Scandal Takes a Holiday by Lindsey Davis

Genre: Historical Mystery

Setting: Rome, 76 AD

First Sentence: "If he chucks a stone, he's done for," muttered Petronius.

This novel is the sixteenth in Davis's Falco mystery series which currently runs to twenty books.  There are also five novels featuring Falco's adopted daughter Albia.

Falco is in the port city of Ostia on a missing person case.  His friend Petro is also in Ostia on an investigation.  Since Ostia is near to Rome, both of our intrepid investigators have brought their families along.  For Falco, this means bringing his children, his dog, and his beautiful and intelligent wife Helena.

Unfortunately, Falco's job is not as straight forward as he expected it would be.  The missing person is the author of the scandals column in Rome's news organ the Daily Gazette.  It is possible that our missing person's writing may have gained him some deadly enemies.

While investigating, Falco uncovers what appears to be a kidnapping scheme run by pirates.  It may be that our scandals author may have discovered this as well.

Of course, Falco's family becomes involved with the plot.  Helena helps with the investigation.  Falco's Pa reveals that he is involved in an art smuggling business.  And Falco's Uncle Fulvius (The one nobody ever talks about) makes an appearance.

As the story progresses, it seems that all of Falco's questions take him further away from his missing person assignment.  But in the end, the loose ends are resolved and justice prevails.

The best part of reading a Falco book is observing his family life.  With his Ma and Pa, his sisters, the kids, the dog and his wife Helena, we see what life in a Roman family might have been like.

I enjoyed this book.

                              

Persona Non Grata by Ruth Downie

Genre: Historical Mystery

Setting: Southern Gaul, 119 AD

First Sentence: Justinius was lying in the stinking dark of the ship's hold, bruised and beaten, feeling every breath twist hot knives in this chest.

This novel is the third in Downie's Gaius Ruso mystery series which currently runs to six books.

Or main character, Ruso is a doctor for a Roman military unit in Britannia.  One night, in an attempt to protect a young boy from being roughed up by some Roman legionaries, Ruso breaks his foot.  while waiting for his leg to heal, Ruso receives an enigmatic note from his brother asking him to come home.

So Ruso, and his "barbarian" woman Tilla head to Ruso's family farm in southern Gaul.  Once he arrives he finds his family in disarray.  His sisters are demanding a dowery.  His brother is bungling the family finances.  And, the family is close to loosing the farm to bankruptcy.

The last thing they needed was Ruso to show up.  No one will admit to writing the note.

Then, while Ruso is trying to get a handle on all of the family issues, the husband of Ruso's ex-wife dies unexpectedly at Ruso's farm.  The husband looks like he has been poisoned.  And Ruso is a prime suspect.

Now we follow Ruso and Tilla as they sort out all of the family's problems.  Once again, Tilla shows that she is the smart, level-headed partner that Ruso needs.

Will Ruso and Tilla be able to sort out the murder, and the family's problems?

I enjoyed reading about Ruso and his messy family life.  In my opinion, it was a realistic peek at daily life in an ancient Roman family.