Saturnalia

The SPQR Roman Murder Mystery Series by JMR just keeps getting better. In this volume Senator Decius comes face to face with witches, cults and once again....drumroll...a murder and someone out to get his head. And on top of all things it takes place during the vaulted Roman celebration of Saturnalia. Roberts is getting better with this series. His characters are evolving, growing and are written with a robust voice. I can't find any real fault in this particular book. The ending is well done and flows smoothly into the next book.

Decius Caecilius Metellus is summoned back to Rome by his father to investigate the death of a relative, Celer. Was was he poisoned by his wife, the notorious Claudia, or by one of his many political enemies or did he die by natural causes?

Good world building of Rome. Creepy as Decius's investigation leads him into the world of witches.

SPQR V. Decius is back in Rome, but there is no rest for the weary -- his family has instructed him to solve the murder of a powerful connection, and to solve it in a way that will avoid any damage to the Metelli. On top of that, it's Saturnalia, and on top of that, he's getting more and more involved with Julia, the niece of Julius Caesar. A rewarding read.

Ein ganz anderer Blick ins alte Rom. Die Krimireihe SPQR liest sich einfach gut und bietet darüber hinaus noch nette kleine Einblicke ins römische Leben.