Falco: The Official Companion (A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery) [Hardcover]

Lindsey Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 5, 2010 | Series: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery

A must-have companion to the acclaimed series about the Imperial private eye

 

As the girl came running up the steps, I decided she was wearing far too many clothes . . .

 

So, in 1989, readers were introduced to Marcus Didius Falco, the Roman informer, as he stood on the steps of the Temple of Saturn, looking out across the Forum, and now, 20 years and 20 books later, Falco fans want a companion volume. Only here will readers learn the author’s private background, including her descent from a failed assassin and how atheism improved her knitting. Here too are the real glories and heartache involved in research and creation—why the baby had to be born in Barcelona, which plots evolved from intense loathing of management trainees, what part a thermal vest played in the iconic Falco’s conception. Enlightening quotations from the Falco books and eminent sources: Juvenal, through Chandler, to 1066 and All That are also included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Davis makes Rome live.”  —Washington Post Book World

"What makes Davis's long-standing series so indelible is the expert blend of Falco's wisecracking observations and crazy family life with some masterly suspense. . . . The mystery is intricately plotted, the characters are well drawn, and Falco is as engaging a protagonist as ever, still tough but wiser and more reflective, too. Another winner for historical mystery fans."  —Library Journal on Alexandria

“Davis’s vision of everyday life in the Roman Empire is superb. I haven’t read historical fiction this good since I, Claudius by Robert Graves and The Persian Boy by Mary Renault.”  —Detroit Free Press on Shadows in Bronze

About the Author

Lindsey Davis's bestselling Marcus Didius Falco mystery series features laid-back First-Century Roman detective Falco and his partner Helena Justina, plus friends, relations, pets and bitter enemy the Chief Spy. She is also the author of Rebels and Traitors. She has won the CWA Historical Dagger, the Dagger in the Library, and a Sherlock for Falco as Best Detective awards. She has been Honorary President of the Classical Association and is a past Chair of the Crimewriters' Association. In 2009 she was awarded the Premio de Honor de Novela Historica by the Spanish City of Zaragoza for her career as a historical novelist.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 308 pages
• Publisher: Random House UK (July 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184605673X
• ISBN-13: 978-1846056734
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #644,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lindsey Davis' Roman novels begin chronologically with The Course of Honour, the love story of the Emperor Vespasian and Antonia Caenis. Her bestselling mystery series features laid-back First Century detective Marcus Didius Falco and his partner Helena Justina, plus friends, relations, pets and bitter enemy the Chief Spy; there is a reader handboook, 'Falco: the Official Companion'. 'Master and God' set in the time of the Emperor Domitian, will be published in 2012. She has also written an epic novel of the English Civil War and Commonwelath, 'Rebels and Traitors'. Her books are translated into many languages and serialised on BBC Radio 4. Past Chair of the Crimewriters' Association and a Vice President of the Classical Association, she has won the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger, the Dagger in the Library, and a Sherlock award for Falco as Best Comic Detective. She has also been awarded the Premio Colosseo for enhancing the image of Rome, and the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement as a mystery writer.
She was born in Birmingham but now lives in London.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars essential for fans, September 30, 2010

By 

Carole E. Shorb (Beltsville, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Falco: The Official Companion (A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery) (Hardcover)

I have been a Falco fan from the beginning. This book is as wonderful as the novels, full of the author's trademark sly and wry wit. It can be dipped into for specific information, but it is also fun just to read straight through. After a short autobiography, Davis supplies answers to everything you ever wanted to know about the world of Marcus Didius Falco from where Davis gets her ideas, to summaries of the novels, character sketches, even a couple of family trees. There is also general information on ancient Rome including maps, glossary of terms, timeline and much, much more. There is also a wealth of photos of relevant places and objects and even a photo of the dog that inspired the appearance of Nux.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Falco, The Official Companion - Lindsey Davis, November 1, 2010

By 

C. Bates (Port Ludlow, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Falco: The Official Companion (A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery) (Hardcover)

Not quite your usual "Companion" but certainly entertaining. Since I had not read the most recent "Falco" I had to stop until I had, to avoid spoilers. Recommended for someone who follows the antics of Marcus Didius.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the Falco Fan, February 13, 2011

By 

Cordially Yours (St. Joseph, Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Falco: The Official Companion (A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery) (Hardcover)

This is the book Falco-ites have been waiting for: a feast of backstage Marcus Didius Falco served up by Miss Lindsey Davis herself. Book contains many sections, including recaps of all the Falco book plots; a carefully explored biographical section on all the characters, big and small; background information about Miss Davis's writing process, travels, friends and secrets, and much much more. The section on Frequently Asked Questions is especially illuminating and entertaining. There is also a wonderful section on Roman life and culture. This book has inspired me to re-read the series again.