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.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Sunday, March 13, 2016
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.
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.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Nemesis by Lindsey Davis
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Rome, 79 AD
First Sentence: I find it surprising more people are not killed over dinner at home.
This novel is the twentieth in Davis's Falco series.
As our story begins, there is sadness is Falco's home. Falco's new born child dies a birth. Then Falco discovers that his father has died.
As his Pa's sole male heir, Falco inherits his father's wealth and business. At the funeral, Pa's female friend announces that she is with child. The will seems to indicate that Falco may have to share the estate with the unborn child, if the child is male.
To make matters worse, a supplier and his wife who are owed money by Falco's auction house turn up dead. Falco, and his friend Petro, begin to investigate the murder. They soon discover that there are more deaths related to this case.
The clues lead them in a startling direction. It seems that someone who has been the nemesis of the family for years may be the ultimate culprit.
I liked this book. Lindsey Davis is one of my favorite authors. She uses a unique voice to tell us a wonderfully tangled mystery.
Setting: Rome, 79 AD
First Sentence: I find it surprising more people are not killed over dinner at home.
This novel is the twentieth in Davis's Falco series.
As our story begins, there is sadness is Falco's home. Falco's new born child dies a birth. Then Falco discovers that his father has died.
As his Pa's sole male heir, Falco inherits his father's wealth and business. At the funeral, Pa's female friend announces that she is with child. The will seems to indicate that Falco may have to share the estate with the unborn child, if the child is male.
To make matters worse, a supplier and his wife who are owed money by Falco's auction house turn up dead. Falco, and his friend Petro, begin to investigate the murder. They soon discover that there are more deaths related to this case.
The clues lead them in a startling direction. It seems that someone who has been the nemesis of the family for years may be the ultimate culprit.
I liked this book. Lindsey Davis is one of my favorite authors. She uses a unique voice to tell us a wonderfully tangled mystery.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Unnatural History Pax Britannia Book One by Jonathan Green
Genre: Steam Punk
Setting: Victorian England, 1997 AD
First Sentence: The jangling of the doorbell rang through the echoing space of the entrance hall.
This novel is the first in the author's Pax Britannia series which contains several novels and short stories.
In this novel the author has created a unique version of the steam punk genre. The time is 1997 AD. The place is London, England. Queen Victoria has been on the throne for 160 years. The British Empire controls most of Earth as well as colonies on the Moon and on Mars.
Our main character, Ulysses Quicksilver, has returned to London after having been presumed lost and dead for over a year. Almost immediately he is tasked by the British government to solve a murder.
The night watchman of the Natural History Museum has been killed. The offices of a prominent scientist have been ransacked. And the scientist's difference engine, which contains vital research has gone missing.
Ulysses soon discovers a plot which puts the Queen and the Empire itself at risk. Will Quicksilver find a way to defeat the criminals and save the Empire?
I enjoyed this novel. The author's unique vision of a twentieth century steam punk England piqued my interest and made this novel great fun to read.
Setting: Victorian England, 1997 AD
First Sentence: The jangling of the doorbell rang through the echoing space of the entrance hall.
This novel is the first in the author's Pax Britannia series which contains several novels and short stories.
In this novel the author has created a unique version of the steam punk genre. The time is 1997 AD. The place is London, England. Queen Victoria has been on the throne for 160 years. The British Empire controls most of Earth as well as colonies on the Moon and on Mars.
Our main character, Ulysses Quicksilver, has returned to London after having been presumed lost and dead for over a year. Almost immediately he is tasked by the British government to solve a murder.
The night watchman of the Natural History Museum has been killed. The offices of a prominent scientist have been ransacked. And the scientist's difference engine, which contains vital research has gone missing.
Ulysses soon discovers a plot which puts the Queen and the Empire itself at risk. Will Quicksilver find a way to defeat the criminals and save the Empire?
I enjoyed this novel. The author's unique vision of a twentieth century steam punk England piqued my interest and made this novel great fun to read.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0: Origins by Randolf Lalonde
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: In space, in the future.
First Sentence: The odd's weren't in our favor.
