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Lindsey Davis
‘I still can’t believe I’ve put the bastard away for good!’ Petro muttered. Petronius Longus, captain of the Aventine watch and Falco’s oldest friend, has finally nailed on of Rome’s top criminals. Under Roman law citizens are not imprisoned but are allowed ‘time to depart’ into exile outside the Empire. One dark and gloomy dawn Petro and Falcoput the evit Balbinus aboard ship. But soon after, an outbreak of robbery and murder suggest a new criminal ring has moved into Balbinus’ territory. Petro and Falco must descend into the underworld of Vespasian’s Rome to investigate…
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Lindsey Davis has written nineteen novels, beginning with The Course of Honour , the love story of the Emperor Vespasian and Antonia Caenis. Her bestselling mystery series features laid-back First Century detective Marcus Didius Falco and his partner Helena Justina, plus friends, relations, pets and bitter enemy the Chief Spy. Her books are translated into many languages and serialised on BBC Radio 4. Past Chair of the Crimewriters’ Association and a Vice President of the Classical Association, she has won the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger, the Dagger in the Library, and a Sherlock award for Falco as Best Comic Detective. She was born in Birmingham but now lives in London.
topAbout the Book
‘I still can’t believe I’ve put the bastard away for good!’ Petro muttered. Petronius Longus, captain of the Aventine watch and Falco’s oldest friend, has finally nailed on of Rome’s top criminals. Under Roman law citizens are not imprisoned but are allowed ‘time to depart’ into exile outside the Empire. One dark and gloomy dawn Petro and Falcoput the evit Balbinus aboard ship. But soon after, an outbreak of robbery and murder suggest a new criminal ring has moved into Balbinus’ territory. Petro and Falco must descend into the underworld of Vespasian’s Rome to investigate…
topLindsey Davis interview/review
- How did you choose Rome as the setting for your novels?
At first I wanted to write historical romances about periods like the English Civil War, but I could only sell them as light serials to women’s magazines. Also nobody else was doing books set in Rome. Unlike other authors I only ever wanted to find something different.
- You must have to do a lot of research?
Writing has brought me a lot of experiences I would once never have dreamed of. I’ve visted Syria and Libya; I have rung the reptile house at London Zoo and asked intimate questions about pythons; for Three Hands in the Fountain I went down a still-working Roman sewer . . .
- Uggh… any other drawbacks to writing historical fiction?
Well, if they’re any good, people sometimes start believing they are a substitute for real study of the period. As I desperately fight off having my books included on scholastic reading lists I have learned to insist ferociously that I write them as entertainment. Although I hope the historical detail is accurate, because otherwise I may as well write science fiction or fantasy and invent everything.
- And the best thing about writing historical fiction?
I like the interlaying of perspectives: relating the ancient world to modern life; contrasting what a fairly macho Roman male thinks (or says he thinks) with what it can be deduced his fairly feminist English author believes (or wants you to think she believes). The layering also enables me to write for both amateurs and specialists.
topStarting Points for Discussion
- Falco was originally derived as a classic genre ‘private eye’. What do you consider to be the criteria for this and does Falco fit the model?
- Compare how the Vigiles in Time to Depart relate to characters in modern ‘police procedural’ crime novels. What are the similarities and differences?
- Explore how Falco balances his personal and professional responsibilities. In what ways does Falco’s job as an informer affect his friendship with Petronius Longus? Where do you think his loyalties lie?
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of writing in the first person. Does a first person narrative present any particular problems in developing the story in a crime novel?
- Helena Justina doesn’t always act like a typical Roman girl of her standing. Why do you think this is and is it true to say that what never changes in history is human nature?
- Examine the use of speech and language in Time to Depart. How successful is the author in conveying the way Ancient Romans actually spoke whilst writing for a modern audience?
- How can a woman write as a man?
Other Books by Lindsey Davis
A Dying Light In Corduba
Nobody was poisoned at the dinner for the Society of Oliver Oil Producers of…
Alexandria
For Marcus Didius Falco, agent to the Emperor Vespasian, Alexandria holds f…
Falco: The Official Companion…
As the girl came running up the steps, I decided she was wearing far too many…
Last Act In Palmyra
The spirit of adventure callls Marcus Didius Falco on a new spying mission for…
Nemesis
In the high summer of 77AD, Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco is beset by …
Ode To A Banker
In the long hot Roman summer of AD74, Marcus Didius Falco, private informer and…
Suggested Further Reading
LIGHTHEARTED DISCLAIMER:
- Lindsey Davis favours escapism. The author wants readers to enjoy her novels without bearing the weight of history. She neither wants to impose her research on others nor give away any secrets. The following are a selection of general and highly accessible books for those interested in learning about Rome and Roman times.
- Daily Life in Ancient Rome ~ Jerome Carcopino (Ed.)
- Rome and Her Empire ~ Barry Cunliffe
- Ancient Rome: City Planning and Administration ~ O.F. Robinson
- Learn Latin ~ Peter Jones