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Marcus Didius Falco #1
The Silver Pigs
This is the first story in a mystery series set in Ancient Rome, featuring Marcus Didius Falco. The story sees Falco travelling to Britain in search of missing silver pigs where he meets Helena Justina, and romance begins to blossom
329 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 1989
About the author
Lindsey Davis
85 books1,409 followersLindsey Davis, historical novelist, was born in Birmingham, England in 1949. Having taken a degree in English literature at Oxford University (Lady Margaret Hall), she became a civil servant. She left the civil service after 13 years, and when a romantic novel she had written was runner up for the 1985 Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize, she decided to become a writer, writing at first romantic serials for the UK women's magazine Woman's Realm.
Her interest in history and archaeology led to her writing a historical novel about Vespasian and his lover Antonia Caenis (The Course of Honour), for which she couldn't find a publisher. She tried again, and her first novel featuring the Roman "detective", Marcus Didius Falco, The Silver Pigs, set in the same time period and published in 1989, was the start of her runaway success as a writer of historical whodunnits. A further nineteen Falco novels and Falco: The Official Companion have followed, as well as The Course of Honour, which was finally published in 1998. Rebels and Traitors, set in the period of the English Civil War, was published in September 2009. Davis has won many literary awards, and was honorary president of the Classical Association from 1997 to 1998.
Her interest in history and archaeology led to her writing a historical novel about Vespasian and his lover Antonia Caenis (The Course of Honour), for which she couldn't find a publisher. She tried again, and her first novel featuring the Roman "detective", Marcus Didius Falco, The Silver Pigs, set in the same time period and published in 1989, was the start of her runaway success as a writer of historical whodunnits. A further nineteen Falco novels and Falco: The Official Companion have followed, as well as The Course of Honour, which was finally published in 1998. Rebels and Traitors, set in the period of the English Civil War, was published in September 2009. Davis has won many literary awards, and was honorary president of the Classical Association from 1997 to 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,089 reviews
April 15, 2015
Way back in early 2015, I read Lindsey Davis' The Ides of April. I liked it, and since it featured the daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, I thought I would eventually get around to the original character. The Silver Pigs is the first of many Falco novels that Davis wrote over a period of more than 20 years.
I rarely think that an entertaining mystery merits five stars, but this one does. For many of us who would rather read historical mysteries than current true crime, the attraction is what an author can do to transport us to a different time and place and to make us understand (and/or feel) what it was like to breath and walk around in that remote land. Davis is a master at doing so with Imperial Rome.
"We climbed up, then strolled side by side. In early April, just before dinner, we were virtually alone. It was all there. Nothing like it in the world. Six-story apartment blocks thrust upwards from narrow streets, confronting palaces and private homes with brotherly disregard for social niceties. Mushroom-beige light flaked the roofs of the temples or shimmered in fountain sprays. Even in April the air felt warm after the British wetness and cold. As we walked along peacefully, Helena and I counted off the Seven Hills together. While we came west along the Esquiline ridge, we had an evening wind in our faces. It bore tantalizing traces of rich meat dumplings gurgling in dark gravies in five hundred dubious cookshops, oysters simmering with coriander in white wine sauce, pork braising with fennel, peppercorns and pine nuts in the busy kitchen of some private mansion immediately below. Up to our high spot rose a distant murmur of the permanent hubbub below: touts and orators, crashing loads, donkeys and doorbells, the crunch of a marching Guards detachment, the swarming cries of humanity more densely packed than anywhere in the Empire or the know world beyond."
It isn't just this Davis offers. There is mystery, murder, social commentary, history (both in Rome and in England), comedy of manners and family squabbles, politics and insights into ruling Flavian dynasty during its early stages. But more than all this, Davis weaves a story that takes the "informer" (that era's term for a private investigator) Falco from a callow opportunist to a more mature man. And, how that is accomplished you will have to read for yourself.
Before I leave you, here is another selection. Enjoy!
"It was a lively day, warm and bright, with a lift in the air....All the temples had been thrown open, and the baths were closed; incense, smoking on a thousand altars, grappled with the whiff of half a million people perspiring in their holiday clothes without a chance to bathe all day. Apart from one or two dedicated housebreakers slipping through deserted streets with discreet sacks of swag, everyone who was not in the procession was watching it. There were so many gawpers packed along the processional route that the marchers and floats could hardly crawl along.
"My brother-in-law Mico (the plasterer) had for once been put to use. They sent him out at first light to erect a scaffold just for us in front of some unwary citizen's private house. There was not really room for a scaffold, but when the aedile's troops saw the entire Didius family installed on a day's hampers, all eating squelchy melons and wearing country hats, with their noses already stuck well down their gourds of wine and their throats full of ready abuse, the troopers accepted a slice of melon each then shambled off without trying to tear the scaffold down."
I rarely think that an entertaining mystery merits five stars, but this one does. For many of us who would rather read historical mysteries than current true crime, the attraction is what an author can do to transport us to a different time and place and to make us understand (and/or feel) what it was like to breath and walk around in that remote land. Davis is a master at doing so with Imperial Rome.
"We climbed up, then strolled side by side. In early April, just before dinner, we were virtually alone. It was all there. Nothing like it in the world. Six-story apartment blocks thrust upwards from narrow streets, confronting palaces and private homes with brotherly disregard for social niceties. Mushroom-beige light flaked the roofs of the temples or shimmered in fountain sprays. Even in April the air felt warm after the British wetness and cold. As we walked along peacefully, Helena and I counted off the Seven Hills together. While we came west along the Esquiline ridge, we had an evening wind in our faces. It bore tantalizing traces of rich meat dumplings gurgling in dark gravies in five hundred dubious cookshops, oysters simmering with coriander in white wine sauce, pork braising with fennel, peppercorns and pine nuts in the busy kitchen of some private mansion immediately below. Up to our high spot rose a distant murmur of the permanent hubbub below: touts and orators, crashing loads, donkeys and doorbells, the crunch of a marching Guards detachment, the swarming cries of humanity more densely packed than anywhere in the Empire or the know world beyond."
It isn't just this Davis offers. There is mystery, murder, social commentary, history (both in Rome and in England), comedy of manners and family squabbles, politics and insights into ruling Flavian dynasty during its early stages. But more than all this, Davis weaves a story that takes the "informer" (that era's term for a private investigator) Falco from a callow opportunist to a more mature man. And, how that is accomplished you will have to read for yourself.
Before I leave you, here is another selection. Enjoy!
"It was a lively day, warm and bright, with a lift in the air....All the temples had been thrown open, and the baths were closed; incense, smoking on a thousand altars, grappled with the whiff of half a million people perspiring in their holiday clothes without a chance to bathe all day. Apart from one or two dedicated housebreakers slipping through deserted streets with discreet sacks of swag, everyone who was not in the procession was watching it. There were so many gawpers packed along the processional route that the marchers and floats could hardly crawl along.
