Summary: Intrigue―and possibly
treason―swirl around the hall of power in Rome when yet another Nero pretender
emerges to challenge the Emperor.
In 90 A.D., following the Saturninus revolt in Germany, the Emperor
Domitian has become more paranoid about traitors and dissenters around him.
This leads to several senators and even provincial governors facing charges and
being executed for supposed crimes of conspiracy and insulting the emperor.
Wanting to root out all the supports of Saturninus from the Senate, one of
Domitian’s men offers to hire Flavia Alba to do some intelligence work.
Flavia Alba, daughter and chip off the old block of Marcus Didius
Falco, would rather avoid any and all court intrigue, thank you very much. But
she’s in a bit of a bind. Her wedding is fast approaching, her fiancé is still recovering―slowly―from
being hit by a lightning bolt, and she’s the sole support of their household.
So with more than a few reservations, she agrees to “investigate.”
Adding to the confusion is yet another Nero pretender has shown up in
Parthia and is trying to rally support for his claim for the throne. With
intrigue upon intrigue swirling around the capital city, it’s up to Albia to
uncover what is―and isn’t―the real threat.
Angie’s comments: Albia deals with lots of politics in this mystery, which
has many plots and details. I missed having her husband help her with this
mystery, but it shows her independence and ability to adapt. Ancient Rome comes
alive in Lindsey Davis’s books.
Recommended for readers of historical
mysteries.
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October 10, 2017
The Third Nero
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