The Silver Pigs: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery (Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries Book 1)

The premise of a private investigator righting wrongs in ancient Rome is an alluring one. However once you shove aside the historical aspects, and I am sure they are well researched and as authentic as possible, it is just one more dissipated Sam Spade helping a damsel in distress and getting caught up simultaneously in a political scandal. It's a pleasant enough read but I found myself seeking out other entertainment as I have been there done that and enjoyed this kind of tale since I first discovered Dashiell Hammett. Enjoy the read and decide for yourself to see if you become one of a legion of devoted fans, though I respectfully will bow out after this one novel. It is an easy read with details so precise it would be hard for a layman like me to dispute their accuracy.

I was tired of reading the same old stuff and wanted to remember the perfection of this Tale. It did not disappoint me. Falco is a legend in the historic mystery genre and so is Lindsey Davis. If you want to try it out, this is the place to start. Her grasp if humanity with all its warts, aided by a really great mystery story leaves me always wanting more. So, take the plunge, you'll be glad you did.Dave Tucker

I'm a guy who loves series books. But I also love historical fiction - fiction that is as close to the real thing as I can get. I've read all of the Master and Commander series, Hornblower, Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches to name a few. I like it exciting but drenched in details - details that don't bore me or slow me down. The words have to flow well. With those kinds of requirements, it's a bit hard to find series books that I can take serious and enjoy. Somehow or another, I stumbled across the Falco series on my Kindle app and I'll finish them all (even thought I'm on the third book).The series takes place in classical antiquity in the time of Vespasian/Titus's rule in Rome (time of the Caesars). Lindsey Davis does a fantastic job of bringing history to life in a very realistic and down to earth manner. While it takes the form of mystery with Falco as a detective ("informer" by Roman standards) who pursues various criminals and intrigues for citizens as well as the Emperor.In the opening books of the series, we are taken on a guided tour of Rome via the eyes of Falco as takes on a job for a beautiful young woman who ends of dying before he can complete his mission. Slowly the tapestry of lies and deceit begins to unfold as Falco has to travel all the way to savage Britain to solve his case and avenge the girls death.Overall, a solid opener that takes several chapters to set it's hooks into you but once they are set, they are set for good.I found it hard to locate an exact reading order of the books - they are meant to be read in order. The books themselves, especially the Kindle versions, don't really list the order or it's a bit skewed. Either way, here's a list I got that should help everyone who wants to read this awesome series of books:1) The Silver Pigs, originally published as Silver Pigs (set in Rome and Britain) in AD 70-71. (1989)2) Shadows in Bronze (set in Rome and Campania) in AD 71. (1990)3) Venus in Copper (set in Rome) in AD 71. (1991)4) The Iron Hand of Mars (set in Rome and Germania) in AD 71. (1992)5) Poseidon's Gold (set in Rome and Capua) in AD 72. (1993)6) Last Act in Palmyra (set in Rome, The Decapolis and Palmyra) in AD 72. (1994)7) Time to Depart (set in Rome) in AD 72. (1995)8) A Dying Light in Corduba (set in Rome and Córdoba, Spain) in AD 73. (1996)9) Three Hands in the Fountain (set in Rome) in AD 73. (1997)10) Two for the Lions (set in Rome, Carthage, and Libya) in AD 73. (1998)11) One Virgin Too Many (set in Rome) in AD 74. (1999)12) Ode to a Banker (set in Rome) in AD 74. (2000)13) A Body in the Bath House, aka A Body in the Bathhouse (set in Rome and Britain) in AD 75. (2001)14) The Jupiter Myth - set in Britain in AD 75, follows on from the previous novel (2002)15) The Accusers (set in Rome) in AD 75. (2003)16) Scandal Takes a Holiday - set in Rome and Ostia in AD 76. (2004)17) See Delphi and Die - set in Rome and various locations in Greece in AD 76. (2005)18) Saturnalia (set in Rome) at year-end. (2007)19) Alexandria (set in Alexandria) in AD 77. (2009)20) Nemesis (Set in Rome and Latium) in summer AD 77. (2010)EDIT - 4/15/14As of this point, Amazon does not offer all of these books for Kindle. Indeed some of these aren't available in any digital format at all! Hopefully, the publishers will choose to release these for the Kindle. In the meantime, look a couple books ahead and make sure you have a hardback/paperback version available if the Kindle version isn't out. You don't want to be stuck without the next book.

