Venus in Copper

This is the third novel in the mystery series featuring Marcus Didius Falco, an informer and sleuth. A series of books that have become hugely popular, so much so that the author is now at the forefront of historical mystery writers. It was probably a stroke of genius on her part to have novels that are extremely well researched and contain all the elements that would be and should be found in Rome in AD70, but to have a lead character who has the vocabulary of a present day New York cop. In this the third novel Falco is starting to feel like an old friend. Falco is trying to live down the indignity of being released from jail with the help of his mother of all people and he has accepted a case from some rich private clients. He is also in the middle of trying to entice his girlfriend Helena Justina to come and live with him, though why a senator's daughter, especially one who has just lost their baby, would wish to live in the hovel he calls home is anybody's guess. When the client Falco is supposedly protecting dies, he is immediately re-hired by none other than the chief suspect. The crux of the matter is that Falco must find and expose a woman, a fortune hunter, who has lost more husbands to accidents than it can be believed possible. Falco has more than a little excitement during the investigation, including a brush with a female contortionist who has a very interesting snake act. He also has the tremendous honour, or otherwise of a "friendly" visit from Titus Caesar himself, right in the middle of Falco attempting to cook a huge turbot without the aid of every chef's must have, a fish kettle.

I LOVED this book!! It's packed full of that synical Falco humor! This book leans on the other two far less than Shadow In Bronze did. This you could read all by it's self. The only problem I have with this book is that it's a little long, but not extremely so. I highly suggest this book to anyone who needs a laugh.

With Venus in Copper, Lindsey Davis is continuing her Didius Falco series in fine style. As a fan of mysteries and especially historical mysteries, I was ecstatic to find an author who can write a great story, not just mystery and who injects both fact and humor into the mix. Venus in Copper also adds a lighter note to the Falco storyline. You'll get an insight into everyday Roman life of 2000 years ago and you'll cheer for Falco and his friends (and even for his enemies) in this charming and addictive book. It can stand on its own, but it improved by having read Silver Pigs and Shadows in Bronze first.

Lindsey Davis has entered the world of historical fiction with such fresh enthusiasm that the genre will never be the same again. Instead of staid descriptions of ancient rulers, she has attacked the everyday life of first century Rome with a down-to-earth, plausible, humanistic flair. Her characters are so engrossing, you will buy the next book in the series before you finish the one you are reading

I have read all of the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries and Venus In Copper is my favorite. Ancient Roman life is weaved around the characters delightfully giving a fine historical milieu. Falco is a salt-of-the-earth type of character with honour and nobility yet a certain baseness that we can all relate to. The characters are well thought out, the prose is witty, and the premise is interesting. The femme fatale quality of this book reminds one of Chandler. Highly Recommended!!