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willt486's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
zeozombz's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am giving it 4 1/2 stars because I tend to enjoy every book and while this one is great I have another murder-mystery series I am reading that is outstanding. With that said, I truly do recommend this series of books. The story lines are good, the characters are well developed, the main characters are easy to relate to, and the series offers a little kiss of history.
This particular book in the series is about an election and a couple of close knit families. I feel like you get a little glimpse of early Rome (although I am not a historian and cannot confirm how historically accurate the book is for the time period of 89 CE) may have been during the reign of Domitian. You get the feel from the book that he was a corrupt leader, but he is not a focus.
The series flows really well from book to book and the character’s relationships develop quite nicely in this book. I find that I enjoy the main character being such a strong female that still knows she has to gently and professionally maneuver through a man’s world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am giving it 4 1/2 stars because I tend to enjoy every book and while this one is great I have another murder-mystery series I am reading that is outstanding. With that said, I truly do recommend this series of books. The story lines are good, the characters are well developed, the main characters are easy to relate to, and the series offers a little kiss of history.
This particular book in the series is about an election and a couple of close knit families. I feel like you get a little glimpse of early Rome (although I am not a historian and cannot confirm how historically accurate the book is for the time period of 89 CE) may have been during the reign of Domitian. You get the feel from the book that he was a corrupt leader, but he is not a focus.
The series flows really well from book to book and the character’s relationships develop quite nicely in this book. I find that I enjoy the main character being such a strong female that still knows she has to gently and professionally maneuver through a man’s world.
queencleo's review against another edition
4.0
A trip reminiscent of the Falco of old, his daughter Flavia Albia is following his footsteps and assisting her friend Tiberius with an election campaign. Meanwhile a body has shown up at Falco's auction house and Flavia is investigating the link between the two
If you struggle with Roman names you'll find this one in the series particularly cerebral, but that just adds to the fun of it
If you struggle with Roman names you'll find this one in the series particularly cerebral, but that just adds to the fun of it
suddenbreakdown's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
I could have done without the interwoven romance, but overall this was an enjoyable read. It was interesting to read about the politics of an election in ancient Rome as well as the intrigues of a large political family. A good page-turner
augureader's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I didn't like this one much at all. The pacing was too slow, everyone had 2 Roman names (and half of them had the first name Julia), the mystery (which is what drew me to the book) was practically non existent, the writing and language didn't match the era, and... nothing happened. I feel like if I'd read the first 20 pages then the last 40 pages, it would have been enough to figure everything out. The ~330 pages in between were absolutely torturous to go through and I ended up skimming a lot of it. I'm glad I can move on to something else now.
lisaebetz's review
5.0
A good read. Not only did it provide an entertaining mystery, but it gave a glimpse into Imperial Roman election procedures.
This is a story of grudges nursed for long years that result in nice people being killed for very selfish reasons. Albia and her boyfriend Faustus (is he a boyfriend? Is he more?) uncover one complicated connection after another between the various candidates, (none of which I would care to vote for).
As the story progresses, the two prove that they make a good team, each discovering things the other would not have thought to look for.
Not the book to read if you are looking for quality role models to inspire you toward wholesome, functional family relationships, but a perfectly fine mystery about a bunch of troubled hopeful magistrates and their hidden family problems.
This is a story of grudges nursed for long years that result in nice people being killed for very selfish reasons. Albia and her boyfriend Faustus (is he a boyfriend? Is he more?) uncover one complicated connection after another between the various candidates, (none of which I would care to vote for).
As the story progresses, the two prove that they make a good team, each discovering things the other would not have thought to look for.
Not the book to read if you are looking for quality role models to inspire you toward wholesome, functional family relationships, but a perfectly fine mystery about a bunch of troubled hopeful magistrates and their hidden family problems.
judenoseinabook's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn't so sure about the Flavia Alba series in the first one, but I'm totally hooked now, really enjoyed this and looking forward to number 4.
Interesting story set around aediles elections and a mysterious body discovered in a chest about to be auctioned by the Falco emporium! Flavia Alba is just about recovered from the food poisoning bout, but not from the caring of the lovely Faustus
Interesting story set around aediles elections and a mysterious body discovered in a chest about to be auctioned by the Falco emporium! Flavia Alba is just about recovered from the food poisoning bout, but not from the caring of the lovely Faustus
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
5.0
Flavia is truly Falco's heir. She has all it takes to be there for many years to come.
emesskay's review against another edition
4.0
As I first started reading this book, I was disappointed with this book because it didn't seem as snappy as the Marcus Didius Falco books. However, I kept with it, and it was worth it as the pace picked up and I became more involved with the story. Besides the mystery itself (dead body in a box, no one knows who it was or how it got there), the reader also gets to learn more of Albia's past - some of the events which happened between the last Falco book and the present series. I enjoy these insights into her character and glimpses of how she came to be where she is now in the series.