From Publishers Weekly
Fans of "informer" Marcus Didius Falco will be glad to find the classical world's answer to the modern-day gumshoe back in Rome in Davis's stellar historical, the 15th entry in this witty and learned series, after two adventures set in Britain (A Body in the Bathhouse; The Jupiter Myth). In an effort to resume his career as an informer on his home turf, Falco ends up playing advocate in a messy dispute that pits him against two highly successful "legals," Paccius Africanus and Silius Italicus. The convoluted case, which involves a wealthy, fractious family and tricky questions of inheritance, gives Davis the opportunity to explore the vagaries of Roman law, which she approaches with her usual mix of respect and sarcasm. The corruption conviction of senator Rubirius Metellus followed by his mysterious demise threaten the Metelli family's fortunes. Hired to prove the senator's death was not a suicide, Falco finds himself immersed in scandal, blackmail, corruption and intrigueâ€"common ingredients of legal practice. In one particularly fine scene, Falco delivers a speech in the Basilica that relies on amusing and effective rhetorical tricks. Wry, cynical and principled, Falco makes the perfect guide to Davis's vividly realized ancient Rome. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From AudioFile
In his fifteenth outing, Marcus Didius Falco investigates the supposed suicide of a Roman senator. Falco and Associates are "private informers," who specialize in accusing "cheating, lying, money-grubbing swine," and Jamie Glover is delightful as the indomitable Falco. As layers of deceit are stripped away from the case, Falco uncovers corruption in high places and enough hypocrisy to explain the fall of Rome. Glover makes the most of Falco's sardonic humor and witty observations. While he doesn't overdo characterizations, it is always immediately apparent which character is speaking. Author Lindsey Davis offers a look at some of the vagaries of Roman law, couched in a lot of snappy British repartee, and Glover is just the right reader to make it work. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
From Booklist
Rome, 75 A.D. Marcus Didius Falco, professional informer (that is, private investigator), returns to Italy after an extended trip to Britain and finds that his clients have forgotten him. Falco needs a new case to put some money in the coffers, so he signs on to investigate the supposed suicide of a senator who was recently exposed as corrupt. But, after he's talked to a few interested parties and made a few discoveries, Falco begins to wish he had passed on the case. This is the fifteenth Falco mystery, and the series shows no signs of slowing down. Falco (who narrates the novel in a noirish but never anachronistic tone) is a personable hero, and the stories are always suspenseful and surprising. Also, Davis knows how to stage a mystery against a historical backdrop without overwhelming us with information. Many historical series go flat once the milieu becomes familiar, but this one continues to mix its history and its mystery in a pleasing blend. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
?Queen of the humorous crime romp is Lindsey Davis.? -- Guardian
The Accusers FROM THE PUBLISHER
The fifteenth novel in the bestselling Marcus Didius Falco series is a tale of corruption, informers and the Roman courts of law.
Following his trip to Londinium, Falco takes up employment with Paccius Africanus and Silius Italicus, two lawyers at the top of their trade. For the trial of a senator they need Falco to make an affidavit confirming repayment of a loan. Having been out of the country, and starved of Forum gossip for some time, Falco has little interest in this, so he makes his deposition and then leaves.
The prosecution is successful and a large financial judgment is made, but one month later the senator is dead, apparently by suicide. The heirs are now in a situation of not having to pay up. Silius Italicus decides to start a new prosecution and, with a little coercion, Falco joins the action. Blinded by the vision of rich pickings to be gained by a winning verdict, Falco temporarily forgets that, if they fail, the financial penalties leveled against the informers who brought the case are potentially enormous.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Fans of "informer" Marcus Didius Falco will be glad to find the classical world's answer to the modern-day gumshoe back in Rome in Davis's stellar historical, the 15th entry in this witty and learned series, after two adventures set in Britain (A Body in the Bathhouse; The Jupiter Myth). In an effort to resume his career as an informer on his home turf, Falco ends up playing advocate in a messy dispute that pits him against two highly successful "legals," Paccius Africanus and Silius Italicus. The convoluted case, which involves a wealthy, fractious family and tricky questions of inheritance, gives Davis the opportunity to explore the vagaries of Roman law, which she approaches with her usual mix of respect and sarcasm. The corruption conviction of senator Rubirius Metellus followed by his mysterious demise threaten the Metelli family's fortunes. Hired to prove the senator's death was not a suicide, Falco finds himself immersed in scandal, blackmail, corruption and intrigue-common ingredients of legal practice. In one particularly fine scene, Falco delivers a speech in the Basilica that relies on amusing and effective rhetorical tricks. Wry, cynical and principled, Falco makes the perfect guide to Davis's vividly realized ancient Rome. (Apr. 22) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
Marcus Didius Falco (The Jupiter Myth) is back, cheeky as ever, this time matching his wits against two sleek lawyers intimately involved with the evident suicide of a Roman senator accused of corruption. Did he or didn't he? Of course, Falco uncovers the truth, though just barely; the ending is a surprise and surprisingly affecting. Meanwhile, the brothers of Falco's beloved Helen continue learning how hard the life of an informer can be and grow up just a little. Topnotch work in a topnotch series. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
AudioFile
In his fifteenth outing, Marcus Didius Falco investigates the supposed suicide of a Roman senator. Falco and Associates are "private informers," who specialize in accusing "cheating, lying, money-grubbing swine," and Jamie Glover is delightful as the indomitable Falco. As layers of deceit are stripped away from the case, Falco uncovers corruption in high places and enough hypocrisy to explain the fall of Rome. Glover makes the most of Falco's sardonic humor and witty observations. While he doesn't overdo characterizations, it is always immediately apparent which character is speaking. Author Lindsey Davis offers a look at some of the vagaries of Roman law, couched in a lot of snappy British repartee, and Glover is just the right reader to make it work. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
Fifteenth adventure for the inimitable Roman shamus (official job title: informant) Marcus Didius Falco. Returning home in 75 a.d. with his wife Helena and their brood (including a scene-stealing dog named Nux) after an extended stay in Londinium (The Jupiter Myth, 2003), Falco needs some quick cash. That's why he holds his nose and accepts a commission from two slick lawyers to gather evidence in the trial of wealthy and influential senator Rubirius Metellus, who's charged with abuse of office-specifically, with selling appointments. The sleaziness of the case, and his dislike of the arrogant Metellus, keep Falco at a distance. Still, Metellus' quick conviction owes much to the excellence of the gumshoe's work. So when Metellus dies by poisoning a month later, it falls to Falco to investigate. What should be a simple probe is complicated by the unanimous contempt of the Metellus clan and its servants for their master, and by his own stated desire to commit suicide. Indeed, the first official ruling is suicide until a comically complicated series of explanations triggers a shift to accidental poisoning. But this is only the beginning: Each of Metellus' three ungrateful children falls under suspicion in turn, followed by his barely grieving widow, before the methodical Falco ferrets out the killer. As usual, Davis's sprightly narrative focuses on customs, history, and details of the Metellus and Falco households and takes its time unraveling the mystery.
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