incense and libations on the brazier and called down on [Crassus] curses which were dreadful and frightening enough in themselves and made still more dreadful by the names of certain strange and terrible deities. … The Romans believe that these mysterious and ancient curses are so powerful that no one who has had them laid upon him can escape from their effect. … So on this occasion people blamed Ateius for what he had done; he had been angry with Crassus for the sake of Rome, yet he had involved Rome in these curses and in the terror which must be felt of supernatural intervention."
What follows is a masterclass in how to entertain a reader, while at the same time educating them on the finer points of Roman history, culture, and politics. What would be a dry info dump in the hands of any lesser writer, Roberts skillfully weaves these academic strands together in a organic manner that doesn't feel as if you're being lectured by your college professor.
This being Rome of the dying days of the Republic, most of the major movers and shakers are here: Pompey, Cicero, Cato, Milo, Clodius and many others. Julius Caesar is mentioned often, but he's off stage, prosecuting his own war in Gaul, at this time.
As usual, the pressure is on, and Decius must put everything together quickly or the consequences will be disastrous. (Details omitted to avoid spoilers).
Another fun and educational story, not to mention a very nice mystery to sit back and enjoy.
Highly recommended.
August 29, 2024
I enjoyed this foray into the world of Ancient Rome through the eyes of Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger. This one had a lot of internal Roman politics in it, which is always fascinating, because we see how they really weren't all that different from us. Despite 2000 years difference, politics is still politics, the theater around it just changes.
In this story a Tribune of the People uses curses and cult religion in the last attempt to stop Crassus from waging his way against Parthia. Decius is summoned by the pontifical college to investigate the curse, and eventually commissioned by his good friend Milo (who is now praetor urbanus) to investigate the murder of said Tribune. Meanwhile the city is under the threat of a mob riot. This puts a lot of strain on Decius. JMR provides us with an interesting look into the world of Roman curses, and the State religious institutions of Rome, as well as the office of Tribune of the People.
There was a twist at the end that I did not see coming until we got much closer to the reveal. I was delighted that now that he was back in Rome, we once again had Julia Minor as Decius's sounding board and confidant... as well as his wife. Finally.
In this story a Tribune of the People uses curses and cult religion in the last attempt to stop Crassus from waging his way against Parthia. Decius is summoned by the pontifical college to investigate the curse, and eventually commissioned by his good friend Milo (who is now praetor urbanus) to investigate the murder of said Tribune. Meanwhile the city is under the threat of a mob riot. This puts a lot of strain on Decius. JMR provides us with an interesting look into the world of Roman curses, and the State religious institutions of Rome, as well as the office of Tribune of the People.
There was a twist at the end that I did not see coming until we got much closer to the reveal. I was delighted that now that he was back in Rome, we once again had Julia Minor as Decius's sounding board and confidant... as well as his wife. Finally.
September 27, 2023
This is another excellent read in the Decius Caecilius Metellus series again based on real events, Crassus’ war against Parthia.
Decius has no 21st century attitudes or virtues and that aids the historical authenticity as he investigates the eventually discovered murder of a tribune who very publicly utters the worst possible curse for Rome on Crassus. With a tight timeline and pressure from Pompey due to the volatile Roman populace, Decius uncovers some vital clues as Rome simmers. Like the others in the series, this has great characters, an involving plot and well-described settings with leavenings of humour, occasionally at Decius' expense.
Decius has no 21st century attitudes or virtues and that aids the historical authenticity as he investigates the eventually discovered murder of a tribune who very publicly utters the worst possible curse for Rome on Crassus. With a tight timeline and pressure from Pompey due to the volatile Roman populace, Decius uncovers some vital clues as Rome simmers. Like the others in the series, this has great characters, an involving plot and well-described settings with leavenings of humour, occasionally at Decius' expense.
December 11, 2018
My main critique is that the mystery didn't really begin until about midway through the book. Before then, the focus was mostly Roman politics. Don't get me wrong, I find that stuff interesting, but if I wanted to read a book on Roman politics/intrigue, I'd choose one of the many selections available elsewhere in the market. I read Roberts and historical mystery at large because I expect a priority on casework with maybe some overarching history, but this book seemed to reverse that.
