The Assassins of Rome (The Roman Mysteries)

My 11 year old boy is really enjoying reading these books. As soon as he finishes one, he asks for the next. I got the first one from the library because of the title (I am originally from Ostia - Rome). After the third book he asked me: "Do you know who Plinio was?". But of course! I used to jog in the pinewood next to the villa of Plinio il Vecchio...

The events in The Assassins of Rome follow about a month after the events in The Pirates of Pompeii, and is the fourth in Lawrence's Roman Mysteries Series. Here we rejoin Flavia, Nubia, Jonathan, and Lupus just as they return home to Ostia. As with the previous books, this volume is set in the first century, 79 A.D. As we start out here, the group has joined together to celebrate Jonathan's 11th birthday...and as usual, something bad always happens on his birthday....he breaks a an expensive perfume bar, royal guards show up at his house, and much more. The net result is that Jonathan turns up missing and the others find themselves desperate to solve the mystery of where he has gone. The Assassins of Rome differs slightly in form from the previous books in the series because it is told from two different perspectives, and alternates between the two. The first perspective is that of Flavia (and her group, consisting of Falvia, Nubia, Aristo and Lupus) and the second perspective is that of Jonathan and his uncle as they travel to Rome looking for his mother. This makes the story a bit more exciting and confusing that previous books...but it's welcome deviation from the regular formula and helps keep the action going, I don't think it would have been as enjoyable if there were big breaks while a narrator explained what was going on. This device made it easy for the story to remain fast paced and exciting. As with previous books, the author tackles the ins and outs of daily life in 78 A.D., as such we get a look at various people's perceptions on slavery (including the slaves), life in the royal city, various opinions on the Emperor (and his predecessors), and this book takes a more in depth look at the fall of Jerusalem, which as a theme introduced in The Pirates of Pompeii. Lawrence's series is an excellent glimpse into the daily life of the Roman people. Overall, this was a highly enjoyable mystery/thriller/adventure book for young readers that is heavy on the details of Roman daily life and is highly descriptive with likable and believable characters (for the most part). Previously, what I felt that there was a bit of a heavy handed Christian message to the series, however it's much more subtle in this book and is more welcome...woven into the story with more skill. I give it four stars, The Pirates of Pompeii strength is in details and overall, it is a light and entertaining read.

Flavia, Nubia and mute boy Lupus, are celebrating their friends Johnathans birthday, when the warnings of a deadly assassin nearby meet their ears. Johnathan leaves on a dangerous quest to find his suprisingl alive mother with his 'uncle', Flavia and Nubia following. Meanwhile Lupus is in great danger, stuck in the trap of a bear. The children find themselves in the deadly city of Rome in Emperor Nero's court: the sacred golden house where the most beautiful women in the world live and are kept prisoner and slave, there Johnatahan's mother dwells. But three deadly and dangerous assassins are hiding in the dark corners of the mystical house, ready to kill any object in their way............ Caroline Lawrence has done a tremedous job on this book and I highly congratulate her on this interesting story of evil Emperors and Roman life for a noble girl during 79 AD.

This is the best so far. Johnathen gos in search for his mother will he find her i wont tell you. His dad is also having problems for himself. I will not tell you any more but trust me this is a must for your book shelf.

The Asassins of Rome is once again another great book written by the tremmendous author Caroline Lawrence. If you liked the other books then you will love this one. With secrets and asassins this is one of the best yet, enjoy.