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Loading... The Jupiter Myth (Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries) (original 2002; edition 2004)by Lindsey Davis
Work InformationThe Jupiter Myth by Lindsey Davis (2002)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. 2.5 stars ( ) Marcus Didius is still in Britannia with his family and entourage. He hates Britannia, that damp, fogbound outpost of Empire, and is looking forward to going home when a body is found stuffed in a well behind a sleazy tavern. Our hero is back on the job, in pursuit of a sophisticated protection racket and bringing him face to face with familiar faces from his past in unfamiliar roles. And what's Petronius Longus up to? I may have forgotten something but I believe this is the first in the Falco series with no action at all in Rome. I have to confess that I prefer the Roman settings and I did wonder at first if Lindsey Davis was coming under pressure to have more British settings, especially Londinium. Especially as this is am much more sombre episode than most in the series. But no; just as the previous story drew inspiration from the excavations of Fishbourne Palace, this one is based on recent revelations about Roman London. This brought me an especial delight because when I worked in the City in the 1980s the excavation of the amphitheatre in Guildhall Yard was going own across the road from my place of work in Basinghall Street and I followed it with great interest. The actual scene in the amphitheatre is a bit silly and out of keeping with the general tone of the book but it's great fun. Needless to say, the overarching family saga progresses, and it's good to see Petro get his moment in the spotlight; it's almost his book more than Marcus's. Marcus Didius is still in Britannia with his family and entourage. He hates Britannia, that damp, fogbound outpost of Empire, and is looking forward to going home when a body is found stuffed in a well behind a sleazy tavern. Our hero is back on the job, in pursuit of a sophisticated protection racket and bringing him face to face with familiar faces from his past in unfamiliar roles. And what's Petronius Longus up to? I may have forgotten something but I believe this is the first in the Falco series with no action at all in Rome. I have to confess that I prefer the Roman settings and I did wonder at first if Lindsey Davis was coming under pressure to have more British settings, especially Londinium. Especially as this is am much more sombre episode than most in the series. But no; just as the previous story drew inspiration from the excavations of Fishbourne Palace, this one is based on recent revelations about Roman London. This brought me an especial delight because when I worked in the City in the 1980s the excavation of the amphitheatre in Guildhall Yard was going own across the road from my place of work in Basinghall Street and I followed it with great interest. The actual scene in the amphitheatre is a bit silly and out of keeping with the general tone of the book but it's great fun. Needless to say, the overarching family saga progresses, and it's good to see Petro get his moment in the spotlight; it's almost his book more than Marcus's. no reviews | add a review
'To find a drowned man head-first down a well was slightly unusual, exciting maybe.' For Falco, a relaxed visit to Helena's relatives in Britain turns serious at the scene of a downtown murder. The renegade henchman of Rome's vital ally King Togidubnus has been stuffed head-first down a barroom well - leading to a tricky diplomatic situation which Falco must defuse. One murder leads to others. Londinium now has a forum and an amphitheatre; the town is a magnet for legitimate traders - and for criminals from Rome. With his vigiles pal Petronius, Falco leads the hunt for gangsters who are intent on taking over. This will bring unwelcome encounters with faces from the past and grave threats to their present relationships. Danger and death lurk throughout their pursuit, all the way from the brand new wharves beside the River Thames to the familiar old haunts of organised crime back home in Italy. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.914Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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