"My brother-in-law Mico (the plasterer) had for once been put to use. They sent him out at first light to erect a scaffold just for us in front of some unwary citizen's private house. There was not really room for a scaffold, but when the aedile's troops saw the entire Didius family installed on a day's hampers, all eating squelchy melons and wearing country hats, with their noses already stuck well down their gourds of wine and their throats full of ready abuse, the troopers accepted a slice of melon each then shambled off without trying to tear the scaffold down."
May 22, 2022
3.5★
I liked this novel, but given many of my GR friends love this book/series, I was expecting to enjoy it just a little bit more.
Silver pigs had me thinking;
but they were actually really heavy lead ingots that had been filled with silver & stolen from Roman Britain. Marcus Didius Falco, a wisecracking Roman imperial agent is on the case after I will say the spoilered plot development took me completely by surprise.
This book has a lot of detail. Ms Davis really knows her stuff! I thought I was going to catch her out on the use of coriander in Roman cooking, but no - it did grow in Southern Europe back then. But all the detail & twists in the plot really slowed the plot down. I like my hard boiled detective fiction to move a bit faster than this one did.
Saying that, I do own quite a few Falco novels & I am sure I will read the next couple of Falco novels eventually.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
I liked this novel, but given many of my GR friends love this book/series, I was expecting to enjoy it just a little bit more.
Silver pigs had me thinking;
but they were actually really heavy lead ingots that had been filled with silver & stolen from Roman Britain. Marcus Didius Falco, a wisecracking Roman imperial agent is on the case after I will say the spoilered plot development took me completely by surprise.
This book has a lot of detail. Ms Davis really knows her stuff! I thought I was going to catch her out on the use of coriander in Roman cooking, but no - it did grow in Southern Europe back then. But all the detail & twists in the plot really slowed the plot down. I like my hard boiled detective fiction to move a bit faster than this one did.
Saying that, I do own quite a few Falco novels & I am sure I will read the next couple of Falco novels eventually.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
February 20, 2021
Reading two detective/mystery books at the same time, this is unheard of for me! As it happens this is for one of this year’s challenges, reading a book written by a woman for each year of the 1980s.
This is the first of a series which runs for twenty or so books and this one is set around 70 in the first year of the Emperor Vespasian and moves between Britain and Rome. Marcus Didius Falco is thirty years old and an ex-soldier. He is a sort of Imperial agent who does odd jobs. This books sets up the characters for the rest of the series. The title references some rather heavy ingots (pigs) which contain silver ore and have been stolen from Britain. There is plenty of corruption in high places, dubious senators, dodgy officials, assorted rogues and plenty of twists. There is a bit of a noir feel about this and Falco narrates in a rather self-deprecating way. It’s an easy read with pretty brief chapters and the reviews are pretty good.
This novel reminded me of some others in this genre and here is Falco:
“'Now don't be worried!' I reassured her. 'Tell me, how old are you?'
She was sixteen. O Jupiter!
'Married?'
'Do I look like a person who is married?'
She looked like a person who soon should be!”
And
“When the girl came rushing up the steps, I decided she was wearing far too many clothes.”
Yet more
“I like my women in a few wisps of drapery: then I can hope for a chance to remove the wisps. If they start out with nothing I tend to get depressed because either they have just stripped off for someone else or, in my line of work, they are usually dead.”
Is it just me, or does this feel a bit like Chandler’s Philip Marlowe? Or one of the other world weary and misogynistic PIs of the 1930s? It felt somewhat formulaic.
This is the first of a series which runs for twenty or so books and this one is set around 70 in the first year of the Emperor Vespasian and moves between Britain and Rome. Marcus Didius Falco is thirty years old and an ex-soldier. He is a sort of Imperial agent who does odd jobs. This books sets up the characters for the rest of the series. The title references some rather heavy ingots (pigs) which contain silver ore and have been stolen from Britain. There is plenty of corruption in high places, dubious senators, dodgy officials, assorted rogues and plenty of twists. There is a bit of a noir feel about this and Falco narrates in a rather self-deprecating way. It’s an easy read with pretty brief chapters and the reviews are pretty good.
This novel reminded me of some others in this genre and here is Falco:
“'Now don't be worried!' I reassured her. 'Tell me, how old are you?'
She was sixteen. O Jupiter!
'Married?'
'Do I look like a person who is married?'
She looked like a person who soon should be!”
And
“When the girl came rushing up the steps, I decided she was wearing far too many clothes.”
Yet more
“I like my women in a few wisps of drapery: then I can hope for a chance to remove the wisps. If they start out with nothing I tend to get depressed because either they have just stripped off for someone else or, in my line of work, they are usually dead.”
Is it just me, or does this feel a bit like Chandler’s Philip Marlowe? Or one of the other world weary and misogynistic PIs of the 1930s? It felt somewhat formulaic.
Read
November 28, 2016'Now don't be worried!' I reassured her. 'Tell me, how old are you?'
She was sixteen. O Jupiter!
'Married?'
'Do I look like a person who is married?'
She looked like a person who soon should be!
Nope. Not for me.
September 3, 2021
The Silver Pigs is fun to read. And if you're looking to read to relax, there's no better praise.
As I mentioned in my comment, the voice and tone reminded me of Glen Cook's Garrett, P.I. series sans the fantasy element. Even more strongly, I'm reminded of a Roman Rockford Files, which may be brilliantly illuminative to those of a certain age or who have a taste for '70s detective shows. For the rest, you can wiki it and then hunt down copies of the episodes (which stream on Netflix).
But I'm digressing...
Marcus Didius Falco is an ex-legionary, current informer (i.e., private investigator) in the Rome of Vespasian (AD 69-79). If you're looking for fast-paced, engaging and smartly written bedside/airplane reading then I can recommend this series.
Fortunately, my library has all but 3 of the 20 books Davis has written so far. Though, of course, they wouldn't have #2 but my luck continues good as my alternate library has a copy, which I've duly ordered.
As I mentioned in my comment, the voice and tone reminded me of Glen Cook's Garrett, P.I. series sans the fantasy element. Even more strongly, I'm reminded of a Roman Rockford Files, which may be brilliantly illuminative to those of a certain age or who have a taste for '70s detective shows. For the rest, you can wiki it and then hunt down copies of the episodes (which stream on Netflix).
But I'm digressing...
Marcus Didius Falco is an ex-legionary, current informer (i.e., private investigator) in the Rome of Vespasian (AD 69-79). If you're looking for fast-paced, engaging and smartly written bedside/airplane reading then I can recommend this series.
Fortunately, my library has all but 3 of the 20 books Davis has written so far. Though, of course, they wouldn't have #2 but my luck continues good as my alternate library has a copy, which I've duly ordered.
April 26, 2009
Wow, I really liked this! It's very accessible; you can enjoy it even if you don't know a thing about the history of Ancient Rome. The author supplies historical details smoothly without lecturing the reader.
The mystery itself wasn't especially gripping, but the story was fast-paced, with truly likeable characters and great dialogue. I started snickering at the dramatis personae and continued to be amused all the way through the book.
There are frequent, oddly placed paragraph breaks, which make the writing seem a little choppy at first, but after a while I started to enjoy the narrative style. I've already ordered the next book in this series.
