Book Review: The Jupiter Myth

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Jupiter Myth     Amazon US PB Amazon UK PB Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB
Lindsey Davis
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Private Investigator
Series: Falco # 14
Mysterious, Sep 2003, $24.95, 323 pp.

In 75 AD, accompanied by his extended family, Roman auditor Marcus Didius Falco visits Londinium to see his wife’s aunt and uncle, the Procurator Gaius Flavius Hilaris, second in command of Britain. When a prominent British courtier Verovolcus drowns in a tavern well, Governor Frontinus sends Falco, known for his sleuthing skills, to investigate.

Falco realizes that the victim was close to exiled King Togidubnus. Thus the case is politically sensitive. Not long afterward, Petronius Longinus vanishes. Soon. Falco meets an old girlfriend, gladiator Chloris now known as Amazonia. She wants to renew all aspects of their relationship, but he only offers to help her with her battle against mob control of her gladiatorial troupe.

Placing the tale in Londinium freshens up this long running Ancient Rome (and now Ancient London) mystery series. Falco is a great character struggling between solving a difficult case and keeping Chloris from pinning him to a mattress as he wants to forget her other skills and remain happily married. Readers will receive plenty of insight into Falco’s family and much depth into first century Britannia. THE JUPITER MYTH will please fans of the series and attract newcomers as Lindsey Davis provides a deep look back in time.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner