10-28-2005, 09:44 PM
Just finished re-reading this one, yes it was worth a second read!
I didn't see it reviewed. I give it 5 stars!
I admit I am partial to the series, since it is one of the first modern Roman detective series, pre-dating many of the more recent offerings. I think this series came to my attention in 1990, and it has been popular in The USA, UK and Germany. (Some books were only available in Germany for several years.)
Here is the synopsis from Amazon.
Decius Caecilius Metellus is dispatched from Rome by his patrician family to deal with a resurgence in piracy to Cyprus, where he encounters the young Cleopatra, whose true allegiances remain obscure. With scant resources, Metellus seeks recruits from the dregs of Cyprian society and attempts to whip his forces into a squad capable of ending the violent pillaging. His focus shifts when Silvanus, the island's Roman governor, is found dead, asphyxiated by a mouthful of frankincense. The economics of the international trade in that aromatic spice prove relevant as Metellus suspects a connection between the assassination and his primary mission. The occasional colloquial phrase jars ("Rosy-fingered Dawn was performing her daily act as we pulled up by the naval wharf"), and Roberts has the misfortune of suffering by comparison with Steven Saylor, whose latest Roman mystery, The Judgment of Caesar, used the historical Cleopatra to much better effect. Still, longtime fans and those interested in the Roman Republic will enjoy this crafty puzzle.
Okay, I like Lindsey Davis' books too!
Caius Fabius
I didn't see it reviewed. I give it 5 stars!
I admit I am partial to the series, since it is one of the first modern Roman detective series, pre-dating many of the more recent offerings. I think this series came to my attention in 1990, and it has been popular in The USA, UK and Germany. (Some books were only available in Germany for several years.)
Here is the synopsis from Amazon.
Decius Caecilius Metellus is dispatched from Rome by his patrician family to deal with a resurgence in piracy to Cyprus, where he encounters the young Cleopatra, whose true allegiances remain obscure. With scant resources, Metellus seeks recruits from the dregs of Cyprian society and attempts to whip his forces into a squad capable of ending the violent pillaging. His focus shifts when Silvanus, the island's Roman governor, is found dead, asphyxiated by a mouthful of frankincense. The economics of the international trade in that aromatic spice prove relevant as Metellus suspects a connection between the assassination and his primary mission. The occasional colloquial phrase jars ("Rosy-fingered Dawn was performing her daily act as we pulled up by the naval wharf"), and Roberts has the misfortune of suffering by comparison with Steven Saylor, whose latest Roman mystery, The Judgment of Caesar, used the historical Cleopatra to much better effect. Still, longtime fans and those interested in the Roman Republic will enjoy this crafty puzzle.
Okay, I like Lindsey Davis' books too!
Caius Fabius
Caius Fabius Maior
Charles Foxtrot
moderator, Roman Army Talk
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Charles Foxtrot
moderator, Roman Army Talk
link to the rules for posting
[url:2zv11pbx]http://romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=22853[/url]
