Customer Reviews

The Sacrilege: An SPQR Mystery

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When I was a young assistant state attorney, a wise old lawyer told me that a prosecutor had to be like Caesar's wife--above suspicion. Good advice, but where did the aphorism come from? "SPQR III" gives a humorous answer to that question, and also gives us a rolicking good story of love, murder, and political intrigue.

One engaging aspect of the SPQR series is the ensemble of remarkable characters who reappear book after book. Quintus Caecilius Metellus the Elder, a battle scarred, no-nonsense soldier and politician who is both proud of and embarrassed by his eccentric son. Metellus Creticus, a dour man who happens to be one of the most powerful soldier-politicians in Rome. Titus Milo, a handsome, muscular organized crime boss who doesn't need weapons to defend himself. Asclepiodes, a talented physician who specializes in stitching up gladiators and performing autopsies. Fausta and Clodia, two women who are as heartless as they are beautiful. Publius Clodius, a reprobate who has only two ambitions--to become the most powerful man in Rome and to kill Decius Metellus the Younger.

In this book Roberts makes two exemplary additions to the ensemble: Julia, niece of Julius Caesar, love of Decius' life, and no mean detective in her own right. And finally, Hermes, a lazy, hungry, insolent slave whose cupidity sometimes interferes with his loyalty to Decius his master.

"SPQR III" follows the same plot as the first two offerings in this series. Decius investigates a sacrilege, becomes embroiled in a series of murders, uncovers a plot which threatens the very existence of Rome, dodges repeated attempts on his life as he pulls off a caper which saves the Republic, and flees Rome pursued by assassins. The mystery is not so much "whodunnit" as "how's Decius going to keep from getting himself killed?" It's all good fun.

Decius Caecilius Metellus, scion of an old and noble Roman family, and a snooper with the best of them, is now a Senator. That only means he now can pry more easily into matters that bring him to the really dangerous attention of truly powerful opponents who are playing the lethal end game of the Roman Republic (c. 61 B.C). Here he comes up against the most powerful triumvirate Rome ever produced, but inexplicably he has the protective respect of Julius Caesar, one of its members. This story revolves around a sacred secret women's rite and why an up-and-coming popular rabblerouser, Clodius, would want to spy on it. As usual, from such a minor incident Decius gradually uncovers a colossal conspiracy against the Republic. I found it hard to keep track of the minor but crucial characters not only because they are numerous, but also because they frequently have similar names and certain of them are also busy changing those names during the action (practices explained in the highly useful end-glossary of the Latin terms Decius drops into the narrative).

One unique aspect of these Roman mystery stories is that they are purportedly narrated long after the events by Decius in his old age, thus allowing him amusing and droll comments (in the manner of Suetonius) benefiting from historical perspective. Roberts has a light touch on otherwise grim happenings, many of which he is not making up. His use of Caeasar's famous quote about how his wife must be above supicion is deliciously ironic. I'd guess the more one knows of classical history the more fun is this genre of mystery novels (cf. McCullough's biographical use of Caesar, Saylor's use of Cicero's law cases). The current St. Martin series has a much nicer presentation than the original Avon pulps, but has no more "Roman" an appearance (e.g., no Roman numerals). A useful map is included although its central parts disappear into the book's gutter. Incidentally, a computer mystery game titled "S.P.Q.R." was published in 1996 (has an amazing virtual Rome and gameplay a la MYST I, but is unrelated to the Roberts stories).

What struck me immediately when reading this book is the incredible level of historical accuracy. John Maddux Roberts clearly knows his Roman Republican history well. Most of the characters in the novel were real people, and Roberts' characterizations of them closely match those found in texts of the day.

And it doesn't hurt that the story is engrossing, entertaining, and amusing. I can't recall the last time I enjoyed a book so thoroughly!

Buy this book! SPQR III is everything an historical mystery should be--full of accurate historical detail presented by a compelling main character/hero--and more. The modern sensibility that shines through is always witty and entertaining, never takes away from the story or suspension of disbelief, and captures perfectly the irony that intelligent Romans probably felt about themselves, the races they conquered and their 'empire.' It far surpasses the Lindsay Davis "Falco" mysteries that are becoming so rote and predictable that one hardly has to read the latest to know what is going to happen. Just one complaint--when are the first two volumes in the series going to become available to readers? I discovered Metellus the Younger, in his later years, in a collection of Historical Detectives, and was completely captivated. I had to do some detective work to track down these novels--and thank you Amazon. Considering some of the dreck being put on the market, how can SPQR and SPQR II, NOT be in print? "Wise up," as Decius would say.

Before reading this book, you have to read volume 1 (SPQR) to understand what the SPQR series are all about. Volume 2 (Catilina) is recommended, too.

This novel is actually just for the fans of the SPQR series, so I won't bother you with the story background or plot details. As you might expect, our friend Decius Caecilius Metellus gets involved in dangerous intrigues once again, taking this time an even larger bite than in the last times. On the other hand, you might be happy to see some rather pleasant changes in his life. To sum up, this book is as good as volume 2, but by no means a match for the volume 1.