The mystery itself wasn't especially gripping, but the story was fast-paced, with truly likeable characters and great dialogue. I started snickering at the dramatis personae and continued to be amused all the way through the book.
There are frequent, oddly placed paragraph breaks, which make the writing seem a little choppy at first, but after a while I started to enjoy the narrative style. I've already ordered the next book in this series.
November 25, 2016
'Silver Pigs' begins at a run and it really doesn't let up. Marcus Didius Falco, a 70 AD Roman private informer whose usual jobs involve following young philandering wives for rich old husbands, finds himself in the middle of a mystery of murder and mayhem involving important senators of high rank and even the Emperor Vespasian himself.
Thirty-year-old Falco has a large family and a mother, but they all are grieving for Falco's brother, Didius Festus, who was a heroic soldier in the Roman army and who was recently killed while serving in Palestine. So, when a lovely young girl, Sosia Camillina, niece of Senator Decimus Camillus Verus and daughter of the senator's younger brother, Publius Camillus Meto, almost knocks Falco down on the steps of the Forum, he welcomes the distraction. Two big men were chasing the sixteen-year-old, so Falco gallantly helps her escape out a back door.
The two new friends get to know each other in Falco's sixth-floor walkup flat over Lenia's laundry, which is also Falco's office. Sosia tells him she was kidnapped out of her uncle's house for reasons unknown, but she had managed to wriggle free from their grasp. After talking things over with Falco's best friend and fellow ex-soldier, Petronius Longus, now a Patrol Captain of the Aventine Watch (police), Sosia stays at Falco's place for the night. He plans to bring her relatives to her in the morning, as they decide it is to dangerous for her to go out in public.
After visiting the Senator in his palatial house and verifying Sosia's relationship and her story, and happily getting a contract from the Senator to work for him, Falco leaves the Senator's house intending to return to his small flat and the girl. However, unexpectedly, Falco is suddenly attacked by several large suspicious aediles, young politicians working for praetors who in turn are selected by senators. They want to know where the girl is! What is their involvement and who sent them? Did Decimus Camillus change his mind? No! In the office of the aediles, Sosia's father, Publius Camillus introduces himself. So, much the worse for a beating, Falco and his new companions all return to Falco's flat.
Oh no! Sosia Camillina is gone! Falco wonders if he going to come out of this with his skin intact....
'Silver Pigs', the first novel in this series, is lighthearted in tone, with lots of humor and jokes. But there is also plenty of PG-13 action and drama. It moves very fast, but I thought maybe too fast, and the writing is choppy. However, there is a lot of genuine ancient Roman detail, and Falco runs into serious dangers while going undercover in British silver mines and meeting many actual historical figures in Roman history. He is a tough guy, but his mother keeps him in hand. He meets a twenty-three-year-old aristocrat daughter in this story who obviously is someone who is going to matter to Falco going forward. All in all, I think it will be a fun and entertaining series.
Thirty-year-old Falco has a large family and a mother, but they all are grieving for Falco's brother, Didius Festus, who was a heroic soldier in the Roman army and who was recently killed while serving in Palestine. So, when a lovely young girl, Sosia Camillina, niece of Senator Decimus Camillus Verus and daughter of the senator's younger brother, Publius Camillus Meto, almost knocks Falco down on the steps of the Forum, he welcomes the distraction. Two big men were chasing the sixteen-year-old, so Falco gallantly helps her escape out a back door.
The two new friends get to know each other in Falco's sixth-floor walkup flat over Lenia's laundry, which is also Falco's office. Sosia tells him she was kidnapped out of her uncle's house for reasons unknown, but she had managed to wriggle free from their grasp. After talking things over with Falco's best friend and fellow ex-soldier, Petronius Longus, now a Patrol Captain of the Aventine Watch (police), Sosia stays at Falco's place for the night. He plans to bring her relatives to her in the morning, as they decide it is to dangerous for her to go out in public.
After visiting the Senator in his palatial house and verifying Sosia's relationship and her story, and happily getting a contract from the Senator to work for him, Falco leaves the Senator's house intending to return to his small flat and the girl. However, unexpectedly, Falco is suddenly attacked by several large suspicious aediles, young politicians working for praetors who in turn are selected by senators. They want to know where the girl is! What is their involvement and who sent them? Did Decimus Camillus change his mind? No! In the office of the aediles, Sosia's father, Publius Camillus introduces himself. So, much the worse for a beating, Falco and his new companions all return to Falco's flat.
Oh no! Sosia Camillina is gone! Falco wonders if he going to come out of this with his skin intact....
'Silver Pigs', the first novel in this series, is lighthearted in tone, with lots of humor and jokes. But there is also plenty of PG-13 action and drama. It moves very fast, but I thought maybe too fast, and the writing is choppy. However, there is a lot of genuine ancient Roman detail, and Falco runs into serious dangers while going undercover in British silver mines and meeting many actual historical figures in Roman history. He is a tough guy, but his mother keeps him in hand. He meets a twenty-three-year-old aristocrat daughter in this story who obviously is someone who is going to matter to Falco going forward. All in all, I think it will be a fun and entertaining series.
August 29, 2016
Enjoyed the reread. I always find new plot points or historical references that I've missed. This time it was Vitellius and mushy peas.
December 5, 2019
This is the highly entertaining and enjoyable first novel in the series. Marcus Didius Falco is a first-century detective in Rome, or as they are known there and then, an informer.
This story starts in a hot day at the Rome Forum, where Falco sights and then takes in hand a fleeing young woman from the senator class. Sosia Camillina is sixteen, radiantly innocent and someone has tried to kidnap her from the very sanctum of her home. Sosia has no idea why and discovering that is the long, often obfuscated trail that takes Falco and the reader throughout the beautifully researched and vividly recreated Rome 70-71 AD. It takes us traveling across the Roman empire through the provinces of Europe, and then to Britain where again, meticulous scholarship and interest in the period come through in the exciting tale of Falco uncovering the plot of the stolen silver pigs.
This is not the first of Lindsey Davis' books I read and while it is easy and plenty of fun to read them out of order, I have to say I really am glad to finally red the first, it sets the scene so well! Also I loved reading the start of Falco and Helena's journey together. I think reading the first has made me even more interested in the series.
Also, I really enjoyed the Author's introduction. I am a history buff and I read so much that the shifts in reading fashions over the years fascinate me. When Davis first wrote this book, at the end of the 1980's few publishers were willing to take a chance on something as 'far out there' as 'historical fiction' let alone 'historical detective fiction'. It was thought too much of a risk. How wild is that? It is practically mainstream these days, though I do think many of the available offerings lack the lovely writing and intent scholarship of the Lindsey Davis books.
Part of the authors introduction involves historical scholarship. He makes the point that when a book is written, the best of archaeological knowledge can go into it, only to have the theories change over the years. So it is with this one, the method of creating silver and lead ingots, which led to them being called 'pigs' is now being questioned. It might well be that the processes described in this book are incorrect, but for me as a reader (not a 1st century archaeologist) that in no way detracts from the novel.