May 27, 2017
Another entertaining look at Rome through the eyes and investigations of Decius, the up and coming senator and detective who is ordered to investigate another intriguing case. Amusing and well written, many historical facts are mentioned in the background as the story develops. The author illustrates what it must have been like living in Rome with it's grand districts, run-down districts, numerous gangs looking for trouble and supporting the cut throat politicians who pretended surprise that corruption existed under the Roman mind-set of 'dignitas', 'gravitas' and 'virtus'.
September 23, 2019
My favourite SPQR stories are those when Decius is on home turf, like this one wherewe are back in Rome.
Here we get an interesting story that doesn't start out with him having to sleuth on a murder but on a curse instead (with the highest motivation that leads him to wishing he was back in Gaul with Ceasar). Of course, murder eventually happens and with a few twists and turns Decius still manages to save the day, so to speak.
Here we get an interesting story that doesn't start out with him having to sleuth on a murder but on a curse instead (with the highest motivation that leads him to wishing he was back in Gaul with Ceasar). Of course, murder eventually happens and with a few twists and turns Decius still manages to save the day, so to speak.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2022
The Tribune’s Curse is the seventh in John Maddox Roberts’ Roman mystery series. Decius Caecilius Metellus, a candidate for aedile is tapped to solve the murder of Tribune Ateius Capitus who has been mauled by wild beasts beyond recognition. Pompey is Consul and insistent on a solution within three days or Rome riots and goes up in flames. Decius comes through after navigating sorcery and magical incantations.
October 26, 2018
Over the top curses and political life in ancient Rome. Less risk to life of Decius in this one.
July 20, 2024
As usual, very entertaining
May 4, 2019
Our hero, Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, is back in Rome where he belongs and gets involved in another interesting investigation. Listened to the audio version which was read by John Lee who always does a great job with this series.
April 17, 2013
This is a vivid retelling of a critical moment in the history of the Late Roman Republic, and is accurate. Yes, the Tribune Ateius Capito did pronounce a bizarre curse upon Crassus as he left Rome, which led to the purification rites described herein; only the historical Ateius did live for a few more years to die in the Civil Wars -- but that is a minor discrepancy I'm willing to overlook.
However, I am giving this only three stars because Roberts was sloppy in resolving his plot: Decius Caecilius Metellus is given two tasks to complete: uncover the murderer of Ateius (which he does) & to report to a special committee of religious dignitaries who revealed the secret name of Rome (which he does not).* Yes, he does identify a possible source for this secret name, but Decius never reports his discovery to the religious dignitaries; Roberts gets distracted by the doings involved with Decius' other task & never bothers to resolve this issue -- although it would have only taken a page or two somewhere in the middle.
If you can handle that oversight, however, this is a ripping yarn & worth your time to read.
* I don't consider sharing this information as spoilers. One reads a mystery, one expects a murderer to be identified and punished. Only in this case, the murderer is a surprise.
However, I am giving this only three stars because Roberts was sloppy in resolving his plot: Decius Caecilius Metellus is given two tasks to complete: uncover the murderer of Ateius (which he does) & to report to a special committee of religious dignitaries who revealed the secret name of Rome (which he does not).* Yes, he does identify a possible source for this secret name, but Decius never reports his discovery to the religious dignitaries; Roberts gets distracted by the doings involved with Decius' other task & never bothers to resolve this issue -- although it would have only taken a page or two somewhere in the middle.
If you can handle that oversight, however, this is a ripping yarn & worth your time to read.
* I don't consider sharing this information as spoilers. One reads a mystery, one expects a murderer to be identified and punished. Only in this case, the murderer is a surprise.
April 6, 2016
""The best parties ever seen in Rome""
We are back in Rome again with elections coming up and our main protagonist, Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, is one of the candidates, having left Julius Caesar's troops warring in Gaul. But, as usual, things do not go smoothly when Rome itself falls under a virulent curse directed at the richest man of that fair city as he leaves to embark on his own war in search of glory and greater wealth. When the senator who performed the curse is, himself, found apparently murdered, it falls to our luckless and flawed hero to investigate.
