BOOKLIST: Mysteries set in Ancient Rome (updated Dec 9) [long]
Rick Heli
(To skip the administrivium, search for the text START OF LIST)
Copyright (C) 1994-1995 by Rick Heli. Portions copyright (C) 1994-1995
by Stefan Cramme. Permission granted to reprint so long as this notice is
preserved in its entirety.
Last modified: 9 December 1995
What's New:
Best wishes for a Happy Saturnalia!
New Roman Mystery works:
- _I, Claudia_ by Marilyn Todd published in the UK and Canada.
- New Steven Saylor short story, "King Bee and Honey".
- _Der Fluch des Volkstribuns_ by John Maddox Roberts for April 1996.
- Seventh Lindsey Davis novel, _Time to Depart_, released.
New editions availability:
- Lindsey Davis' _Poseidon's Gold_ in paperback in the US.
- Lindsey Davis' _Last Act in Palmyra_ now in paperback in the UK.
- _Roemische Ausschweifungen_ by Ron Burns released in Germany.
- _Die Pforten des Hades_ by Steven Saylor in Germany for December.
Newly-unearthed Roman Mystery novels:
- _Meet Me at Philippi_ and _Most Delicious Poison_ by Charles Connell.
- _An Affair on the Appian Way_ by Michael Levey.
- _The Flame and the Wind_ by John Blackburn.
- _Dogheaded Death_ by Ray Faraday Nelson.
- _The Ides of April_ by Mary Ray.
- _The Julius Caesar Murder Case_ by Wallace Irwin.
- _The Man Who Buried Jesus_ by John Walsh.
- _City of Gold and Shadows_ by Ellis Peters.
- And four new listings for novels in French.
_The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives_ published in the UK & US.
Contains Roman era mysteries by Saylor, John Maddox Roberts,
Edward D. Hoch and Wallace Nichols. (London: Robinson Publishing
and New York: Carroll & Graf, 1995. Mike Ashley, editor).
List contents:
Novels in Dutch
Novels in English
Novels in French
Novels in German
Novels in Italian
Novels in Spanish
Roman Mysteries in Anthologies
Roman Mysteries in Magazines
Miscellany
Mysteries by Time Period
Profiles of the Authors
Notations in square brackets attempt to provide a rating service
for the interested reader. Ratings range from [****], indicative
of excellent mystery and historical value, all the way down to []
(don't bother).
If you have any additions to the booklist or can provide any of the
information which is missing from this list, please mail to
he...@netcom.com. Find the text "END OF LIST" to verify that you have
the entire archive.
This list is posted for subscribers to rec.arts.mysteries,
rec.arts.books.hist-fiction, alt.books.reviews and sci.classics
on a monthly basis. It is available via ftp from ftp.netcom.com.
Get the file
/pub/he/heli/Roman.Mysteries
Or from your WorldWide Web browser, open the URL:
ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/he/heli/Roman.Mysteries
Thanks to Stefan Cramme (a255...@athena.rrz.uni-koeln.de) for providing
all of the information and ratings for mysteries published in France
and Germany. Thanks to Jan Theo Bakker (BM...@rullf2.LeidenUniv.nl) and
Stefan Cramme for information on mysteries published in Italy. Thanks to
Dennis Lien (D-L...@vm1.spcs.umn.edu) for information on the Wallace Nichols
stories.
Email questions/comments to he...@netcom.com.
Happy reading!
=========
START OF LIST
Novels in Dutch
------ -- -----
Saylor, Steven, _Catilina's Wapen_, (Amsterdam: Uitgeverij de
Boekerij, 1994), originally published in English as _Catilina's
Riddle_ (cf below).
Saylor, Steven, _Dood van een slavendrijver_, (Amsterdam: Uitgeverij de
Boekerij, 1993), originally published in English as _Arms of Nemesis_
(cf below).
Saylor, Steven, _Romeins Bloed_, (Amsterdam: Uitgeverij de Boekerij, 1993),
originally published in English as _Roman Blood_ (cf below).
Novels in English
------ -- -------
Blackburn, John, _Flame and the Wind, The_. Set in 30 A.D.
[not available for review]
Burns, Ron, _Roman Nights_ (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991).
Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, is away in Germany, fighting
barbarians. Meanwhile, someone is killing the Stoic philosophers
one by one. Senator's son Livinius Severus sets out to discover
why. [*]
Burns, Ron, _Roman Shadows_ (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992).
Junior Roman Senator Gaius Livinius Severus finds himself engulfed
in danger and intrigue in the turbulent days following the
assassination of Julius Caesar. [*+]
Connell, Charles, _Meet Me at Philippi_ (London: Herbert Jenkins, 1948).
A humorous look at the hunt for the assassins of Julius Caesar.
[not available for review]
Connell, Charles, _Most Delicious Poison_ (London: Herbert Jenkins, 1951).
Set in the Middle East about 50 BC. [not available for review]
Davis, Lindsey, _Iron Hand of Mars, The_ (New York: Crown Publishers, 1992;
New York: Ballantine paperback, 1990). Vespasian has a job for
Falco... in barbarian Germany. Falco doesn't want to go. When
he gets there, his mission to track down a renegade, find a
prophetess and discover the whereabouts of a missing legate is
interrupted by ... murder. Fourth in the series. [***]
Davis, Lindsey, _Last Act in Palmyra_ (Great Britain: Century, Random House
UK Limited, 1994, hardcover; Arrow (Random House), 1995, paperback).
Falco has got himself a secret commission from Anacrites to scout
the Eastern Empire. Meanwhile, a child has turned up missing and
Thalia the Snake-Dancer wants her found. So why are Falco and Helena
joining a theater troupe? Sixth in the series. [not available
for review]
Davis, Lindsey, _Poseidon's Gold_ (Great Britain: Century, Random House
UK Limited, 1992, hardcover; Arrow (Random House), 1994, paperback;
New York: Crown Publishers, 1994, hardcover; Ballantine paperback,
1994). Falco gets arrested for murder with Helena Justina as his
accomplice. Her family is not amused. Is Falco destined for the
lions? Fifth in the series. [**+]
Davis, Lindsey, _Shadows in Bronze_ (New York: Ballantine paperback, 1990).