While I think than anyone who likes history, Roman history specifically will enjoy this novel, the actual detective mystery is enough fun and the characters and society so vividly described and embellished, that I have no hesitation in saying that it will appeal to a much broader range of people than those who like historical fiction alone. And now I want to go back and re-read all of the rest of the series, such a shame that I have loaned so many of them out!
This story starts in a hot day at the Rome Forum, where Falco sights and then takes in hand a fleeing young woman from the senator class. Sosia Camillina is sixteen, radiantly innocent and someone has tried to kidnap her from the very sanctum of her home. Sosia has no idea why and discovering that is the long, often obfuscated trail that takes Falco and the reader throughout the beautifully researched and vividly recreated Rome 70-71 AD. It takes us traveling across the Roman empire through the provinces of Europe, and then to Britain where again, meticulous scholarship and interest in the period come through in the exciting tale of Falco uncovering the plot of the stolen silver pigs.
This is not the first of Lindsey Davis' books I read and while it is easy and plenty of fun to read them out of order, I have to say I really am glad to finally red the first, it sets the scene so well! Also I loved reading the start of Falco and Helena's journey together. I think reading the first has made me even more interested in the series.
Also, I really enjoyed the Author's introduction. I am a history buff and I read so much that the shifts in reading fashions over the years fascinate me. When Davis first wrote this book, at the end of the 1980's few publishers were willing to take a chance on something as 'far out there' as 'historical fiction' let alone 'historical detective fiction'. It was thought too much of a risk. How wild is that? It is practically mainstream these days, though I do think many of the available offerings lack the lovely writing and intent scholarship of the Lindsey Davis books.
Part of the authors introduction involves historical scholarship. He makes the point that when a book is written, the best of archaeological knowledge can go into it, only to have the theories change over the years. So it is with this one, the method of creating silver and lead ingots, which led to them being called 'pigs' is now being questioned. It might well be that the processes described in this book are incorrect, but for me as a reader (not a 1st century archaeologist) that in no way detracts from the novel.
While I think than anyone who likes history, Roman history specifically will enjoy this novel, the actual detective mystery is enough fun and the characters and society so vividly described and embellished, that I have no hesitation in saying that it will appeal to a much broader range of people than those who like historical fiction alone. And now I want to go back and re-read all of the rest of the series, such a shame that I have loaned so many of them out!
March 3, 2020
Marco Didio Falco, detective privado en la Roma Imperial del siglo I d. C. Primer caso en esta extensa serie de 20 libros, con una saga posterior, donde Marco se topará con una bellísima joven que escapa de un par de matones en las calles de Roma. Dada su condición de buena persona, mas bien mujeriego, y lo hermosa que es la chica, Marco no dudará en ayudar a la joven. Su caso parece que tiene algo que ver con unos lingotes de plata robados de las mismísimas minas de Britania para comprar el levantamiento de un nuevo emperador. Vespasiano no ha consolidado su poder y parece que hay alguien que quiere destronarlo.
Novela entretenida y muy ágil de leer que nos cuenta las hazañas de Marco Didio Falco, su vida, borracheras y conquistas. Zambullido de lleno en la intriga de los lingotes de plata, viaja a Britania, país en el que estuvo sirviendo como legionario. La trama y el misterio de la historia no es gran cosa, incluso es bastante predecible, pero el personaje de Didio Falco me ha caído simpático. Solo por eso he seguido muy enganchada a la historia y a sus diálogos (lo mejor de la novela sin duda). También me ha gustado mucho ver el día a día en Roma porque lo hace de forma dinámica, entretenida y en algunos puntos divertida.
Pues eso, novela detectivesca en la Roma Imperial con un personaje divertido y simpático que me ha sacado más de una sonrisa, y más de una risilla, pero cuyo misterio es un poco predecible. Aún así he disfrutado mucho de su lectura y no tardaré en ponerme con su segunda parte.
Novela entretenida y muy ágil de leer que nos cuenta las hazañas de Marco Didio Falco, su vida, borracheras y conquistas. Zambullido de lleno en la intriga de los lingotes de plata, viaja a Britania, país en el que estuvo sirviendo como legionario. La trama y el misterio de la historia no es gran cosa, incluso es bastante predecible, pero el personaje de Didio Falco me ha caído simpático. Solo por eso he seguido muy enganchada a la historia y a sus diálogos (lo mejor de la novela sin duda). También me ha gustado mucho ver el día a día en Roma porque lo hace de forma dinámica, entretenida y en algunos puntos divertida.
Pues eso, novela detectivesca en la Roma Imperial con un personaje divertido y simpático que me ha sacado más de una sonrisa, y más de una risilla, pero cuyo misterio es un poco predecible. Aún así he disfrutado mucho de su lectura y no tardaré en ponerme con su segunda parte.
May 30, 2024
3.5 stars.
A clever and fun historical spin on the traditional mystery genre. Enough new is added to the expected to make it worth your time!
I enjoyed the insights into life circa 70 BCE Rome, as well as those chapters that depict “primitive” Britain at the time.
The protagonist/”detective” is an appealingly witty and moral, though also flawed, pair of eyes through which to watch the story unfold, and his supporting cast is equally colorful and intriguing. Even if I didn’t understand everything that happened, I still very much enjoyed the historical references, the developing crime scenario, and the romance. All is laid out in (mostly) satisfying and page-turning ways. Were there a few draggy/confusing parts? Sure, but the clear and engaging sections much outweighed them.
These days, in my mid-sixties, with limited time left in my life to read (who can read all they want with ONLY a potential, but certainly not guaranteed, 20 or 30 years left to live?), I seldom explore beyond the first book in a genre series because the return on investment isn’t always worthwhile; however, I am very glad to have encountered the characters/story in this one and commend the author on her engaging and unique book! If someone put book #2 in my hands, I would approach it with delight!
A clever and fun historical spin on the traditional mystery genre. Enough new is added to the expected to make it worth your time!
I enjoyed the insights into life circa 70 BCE Rome, as well as those chapters that depict “primitive” Britain at the time.
The protagonist/”detective” is an appealingly witty and moral, though also flawed, pair of eyes through which to watch the story unfold, and his supporting cast is equally colorful and intriguing. Even if I didn’t understand everything that happened, I still very much enjoyed the historical references, the developing crime scenario, and the romance. All is laid out in (mostly) satisfying and page-turning ways. Were there a few draggy/confusing parts? Sure, but the clear and engaging sections much outweighed them.
These days, in my mid-sixties, with limited time left in my life to read (who can read all they want with ONLY a potential, but certainly not guaranteed, 20 or 30 years left to live?), I seldom explore beyond the first book in a genre series because the return on investment isn’t always worthwhile; however, I am very glad to have encountered the characters/story in this one and commend the author on her engaging and unique book! If someone put book #2 in my hands, I would approach it with delight!
March 23, 2014
This is the first Davis I read and I loved it. My pal (and fellow author) Fidelis Morgan suggested I give it a try because I couldn't think of a book that wrote about a successful relationship in an interesting way. I have to say that Fidelis was right. Falco and Helene are very solid in their love for one another, but they disagree and argue and do all the usual things couples do without cutting too deep when they disagree. I think that's the key to a relationship (haha, and a sign that it might be over)--when you fight, do you go for the jugular or do you hold back because you love that person? Not that I fight a lot. I actually hate fighting. But you know what I mean. Like that scene in the next-to-last (I think) season of the Sopranos when Tony and Carmella are in the pool house and they say the meanest, nastiest things that they can never walk back from... Sara and Jeffrey will never do that.
