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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best of the SPQR Series: an Ancient Courtroom Thriller, May 24, 2006
As Decius Metellus the Younger stands for election, he becomes the subject of a private prosecution brought by Marcus Fulvius, a political tyro from the sticks who seeks to jump start his career by prosecuting Decius on trumped-up charges of public corruption. As Decius arrives at court to answer the charges, he finds young Fulvius' mutilated body lying on the steps of the courthouse.
Now he must defend himself on a charge of capital murder. Because the Romans are a civilized people, he does not have to languish in jail awaiting trial, but the trial will be a speedy one indeed. He has only a few days to prepare his defense. With the assistance of his trusty freedman, Hermes, his brainy wife, Julia, the Greek physician Ascelpiodes (an expert on the infliction and treatment of wounds), and a beautiful female mathematician from Alexandria, he sets out to untangle the dual mysteries precisely who is conspiring against him and who killed Fulvius.
The investigation leads from the mortuary to the archives of Rome, to the homes of some of the most beautiful leading ladies of Rome, to the barbershops and bathhouses. Decius makes use of forensic pathology, cryptography, gossip, and informal logic in uncovering a convoluted web of conspiracy that threatens the very existence of the Roman Republic. Now how can he make use of his discovery to save both himself and his beloved Republic?
The earlier SPQR stories have contained more action, but in this story Roberts minimizes the bloodletting and emphasizes the brainwork. The book could almost be called a police procedural / courtroom drama. It tracks the criminal procedure of ancient Rome quite closely, and Decius' actual trial in the last chapter appears to be a very accurate depiction of how the Romans actually conducted murder trials.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superior historical mystery, September 10, 2006
Back from a successful tour of Cyprus, where he defeated pirates, flirted with Cleopatra, and made money, Decius Caecilius Metellus (the younger) is back in Rome--this time, up for election as praetor. His election seems assured--he comes from one of the noble families of Rome, is married to Caesar's niece, is on at least reasonable terms with Pompey, and is popular for having provided an exceptional series of games during his Aedileship. But one of the surest ways to political success is to accuse another politician of corruption and an unknown, one Fulvius, accuses Decius of exactly that. Decius is prepared to defend himself, but when he arrives at the court, Fulvius's body is already there--already dead. Now Decius is suspected of murder.
When his doctor-friend examines the wounds and determines that Fulvius was killed by several men--slowly--Decius realizes that there is a conspiracy afoot. What he can't determine, however, is the target of that conspiracy. One thing is certain--while the Metellus family is important, they're not important enough to justify the extent of this conspiracy. Someone more important is the ultimate target, and Decius just happens to be the man who's in the way. Ignoring the usual Roman tradition of ignoring evidence and relying solely on family retainers and bribes, Decius investigates. He finds a secret cypher, a beautiful Egyptian woman, and rumors about a 12-year-old boy who might, possibly, be intended as Caesar's heir.
Author John Maddox Roberts continues his SPQR mystery series, set during the dying days of the Roman Republic. Although Pompey has rid the city of the criminal gangs which once fought for supremacy, conspiracies, plots, and murder remain common. Caesar remains in Gaul, but his suporters are active, and he sends hundreds of his soldiers home to vote in the election. The aristocratic party, which hates Caesar, is also active and its young men, including Cassius and Marcus Brutus, play cameo roles in Roberts's mystery.
Strong writing, a falible but sympathetic protagonist, an interesting mystery, and one of the most fascinating periods in history combine to create a superior historical mystery. History buffs, in particular will enjoy Roberts's feel for the last days of the Roman Republic.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Decius at his best, July 12, 2006
Readers who share my interest in ancient Rome cannot but marvel at the way in which author John Maddox Roberts manages to recreate the hurly-burly of life in the dying Republic. At the same time he deftly negotiates for his readers a cast of hundreds, many with the same or similar names. This mystery is so well and skillfully drawn, involving a fascinating look at the Roman legal system and a foray into Greek philosophy as well as methods employed at that time to encode and decode secret messages. Decius' family life and his interaction with his friends only enhance and add to the tale. A very good read and both the cast of characters and glossary are helpful. (I hope Roberts' editors will in the future get the spelling of Sibylline correct, though. This bothers me each time and sends me to the dictionary to reassure myself of the spelling.) His public awaits Decius' next gripping adventure, knowing that a run-in with the dreaded Octavius (now aged 12) must be only a few volumes away. Ave atque vale!
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