- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur (Jun 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 031233723X
- ISBN-13: 978-0312337230
- Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 14.2 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 516,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The latest episode in the life of Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, untypical member of a typical Roman aristocratic family, takes him to Cyprus, with a commission to suppress the growing piracy of the region. His resources are meagre and his opponents seem to have the advantage of him, even when his "toy navy" is augmented by the support of visiting Egyptian princess Cleopatra in search of some excitement. Things are complicated further when the Roman governor of Cyprus is murdered and Decius feels he has to investigate this as it's bound to have a connection with the piracy, trade shenanigans, and possible criminal involvement of people in high places.
The story is nicely paced, and while some might feel that Decius (like Lindsay's Davis's Falco) is at his best in Rome the change of scene is well handled and the atmosphere of a nervous Roman province captured. It is also good that the author is letting Decius grow in maturity as he gains years and political experience, without his losing his stubborn investigative streak. All in all, one of the best in the SPQR series.
The story is nicely paced, and while some might feel that Decius (like Lindsay's Davis's Falco) is at his best in Rome the change of scene is well handled and the atmosphere of a nervous Roman province captured. It is also good that the author is letting Decius grow in maturity as he gains years and political experience, without his losing his stubborn investigative streak. All in all, one of the best in the SPQR series.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Once again our hero Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is off on his travels.
here we are transported to Cyprus newly under Roman Rule after Beranice and the Egyptians were kicked out or where they?
Decius arrives to lead his ramshackle fleet to oust the pirates and runs into a mystery murder.
All is not what it seems and we are up to our toga armpits in an enjoyable romp.
Cleopatra figures and this fills in the detail of Cleo, the early years.
Perhaps not as good as others in the series BUT dear reader still light years ahead of Roberts rival writers. (Phew alliteration or what?)
We get the fascination explanation of the Aphroditian cult (thats Venus to our Latin friends),we learn a little about Roma's treatment and attitude of its empire and islands. Learn about pirates and learn that once again politics is at the centre of everything like some bloated spider tending her webs far and wide.
The clues are all there dear reader in this mix of whodunit and why.
Old friends arrive in the nick of time and some story arches over the previous 9 books neatly come to fruition.
Action, humour and a sprinkling of sex makes this a welcome addition to the series.
Better to read the former on the series to get the background behind the characters would in my opinion be a sound investment.
here we are transported to Cyprus newly under Roman Rule after Beranice and the Egyptians were kicked out or where they?
Decius arrives to lead his ramshackle fleet to oust the pirates and runs into a mystery murder.
All is not what it seems and we are up to our toga armpits in an enjoyable romp.
Cleopatra figures and this fills in the detail of Cleo, the early years.
Perhaps not as good as others in the series BUT dear reader still light years ahead of Roberts rival writers. (Phew alliteration or what?)
We get the fascination explanation of the Aphroditian cult (thats Venus to our Latin friends),we learn a little about Roma's treatment and attitude of its empire and islands. Learn about pirates and learn that once again politics is at the centre of everything like some bloated spider tending her webs far and wide.
The clues are all there dear reader in this mix of whodunit and why.
Old friends arrive in the nick of time and some story arches over the previous 9 books neatly come to fruition.
Action, humour and a sprinkling of sex makes this a welcome addition to the series.
Better to read the former on the series to get the background behind the characters would in my opinion be a sound investment.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am usually a huge fan of the SPQR books and was so excited about the latest edition being out, I was a little disappointed. In this latest adventure we are in Cyprus as Decius chases pirates and investigates the murder of the local governor. It is nice to see the return of several characters from the previous books; MIlo is here as is Cleopatra but the action is for lack of a better word, provincial. When the action is removed from Rome, I find the story lacks a vital element which makes it fun. Worth a read if you are a fan of the series but I would not start off with this one.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Volume 9 in the SPQR series - read the first ones first
If you have read the first eight novels in the series, you ought to know whether or not you want to read the ninth. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2009 by Printul Noptilor
Ninth in the SPQR Series
John Maddox Roberts is the pseudonym of Mark Ramsay, author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2007 by J. Chippindale
A great addition to the series
SPQR IX commences just after Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger's aedile adventures with dodgy tradesmen with our senatorial sleuth setting off for Cyprus under a commission... Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2006 by ilmk
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
