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sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
Our hero, Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, is back in Rome where he belongs and gets involved in another interesting investigation. Listened to the audio version which was read by John Lee who always does a great job with this series.
raptorimperator's review
4.0
I enjoyed this foray into the world of Ancient Rome through the eyes of Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger. This one had a lot of internal Roman politics in it, which is always fascinating, because we see how they really weren't all that different from us. Despite 2000 years difference, politics is still politics, the theater around it just changes.
In this story a Tribune of the People uses curses and cult religion in the last attempt to stop Crassus from waging his way against Parthia. Decius is summoned by the pontifical college to investigate the curse, and eventually commissioned by his good friend Milo (who is not praetor urbanus) to investigate the murder of said Tribune. Meanwhile the city is under the threat of a mob riot. This puts a lot of strain on Decius. JMR provides us with an interesting look into the world of Roman curses, and the State religious institutions of Rome, as well as the office of Tribune of the People.
There was a twist at the end that I did not see coming until we got much closer to the reveal. I was delighted that now that he was back in Rome, we once again had Julia Minor as Decius's sounding board and confidant... as well as his wife. Finally.
In this story a Tribune of the People uses curses and cult religion in the last attempt to stop Crassus from waging his way against Parthia. Decius is summoned by the pontifical college to investigate the curse, and eventually commissioned by his good friend Milo (who is not praetor urbanus) to investigate the murder of said Tribune. Meanwhile the city is under the threat of a mob riot. This puts a lot of strain on Decius. JMR provides us with an interesting look into the world of Roman curses, and the State religious institutions of Rome, as well as the office of Tribune of the People.
There was a twist at the end that I did not see coming until we got much closer to the reveal. I was delighted that now that he was back in Rome, we once again had Julia Minor as Decius's sounding board and confidant... as well as his wife. Finally.
sophiewilliams's review against another edition
3.0
Over the top curses and political life in ancient Rome. Less risk to life of Decius in this one.
mgcco's review against another edition
3.0
Another absorbing read from John Maddox Roberts. I like how he focuses on different aspects of Ancient Roman life and relives them enthusiastically for the modern reader. There were just some scenes in this book which I felt could use a "fresher" treatment (like Decius getting jumped at near his home: a scene that can be read in almost every book in this series). Otherwise, good job JMR. As always.
staceylynn42's review against another edition
5.0
I tend to view books VII-X in this series as "Decius in his prime". He's holding or running for office & people are taking his meddling seriously these days.
Decius is running for aedile in this book. But while the election is going on Crassus departs, against the will of many, for a campaign against Partha. This so enrages the tribune Ateius Capito that his issues a curse against Crassus as he is leaving the city. The curse is so potent the entire city must be cleansed. Decius takes part in the cleansing & then is ordered Pompey & various religious leaders to find Capito, who is missing, and find out where he got the curse & learned the names of the various secret gods he called on during it. Once again this story is based off of actual events in the late Republic, though the book wraps it up much more neatly that history does.
Decius is joined in his sleuthing as usual by Hermes and Julia. A well told tale, with the usual Decius as man of action scenes.
Decius is running for aedile in this book. But while the election is going on Crassus departs, against the will of many, for a campaign against Partha. This so enrages the tribune Ateius Capito that his issues a curse against Crassus as he is leaving the city. The curse is so potent the entire city must be cleansed. Decius takes part in the cleansing & then is ordered Pompey & various religious leaders to find Capito, who is missing, and find out where he got the curse & learned the names of the various secret gods he called on during it. Once again this story is based off of actual events in the late Republic, though the book wraps it up much more neatly that history does.
Decius is joined in his sleuthing as usual by Hermes and Julia. A well told tale, with the usual Decius as man of action scenes.
plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
3.0
More mysteries to be solved and more Decius Caecilius Metellus to solve them. The seventh in the series is a worthy successor to all the others.
stacey42's review against another edition
5.0
I tend to view books VII-X in this series as "Decius in his prime". He's holding or running for office & people are taking his meddling seriously these days.
Decius is running for aedile in this book. But while the election is going on Crassus departs, against the will of many, for a campaign against Partha. This so enrages the tribune Ateius Capito that his issues a curse against Crassus as he is leaving the city. The curse is so potent the entire city must be cleansed. Decius takes part in the cleansing & then is ordered Pompey & various religious leaders to find Capito, who is missing, and find out where he got the curse & learned the names of the various secret gods he called on during it. Once again this story is based off of actual events in the late Republic, though the book wraps it up much more neatly that history does.
Decius is joined in his sleuthing as usual by Hermes and Julia. A well told tale, with the usual Decius as man of action scenes.
Decius is running for aedile in this book. But while the election is going on Crassus departs, against the will of many, for a campaign against Partha. This so enrages the tribune Ateius Capito that his issues a curse against Crassus as he is leaving the city. The curse is so potent the entire city must be cleansed. Decius takes part in the cleansing & then is ordered Pompey & various religious leaders to find Capito, who is missing, and find out where he got the curse & learned the names of the various secret gods he called on during it. Once again this story is based off of actual events in the late Republic, though the book wraps it up much more neatly that history does.
Decius is joined in his sleuthing as usual by Hermes and Julia. A well told tale, with the usual Decius as man of action scenes.
metchap's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
traveller1's review
3.0
Another of Roberts' Decius the Younger detective stories. Ripping through them like peanuts.
This time, the famous Crassus and his departure to Parthia. The incident where he was cursed is correct and the centre of the novel. Roberts brings this incident to life, however, after reading a few in this series, is the detection proving to be not sufficiently well laid out to the reader? It seems as if our hero walks through Rome several times, collects clues, has an epiphany, and identifies the killer. Also, the conclusion. Roberts always writes this too abruptly. Maybe I am being too harsh.
This time, the famous Crassus and his departure to Parthia. The incident where he was cursed is correct and the centre of the novel. Roberts brings this incident to life, however, after reading a few in this series, is the detection proving to be not sufficiently well laid out to the reader? It seems as if our hero walks through Rome several times, collects clues, has an epiphany, and identifies the killer. Also, the conclusion. Roberts always writes this too abruptly. Maybe I am being too harsh.