Customer Reviews

Shadows in Bronze

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The second in the M. Didius Falco series, Shadows in Bronze, finds Marcus taking a "holiday" to Pompeii and the surrounded areas in search of a murderer who is also in search of him. With typical Falco bad luck following him every step of the way, he feels his way through the investigation and bumbles his relationship with Helena. The funny part of it is, you can't help but root for him while in the same breath you curse his pride and downright blindness. Davis' trademark lively narrative, witty dialog, and historical details makes for another great Falco adventure through Ancient Rome.

I'm re-reading the M. Didius Falco books as my husband reads them for the first time, and he is just as fond of Falco as I am. I can't recommend this series enough to those who like comedy, mystery and history. Just be sure to start with the first one in the series, though. These are not books to get out of order.

'cause I turned all the pages and read most of the words on them, but _Shadows in Bronze_ is a poor whodunit, because the reader knows that before the halfway mark and the whyfors soon thereafter.

Amazon recommended this book to me because I have exhausted all the Stephen Saylor _Roma Sub Rosa_ series and Michael Dibdin's modern Italian detective novels. The action scenes in Saylor's recent books and the last Aurelio Zen mysteries are far superior to Davis's and both Saylor and Dibdin draw more interesting characters than Davis does.

Davis tosses in many characters -- it takes two pages to list the cast of characters. "Informer" Didius Falco is very similar to 20th-century detectives, with a despairing wit, badly paid and badly used by those who hire him. His primary employer is the new Emperor Vespasian, who is an interesting character... Falco's nephew Larius has some charm, too, but I don't buy the patrician lady Helena Justina and ... Didius Falco.

There are interesting details about life across Italy in AD 71, and the book provides some entertainment -- but not enough for detective fiction. A Roman romance novel, perhaps, but that was not what I was looking for. Unless you have exhausted Saylor and Dibdin, I can't see any reason to try Davis.

'cause I turned all the pages and read most of the words on them, but _Shadows in Bronze_ is a poor whodunit, because the reader knows before that befope the halfway mark and the whys soon thereafter.

Amazon recommended this book to me because I have exhausted all the Stephen Saylor Roma Sub Rosa series and Michael Dibdin's modern Italian detective novels. The action scenes in Saylor's recent books are far superior to Davis's and both Saylor and Dibdin draw more interesting character than Davis.

Davis tosses in many characters -- it takes two pages to list the cast of characters. "Informer" Didius Falco is very similar to 20th-century detectives, badly bad and badly used by those who hire him. His primary employer is the new Emperor Vespasian, who is an interesting character (as is Falco) who speaks freely to his lowborn employee. Falco's nephew Larius has some charm, too, but I don't buy the patrician lady Helena Justina and her bumpy romance with Didius Falco.

There are interesting details about life across Italy in AD 71, and the book provides some entertainment -- but not enough for detective fiction.

'cause I turned all the pages and read most of the words on them, but _Shadows in Bronze_ is a poor whodunit, because the reader knows before that befope the halfway mark and the whys soon thereafter.

Amazon recommended this book to me because I have exhausted all the Stephen Saylor Roma Sub Rosa series and Michael Dibdin's modern Italian detective novels. The action scenes in Saylor's recent books are far superior to Davis's and both Saylor and Dibdin draw more interesting character than Davis.

Davis tosses in many characters -- it takes two pages to list the cast of characters. "Informer" Didius Falco is very similar to 20th-century detectives, badly bad and badly used by those who hire him. His primary employer is the new Emperor Vespasian, who is an interesting character (as is Falco) who speaks freely to his lowborn employee. Falco's nephew Larius has some charm, too, but I don't buy the patrician lady Helena Justina and her bumpy romance with Didius Falco.

There are interesting details about life across Italy in AD 71, and the book provides some entertainment -- but not enough for detective fiction.

Take the sardonic wit of Spenser or Stephanie Plum and transport it back to 70 A.D. and you have Falco. There are three things to enjoy in this book (and series) and this book is well done on all three.

