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Flavia Albia #5
The Third Nero
In 90 A.D., following the Saturninus revolt in Germany, the Emperor Domitian has become more paranoid about traitors and dissenters around him. This leads to several senators and even provincial governors facing charges and being executed for supposed crimes of conspiracy and insulting the emperor. Wanting to root out all the supports of Saturninus from the Senate, one of Domitian’s men offers to hire Flavia Alba to do some intelligence work.
Flavia Alba, daughter and chip off the old block of Marcus Didius Falco, would rather avoid any and all court intrigue, thank you very much. But she’s in a bit of a bind. Her wedding is fast approaching, her fiancé is still recovering—slowly—from being hit by a lightning bolt, and she’s the sole support of their household. So with more than a few reservations, she agrees to “investigate.”
Adding to the confusion is yet another Nero pretender has shown up in Parthia and is trying to rally support for his claim for the throne. With intrigue upon intrigue swirling around the capital city, it’s up to Albia to uncover what is—and isn’t—the real threat.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2017
215 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Lindsey Davis
98 books1,477 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 208 reviews
September 13, 2017
Lindsey Davis is a favorite author. There are NONE of her many books that I have missed. Even her stand alone book or two. I've read them. Always 3 and usually 4 stars, all of them. There were a few Falco's that just barely missed 5 stars. And the humor quotient is much better than in this one also. In some of the Falco's- the tongue in cheek is hilarious.
BUT THIS ONE!! Even the jokes are sarcasm and at times begin to feel bitter at their edges.
You may enjoy it much more if you know all the 30 sided cabals which plotted against Domitian as Emperor. This after Nero- and Rome has entirely left "the Republic".
There are approximately 50 to 60 different Roman names of 3 or 4 sequential nominal parts each. And they are NOT as easy to decipher as the Flavians were.
Plus Flavia is the poorest representative of a honeymoon period bride that I have ever read (I take that back, even in real life and after a disaster at the wedding- I don't think I've heard of a worse couple of weeks post wedding day). There's logical reasons why. BUT!! So there are myriads of snarky quips and double talk spymaster sessions here but almost nothing of JOY or of the Helena and Falco intermix at all. Just in mention by third parties. Neither of her Mother's brothers, the most interesting Uncles, even show their faces.
Lots of politico. Almost entirely politico of this turbulent period and the mystery, isn't.
I'll try again next time. Hope she cooks up some plotting that holds more than staff and politics.
BUT THIS ONE!! Even the jokes are sarcasm and at times begin to feel bitter at their edges.
You may enjoy it much more if you know all the 30 sided cabals which plotted against Domitian as Emperor. This after Nero- and Rome has entirely left "the Republic".
There are approximately 50 to 60 different Roman names of 3 or 4 sequential nominal parts each. And they are NOT as easy to decipher as the Flavians were.
Plus Flavia is the poorest representative of a honeymoon period bride that I have ever read (I take that back, even in real life and after a disaster at the wedding- I don't think I've heard of a worse couple of weeks post wedding day). There's logical reasons why. BUT!! So there are myriads of snarky quips and double talk spymaster sessions here but almost nothing of JOY or of the Helena and Falco intermix at all. Just in mention by third parties. Neither of her Mother's brothers, the most interesting Uncles, even show their faces.
Lots of politico. Almost entirely politico of this turbulent period and the mystery, isn't.
I'll try again next time. Hope she cooks up some plotting that holds more than staff and politics.
September 3, 2019
Davis has been writing about Rome in the first century C.E. for a long time. Her series on Flavia Albia has reached book 5 after writing many more about the guy who taught her the “informer” business, her father, Marcus Didius Falco.
The title refers to attempts to instigate revolution or overthrow of the Roman Empire by claiming that Nero still lives. According to this book, Domitian was paranoid (but not without reason) about threats to his rule. Parthia, suspicions say, is the source of these “Neros.” Flavia finds working for the government involves traction on a very slippery slope.
When the story opens, Flavia has been married for only a few hours. Reading the previous book would be helpful in understanding the start of her domestic life with a Roman aedile, Tiberius Manlius Faustas. He was struck by lightning just after their vows and is early in the mending process.
This book has more of what life in Rome was like including the domestic details that I crave – everything from etiquette for house guests to the hiring of servants for various duties. Davis also provides more details of the principal edifices of that era. For those enamored of “deep state” analogies, there is plenty here to enjoy.