Falco is on the case for Vespasian once again, this time tracking
all over south Italy in search of leftover conspirators.
Second in the series. [**]
Davis, Lindsey, _Silver Pigs_ (New York: Ballantine paperback, 1989).
Set in the First century AD empire of Vespasian. Private informer
Marcus Didius Falco investigates imperial conspiracies in Rome
and Britain on behalf of the Emperor, Titus and Domitian.
First in the series. [***]
Davis, Lindsey, _Time to Depart_ (Great Britain: Century, Random House
UK Limited, 1995, hardcover). Seventh in the series [not available
for review]
Davis, Lindsey, _Venus in Copper_ (New York: Ballantine paperback, 1991).
Falco has given up imperial work to concentrate on the intrigues of
the nouveaux riches. Titus appears however. Third in the series.
[***]
Hambly, Barbara, _Search the Seven Hills_ (New York: Ballantine, 1983
Published in hardcover as _The Quirinal Hill Affair_).
It is A.D. 116. The Roman Streets are quiet. The moon is full.
The perfect setting for the perfect crime... A young philosopher
seeks a kidnapped woman in the areas of Ancient Rome's Quirinal
Hill. Are some of Rome's early Christians behind it? [***]
Levey, Michael, _Affair on the Appian Way, An_ (London: Hamish Hamilton,
1984). Julia, chief of the Vestal Virgins, finds herself drawn
into the case of a young patrician woman who is found strangled.
[not available for review]
Nelson, Ray Faraday, _Dogheaded Death_ (San Francisco: Strawberry Hill
Press, 1989). When a wealthy Egyptian is murdered in his home,
Emperor Nero dispatches one of his palace centurions to investigate
lest he suffer political consequences. [not available for review]
O'Hagan, Joan, _Roman Death, A_ (New York: Doubleday, 1988). Set during
the dictatorship of Julius Caesar. The marriage alliance of the
Fufidii and Scauri families is headed for trouble after one of
the principals is found dead. When Fufidius' wife is accused of
murder and incest, only Cicero can hope to win her case. An
unusual multiple point-of-view mystery which sheds light on the
life of women in ancient Rome. [**+]
Ray, Mary, _Ides of April, The_, (New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1975).
When Senator Caius Pomponius Afer is found murdered in bed, all the
household slaves will be executed unless seventeen-year-old Hylas,
the secretary, can find the real killer. Juvenile. [not available
for review]
Richards, Kel, _Case of the Secret Assassin, The_ (Sydney: Hodder &
Stoughton, 1992). [not available for review]
Richards, Kel, _Case of the Vanishing Corpse, The_. (Sydney: Hodder &
Stoughton). [not available for review]
Richards, Kel, _Clues for Armchair Detectives: Four Investigations into
the Events of the First Easter_ (Kingsford NSW: St. Matthias Press,
1991). [not available for review]
Roberts, John Maddox, _SPQR_ (New York: Avon, 1990) Commissioner Decius
Caecilius Metellus the Younger's investigation of the murder of
a spy for Mithridates draws him into the dangerous world of
international power politics during the consulships of Pompey and
Crassus. Cicero and Julius Caesar appear. First in the series.
[**]
Roberts, John Maddox, _SPQR II, The Catiline Conspiracy_ (New York: Avon,
1991). Quaestor Decius Caecilius Metellus uncovers romance and
intrigue while investigating a series of murders of wealthy
merchants. Crassus and Cicero appear. Second in the series. [**]
Roberts, John Maddox, _Sacrilege, The: An SPQR Mystery_ (New York: Avon,
1992). Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus' investigation of
Clodius' invasion of a matronly gathering almost gets him killed.
Cicero, Caesar and Crassus appear. Third in the series. [**+]
Roberts, John Maddox, _Temple of the Muses, The: An SPQR Mystery_ (New
York: Avon, 1992). Junior Senator Decius joins a Roman
diplomatic mission to Alexandria to escape his enemies in the
Eternal City. But the suspicious death of an irascible philosopher
distracts the sleuth from his enjoyment of the exotic outpost's
many pleasures. Fourth in the series. [**]
Saylor, Steven, _Arms of Nemesis_ (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992;
Ivy Books paperback, 1993). Gordianus goes to Naples to investigate
the murderer of a Roman nobleman by his own slave. Unless he can
discover otherwise, many innocent slaves will die. Crassus appears.
Second in the series.
[****]
Saylor, Steven, _Catilina's Riddle_ (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993;
Ivy Books paperback, 1994).
A headless corpse turns up in the barn, meanwhile Gordianus finds
himself in the middle of the Catiline Conspiracy. Cicero and
Catilina appear. Third in the series. [****]
Saylor, Steven, _Murder on the Appian Way, A_ (in progress). [not available
for review]
Saylor, Steven, _Roman Blood_, (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991; Ivy
Books paperback, 1992). Gordianus the Finder investigates the
murder of a Roman noble by his own son. Based on the Sextus
Roscius case. Cicero and the Dictator Sulla appear in this tale
of Republican Rome. First in the series. [****]
Saylor, Steven, _Venus Throw, The_ (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995).
Gordianus is set to visit his son Meto in Gaul when a visitor
not all she seems turns up on his doorstep. It's murder and the
Finder has his hands full between a hostile Cicero and the
seductive, notorious Clodia. Fourth in the series. [***+]
Todd, Marilyn, _I, Claudia (A Mystery: 13 BC)_ (London: Macmillan Books,
19915). [not available for review]
Walsh, John Evangelist, _Man Who Buried Jesus, The_ (New York: Macmillan
Books, 1989). Nicodemus, one of the men responsible for placing
the body of Jesus in the tomb, investigates its disappearance.