Another excellent, puzzling mystery to unwind without the help of modern forensics. The writing is very visual as we are led through the streets of Rome, meeting sometimes strange and exotic characters. The dialogue is filled with wry humour and fascinating titbits of Roman life and culture are revealed. John Lee does a good narration as he becomes the voice of Decius.
It's fun, it is exciting and it even teaches without preaching. Highly recommended
We are back in Rome again with elections coming up and our main protagonist, Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, is one of the candidates, having left Julius Caesar's troops warring in Gaul. But, as usual, things do not go smoothly when Rome itself falls under a virulent curse directed at the richest man of that fair city as he leaves to embark on his own war in search of glory and greater wealth. When the senator who performed the curse is, himself, found apparently murdered, it falls to our luckless and flawed hero to investigate.
Another excellent, puzzling mystery to unwind without the help of modern forensics. The writing is very visual as we are led through the streets of Rome, meeting sometimes strange and exotic characters. The dialogue is filled with wry humour and fascinating titbits of Roman life and culture are revealed. John Lee does a good narration as he becomes the voice of Decius.
It's fun, it is exciting and it even teaches without preaching. Highly recommended
December 23, 2021
I tend to view books VII-X in this series as "Decius in his prime". He's holding or running for office & people are taking his meddling seriously these days.
Decius is running for aedile in this book. But while the election is going on Crassus departs, against the will of many, for a campaign against Partha. This so enrages the tribune Ateius Capito that his issues a curse against Crassus as he is leaving the city. The curse is so potent the entire city must be cleansed. Decius takes part in the cleansing & then is ordered Pompey & various religious leaders to find Capito, who is missing, and find out where he got the curse & learned the names of the various secret gods he called on during it. Once again this story is based off of actual events in the late Republic, though the book wraps it up much more neatly that history does.
Decius is joined in his sleuthing as usual by Hermes and Julia. A well told tale, with the usual Decius as man of action scenes.
Decius is running for aedile in this book. But while the election is going on Crassus departs, against the will of many, for a campaign against Partha. This so enrages the tribune Ateius Capito that his issues a curse against Crassus as he is leaving the city. The curse is so potent the entire city must be cleansed. Decius takes part in the cleansing & then is ordered Pompey & various religious leaders to find Capito, who is missing, and find out where he got the curse & learned the names of the various secret gods he called on during it. Once again this story is based off of actual events in the late Republic, though the book wraps it up much more neatly that history does.
Decius is joined in his sleuthing as usual by Hermes and Julia. A well told tale, with the usual Decius as man of action scenes.
June 12, 2010
This is my first Roman mystery by John Maddox Roberts, and it definitely won't be my last. Decius Caecilius Metellus might be a fictional character, but I love how he's intricately woven into the Caecilii Metelli family and the historical events taking place during his time. It's done so well that it's easy to forget he's not really a historical figure. The same goes to the general atmosphere and the portrayal of the cuthroat politics in the late Republic; it makes me feel like I'm actually in Rome, living that period through Decius' adventures. A very enjoyable historical mystery, and one that I'd recommend to fellow fans of Roman history who'd be able to appreciate the wealth of details and atmosphere that Roberts has masterfully created.
August 31, 2013
I enjoyed this book as I have all of this series. However, it's a problem sometimes when two historical novels have widely different descriptions of people and also different interpretations of events. After reading Colleen McCullough's series I'm inclined to accept her interpretations, which I keep telling myself are not necessarily more correct than Mr. Roberts'. After all, these people lived and these events happened too long ago for any of us to be sure of what exactly happened. Hers are more convincing, though.
That said, the mystery is interesting and the solution a surprise and the story is entertaining. So really, why quibble?
That said, the mystery is interesting and the solution a surprise and the story is entertaining. So really, why quibble?