But I suppose I should talk about the Falco series in terms other than my own work! There's so much good stuff in these books, and you don't realize that you're also learning some really cool things about Roman times. I was touring Bath once and the guide was saying all this stuff that I already knew from the Falco series. So, Lindsey managed to do something that a lot of my teachers couldn't: make me learn.
But I suppose I should talk about the Falco series in terms other than my own work! There's so much good stuff in these books, and you don't realize that you're also learning some really cool things about Roman times. I was touring Bath once and the guide was saying all this stuff that I already knew from the Falco series. So, Lindsey managed to do something that a lot of my teachers couldn't: make me learn.
August 5, 2017
“When the girl came rushing up the steps, I decided she was wearing far too many clothes.”
Sam Spade? Phillip Marlowe? Mike Hammer? Nope, none other than Marcus Didius Falco the private investigator who is the creation of English author Lindsey Davis. And “The Silver Pigs” is the first of 20 books she has written about the adventures of Falco set in 70 A.D. during the the beginning of the reign of Roman Emperor Vespacian.
I always marvel at how well British authors can work with the Roman Empire as a setting, as there are quite a few books and series set in Ancient Rome, as I am also a huge fan of the Medicus series by Ruth Downie – I admit I have not read the works of Steven Saylor from the US but hope to begin shortly. Here Davis has begun a series about the first gumshoe, as Marcus Didius Falco has left the military and has gone into this line of work, as well as working as an informant when the need arises. The plot in this book takes us from Rome to Britain and the Silver mines located there. We have the attempted kidnapping of a 16-year old girl who becomes Falco’s client, along with murder and intrigue at the highest levels of Rome as well as a conspiracy to defraud the Roman government of quite a large amount of silver ingots (thus the title of the book the Silver Pigs as pigs is another word for ingot). It is quite a fun and fascinating book, one that moves along at a very fast pace and provides us with a good plot, a good mystery, a good hero (Falco) and a beguiling heroine. The dialogue is realistic and the history is spot in accurate. If the remaining 19 books are anything like this one, then it will be a wonderful series for one and all to read, especially for those who enjoy history and detective novels.
Highly enjoyed this book and give it a big thumbs up recommendation. Solid effort for a first book in a series, even though I could figure out some of the conspiracy and the conspirators before Falco – but that is OK since he is the first private investigator and I have read many more of these books than he has worked on cases! Have fun with this book and series.
Sam Spade? Phillip Marlowe? Mike Hammer? Nope, none other than Marcus Didius Falco the private investigator who is the creation of English author Lindsey Davis. And “The Silver Pigs” is the first of 20 books she has written about the adventures of Falco set in 70 A.D. during the the beginning of the reign of Roman Emperor Vespacian.
I always marvel at how well British authors can work with the Roman Empire as a setting, as there are quite a few books and series set in Ancient Rome, as I am also a huge fan of the Medicus series by Ruth Downie – I admit I have not read the works of Steven Saylor from the US but hope to begin shortly. Here Davis has begun a series about the first gumshoe, as Marcus Didius Falco has left the military and has gone into this line of work, as well as working as an informant when the need arises. The plot in this book takes us from Rome to Britain and the Silver mines located there. We have the attempted kidnapping of a 16-year old girl who becomes Falco’s client, along with murder and intrigue at the highest levels of Rome as well as a conspiracy to defraud the Roman government of quite a large amount of silver ingots (thus the title of the book the Silver Pigs as pigs is another word for ingot). It is quite a fun and fascinating book, one that moves along at a very fast pace and provides us with a good plot, a good mystery, a good hero (Falco) and a beguiling heroine. The dialogue is realistic and the history is spot in accurate. If the remaining 19 books are anything like this one, then it will be a wonderful series for one and all to read, especially for those who enjoy history and detective novels.
Highly enjoyed this book and give it a big thumbs up recommendation. Solid effort for a first book in a series, even though I could figure out some of the conspiracy and the conspirators before Falco – but that is OK since he is the first private investigator and I have read many more of these books than he has worked on cases! Have fun with this book and series.
December 31, 2020
Aprovecho la última reseña del año para desearos a quienes leáis esto un feliz año 2021!
Al terminar este libro, en este 2020 y usando cantidades netas de páginas (mediante un programa que estandariza), me he quedado a un "el misterio del príncipe" de haber leído el equivalente a 8 veces la saga completa de Harry Potter.
Dicho esto, el libro este tiene una historia interesante, unos personajes que están bien y un caso que resolver con una trama bien hilada. Sin embargo no lo he disfrutado todo lo que debiera. Me parece que ha sido por cómo está escrito, que no he conectado con el estilo de la autora, y en muchísima menor medida la mala traducción que tiene tampoco ayuda.
Hay muchas partes que no están bien descritas y otras que están contadas de refilón, sin ningún detalle. Ademas, como opinión personal, me sobra el toque gracioso porque no me ha hecho gracia, y cuando algo/alguien va de gracioso y tú no lo ves así, causa rechazo.
En definitiva, casi seguro de que si esta misma historia estuviera escrita de otra forma se hubiera llevado 4/5 fácilmente, y sin embargo se lleva un 3/5 justito.
Al terminar este libro, en este 2020 y usando cantidades netas de páginas (mediante un programa que estandariza), me he quedado a un "el misterio del príncipe" de haber leído el equivalente a 8 veces la saga completa de Harry Potter.
Dicho esto, el libro este tiene una historia interesante, unos personajes que están bien y un caso que resolver con una trama bien hilada. Sin embargo no lo he disfrutado todo lo que debiera. Me parece que ha sido por cómo está escrito, que no he conectado con el estilo de la autora, y en muchísima menor medida la mala traducción que tiene tampoco ayuda.
Hay muchas partes que no están bien descritas y otras que están contadas de refilón, sin ningún detalle. Ademas, como opinión personal, me sobra el toque gracioso porque no me ha hecho gracia, y cuando algo/alguien va de gracioso y tú no lo ves así, causa rechazo.
En definitiva, casi seguro de que si esta misma historia estuviera escrita de otra forma se hubiera llevado 4/5 fácilmente, y sin embargo se lleva un 3/5 justito.
April 25, 2022
4/2022 - Listened to audiobook, very entertaining narrator, to refresh my memory for upcoming read with Reading the Detectives group. Still 3.5-4 stars for adventure, humor, characters, promising start to a long series. I’d definitely like to read on, see how characters develop. The plot made more sense this time, but I still found it hard to grasp what Falco and Helena were trying to say in several scenes as their romance developed - I think it’s just Davis’s writing style. The next book will be interesting, to see how she carries on.
2016: 3.5 stars - I enjoyed Helena, Falco, his mother and Publius and several other characters in this Ancient Roman mystery, but I've never been much into the period and had a hard time getting into it - but I'd been hearing about the series for so long I wanted to give it a try.