This novel is a prequel to the author's Spaniard Fringe series which currently runs to ten novels.
Out in interstellar space there are many inhabited planets. Ruthless corporations plunder these planets for their resources, technology, and cheap labor.
Scattered through the galaxy are also space ports which act as safe harbors for independent spacefaring vessels. One of these ports is the space station Freeground. For recreation on Freeground there are teams of people who compete by playing spaceship simulation games. One team, lead by our main character Jonas Valent, has become so good that they routinely defeat military simulation teams.
They are so good infact that the military has approached them to become an actual spaceship crew. The military leaders have decided that they would be the perfect crew to pilot secretive missions.
After they have proved themselves, they are given a given a ship and sent out to conduct shadow ship missions. They are tasked with obtaining advance tech devices any way they can.
In between visits to space ports, they battle the corporations' fleets.
Will Jonas and his crew evade the corporate fleets, and return to Freeground to complete their mission?
This novel is a prequel to the series, but it was not first in order of publication, When I began reading this novel, I was somewhat confused. There was a lot of exposition that I didn't understand. But I kept reading, and the novel became more enjoyable.
The plot has lots of space battles in between visits to space ports, so if you like high tech and space battles, you'll probably like this book.
I suggest that you read them in order of publication.
Setting: In space, in the future.
First Sentence: The odd's weren't in our favor.
This novel is a prequel to the author's Spaniard Fringe series which currently runs to ten novels.
Out in interstellar space there are many inhabited planets. Ruthless corporations plunder these planets for their resources, technology, and cheap labor.
Scattered through the galaxy are also space ports which act as safe harbors for independent spacefaring vessels. One of these ports is the space station Freeground. For recreation on Freeground there are teams of people who compete by playing spaceship simulation games. One team, lead by our main character Jonas Valent, has become so good that they routinely defeat military simulation teams.
They are so good infact that the military has approached them to become an actual spaceship crew. The military leaders have decided that they would be the perfect crew to pilot secretive missions.
After they have proved themselves, they are given a given a ship and sent out to conduct shadow ship missions. They are tasked with obtaining advance tech devices any way they can.
In between visits to space ports, they battle the corporations' fleets.
Will Jonas and his crew evade the corporate fleets, and return to Freeground to complete their mission?
This novel is a prequel to the series, but it was not first in order of publication, When I began reading this novel, I was somewhat confused. There was a lot of exposition that I didn't understand. But I kept reading, and the novel became more enjoyable.
The plot has lots of space battles in between visits to space ports, so if you like high tech and space battles, you'll probably like this book.
I suggest that you read them in order of publication.
Friday, December 11, 2015
The Park Service by Ryan Winfield
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction
Setting: about one thousand years in the future.
First Sentence: Dead leaves scatter, caught and swirling in the smoky exhaust.
This novel is the first in Winfield's Park Service Trilogy.
I love novels that start down one path into a predictable plot, then take an unexpected turn into a completely different story.
In this novel, our main character Aubrey, lives deep below the surface of the Earth. All his life Aubrey has been taught that due to a nuclear war a thousand years ago, the surface of Earth is a blasted wasteland where nothing can survive. What remains of humanity survives on artificial food and recycled possessions. When a person reaches the age of thirty-five they are "retired" to live the rest of their days in beautiful place called Eden.
At the age of fifteen, each adolescent takes a test to determine his or her future. If they do poorly, they are sent to the lower levels where work is hard and life is less pleasant. Those who do well, can remain on their current level. A few who do exceptionally well can move to a higher level where life is easier and more comfortable.
When he takes his test, Aubrey does something no one else has ever done. He aces the test. This means he can advance to level 1. The highest and most prestigious level.
On the trip to level one, something happens. And Aubrey discovers that his life, until now, has been a lie.
What will Aubrey do when he is confronted with the truth about life on Earth?
This novel us a great beginning to a trilogy. The story is not over. The author leaves us wondering what will happen next. I am eager to find out. And book two of this trilogy is now on my must read list.
Bravo to the author for creating an interesting and exciting novel.