The pace is slow, yet that would be no problem if the plot were handled with her usual skill. We find ourselves deep into the Roman equivalent of MI5 and she handles it as if it were a first draft by a John le Carre “wanna be.” There are too many instances where current slang is substituted for something more appropriate and too many characters mixed into the plot. I suspect that Quintus Julius Cordinus Gaius Rutilius Gallicus was a real person. Keeping track of so many who can be referred to by various names and titles was often tiresome. On the other hand, I doubt whether this exclamation (as humorous as it is intended) came from some contemporary text: “Catch me a centaur and strap a dildo on him! Albia, hand me that piece of shit!” I also believe I have found the first instance of Albia referring to herself as a “finder” --- a term that was superseded by “informer” even in the first series. (Finder is the term used by Steven Saylor in his excellent Roma sub Rosa series of a century earlier.)
This volume needed tightening and reworking to make it as good as the previous ones. I am hoping for better on the next round because I have not given up on the series. 2.5*
The title refers to attempts to instigate revolution or overthrow of the Roman Empire by claiming that Nero still lives. According to this book, Domitian was paranoid (but not without reason) about threats to his rule. Parthia, suspicions say, is the source of these “Neros.” Flavia finds working for the government involves traction on a very slippery slope.
When the story opens, Flavia has been married for only a few hours. Reading the previous book would be helpful in understanding the start of her domestic life with a Roman aedile, Tiberius Manlius Faustas. He was struck by lightning just after their vows and is early in the mending process.
This book has more of what life in Rome was like including the domestic details that I crave – everything from etiquette for house guests to the hiring of servants for various duties. Davis also provides more details of the principal edifices of that era. For those enamored of “deep state” analogies, there is plenty here to enjoy.
The pace is slow, yet that would be no problem if the plot were handled with her usual skill. We find ourselves deep into the Roman equivalent of MI5 and she handles it as if it were a first draft by a John le Carre “wanna be.” There are too many instances where current slang is substituted for something more appropriate and too many characters mixed into the plot. I suspect that Quintus Julius Cordinus Gaius Rutilius Gallicus was a real person. Keeping track of so many who can be referred to by various names and titles was often tiresome. On the other hand, I doubt whether this exclamation (as humorous as it is intended) came from some contemporary text: “Catch me a centaur and strap a dildo on him! Albia, hand me that piece of shit!” I also believe I have found the first instance of Albia referring to herself as a “finder” --- a term that was superseded by “informer” even in the first series. (Finder is the term used by Steven Saylor in his excellent Roma sub Rosa series of a century earlier.)
This volume needed tightening and reworking to make it as good as the previous ones. I am hoping for better on the next round because I have not given up on the series. 2.5*
September 17, 2017
I've been reading about the family of Marcus Didius Falco for 30 years... Daughter Flavia Albia is now working in the Rome of Emperor Domitian. This volume picks up where #4 left off, as Albia's bridegroom recovers from being struck by lightning, and includes Parthians, cataphracts, war elephants, Nero Redivivus, and apocalyptic literature. Falco's favorite "niece" Marcia makes an appearance as does a wondrous dancer from the earlier volumes. For the full background of the Didius family dealings with Domitian go back to the beginning and give a try. (The first 7 books in the original series are some of my favorites of all time - so of course, I'm predisposed to like these next -generation sequels.)
March 4, 2017
I find Davis an uneven writer: her history is nearly always good but her skills as a mystery novelist don't always live up to her ambition. I always had a problem with her Falco novels since the male narrator had what sounded like a female narrative voice to me. So I had high hopes that the latter point, at least, might be corrected in this new series which is voiced through a woman: Flavia Albia, Falco's adopted British daughter.
We're now in Rome in 89 CE and the paranoid Domitian is on the throne. Rumours abound that Nero isn't really dead but just waiting to pop back up again, and Flavia is called in to investigate. On a more personal level, her husband was struck by lightening during their wedding and Flavia isn't sure whether he will ever regain both his health and his pre-bolt-of-lightening personality...
This book didn't change my mind about Davis: there's lots of history which is good but it's often dropped in in a clumsy way so that almost every paragraph at the start is full of explanations: of customs, of geographies, of Rome's recent political past, even of the structures of Roman society and the various political offices. I appreciate that Davis wants to be sure that readers are orientated but a glossary might have been better as it just stopped the story getting going for me. She'd made the decision to have a long list of characters at the start, so why not deal with the history in the same way?
So overall I found this to be a clumsy story: the plot seems to be more a vehicle to write about the reign of Domitian and various resistances rather than a decent mystery. Dedicated Davis fans might like this more - I would have preferred a straightforward history rather than this in-between kind of book.
Review from an ARC from Amazon Vine
We're now in Rome in 89 CE and the paranoid Domitian is on the throne. Rumours abound that Nero isn't really dead but just waiting to pop back up again, and Flavia is called in to investigate. On a more personal level, her husband was struck by lightening during their wedding and Flavia isn't sure whether he will ever regain both his health and his pre-bolt-of-lightening personality...
