From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8–Jonathan, Flavia, Nubia, and Lupus are involved in solving another mystery in this latest installment in the series. This time, they are trying to find the "Prometheus" who opened a "Pandora's Box" to destroy Rome. The evil from the box is the plague. Jonathan's father, Dr. Mordecai, is also summoned to help care for the sick. The detectives have several suspects, including other doctors and even the emperor. In the course of the investigation, many aspects of Roman life and politics are skillfully woven into the narrative: architecture, medical practices, gods and goddesses, slavery, etc. Titus's destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and his relationship with the Jewish Queen Berenice provide insight into the tenuous ties between the Romans and the Jews during this period. This mystery has many twists and turns, but familiarity with the characters and their situations is helpful. The ending clearly indicates that another sequel is on the way. Fans of the previous six titles will come away from the story with a good sense of Rome during A.D. 80.
–Lana Miles, Duchesne Academy, Houston, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Product Description
February, AD 80. An imperial messenger summons Jonathan's father to Rome, where the fever which started in Ostia is now threatening to become a plague. Jonathan and his three friends go, too, and need to use all their skills to solve a dangerous mystery for the Emperor Titus. Since the first title, The Thieves of Ostia, was published in September 2001, the series has got off to an amazing start. The first six titles have already been sold in ten languages and the author has had a huge response from children at her many speaking engagements and through her Roman Mysteries website.
