Beggar of Volubilis 14 [Paperback]

Travel across Northern Africa in this latest of the Roman Mysteries. Discover the excitement of Roman theater, the tragedy of slavery in ancient Africa, a marvelous gem called the Eye of Nero and a two thousand year old rumor in The Beggar of Volubilis (Roman Mysteries)

Like all of the Roman Mysteries series, the book contains an extensive vocabulary list in the back as well as end notes regarding the history behind the book.

Many thanks, Amazon, for bringing these treasures across the pond rather than making us wait years for US publication!

This is not only the fourteenth book in "The Roman Mysteries" series, but also the forth-to-last, meaning that I opened it with a certain sense of regret. As much as I'm loving these books, I know that each time I crack a new one, it brings me one step closer to the end.

By now our four detectives (bossy Flavia, introspective Jonathan, patient Nubia and spunky Lupus) have quite a reputation for solving mysteries in their home-city of Ostia, and their exploits have reached even the attention of Emperor Titus. They have entered his service in the past and "The Beggar of Volubilis" opens with the quartet receiving an imperial message straight from Rome: the Emperor wants the children to travel to Africa and begin the search for a gem known as the Eye of Nero. According to prophets, the emerald will grant Emperor Titus a long and successive reign - and put a stop to the nasty rumors that Emperor Nero is still alive.

It is a top-secret mission that the children are eager to undertake. It has been a difficult few weeks in the wake of The Slave-Girl from Jerusalem, fraught with the death of a loved one, the disappearance of Flavia's uncle, grim weather, and an unwelcome marriage proposal. Though forbidden from traveling by their parents, it is an easy-enough task for the intrepid foursome to book passage to Africa and slip away under the cover of early morning. Their only clues to the journey that lies ahead of them are stories that the emerald can be found in Volubilis and Flavia's reoccurring dream, instructing her to give alms to every beggar she passes.

Joining up with a caravanserai of pantomime actors, the children combine their musical talents in order to pay for their passage, discovering along the way that their leader Narcissus may have his own plans in store for the Eye of Nero, as well as for a Cleopatra-look-alike who belongs to the troupe.

Discounting the ludicrousness of an Emperor commissioning children to undergo dangerous missions of a political nature, "The Beggar of Volubius" continues the high standard of all the books in this series. The mystery is a bit light this time around, instead it is more of an adventure story as the children brave the desert journey to Volubilis. In fact, it is best described as a story in two parts: the first involves their travels across North Africa, and it is not until they reach their destination that the mystery kicks in.

In a story filled with slave-traders and beast-hunters, sandstorms and mirages, pantomime actors and a mysterious beggar that claims to have witnessed Nero's death, there is not a dull page in the book's entire length. A meticulous researcher, Caroline Lawrence draws upon the history of Africa and Egypt in order to present a hefty dose of information to her young readers without turning the book into a history text. She's always been skillful in weaving her facts and figures in with the unfolding story, and in this case she explores the perils and wonders of the desert and the lifestyle of actors with the history of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. As a measure of Lawrence's care, Mark is referred to by his Roman name Marcus Antonius; the truth about Cleopatra's "beauty" is revealed, and the tragic lovers' story is not revered; in fact, their selfishness in unfavorably compared to the virtue of Antonius's wife Octavia.

As with each successive book, the situation that the children find themselves in grows steadily more adult in nature and content. For the first time, I found myself in fear for their lives and felt the sense that they're now totally in over their heads, particularly since they are far from home and without the presence of an adult they can trust. This trend continues throughout the final three books as Flavia, Nubia, Jonathan and Lupus begin their long journey home, hounded by enemies and circumstances that (for now) lie beyond the scope of their still-maturing minds.

Though this is not my favorite installment in "The Roman Mysteries" series (Flavia is a bit annoying, and the mystery isn't particularly rewarding) our protagonists have been ushered into the big wide world, and there are several intriguing loose threads that promise to be wrapped up in the remaining books.

In The Beggar of Volubilis Flavia, Johnathan, Nubia and Lupus are faced with another task from Titus - find the emerald know as "The Eye of Nero." There have been rumors of the existence of a False Nero which has troubled Titus and is the reason he wants to have the emerald. The legend of the jewel is that whoever possesses it will rule the Roman Empire and the superstitious Titus wants the jewel at all cost. The last known whereabouts of the emerald is somewhere in Africa.

For reasons best explained by reading The Slave-Girl from Jerusalem, life has been grim for everyone in Ostia. Flavia's uncle Gaius has disappeared - in fact it appears he drowned himself - but he actually sailed to Africa. Flavia's father is angry with her for a number of reasons but he has to sail to Alexandria. This gives the four friends the opportunity they need to fulfill Titus' request and locate Uncle Gaius. The emperor has provided them with money and a contact in Africa and so they set off. In Africa one mishap leads to another and the quest becomes one of survival on slender means.

The Beggar of Volubilis is a superb adventure story set in cities and deserts of Africa beautifully written by Caroline Lawrence. The story has many moments of danger, intrigue and encounters with fascinating places and people. This volume is certainly among my favorites in the series.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews  4.7 out of 5 stars