Deadly Election

By: Lindsey Davis

Narrated by: Jane Collingwood

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the first century AD, during Domitian's reign, Flavia Albia is ready for a short break from her family. So in July she returns to Rome, leaving them at their place on the coast. Albia, daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, who is now retired as private informer, has taken up her father's former profession, and it's time to get back to work. The first order of business, however, is the corpse found in a chest sent as part of a large lot to be sold by the Falco family auction house. As the senior family representative in Rome, it falls upon Albia to find out who, why, and by whom.

At the same time, her potential suitor, Faustus, comes looking for help with his friend Sextus' political campaign. Between the auction business and Roman politics, it's not quite clear which is more underhanded. Both, however, are tied together by the mysterious body in the chest, and if Albia isn't able to solve that mystery, it won't be the only body to drop.

©2015 Lindsey Davis (P)2015 Blackstone Audio Inc.

To many characters

Any additional comments?

I like the books by Lindsey Davis, and Flavia Albia is a likeable character. But there is a problem in this audio book that may not apply to the print version. There a large number of characters with similar names, whose family and political relationships are very important to the story. While the print versions of other Davis books I have read have a witty cast of characters list at the front that helps keep the characters straight, I kept getting lost in the audio version as to who is who, and had no way to review or look them up. There are just too many Julias!

Stuffy narration

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The narrator accent was too stuffy or high class. Unfortunately the joy and fun of the snarky monologue was lost due to the lack of tonal inflections.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jane Collingwood’s performances?

not really

Any additional comments?

thought the book was good and in the same sarcastic fun of the Falco series which is a treat to listen too.

best of the the series so far!

definitely preferred this narrator to the previous. this narrator made Flavia Alba sound more like a 30 yr old woman and investigator rather than petulant and cynical as I felt the last two books sounded. It was a great mystery, with lots of twists in it!

Albia Flavia competes with didius falco

I really enjoyed the Didius Falco series. This is the best book in the new series about his adopted daughter from Britannia. Some good background about elections during the Roman Empire

I love Flavia Albia, but...

What did you like best about Deadly Election? What did you like least?

in this book the plot seemed a bit flat. It was not as crisp and tight I as I have come to expect. I loved the witty scenes, and the interactions which had the spark of a Tracy/Hepburn sort of vibe. And the scene where Flavia must take the gavel at on auction was quite funny, showing her wit and ease.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Glad that it was clear that there was a future for our favorite characters. I have high hopes for future books sparkling again.

What about Jane Collingwood’s performance did you like?

Actually, I think she is quite inferior to the previous narrator, Lucy Brown. Lucy had Flavia down perfectly. Just the right nuances and timing. Flavia is both elegant and has maturity and street smarts. Ms. Brown encapsulates those qualities. Jane Collingwood sounded somewhat immature and came off as sarcastic, rather than sardonic. She came off as a bit annoying.

Was Deadly Election worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Really, really hope they get Lucy Brown for the next one.

more Roman pith and syrup

Loved the latest installment, but can't really go into why without revealing the story. For Falco and Julia Albia addicts

Return to Lucy Brown

What did you like best about Deadly Election? What did you like least?

The development of Flavia's relationship with Tiberius and a cameo of Uncle Petro.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Jane Collingwood?

Lucy Brown was a brilliant Flavia Albia while Jane Collingwood interpretation is a lot less satisfying. Her rendering of Tiberius makes him sound juvenile. One hopes that Brown will be back for this summer release of The Graveyard of the Hesperides.

Was Deadly Election worth the listening time?

Yes

albia grows on me

Any additional comments?

The first Albia book was only so-so... and suffered just by not being Falco. Albia seemed pretencious and the fun so clear with Marcus Didius was gone. Now it's back. Even with this slightly too straight reading I defy anyone not to laugh at the auction where the bear's head is full of maggots, the dog humps his master, and a body falls out of the strongbox. Again.

Love This Series

Where does Deadly Election rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Lindsey Davis Books are in my top 10 list. M. D. Falcon is the best but Flavia is a very nice follow-up series. I love knowing what happened to her and there is more to come.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Deadly Election?

Things end very nicely. I like that. Threw the years I have become attached to the Marcus's Family.

Have you listened to any of Jane Collingwood’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think so but I think she is great. A joy to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"All Good Things Come Around"

Any additional comments?

I recommend starting with the Marcus D. Falcon Series. The sly humor and the always present mystery has kept me locked with both series for many years not to mention the lovely love story.

love it

I absolutely love the series and am anxiously awaiting the rest in the series to be released on audible

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