[*+]
Winterfeld, Henry, _Detectives in Togas_, (New York: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, 1956). Originally published in Germany as _Caius
ist ein Dummkopf: Eine lustige und spannende Detektivgeschichte
fuer Kinder_ and translated by Richard and Clara Winston. (cf below)
Winterfeld, Henry, _Mystery of the Roman Ransom_, (New York: Harcourt
Brace Jovanovich, 1971). Originally published in Germany as
_Caius geht ein Licht auf: Ein neues Abenteuer des roemischen
Schuljungen aus "Caius ist ein Dummkopf"_ and translated by
Edith McCormick. (cf below)
Novels in French
------ -- ------
Leseleuc, Anne de, _vacances de Marcus Aper, Les_ (Paris: UGE, 1992).
Marcus Aper is a famous lawyer from Gaul working in Rome. During
the holidays, he returns to Lugdunum (Lyon) to visit his old
friend Quintus Solem only to discover a corpse. Features a good
portrait of everyday life in Gaul. First in the series.
[not available for review]
Leseleuc, Anne de, _Marcus Aper chez les Rutenes_ (Paris: UGE, 1993).
Second in the series. [not available for review]
Leseleuc, Anne de, _Marcus Aper et Laureolus_ (Paris: UGE, 1994).
Third in the series. [not available for review]
Leseleuc, Anne de, _Calendes de Septembre, Les_ (Paris: UGE, 1995).
Fourth in the series. [not available for review]
N`eraudau, Jean-Pierre, _louves du Palatin, Les_ (Paris: Les belles
lettres, 1988). [not available for review]
N`eraudau, Jean-Pierre, _myst`ere du jardin romain, Le_ (Paris: Les
belles lettres, 1992). In Rome of Tiberius in 24 AD, the
mutilated corpse of Marcus Plautius' wife found in their
domestic garden gives rise to speculation. Was it an accident?
Suicide? Murder? An anonymous manuscript confirms the worst.
[***]
Novels in German (see also Anthologies)
------ -- ------
Augsburg, Wolfgang, _Aemilius Varro -- Kommissar in Colonia:
Kriminalistische Szenen aus dem roemischen Koeln_ (Cologne:
Bachem, 1983). Several criminal cases set in late Antique Cologne
(3rd and 4th century A.D.). []
Burns, Ron, _Roemische Ausschweifungen_ (Frankfurt: Eichborn, 1994;
Munich: Goldmann, 1995)), originally published in English
as _Roman Nights_ (cf above).
Davis, Lindsey, _Bronzeschatten_ (Frankfurt: Eichborn, ca. 1992),
originally published in English as _Shadows in Bronze_ (cf above).
Davis, Lindsey, _Eisenhand: Falco in Germanien_ (Frankfurt: Eichborn,
1994), originally published in English as _The Iron Hand of Mars_
(cf above).
Davis, Lindsey, _Kupfervenus_ (Frankfurt: Eichborn, 1993),
originally published in English as _Venus in Copper_ (cf above).
Davis, Lindsey, _Poseidons Gold_ (Frankfurt: Eichborn, 1995),
originally published in English as _Poseidon's Gold_ (cf above).
Davis, Lindsey, _Silberschweine_ (Frankfurt: Eichborn, 1991),
originally published in English as _Silver Pigs_ (cf above).
Falk, Hermann, _Sarg der Kleopatra, Der: Kriminalroman_ (Berlin:
Auffenberg, 1940). [not available for review]
Hambly, Barbara, _Die Entfuehrung auf dem Quirinal_ (Bergisch Gladbach:
Bastei Luebbe, 1995), originally published in English as _The
Quirinal Hill Affair_ (cf above).
Huber, Heide, _geheimnisvolle Roemerwagen in Colonia, Der: Eine
Kriminalgeschichte -- nicht nur fuer Kinder_ (Cologne: Bachem,
1985). Four children in Roman Cologne at the end of the second
century A.D. are on the trail of mysterious travelers. Juvenile.
[not available for review]
N`eraudau, Jean-Pierre, _Das Geheimnis des roemischen Gartens:
Ein Kriminalroman aus der Antike, Le_ (Munich: Piper, 1994),
originally published in French as _myst`ere du jardin romain, Le_
(cf above).
Roberts, John Maddox, _Catilina-Verschwoerung, Die_ (Munich, Goldmann, 1993),
originally published in English as _The Catiline Conspiracy_ (cf above).
Roberts, John Maddox, _Fluch des Volkstribuns, Der_ (Munich: Goldmann,
forthcoming 1996). Decius is charged with investigating the
murder of a tribune. Seventh in the series.
[not available for review]
Roberts, John Maddox, _Frevel des Clodius, Der_ (Munich: Goldmann, 1993),
originally published in English as _Sacrilege_ (cf above).
Roberts, John Maddox, _Musentempel, Der_ (Munich: Goldmann, 1993),
originally published in English as _The Temple of the Muses_ (cf above).
Roberts, John Maddox, _SPQR_ (Munich: Goldmann, 1992),
originally published in English under the same name (cf above).
Roberts, John Maddox, _Tod eines Centurio_ (Munich: Goldmann, 1995). In
Caesar's army in Gaul in 58 BC, a centurio is murdered. Caecilius
has to investigate. Sixth in the series. [not available for review]
Roberts, John Maddox, _Toedliche Saturnalien_ (Munich: Goldmann, 1994),
originally published in English as _Saturnalia_ (cf above).
Saylor, Steven, _Laecheln des Cicero, Das_ (Munich: Blanvalet, 1993;
Munich: Goldmann paperback, 1995), originally published in
English as _Roman Blood_ (cf above).
Saylor, Steven, _Pforten des Hades, Die_ (Munich: Goldmann, 1995),
originally published in English as _Arms of Nemesis_ (cf above).
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Alexander und die Gladiatoren_ (Munich: Knaur,
1983). Volcatius gives a gladiatorial show to secure his
election to aedile. His freedman Alexander stumbles across
criminal deeds. Fifth in the series. [*]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Attentat in Pompeii_ (Munich: Knaur, 1984).
Volcatius needs to look after family matters in Pompeii,
which turn out deadly. Sixth in the series. [*]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Frau des Senators, Die_ (Munich: Knaur, 1982).
Volcatius serves as tribune in Julius Caesar's army during
the revolt of Vercingetorix and has to make sense of a murder
which involves the Gallic chieftain. Second in the series. [**]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Ich klage an_ (Munich: Knaur, 1982). Volcatius
investigates the eviction of a peasant from his farm near
Rome. Third in the series. [*+]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Mord auf der Via Appia_ (Munich: Knaur, 1982).
