Alexandria

A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery

De: Lindsey Davis

Narrado por: Christian Rodska

In first century A.D. Rome, Marcus Didius Falco works as a private "informer," ferreting out hidden truths and bringing villains to ground. But even informers take vacations, so in A.D. 77, Falco and his wife Helena Justina travel to Alexandria, Egypt. Before long the Librarian of the great library is found dead and Falco quickly finds himself on the trail of dodgy doings, malfeasance, and the lowest of the low - book thieves! As the bodies pile up, it's up to Falco to untangle this horrible mess and restore order.©2009 Lindsey Davis (P)2009 BBC Audio

One of the best of a great series

This installment has wonderful historical research, a lively plot and subtle character relations. The narrator does it all justice.

My first Lyndsey Davis novel

I had read a short story about Marcus Falco in a compendium of Historical Whodunits. I like the character and cast of characters created. This book has long been on my reading list as an excellent "locked door" mystery. It was a good story. Not the best mystery I've read. Two recurring characters of the series appear mid-way through to give character references for suspects. This seemed contrived - just an easy way to give answers where noodling through the problems would have been harder and taken longer. The end result of the average mystery, as opposed to the great story, was OK. Not fully satisfying to me.

Falco can't catch a break, love this series

Falco goes to Alexandria for vacation with pregnant wife Helena and his two young daughters, and his adopted teenage daughter. What was supposed to be pleasure trip turns into WORK for Falco. He has to solve murders, and the more he finds the dirtier everything gets. But you know Falco and his wonderful wife Helena will work it out. Great series.

The elevated writing style and artistic anachronism.

I enjoyed this work tremendously. The author has great wit, and the anachronistic use of vernacular work creatively to help the contemporary reader better relate to the characters. I appreciate the focus of the narrative and the deliberate lack of extreme focus on gore/gruesomeness that other authors sometimes bathe in with intent to add shock. I appreciate the author's writing style, and historical research.

Being an armchair Egyptologist and enthusiast, and Alexandria being a favorite classical age city of mine above even Athens I appreciate her attention and educational direction. A delight to read!

A Bit Disappointing

Please read the previous review. I would repeat it word for word.