Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Sacrilege (Spqr, 3) by John Maddox Roberts ISBN: 0-312-24697-8 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: October, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.3 (10 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: How convincingly realistic
Comment: Decius Caecilius Metellus, scion of an old and noble Roman family, and a snooper with the best of them, is now a Senator. That only means he now can pry more easily into matters that bring him to the really dangerous attention of truly powerful opponents who are playing the lethal end game of the Roman Republic (c. 61 B.C). Here he comes up against the most powerful triumvirate Rome ever produced, but inexplicably he has the protective respect of Julius Caesar, one of its members. This story revolves around a sacred secret women's rite and why an up-and-coming popular rabblerouser, Clodius, would want to spy on it. As usual, from such a minor incident Decius gradually uncovers a colossal conspiracy against the Republic. I found it hard to keep track of the minor but crucial characters not only because they are numerous, but also because they frequently have similar names and certain of them are also busy changing those names during the action (practices explained in the highly useful end-glossary of the Latin terms Decius drops into the narrative).
One unique aspect of these Roman mystery stories is that they are purportedly narrated long after the events by Decius in his old age, thus allowing him amusing and droll comments (in the manner of Suetonius) benefiting from historical perspective. Roberts has a light touch on otherwise grim happenings, many of which he is not making up. His use of Caeasar's famous quote about how his wife must be above supicion is deliciously ironic. I'd guess the more one knows of classical history the more fun is this genre of mystery novels (cf. McCullough's biographical use of Caesar, Saylor's use of Cicero's law cases). The current St. Martin series has a much nicer presentation than the original Avon pulps, but has no more "Roman" an appearance (e.g., no Roman numerals). A useful map is included although its central parts disappear into the book's gutter. Incidentally, a computer mystery game titled "S.P.Q.R." was published in 1996 (has an amazing virtual Rome and gameplay a la MYST I, but is unrelated to the Roberts stories).
Rating: 5
Summary: Enjoyable read
Comment: The Metellus stories are always enjoyable "on the bus" reading. I enjoyed this book particularly because of Decius irreverent attitude toward Julius Caesar. My only frustration is that there are several Decius Metellus short stories scattered about and I don't know where most of them are. I think I've seen one or two in anthologies called "Historical Whodunnits" and "Historical Detectives" and "Crime Through Time". I hope someday they will be gathered into a volume of their own.
Rating: 3
Summary: Good, but one major inaccuracy
Comment: Good plot, as usual, except Caesar did not have a wife named Pompeia.
 |
Title: The Catiline Conspiracy by John Maddox Roberts ISBN: 0312277067 Publisher: Griffin Trade Paperback Pub. Date: August, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
 |
Title: The King's Gambit (SPQR, Book 1) by John Maddox Roberts ISBN: 0312277059 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: August, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
 |
Title: Spqr V: Saturnalia (Spqr Series, Volume 5) by John Maddox Roberts ISBN: 0312205821 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: October, 1999 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
 |
Title: The Tribune's Curse: SPQR VII by John Maddox Roberts ISBN: 0312304889 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: April, 2003 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
 |
Title: Nobody Loves a Centurion by John Maddox Roberts ISBN: 031227257X Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: September, 2001 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