This book didn't change my mind about Davis: there's lots of history which is good but it's often dropped in in a clumsy way so that almost every paragraph at the start is full of explanations: of customs, of geographies, of Rome's recent political past, even of the structures of Roman society and the various political offices. I appreciate that Davis wants to be sure that readers are orientated but a glossary might have been better as it just stopped the story getting going for me. She'd made the decision to have a long list of characters at the start, so why not deal with the history in the same way?
So overall I found this to be a clumsy story: the plot seems to be more a vehicle to write about the reign of Domitian and various resistances rather than a decent mystery. Dedicated Davis fans might like this more - I would have preferred a straightforward history rather than this in-between kind of book.
Review from an ARC from Amazon Vine
July 5, 2017
This is a clever, entertaining and mentally engaging history set back in 90 AD when the emperor Domitian is a paranoid man who is constantly on the lookout for traitors. He hires inquiry agent Flavia Alba to look into yet another fake Nero. You can tell the author does her research but still makes things fun with a wryly humorous and surprisingly relevant narrative.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine.
January 6, 2022
It's Rome 89 A.D., just three days after the end of the previous book which saw Flavia Albia wed Tiberius Manlius Faustus, the man she loves. Of course the groom just happened to get struck by lightning on his wedding day so he's still not feeling 100%. This is a source of worry for Albia who is also faced with the task of setting up a new household. Then, to top things off, she soon finds herself drawn into the frustrating and dangerous world of imperial palace politics, a place she never wanted to be, but when the stability of the government (already a train wreck in Albia's eyes) is at stake there isn't much choice.
This book had more history on the politics of ancient Rome's dealings with neighboring countries/provinces than previous books. Since I'm not very knowledgeable about this particular time period I found myself losing the story thread at times. I also felt the loss of Faustus who was understandably less active this time around. The combination of these two things made this not my favorite book in the series. Still, Albia's wit is ever present and that's always fun.
This book had more history on the politics of ancient Rome's dealings with neighboring countries/provinces than previous books. Since I'm not very knowledgeable about this particular time period I found myself losing the story thread at times. I also felt the loss of Faustus who was understandably less active this time around. The combination of these two things made this not my favorite book in the series. Still, Albia's wit is ever present and that's always fun.
November 20, 2017
Lindsey Davis seems to have decided that Flavia Albia's adventures should do a tour of all the hills of ancient Rome, and explore what the different parts of the city got up to. The resulting tour is always fascinating, and she continues to serve up the soap opera of the family Didii. This is the Palatine Hill novel set in the palace precinct. Note that this is NOT a mystery novel - it's a deviation into the spy thriller genre with occasional knowing James Bond references. Unfortunately, that part was less successful. The palace plot in question was both convoluted and lacked real plausible menace, building to a colossal final action setpiece in which I completely lost track of all the various players motives, plans, or activities. She's also lapsed into an odd memoir style in which the narrator says things like "years later, when Domitian was deposed...", and we know that so far she's not writing alternative history so we expect it to be true, but that combination completely undermines the "threat" that plotters are going to overthrow the emperor in two weeks time. A disappointing finish.
May 27, 2017
I am beginning to believe that Davis sat down one day and decided that writing a mystery novel would be easy, they could do it, no problem; but no one has ever bothered to tell the author that in order to write a mystery, there...needs...to...be...erm...a mystery?
Has someone told them? Like seriously? Because as wonderfully engrossing as Flavia's world is, there is about 0.05% mystery contained in each novel, and that's not good. I am fascinated by the world as interpreted by Davis; it is clear and deep and interesting, with actual fleshed-out people and opinions and ceremonies and habits, but the world entirely overshadows any and all visible plot. I have found that not only do the endings make no sense, I completely fail to understand whodunit, and why, because by the end of it, it's so tangled up I think even Davis is confused. And...that's not good.
I'd love to read more in this series- provided that there is a coherent, linear and tangible mystery woven amongst the compelling history lecture.
Has someone told them? Like seriously? Because as wonderfully engrossing as Flavia's world is, there is about 0.05% mystery contained in each novel, and that's not good. I am fascinated by the world as interpreted by Davis; it is clear and deep and interesting, with actual fleshed-out people and opinions and ceremonies and habits, but the world entirely overshadows any and all visible plot. I have found that not only do the endings make no sense, I completely fail to understand whodunit, and why, because by the end of it, it's so tangled up I think even Davis is confused. And...that's not good.
I'd love to read more in this series- provided that there is a coherent, linear and tangible mystery woven amongst the compelling history lecture.
December 29, 2018
This exciting Roman mystery is the 5th volume of the fascinating Flavia Albia series.
