LINDSEY DAVIS – NEMESIS
July 2012
Lindsey Davis mixes history and mystery to create an award-winning series of Historical Mysteries featuring her wit, humor, and vivid, amusing characters. The Marcus Didius Falco mysteries are set in ancient Rome, yet the snappy tone and quick-witted detective resemble those of the classic private investigator novels of the 1930s and 40s. Davis focuses on a different part of Roman life in each book, teaching her readers about all aspects of this time in history, from the aqueduct system to Rome's literary world. Start with: The Silver Pigs
MARCUS DIDIUS FALCO SERIES
● The Silver Pigs, , 1989, #1
○ Readers were introduced to Falco and his amorata Helena in The Silver Pigs, a work that Booklist contributor Shelle Rosenfeld said "combines a stylish twist with a lot of snappy humor." The plot draws Falco into a murder and fraud case requiring that he travel to Britain to work undercover in a silver mine. In the process, he meets and falls in love with Helena.
● Shadows in Bronze, 1990. #2
● Venus in Copper, 1991. #3
● The Iron Hand of Mars, 1992, #4
● Poseidon's Gold, 1994. #5
● Last Act in Palmyra, 1994. #6
● Time to Depart, 1997. #7
● A Dying Light in Corduba, 1998. #8
● Three Hands in the Fountain, 1999. #9
● Two for the Lions, 1999. #10
● One Virgin Too Many, 2000. #11
● Ode to a Banker, 2001. #12
● A Body in the Bath House,, 2001, #13
● The Jupiter Myth, 2002, #14
● The Accusers, 2003. #15
● Scandal Takes a Holiday, 2004. #16
● See Delphi and Die, 2005, #17
● Saturnalia, 2007. #18
● Alexandria, , 2009. #19
● Falco: The Official Companion, 2010.
● Nemesis, Minotaur Books, 2010. #20
○ When a pair of his father's associates disappear under suspicious circumstances, informer Marcus Didius Falco of A.D. 77 Rome investigates allegations of a feud involving a group of notorious freedmen, who are receiving high-level protection from corrupt rulers
OTHER WRITINGS
● The Course of Honor, 1998,
● The Descent to Avernus, with Ticket Office, 1998.
● Rebels & Traitors, , 2010.
● Master & God, 2012
READ-ALIKES FROM NOVELIST
Bell, Albert A. -- Pliny the Younger novels
Reason: Readers who enjoy Historical mystery stories and Historical fiction about First century may also enjoy this series
Cleverly, Barbara -- Detective Joe Sandilands mysteries
Reason: While set in different periods and places, these series are historical mysteries imbued with a strong sense of place and time as well as an acerbic wit.
Downie, Ruth -- Ruso mysteries
Reason: The 'Marcus Didius Falco mysteries' have a less humorous tone than the 'Ruso mysteries,' but both of these series offer a suspenseful view of ancient Rome, with a wealth of historically accurate period detail.
Finnis, Jane -- Aurelia Marcella mysteries
Reason: These are historical mysteries set during the Roman Empire with sleuths who are ordinary people who use their intuition and knowledge to solve crimes. The books accurately depict everyday life and culture while featuring well developed characters, fast pacing, intricate plots, and a strong sense of place.
Geagley, Brad -- Smerket, Clerk of Investigations and Secrets mysteries
Reason: Brad Geagley's Historical Mystery series has much in common with Davis's Falco books, including the tone and style of twentieth century private investigator novels blended with an ancient setting. While ancient Egyptian Semerket seems a more hard-bitten sleuth than Falco, they share other hardboiled personal traits, including a determination to get to the truth.
Gordon, Alan R. -- Fools' Guild mysteries
Reason: Readers of historical mysteries may enjoy both the Fools' Guild Mysteries, set in 13th century Europe, and the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries, in the Roman Empire. Both series are light in tone and accurate in historical detail while remaining fast-paced
Leon, Donna -- Guido Brunetti mysteries
Reason: The Guido Brunetti and Marcus Didius Falco Mystery series are character-driven mysteries set on the Italian peninsula. Both series feature a wealth of details that immerse the reader in the time and place, though set millennia apart
Harris, Robert -- Pompeii and Imperium
Reason: Readers who enjoy richly detailed Historical fiction about First century Rome might also enjoy this book.
Roberts, John Maddox -- SPQR mysteries
Reason: The Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries and the SPQR Mysteries are set in Rome proper during the Roman Empire, albeit at different points in time.
Rowe, Rosemary -- Libertus mysteries of Roman Britain
Reason: If you enjoy Historical mystery stories and Historical fiction, like the 'Marcus Didius Falco mysteries', 'Libertus mysteries of Roman Britain', are historical mysteries which are also about Roman detectives and detectives.
Saylor, Steven -- Roma Sub Rosa series
Reason: Readers of historical mysteries who particularly enjoy ancient Rome may like both the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries and the Roma Sub Rosa Series.
Wishart, David -- Marcus Corvinus mysteries
Reason: Historical mystery stories and Historical fiction in which Roman detectives are a main topic.
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