Shadows in Bronze (Falco 02) [Import] [Paperback]

Lindsey Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008 | Series: Falco 02

Rome, AD 71. In the second book in the bestselling Falco series, Marcus Didius Falco, now Imperial Agent to Emperor Vespasian, has not been resting on his laurels. Tidying up corpses, kicking over the traces of a failed coup, making a bit on the side in stolen lead ingots — it’s all in a day’s work for an ex-private eye. But a new plot to usurp the purple robes of power puts Falco on the back of a mule with a one-way ticket down the Appian Way — bumping into trouble, treason and Helena Justina, a senator’s daughter he’s trying hard to forget.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

No caveats for readers of Davis's second playful, well-plotted mystery featuring imperial agent Marcus Didius Falco and based in first century, C.E., Rome. Nero's successor Vespasian has squelched an early treasonous plot and assigned Falco to take care of loose ends, which include the body of the uncle of the high-born young widow Helena Justina, whom Falco met and courted stormily in Silver Pigs. Disguised as an idle vacationer in the company of his comrade and captain of the Aventine Watch, Petronius Longus and family, Falco travels south to Neapolis, Capreae and Pompeii (eight years before its destruction) where he uncovers and must thwart a new conspiracy involving the shipment of Egyptian grain to Rome and an unwitting Helena. Like a toga-clad McGee or Spenser, Falco has a modern sensibility that wears its ancient trappings comfortably, whether he's sneaking down a narrow Roman street or feasting sumptuously at a sunlit coastal villa. A rousing horserace in the Circus Maximus, balanced with a touching romantic resolution, rounds out this action-packed entertainment, enlivened by Davis's vivid characterization of both major and minor players, and his clear delight in--and easy authority with--the story's time and place.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

YA-- That rascally Roman detective, Marcus Didius Falco, is back, still pining for the unavailable, upper-class Helen; bumbling through investigations; and dodging his nagging mother. Set in Italy in a.d. 70, the mystery of Helen's "returned-to-life" husband flows smoothly, accompanied by such historical details as descriptions of prostitutes flourishing in Pompeii, salesmen hawking used chariots, and women dying their hair with the newest shade--Egyptian Russet. It's great fun to read of Falco's dubious detecting skills, aided by his sharp eye for noticing and reporting on the world around him. A book that should be required reading for those students who foolishly believe the adage "Latin is a dead language."-- Pam Spencer, Jefferson Sci-Tech, Alexandria,
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Arrow (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0099515067
• ISBN-13: 978-0099515067
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,086,202 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

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, October 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Shadows in Bronze (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is an absolute classic. You can't help but fall in love with Falco, who is an Imperial Informer. There is plot and intrigue aplenty, and of course that amazing humor which pervads all of the Falco series. This book is sent in Roman times when Vespasian secrued the throne, and as such ther are some jokes and digs on the side which would be difficult to get if you didn't know or understand a little about the time period. But even if you know nothing about Ancient Rome, this is a fantastic novel, the humor is quite easy to get and the irreverent nature of the protagonist, Falco, will have you in absolute stiches all the way through. However the book is not all about comedy, Falco must try and secure the affectons of Helena, who seems not at all impressed with him at the current time, while he must also try and save his own life (which is in constant peril) while uncovering a plot against the emperor. What makes the character of Falco so loveable is that he is a Rebublican, the mortal enemies of the Imperial house, and even so he is willing to risk all for the paycheck at the end and because "The old guy isn't so bad", (reffering to Vespasian). My reveiw is not the best, and don;t let it put you off. This is one of the best novels you will read, it has humour, plot, intrigue, suspense and of course a little on the side for Falco, as he said "Another case, another woman".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Falco finds his mate, November 25, 2000

By 

nsn-too (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadows in Bronze (Mass Market Paperback)

I know, I know, the story is much more than Falco and Helena. This is the second book in the Falco series (see Silver Pigs for the beginning) and as usual, there is mystery, wit, humor and irony. The characters are very real and you are drawn into Italy (circa AD 70). The style of writing is so vivid that you can actually picture the streets of Rome, with men in togas, street vendors selling their wares, ex-gladiators hulking in the doorways and of course, Falco, going from one end of the city to the other. Falco takes care of another mission for the emperor and in so doing, Helena and he realize their mutual affinity for each other. Finally. After all those misunderstandings. And therefore, since I am a romantic at heart ... this book is about Falco "getting his girl".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SHADOWS IN BRONZE is solid gold for history-mystery fans!, November 9, 2000

By 

Jim Allen "The Big Idea Coach" (Odenton, Md USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shadows in Bronze (Mass Market Paperback)

Lindsey Davis does it again... and better! Didius Falco returns in this second book of the Falco series. Having helped the Emperor solve the plot from SILVER PIGS, Falco is now engaged to do some follow-up work -- disposing of a body or two -- but discovers that things are far from over.

Before he knows it, Falco is off, once again, pulling at the threads of rebellion that threaten to unravel the just-settled state of Roman affairs. --And it not just affairs of state that threaten to unravel.... Didius must carefully negotiate his developing relationship with socialite Helena Justina while at the same time assisting his teen-aged nephew (send along to look after Falco) negotiate love and life.

Davis proved that her first book was no fluke by crafting another intricate, enticing plot filled with characters that come to life with every word. Her dialog is sharp. Her narration (for the most part) witty and well-paced. Top it off with a lot of attention to historical detail mixed with a dash of anachronistic gumshoe-detecting and what you get is this page-turning delight.