This series is getting better and better all the time concerning suspense and excitement, and every now and then there are some comparisons towards her famous (fictional) foster-father Falco, which makes me glad.
Story-telling is of a top-notch quality because this book is easy to read and to follow, and because all the characters come vividly to life within this thrilling story, and the background details are superbly described in this great book.
The book contains a wonderful map of the Palatine Hill and it's surroundings in Rome, while you'll also find a great list of delightful characters, real and fictional, who are featuring within this superb story.
The tale is once more set in Rome itself and in the year AD 89 during the Reign of the tyrannical and paranoid Emperor Domitian.
This tale is about Flavia Albia, who after her husband's accident and having no funds, is asked by Palace officials to help to expose a plotter within the Secretariat, but when she starts to investigate the plot could not be bigger, because in Rome there's someone who presents himself as the long dead Emperor Nero with the help of the Parthians and the Roman plotter.
What will follow is a thrilling and captivating mystery in which Flavia Albia is plunged headlong into a conspiracy, whereby she has to infiltrate the house of the Parthians, formerly Anacrites's house, where the imposter is living, and also she has to negotiate with spies, but most dangerous of all she has to deal with assassins sent by the Palace traitor, and so in a race against time, for Emperor Domitian is to be expected home soon in Rome, she has to do her utmost and remain cunning in all situations to be able to expose the imposter in the end.
Very much recommended, for this book is in my opinion; "Another Thrilling Flavia Albia Mystery"!
This series is getting better and better all the time concerning suspense and excitement, and every now and then there are some comparisons towards her famous (fictional) foster-father Falco, which makes me glad.
Story-telling is of a top-notch quality because this book is easy to read and to follow, and because all the characters come vividly to life within this thrilling story, and the background details are superbly described in this great book.
The book contains a wonderful map of the Palatine Hill and it's surroundings in Rome, while you'll also find a great list of delightful characters, real and fictional, who are featuring within this superb story.
The tale is once more set in Rome itself and in the year AD 89 during the Reign of the tyrannical and paranoid Emperor Domitian.
This tale is about Flavia Albia, who after her husband's accident and having no funds, is asked by Palace officials to help to expose a plotter within the Secretariat, but when she starts to investigate the plot could not be bigger, because in Rome there's someone who presents himself as the long dead Emperor Nero with the help of the Parthians and the Roman plotter.
What will follow is a thrilling and captivating mystery in which Flavia Albia is plunged headlong into a conspiracy, whereby she has to infiltrate the house of the Parthians, formerly Anacrites's house, where the imposter is living, and also she has to negotiate with spies, but most dangerous of all she has to deal with assassins sent by the Palace traitor, and so in a race against time, for Emperor Domitian is to be expected home soon in Rome, she has to do her utmost and remain cunning in all situations to be able to expose the imposter in the end.
Very much recommended, for this book is in my opinion; "Another Thrilling Flavia Albia Mystery"!
June 11, 2017
I really wanted to like this one, but it didn't grab me. Usually I am a huge fan, but on this book I feel she dropped the ball. The plot was convoluted and not particularly interesting, and there was less witty banter than usual. I still love Davis's vision of Flavian Rome and will read the next one.
January 3, 2018
I always love spending time with Flavia Albia! Although this isn't my favourite story of the series, the recreation of Domitian Rome is fascinating.
August 9, 2017
Not a bad installment, was pleased to see Flavia working with the emperor's minions
January 8, 2018
I was hooked on the earlier Falco series, so it was a logical progression to move into the Albia series following the adventures/life of Flavia, adopted daughter of Falco and Helena. She knows the ins and outs of being investigator, but the times in Rome are different under Domentian's rule.
Flavia has some personal challenges as well as being hired to do some very sensitive and dangerous investigatory work. She has just been married and her husband was struck by lightning in the bridal march. Does any of this stop her when she is called on to find a traitor in the palace who is trying to foist yet another fake Nero on the public? She is up for the challenge, of course.
The action is pretty gnarly including a behemoth elephant on the run.
This Flavia book has less humor than the previous four, I think, and one tends to miss the presence of Falco. I will keep on reading these Roman historicals as long as Lindsey Davis continues to write them.
Flavia has some personal challenges as well as being hired to do some very sensitive and dangerous investigatory work. She has just been married and her husband was struck by lightning in the bridal march. Does any of this stop her when she is called on to find a traitor in the palace who is trying to foist yet another fake Nero on the public? She is up for the challenge, of course.
The action is pretty gnarly including a behemoth elephant on the run.
This Flavia book has less humor than the previous four, I think, and one tends to miss the presence of Falco. I will keep on reading these Roman historicals as long as Lindsey Davis continues to write them.