The characters were definitely a strong point and I plan to look for the next book in this long and popular series; while there was plenty of dry humor and excellent research into the period, the mystery itself was very complex and had a lot of parts and potential bad guys - I had a hard time telling them apart (I think it's the Roman names!).
Also, I honestly lost track whether Falco was looking for the murderer of a young girl with her family as his clients, or working for the emperor trying to solve a case involving theft from the silver mines of Britain, or both...I look forward to trying the next in the series to see if the pacing evens out and if I have an easier time following the characters' motivations. I can see why Didius Falco has such a following - even his daughter now has a spin-off series! - but I'm just not sure this series is for me. I look forward to further reading to find out.
2016: 3.5 stars - I enjoyed Helena, Falco, his mother and Publius and several other characters in this Ancient Roman mystery, but I've never been much into the period and had a hard time getting into it - but I'd been hearing about the series for so long I wanted to give it a try.
The characters were definitely a strong point and I plan to look for the next book in this long and popular series; while there was plenty of dry humor and excellent research into the period, the mystery itself was very complex and had a lot of parts and potential bad guys - I had a hard time telling them apart (I think it's the Roman names!).
Also, I honestly lost track whether Falco was looking for the murderer of a young girl with her family as his clients, or working for the emperor trying to solve a case involving theft from the silver mines of Britain, or both...I look forward to trying the next in the series to see if the pacing evens out and if I have an easier time following the characters' motivations. I can see why Didius Falco has such a following - even his daughter now has a spin-off series! - but I'm just not sure this series is for me. I look forward to further reading to find out.
April 17, 2022
First published in 1989, this is the first mystery featuring Marcus Didius Falco. I first read this when it was originally released and it was great fun to revisit. It features our central character, Private Informer Falco (the closest thing to a Private Detective in Rome, A.D. 70). Falco lives on the top floor of an apartment building, where he spends his time playing around with nubile young ladies, avoiding his landlord, peeing in the vats of the laundry downstairs to aid the whitening of togas and drinking with old friend Petronius Longus, the patrol captin of the Aventine watch who he served with in Britannia.
Britannia was, to Falco and Petronius, a miserable, rain-sodden, unpleasant nightmare, that neither of them wish to revisit. However, when the young and beautiful Sosia, daughter of a Senator, flees straight into Falco's arms while avoiding some unpleasant brutes, he finds himself thrown into an investigation which involve Silver Pigs - lead ingots from Britain. This leads him to once again revisit Britannia's unwelcoming shores, with the cover story of bringing home Sosia's cousing, Helena Justina.
This is very much the first novel in a series which introduces us to important characters and the backstories of Falco and Helena. It involves Falco posing as a slave in a silver mine, conspiracies which reach those of high rank and the beginnings of a love affair. I loved this book when I first read it and greatly enjoyed revisiting it. I look forward to reading on in the series and was pleased to become re-acquainted with the characters.
Britannia was, to Falco and Petronius, a miserable, rain-sodden, unpleasant nightmare, that neither of them wish to revisit. However, when the young and beautiful Sosia, daughter of a Senator, flees straight into Falco's arms while avoiding some unpleasant brutes, he finds himself thrown into an investigation which involve Silver Pigs - lead ingots from Britain. This leads him to once again revisit Britannia's unwelcoming shores, with the cover story of bringing home Sosia's cousing, Helena Justina.
This is very much the first novel in a series which introduces us to important characters and the backstories of Falco and Helena. It involves Falco posing as a slave in a silver mine, conspiracies which reach those of high rank and the beginnings of a love affair. I loved this book when I first read it and greatly enjoyed revisiting it. I look forward to reading on in the series and was pleased to become re-acquainted with the characters.
October 20, 2018
I like the MC in this series. He is like your uncle who lives next door. He is normal, trying to do the best he can....and he can be suckered into things. I liked that I got to see more detail about him.
I've read a few of these novels in this series, and they all share some commonalities. The author writes with a contemporary flair.....even though this is Ancient Rome historical fiction. That usually isn't something I like, but she makes it work in her books. I also like the way she constructs her plots. The mystery is methodical and it peels away, piece by piece. So 3 stars.
I've read a few of these novels in this series, and they all share some commonalities. The author writes with a contemporary flair.....even though this is Ancient Rome historical fiction. That usually isn't something I like, but she makes it work in her books. I also like the way she constructs her plots. The mystery is methodical and it peels away, piece by piece. So 3 stars.
August 16, 2016
Ova knjiga je za mene toalno otkrovenje!
Pozajmila sam je od drugarice, u fazonu "Daj nesto da odmorim od fantastike." I nisam se pokajala.
Znate one stare, crno-bele filmove o detektivima sa sesiricima i cigarom uvek u kraju usana u ciju kancelariju jednoga dana zaluta prelepa plavusa sa zanimljivim slucajem za istragu. E ova knjia je bas to samo smestena u Stari Rim u vreme Cara Vespazijana. Veliki plus su vrcavi humor i sarkazam glavnog lika.
Pozajmila sam je od drugarice, u fazonu "Daj nesto da odmorim od fantastike." I nisam se pokajala.
Znate one stare, crno-bele filmove o detektivima sa sesiricima i cigarom uvek u kraju usana u ciju kancelariju jednoga dana zaluta prelepa plavusa sa zanimljivim slucajem za istragu. E ova knjia je bas to samo smestena u Stari Rim u vreme Cara Vespazijana. Veliki plus su vrcavi humor i sarkazam glavnog lika.
July 11, 2021
Que tío tan divertido el amigo Falco! Es un puntazo es sí mismo.
Me lo he pasado en grande leyendo las aventuritas del colega, aunque reconozco que he estado un poco perdida, hace mil años que no entro en histórica romana y necesito hubicaína. Me he reído lo mío con Falco, aunque la 'investigación' no me parece muy top. Qué duda cabe de que me empacharé con estas novelas.
Me lo he pasado en grande leyendo las aventuritas del colega, aunque reconozco que he estado un poco perdida, hace mil años que no entro en histórica romana y necesito hubicaína. Me he reído lo mío con Falco, aunque la 'investigación' no me parece muy top. Qué duda cabe de que me empacharé con estas novelas.
December 10, 2017
The series that tarted it all (for me). I always loved ancient Rome (since I first read Asterix), and detective stories. This was the perfect combination.
In Silver Pigs, we are introduced to Marcus Didius Falco, a hard-boiled detective set in ancient Rome under Vespasian's rule. Falco is taken on a journey from what starts with an upper-class young lady in trouble with some ruffians, to the highest echelons of society and money counterfeiting.
Expect a noir feel to the story, with gruff men and damsels in distress.
Be aware that this is the first book by Davis, and has some issues (an altogether far too speedy recovery from a broken arm comes to mind). Still, no one can fault Davis for her research and accurate depiction of what life in the stratified Roman society was like at the time.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
In Silver Pigs, we are introduced to Marcus Didius Falco, a hard-boiled detective set in ancient Rome under Vespasian's rule. Falco is taken on a journey from what starts with an upper-class young lady in trouble with some ruffians, to the highest echelons of society and money counterfeiting.
