Synopses & Reviews
The ancient Roman world comes vividly to life with this latest novel in Lindsey Davis's wildly entertaining, award-winning series.
WHAT THE ORCALE KNOWS COULD KILL THEM...
It's A.D. 76 during the reign of Vespasian, and Marcus Didius Falco, a Roman "informer," has achieved much in his life. He's joined the equestrian rank, allowing him to marry Helena Justina, the Senator's beloved daughter. But now he's just been hired to undergo a dangerous mission: to pry his brother-in-law Aulus, a scholar on the way to study in Athens, away from a murder investigation involving two dead women at the ancient site of the Olympic Games. Traveling to Greece under the guise of being tourists, Falco and Helena visit the country's classic sites in order to investigate the suspicious goings-on and shady dealings of Seven Sights, a fly-by-night travel agency. What begins as a risky expedition becomes sinister when Aulus, too, goes missing in what becomes Falco's most complex and high-stakes case yet.
"Davis has mastered the art of ...blending humor with history."--Philadelphia Inquirer
"Elegant and intelligent...A bittersweet solution that's a tribute to the complexity and depth of this series."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
“Davis makes Rome live.”
—Washington Post Book World “Davis has mastered the art of …blending humor with history.”—Philadelphia Inquirer
“Elegant and intelligent…A bittersweet solution thats a tribute to the complexity and depth of this series.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Marvelous…If Sam Spade traveled back in time to A.D. 76 hed be Marcus Didius Falco.”—Booklist
“Every book in this series is a delight, the characters so finely drawn that they have become good friends and the plots so unusual and frothy with humor that it comes as a surprise when the climax is so shocking and original.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“[A] vivid picture of life in A.D. 76… Sparkling characterizations.”—Publishers Weekly
“A delight, combining suspense with a fascinating look at ancient Romes manners and morals.”—San Diego Union-Tribune on Silver Pigs
“Wickedly convoluted… Falcos facetious tongue and domestic complications are the real fun.”—Time
Review
“Davis makes Rome live.”
—Washington Post Book World “Davis has mastered the art of …blending humor with history.”—Philadelphia Inquirer
“Elegant and intelligent…A bittersweet solution thats a tribute to the complexity and depth of this series.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Marvelous…If Sam Spade traveled back in time to A.D. 76 hed be Marcus Didius Falco.”—Booklist
“Every book in this series is a delight, the characters so finely drawn that they have become good friends and the plots so unusual and frothy with humor that it comes as a surprise when the climax is so shocking and original.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“[A] vivid picture of life in A.D. 76… Sparkling characterizations.”—Publishers Weekly
“A delight, combining suspense with a fascinating look at ancient Romes manners and morals.”—San Diego Union-Tribune on Silver Pigs
“Wickedly convoluted… Falcos facetious tongue and domestic complications are the real fun.”—Time
Synopsis
Humor, 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.
Synopsis
It's 76 A.D. during the reign of Vespasian, and Marcus Didius Falco has achieved much in his life. He's joined the equestrain rank, allowing him to marry Helena Justina, the Senator's daughter he's been keeping time with the past few years. But that doesn't mean all is quiet for Falco, Helena, and their two young daughters. By trade he is an informer, a man who looks into sticky situations, and he's been hired to pry his errant brother-in-law away from a murder investigation. Which means Falco must himself take it on -- requiring that Falco and Helena travel to Olympia in Greece under the guise of being tourists interested in the classic sites to investigate the suspicious goings on and the shady dealings of a fly-by-night travel agency. With two woman already missing from the packaged tour, things only get stickier when two more - including Falco's brother-in-law - disappear in what is Falco's most complex and dangerous case yet.
Synopsis
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.
"From the Hardcover edition.
Synopsis
It's A.D. 76 during the reign of Vespasian, and Marcus Didius Falco, a Roman "informer," has achieved much in his life. He's joined the equestrian rank, allowing him to marry Helena Justina, the Senator's beloved daughter. But now he's just been hired to undergo a dangerous mission: to pry his brother-in-law Aulus, a scholar on the way to study in Athens, away from a murder investigation involving two dead women at the ancient site of the Olympic Games. Traveling to Greece under the guise of being tourists, Falco and Helena visit the country's classic sites in order to investigate the suspicious goings-on and shady dealings of Seven Sights, a fly-by-night travel agency. What begins as a risky expedition becomes sinister when Aulus, too, goes missing in what becomes Falco's most complex and high-stakes case yet.
Synopsis
Its A.D. 76 during the reign of Vespasian, and Marcus Didius Falco, a Roman “informer,” has achieved much in his life. Hes joined the equestrian rank, allowing him to marry Helena Justina, the Senators beloved daughter. But now hes just been hired to undergo a dangerous mission: to pry his brother-in-law Aulus, a scholar on the way to study in Athens, away from a murder investigation involving two dead women at the ancient site of the Olympic Games. Traveling to Greece under the guise of being tourists, Falco and Helena visit the countrys classic sites in order to investigate the suspicious goings-on and shady dealings of Seven Sights, a fly-by-night travel agency. What begins as a risky expedition becomes sinister when Aulus, too, goes missing. Lindsey Davis' See Delphi and Die is Falcos most complex and high-stakes case yet.
About the Author
Lindsey Davis was born and raised in Birmingham, England. After taking an English degree at Oxford and working for the civil service for thirteen years, she “ran away to be a writer.” Her internationally bestselling novels featuring ancient Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco include Venus in Copper, The Iron Hand of Mars, Nemesis and Alexandria. She is also the author of Rebels and Traitors, set during the English Civil War. Davis is the recipient of the Crime Writers Association Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, the highest accolade for crime writers, as well as the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award and the Authors' Club Best First Novel award.