July 19, 2017
Set shortly after the events of "The Graveyard of the Hesperides", Flavia is dealing with the fall out from the wedding and a plot upon the Palantine. As the book's title suggests, someone is posing as Nero...again. But this one is a little more serious. This one holds a traitor at the heart of Domitian's bureacracy.
"The Third Nero" fairly bounces along. As per usual some of Flavia Albia's family make an appearance. In this case her cousins Marcia Didiia, and Marius. Also making an appearance is the exotic dancer/assassin Perella.
A nicely plotted little yarn which is vintage Lindsey Davis.
Highly recommended.
"The Third Nero" fairly bounces along. As per usual some of Flavia Albia's family make an appearance. In this case her cousins Marcia Didiia, and Marius. Also making an appearance is the exotic dancer/assassin Perella.
A nicely plotted little yarn which is vintage Lindsey Davis.
Highly recommended.
April 20, 2020
I usually love Davis's books, and I am completely in love with Flavia Albia and her world, but I found this book boring. Instead of solving a murder, Flavia Albia is commissioned to investigate a plot against the emperor. What follows is description heavy and whodunit light.
August 13, 2019
Another excellent outing in one of my favorite series.
Well, the blurb is pretty good except that it does get one important fact wrong. Our stalwart Manlius Faustus was struck by lightning after the wedding. Poor Flavia Albia spent her wedding night worried that her husband might die. No spoiler--he survives. Now it is back to business.
In between trying to hire staff for the new household, furnish the house, advise on the remodeling thereof, and worrying over her husband's recovery, Flavia gets sucked into major palace intrigue.
It starts with a simple job--interview the widows of the two provincial governors who were recently executed for crimes against the Empire. As with all of Flavia's cases nothing stays simple.
The author deftly blends the domestic comedy with the all too serious political intrigue--liberally spiced with a measure of snark. This time we are dealing with foreign intrigue (the Parthians! complete with war elephant!). Someone at the palace is aiding the Parthians in their false Nero plot. But who? With Emperor Domitian due back from the frontier at any time, finding the traitor becomes critically important. The plot is complicated and the cast of characters is large, but the author has it all under control. It is all tied up quite nicely by the end. Flavia can now go back to worrying about all the household problems.
This book can stand on its own, as the author drops in enough background to keep a new reader informed. Longtime readers can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Well, the blurb is pretty good except that it does get one important fact wrong. Our stalwart Manlius Faustus was struck by lightning after the wedding. Poor Flavia Albia spent her wedding night worried that her husband might die. No spoiler--he survives. Now it is back to business.
In between trying to hire staff for the new household, furnish the house, advise on the remodeling thereof, and worrying over her husband's recovery, Flavia gets sucked into major palace intrigue.
It starts with a simple job--interview the widows of the two provincial governors who were recently executed for crimes against the Empire. As with all of Flavia's cases nothing stays simple.
The author deftly blends the domestic comedy with the all too serious political intrigue--liberally spiced with a measure of snark. This time we are dealing with foreign intrigue (the Parthians! complete with war elephant!). Someone at the palace is aiding the Parthians in their false Nero plot. But who? With Emperor Domitian due back from the frontier at any time, finding the traitor becomes critically important. The plot is complicated and the cast of characters is large, but the author has it all under control. It is all tied up quite nicely by the end. Flavia can now go back to worrying about all the household problems.
This book can stand on its own, as the author drops in enough background to keep a new reader informed. Longtime readers can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
February 10, 2018
The plot of this book leans heavily on contemporary events, read the events of 2017: Plotters in Rome are colluding with a foreign power (Parthia) to bring to power a friendly emperor (a fake Nero). It has historical credibility in so far that after his death, Nero indeed remained popular with the masses, and there were several claimants who pretended to be the last Julio-Claudian emperor. The basic story of the Third Nero is historical reality.
But instead of sending Flava Albia and her new husband to the East, where all this might have some plausibility and excitement, Davis keeps her in Rome, entangling her in a complex palace plot. That story develops very slowly. Davis has to introduce a large new cast of characters, which feels a bit as if this is a transition novel and she wants to re-use them for later books. She also indulges in elaborating the plot with various sidelines. And we get an historical update on Nero's famous Domus Aurea using the latest archeological insights. So far, so good.
Alas, for lack of a good resolution of the whodunnit (it all becomes a bit too obvious), we have to settle for a series of scenes that were intended to be entertaining but instead are increasingly implausible. The provide some kind of finale, the writer really throws everything into a loud, completely over the top-action scene, a bit too reminiscent of every bad movie you have ever seen. Davis has done that in other books to good effect, but this is not written well enough to be really funny, and it wraps things up rather too untidily. Frankly, it is a mess.