The military tribune C. Volcatius Tullus, at home on sick leave,
is confronted with a kidnapping, which involves Cilician pirates,
high circles of the Roman society and the notorious Clodius.
First in the series. [**]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Quintus geht nach Rom_ (Munich: dtv, 1987).
15-year old Quintus moves to Rome with his family. Together with a
new-found friend, he uncovers a racket involving counterfeit tokens
for the grain dole. This is not a part of the older 10-novel series
by Sto"ver, but the first in a series set in the same period
(Rome about 50 BC). The hero is a young boy. First in the
Quintus series. Juvenile. [*]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Quintus in Gefahr_ (Munich: dtv, 1991).
Second in the Quintus series. Juvenile. [not available for review]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Quintus setzt sich durch_ (Munich: dtv, 1993).
Quintus travels to Alexandria to acquire an old manuscript. Third in
the Quintus series. Juvenile. [not available for review]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Rebellion im Circus Maximus_ (Munich: Knaur,
1985). As aedile, Volcatius has to investigate evildoings
connected with horseracing. Eighth in the series. [*]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Skandal um Nausikaa_ (Munich: Knaur, 1983).
This case leads Volcatius into the theatrical world of Rome.
Appearances by Pompey and Cicero. Fourth in the series. [*]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Tod auf dem Forum_ (Munich: Knaur, 1985).
Counterfeit coins are turning up in Rome, and Volcatius has to find
out who's responsible. Ninth in the series. [*]
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Toedliche Dosis_ (Munich:Knaur, 1986). A rich Roman
is poisoned, and Volcatius' family doctor begs for his help with
the matter. Tenth in the series. []
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter, _Verrat des Ambiorix, Der_ (Munich: Knaur, 1984).
On the orders of Julius Caesar, Volcatius has to find the
whereabouts of the fled Ambiorix who led a revolt against the
Romans. The course of his search takes him across the Rhine
into unconquered Germany. Seventh in the series. [*]
Vandenberg, Philipp, _Pompejaner, Der_ (Bergisch Gladbach: Gustav Luebbe,
1986). A former slave escaped from Pompeii manages to acquire
great fortunes, but is haunted by a mysterious series of murders.
Set in the reigns from Nero to Titus. [*+]
Winterfeld, Henry, _Caius ist ein Dummkopf: Eine lustige und spannende
Detektivgeschichte fuer Kinder_ (Berlin: Blanvalet, 1953).
Seven Roman boys arrive at school only to find their teacher bound
and handcuffed. Worse, one of their own is implicated in
blatant defacement of a Temple to Minerva. What can seven
boys do about it? Plenty! Illustrated by Charlotte Kleinert.
First in the series. Juvenile. [***]
Winterfeld, Henry, _Caius geht ein Licht auf: Ein neues Abenteuer des
roemischen Schuljungen aus "Caius ist ein Dummkopf"_ (Berlin:
Blanvalet, 1969). When seven Roman boys attempt to return a
slave purchased as a gift for their tutor, they learn of a
coded message and uncover a plot which threatens the Empire itself.
Delightfully illustrated by Fritz Biermann. Second in the series.
Juvenile. [***]
Winterfeld, Henry, _Caius in der Klemme_ (Munich: Blanvalet, 1976).
Caius is condemned to death for breaking into the imperial palace.
His friends attempt to liberate him. Third in the series.
Juvenile. [not available for review]
Winterfeld, Henry, _Caius, der Lausbub aus dem alten Rom: Alle Abenteuer
in einem Band_ (Munich, Blanvalet, 1979). Omnibus edition
containing the three Winterfeld novels.
Novels in Italian
------ -- -------
Magri`, Rosario, _Il medico delle Isole_, (Milano: Arnoldo Mondadori
Editore, Collezione Omnibus, 1982). First in the series.
[not available for review]
Magri`, Rosario, _Il sale in bocca_, (Milano: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore,
Collezione Omnibus, 1990). Pontius Epaphroditus, head of the
fire-brigade/police investigates the death of an anonymous beggar.
But soon it appears that people of great political importance are
involved. Set in Ostia and Portus, the harbor of Rome.
[not available for review]
Magri`, Rosario. _Indagine sulla morte di un schiavo_ (Milano: Arnoldo
Mondadori, 1991). Fourth in the series. [not available for review]
Magri`, Rosario, _La Statua d'Oro -- Claudio Galeno alla corte
dell'imperatore_, (Milano: Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Collezione
Omnibus, 1984). Pontius Epaphroditus, head of the
fire-brigade/police, investigates the theft of a golden statue,
the present of the Emperor to the famous doctor Galenus. Set in
Ostia and Portus, the harbor of Rome. Second in the series.
[not available for review]
Novels in Spanish
------ -- -------
Saylor, Steven, _Brazo de la Justicia, El_, (Barcelona: Emece Editores, 1993),
originally published in English as _Arms of Nemesis_ (cf above).
Saylor, Steven, _Enigma de Catilina, El_, (Barcelona: Emece Editores, 1994),
originally published in English as _Catilina's Riddle_ (cf above).
Saylor, Steven, _Sangre Romana_, (Barcelona: Emece Editores, 1994),
originally published in English as _Roman Blood_ (cf above).
