(Falco 18)

Saturnalia

Laid-back Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco investigates crimes in the dangerous world of first century Rome, a place of political intrigue, corruption and murder.

One of the Roman novels from the bestselling historical fiction Falco series

Like visiting old friends in a familiar and endearing, if sometimes bizarre, environment. Jokes and skulduggery crowd the pages

Every book in this series is a delight... fans will snap it up. Highly recommended

Falco wisecracks his way through the empire's sleazy underside...Davis' crimes are wickedly convoluted - real fun

One of the best in this series, a nice mix of wit and wisecracks

Rome is vividly brought to life - alien yet curiously familiar. And the story gallops along at a tremendous pace with humour and suspense dispensed in equal measure. Saturnalia is another rollicking good yarn

Wit, excitement and surprises in ancient Rome

Falco wisecracks his way through the empire's sleazy underside . . . Davis' crimes are wickedly convoluted - real fun

‘We should have time to manage it … and still get back to the party before the wine runs out.’ 
 
It is the Roman holiday of Saturnalia. The days are short; the nights are for wild parties. A general has captured a famous enemy of Rome, and brings her home to adorn his Triumph as a ritual sacrifice. The logistics go wrong; she acquires a mystery illness – then a young man is horrendously murdered and she escapes from house arrest. 
 
Falco is pitted against his old rival, the Chief Spy Anacrites, in a race to find the fugitive before her presence angers the public and makes the government look stupid. Falco has other priorities, for Helena’s brother Justinus has also vanished. Against the riotous backdrop of the season of misrule, the search seems impossible and only Falco seems to notice that some dark agency is bringing death to the city streets…

(Marco Didius Falco: book XII): a mesmerising and murderous mystery set in Ancient Rome by bestselling author Lindsey Davis

Ode To A Banker

Another delightful excursion into the world of Marcus Didius Falco by multimillion-copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Bringing Ancient Rome to life with its vivid description and characterisation, this is perfect for fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom. 
 
'Davis's writing zings with fun' -- Daily Mail 
'One of the best of the current writers in this field' -- Donna Leon, The Times 
'Fantastic! I'm addicted to Falco!' -- ***** Reader review 
'Totally brilliant!' -- ***** Reader review 
'Wonderful plot - full of suspense, as usual. Brilliant!!!!' -- ***** Reader review 
'Subline - can't put these books down!' -- ***** Reader review 
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WRITING FOR MONEY, PUBLISHING DEATH 
 
AD74: it's a long, hot summer and Marcus Didius Falco, private informer and spare-time poet, is giving a reading for his family and friends. Things get out of hand - as usual... 
 
The event is taken over by Aurelius Chrysippus, a wealthy Greek banker and patron to a group of struggling writers, who offers to publish Falco's work - a golden opportunity that rapidly palls. 
 
A visit to the Chrysippus scriptorium implicates him in a gruesome literary murder so when Petronius Longus, the over-worked vigiles enquiry chief, commissions him to investigate, Falco is forced to accept. 
 
Lindsey Davis' twelfth novel wittily explores Roman publishing and banking, taking us from the jealousies of authorship and the mire of patronage, to the darker financial world, where default can have fatal consequences...

(Marco Didius Falco: book XIII): another gripping foray into the crime and corruption at the heart of the Roman Empire from bestselling author Lindsey Davis

A Body In The Bath House

Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor, C. J. Sansom will absolutely love this gripping page-turner of a historical mystery from multi-million copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Full of twists, turns and tension - you'll be hooked from page one... 
 
'Surely the best historical detective in the business' -- Daily Telegraph 
'If only all bestsellers were this satisfying' -- Time Out 
'Davis's writing zings with fun' -- Daily Mail 
'Lindsey Davis does it again - another cracking read' -- ***** Reader review 
'Addictive' -- ***** Reader review 
'Difficult to put down' -- ***** Reader review 
'Gripping and entertaining' -- ***** Reader review 
 
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CONTRACTORS ON SCHEDULE FOR CORPSES IN BRITANNIA 
 
AD 75: as a passion for home improvement sweeps through the Roman Empire, Falco struggles to deal with a pair of terrible bath-house contractors who have been causing him misery for months. 
 
Far away in Britain, King Togidubnus of the Atrebates tribe is planning his own makeover. His huge new residence (known to us as Fishbourne Palace) will be spectacular - but the sensational refurbishment is beset by 'accidents'. The frugal Emperor Vespasian is paying for all this; he wants someone to investigate. 
 
Falco has a new baby, a new house, and he hates Britain. But his feud with Anacrites the Chief Spy has now reached a dangerous level, so with his own pressing reasons to leave Rome in a hurry, he accepts the task. 
 
A thousand miles from home, he starts restoring order to the chaotic building site and realises that someone with murderous intentions is now after him...

Queen of the humorous crime romp is Lindsey Davis... the adventures of the likable Falco on foreign soil are fertile ground for laughs and thrills.