This one is the best so far of the series. Apart from the author's familarity with his main character, Decius, the supporting ensemble are all finely meshed and their personalities are comfortable to the reader. The continuing feud between Clodius and Decius makes for fine entertainment. The introduction of the slave Hermes is with a mildly irritating character, but, given he is in the fourth installment it is interesting to see how he will develop. JMR gives us a more stable influence on Decius' live with the daughter of Lucius Julius Caesar 'joining' forces but being tee-d up to be Decius' betrothal.
The plot centers around Clodius' infamous disruption of the Bona Dea rites in 62BC, and this time knowledge of the period doesn't impact on figuring out the murders. In all actuality, the murders are irrelevant and JMR hardly bothers to clear them up, Decius just mentally confirming his own theory as the facts. It spirals off into an interesting and, perhaps, not unbelievable, early view on the coming triumvirate. All the time JMR is quick to downplay and perhaps poke fun at the staid glorification of ancient Roman legends such as Caesar. For example Decius' hilarity at Caesar's famous remark about his wife Pompeia's non-complicity. It tends to humanise these historical figures.
JMR's novels are 'published' as Roman murder mysteries but they are so much more than that. A satirical look at a fascinating period of history (much echoed by Steven Saylor), his astute (and, in this installment, being given license for hubris) hero bounces through ancient Rome in a delightfully irreverent manner in his quest to know the facts about murders and the general shadowy political dealings of Republican Rome.

The Metellus stories are always enjoyable "on the bus" reading. I enjoyed this book particularly because of Decius irreverent attitude toward Julius Caesar. My only frustration is that there are several Decius Metellus short stories scattered about and I don't know where most of them are. I think I've seen one or two in anthologies called "Historical Whodunnits" and "Historical Detectives" and "Crime Through Time". I hope someday they will be gathered into a volume of their own.

Imagine you have served an assignment in a foreign land with the Military and just returned home. You are on your first day of a new civilian job. You are to represent you new employer in negotiations with a highly placed man. He invites you to dinner to discuss your business and he is murdered during the dinner's first course. Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger encounters this problem in "The Sacrilege."

The Sacrilege is a novel with gripping action and complicated political intrigue. This is a murder mystery that reveals complex causes, significant questions of motive for murder, and fascinating details that tend to exclude and even reject suspects. The plot is often a maze of twists that keep the reader guessing.

"The Sacrilege" tells the story of Decius's investigation into a surprising crime against Rome and its religion. A secret rite of Bona Dea that excludes participation by males, has been infiltrated and desecrated. Some man has invaded the exclusive female worship service, in violation of Roman law and creed. Citizens criticize security, priests demand that someone pay, and the government is confused and only wishes to survive. Decius is assigned to discover the truth without upsetting prominent politicians.

John Maddox Roberts paints realistic characters. He focuses sufficient detail on the main character Decius and his close associates, that they seem like people you have met. Decius, an aristocrat, demonstrates talent as an investigator but appears lacking in caution. Decius is frequently in trouble, usually with his life seriously threatened.

The Sacrilege presents what appears to make historical parallels to modern America. Roman society pays successful soldiers with land (a retirement). Powerful men stress political gain over Constitutional duties (like recent Congressional ethics hearings). The growing wealth of the Uber rich threatens to turn poverty into near slavery (political pundits clam this about the current economy). In Robert's novel such events seem much more acceptable than they do in current times.

The Sacrilege is a fun book that I highly recommend.

Wow what a book, what a read. This is the third in the series but don't let that put you off reading this book before the first 2 and out or order. Your appetite will be whetted to seek out and read more in this marvelous series.
John Maddox Roberts hits the ground running and Decius Caecilius Metellus our hero is right up to his Toga Top in intrigue and mystery.
Yet again there has been a murder which leads to several more.
Are they connected? And if so how?
All this leads to an enjoyable romp and journey through the dark, dank and dangerous alleys of Rome.

And what a ride it is. The book races alone with decent and satisfying chapters that don't waste a second on boring minutiae like other books do, its action and intrigue all the way and yet Roberts always manages to insert decent chunks of Roman Life that this reader never knew existed The rights of the Bona Dea ritual where it's the strict women only has been breached but therein lies a mystery too.
All the favorites of the time make an appearance including, Caeser, Crassus and Pompey along with Decius' supporters and a new love interest that doesn't drag the action but actually adds a piquancy to the proceedings.
recommended?? You bet your ass (A Roman Coin!!) and dinari!!

The SPQR series of Roman Historical mysteries chronicles the career and adventures of one Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a fictional scion of a real Roman political family. John Maddox Roberts does an excellent job of drawing the reader into actual Republican Roman politics and history with entertaining characters and witty dialog- and an occasional gripping action scene. Each book also contains a well researched glossary of Roman terms and the Republican Roman political system.

What is nice about the series is that the History is accurate. In fact, many of the mysteries are "ripped from the headlines" or is that more "chipped from the tablets?"

Decius starts in 70 BC, with his first step upon the cursus honorum.

Here, In SPQR III The Sacrilege, set around 62BC, Decius has just been handed his Toga praetexta, with the broad purple stripe that indicates that Decius is now a junior Senator, what was called a "back-bencher". The mystery starts when Decius finds that the secret rite of Bona Dea- open only to Roman women, has been infiltrated and desecrated by Publius Clodius Pulcher, a very real and rather reprehensible Roman Politician. This starts Decius long running feud with Clodius.

Of course Decius gets involved into some particularly suspicious and unusual murders and then is thrown again into the nasty world of political corruption- which of course involve characters from the highest levels of Roman society.

How Decius Caecilius Metellus solves the murder without getting himself into even deeper hot water politically is the crux of this entertaining book.

Here, or perhaps in SPQR IV, John Maddox Roberts hits his stride with this series of now 13 excellent historical mysteries. Note that there are also several short stories:

The Statuette of Rhodes, Classical Whodunnits.

Mightier Than the Sword, The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunnits

The Etruscan House, Crime Through Time II

Venus in Pearls, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine July/August 2001

The Will, The Mammoth Book of Roman Whodunnits

The King of Sacrifices, The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives

An Academic Question, Past Poisons



I highly recommend the entire series.