But instead of sending Flava Albia and her new husband to the East, where all this might have some plausibility and excitement, Davis keeps her in Rome, entangling her in a complex palace plot. That story develops very slowly. Davis has to introduce a large new cast of characters, which feels a bit as if this is a transition novel and she wants to re-use them for later books. She also indulges in elaborating the plot with various sidelines. And we get an historical update on Nero's famous Domus Aurea using the latest archeological insights. So far, so good.
Alas, for lack of a good resolution of the whodunnit (it all becomes a bit too obvious), we have to settle for a series of scenes that were intended to be entertaining but instead are increasingly implausible. The provide some kind of finale, the writer really throws everything into a loud, completely over the top-action scene, a bit too reminiscent of every bad movie you have ever seen. Davis has done that in other books to good effect, but this is not written well enough to be really funny, and it wraps things up rather too untidily. Frankly, it is a mess.
November 17, 2017
Set in the reign of Emperor Domitian, the title tells the plot - the third attempt to overthrow Domitian by a man set up as a pretender to be the previous Emperor Nero. Flavia Albia finds herself unwillingly dragged into the attempts to route out the pretender and his backer.
As always, the Roman settings are impeccably accurate as is Lindsey's attention to historical detail. I enjoyed reading all of her Falco books and have found Flavia a delight. For me, this book bucks the trend. It is a book in two halves, with the first half a long-winded, but lightly delivered, recounting of the history of the previous two false Neros.
It is a pity that Flavia's newly acquired husband does not recover quickly from having been struck by lightening at the end of the previous book in the series, and thus has almost no part to play in the first half of this one.
In the second half, Lindsey returns to her usual style with Flavia's shrewd and amusing insights into the inhabitants of and life in Rome - and a pacy and exciting ending.
As always, the Roman settings are impeccably accurate as is Lindsey's attention to historical detail. I enjoyed reading all of her Falco books and have found Flavia a delight. For me, this book bucks the trend. It is a book in two halves, with the first half a long-winded, but lightly delivered, recounting of the history of the previous two false Neros.
It is a pity that Flavia's newly acquired husband does not recover quickly from having been struck by lightening at the end of the previous book in the series, and thus has almost no part to play in the first half of this one.
In the second half, Lindsey returns to her usual style with Flavia's shrewd and amusing insights into the inhabitants of and life in Rome - and a pacy and exciting ending.
November 26, 2018
Tres estrellas porque adoro a los personajes y me gusta volver al mundo de los Falco siempre que puedo. Pero realmente se merecía dos.
El caso en este libro es una intriga política muy descafeinada, se echa en falta un antagonista a la altura de Anacrites para Albia, porque en ningún momento me ha dado la sensación de que corriera peligro.
Solo nos encontramos a la mejor Davis en la recta final donde da rienda suelta su humor inglés y logra rematar la novela de forma satisfactoria.
El caso en este libro es una intriga política muy descafeinada, se echa en falta un antagonista a la altura de Anacrites para Albia, porque en ningún momento me ha dado la sensación de que corriera peligro.
Solo nos encontramos a la mejor Davis en la recta final donde da rienda suelta su humor inglés y logra rematar la novela de forma satisfactoria.
August 15, 2017
A particular highlight of this installment was the return of Perella, the notorious dancer, assassin, and spy who featured in several of the Falco novels, whom we are pleased to learn has lived to see Domitian's Rome, and despite her rather advanced age, manages to take part in the action. One can only hope that she will be a recurring character in future Flavia Albia books.
July 23, 2018
Como toooodos los libros de la saga de Didio Falco y ahora su hija adoptiva, no decepcionan. Lindsay Davis siempre consigue introducirte de la realidad a la antigua Roma desde el primer párrafo. Histórica, intriga y un tremendo sentido del humor que hace esperar con ilusión cada nuevo título.
July 16, 2017
Another fun excursion into ancient Rome with Flavia Albia.
April 14, 2025
Flavia Albia ist dabei, sich kurz nach ihrer Eheschließung in ihrem neuen Haushalt zurechtzufinden, und sorgt sich um ihren Frischangetrauten, der noch sehr unter den Nachwehen des Blitzschlags leidet, der ihn noch am Hochzeitstag getroffen hat. So ganz er selbst ist er noch nicht wieder nach diesem Schock. Auch mit der spärlichen Dienerschaft läuft es noch nicht so ganz rund und ein Großteil des Hauses ist Baustelle.
