"Strong Ancient Rome mystery"

In 75 AD, accompanied by his extended family, Roman auditor Marcus Didius Falco visits Londinium to see his wife's aunt and uncle, the Procurator Gaius Flavius Hilaris, second in command of Britain. When a prominent British courtier Verovolcus drowns in a tavern well, Governor Frontinus sends Falco, known for his sleuthing skills, to investigate.

Falco realizes that the victim was close to exiled King Togidubnus. Thus the case is politically sensitive. Not long afterward, Petronius Longinus vanishes. Soon. Falco meets an old girlfriend, gladiator Chloris now known as Amazonia. She wants to renew all aspects of their relationship, but he only offers to help her with her battle against mob control of her gladiatorial troupe.

Placing the tale in Londinium freshens up this long running Ancient Rome (and now Ancient London) mystery series. Falco is a great character struggling between solving a difficult case and keeping Chloris from pinning him to a mattress as he wants to forget her other skills and remain happily married. Readers will receive plenty of insight into Falco's family and much depth into first century Britannia. THE JUPITER MYTH will please fans of the series and attract newcomers as Lindsey Davis provides a deep look back in time.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 21, 2003

Summary

Lindsey Davis' popular Marcus Didius Falco series continues with a classic noir tale of gangsters, gladiators, and romance.For Falco, an attempt at relaxing while visiting his wife Helena's relatives in Britain turns serious when a murder is discovered. King Togidubnus, the renegade henchman of Rome's vital ally, has been stuffed head-first down a barroom well--leading to a tricky diplomatic situation which Falco must defuse. Making matters worse, the town has become a magnet for criminals from Rome...and one murder leads to others. With the army turning a blind eye, Falco and his partner Petronius must lead the hunt for gangsters intent on taking over the city. From the wharves beside the River Thamesis to the old haunts of organized crime back home in Italy, Falco and Petronius face danger and death in every corner. Will they be able to return order to the city before they lose everything they hold dear?