This book is a delight for Falco fans and will strike a chord with anyone who has endured builders in their home.

Davis conjures up the ancient world with confidence, and contrives a plot as interesting as the best of modern crime fiction.

(Marco Didius Falco: book XIV): a compelling and captivating historical mystery set in the heart of the Roman Empire from bestselling author Lindsey Davis

The Jupiter Myth

Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor, C. J. Sansom will love this exciting and enthralling historical mystery from multi-million copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Expertly weaving an authentic depiction of the Roman Empire with exceptional characterisation and a tightly woven plot, this will have you hooked. 
 
'Lindsey Davis combines an engrossing plot with pithy dialogue and a comic (though not cartoonish) depiction of the past in all its gory splendour.' -- The Guardian 
'Modern, exciting and plausible.' -- Sunday Times 
'Another cracker from Lindsey Davis' -- ***** Reader review 
'Very addictive and, at times, difficult to put down' -- ***** Reader review 
'Another exceptional Falco novel' -- ***** Reader review 
'A terrific read' -- ***** Reader review 
 
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GANGSTERS AND GLADIATING...BOTH BLOODY 
 
For Falco, a relaxed visit to Helena's relatives in Britain turns serious at the scene of a downtown murder. The renegade henchman of Rome's vital ally King Togidubnus has been stuffed head-first down a barroom well - leading to a tricky diplomatic situation which Falco must defuse. One murder leads to others. Londinium now has a forum and an amphitheatre; the town is a magnet for legitimate traders - and for criminals from Rome. 
 
With his vigiles pal Petronius, Falco leads the hunt for gangsters who are intent on taking over. This will bring unwelcome encounters with faces from the past and grave threats to their present relationships. 
 
Danger and death lurk throughout their pursuit, all the way from the brand new wharves beside the River Thames to the familiar old haunts of organised crime back home in Italy...

Against this richly textured backdrop is played out a story of low-down greed and grubby deals, of backhanders and protection rackets, that pulls of the trick of feeling modern, exciting and plausible.

Lindsey Davis combines an engrossing plot with pithy dialogue and a comic (though not cartoonish) depiction of the past in all its gory splendour.

As always, Davis weaves a plot full of humour, surprises and domestic irony.

(Marco Didius Falco: book XV): a compelling and captivating historical mystery set in Rome from bestselling author Lindsey Davis

The Accusers

Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor, C. J. Sansom will absolutely love this gripping page-turner of a historical mystery from multi-million copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Full of twists, turns and tension - you'll be hooked from page one... 
 
'Queen of the humorous crime romp is Lindsey Davis.' -- Guardian 
'A pure delight, with Davis's unique blend of wit and humour brilliantly immersing us in the marvels of ancient Roman life.' -- Good Book Guide 
'Almost impossible to put down' -- ***** Reader review 
'My advice is BUY IT and READ IT as you will not regret it' -- ***** Reader review 
'Superbly written, gripping and compelling' -- ***** Reader review 
'A joy to read' -- ***** Reader review 
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FALCO HAS HIS DEADLY DAY IN COURT 
 
Having returned from his trip to Londinium, Falco takes up employment with two lawyers at the top of their trade. For the trial of a senator, they need Falco to make an affidavit confirming repayment of a loan. Having been out of the country and starved of Forum gossip for some time, Falco has little interest in this trial, so he makes his deposition and then leaves. 
 
The prosecution are successful and a large financial judgment is made, but one month later the senator is dead, apparently by suicide. The heirs are now in a situation of not having to pay up, and the prosecutor suddenly decides to seek out Falco. 
 
With a little coercion, Falco joins the prosecution in seeking to persuade a magistrate to instigate a new trial. Blinded by the vision of rich pickings to be gained by the prosecution, Falco temporarily forgets that, if they fail, the financial penalties levelled against the informers who brought the case are potentially enormous...

Queen of the humorous crime romp is Lindsey Davis.

A pure delight, with Davis's unique blend of wit and humour brilliantly immersing us in the marvels of ancient Roman life.

Cheerful and informal cynicism in a solemnly detailed classical setting.

The Course Of Honour

A true, historical love story from the bestselling author of the Falco novels

One of the best of the current writers in this field

Surely the best historical detective in the business

The whole thing is splendid. It has everything: mystery, pace wit, fascinating scholarship ... she brings imperial Rome to life.

‘He has no money, no reputation and no famous ancestors.’ 
 
The love story of the Emperor Vespasian, who brought peace to Rome after years of strife, and his mistress, the freed slave woman Caenis, this book recreates Ancient Rome’s most turbulent period – the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero and Vespasian’s rise to power. 
 
As their forbidden romance blossoms, Caenis is embroiled in political intrigue, while Vespasian embarks on a glorious career. Years pass, then Vespasian risks all in the climactic struggle for power – bringing hope for Rome, but a threat to the relationship that has endured for so long.

Lindsey Davis

Falco: The Official Companion

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