See Delphi and Die

Marcus Didius Falco, Book 17

By: Lindsey Davis

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Greece, home of the ancient Olympic Games, is a favourite destination for Seven Sights Travel, a seedy company which provides escorted tours for wealthy travellers. When Marcus Didius Falco and Helena hear that a young girl and a newly-wed woman, both Roman visitors, have been murdered at Olympia, they both step in to investigate.©2006 Lindsey Davis (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The author's vivid picture of life in A.D. 76 and the sparkling characterizations, particularly the amusing byplay between Falco and Helena, will satisfy most readers." (Publishers Weekly)
"If Sam Spade traveled back in time to A.D. 76, he'd be Marcus Didius Falco, the Roman sleuth at the center of Davis' mordant series." (Booklist)

This is the third one I've read in the series.....

Seems to me our main character "Falco" just develops more and more. This one was a real mystery, with lots of twists and turns. You may need a strong stomach for some of this story. ( I don't want to give away any of it, just a heads up) If you've read any of my other reviews, you know I read lots of historical novels. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys mystery and history.

Off to Ancient Greece!

This time Falco & Co. head to Greece and we get to go along for the ride , visit some sites, all while Falco solves this latest serial murder story. It’s a great trip, though the accommodations could be better at times. We also get to review some Greek mythology (so it is a good thing I recently listened to Stephen Fry’s trilogy - I got to enjoy the references to mythology much more). Rodska did a fine job reading this entertaining book.

History and Fun

If you loved "I, Claudius", you will love this. Although set 2000 years ago, it reminds me of my recent trip to the same area. Also, I love the British accents for Roman characters a la "Claudius." A fun read for history and mystery readers and for those planning a trip to Italy and Greece.

"Life must go

This is the 1 7th in the Marcus Didius Falco series and as vibrant, informative and funny as when I first read it in paperback many years ago. When Falco's brother in law,asks for help to solve the brutal murder of a recently married young woman who, with her husband, had been part of a group touring Greece for fun, reluctantly Falco, his wife Helena and their dog (plus several other young relatives) join the travel company to find out and stop the killer who might have killed before. Great characters, convoluted and intriguing plot and a brilliantly visual armchair trip around some of the best visitor sites of ancient Olympia, Athens and Delphi.
Christian Rodska again narrates, adding colour to the scenery and attitude to the protagonists: another excellent performance.
The book is a highly recommended stand alone especially for those who enjoy their mysteries combined with the eccentricities of a private detective (informer) in AD 76.

Touring Ancient Greece

One of the best parts about this book was the way Davis caught the standard annoyances of swanning around the country as part of a tour group. In this case Falco's family group is chasing after a tour on which a young woman had been killed. Touring was quite popular in the Roman Empire during Falco's time and even now it is possible to find Roman graffiti on ancient monuments thus proving that the urge to leave some personal mark cuts across the ages.

Anyway there are shady tour operators, annoying and importunate guides, bad lodging, worse food and lots and lots about Greece.

The narrator does a fine job of giving Falco a believable voice.

So much fun...

I agree completely with the review that characterized Ms. Davis' Falco novels as an Ancient Roman version of Moonlighting -- although Helena is not as tetchy as Maddie Hayes.
Mr. Rodska is pitch-perfect as narrator.