Roman Mysteries in Anthologies
----- --------- -- -----------
Gordian, Robert, "Thessalus IV.", _Das Grab des Periandros:
Antike Mordgeschichten_ (Berlin: Neues Leben, 1992). On the villa
of a Roman senator a slave is found dead. Set in 171 BC. [*+]
Nichols, Wallace, "The Case of the Empress's Jewels", _The Mammoth Book of
Historical Whodunnits_ (London: Robinson Publishing, 1993; New York:
Carroll & Graf, 1993. Mike Ashley, editor). Only slave detective
Sollius can solve the mystery of the Empress Faustina's missing
baubles. [****]
Nichols, Wallace, "The Case of the Murdered Senator", _The Mammoth Book
of Historical Detectives_ (London: Robinson Publishing, 1993;
New York: Carroll & Graf, 1995. Mike Ashley, editor). The
powers of Slave Detective Sollius are taxed more than is usual
in a tricky, and perilous, case. [****]
Nichols, Wallace, "The Treasury Thefts", _The Mammoth Book of
Historical Whodunnits_ (London: Robinson Publishing, 1993;
New York: Carroll & Graf, 1993. Mike Ashley, editor). In AD
174, Emperor Marcus Aurelius entrusts Sollius with an
impossible case. [****]
Price, Anthony, "A Green Boy", (1973). Set in Britain of AD 77. [not
available for review]
Price, Anthony, "The Boudicca Killing", _Winter's Crimes 11_, (New York:
St. Martin's Press, 1980. Originally published in Great Britain
in 1979. George Hardinge, editor). A Roman investor has made
a shocking profit in the wake of the Boudiccaean Revolt -- the
Colonel of Arcani is sent to forbidding Britannia Province to
investigate. [***]
Roberts, John Maddox, "King of Sacrifices, The", _The Mammoth Book of
Historical Detectives_ (London: Robinson Publishing, 1993;
New York: Carroll & Graf, 1995. Mike Ashley, editor). At
age 73, a still spry Decius Caecilius Metellus investigates
a potentially scandalous murder at the behest of First Citizen
Augustus. [***]
Roberts, John Maddox, "Mightier Than the Sword", _The Mammoth Book of
Historical Whodunnits_ (London: Robinson Publishing, 1993;
New York: Carroll & Graf, 1993. Mike Ashley, editor).
Newly-elected Aedile Decius Caecilius Metellus finds himself
diverted from duty when he stumbles across a corpse. [**+]
Saylor, Steven, "Alexandrian Cat, The", _Mystery Cats 3_ (Signet, 1995.
Cynthia Manson, editor). Traveling in Egypt, Gordianus runs into
far more trouble than he could ever have imagined from a single
cat. [****]
Saylor, Steven, "Death Wears a Mask", _The Mammoth Book of Historical
Detectives_ (London: Robinson Publishing, 1993; New York:
Carroll & Graf, 1995. Mike Ashley, editor). Gordianus takes
his ward to the latest play by Plautus only to find it a stage
for violent murder. [****]
Saylor, Steven, "House of the Vestals, The", _Inverno Giallo 1993-94_
(Italian. Arnoldo Mondadori, editor). [****]
Saylor, Steven, "Lemures, The",
_Once Upon a Crime_ (St. Martin's Press, 1994. Janet Hutchings,
editor) and also
_Murder for Halloween_ (Mysterious Press, 1994. Michele Slung &
Roland Hartman, editors). Gordianus' client hires him to
investigate the supernatural. [****]
Saylor, Steven, "Will is a Way, A", _The Year's Best Mystery and Suspense
Stories 1993_ (Walker & Co., 1993. Edward Hoch, editor). [****]
Stevens, R. L., "The Three Travelers", _The Mammoth Book of Historical
Detectives_ (London: Robinson Publishing, 1993; New York:
Carroll & Graf, 1995. Mike Ashley, editor). Set in 4 BC, the
Three Wise Men investigate the theft of one of their precious gifts.
[***+]
Turtledove, Harry, "Death in Vesunna", _Departures_ (New York: Ballantine,
1993. With Elaine O'Byrne). This surprising story is set in
Aquitania during the reign of Antoninus Pius. [**+]
Yaffe, James, "The Problem of the Emperor's Mushrooms", _All But
Impossible!_ (New York: Ticknor and Fields, 1981. Edward D. Hoch,
editor). We know who killed the Emperor Claudius, right? but how
did they do it? [***]
Roman Mysteries in Magazines
----- --------- -- ---------
Nichols, Wallace, _London Mystery Magazine_,
"The Case of the Bank Theft", March 1962, 52 [***]
"The Case of the Bearded Man", December 1963, 59 [nafr]
"The Case of the Beheadings", September 1960, 46 [nafr]
"The Case of the Buried Chains", March 1952, 12 [nafr]
"The Case of the Burnt Villa", December 1960, 47 [nafr]
"The Case of the Chariot Wheel", March 1958, 36 [***]
"The Case of Chrysis", December 1959, 43 [***]
"The Case of Corbulo's Trial", September 1959, 42 [****]
"The Case of Cotta's Jewels", December 1962, 55 [nafr]
"The Case of the Courtyard Games", March 1964, 60 [***+]
"The Case of the Drugged Wine", March 1956, 28 [****]
"The Case of the Empress's Jewels", April 1950, 3 (cf above) [****]
"The Case of the Etruscan Pin", August 1951, 11 [***+]
"The Case of the Fearful Perfume", June 1960, 45 [nafr]
"The Case of the First Cup", September 1962, 54 [***]
"The Case of the Frightened Poet", February 1951, 8 [nafr]
"The Case of the Garden God", August 1950, 5 [nafr]
"The Case of the Golden God", September 1958, 38 [nafr]
"The Case of the Goldsmith's Daughter", September 1963, 58 [nafr]
"The Case of the Greek Play", September 1956, 30 [****]
"The Case of Hanno's Oasis", September 1965, 66 [nafr]
"The Case of the Haunted Farm", December 1964, 63 [***+]
"The Hidden Snake", December 1950, 7 [nafr]
"The Case of the Hidden Tablet", December 1956, 31 [****]
"The Case of His Own Abduction", February 1967, 72 [****]
"The Case of the Honey Cake", June 1955, 25 [nafr]
"The Case in the Camp", March 1961, 48 [***+]
"The Case of Justice Served", March 1960, 44 [nafr]
"The Case of the Lion's Claws", June 1958, 37 [nafr]
