SPQR III

Imagine you have served an assignment in a foreign land with the Military and just returned home. You are on your first day of a new civilian job. You are to represent you new employer in negotiations with a highly placed man. He invites you to dinner to discuss your business and he is murdered during the dinner's first course. Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger encounters this problem in "The Sacrilege."The Sacrilege is a novel with gripping action and complicated political intrigue. This is a murder mystery that reveals complex causes, significant questions of motive for murder, and fascinating details that tend to exclude and even reject suspects. The plot is often a maze of twists that keep the reader guessing."The Sacrilege" tells the story of Decius's investigation into a surprising crime against Rome and its religion. A secret rite of Bona Dea that excludes participation by males, has been infiltrated and desecrated. Some man has invaded the exclusive female worship service, in violation of Roman law and creed. Citizens criticize security, priests demand that someone pay, and the government is confused and only wishes to survive. Decius is assigned to discover the truth without upsetting prominent politicians.John Maddox Roberts paints realistic characters. He focuses sufficient detail on the main character Decius and his close associates, that they seem like people you have met. Decius, an aristocrat, demonstrates talent as an investigator but appears lacking in caution. Decius is frequently in trouble, usually with his life seriously threatened.The Sacrilege presents what appears to make historical parallels to modern America. Roman society pays successful soldiers with land (a retirement). Powerful men stress political gain over Constitutional duties (like recent Congressional ethics hearings). The growing wealth of the Uber rich threatens to turn poverty into near slavery (political pundits clam this about the current economy). In Robert's novel such events seem much more acceptable than they do in current times.The Sacrilege is a fun book that I highly recommend.

The end of this book leaves you wanting to read the next one in the series right away. Poor Decius is always getting into more trouble than he bargains for but he always solves a complex mystery. After leading the reader every which way possible, the ending was a complete surprise for me. Great read for lovers of mysteries.

In this third installment of the "SPQR" series, Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is charged to investigate a murder and scandal involving the Vestal temple. Late Republican Rome is rife with conspiracy, murder, and intrigue, and in this excellent novel the author combines an excellent mystery with humor and an interesting historical interpretation of those times. We learn that the aphorism that "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion" was met with derision and laughter in the context of this mystery. Decius is a hoot, and the reader will enjoy following him as he navigates the treacherous waters of Roman politics and society.The novel acquaints the reader with the fact that late Republican Rome was thoroughly corrupt. Its politics were controlled to a very great extent by political-criminal gangs, who would not hesitate to murder in order to achieve their ends. Perhaps most interesting are Decius' impressions of the leading Romans of the day, i.e. Pompey, Julius Caesar, and others. The author gets his history right, and that adds to the fascination of this series.A very enjoyable read. Highly recommended. RJB.

Number three in the SPQR series, and Decius Caecilius Metellus is investigating a very political case: what male noble spied on a sacred womens' ceremony in the house of up-and-coming politician Julius Caesar? Decius has compelling reasons to sort things out, since he is edging into a relationship (read, marriage contract) with Julius' niece, the redoubtable Julia. To call it love would be a little strong (Decius, after all, remains Decius) but she certainly widens his scope. The story moves from conspiracy to conspiracy, but the trip is eased by a vivid recreation of late Republican Rome, and by a very dry humor.

I have enjoyed all of the 13 books in this series. This is one of my favorites along with the Tribune's Curse, the River God's Vengeance, and the Year of Confusion. If you are interested in the audio books of this series - books III through XIII are narrated by John Lee who does a superb job. Books I and II are narrated by Simon Preble who, while I like some of the work he has done, I did not particularly like his rendition of the first two books of the SPQR series. John Lee does a much better job in his narration of books III through XIII.

In this third detective adventure of Decius, a little-known scion of the famous Caecilii Metelli, we again see many of our favorite characters including the devious Clodia, the clever Greek physician Asklepiodes, and Decius's irrascible father. This is a very interesting retelling and interpretion of the historical scandal of the sacrilege of the Festival of the Bona Dea by Publius Clodius Pulcher who entered the house of the Pontifex Maximus dressed as a woman. We also meet Hermes, Decius's wily slave boy who will continue to be his Watson as the series continues. Less didactic than the first two books, and very entertaining.

I didn’t care for the presentation or verbal use at all.

The Metellus stories are always enjoyable "on the bus" reading. I enjoyed this book particularly because of Decius irreverent attitude toward Julius Caesar. My only frustration is that there are several Decius Metellus short stories scattered about and I don't know where most of them are. I think I've seen one or two in anthologies called "Historical Whodunnits" and "Historical Detectives" and "Crime Through Time". I hope someday they will be gathered into a volume of their own.

Too bad Steven Saylor didn't wrote on this. That left John Maddox Roberts to write on one of the juicest moments of the Republic's twilight. Young Decius is perfectly true to his time, and so is his slave Hermes, appearing here for the first time. Their relationship it's an occasion for manuy funny moments.Here the sacrilege of the Bona Dea's rite it's an occasionfor investigation, for the sake of the scandalous Clodia. Decius will find there was more to it than foolish sacrilegious bravado on Clodius'part. A great series' fascinating chapter, showing Maddox Roberts interests in cults and rituals and exoterics.

It is a good read as it entertains you and helps you refresh your memory about ancient Rome