Falco is a great character and immediately grabs the reader with his cynical and witty opinions of the world around him. Falco's Rome seems authentic, this is a tale of the backstreets and alleys with occasional forays into what we usually think of when we think of ancient Rome, the Forum. The supporting characters are solid as well, esp Helena who is a headstrong woman living in a man's world. Nicely paced, not too much exposition or trying to be a sort of tour-book for the ancient world. The plot is solid and offers good twists and turns as any good detective novel should.Overall a really brilliant idea to put a "hard-boiled" detective in an ancient setting. As the progenitors of our own legal system, it is not as far-fetched as might be believed that someone like Falco might exist. He does come across as a little too "modern" in some ways, not as misogynist as one might imagine, but Falco does seem to be different in other ways, his refusal of a generous offer towards the end also sets him as a man apart, so maybe his chivalrous attitude is of the same ilk.Heartily recommended!

Love this novel! Marcus Didius Falco is perhaps one of my favorite fiction characters, relatable and enviable quick wit. Lindsey Davis has created an excellent glimpse into everyday ancient Roman life. I had read this story twice before purchasing this copy to share with some friends at a weekly reading event. This copy arrived on time and in the condition promised, the spine was not too stiff and opens easily.

I've never met a snarkier Roman than Falco! This series was recommended by another author that I admire & read everything she writes & she was right...this is going to be loads of fun & just enough history to make it interesting. I loved the plot twists & look forward to the rest of the series!

Do yourself a favour. If you've never read any historical who dunnit fiction you could do much worse than start here. I first heard of her work by listening into the BBC R4 serialisation of this novel. Lindsey Davis writes about everyday Rome under Vespasian through the eyes of her gum shoe - Marcus Didius Falco - and creates a world so realistic you'd believe you were there.This is the first book in the Falco series, be careful, if you get the taste for this you'll end up reading them all… I can think of worse ways to pass the time.

Ever since I heard one of the Falco books dramatized on Radio4's Book of the Week, I've wanted to get round to reading one of Linsey Davis's stories about Marcus Didius Falco, the Roman 'informer' - a detective in all but name. What better place to start than the first book, from 1989? Falco is a fabulous character, impoverished, but clever. He's thirty years old with an interfering mother and a recently deceased military brother (Didius Festus) who was the family's shining star. Falco knows he'll never measure up to his brother, so he goes his own way, living in a sixth floor apartment over Lenia's laundry and taking a variety of 'informing' jobs. This book kicks off when Falco rescues sixteen year old Sosia who was kidnapped from her uncle's house (Senator Decimus Camillus). This starts Falco on a track that takes him from Rome to British silver mines (working under cover and almost dying from the conditions). There's stolen silver, kidnapping, treachery and violence… and the senator's daughter, the acerbic Helena Justinia. Has Marcus met his match?

It was time for me to read the book that first started off these stories, having years ago been been addicted to others in the series. The writing is superb, reminiscent of Raymond Chandler, more overtly humorous but just as cynical.Meeting Falco and Helena in their first appearance is as good as ever I remembered them from the Nineties, the plotting exact and credible, the outcomes never trite, the scene setting colourful and pungent, the romance deep but never too sentimental, to say the least.Now as then, I look over Falco's chippy shoulder through his adventures, with or without Helena beside him at the time, and suspect that I love her as much as he does. It can be frustrating when their circumstances and proud personalities keep them apart but stay with it!Highly recommended.

Wasn't familiar with this author but thought I would give her a shot - and was so chuffed I did. Her series of books, The Silver Pigs being the first, is just so addictive - didn't want to put it down. It's a very easy read, very well written, humorous but rather well researched. OK so it's not a Mary Beard type academic book but Ms. Davies never sets out to make it so - it is a fictional GumShoe/Colombo type story with added interesting Roman historical references. This book is NOT boring - far from it ! I am already half way through the 2nd book Shadows in Bronze which again, is just a book you won't want to put down. SUCH a good holiday read book - can't recommend enough and to think I came across Ms. Davies by sheer chance !

The first in 20 book series about a Roman investigator Marcus Didius Falco and his friends and family. This was meant to be a stand alone book so can in fact be read and enjoyed that way. The story has pace, humour and excellent detail. I have had the paperback for years and took the opportunity to buy a kindle copy when it was on offer. I recommend the whole series and its follow up about Falcos adopted daughter who takes up the Investigator role. I learned a lot about Roman life reading these novels, that's my type of history.