January 12, 2015
Decius is back in Rome to stand for election 3 years after the last book having spent the interim in Gaul with Caesar. Crassus sets out to conquer Parthia and a tribune curses him, true story, on his way out of town in a majorly nasty way. That tribune washes up in the river a few days later and the city is ready to erupt into rioting. The priests set Decius to figure out how the tribune knew the things he said in his curse and then Pompey and Milo assign him the task of finding the murderer of the tribune who did it. We learn about lots of strange religious beliefs and the complex machinations of empire as Decius works his way to a resolution.
September 18, 2013
This installment in the SPQR series is sadly lacking in the wonderfual snark and cutting insight we've grown to love in Decius. The mystery is almost secondary to Decius' tour guide monologue of Rome and Roman politics.
The book moved along quite well, but it would seem to appeal more to someone already familiar with the time period and political upheavels of the years immediately preceeding Julius Caesar's ascendency to power.
Absolutely NOT enough of Milo or Asklepiodes in the book, or hermes, Julia and any of the other fun and quirky characters.
The book moved along quite well, but it would seem to appeal more to someone already familiar with the time period and political upheavels of the years immediately preceeding Julius Caesar's ascendency to power.
Absolutely NOT enough of Milo or Asklepiodes in the book, or hermes, Julia and any of the other fun and quirky characters.
August 19, 2015
Another of Roberts' Decius the Younger detective stories. Ripping through them like peanuts.
This time, the famous Crassus and his departure to Parthia. The incident where he was cursed is correct and the centre of the novel. Roberts brings this incident to life, however, after reading a few in this series, is the detection proving to be not sufficiently well laid out to the reader? It seems as if our hero walks through Rome several times, collects clues, has an epiphany, and identifies the killer. Also, the conclusion. Roberts always writes this too abruptly. Maybe I am being too harsh.
This time, the famous Crassus and his departure to Parthia. The incident where he was cursed is correct and the centre of the novel. Roberts brings this incident to life, however, after reading a few in this series, is the detection proving to be not sufficiently well laid out to the reader? It seems as if our hero walks through Rome several times, collects clues, has an epiphany, and identifies the killer. Also, the conclusion. Roberts always writes this too abruptly. Maybe I am being too harsh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2008
Another good historical mystery read in the Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger series. Set in 80 B.C. Rome, Decius again finds himself having to solve a murder in order to forestall greater problems for him, his family, and Rome. As usual, the story has Decius involved with the leading figures of Rome (Caesar, Crassus, Pompey) and in the middle of the rivalries and politics of Rome as he tries to solve the murder.
November 27, 2015
Decius is back in Rome after serving for a while in Caesar's army in Gaul. He's now married to Caesar's niece Julia and is campaigning to be elected as aedile. Just as Crassus is leaving the city to go east to begin the war on the Parthians, one of the Tribunes appears and curses him, invoking many old gods and using the secret name of Rome, and later the Tribune is found dead. Decius is tasked by Pompey to find out who killed him and who told him the secret name.
June 18, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this book, as with all of the other SPQR books. They continue to be entertaining and insightful into Ancient Rome, an area of particular interest to me. The characters, while not really built into multidimensional figures that give us the ability to think deeper about ourselves, are still well built and interesting, especially Hermes, the good hearted slave with criminal tendencies.
January 23, 2015
This is my first book by this author, and I was very happy I enjoyed it since I carried three of them home from library. I shall dash right into the next one I brought home. They are not in line, but they were the cleanest copies. Someone who makes books very dirty reads this series, so I may end up having to spend some bucks since I like this series.
April 28, 2013
This book was great fun. Exploring some of the more unique cult religions in Rome, Decius is tasked both with finding out who betrayed Rome's greatest religious secret and also uncovering a murderer. Julia and Decius has also finally married so we get to see them living together. A great read.
May 17, 2014
příjemná série detektiv z doby starověkého Říma. Příjemné je, že autor se obtěžoval s reáliemi a drží svůj styl po celou sérii (tedy zatím). Mírně šablonovité a předvídatelné, ale tím uvěřitelnější příběhy.
August 5, 2008
More mysteries to be solved and more Decius Caecilius Metellus to solve them. The seventh in the series is a worthy successor to all the others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews