“In this, her second novel, [Flavia’s] skills at investigation and diplomacy are put to the test…Perhaps the most appealing thing about Davis’ Roman mysteries is their nimble prose, unfettered by clots of scene-setting and drawn-out historical exposition. The dialogue is breezy, free of faux-historical grammatical constructions, and the characters feel like contemporary men and women.” Booklist (starred review)
Description
“There are rules for private informers accepting a new case. Never take on clients who cannot pay you. Never do favors for friends. Don’t work with relatives. If, like me, you are a woman, keep clear of men you find attractive.”
“Will I never learn?”
In ancient Rome, the number of slaves was far greater than that of free citizens. As a result, often the people Romans feared most were the “enemies at home,” the slaves under their own roofs. Because of this, Roman law decreed that if the head of a household was murdered at home, and the culprit wasn’t quickly discovered, his slaves—all of them, guilty or not—were presumed responsible and were put to death … without exception.
When a couple is found dead in their own bedroom and their house burglarized, some of their household slaves know what is about to happen to them. They flee to the Temple of Ceres, which by tradition is respected as a haven for refugees. This is where Flavia Albia comes in. The authorities, under pressure from all sides, need a solution. Albia, a private informer like her father, Marcus Didius Falco, is asked to solve the murders.
Praise
“In this, her second novel, [Flavia’s] skills at investigation and diplomacy are put to the test…Perhaps the most appealing thing about Davis’ Roman mysteries is their nimble prose, unfettered by clots of scene-setting and drawn-out historical exposition. The dialogue is breezy, free of faux-historical grammatical constructions, and the characters feel like contemporary men and women.” Booklist (starred review)
“Davis’ sequel to 2013’s The Ides of April boasts a strong female lead…Diamond Dagger Award winner Davis vividly portrays the setting, ‘a poisoned city, where a paranoid emperor had caused often-lethal mistrust.’” Publishers Weekly
“Faustus’ reappearance as a sidekick enlivens the story considerably, and things really get interesting when Flavia consults her shrewd uncles, both quick to offer advice and to call her out on her recklessness and her little deceits….A solidly plotted traditional whodunit with some nice historical touches. As the heroine become more fully fleshed, her challenges become more and more interesting.” Kirkus Reviews
“Flavia Alba [is] wonderfully performed by Lucy Brown…Lucy Brown’s voice is lovely, and she has a wonderful way with the tongue in cheek, which suits Davis’ style perfectly. Brown’s Flavia is likable and pragmatic but not hard, and she delineates a diverse cast with ease. Delightful.” AudioFile
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Jun 29, 2015 |
| Release Date | June 30, 2015 |
| Number in Series | 2 |
| Series Display String | The Flavia Albia Mysteries |
| Release Date Machine | 1435622400 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery, Women Sleuths, Historical, Fiction - All, Fiction - Adult, Bestselling Mysteries, Bestselling Mystery |
Author Bio
Lindsey Davis is an English novelist of historical fiction and best known for her award-winning historical crime stories set in ancient Rome and its empire, the acclaimed Marcus Didius Falco series and the Flavia Albia series. Her novels have won numerous awards, including the Crime Writers’ Association Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award and in 2011 the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association for lifetime achievement. Born and raised in Birmingham, England, she read English at Oxford and worked for the civil service for thirteen years before becoming a writer.
Narrator Bio
Lucy Brown is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.
Overview
“There are rules for private informers accepting a new case. Never take on clients who cannot pay you. Never do favors for friends. Don’t work with relatives. If, like me, you are a woman, keep clear of men you find attractive.”
“Will I never learn?”
In ancient Rome, the number of slaves was far greater than that of free citizens. As a result, often the people Romans feared most were the “enemies at home,” the slaves under their own roofs. Because of this, Roman law decreed that if the head of a household was murdered at home, and the culprit wasn’t quickly discovered, his slaves—all of them, guilty or not—were presumed responsible and were put to death … without exception.
When a couple is found dead in their own bedroom and their house burglarized, some of their household slaves know what is about to happen to them. They flee to the Temple of Ceres, which by tradition is respected as a haven for refugees. This is where Flavia Albia comes in. The authorities, under pressure from all sides, need a solution. Albia, a private informer like her father, Marcus Didius Falco, is asked to solve the murders.
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