Two for the Lions

A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery, Book 10

By: Lindsey Davis

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

This 10th novel featuring Marcus Didius Falco puts the tough private eye in the lions' den to investigate an extraordinary case of murder.

Nothing's certain except death and taxes. Catching tax evaders for Emperor Vespasian looks like a plum position for Marcus Didius Falco, who has teamed up with his old boss, Anacrites, the crotchety chief spy of Rome. Soon, however, Falco is bogged down in bureaucracy, stuck at his stylus, and longing for a good murder to investigate.

He gets one when someone kills Leonidas, the empire's official executioner. Feared by plebeians and citizens alike, Leonidas administered justice with a swift, sure blow. Then he ate the offender. Now this king of beasts lies stabbed to death in his cage.

Sniffing around for clues, Falco is soon led into the rowdy, decadent world of gladiators and bestiarii, fighters who specialize in contests against animals. Falco finds that it's dark and dangerous in the tunnels under the arena - and even blacker in the desperate souls of those who must kill or be killed each time the games begin. Yet no one has a motive for slaughtering a lion after hours.

The unexpected slaying of the most glamorous gladiator in the city is another matter. Now Falco has a high-profile crime to handle - and a domestic crisis brewing. His lover, the patrician Helena, reports that her disgraced brother needs help in Tripoli. Since Africa may well be the missing link between the murders of man and beast, Falco is quickly en route to those far shores...and heading toward a dangerous rendezvous with the raging lions that reside in the human heart - and one particular person who stalks his fellow man.

©1998 Lindsey Davis (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

love this series

wish they would hurry up and release the other books here in the U.S. nothing is more frustrating than getting into a book series and having to come back to in and listen in pieces

The Lack of Fortune and Luck

Enjoyed the story but damned near gave up on the series because I thought the author overdid it in places.

Two for the lions:

Naration was excellent. Description was a little too much!! The story itself kept me wanting to read further.

Fabulous story, wonderful narrator.

An unusual first murder, a cold case, a travelogue, and foreign intrigue. Could we expect less for Falco and Helena? We learn more about the worlds of a census, of gladiators, of their female admirers, and of sea travel. A wonderful tale all around.

Stop saying Rome grew Corn

I have enjoyed reading this series but historically I am bothered that the writer has talked about Rome growing Corn in several books now.
Before 1492, tomatoes, potatoes, wild rice, salmon, pumpkins, peanuts, bison, chocolate, vanilla, blueberries and corn, among other foods, were unknown in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Wonderful Series...Terrific Cast of Characters!

When I read the summary of this 10th Falco mystery, I almost passed it up. The subject matter (wild beasts and gladiators) did not appeal to me. But my curiosity got the better of me. So glad it did! A wonderful book, with a "thumbs up" ending!

History Lesson

I just love listening to this series. It’s not spellbinding but is full of interesting historical facts.