Expect a noir feel to the story, with gruff men and damsels in distress.
Be aware that this is the first book by Davis, and has some issues (an altogether far too speedy recovery from a broken arm comes to mind). Still, no one can fault Davis for her research and accurate depiction of what life in the stratified Roman society was like at the time.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
April 25, 2017
Oh - where do I start? A private eye series set in ancient Rome. This is the first one - I won't add all the books individually, there are (I think) 18 by now, but it's set in Rome in 70AD, the hero is Marcus Didius Falco, a Roman 'informer'.... and his friends, and his over the top family, and his lady, Helena Justina, the senator's daughter, way out of his league but that doesn't stop them, lol, and HER family... They are my favourite ancient Roman couple Evah. There is adventure all over the Empire, treachery, theft, politics, murder... even children, you name it, you'll find it here.
I love, love, love this series. Probably rates three stars for writing, plus an extra for meticulous research inserted so painlessly that you're barely aware of it.
I love, love, love this series. Probably rates three stars for writing, plus an extra for meticulous research inserted so painlessly that you're barely aware of it.
October 8, 2021
Read this book in 2011, and its the 1st episode of the tremendous "Marcus Didius Falco" series, from the author, Lindsey Davis.
Set in the year Ad 70, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, we follow the investigations of low-life informer Marcus Didius Falco.
At first Falco rescues a girl by the name of, Sosia Camillina, who fears for her life, but that turns out to be decision as heavy as a pile of stolen Imperial ingots.
At the same time he meets the Senator's daughter, Helena Justina, who's connected to the traitors Falco has sworn to expose for the stolen ingots.
When this gang of conspirators hears of his involvement, Falco must come into full action to thwart the perpetrators and try to bring them to justice with the help of this same Helena Justina.
What is follow is an intriguing and exciting mystery, in which Falco will need his wits and cunning to solve this conspiracy, and in a thrilling fashion he'll be able to catch the culprits in the end.
Highly recommended, for this is a superb opening part of a terrific series, and that's why I like to call this first part: "An Outstanding Opening Falco Scene"!
Set in the year Ad 70, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, we follow the investigations of low-life informer Marcus Didius Falco.
At first Falco rescues a girl by the name of, Sosia Camillina, who fears for her life, but that turns out to be decision as heavy as a pile of stolen Imperial ingots.
At the same time he meets the Senator's daughter, Helena Justina, who's connected to the traitors Falco has sworn to expose for the stolen ingots.
When this gang of conspirators hears of his involvement, Falco must come into full action to thwart the perpetrators and try to bring them to justice with the help of this same Helena Justina.
What is follow is an intriguing and exciting mystery, in which Falco will need his wits and cunning to solve this conspiracy, and in a thrilling fashion he'll be able to catch the culprits in the end.
Highly recommended, for this is a superb opening part of a terrific series, and that's why I like to call this first part: "An Outstanding Opening Falco Scene"!
November 18, 2016
Simplesmente fantástico! Um dos melhores romances históricos que li este ano.
Retrata a época romana sem ser exaustivo. Com todo o seu encanto e conflitos. Pode-se comparar aos romances de Steven Saylor que tem como protagonista o Gordiano, Descobridor...
Mas ao contrário de Gordiano, Marco Falco é um sedutor e republicano. Os casos que resolve tem como clientes mulheres, que acaba por conquistar, e homens de baixa categoria. No entanto a sua sorte muda, e ele acaba se envolvendo num misterioso crime. Que envolve uma morte de uma jovem e um contrabando de lingotes de prata.
Gostei do facto da autor descrever os factos com humor, e não de modo muito sério.
Helena foi uma das personagens que mais me encantou. Devido a suas astúcia, a sua independência e determinação. É alguém que não tem medo de arriscar, e tem a coragem suficiente para viver um grande amor. Já para não falar que o envolvimento dela com Falco foi um dos melhores momentos do livro.
Também acho importante referir o episódio das minas em Bretanha. Achei tal facto fundamental para compreender o sofrimento dos escravos. Pessoas que sofriam com o domínio dos romanos. A autora descreveu com muita amabilidade o trabalho de Marco nas minas. Só se pondo no lugar dos outros compreendemos com precisão o que realmente as pessoas sentem!
Retrata a época romana sem ser exaustivo. Com todo o seu encanto e conflitos. Pode-se comparar aos romances de Steven Saylor que tem como protagonista o Gordiano, Descobridor...
Mas ao contrário de Gordiano, Marco Falco é um sedutor e republicano. Os casos que resolve tem como clientes mulheres, que acaba por conquistar, e homens de baixa categoria. No entanto a sua sorte muda, e ele acaba se envolvendo num misterioso crime. Que envolve uma morte de uma jovem e um contrabando de lingotes de prata.
Gostei do facto da autor descrever os factos com humor, e não de modo muito sério.
Helena foi uma das personagens que mais me encantou. Devido a suas astúcia, a sua independência e determinação. É alguém que não tem medo de arriscar, e tem a coragem suficiente para viver um grande amor. Já para não falar que o envolvimento dela com Falco foi um dos melhores momentos do livro.
Também acho importante referir o episódio das minas em Bretanha. Achei tal facto fundamental para compreender o sofrimento dos escravos. Pessoas que sofriam com o domínio dos romanos. A autora descreveu com muita amabilidade o trabalho de Marco nas minas. Só se pondo no lugar dos outros compreendemos com precisão o que realmente as pessoas sentem!
January 6, 2016
Sugeriram-me que experimentasse a série Marcus Didius Falco, de Lindsey Davis, por ser grande fã da série Roma Sub Rosa, de Steven Saylor.
Devo dizer que, com esta comparação, coloquei as expectativas um pouco elevadas, já que adoro as aventuras de Gordiano, e isso fez com que este ‘Porcos de Prata’ me soubesse a pouco.
O livro é divertido e lê-se bem, mas a parte do enredo policial deixa muito a desejar e a história em si é um pouco fraca/banal. No início dei por mim a não gostar, sequer, das personagens, opinião que curiosamente se foi modificando ao longo do livro.
Também me disseram que o primeiro é o mais fraco da série, pelo que tenciono, ainda assim, dar mais uma oportunidade a Didius Falco no futuro, pode ser que me convença melhor.
Pontuação: 3 estrelas muito fraquinhas.
Devo dizer que, com esta comparação, coloquei as expectativas um pouco elevadas, já que adoro as aventuras de Gordiano, e isso fez com que este ‘Porcos de Prata’ me soubesse a pouco.
O livro é divertido e lê-se bem, mas a parte do enredo policial deixa muito a desejar e a história em si é um pouco fraca/banal. No início dei por mim a não gostar, sequer, das personagens, opinião que curiosamente se foi modificando ao longo do livro.
Também me disseram que o primeiro é o mais fraco da série, pelo que tenciono, ainda assim, dar mais uma oportunidade a Didius Falco no futuro, pode ser que me convença melhor.
