Lindsey Davis

In Rome, 89 A.D., poisonings, murders, and a bloody gang war of retribution breaks out during the festival of Saturnalia, and when her husband, Tiberius, becomes a target, it's time for Flavia Albia to take matters into her own hands -- in Lindsey Davis’s next historical mystery, A Comedy of Terrors. Flavia Albia, daughter and successor of private informer Marcus Didius Falco is twiddling her thumbs with no clients during the December festival of Saturnalia. But that doesn't mean all is quiet. Her husband Tiberius and the Fourth Cohort are battling organized crime interests that are going to war over the festival nuts. A series of accidental poisonings, then bloody murders of rival nut-sellers, and finally a gruesome warning to Tiberius from the hidden criminal powers to back off. Albia has had just about enough and combines forces with Tiberius to uncover the hidden criminal gangs trying to worm their way into the establishment at a banquet of the emperor Domitian.

A Flavia Albia Novel

A Comedy of Terrors

Nicola Sarah Brooks

Call it what you want but the Winter silly season has cause problems since it was invented. 
 Christmas/Saturnalia - they both mean family squabbles, over-eating and running around buying presents. 

Flavia and Tiberius may be recently wed but that won't get in the way of them solving a murder or three, investigating ancient Loan Shark organisations or interfering in the lives of their nearest and dearest. Oh and possibly annoying a vigile or two.

There are plenty of visits from Falco, Helena and the extended Didii family. I swear Postumus is either going to be the ancient version of a CSI or a serial killer LOL. There are also some references to the earlier Falco books so devoted readers like myself will get the jokes/references but newer readers won't feel too left out.

I loved their way of dealing with getting the bad guy using Sheep! Reminded my al Al Capone! I have loved this series from the start and am so enjoying this very British Roman matron's total disregard for the customs of her time. She is just too much of her adopted father's daughter!

Saturnalia, the Romans' mid-December feast, nominally to celebrate the sun's rebirth but invariably a drunken riot. Flavia Albia needs a case to investigate, but all work is paused. The Aventine is full of fracturing families. Wives plot to leave their husbands, husbands plot to spend more time with their mistresses. Masters must endure slaves taking obscene liberties, while aggressive slaves are learning to ape dangerous masters. But no one wants to hire an investigator during the holiday. Albia is lumped with her own domestic stress: overexcited children and bilious guests, too many practical jokes, and her magistrate husband Tiberius preoccupied with local strife. He fears a Nut War. Nuts are both the snack and missile of choice of tipsy celebrants, so there is a fortune to be made. This year a hustling gang from the past is horning in on the action. As the deadly menace strikes even close to home, and with law and order paused for partying, Albia and Tiberius must go it alone. The Emperor has promised the people a spectacular entertainment - but Domitian himself is a target for the old criminals' new schemes. Can the Undying Sun survive the winter solstice, or will criminal darkness descend upon Rome? Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series 'For a totally exhilarating romp through Ancient Rome, Lindsey Davis' latest Flavia Alba novel won't be beaten and offers an immersive experience of a vibrant world full of real, recognisable characters' Shotsmag 'In this witty novel by the mistress of Roman crime, the reader is transported behind the scenes of a Triumph into a fascinating world of actors, costumiers and animal trainers, all united in their hatred of the murdered man' Sunday Express Magazine 'Davis does her usual brilliant job of integrating the history of the period, warts and all, with a fast-paced and fair whodunit' Publishers Weekly

A Comedy of Terrors A Flavia Albia Novel

Reviews