First, there's the mystery. A murder in Rome comes with hints of a possible consipiracy against new ruler (and Falco's employer) Vespasian. Falco is sent first south and then west to locate the dead man's brother and another potential suspect. A mysterious freedman, Barnabas, (half-brother of Helena's dead ex-husband) keeps turning up with deadly results. The bulk of the action takes place in the bay of Neapolis (see maps in the back of the book) and is a nice of mix of political intrigue, personal ambition ....

Second, is the wonderful humor. Falco is a genuine wisecracking guy and often brings a smile to your lips. Davis also has a knack for taking an aspect of modern life and transporting in back in time. The section on the risks of buying a used chariot is a gem.

Finally, there's the romance. Falco is still WAY too poor to persue Helena but she keeps turning up. What's a guy to do but make the lady happy? Things aren't totally resolved by the end of the story but the relationship definately progresses.

Bottom-line: Don't take this wrong but a series that is sort like a Flintstones for grown-ups. Modern day human foiables are cast in Roman times with the most interesting and entertaining results. Keeping track of the names is a challenge (there's a list in the book) but worth it. Reading of "Silver Pigs" first is encouraged but not essential.

This is both a compelling mystery and a fun, touching romance all set against a lively Roman background. To fully appreciate Helena and Marcus's relationship, you should read Silver Pigs first, but the book is a wonderful, enjoyable read whether you chose to follow the order or not.

I know, I know, the story is much more than Falco and Helena. This is the second book in the Falco series (see Silver Pigs for the beginning) and as usual, there is mystery, wit, humor and irony. The characters are very real and you are drawn into Italy (circa AD 70). The style of writing is so vivid that you can actually picture the streets of Rome, with men in togas, street vendors selling their wares, ex-gladiators hulking in the doorways and of course, Falco, going from one end of the city to the other. Falco takes care of another mission for the emperor and in so doing, Helena and he realize their mutual affinity for each other. Finally. After all those misunderstandings. And therefore, since I am a romantic at heart ... this book is about Falco "getting his girl".

I know, I know, the story is much more than Falco and Helena. This is the second book in the Falco series (see Silver Pigs for the beginning) and as usual, there is mystery, wit, humor and irony. The characters are very real and you are drawn into Italy (circa AD 70). The style of writing is so vivid that you can actually picture the streets of Rome, with men in togas, street vendors selling their wares, ex-gladiators hulking in the doorways and of course, Falco, going from one end of the city to the other. Falco takes care of another mission for the emperor and in so doing, Helena and he realize their mutual affinity for each other. Finally. After all those misunderstandings. And therefore, since I am a romantic at heart ... this book is about Falco "getting his girl".

Lyndsey Davis does it again -- and better -- by bringing back her gumshoe (sandal!?) hero, Didius Falco.

Having forestalled an attempt to overthrow the empire, Falco continues working for the emperor on projects here and there... This book picks up as Falco is in the process of some (cough, cough) "cleaning up" for the emperor. As he does so, he uncovers some shady goings-on that once again threaten the throne.

Sent to discover what's going on, Falco and friends travel across the Italian countryside to the oceanside resorts in the south. There he searches for a mysterious ex-slave who holds the key to the mystery of murder and mayhem that sent him on his way.

Falco fans will love this one -- and first time readers will marvel at the intricate story, the historical detail, and the likable (or in some cases, not-so-likable) characters who seem to leap of the page. Davis is a master of character and dialog who easily propels her cast (and her readers) through an exciting story of murder, intrique, betrayal, and love...

Lindsey Davis does it again... and better! Didius Falco returns in this second book of the Falco series. Having helped the Emperor solve the plot from SILVER PIGS, Falco is now engaged to do some follow-up work -- disposing of a body or two -- but discovers that things are far from over.

Before he knows it, Falco is off, once again, pulling at the threads of rebellion that threaten to unravel the just-settled state of Roman affairs. --And it not just affairs of state that threaten to unravel.... Didius must carefully negotiate his developing relationship with socialite Helena Justina while at the same time assisting his teen-aged nephew (send along to look after Falco) negotiate love and life.

Davis proved that her first book was no fluke by crafting another intricate, enticing plot filled with characters that come to life with every word. Her dialog is sharp. Her narration (for the most part) witty and well-paced. Top it off with a lot of attention to historical detail mixed with a dash of anachronistic gumshoe-detecting and what you get is this page-turning delight.