SPQR II: The Catiline Conspiracy

by John Maddox Roberts

Overview

It was a summer of glorious triumph for the mighty Roman Republic. Her invincible legions had brought all foreign enemies to their knees. But in Rome there was no peace. The streets were flooded with the blood of murdered citizens, and there were rumors of more atrocities to come. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger was convinced a conspiracy existed to overthrow the government-a sinister cabal that could only be destroyed from within. But admission into the traitorous society of evil carried a grim price: the life of Decius's closest friend...and maybe his own.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312277062
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/21/2001
Series:	The SPQR Roman Mysteries , #2
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	683,642
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

John Maddox Roberts is the author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. SPQR XIII: The Year of Confusion was published in 2010. He lives in New Mexico with his wife.

Editorial Reviews

Roberts again proves that he's perfectly at home in the urban sprawl of ancient Rome.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Roberts ( SPQR ) again proves that he's perfectly at home in the urban sprawl of ancient Rome as his sleuth Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger follows a trail of suspicious deaths to the heart of a dangerous conspiracy. When a banker and a building contractor are murdered in the street, Roman officials are disinterested. Although the second murder was clumsily amateurish, Decius suspects the murders are related and ominous portents of things to come: he also has stumbled on a cache of arms hidden in the Temple of Saturn. Well born but temporarily stuck in a low-level government job, Decius needs only to contrive a bit of grumbling at parties to gain a reputation as a malcontent--and an invitation to further his ambitions by joining Lucius Sergius Catilina's treasonous bid for power. As Decius pursues the investigation, his account is spiced with observations on Rome's politics and personalities. Readers familiar with the period will be entertained by passing references, such as to the posturing Julius Caesar or to young Catullus, fresh from the country and besotted with Clodia. ( Apr. )

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Roberts’s historical mystery, set amid the Roman Empire, fascinates with its vivid imagery and wit. Murder, mayhem, and wild debauchery surround sleuth Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger as he investigates several murders. Decius navigates Rome's banquets, theatrical effects, and seedy urban underbelly, while treasonous bids for power veil the more significant clues. He uncovers a cache of weapons hidden in the temple of Saturn and a plot to overthrow Rome's government. Simon Vance adeptly pronounces the Latin names, titles, and terms, and infuses the characters with memorable vocal attributes—accents, age differences, irony, and compelling emphasis. He employs prosaic tones even while describing the "divine connections" of gods and goddesses, mythology, and ominous portents and superstition that touch upon everyday life and politics in ancient Rome. Cameos of true historical figures shine with Vance's inflections. A.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2009 - AudioFile