Customer Reviews

Two for the Lions (The Tenth Marcus Didius Falco Novel)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To get the worst out of the way first the only thing that wasn't quite right with this latest instalment of Marcus Didius Falco was the hero's current relationship with Petronius Longinus. The preceding novel did not leave us with the impression of bitterness that 'Two For The Lions' conveys. Aside from that, what can I say? Superb characterization, imaginative plots and plenty of light humour! The easy reading of all Lindsey Davis' novels makes each trip into the Roman world of seedy back-door politics and informers a delight. The development of Anacrites and the relationship between Helena Justina and Marcus Didius is entirely credible and always amusing. Long may the series continue.............

Davis finds yet another seam on Rome's underbelly to pick open as Falco investigates the death of a moonlighting Circus lion, and other possibly related oddities. What I love about these books is the attention to detail that the author uses to submerge you in Falco's world; it's like what Mary Renault did with ancient Greece. Renault and Davis also share the gift of being able to get into the skin of their male central characters.Unlike Renault, Davis seems equally interested in her female characters, and Two For the Lions has some good ones, as well as the further development of everyone's favourite pest, Anacrites. Good mystery, good history. I wish my copy wasn't sitting on the kitchen table back in England...

Davis has found more fascinating facets of ancient Rome for the informer Falco to explore: the emperor Vespasian's tax census, gladiatorial games, and a family adventure to the wild North African provinces. Her very well written stories feature character as much as mystery (see especially her exceptional The Course of Honour, a Roman love story). An odd twist is that for a long time here the only murder victim is a lion--quite beneath a Roman's notice--as Falco takes the thankless, and dangerous, job of screwing money out of rich animal suppliers. (See Editorial Reviews, above, for the plot.)

Davis' deep knowledge of ancient Rome in the first century of the Empire is expressed off-handedly; the Roman customs are so well painted, pertinent, and integrated to the plot they are almost throw aways. This quality of immersion may account for readers having difficulty on first acquaintance if they know nothing of Roman mores (Davis supplies no historical notes a la Steven Saylor). For example, types of gladiators are mentioned early, but the critical differences only become clear (or important) when you see them in the arena later. Some of the confusion, suspense, and mysterious clues in fact depend on the reader's ignorance, but the depth of the characters is greatly enhanced if you already know their backgrounds from previous books. I strongly recommend starting from the first volume, Silver Pigs, also because there is a strong biographical (and cross-referential) element to the ever-changing relationship of plebian Falco and his spirited patrician love Helena, their family members, and continuing minor characters, each book spanning about a half a year in their collective lives. Readers new to Davis may gain from reading the amazing new novel, Household Gods, by Tarr and Turtledove, because it makes gut-wrenchingly understandable (right down to the absence of toilet paper) the life of ordinary Romans through the eyes of a 20th century woman (although it is not a mystery).

Few of the incidents in Davis' story are extraneous, all digressions ingeniously contributing to the plot and eventually resolving through action. Davis' ability to explain plot elements through actions rather than prattle is one of her outstanding accomplishments and keeps an intricate book moving along. Her language is more ribald than usual and the climax is quite bloody. I find her stories are best when tightly focused in the city of Rome, becoming diffuse whenever Falco goes overseas as here to North Africa (or Last Act in Palmyra), due perhaps to limited development of wide-open foreign atmospheres. Her jocular tone and cynicism about bureaucracy (herself a former British government servant) may diminish the sense of environment, but impart wry elements of lightness to the stories that are missing from serious Saylor's equally superb Roma Sub Rosa series. Surely it is curious that all the most popular Roman historical mystery novels feature private spys (rather than lawyers, police, or Imperial spys).

Marcus Didius Falco's mystery series takes place in Ancient Rome. Lindsey Davis is a highly intelligent writer, so when you pick up TWO FOR THE LIONS expect to be entertained to the fullest. I found the mystery remarkable and matchless. The characters are distinctive, their personalities are well formed, and their appearances are successfully painted by the author's pen. I found the written atmosphere of Rome dramatic and complete. As usual, I found Falco's good nature and wit amusing, and Helena to be an impressive mate and saint. Falco is assigned to investigate tax fraud (hmmm, the world's first IRS man?). This leads him to a man who provides lions for executions and entertainment. When an unusual death occurs, Falco becomes sidetracked and finds assistance in his dearest, Helena, who helps him resolve the mystery. Helena finds her brother in trouble and takes care of Falco when he comes down sick (Does he take it like a man?). As usual, people, situations, and the political subterfuge of Rome will be Falco's obstacles in solving this one.

I found it to be a substantial read that took a lot of concentration. Ms. Lindsey's knowledge of Rome and its citizens is so comprehensive that at points I felt overwhelmed and needed a break. To her fans, I'm sure, the greater size and more detailed the book, the better. They soak up the atmosphere and dialect with no complaints, and I have none either, but it may be a while before I'm ready to pick up another. It's series I recommend for historical mystery lovers.

Fans of Lindsey Davis (of which I'm certainly one) -- you can buy this book, as well as "One Virgin Too Many", from Amazon.co.uk. They're slightly more expensive, and the shipping costs more, but if you're like me, and don't want to wait for the U.S. printing in December (even later for the newer book), it's worth it. I bought the paperback of "Lions" and the hardback of "Virgin" and the total came to about $40.00 U.S. (shipping included).