Aber die Welt da draußen bleibt nicht stehen. Zwei Provinz-Würdenträger sterben unter rätselhaften Umständen, und es ist die Rede davon, dass wieder einmal ein Hochstapler sein Unwesen treibt, der behauptet, der verstorbene (oder vielleicht doch nicht so verstorbene) Nero zu sein. Am kaiserlichen Hof Domitians ist man beunruhigt. Man fürchtet Aufruhr und möchte wissen, wer dahinter steckt. Ist der Pseudo-Nero nur ein einzelner schräger Vogel oder stecken Feinde des Kaisers dahinter, eventuell gar solche aus dem Ausland?
Albia soll nun helfen, das auf diskrete Weise herauszubekommen, und schleust sich in Schreibstuben kaiserlicher Beamten genauso ein wie in die Residenz eines unberechenbaren Fürsten aus Parthia. Doch irgendwann kommt sie der Wahrheit schon fast ein bisschen zu nahe und es wird heikel.
Die politischeren Fälle im römischen Krimi-Universum von Lindsey Davis kenne ich als ziemlich komplex, da macht auch dieser Band keine Ausnahme. Wer sich hier mit wem warum gegen wen verschworen haben könnte ist eine ganz schöne Kopfnuss, und die zahlreichen römischen Namen, die sich alle irgendwie ähneln, machen es nicht einfacher, den Durchblick zu behalten. Dass ich oft nur häppchenweise lesen konnte, hat nicht direkt geholfen.
Letztendlich ist das aber alles gar nicht so übermäßig wichtig. Hilfreicherweise gibt es auch hier wieder das übliche Personenverzeichnis zum Nachschlagen, und die relevantesten Zusammenhänge wurden deutlich genug, dass ich unterm Strich doch Spaß am Buch hatte. Dazu trägt natürlich auch der leicht selbstironische Tonfall der Ich-Erzählerin bei, ebenso die kleinen Schmunzelszenen zwischendurch, die die angespannte Stimmung immer wieder auflockern. Ziemlich interessant sind auch die Beschreibungen des "Domus aurea" und seiner Umgebung auf dem Palatin, vor allem Neros drehbarer Speisesaal hat mich da echt fasziniert.
Im letzten Drittel zieht die Spannung noch mal deutlich an und läuft auf einen Showdown von ungewöhnlichen Ausmaßen (und mit besonderen Beteiligten) hinaus, der mich bis zur letzten Seite in Atem gehalten hat ... auch wenn sich mal wieder bestätigt hat, dass ich die weniger politischen Fälle von Falco bzw. Albia lieber mag, weil ich ihnen besser folgen kann.
Aber die Welt da draußen bleibt nicht stehen. Zwei Provinz-Würdenträger sterben unter rätselhaften Umständen, und es ist die Rede davon, dass wieder einmal ein Hochstapler sein Unwesen treibt, der behauptet, der verstorbene (oder vielleicht doch nicht so verstorbene) Nero zu sein. Am kaiserlichen Hof Domitians ist man beunruhigt. Man fürchtet Aufruhr und möchte wissen, wer dahinter steckt. Ist der Pseudo-Nero nur ein einzelner schräger Vogel oder stecken Feinde des Kaisers dahinter, eventuell gar solche aus dem Ausland?
Albia soll nun helfen, das auf diskrete Weise herauszubekommen, und schleust sich in Schreibstuben kaiserlicher Beamten genauso ein wie in die Residenz eines unberechenbaren Fürsten aus Parthia. Doch irgendwann kommt sie der Wahrheit schon fast ein bisschen zu nahe und es wird heikel.
Die politischeren Fälle im römischen Krimi-Universum von Lindsey Davis kenne ich als ziemlich komplex, da macht auch dieser Band keine Ausnahme. Wer sich hier mit wem warum gegen wen verschworen haben könnte ist eine ganz schöne Kopfnuss, und die zahlreichen römischen Namen, die sich alle irgendwie ähneln, machen es nicht einfacher, den Durchblick zu behalten. Dass ich oft nur häppchenweise lesen konnte, hat nicht direkt geholfen.
Letztendlich ist das aber alles gar nicht so übermäßig wichtig. Hilfreicherweise gibt es auch hier wieder das übliche Personenverzeichnis zum Nachschlagen, und die relevantesten Zusammenhänge wurden deutlich genug, dass ich unterm Strich doch Spaß am Buch hatte. Dazu trägt natürlich auch der leicht selbstironische Tonfall der Ich-Erzählerin bei, ebenso die kleinen Schmunzelszenen zwischendurch, die die angespannte Stimmung immer wieder auflockern. Ziemlich interessant sind auch die Beschreibungen des "Domus aurea" und seiner Umgebung auf dem Palatin, vor allem Neros drehbarer Speisesaal hat mich da echt fasziniert.
