S.P.Q.R. V: Saturnalia: 5 (Spqr Roman Mysteries) - Softcover

Roberts, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312320183 ISBN 13: 9780312320188

Publisher: Griffin, 2003

Synopsis

Every culture has its wild entertainment, but the Roman Saturnalia is looked upon as the granddaddy of them all.

Roberts's vivid fictional account of the annual event takes place in first century Rome is a historically correct picture of excess, with the city's ordinary life shut down, all rules and most laws inoperative, and even slaves permitted to celebrate without restraint. At the same time, the noted family of Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger have reluctantly summoned the young playboy, banished to the island of Rhodes for his wild ways, to seek his help in solving a crime that touches them directly and dangerously. They need him to use his investigative talents to look into the poison death of a politically powerful relative and the suspicion that it is the man's wife who administered the dose. Decius, convinced she is innocent (of this murder, at any rate) looks further for the killer---a quest that leads him to a secret, banned cult of witchcraft being practiced by highborn Romans of both sexes. With the witches at his heels, Decius plunges into the maelstrom of Rome at the height of Saturnalia, and barely escapes with his life.

About this title

Review:

"A lean, fast-moving, satisfying book."
--"-Detroit Free Press" on "SPQR V: Saturnalia"
A lean, fast-moving, satisfying book. "Detroit Free Press on SPQR V: Saturnalia""

A lean, fast-moving, satisfying book. Detroit Free Press on SPQR V: Saturnalia"

"A lean, fast-moving, satisfying book." --Detroit Free Press on SPQR V: Saturnalia

About the Author:

John Maddox Roberts is the author of several works of science fiction and some modern mysteries. There are eight books already published in hardcover in the series featuring the Roman Decius Metellus, and they are being reissued in this paperback format. The author and his wife have recently moved from Virginia to a home in New Mexico.

About this edition

• Publisher: Griffin
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0312320183
• ISBN 13: 9780312320188
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288