So far "Lions" is great -- I haven't yet finished.

In 73 AD Rome, though he prefers otherwise, private investigator Marcus Didius Falco accepts a government job with the census crowd. Marcus and his assigned partner, archenemy Anacrites, Rome's chief spy, collect tax revenue.

As Marcus vows he never again will join the inane bureaucracy, someone murders Rome's chief executioner, Leonidas the Lion. He had lunched on all those convicted of a capital punishment offense. Unable to resist a juicy murder investigation, Falco begins to make inquiries. As he digs deeper, Falco finds no one seems to have a motive to stab the lion to death. As Falco follows leads across the Mediterranean, an unknown assailant watches his every move in case he gets close to uncovering the truth.

TWO FOR THE LIONS is the latest historical mystery starring the Don Rickles of Ancient Rome, Falco. As in the previous novels in this award winning series, the historical details make the city-state seem vividly alive. The characters feel genuine and add to the feeling that the reader has traveled back in time. Though Falco's humorous but ugly soliloquies on just about everyone occasionally slows down the intriguing story line, sub-genre fans will fully relish this winning tale.

Harriet Klausner

This is the tenth novel in the mystery series featuring Marcus Didius Falco, an informer and sleuth in Rome at the time of Vespasian. A series of books that have become hugely popular, so much so that the author is now at the forefront of historical mystery writers. It was probably a stroke of genius on her part to have novels that are extremely well researched and contain all the elements that would be and should be found in the Roman world of circa AD70, but to have a lead character who has the vocabulary of a present day New York cop. In this the tenth novel Falco and Helena Justina now have a baby girl (Three Hands in the Fountain)

It is AD73 and the Emperor Vespasian has come up with a good idea for making money. Why not hold a census, after all if the senate know who everyone is and where they live it will be much easier to impose taxes on them. Falco and Partner become Censors. Well someone has to do it. There job is to investigate fraudulent claims, a messy, but lucrative business.

Unfortunately for Falco his `partner' is none other than Anacrites, a no good low life and palace spy. While investigating the people who run the gladiator schools and wild beast shows, Falco is involved in the mysterious death of a lion, an escaped leopard and a dead gladiator. There is much rivalry among the men who organise the vast games in Rome. It is a cut throat world where life is cheap and killing a man comes as second nature to many of the people involved in Falco's latest case.

I gobble up each Falco book when it comes out. Not only is he a clever Roman sleuth; but I like to read each installment of his domestic life. How your average every-day private Roman eye has to cope with death, taxes, thugs, murderers, bureaucracy, a conniving rival, a cheat of a father, a domineering mother, a high-born love and a baby daughter and still earn the daily sesterces make interesting reading. I wish however that Falco and his friend Petro can be friends again; because they are such a team.

There's no place like Rome, where all roads lead to, and Marcus Didius Falco, ace Roman Sleuth, finds himself in another dilemma in author Lindsey Davis' "Two for the Lions." And Davis has no trouble maintaining her momentum in this latest of the Falco series.

This time Falco is working as a tax investigator, appointed by the Emperor Vaspacian himself--but it's no ordinary tax investigation! He's on the trail of fraud committed by the "bestiarii" (the slaugherers) and the "lanistae" (the suppliers for the gladiator games). This "game" is deadly and the affable (but quite competent) Falco finds that dinner for the lions may include himself! His pursuits lead him and his friend Helena to Tripoli--seems simple enough but first Falco has to render aid to Helena's youngest brother, who seems caught in the middle!

Riddled with bits of humor as well as first-form suspense, "Two for the Lions" also offers history-with-an-exciting-twist. In addition, Davis doesn't hesitate to take pot shots at the local bureaucracy, and politics, society (a real "Roman a clef"!). And she is sure not to disappoint her "legions" of fans! (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

I loved the first 4 books in this series: funny, irreverant, action-packed, great believable charcters, wonderful descriptions of 1st century Roman life. If possible, I like 2 read serial books in order. So, the next book available to me on my Kindle was "Two for the Lions" (10th book in series). Apparently, I missed lots of action because Falco is now living with his girlfriend, Helena, and their infant baby girl.

This plot featured the main characters traveling endlessly around the Mediterarian Sea, hopping from place to place in search of people and answers. On and on it went, plot within subplot, subplot within sub-sub plot... Oh yeah, til I couldn't figure out who was chasing who. And what was with all the amazing coincidences of Falco just happening to run into other Romans when he needed a ride? The love story between Helena's younger brother and girlfriend, and his search for the extinct spice plant, needed to be cut out of this tale- it was just distracting and not believable. The dialogue between characters was what held this tale together. Goodness, I wish I could write dialogue like Davis, the author- so natural and flowing- it is a breeze to read!

That said, I would only recommend this book to people who love the series. I will check out the next book, "Too Many Virgins" and hope Davis goes back to her original way of telling a story. Hopefully this series has not 'jumped the shark' yet. If so, then I'll wait until Kindle releases books 5 - 9 in this series.