Pontuação: 3 estrelas muito fraquinhas.
December 13, 2015
Actual rating: 2.5 (Seriously Goodreads. Lots of people writing in their own half stars. Take the hint!!)
The first thought I had in the first chapter was "Is the narrator British? What is he doing in Ancient Rome". I later learned that the author is in fact from England. I didn't care much for the story. For some reason, the plot was really hard to follow apart from the obvious (and incredibly played out) love at first fight line. The saving grace of this story was the snarky and likeable main character and the ancient background, but at the end of the day that wasn't good enough to get three stars out of me.
The first thought I had in the first chapter was "Is the narrator British? What is he doing in Ancient Rome". I later learned that the author is in fact from England. I didn't care much for the story. For some reason, the plot was really hard to follow apart from the obvious (and incredibly played out) love at first fight line. The saving grace of this story was the snarky and likeable main character and the ancient background, but at the end of the day that wasn't good enough to get three stars out of me.
March 3, 2017
First time I've ever bothered to switch edition on a GR book, and that's because reading this book in 260 pages of titchy tiny font really do make a difference. Does slow things down and make it that little bit worse.
Still plenty good though. The fun is in the humour because the mystery is sadly a little underdeveloped, but that's okay, because Lindsay Davies as Falco is one of my favourite authorial voices ever; irreverent, sentimental and self-deprecating.
Still plenty good though. The fun is in the humour because the mystery is sadly a little underdeveloped, but that's okay, because Lindsay Davies as Falco is one of my favourite authorial voices ever; irreverent, sentimental and self-deprecating.
August 30, 2007
When a Philip-Marlowe like character becomes the narrator of events that take place in Ancient Rome, you get Lindsey Davis! The research is excellent, the stories are fascinating, the historical truth is respected and… a sort of hard boiled detective investigates. Probably one of the best historical novels, along with Sharan Newman, on the market.
July 26, 2012
I first encountered Marcus Didius Falco in a short story in Classical Whodunits, many years ago. At the time I was more interested in the late Roman Republic, so I was more drawn to the Steven Saylor mysteries featuring Gordianus the Finder, contemporary of Cicero and Julius Caesar and the significant events of that era. I later rediscovered Falco through audiobook versions of "A Body in the Bath House" and "The Jupiter Myth," which occur much later in the series. "The Silver Pigs" is the debut novel introducing Falco and the other characters that dominate the series.
Falco's period is also fascinating: after the Year of the Four Emperors, just as Vespasian is beginning his rule. In this inaugural book, Falco - a bawdy, cantankerous "informer" (private investigator) of little means - struggles with a dysfunctional family, a landlord with limited patience for late payments, and not nearly enough work...when a Senator's young niece runs into him (literally) and changes the trajectory of his life. The case, which begins with a maiden with "far too many clothes" fleeing from a band of bully boys, leads Falco through palaces, sewers, and the silver mines of a Britain the former soldier hoped never to see again. Along the way he loves, loses, and loves again (vague enough?) and begins a relationship not just with a Senator's family, but with the new Emperor's as well.
The dialog is first person, and reads a bit like Sam Spade in the Subura. You are never left wondering what Falco's opinion is, on any subject or person. As this is the first of many Falco novels, paying attention here is worth it; Davis seems unwilling to let any juicy bits stay on the floor, and applies the Five Second Rule to rescue them for later enjoyment.
I can't call Falco lovable, but he's got a gruff charm that - try as he might - he can't hide completely. Along the way, Rome - all of it, not just the polished marble and chalk-white togas, but the stink of the slums, the chaos of the hearth, the perils of travel whether across town or across the continent, the struggle to earn a daily denarius, and the surprisingly but authentically modern-seeming conveniences and complaints of urban life - is itself a vibrant, slightly dangerous but romantic (cough) character.
As for Britain: Falco never quite escapes it, and Davis will never be invited to join the Londinium board of tourism. But it too wheezes with what passes for life.
Highly recommended.
Falco's period is also fascinating: after the Year of the Four Emperors, just as Vespasian is beginning his rule. In this inaugural book, Falco - a bawdy, cantankerous "informer" (private investigator) of little means - struggles with a dysfunctional family, a landlord with limited patience for late payments, and not nearly enough work...when a Senator's young niece runs into him (literally) and changes the trajectory of his life. The case, which begins with a maiden with "far too many clothes" fleeing from a band of bully boys, leads Falco through palaces, sewers, and the silver mines of a Britain the former soldier hoped never to see again. Along the way he loves, loses, and loves again (vague enough?) and begins a relationship not just with a Senator's family, but with the new Emperor's as well.
The dialog is first person, and reads a bit like Sam Spade in the Subura. You are never left wondering what Falco's opinion is, on any subject or person. As this is the first of many Falco novels, paying attention here is worth it; Davis seems unwilling to let any juicy bits stay on the floor, and applies the Five Second Rule to rescue them for later enjoyment.
I can't call Falco lovable, but he's got a gruff charm that - try as he might - he can't hide completely. Along the way, Rome - all of it, not just the polished marble and chalk-white togas, but the stink of the slums, the chaos of the hearth, the perils of travel whether across town or across the continent, the struggle to earn a daily denarius, and the surprisingly but authentically modern-seeming conveniences and complaints of urban life - is itself a vibrant, slightly dangerous but romantic (cough) character.
As for Britain: Falco never quite escapes it, and Davis will never be invited to join the Londinium board of tourism. But it too wheezes with what passes for life.
Highly recommended.
February 7, 2015
I needed a new series to make me fall in love with a clever detective (informer) all over again, and I really wanted it to be the M Didius Falco series. The long and short of it is that Lindsey Davis failed to make me fall in love. It was more like a mild like. I can't see myself coming back for more of this series.
I came looking for a genuine mystery. I was hoping for some Raymond Chandler style Roman detection, or some brooding Henning Mankell style Roman detection, or even some frustrating Ian Rankin style Roman detection. What I got was Moonlighting meets Remington Steele meets Hollywood-sword-and-sandal-romantic-mystery-lightness.
It's not horrible (I bet it would make a cracking and very watchable TV series), but not for me.
I came looking for a genuine mystery. I was hoping for some Raymond Chandler style Roman detection, or some brooding Henning Mankell style Roman detection, or even some frustrating Ian Rankin style Roman detection. What I got was Moonlighting meets Remington Steele meets Hollywood-sword-and-sandal-romantic-mystery-lightness.
It's not horrible (I bet it would make a cracking and very watchable TV series), but not for me.
June 13, 2018
Off to a poor start (for me), definitely a minority opinion but so what. It's a hard-boiled tough-guy detective story transposed to Rome in 70AD, & so far I haven't liked anything but the Roman setting. I don't like the detective, the misogyny, the casual violence and brutality, the squalor of his apartment and life. In general, I don't like hardboiled detective stories. I haven't quite given up on this one, but not sure I'll continue. Do they get better?
Didn't like and DNF this one. I may (or may not) try another sometime. I like the idea, but hated the esecution of this one. 1.5 stars, rounded down for misogyny. Which may be historically correct, but the hell with it.
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