"The Case of the Last Skin", September 1966, 70 [****]
"The Case of the Legion's Pay-Chest", December 1965, 67 [nafr]
"The Case of the Missing Baby", May 1961, 49 [nafr]
"The Case of the Missing Corcyran", December 1966, 71 [****]
"The Case of the Missing Head", April 1959, 41 [***]
"The Case of the Missing Slave Girl", December 1955, 27 [***+]
"The Case of the Murdered Babies", December 1958, 39 [***+]
"The Case of the Murdered Senator", October 1950, 6 [****]
"The Case of the Nest of Evil", March 1965, 64 [nafr]
"The Case of the No Conclusion", June 1964, 61 [nafr]
"The Case of the Parthian Arrow", September 1955, 26 [****]
"The Case of the Persian Ring", September 1961, 50 [nafr]
"The Case of the Pharaoh's Eye", June 1965, 65 [****]
"The Case of the Pleader's Notes", March 1963, 56 [nafr]
"The Case of the Poisoned Shaving-Oil", March 1953, 16 [****]
"The Case of the Roman Banquet", November 1961, 51 [nafr]
"The Case of the Roman General", June 1963, 57 [nafr]
"The Case of the Sacred Horn", September 1967, 74 [****]
"The Case of the Senate's Gift", April 1951, 9 [nafr]
"The Case of the Senator's Folly", March 1966, 68 [***]
"The Case of the Senator's Farm", March 1959, 40 [***+]
"The Case of the Servile Gang", June 1966, 69 [nafr]
"The Case of the Talisman", May 1967, 73 [***+]
"The Treasury Thefts", June 1950, 4 (cf above) [****]
"The Case of the Two Horses", September 1964, 62 [nafr]
"The Case of the Two Soothsayers", December 1957, 35 [****]
"The Case of the Unfinished Villa", June 1962, 53 [***]
"The Case of the Wasted Lesson", June 1957, 33 [nafr]
"The Case of the Yellow-Haired Spy", September 1957, 34 [***+]
"The Festival of Cybele", June 1952, 13 [nafr]
"The Great Tin Mine Case", December 1967, 75 [****]
Saylor, Steven, _Armchair Detective, The_,
"The Treasure House", Spring 1993 [***]
Saylor, Steven, _Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine_,
"The Alexandrian Cat", February 1994 (cf above) [****]
"Death Wears a Mask", July 1992 (cf above) [****]
"The Disappearance of the Saturnalia Silver", mid-December 1993 [****]
"The House of the Vestals", April 1993 (cf above) [****]
"King Bee and Honey", October 1995 [***+]
"The Lemures", October 1992 (cf above) [****]
"Little Caesar and the Pirates", March 1995 [***+]
"A Will is a Way", March 1992 (cf above) [****]
Stevens, R. L., _Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine_,
"The Three Travelers", January 1976 (cf above) [***+]
Turtledove, Harry, _Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine_,
"Death in Vesunna", January 1981 (cf above) [**+]
Yaffe, James, _Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine_,
"The Problem of the Emperor's Mushrooms", 1945 (cf above) [***]
Miscellany
----------
_Age of Treason_ A movie by this name based on the Marcus Didius Falco
character created by Lindsey Davis has been filmed. No information
on when, where or how it might be released was available.
_City of Gold and Shadows_ (1973) by Ellis Peters is a modern-day mystery
set at a fictional Roman site based on Roman Uriconium (Wroxeter).
_Conspiracy, The_ (New York: Knopf, 1972) by John Hersey, while not a
traditional mystery novel, depicts the efforts of Emperor Nero's
secret service to track down dissenters. Seneca and Lucan featured.
_Gift of Rome, The_ (Boston, Toronto: Little, Brown & Co., 1961) by John
and Esther Wagner is based on Cicero's speech Pro Cluentio "and has
some of the elements of a mystery story, as the circumstances
surrounding the death of the elder Oppianicus develop [...] an
attractive young girl does some detective work for Cicero."
_Golden Peacock_, (Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1936) by Gertrude
Atherton is an account of a girl's part in investigating the
murder of a patrician and discovering a plot against Augustus
Caesar.
_Julius Caesar Murder Case, The_ (New York, London: Appleton-Century, 1935)
by Wallace Irwin.
_Murder Defies the Roman Emperor_ (Boston: Bruce Humphries, c. 1957)
by Charles Edward Gray is a mystery set in the time of Hadrian.
_Murder Trials by Cicero_ (Penguin Books, 1975, 1990 (revisions)).
Translated by Michael Grant. The book contains a collection
of the defences of Cicero of various prominent figures of Rome
and its subjects who were accused of murder. These are the actual
stories behind some of the novelized cases.
_Mystery Readers Journal_, Summer 1993, (vol. 9 #2 History Mystery -- Part I)
"O Tempora! O Mores!" by Elizabeth Watson is a survey of the
more popular Roman Mystery novels.
"B.C. *(Before Cadfael)" by Sue Feder is a comprehensive survey
of mystery novels set prior to the Middle Ages including Roman
Mystery novels.
"All Roads Led to Rome" by Steven Saylor explains how the noted
author got into the field.
"Mystery in Retrospect: Reviews" by Carol Harper and Dean James
provides capsule reviews of several of the more popular Roman
Mystery novels.
_Roman Moon Mystery, The_ (New York: Oxford University Press, 1948) by
Jay Williams.
_Stolen Oracle, The_ (London, New York: Oxford University Press, 1943) by
Jay Williams recounts the theft of the Sibylline books during the
reign of Augustus.
_Vettius and His Friends_ (New York: Baen Books, 1989) by David Drake
is a collection of twelve short stories set in the fourth century
AD, most of which have an element of mystery, but with the twist
that there are time travelers from the far future present.
Mysteries by Time Period
--------- -- ---- ------
171 BC (eve of the Third Macedonian War):
"Thessalus IV."
