Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Meanwhile, back in Rome...., 21 Aug 2007
Decius Caecilius Meteelus the Younger, fresh from the success of his mission in Cyprus ("The Princess and the Pirates") is back in Rome, seeking to further his political career. But all is not as it seems in the decaying Republic. It is not enough that the scene is dominated by Caesar and Pompey, currently in uneasy alliance, a new faction is emerging that may be seeking to seize control by presenting itself as a viable trustworthy and truly republican alternative to these two warlords. As a start it aims to weaken Decius's traditionally powerful and power-broking family by attacking its most exposed point - Decius itself.
Which is why he finds himself facing trumped-up charges first of corruption and then of murder. To get himself off the hook he must work fast, clearing his name and exposing the guilty parties in the few days before the civic elections. As he investigates he finds a labyrinth of intrigue beyond even his imaging, plot within plot. Things build to climactic trial scene and its dramatic outcome.
Roberts writes with his usual wit and verve and the plotting is very good (helped along by the occasional fortunate coincidence). In places it can get a little difficult to follow, there are more characters involved, more Roman names to follow and not confuse (and some of them are close enough to be confusing unless you make a real effort to recall who is who). We get a feeling not just for the devious and sometimes deadly world of Roman politics but also a judicial system very unlike out own in its procedure and where an advocates oratory counts for more than evidence (perhaps not so unlike our own?) - the system in which Decius much operate to clear his name, and salvage his career and perhaps the fragile peace of the Republic.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classical Courtroom Drama, 7 Jun 2007
As Decius Metellus the Younger stands for election, he becomes the subject of a private prosecution brought by Marcus Fulvius, a political tyro from the sticks who seeks to jump start his career by prosecuting Decius on trumped-up charges of public corruption. As Decius arrives at court to answer the charges, he finds young Fulvius' mutilated body lying on the steps of the courthouse.
Now he must defend himself on a charge of capital murder. Because the Romans are a civilized people, he does not have to languish in jail awaiting trial, but the trial will be a speedy one indeed. He has only a few days to prepare his defense. With the assistance of his trusty freedman, Hermes, his brainy wife, Julia, the Greek physician Ascelpiodes (an expert on the infliction and treatment of wounds), and a beautiful female mathematician from Alexandria, he sets out to untangle the dual mysteries precisely who is conspiring against him and who killed Fulvius.
The investigation leads from the mortuary to the archives of Rome, to the homes of some of the most beautiful leading ladies of Rome, to the barbershops and bathhouses. Decius makes use of forensic pathology, cryptography, gossip, and informal logic in uncovering a convoluted web of conspiracy that threatens the very existence of the Roman Republic. Now how can he make use of his discovery to save both himself and his beloved Republic?
The earlier SPQR stories have contained more action, but in this story Roberts minimizes the bloodletting and emphasizes the brainwork. The book could almost be called a police procedural / courtroom drama. It tracks the criminal procedure of ancient Rome quite closely, and Decius' actual trial in the last chapter appears to be a very accurate depiction of how the Romans actually conducted murder trials.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
riveting and compelling, 29 May 2006
Another fast paced, thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable SPQR installment from John Maddox Roberts, featuring the canny and drily witty Decius Caecilius Metellus (the younger) for fans to sink their teeth! So, please allow me to add to the chorus of deserving praise already posted!!
It's election time in Rome and Decius Caecilius Metellus is looking forward to his election to praetorship; and given Decius illustrious family ties (not only is Decius is a member of the politically powerful Metelli family, but he's also married to Julius Caesar's niece, Julia), and his proven record of service (both civil and military), this election really should be only a matter of form. But that was before Decius was accussed of corruption and graft by Marcus Fulvius (a political unknown from Baiae, and the brother of the notorious Fulvia, widow of Clodius -- one of Decius' enemies). Since the accusations are quite laughable, Decius is confident that he will be able to successfully refute them. What Decius hadn't counted on though, was that Fulvius would be found murdered the next day and that he would stand accused of the murder. Now, Decius must not only prove his innocence quickly so that he can still stand for election, but also figure out who is behind this campaign to tarnish his reputation and why. His investigation will lead him down avenues he never thought he would ever have to go and introduce him to a side of Roman intrigue he never thought would ever exist. Fortunately, however, Decius possesses friends and a clever wife that he can count on to help him make sense of this latest mess that he finds himself in the middle of...
Fast paced, suspenseful and full of intriguing plot twists, this latest SPQR mystery installment was a treat to read. I especially liked how "Point of Law" grimly pointed the way to what would happen later on -- that famous ides of March event. This was truly well done, and John Maddox Roberts did a first rate job of deftly sketching in various factions, both pro-Caesar and anti-Caesar, and personalities involved as well as their political stands. Also brilliantly done was how the author vividly brought ancient Rome, and especially ancient Roman politics, to life. I also enjoyed the thrilling manner in which Decius' investigation was allowed to unfold -- all the plot twists and intrigue made this particular installment of the SPQR series truly absorbing and engrossing. Really "Point of Law" was quite the page turner! And while still quite drily witty, if some of the usual sardonic humour was in short supply, the rapid and brisk pace at which the plot unfolded, more than made up for this small lack. All in all, "Point of Law" proved to be a real treat of a read -- and one that invites future and equally captivating rereads.
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