The Silver Pigs

I do not know why Romans are always portrayed with a British accent, but here the graveled Cockney narration Christian Rodska uses is absolutely superb. I love Audiobooks, and a good narrator can make or break a book, let alone a series. Here, both Mr. Rodska and Ms. Davis blend wonderfully. Marcus Didius Falco’s Rome is enthralling and his investigations through the political nuances of intrigue and deception kept me sitting the car listening well after I should have gone into work (playing on the car’s stereo, not headphones, I am a responsible driver). An interesting and fully fleshed cast of supporting characters helps create a world that is as interesting as it is believable. If only Audible would acquire the rest of the series!!!

What a concept for a novel. A private detective in ancient Rome. But it is very well done, great story line, keeps moving at a very good pace. The narrator makes each character really come to life. Will read more by this author.

this story is fun. The author has done a fine job of making a story centuries old seem very modern and fast paced. It has a 50's detective novel feeling to it,and the characters are very likeable.

I somehow happened upon Silver Pigs in hardbound, the year that it was first published. After adjusting to the culture shock of life in empirial Rome I was intrigued and highly entertained by the characters and plot twists that were presented by Lindsey Davis. I faithfully awaited each new book until life distracted me but have recently gone back to the series in Audible format.

It is hard to believe that audio could improve on the written form but it clearly does. Christian Rodska, who narrates all of the unabridged titles that are available from Audible is amazing at portraying Falco in all of his cynical but ethical glory. He is also able to add interest to the sometimes almost pedantic delivery of information about the cultures and history that are a must to understand the plots that unfold. This audio and the rest of the series is one of the most amazing ways to get a sense of the everyday life in Empirial Rome as well as getting an idea of the scale and scope of the Roman Empire.

I highly recommend these to anyone with an interest in history or just a good story.

I have read and re-read the books, and now am having fun listening to them on audio. Great narration! These novels have a little bit of something for everyone- they're good mysteries, they're an interesting look at the Roman Empire, and the main character is funny. Smart, but also light and entertaining. So far there has only been one book in the series I haven't absolutely loved.

I love historical fiction, especially when it is set in the Roman Republic or Empire. This is the first Didius Falco novel I have read, and I found it generally entertaining. I quite like Falco himself, and the way in which the author depicted Rome and Roman Britain. Everything was going nicely until Falco (a plebeian gumshoe detective in 70 AD) started interacting directly with senior members of the imperial family, including the Emperor himself. Falco seemed not the slightest bit awed or even outwardly respectful. He was even fairly rude to them. Not only that, but Falco also spurned, in a most rude way, a high honour bestowed on him by the Emperor. His behaviour was not exactly irrational (there were some barely good reasons), but his behaviour was difficult to believe in the historical and social context of ancient Rome. I found this aspect of the book significantly detracting from the aura of historical realism that surrounded an otherwise 'ripping yarn' from classical Rome.

This delicious little murder mystery takes place in ancient Rome and in Roman Britain during the reign of Vespasian. I was struck by how modern and familiar daily life in the Roman Empire seemed in the book. Very graphic depictions of the life of a slave in the silver mines in Britain were horrifying, but seemed authentic. The narrator, Christian Rodska, speaks with an apparent northern English accent, (Lancaster?) but gives the senator in England a pretty convincing Oxford and his landlady a satisfying cockney (Mrs Bridges?). He softens his voice for the noble women. I found his narration surprisingly satisfying.

Yes, Marcus Didius Falco comes across as a real person whom one would like and respect. The deception is unraveled in a practical yet piecemeal fashion.

Falco in the later books becomes more cynical (and less effective). The early books are the best.

Christian Rodska is amazing! He really brings the story to life by truly conveying the characters emotions, and the author's sarcasm. It's a great murder-mystery set in Rome, and Marcus Didio Falco is the perfect hero.

There was a definite journey in the book. I liked how there were several threads to follow, it made the mystery even more fun to solve.

This was my first intro to Rodska. I can tell you that I WILL find more books of his to listen to!

I am extremely disappointed that the whole series isn't here. I guess I will have to go find the paperback copies to fill in the gaps!

Christian Rodska brings our hero to life! I read the book first, then listened to the audio version...then I bought it. There are no dull points and the writing is terrific. Lindsey Davis has a wonderful gift of wit. The descriptions and dialogue stand alone as written, but the impact is magnified by Christian Rodska's vocal skills and expressions.

Anything by Lindsey Davis... I strongly recommend you just stay on this series until you can't laugh any more.

Falco astride the boat and the pier and Helena reluctantly helping him only to learn to her chagrin that he can't swim.

Probably what I wrote in the title or words to that effect. I describe the book to friends as Magnum/Rockford in ancient Rome. The sarcasm, lack of funds, bad luck with women... it all fits perfectly. OK, maybe "Rockford in Rome".