Dictatorship of L. Cornelius Sulla:
_Roman Blood_
Spartacan Revolt:
_Arms of Nemesis_
Consulship of Pompey and Crassus:
_SPQR_
Between the Civil Wars:
"A Will is a Way"
"Death Wears a Mask"
"King Bee and Honey"
"The Lemures"
"The House of the Vestals"
"The Disappearance of the Saturnalia Silver"
"The Alexandrian Cat"
"Little Caesar and the Pirates"
"The Treasure House"
Consulship of M. Tullius Cicero:
_Catilina's Riddle_
_SPQR II, the Catiline Conspiracy_
First Triumverate period:
_Alexander und die Gladiatoren_
_Attentat in Pompeii_
_Frau des Senators, Die_
_Ich klage an_
_Mord auf der Via Appia_
_Most Delicious Poison_
_Quintus geht nach Rom_
_Quintus in Gefahr_
_Quintus setzt sich durch_
_Rebellion im Circus Maximus_
_Sacrilege, The: An SPQR Mystery_
_Sarg der Kleopatra, Der: Kriminalroman_
_Saturnalia_
_Skandal um Nausikaa_
_Temple of the Muses, The: An SPQR Mystery_
_Tod auf dem Forum_
_Toedliche Dosis_
_Verrat des Ambiorix, Der_
"Mightier Than the Sword"
Second Triumverate period:
_Affair on the Appian Way, An_
_Venus Throw, The_
Dictatorship of G. Julius Caesar:
_Julius Caesar Murder Case, The_
_Meet Me at Philippi_
_Roman Death, A_
_Roman Shadows_
Reign of Augustus:
_I, Claudia (A Mystery: 13 BC)_
"King of Sacrifices, The"
Reign of Tiberius:
_Caius, der Lausbub aus dem alten Rom_
_Caius geht ein Licht auf_
_Caius in der Klemme_
_Caius ist ein Dummkopf_
_Detectives in Togas_
_Flame and the Wind, The_
_Man Who Buried Jesus, The_
_Mystery of the Roman Ransom_
myst`ere du jardin romain, Le_
"The Three Travelers"
Reign of Claudius:
"The Problem of the Emperor's Mushrooms"
Regin of Nero:
_Affair on the Appian Way, An_
_Dogheaded Death_
_Ides of April, The_
_Pompejaner, Der_
"The Boudica Killing"
Reign of Vespasian:
_Calendes de Septembre, Les_
_Iron Hand of Mars, The_
_Last Act in Palmyra_
_Marcus Aper chez les Rutenes_
_Marcus Aper et Laureolus_
_Poseidon's Gold_
_Shadows in Bronze_
_Silver Pigs_
_Venus in Copper_
_Time to Depart_
_vacances de Marcus Aper, Les_
"A Green Boy"
Reign of Trajan:
_Search the Seven Hills_
Reign of Antoninus Pius:
"Death in Vesunna"
Reign of Marcus Aurelius:
_Roman Nights_
"The Case of the Empress's Jewels"
"The Case of the Murdered Senator"
"The Treasury Thefts"
Reign of Commodus:
"The Case of the Drugged Wine"
"The Case of the Etruscan Pin"
"The Case of the Missing Slave Girl"
"The Case of the Parthian Arrow"
"The Case of the Poisoned Shaving-Oil"
"The Case of the Senate's Gift"
Reign of Pertinax:
"The Case of the Greek Play"
"The Case of the Hidden Tablet"
Reign of Julianus:
"The Case of the Hidden Tablet"
"The Case of the Wasted Lesson"
"The Case of the Yellow-Haired Spy"
Reign of Septimius Severus:
_La Statua d'Oro -- Claudio Galeno alla corte dell'imperatore_
_Il sale in bocca_
"The Case of the Bank Theft"
"The Case in the Camp"
"The Case of the Chariot Wheel"
"The Case of Chrysis"
"The Case of Corbulo's Trial"
"The Case of the Courtyard Games"
"The Case of the First Cup"
"The Case of the Haunted Farm"
"The Case of the Last Skin"
"The Case of the Missing Head"
"The Case of the Murdered Babies"
"The Case of the Pharaoh's Eye"
"The Case of the Senator's Farm"
"The Case of the Senator's Folly"
"The Case of the Two Soothsayers"
"The Case of the Unfinished Villa"
Reign of Caracalla:
"The Case of His Own Abduction"
"The Case of the Missing Corcyran"
"The Case of the Sacred Horn"
"The Case of the Talisman"
"The Great Tin Mine Case"
2nd century A.D:
_geheimnisvolle Roemerwagen in Colonia, Der_
3rd-4th century A.D:
_Aemilius Varro -- Kommissar in Colonia_
Unknown:
_louves du Palatin, Les_
Profiles of the Authors
-------- -- --- -------
Augsburg, Wolfgang
No information is available regarding this German author.
Blackburn, John
No information is available regarding this author.
Burns, Ron
Raised in Michigan, Ron Burns studied European history and
international affairs at Georgetown University. He has had a
career as a feature writer and editor for United Press
International, the _Philadelphia Bulletin_ and the _Los Angeles
Herald Examiner_. His latest historical mystery is titled _The
Mysterious Death of Meriwether Lewis_. Ron Burns lives in
Santa Monica, California.
Connell, Charles
British author Charles Connell was born in 1910.
Davis, Lindsey
Like Wallace Nichols, Lindsey Davis was born in Birmingham,
England. In fact, one can almost see the inspiration for her
first book in Nichols' penultimate tale, "The Great Tin Mine
Case". After studying English at Oxford, she joined the civil
service, but now writes full-time. She lives in London.
Falk, Hermann
The apparent inventor of the Ancient Roman Mystery genre,
German author Hermann Falk (1901-1981) was a schoolteacher, but
managed to publish numerous novels, especially mysteries and
juvenilia.
Gordian, Robert
No information is available on this German author.
Hambly, Barbara
Born in San Diego in 1951, Barbara Hambly is far better known
for her work in the fields of science fiction and fantasy. She
has a Star Trek novel, _Ishmael_, to her credit. Like many
authors, she has had a varied career, at different times
working as a high school teacher, model, waitress, technical
editor, all-night clerk and karate instructor. She has studied
medieval history at the University of California at Riverside
and at the University of Bordeaux, eventually earning a
Master's Degree in the subject. In 1978 she earned another
impressive achievement, a Black Belt in karate. She lives in
Los Angeles, California.
Hartel, Klaus Dietrich
Philipp Vandenberg is the pseudonym of German author Klaus
Dietrich Hartel. Born in 1941, Mr. Hartel, once a
writer-editor for the German _Playboy_ magazine, is an
internationally-acclaimed archaeological writer whose credits
include _The Curse of the Pharaohs_, _Nefertiti_ and _The
Golden Pharaoh_. Mr. Hartel resides in Munich.
