pickDecius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is sent to Cyprus in 50 BC to look into rumours of a resurgent pirate problem. But who is backing the pirates? The governor? An exiled Roman general? Cleopatra, daughter of the King of Egypt?
The murder and the solution are rather cursorily dealt with, which doesn't really matter since the wheeling & dealing, discussions about piracy, the frankincense trade, etc. were far more interesting and justify a pick.
"LET ME SAY AT THE OUTSET THAT CLEOpatra was not beautiful."
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@ShyBookOwl
📚 I don't read that much historical fiction, but I've enjoyed the few I have read.
📚 I have enjoyed John Maddox Robert's SPRQ mystery series, set in Ancient Rome.
@TheSpineView #Two4Tuesday
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pick51/150 The first book in this series was a straight up murder mystery, and this one starts the same, then morphs into a bigger conspiracy to overthrow the Roman Republic. Anyone who knows their Roman history should find the weaving of factual characters and events with the fictitious very entertaining. 3 ⭐⭐⭐💫
3rd book for #AwesomeApril @Andrew65
pickI finished this late last night, but forgot to post it. While the mystery was kind of obvious, the look into Roman social, political and religious structures kept me entertained. I'd definitely listen to more of the series in the future. 3 🗡🗡🗡 1/2
9th book for #Audioathon #Littenlisten @aperfectmjk
1st book for #20in4 @Andrew65
pickWhen an insula collapses, killing more than 200 people, Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, who as an aedile is responsible for enforcing the building code, investigates. Was it purely shoddy workmanship and materials or was something more sinister going on?
Always a pleasure to watch Decius Caecilius and his household and friends at work.
The maddening thing was that I had to agree with Cato, at least when it came to the problem and what should be done about it. I have often noticed that the most frustrating thing in life is, not when people disagree with you, but rather when they agree for the wrong reason.
Excerpt From: "SPQR VIII: The River God's Vengeance: A Mystery" by John Maddox Roberts. Scribd.
pickA tribune calls down a curse on Crassus as he leaves on his expedition to conquer Parthia. Decius is tasked with finding out who put the tribune up to it and taught him the secret rituals he was not supposed to know.
Nice twisty investigation based on a real incident and very atmospheric with the creepy stuff. Shame about the death of a recurring character.
pickWhen Decius joins Caesar's army in Gaul, he soon makes himself unpopular. But he is the only person Caesar can ask to investigate the murder of a brutal centurion. Was he killed by his own men or by the one of the enemy forces preparing to fight against the Romans?
Exciting, atmospheric thriller/mystery.
pickDecius Caecilius Metellus is summoned back to Rome by his father to investigate the death of a relative, Celer. Was was he poisoned by his wife, the notorious Claudia, or by one of his many political enemies or did he die by natural causes?
Good world building of Rome. Creepy as Decius's investigation leads him into the world of witches.
(edited) 6mo