Spqr XIII: The Year of Confusion: A Mystery

The SPQR series of Roman Historical mysteries chronicles the career and adventures of one Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a fictional scion of a real Roman political family. John Maddox Roberts does an excellent job of drawing the reader into actual Republican Roman politics and History with entertaining characters and witty dialog- and an occasional gripping action scene. What is nice about the series is that the History is accurate. In fact, many of the mysteries are "ripped from the headlines" or is that more "chipped from the tablets?" Decius starts in 70 BC, with his first step upon the cursus honorum. Here, in SPQR XIII, The Year of Confusion, Decius is now a senior Senator, serving as an aide to Julius Caesar, Dictator. Decius has the uncomfortable and difficult job of trying to explain Caesars new "Julian Calender" to the People of Rome, and smooth over the difficulties of a year with too few months, followed by a year with too many. Caesar did indeed consult with the astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria, and the problems and complaints with the new calendar which caused the "Year of Confusion" are historically correct. But of course Decius gets drawn into a couple of particularly nasty murders, which of course involve characters from the highest levels of Roman society, including the seductive Cleopatra. How Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus solves the murder without getting himself into even deeper hot water politically is the crux of this entertaining book. I highly recommend the entire series.

I enjoy this series as much as any I've found. I like the mysteries themselves and the characters are interesting and well drawn - no cartoon-ish shortcuts. There is an underlying wry sense of humor that I find irresistible as well. As to the history, I have checked and double checked and Roberts knows his stuff. To the extent we have documentation, he's spot on. Where there's room for interpretation, he goes for it. His view of Caesar - the main character is married to Caesar's niece and has been part of the Senatorial class with Caesar all along the way - is pretty great. And I'd bet pretty darned accurate, if truth be told. I recommend this entire series to any mystery lover. If you like historical mysteries, you'll be delighted. and if you have a sense of humor, they are even better. I've found the SPQR series an interesting contrast with Steven Saylor's more serious books set in the same era. Frequently they have taken an opposite view of an historical character - but, while I enjoy the Saylor books - I more than enjoy SPQR. I buy them new, in hard cover when they come out and I can't give higher praise than that to any writer. Try them, you'll like them. I own them all and can't wait for more to come.

I've read all of the previous books in this series and have been eagerly awaiting this latest story. It's terrific, and I'm really enjoying it. Truly, a fitting addition to the series. Well written, good characters, crisp dialogue - worth the wait!

In the year 46 BC in Rome, Caius Julius Caesar is now the Director of Rome. He plans to rebuild the city making it grander as expected of the capital of a great empire. One of his pet projects is to create a new calendar using astronomers and astrologers from around the world. Thus he appoints Senator Decius Caecilius to oversee the project alongside of Cleopatra's head astronomer Sosigenes. At first Decius is more concerned with Cleopatra being in the city than he is of a bunch of scientists creating a new calendar. However the situation turns dangerous when an astronomer Denades is murdered with his neck broken. He has strange markings on his neck but the doctor feels it it hard to judge how the killer made them. Even the Chief Physician in Rome does not how the killer was able to extinguish is prey. Caesar orders Decius to find the killer, which proves difficult to accomplish because all suspects are lying about something or concealing something. As always John Maddox Roberts writes a fantastic Ancient Roman mystery that gives the reader a sense of the era and the culture during the time of Caesar. This enables the audience to envision the City-State Empire warped inside a whodunit. Decius is a great detective, whose investigation is all the more remarkable because of the limitations of sleuthing in the first century BC. Sub-genre fans will enjoy joining him on his inquiry. Harriet Klausner

It is 45 BC and an increasingly regal Caesar is busy reorganizing Rome, including summoning a conclave of astronomers to reform the Roman calendar. When one of these astronomers is mysteriously murdered, Caesar assigns our hero, Decius Caecilius Metellus, to investigate. As always, Decius is a wide ranging and thorough investigator, traveling throughout Rome, interviewing everyone from Cleopatra to racing touts, turning up many overlapping mysteries and minor crimes until he succeeds in resolving the main mystery. As usual in the series, Decius sets a light tone, bantering casually through Rome's highest social circles. However, behind the light mood, there are many darker notes. For example, it slowly becomes clear that Decius is now the last survivor of his formerly powerful family and he needs to move with more care than before. Decius gently touches on the various ambitious politicians orbiting around Caesar amidst hints of emerging conspiracies. The murder mystery is adequate but the real fun comes from touring Rome with Decius, seeing its sights and studying its ways. A good four stars. Quick historical note: Although Decius is fictional, the Caecilii Metelli were real. Once one of the greatest of the plebian families, they vanished from history after siding against Caesar in the Civil War.