Huber, Heide
Heide Huber is a teacher of Latin in Koeln, the former
Colonia Claudia ara Agrippinensium, in Germany.
Hoch, Edward D.
(R. L. Stevens is the pseudonym of Edward D. Hoch.)
Longtime mystery writer and editor Edward D. Hoch is
practically an institution in the field. Born in 1930, he has
published over five hundred mystery stories including one in
every issue of _Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine_ from 1973 to
1981. His TV writing credits include episodes of "MacMillan
and Wife", "Night Gallery", the "Alfred Hitchcock Show", and
"Tales of the Unexpected". Mr. Hoch has served on the board of
the Mystery Writers of America. He makes his home in
Rochester, New York.
Irwin, Wallace
Author Wallace Irwin was born 1876.
Leseleuc, Anne de
No information is known about this historian and French novelist.
Levey, Michael
British author Michael Levey is Director of the National Gallery
in London and has written several books on the subject of art
history, a number of short stories. His first novel was _Tempting
Fate_. Michael Levey was born in 1927.
Magri`, Rosario
A neurologist at the Hospital of San Carlo di Milano, Rosario
Magri` divides time between medical and literary careers. Other
publications include a number of books for children as well as
two books of religious humor, _Scherza coi Santi and _Malamela_.
Nelson, Ray Faraday
Ray Faraday Nelson's career has explored science-fiction, fantasy,
poetry and non-fiction as well as historical mystery. The John
Carpenter Film _They Live_ is based on his short story "Eight
O'Clock in the Morning". Other works include _TimeQuest_,
_Murder Among Friends_, _Arthur the Celt_ and _Arthur the Roman_.
American author Ray Faraday Nelson was born in 1931.
N`eraudau, Jean-Pierre
A French classicist and university professor, he has published
several scholarly works about ancient Rome. Born in 1947.
Nichols, Wallace
Sixty stories by poet and writer Wallace Nichols (1888 - 1967)
about the fictional slave detective, Sollius, posited in the
second century AD ran in _London Mystery Magazine_ between the
years 1950 and 1968, making Nichols one of the pioneer writers
of Ancient Roman mysteries. Born in Birmingham, Nichols'
career seems to have take a number of turns including editor at
_Windsor Magazine_ and reader at Ward's Lock as well as writer
of historical novels and adventures for boys. His command of
five languages excepts the several ancient ones he spoke,
including Babylonian and Egyptian. Acquainted with luminaries
such as Churchill, Elgar, Dylan Thomas and Lawrence of Arabia,
he moved to Cornwall for health reasons in 1934. After 1949 he
would sit working out his mysteries in a little old Elizabethan
wing of a country house near Penzance.
O'Hagan, Joan
Born in Canberra, Australia, Joan O'Hagan and her diplomat
husband have lived in New Zealand, the South Pacific, America
and Rome. She has also written _Death and a Madonna_, _Incline
and Fall_ and _Against the Grain_.
Price, Anthony
Born in 1928, Anthony Price was a journalist by trade. From an
early career reviewing crime novels -- over ten years with the
_Oxford Mail_ -- he won the British Crime Writers' Silver
Dagger Award with his first novel, _The Labyrinth Makers_. His
many espionage novels often draw on his personal interests
including military history. His _Others Paths to Glory_ won
the Golden Dagger Award. With _The Memory Trap_, Mr. Price has
published his nineteenth novel. He makes his home near Oxford,
England.
Ray, Mary
American author Mary Ray was born in 1932. Among her other works
for children are _The Voice of Apollo_ and _Eastern Beacon_.
Richards, Kel
Australian author Kel Richards was born in 1946.
Roberts, John Maddox
John Maddox Roberts is the Edgar-award nominated author of the
SPQR series as well as over twenty novels. Born in 1947, most
of his work has been in the fantasy field, including a number
featuring Conan the Barbarian.
Saylor, Steven
Steven Saylor is a free-lance writer and editor. Born in Texas
in 1956, he studied history at the University of Texas and his
stories and essays have appeared in _Ellery Queen's Mystery
Magazine_, _The Armchair Detective_, _The Magazine of Fantasy
and Science Fiction_, _The San Francisco Bay Guardian_ and
_The Threepenny Review_, He resides in Berkeley, California,
where he continues work on his Roma Sub Rosa series.
Stevens, R. L.
See Hoch, Edward D.
Sto"ver, Hans Dieter
After studying classics and history, Mr. Sto"ver worked as a
school teacher and is now a full-time writer. Apart from
novels, he writes books for children and non-fiction, almost
exclusively about ancient Rome. With 13 Roman mystery novels
to his credit, Mr. Sto"ver is the most prolific writer in the
genre. Born in 1937.
Todd, Marilyn
No information is available on British author Marilyn Todd.
Turtledove, Harry
Harry Turtledove is the author of over a dozen novels and many
more stories, mostly in the realm of science fiction. Notable
is his Videssos Cycle set in the medieval Byzantine empire and
his series entitled The Tale of Krispos. Holder of a Ph.D. in
Byzantine history from UCLA, he has taught there and at
California State Colleges at Fullerton and Los Angeles. He
once made a living as a technical writer and has also published
straight history. He is married to novelist Laura Frankos and
they have three daughters: Alison, Rachel and Rebecca.
Vandenberg, Philipp
See Hartel, Klaus Dietrich.
Walsh, John Evangelist
Author of several histories including _The Bones of St. Peter_
and _The Hidden Life of Emily Dickinson_, John Evangelist Walsh
was for many years a senior editor at _Reader's Digest_, specializing
in religious matters. He was born in 1927.
Winterfeld, Henry
German author Henry Winterfeld has written several popular
books for children, three of which are set in ancient Rome.
Yaffe, James
James Yaffe is the author of a number of plays, one of which
has been produced on Broadway, as well as a dozen novels. He
was one of the first and youngest mystery writers discovered by
_Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine_. He has written a great
number of detective stories since then. Born in 1927, the most
recent report is that James Yaffe lives in Colorado Springs
with his wife and three children.
=========
END OF LIST