Candida Martinelli's Italophile Site News-Web-log, my YouTube Channel, or Browse all Italy Posters at AllPosters, and my shops at Zazzle & PrintFection
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Mystery
Book Series Set in the Ancient Roman Empire
Several new entries! |
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Reclining Banqueter
These beautiful images are from Ancient Roman mosaics in Tunisia, from Tunisia Online.
The Wine Pourer
Serving the wine
On the hunt
Boating
Fishing
Animals
A Poet
Ancient Roman Kitchen
A Wealthy Ancient Roman's Bedroom
Visit my 'Living in Ancient Rome' page
Pompeii has inspired artists and writers over the years, so there are
many accounts and images of the doomed town. My
Pompeii page has one
account and many images, all available via AllPosters.com, an
online poster and print seller. I've reproduced as many
images as I could for your and my enjoyment and edification!
Fun Latin Phrases on shirts from my shop:
Also see my
pages: Historical
Novels set in Italy
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Ruth Downie' / Gaius Petreius Ruso Lindsey Davis / Marus Didius Falco Jane Finnis / Aurelia Marcella Caroline Lawrence / Flavia Gemina John Maddox Robert / Decius Cecilius Metellus Steven Saylor / Gordianus the Finder Mayer-Reed / John the Lord Chamberlain David Wishart / Marcus Corvinus Albert Bell / Pliny the Younger
IntroductionMysteries set in Ancient Rome are enormously popular! These authors produce series with a central recurring character, that have been running successfully for many years. So you have lots of hours of reading pleasure ahead of you if one or more of these series appeals to you. I've created some lists of their books available from Amazon.com, so you can see what's available, at what price, but ignore the "reader reviews" which have largely been co-opted by shills for the writer and publisher. Where there is not a list, I've put links to books, and you can see at Amazon a full list of the author's books by clicking on the author's name. Many of these books are available directly from the publishers. And secondhand from Better World Books, who ship worldwide for free. Happy reading! This link goes directly to Amazon.com's Kindle page for Ancient Rome Mysteries.
Ruth Downie's Army doctor Gaius Petreius RusoRuth Downie's series is now at four books and is sure to continue for a long while. Her touch is lighter than other writers of Ancient Roman mysteries, and includes less history and more humor.
Her hero, doctor, detective is Gaius Petreius Ruso "a military medicus (or doctor), who transfers to the 20th Legion in the remote Britannia port of Deva (now Chester) to start over after a ruinous divorce and his father's death. Things go downhill from there."
Lindsey Davis's Marus Didius FalcoMarus Didius Falco is a private investigator working in first century Rome. He's described as 'Roman Emperor Vespasian's smart-aleck PI'. Falco moves around Rome's empire, working for hire even in Roman Britain. The back-flap says 'Falco is a lively protagonist who can't stay out of trouble but always comes out of it with the mystery solved and his sense of humor intact in this consistently fine series of historical thrillers'. The books in the series are in order:
My list of this author's books at Amazon.com
Jane Finnis's Aurelia MarcellaFrom the Poisoned Pen Press website about the first book in the series: Roman Britain in 91 AD is a troublesome part of the mighty Empire ruled by Domitian Caesar. Tension is especially high in the north, where Aurelia Marcella, a young innkeeper from Italy, runs the Oak Tree Mansio on the road to York. A traveler, Quintus, is nearly killed close to the inn. Soon he and Aurelia team up to track down the rebel warriors and identify their mysterious masked leader, the Shadow of Death. The series is up to four books now:
Caroline Lawrence's Flavia GeminaFlavia Gemina is a 'girl-detective' in first century Rome, in this series for children ages 9-14. Flavia lives in Ostia, Rome's port, with her sea captain father. She solves mysteries with an assortment of friends from a wide range of Roman life. The series is called "Roman Mysteries" and is now a TV series on the BBC. Publisher's Weekley says 'this historical mystery series offers an intriguing glimpse into the customs, attitudes and class systems of the Roman empire'. They do warn that the books are a bit violent, but admit they were violent times. The books in the series in order:
My list of this author's books at Amazon.com
John Maddox Roberts's Decius Cecilius MetellusDecius Cecilius Metellus is described as 'a would-be playboy son of an illustrious family'. The series is called the 'SPQR' series, you'll see why from the book titles. The books are described as 'fast-paced', 'accurate', 'evocative'. Decius is an investigator who works his way into the Roman civil-servants. The books in the series in order:
My list of this author's books at Amazon.com
Rosemary Rowe's LibertusLibertus is a mosaicist and an expert in puzzles and patterns. He lives in Ancient Roman Britain and takes on problems for his clients and others. The author offers lots of details about life on the fringe of the Roman Empire, and has lots of light humor in her tales. The books in the series in order:
My list of this author's books at Amazon.com
Steven Saylor's Gordianus the FinderGordianus the Finder is a private investigator working around 56 b.c. in Ancient Rome. This series is rich with history and historical figures. Gordianus even counts Cicero as his friend and mentor. About Saylor, Publisher's Weekly says ' fans of ancient historicals regard him as the leader of the field'. The series is called the "Roma Sub Rosa" series. The books in the series in order:
My list of this author's books at Amazon.com
Eric Mayer and Mary Reed's John the Lord ChamberlainFrom the Poisoned Pen Press website: "Byzantium, capitol of the 6th century Roman Empire, simmers a rich stew of creeds, cultures, and citizens with a sprinkling of cutthroats and crimes. John the Eunuch, Emperor Justinian’s Lord Chamberlain, orders a Christian court while himself observing the rites of Mithra." No need to say that people die, and John discovers who the killer is and the story behind the murder. A unique character set in a fascinating era. The series is up to nine books:
David Wishart's Marcus CorvinusMarcus Corvinus is a member of the Senatorial class in first century Rome. He's assisted in his criminal investigations by his intelligent wife, Perilla. The back-flap description of Mr. Wishart's books says he 'delves deep into classical history to provide a rich backdrop to intricate tales of murder and betrayal'. The series books in order are:
My list of this author's books at Amazon.com
Albert Bell's Pliny the YoungerMr. Bell uses the real historical figure of Pliny the Younger, a first century Roman politician, writer and scientist, as his ancient Roman detective. The books in the series in order are:
Search Amazon.com for Other BooksIf you want to find other series, or information about Ancient Rome, you can use this Search tool for Amazon.com. Just enter 'Books' in the 'Search' field, and 'ancient Rome mystery' (for example, or 'ancient Rome history') in the 'Keywords' field. Then click on the 'Go' button.
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