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From Publishers Weekly
If Travis McGee traveled in time back to treacherous, civilized Rome in 72 A.D., he might be something like Marcus Didius Falco. Appearing in his sixth adventure, the resourceful, bantering court investigator, who is graced with more humor than his south Florida counterpart and who hates injustice without being a drone about it, is such a regular guy that it's easy to forget he's not speaking figuratively when he talks about the latest model of chariot. Falco was denied a promised promotion into the upper class by the emperor Vespasian after his last escapade (in Poseidon's Gold), a promotion required for him to marry his lover, the patrician Helena Justina. To get out of town with Helena, he takes on a job for one of the emperor's less trustworthy underlings, heading for Syria to do a little snooping; at the same time he's also on the lookout for a runaway girl who may have been kidnapped by a Syrian. While sightseeing, Falco and Helena discover, in a cistern, the body of a playwright who had been with an acting troupe out of Rome. For various reasons, Falco and Helena sign on with the troupe in order to find the killer, with Falco taking on the little appreciated duties of the playwright for cover. Accompanying the troupe on their travels, readers get a history lesson they may wish they had had in high school, all the while being treated to a polished narrative.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Marcus Didius Falco, first-century Roman private eye, searches for a beautiful circus musician while also working for the emperor's chief spy. Falco's girlfriend, Helena, accompanies him to Syria, where they are both accused of murder. Excellent historical fiction.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
If You Enjoy Theatre, You'll Love This Book,
By A Customer
This was one of the more enjoyable Falco mysteries. I'm a great fan of Shakespeare, and Lindsey Davis's many references to the bard are hilarious. The way she portrays theatre life and it's stereotypical components are very amusing, and the ending left me rolling on the floor with laughter.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best Falco novel, but entertaining,
By A Customer
Who killed Heliodorus, why has Vespasian sent Falco on yet another wild goose chase, is Musa the right hand of Anacrites and what is Helena Justina, high born daughter of a Senator, doing trekking across the sands of Syria with the impovershed albeit irristable rogue Marcus Didius Falco anyway? The Last Act At Palmyra is an entertaining read but don't expect any depth. I knew who done it halfway through the novel. I enjoyed Davis' style, but wish she would get back to some of the depth of the earlier novels such as Silver Pigs which wasn't as heavy on humor but had a lot more mystery to recommend it.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice but less than stellar,
By A Customer
I think Lindsey Davis- bless her heart- is unfortunately beginning to get a bit of a case of sequelitis. This entry, although a nice little adventure that can while away an afternoon or two, does not measure up to the wonderful "Silver Pigs" (which has to be one of my all-time favorite mysteries). Someone mentioned earlier that the usually accurate Ms Davis goofed when she mentioned that plays were performed at night in ancient times. I have my own bone to pick as well- the one part in this story which rang particularly false to me was when Falco runs into a gaggle of early Christians while he is gallivanting somewhere around the Middle East. Now, according to Ms Davis, these early Christians come across more like wimpy hippies passing out daisies in an airport than the firebreathing folks you read about in the New Testament. (I can't imagine St Paul being anybody's idea of a wimpy hippie- especially when he was debating with the Athenians in the Areopagus.) I suppose "Jesus Christ Superstar," with its singing flower child apostles, has made, in many people's minds, an indelible impression of the nature of early Christianity. (Thank you Andrew Lloyd Webber!)
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