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The Jupiter Myth

The Jupiter Myth

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

Summary

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

*****

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...

Reviews

  • 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.
    The Sunday Times

About the author

Lindsey Davis

Historical novelist Lindsey Davis is best known for her novels set in Ancient Rome, including the much-loved Marcus Didius Falco series, although she has also written about the English Civil War, including in 2014 A Cruel Fate, a book for the Quick Reads literacy initiative. Her examination of the paranoid reign of the roman emperor Domitian began with Master and God, a standalone novel, leading to her new series about Flavia Albia, set in that dark period.

Her books are translated and have been dramatized on BBC Radio 4. Her many awards include the Premio Colosseo (from the city of Rome) and the Crime Writers' Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement. Most recently she was awarded the City of Ubeda Historical Novel Prize, also for lifetime achievement.
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