Customer Reviews

Shadows in Bronze

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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".

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".

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.

This is the second of a series of detective stories set in Vespasian's Roman Empire and featuring the informer Marcus Didius Falco. Informers in ancient Rome were something between a private detective and a government spy.

I tried this historical detective series because I had enjoyed Ellis Peter's "Brother Cadfael" detective stories. Where Cadfael is excellent, Falco is brilliant. Ellis Peters herself (or to use her real name, Edith Pargeter) said of the early books of the series 'Lindsey Davis continues her exploration of Vespasian's Rome and Marcus Didius Falco's Italy with the same wit and gusto that made "The Silver Pigs" such a dazzling debut and her rueful, self-deprecating hero so irresistibly likeable.'

Funny, exciting, and based on a painstaking effort to re-create the world of 71 AD.

Having foiled an attempted coup with the help of senator's daughter Helena Justina in the first book, Falco is clearing up some of the mess, when it becomes clear that another plot may be afoot. Emperor Vaspasian sends Falco to find out what's going on ...

If you have met and enjoyed either the Cadfael or Thraxas series, this is even better.

It isn't absolutely essential to read these stories in sequence, as the mysteries Falco is trying to solve are all self-contained stories and each can stand on its own. Having said that, there is some ongoing development of characters and relationships and I think reading them in the right order does improve the experience.

The full Falco series, in chronological order, consists at the moment of:

The Silver Pigs
Shadows in Bronze
Venus in Copper
The Iron Hand of Mars
Poseidon's Gold
Last Act in Palmyra
Time to Depart
A Dying Light in Corduba
Three Hands in the Fountain
Two for the Lions
One Virgin Too Many
Ode to a Banker
A Body in the Bath house
The Jupiter Myth
The Accusers
Scandal taks a Holiday
See Delphi and Die
Saturnalia

I have read and can warmly recommend all of these.

Lindsey Davis has also written a historical novel set in the same timeframe called "The Course of Honor" which is about the love affair between Vespasian and his mistress Caenis. The author has taken the two sentences from Suetonius which are all we know of Caenis, and from them she has conjured the vital image of a woman beautiful in both form and personality and a charming love story.

This is both a compelling mystery and a fun, touching romance all set against a lively Roman background. To fully appreciate Helena and Marcus's relationship, you should read Silver Pigs first, but the book is a wonderful, enjoyable read whether you chose to follow the order or not.

Lyndsey Davis does it again -- and better -- by bringing back her gumshoe (sandal!?) hero, Didius Falco.

Having forestalled an attempt to overthrow the empire, Falco continues working for the emperor on projects here and there... This book picks up as Falco is in the process of some (cough, cough) "cleaning up" for the emperor. As he does so, he uncovers some shady goings-on that once again threaten the throne.

Sent to discover what's going on, Falco and friends travel across the Italian countryside to the oceanside resorts in the south. There he searches for a mysterious ex-slave who holds the key to the mystery of murder and mayhem that sent him on his way.

Falco fans will love this one -- and first time readers will marvel at the intricate story, the historical detail, and the likable (or in some cases, not-so-likable) characters who seem to leap of the page. Davis is a master of character and dialog who easily propels her cast (and her readers) through an exciting story of murder, intrique, betrayal, and love...

The second in the M. Didius Falco series, Shadows in Bronze, finds Marcus taking a "holiday" to Pompeii and the surrounded areas in search of a murderer who is also in search of him. With typical Falco bad luck following him every step of the way, he feels his way through the investigation and bumbles his relationship with Helena. The funny part of it is, you can't help but root for him while in the same breath you curse his pride and downright blindness. Davis' trademark lively narrative, witty dialog, and historical details makes for another great Falco adventure through Ancient Rome.

I'm re-reading the M. Didius Falco books as my husband reads them for the first time, and he is just as fond of Falco as I am. I can't recommend this series enough to those who like comedy, mystery and history. Just be sure to start with the first one in the series, though. These are not books to get out of order.

Take the sardonic wit of Spenser or Stephanie Plum and transport it back to 70 A.D. and you have Falco. There are three things to enjoy in this book (and series) and this book is well done on all three.

First, there's the mystery. A murder in Rome comes with hints of a possible consipiracy against new ruler (and Falco's employer) Vespasian. Falco is sent first south and then west to locate the dead man's brother and another potential suspect. A mysterious freedman, Barnabas, (half-brother of Helena's dead ex-husband) keeps turning up with deadly results. The bulk of the action takes place in the bay of Neapolis (see maps in the back of the book) and is a nice of mix of political intrigue, personal ambition ....

Second, is the wonderful humor. Falco is a genuine wisecracking guy and often brings a smile to your lips. Davis also has a knack for taking an aspect of modern life and transporting in back in time. The section on the risks of buying a used chariot is a gem.

Finally, there's the romance. Falco is still WAY too poor to persue Helena but she keeps turning up. What's a guy to do but make the lady happy? Things aren't totally resolved by the end of the story but the relationship definately progresses.

Bottom-line: Don't take this wrong but a series that is sort like a Flintstones for grown-ups. Modern day human foiables are cast in Roman times with the most interesting and entertaining results. Keeping track of the names is a challenge (there's a list in the book) but worth it. Reading of "Silver Pigs" first is encouraged but not essential.

As someone with an interest in modern depictions of Imperial Rome, I've read Ms. Davis' novel alongside Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series, and I have to say, that, as a thriller, Davies book fares poorer. The "mystery" Falco is supposed to solve offers no interest, there's no actual sense of danger, the characters "on the side" are far too bidimensional to be of any note (I, for one, couldn't tell one from the other) and I found myself more often than not yawning while reading this novel. However, Ms. Davis has done his homework, as her depiction of everyday life in Early Imperial Rome is superb, almost scholary and shows real progress from the first novel. Also, she has created a couple of protagonists that are very likeable in themselves, although entirely fake as Roman persons - Falco, for one, is very, very British in his love for the ironic understatement. As an overall historical reconstruction, therefore, the novel stands on his own, but lacks in interest where the plotline is concerned. Perhaps there is a reason for that, by the way: unfortunately, while Saylor has chosen to weave his plots around the politics of Late Republican Rome - about which we know more than almost any other period of Ancient History - the political History of Early Imperial Rome is, for us, almost always a blank with some snippets of information now and then, and Vespasian's reign, where Ms. Davies has chosen to locate his plot, suffers from an especially acute dearth of historical sources.Well, perhaps in the next novels, which are located far away from Rome, she will resort to sheer invention, but then, isn't that what fiction is all about?

I loved reading 'Silver Pigs,' Book 1, of The Marcus Didius Falco Series: a new, fresh twist on the classic historical fiction. However, 'Shadows in Bronze,' Book 2, was a plot continuation of Book 1. Falco was still a fun character to follow in 'Shadows...', and Helena and his relationship advances through more downs and ups. Still, I was hoping for a completely different "mystery" for Falco to solve and was disappointed with 'Shadows...' a 'Silver Pigs' sequel. The Kindle edition had very few typos; navigation worked well. I will try the third book in this series and pray for a new story line.