A Body in the Bathhouse (Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries Book 13)

I've enjoyed reading books by this author for years ; she's one of those whose very grocery lists would make good reading. I'm trying to get all the Didius Falco series read before I start on the next generation, for continuity s sake. All of what I've read so far indicates clear scholarship and research out the wazoo. Therefore I was surprised to come across two anachronisms: papoose and bikini, both from New World cultures which I doubt the most erudite and been-around-the-block Roman detective would have been familiar with. Do not suppose that this has put me off; Davis' style and character development are just too good. That said, I'm looking forward to the next story in the series.

I usually miss the fun of the family when the story takes place outside of Rome, but this time so many came along I didn't have to miss them. There was a brief start in Rome were not one but two cases take the Falco entourage off to Britain. The one personal case resolved in a rather pat way but the imperial one was interesting.

It’s great to be able to access these books instead of using kindle.

All of Lindsey Davis's Roman mysteries are excellent. Falco, the main character and detective, is very likeable, and with very human strengths and weaknesses. As the stories progress through the many stories of his adventures, most of the other characters are equally human, and his relationships with them very realistic. I am something of a history buff, and as far as I can tell Davis's history is very accurate. I recommend all of Davis's Falco stories.

After a remodeling job that stinks, literally, it's off to Roman Briton for Falco and familia. You may remember how much Falco loves these misty isles from his days in the legion and the Silver Pigs. He's to supervise the construction of a villa for a British nobleman. There are problems with the workmen, missing building materials, etc. His sister is shanghaied into this trip to keep her away from the creepy Anacrites. Even Petro turns up.

I'm very fond of Marcus Didius Falco and his partner Helena, and their rag-tag retinue!This mystery, almost at the edge of Roman civilization in distinctly uncivilized Brittania features a galaxy of bizarre characters from the empire and a very clever denouement.

Up to Davis’s Usually standards. I enjoyed it.

Falco and family have moved to new digs and now there are problems. After reflection Helena is convinced that the house that she bought is situated in an inconvient locale for Falco's line of work, thus she is pursuaded

More adventures of Didius Falco. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading this series of books. They would make an entertaining TV series. Sort of a Roman Cadfael.

I ordered this book so I like it....I like the Style and contents of this Author and this series...

great author!

I bought this book for my Mum as a present as the family has spent many enjoyable days at the Roman Palace at Fishbourne near Chichester where this story is set. Having completed the novel, my Mum advised that I would appreciate the humour of this novel as it is set on a construction site populated with the kind of professionals and tradesmen that I would recognise as a Quantity Surveyor. As someone who also has a passion for Roman history, reading this book was a no-brainer for me. I have to say that I found this book decidely strange. It is a page turner yet the book is a miurder mystery with a combination of Roman history and a contemporary construction site setting. Some of the history appears to be well researched but there are a few errors such as a wall existing around the Roman city of Chichester which appears to be built about 150 years after this book is set. All in all, I don;t feel that these things detract from the story especially when there are things which are correct. More concerning for me was the description of the construction site with the finishing trades working on site prior to the completion of much of the sub and super structure. There are also references to things like "Provisional Sums" being mentioned which made me half expect the palace to have been built under a Classical version of a JCT contract. Whilst it is amusing to see the architect's all cast as villains, the knowledge of construction and the sequencing of the works are the kind of things anyone working in construction will note as not quite "working." For me, this felt like a sword and sandal novel on a 21st century building site. Elements like agency labour also strike a chord.As far as the plot goes, I felt it was entertaining even if there is no real detective work going on and far more settling of accounts with fists. It was entertaining but the core plot does stretch credulity to a degree even if the crime as actually one that is still not uncommon today. In the end, the book is a quick and entertaining read with Falco being a bit sterotypical and not quite as match for my favourite historical detective. Bernie Gunther.All in all, this was enjoyable enough book which is stronger on the Roman aspect than the construction.

Read this book on 2014, and its the 13th volume of the wonderful Marcus Didius Falco series!Set in the year AD 75, Falco has not only problems with building contractors but also with the Imperial Chief Spy, Anacrites.At first after supposedly finishing Falco's new home the contractors leave a bath house with a corpse in it, and the guilty contractors, Gloccus and Cotta, have fled to britain.As it happens in the south of Britain the King Togidubnus of the Atrebates tribe is having his own makeover in building his new Palace , and the costs in materiel, personnel and supposedly accidental deaths are to be paid by Emperor Vespasian.The Governor of Britain, Frontinus, is asking for someone to investigate all these deadly incidents during these works, and Falco and his family, with a new baby, are summoned to Britain, and for Falco although he hates Britain its a relief to be away from the clutches of the Imperial Chief Spy, Anacrites.Once in Britain, Falco starts to investigate and will come into several sinister and dangerous situations, before finally being able to overcome the culprits in the end, who were also trying to take his life and that of his little family.Very much recommended, for this is another astounding addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Entertaining Bath House Investigation"!