Im letzten Drittel zieht die Spannung noch mal deutlich an und läuft auf einen Showdown von ungewöhnlichen Ausmaßen (und mit besonderen Beteiligten) hinaus, der mich bis zur letzten Seite in Atem gehalten hat ... auch wenn sich mal wieder bestätigt hat, dass ich die weniger politischen Fälle von Falco bzw. Albia lieber mag, weil ich ihnen besser folgen kann.
November 7, 2021
This is my second book from this series. (I know I went out of order...but not sure it mattered)
I love ancient Rome stories and finished all the books from Steven Saylor's detective Gordianus, so I thought I would give Davis a try. I know I shouldn't compare authors but it is so hard NOT to.
As an example, I love Pentatonix, the acapella singing group. Every time I listen to a song of theirs, a cover, or as we Pentaholics call it, an 'upgrade', I find it hard to listen to the 'original' song without saying... 'yeah, that was nice, but PTX's version is AMAZING.'
that is how I feel when I read Davis' books. I just don't get the same love and attraction to the characters and the story like I do with Saylor. But, of course, that is only my opinion.
the one thing I took away from this story was a piece of history I did not know. After Nero's death, there were three people who claimed to be Nero!!! First of all WHY? Second, WHY? I actually did some research and read about that part of history. So I learned something which is always my goal!!
I love ancient Rome stories and finished all the books from Steven Saylor's detective Gordianus, so I thought I would give Davis a try. I know I shouldn't compare authors but it is so hard NOT to.
As an example, I love Pentatonix, the acapella singing group. Every time I listen to a song of theirs, a cover, or as we Pentaholics call it, an 'upgrade', I find it hard to listen to the 'original' song without saying... 'yeah, that was nice, but PTX's version is AMAZING.'
that is how I feel when I read Davis' books. I just don't get the same love and attraction to the characters and the story like I do with Saylor. But, of course, that is only my opinion.
the one thing I took away from this story was a piece of history I did not know. After Nero's death, there were three people who claimed to be Nero!!! First of all WHY? Second, WHY? I actually did some research and read about that part of history. So I learned something which is always my goal!!
August 6, 2021
2021 bk 249. Albia is beside herself. The newly married couple are heavily in debt, the uncle refuses to release Tiberius' inheritance, her borrowed slaves are arguing, and her husband, who was badly injured at their wedding, barely responds to questions about the Games (which he is one of 4 in charge of arranging). What's a woman to do? Exactly what her father told her not to do - go to work for the Emperor's Agents. This one brings back numerous characters from her father's years working for the Empire as she helps to search for details about a plot to unseat Domitian as Emperor. This work, more than the others, is more reflective of the last ten of the Didius Marcus Falco books - but show more maturity in the plotting. Well done!
November 29, 2018
I received a copy of The Third Nero from Hachette Australia to review.
I did a short review of this book in the Canberra Weekly:
Originally reviewed back in June 2017, I have re-published this review on my blog as part of my Throwback Thursday series.
Click the link below to see my reivew of the sequel of this book, Pandora's Boy:
For other interesting reviews, visit my blog at:
I did a short review of this book in the Canberra Weekly:
Originally reviewed back in June 2017, I have re-published this review on my blog as part of my Throwback Thursday series.
Click the link below to see my reivew of the sequel of this book, Pandora's Boy:
For other interesting reviews, visit my blog at:
September 12, 2017
Not exactly a "new Series" as stated by the blurb--this is number 5 and Flavia Alba is well into her own by now. Davis keeps up her humor and a 30 year old Roman matron is almost as much fun as her father, Marcus Didius Falco, who still manages a cameo from time to time. Many of the other Didii show up, but this is still all about Flavia Alba as she negotiates a perilous journey through the reign of Domitian. This book is all about the political intrigue of late 1st century Rome, perhaps too much history for some readers, but wonderful for those of us who enjoy that detail. Ms Davis is a spectacular researcher and even better storyteller--keep them coming!
December 29, 2021
A book which I have only read because I want to finish my reading goal of this year... No real connection with the protagonist Flavia Albia. In my opinion way too much explaining of things which do not always matter. The only thing I must comment to the writer is that the accuracy as to when the time is set is quite well researched!
February 13, 2023
Another adventure of Flavia Albia, informer (private detective) of ancient Rome, nicely read by Lucy Brown. I must admit that I don't always totally keep track of the plot in these books, but I do love all the details of everyday life in ancient Rome, which are conveyed casually and realistically, merely as part of the story.
May 12, 2024
This book in the series was a bit hard to follow in the beginning as there are a lot of characters and names involved. This by itself may not seem like too big of a deal, if you possess more knowledge Roman history than just being familiar with it, as myself. I did truly like the political aspect of this particular book and found it quite fascinating.
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