Setting: about one thousand years in the future.
First Sentence: Dead leaves scatter, caught and swirling in the smoky exhaust.
This novel is the first in Winfield's Park Service Trilogy.
I love novels that start down one path into a predictable plot, then take an unexpected turn into a completely different story.
In this novel, our main character Aubrey, lives deep below the surface of the Earth. All his life Aubrey has been taught that due to a nuclear war a thousand years ago, the surface of Earth is a blasted wasteland where nothing can survive. What remains of humanity survives on artificial food and recycled possessions. When a person reaches the age of thirty-five they are "retired" to live the rest of their days in beautiful place called Eden.
At the age of fifteen, each adolescent takes a test to determine his or her future. If they do poorly, they are sent to the lower levels where work is hard and life is less pleasant. Those who do well, can remain on their current level. A few who do exceptionally well can move to a higher level where life is easier and more comfortable.
When he takes his test, Aubrey does something no one else has ever done. He aces the test. This means he can advance to level 1. The highest and most prestigious level.
On the trip to level one, something happens. And Aubrey discovers that his life, until now, has been a lie.
What will Aubrey do when he is confronted with the truth about life on Earth?
This novel us a great beginning to a trilogy. The story is not over. The author leaves us wondering what will happen next. I am eager to find out. And book two of this trilogy is now on my must read list.
Bravo to the author for creating an interesting and exciting novel.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Blackstone and the Balloon of Death by Sally Spencer
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: London, England at the start of the Twentieth Century.
First Sentence: Lady Eustacia Wilton looked down at the letter she was holding in her trembling hands, and read it through once more.
The fifth novel in Spencer's Investigator Blackstone Series.
A murder is committed in front of a theater audience. The lead actor is stabbed in the neck and falls to his death. The lead actress holds the knife in her hands and screams. That's how the play was written. That's how the play has been performed.
But, tonight, the actor really does die. And the knife is truly a murder weapon.
In the audience are Inspector Sam Blackstone and his friend Dr. Ellie Carr. Blackstone begins investigating the death from a police detective's point of view. While Dr. Carr (a practitioner of the new science of forensics) begins to study the actual cause of death.
In his investigations Blackstone unravels the intricate relationships between the actors, the theater owner, and an influential member of the aristocracy (Blackstone's particular nemeses).
Dr. Ellie becomes engrossed in the actual cause of the actors death. She quickly realizes that she is faced with finking an extremely lethal form of poison.
Although both Sam and Ellie are working on the same case, they are not working together. This fact takes its toll on their budding relationship.
Will Blackstone and Ellie discover the clues which will point the finger at the culprit?
Once again the author has penned an engrossing mystery tale. I enjoyed it.
This novel has been republished with a new title. I have included links for both versions of the book.
Setting: London, England at the start of the Twentieth Century.
First Sentence: Lady Eustacia Wilton looked down at the letter she was holding in her trembling hands, and read it through once more.
The fifth novel in Spencer's Investigator Blackstone Series.
A murder is committed in front of a theater audience. The lead actor is stabbed in the neck and falls to his death. The lead actress holds the knife in her hands and screams. That's how the play was written. That's how the play has been performed.
But, tonight, the actor really does die. And the knife is truly a murder weapon.
In the audience are Inspector Sam Blackstone and his friend Dr. Ellie Carr. Blackstone begins investigating the death from a police detective's point of view. While Dr. Carr (a practitioner of the new science of forensics) begins to study the actual cause of death.
In his investigations Blackstone unravels the intricate relationships between the actors, the theater owner, and an influential member of the aristocracy (Blackstone's particular nemeses).
Dr. Ellie becomes engrossed in the actual cause of the actors death. She quickly realizes that she is faced with finking an extremely lethal form of poison.
Although both Sam and Ellie are working on the same case, they are not working together. This fact takes its toll on their budding relationship.
Will Blackstone and Ellie discover the clues which will point the finger at the culprit?
Once again the author has penned an engrossing mystery tale. I enjoyed it.
This novel has been republished with a new title. I have included links for both versions of the book.
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