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sandin954's review
3.0
Another enjoyable adventure featuring Decius Cecilius Metellus the younger. Decius is moving up in world of Roman politics but, just days before he is to be elected to praetor, an unknown fellow citizen accuses him of corruption. Lots of political intrigue and historical details, along with the always great narration of John Lee, made this an entertaining listen.
raptorimperator's review
5.0
This is definitely one of JMR's best SPQR books. It has the perfect mix of Roman history, mystery, comedy, and drama, as well as not beholden to a specific historical event to map out the plot, which is always win, makes the story less predictable.
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is back from Cyprus, and standing for a new political office. Another citizen accuses him of abuse of his powers in Cyprus (a common practice in the political world of Rome, almost part of the job), and then when his accuser his murdered, Decius becomes the prime suspect. With Hermes, now his loyal freedman, at his side, along with his faithful and shrewd wife Julia Minor, Decius must defend himself in court and discover the real culprits.
I really enjoyed the set up, and the information we got on Roman Courts. There was also foreshadowing (if you can call it that) of the upcoming civil war between Caesar and Pompey. Decius is being pressured to pick a side. His wife wants him to be a Caesarian, and his family just wants to stay neutral until forced to pick, and they seem to be leaning toward Pompey more than Caesar.
Decius and Hermes get to do a lot of snooping in this one, breaking and entering to discover evidence to clear Decius's good name. I enjoyed a new character, a female philosopher from Alexandria, Callista. I'm hoping to see her again in future books, though I suspect she's a one-off character.
My favorite part was the trail. I really enjoyed Decius's oration in defense of himself. It was splendid to read.
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is back from Cyprus, and standing for a new political office. Another citizen accuses him of abuse of his powers in Cyprus (a common practice in the political world of Rome, almost part of the job), and then when his accuser his murdered, Decius becomes the prime suspect. With Hermes, now his loyal freedman, at his side, along with his faithful and shrewd wife Julia Minor, Decius must defend himself in court and discover the real culprits.
I really enjoyed the set up, and the information we got on Roman Courts. There was also foreshadowing (if you can call it that) of the upcoming civil war between Caesar and Pompey. Decius is being pressured to pick a side. His wife wants him to be a Caesarian, and his family just wants to stay neutral until forced to pick, and they seem to be leaning toward Pompey more than Caesar.
Decius and Hermes get to do a lot of snooping in this one, breaking and entering to discover evidence to clear Decius's good name. I enjoyed a new character, a female philosopher from Alexandria, Callista. I'm hoping to see her again in future books, though I suspect she's a one-off character.
My favorite part was the trail. I really enjoyed Decius's oration in defense of himself. It was splendid to read.
staceylynn42's review
5.0
Decius is back in Rome for his 10th outing! He is running for praetor this time but just as he is starting his campaign a young upstart named Fulvius accuses him of corruption while hunting pirates on Cyprus (book #9). Fulvius turns up dead shortly thereafter & Decius is the main suspect. This being the Roman Republic, he isn't locked up and is free to investigate as much as he wants. Though, with this being the Roman Republic there is no guarantee that even finding proof someone else did it will get him off. Roman trials were mostly about slandering the other side, impressing the jury with your rhetoric and straight up bribery. But Decius thinks facts matter. He's still a bit naive that way.
He investigates with the help of his usual band of associates - Hermes, Julia & Asklepiodes.
As he digs further into Fulvius' past and finds a series of letters written in a cipher it turns out Decius has once again uncovered a plot against the Republic and we hear a lot about how the Republic is falling apart and powerful men are too busy aggrandizing themselves at the expense of the state to try and fix it.
The mystery is a solid whodunnit, well written & enjoyable.
He investigates with the help of his usual band of associates - Hermes, Julia & Asklepiodes.
As he digs further into Fulvius' past and finds a series of letters written in a cipher it turns out Decius has once again uncovered a plot against the Republic and we hear a lot about how the Republic is falling apart and powerful men are too busy aggrandizing themselves at the expense of the state to try and fix it.
The mystery is a solid whodunnit, well written & enjoyable.
stacey42's review
5.0
Decius is back in Rome for his 10th outing! He is running for praetor this time but just as he is starting his campaign a young upstart named Fulvius accuses him of corruption while hunting pirates on Cyprus (book #9). Fulvius turns up dead shortly thereafter & Decius is the main suspect. This being the Roman Republic, he isn't locked up and is free to investigate as much as he wants. Though, with this being the Roman Republic there is no guarantee that even finding proof someone else did it will get him off. Roman trials were mostly about slandering the other side, impressing the jury with your rhetoric and straight up bribery. But Decius thinks facts matter. He's still a bit naive that way.
He investigates with the help of his usual band of associates - Hermes, Julia & Asklepiodes.
As he digs further into Fulvius' past and finds a series of letters written in a cipher it turns out Decius has once again uncovered a plot against the Republic and we hear a lot about how the Republic is falling apart and powerful men are too busy aggrandizing themselves at the expense of the state to try and fix it.
The mystery is a solid whodunnit, well written & enjoyable.
He investigates with the help of his usual band of associates - Hermes, Julia & Asklepiodes.
As he digs further into Fulvius' past and finds a series of letters written in a cipher it turns out Decius has once again uncovered a plot against the Republic and we hear a lot about how the Republic is falling apart and powerful men are too busy aggrandizing themselves at the expense of the state to try and fix it.
The mystery is a solid whodunnit, well written & enjoyable.
traveller1's review
3.0
My first encounter with Roberts. An entertaining, quick, and amusing read.
Five days in the life of an aspiring Roman noble of the late Republic, as he battles for the Praetorship. He is first accused of corruption, and then murder. With the help of his plucky freedman, plus a host of family, friends, clients, and an attractive Alexandrine philosopher, he navigates a maze of politics to uncover a conspiracy, and prove his innocence.
Not overly deep or meaningful, but certainly enjoyable.
Five days in the life of an aspiring Roman noble of the late Republic, as he battles for the Praetorship. He is first accused of corruption, and then murder. With the help of his plucky freedman, plus a host of family, friends, clients, and an attractive Alexandrine philosopher, he navigates a maze of politics to uncover a conspiracy, and prove his innocence.
Not overly deep or meaningful, but certainly enjoyable.
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