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Product Description
Book Description
Ancient Rome, in this accurate and evocative series, is just as politics driven as any major American city -- possibly even more. Decius Caecilius Metellus has, through a series of rather wild adventure, and in the act of tracking down killers and other reprobates, barely escaped annhilation several times. Now, newly elected to the office of aedile, the lowest rung on the ladder of Roman authority, he must smoke out corruption and conspiracy that threaten to destroy all of Rome.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
John Maddox Roberts is the author of several science fiction, private eye, and fantasy novels in addition to his popular SPQR mystery series. He lives in New Mexico.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Coincidentally, SPQR VIII came out just after Tom Holland's "Rubicon", a real account of the "the triumph and tragedy of the Roman Republic". Being a complete freak about everything Roman, I naturally bought and read both. I can recommend everyone to do the same because it makes you even more aware of the historical facts the series is built on. This unique blend of the SPQR series between fact and fiction is for me a real strongpoint. The Aemilian Theatre, which prominently features in this book, for example was mentioned in Holland's book, including a quote from Cicero on how dangerous the construction was.
This brings me to the content of the book. Decius Caecilius Metellus has been elected aedile (an office for which had been running in the previous book). It is a most burdensome office because he is expected to host several expensive "munera", and has to supervise construction building, whorehouses and sewers. The collapse of a brandnew appartment building, one of the big "insula" Rome was famous (or rather notorious) for, leads Decius to an investigation into the corrupt world of building contractors. When his investigation implicates several important patricians (no great surprise here) things get dangerous.
It truly is a great addition to the series, though unlike book VII it is not a real whodunnit. Already quite early in the novel it becomes clear who the bad people are, but unless you are a real detective buff this is no great problem. The action that follows and the historic detail make the book good enough.
The downside, I think, of the SPQR series is that the author never really knows how to convey pathos. Even when 250 people get killed in the collapse of that building, it is stated really matter-of-factly. When reading you do not really feel anger or compassion or pity or whatever.
But all in all, it truly is a great book. Though if you are new to the series, it is best to start with part I and work you were up from there.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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. He lives in New Mexico with his wife.
Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor or David Wishart will love the SPQR series of books by the author. Once again we have an addition to the ever growing number of amateur detectives patrolling the streets of ancient Rome, solving mysteries and crimes. Not all at the same time, I may add, in fact not even in the same centuries. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a high-born bad boy, is the offering of the author and he is just as interesting, likeable and believable as the leading characters from the author's contemporaries.
The adventures of Decius have taken him from one end of the empire to the other, usually escaping from the trouble he has made for himself and more often than not ending up in more trouble. But Decius always finds his way back to his first love, Rome. With an impressive family name and a marriage to the niece of none other than Julius Caesar himself, Decius has finally stepped on to the first rung of Rome's political ladder, having been elected to the prestigious but somewhat lowly office of aedile.
As aedile, Decius's main responsibility is, to put not too fine a point on it, buy the adoration of the people by staging elaborate gladiatorial combats and games filled with wild beasts from all over the world and all out of his own purse.
He also has much more mundane tasks and when his official responsibilities demand that he investigate the collapse of a tenement building his sense of duty and fair play will not allow him to write it off as just another builder using shoddy materials. His findings implicate some of the most powerful men in Rome, but is our hero prepared to back down . . .
Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor or David Wishart will love the SPQR series of books by the author. Once again we have an addition to the ever growing number of amateur detectives patrolling the streets of ancient Rome, solving mysteries and crimes. Not all at the same time, I may add, in fact not even in the same centuries. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a high-born bad boy, is the offering of the author and he is just as interesting, likeable and believable as the leading characters from the author's contemporaries.
The adventures of Decius have taken him from one end of the empire to the other, usually escaping from the trouble he has made for himself and more often than not ending up in more trouble. But Decius always finds his way back to his first love, Rome. With an impressive family name and a marriage to the niece of none other than Julius Caesar himself, Decius has finally stepped on to the first rung of Rome's political ladder, having been elected to the prestigious but somewhat lowly office of aedile.
As aedile, Decius's main responsibility is, to put not too fine a point on it, buy the adoration of the people by staging elaborate gladiatorial combats and games filled with wild beasts from all over the world and all out of his own purse.
He also has much more mundane tasks and when his official responsibilities demand that he investigate the collapse of a tenement building his sense of duty and fair play will not allow him to write it off as just another builder using shoddy materials. His findings implicate some of the most powerful men in Rome, but is our hero prepared to back down . . .
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Yet another 'hit' in this brilliant series.
Like its predecessors a great lead character, fantastic backgrounds, great historical facts and a couple of murders. The result fantastic a Brilliant read.
These books are the equivalent of a fresh box of chocolates with slightly new variations of centers to a chocohilic! They are that good.
The big question do I need to read all the books in order? NO they can be read in any order but it may be better to try to read some in the correct order.
Now with that out of the way lets get down to letting you know what the books about.
Roberts knows Rome. Each book has greatly added to my knowledge of 'What was it like in Rome around Caeser's time. This one is set in Rome itself and a block of flats has collapsed killing 250 of it's inhabitants. From the plebs in the rafters to the Rich tand their slaves on the ground. But a slave has been found in the basement. BUT has the collapse itself killed the occupants or is there a more sinister explanation??
Well without giving anything away there has and this is the beauty of Robert's books we enjoy the journey that Decius Caecilius Mettellus makes to get to his conclusions. we learn about Roman construction of 'insula" and other edifices, how The Roman aristocracy earned their money and that shortcuts in buildings were made.
On the way we tour Rome, visit a 'reclaimed building material site', visit a fabulous whorehouse, meet its madam and learn of the 'shows' performed. AND all this is a mere sideshow to the story. It's that good.
Decius is a likable hero by no means a goody two sandals, flawed yet in all the right places.
Fabulous story, great reading and not a page wasted in the telling.
Bring on Volume IX.
Like its predecessors a great lead character, fantastic backgrounds, great historical facts and a couple of murders. The result fantastic a Brilliant read.
These books are the equivalent of a fresh box of chocolates with slightly new variations of centers to a chocohilic! They are that good.
The big question do I need to read all the books in order? NO they can be read in any order but it may be better to try to read some in the correct order.
Now with that out of the way lets get down to letting you know what the books about.
Roberts knows Rome. Each book has greatly added to my knowledge of 'What was it like in Rome around Caeser's time. This one is set in Rome itself and a block of flats has collapsed killing 250 of it's inhabitants. From the plebs in the rafters to the Rich tand their slaves on the ground. But a slave has been found in the basement. BUT has the collapse itself killed the occupants or is there a more sinister explanation??
Well without giving anything away there has and this is the beauty of Robert's books we enjoy the journey that Decius Caecilius Mettellus makes to get to his conclusions. we learn about Roman construction of 'insula" and other edifices, how The Roman aristocracy earned their money and that shortcuts in buildings were made.
On the way we tour Rome, visit a 'reclaimed building material site', visit a fabulous whorehouse, meet its madam and learn of the 'shows' performed. AND all this is a mere sideshow to the story. It's that good.
Decius is a likable hero by no means a goody two sandals, flawed yet in all the right places.
Fabulous story, great reading and not a page wasted in the telling.
Bring on Volume IX.
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