I have read Harry Sidebottom novels before, but found this rather pale by comparison to previous experience. The problem is that you can be sure of the ending from the first chapter, so after that it becomes no more than a detailed description of a man on the run who repeatedly gets himself out of sticky situations with courage and violence. A little bit of Deus Ex Machina going on here too, I think, which is very classical but not very imaginative.

The lack of surprise is a bit disappointing.

A fast moving Roman thriller which could have been Jason Bourne meets The Emperor. More escape routines than Houdini and all of them nail-biting and plausible. An enjoyable romp through the dark and dirty streets and rivers of Rome that suspends disbelief in a thoroughly professional way. The movie will be Gladiator on speed, pity Russell Crowe is getting a little old for the part.

A third-century tale of murder and mystery. Set in the Roman Empire with all of its splendour and history. Essentially a tale of greed and murder, The Last Hour tells of a 24-hour race against time to stop the assassination of the Emperor. Fast-paced and intriguing. Well-researched.

In one typical fare from this master of the Roman politico-military thriller, but this one has a few twists, both in terms of plot arc and format that raises it slightly above his oeuvre.

This is a brilliant return to the Warrior of Rome series. After a few years away from Ballista and his familia, its great to finally be back.

In 'The Last Hour', Sidebottom takes a different and unique approach to not just this series, but Roman fiction as a whole. The previous books in the series focus strongly on military action around the Empire. With his 'Throne of the Caesars' series, we get a heavy political themed series. However this new novel can be best described as a thriller. At has the feel of a highly intense action novel, set in the mould of a TV series such as '24'. Its so fast paced, the action is non-stop, and the story is very direct.

Sidebottom presents such a vividly real Rome, his research and knowledge, as always, is articulate and extensive. Its such a great book, heartily recommended!