Another enjoyable SPQR episode
Overall: This is another highly enjoyable, quick read in the SPQR series by John Maddox Roberts.
Detailed: The title is a bit misleading which actually helps sets up the rest of the story. The pirate part of the book is more part of the historical back drop for the murder than a key plot element. As per the other SPQR books, this is a murder mystery using famous historic personages and repeeating characters from the other books.
The main character development is of Cleopatra instead of the major characters. There is clear foreshadowed of Cleopatra's role in upcoming books / future events which is done very well. Hermes is freed in act of kindness caused by the realization of how short life is by Decius. It is nicely done.
The religous elements of the story are interesting especially regarding the cult of Aphrodite. There is a clear implication that Decius and Julia will be parents in the next novel. It should be a very interesting twist to see Decius as a father.
Summary:
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Plot: 4 of 5 stars
Characters: 3 of 5 stars
Action: 3 of 5 stars
Ninth in the SPQR Series
John Maddox Roberts is the pseudonym of Mark Ramsay, author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. He lives in New Mexico with his wife.
Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor or David Wishart will love the SPQR series of books by the author. Once again we have an addition to the ever growing number of amateur detectives patrolling the streets of ancient Rome, solving mysteries and crimes. Not all at the same time, I may add, in fact not even in the same centuries. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a high-born bad boy, is the offering of the author and he is just as interesting, likeable and believable as the leading characters from the author's contemporaries.
Decius has managed to travel the length and breadth of the empire, mostly trying to escape from people who would like to beat his brains out or worse. Along the way he has had several adventures and been involved in solving more than one mystery.
Now he is newly elected to the prestigious, but lowly office of aedile, probably the lowest rung on the ladder of political ambition and what does he have to do? Seek out the corruption that is threatening to strangle Rome. Decius must put his fertile brain to work to clean up the streets of his beloved Rome before hidden powers destroy everything within the gates of is beautiful city.
Another gem from JMR
John Maddox Roberts is the underrated, best writer of the Roman detective mystery genre. Flawless historicity is combined with excellent writing, humor, and interesting characters, who actually develop and mature as the series progresses. The Princess and the Pirates is one of his best, as our Decius finds himself in a perilous situation on Cyprus, and surprised to be helped by young Cleopatra. As Rome had just taken Cyprus from Egypt, her presence is not as surprising as it might seem. She is but one character to show maturation through this series, including Decius himself, his assistant/bodyguard Hermes, the former street gang leader Milo and his enemy Clodius's sister Clodia.
One nice thing about the SPQR series: despite taking place in the heavily left-right politicized times of Cicero and Julius Caesar, these books adhere to a mildly cynical view of both the aristocratic party and the so-called democratic(demogogic?) one. Decius has ties to leaders of both. Stephen Saylor and a few others imbue their books with first century B.C. leftist manifestos. I can't vote for consul, so leave the heavy-handed good side, bad side politics out. Just give me fun ancient Roman mysteries like the SPQR series.
The series just gets better
SPQR IX commences just after Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger's aedile adventures with dodgy tradesmen with our senatorial sleuth setting off for Cyprus under a commission from the Senate to mop up an irritating case of piracy with minimal resources. With a growing air of authority our purple striper boards ship for the Mediterranean island with the grown up and ever faithful Hermes at his side and wife, Julia, making a more sedate journey with Titus Annius Milo a few weeks behind.
Freed from marital constraints, Decius makes the most of this change of scenery by arriving and, in true Julian style, swiftly commandeers three water laden hulks and a motley crew of ex-pirates and legionaries to sail his flotilla. After recruiting the fearsome Ariston to aid him in his chase he also deals with the governor, Silvanus, who eventually ends up murdered by being forced to choke to death on incense. There is also the exiled Gabinius whose imperium is non-existent but personal authority is immense. In addition to these two senior Roman officials, we are introduced to a supporting list of suspects with the poet Alpheus and the four representatives of the powerful equites factions, Marcus Junius Brutus of the Wine Merchants, Mamercus Sulpicius Naso of the Grain Exporters, Decimus Antonius of the Metal Brokers, and Malachi Josepides of the Textile Importers. Prominently in the cast is Sergilius Nobilior, chief of the Banker's Association and his voluptuous and somewhat promiscuous wife, Flavia.
However, the real task for Decius is to hunt down the pirate Spurius and he is given some unwanted assistance by the teenage Cleopatra who happens to be visiting Cyprus. Her political astuteness and immense resources coupled with girlish enthusiasm prove boon and bane to our hero as he finds himself on the receiving end of caulking sabotage, night espionage trips, attempted assassinations and insistent women before Julia and Milo turn up in good time to lend a much needed hand as he finally discovers who is behind the piracy, Silvanus' murder and a vast trading conspiracy.
Decius steps out of his trip to Cyprus with his auctoritas improved. He is no Julius Caesar (in fact he's delighted to make the acquaintance of an Ethiopian prince who's never heard of the great man) but his cogitative sleuthing makes him stand out amongst the senatorial crowd. Geniunely likable, always affable, hard but fair his results speak for themselves.
JMR's creation continues to improve and the SPQR series is vastly superior to the somewhat pulpy Children of Rome novels. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger ranks right up there with Gordianus the Finder, Marcus Didius Falco and Marcus Valerius Corvinus and JMR should continue to write about him for as long as he can.
Buy it.
excellent read
The author is excellent, the book is very easy to read and flows from the first to the last page. I couldn't put it down.
(10 reviews)
