I've been a fan of Lindsey Davis's Falco books since my early teens, and I'm still a huge fan of this series, which follows his daughter as she, too, grapples with the seedy underbelly of Ancient Rome. This is the seventh book in the second series, so to say too much about the characters would be spoilerish, but equally there's no fun in spoiling the plot of a murder mystery. Suffice to say this is another stellar instalment, and I've never found someone who writes crime or Rome better than Davis. Five stars!

She may be nearly 2000 years old but what a feisty character. Yet again Lindsey Davis has brought Ancient Rome to life with humour, drama and a cunning plot.

A Capitol Death is the seventh novel in the Flavia Albia series of historical mysteries set in Ancient Rome, and this is yet another great addition to a super series. Not surprisingly, the Roman setting is what makes this book truly unique, and not only do we have an intriguing mystery surrounding the untimely death of a highly despised man, but we also have some humour to lighten the load, which makes this such a fun read for the times we indeed live in.

Due to reading a lot of mystery/thrillers I tend to find unless they are very unusual I can guess what is about to happen, and I'm afraid that's exactly what happened here, however, the novel has more to get your teeth into than just the crime element, namely the hilarious quips interspersed throughout and the historical timeframe of first-century Rome, which is described in such beguiling detail you cannot fail to be engrossed by it. From the profoundly intriguing to the most mundane Davis depicts an engaging city with its sight, sounds and smells. It is clear that either the author enjoys this period of history or researched it thoroughly before writing the series, or perhaps both.

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC.

What a enjoyable series this has been and A Capitol Death is an excellent "next episode". Historical fiction it certainly is and Hysterical fiction too. A book to make you smile at the twisty things that people get up to and the narrative that tells their story. In some places, happenings are wrapped in a "coat", designed to mislead (in the nicest sense), however the tales get more interesting as these hidden meanings reveal themselves.

This is a delightful series to be enjoyed as light relief from the trials and tribulations of today. Take yourself back to a time when things may have been simple but were certainly not easy; you will not regret the journey.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of A Capitol Death, the seventh novel to feature Roman informer Flavia Albia.

When the logistics manager for Domitian’s Triumph falls off a cliff it assumed to be either suicide or an accident until a witness says she saw another person on the cliff with him. The Byzantine politics of Ancient Rome devolve the investigation to Flavia Albia’s husband Tiberius and his fellow Aediles who promptly pass it on to her. With an obnoxious victim and preparation for the Triumph making everyone uninterested she has her work cut out.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Capitol Death which is a highly amusing romp through first century Rome. It is told in the first person by Flavia Albia and as she has a jaundiced, cynical view of her fellow Romans it make me laugh on a regular basis, not least the geese but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out more. The plot is fairly see through and the perpetrator relatively easy to guess but how it comes about is less obvious. The devil is in the detail and it’s quite cunning.

I find the historical detail in the novels fascinating. Ms Davis brings the everyday life of Romans to life from the seedy bars to dealing with bureaucracy and insolent slaves. It would seem that the stresses and strains of living under the rule of a paranoid narcissist are not so different from nowadays. I’m glad, however, that I read the novel on Kindle as it allows me to easily look up the many references I didn’t understand. The width and depth of Ms Davis’ research is amazing.

Flavia Albia is a wonderful protagonist. Not so different from her father, Marcus Didius Falco, in outlook she is well able to appreciate the absurdities of Roman society and comment on it. She is also a smart detective with an independent streak, Something her new husband is happy to indulge.

A Capitol Death is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

I have read all the previous Flavia Albia books and this is the one that I have enjoyed least. The story is set around the triumphal entry of the Emperor Domitian, a hypersensitive bully, who's return to his capital after a campaign in Dacia sets everyone on edge. A body is found at the foot of the Capitoline Hill and Flavia is given the task of investigating. I did admire the conceit of using twins in the plot as this mirrors ancient myth that surrounds the Capitoline Hill. It was also interesting to go 'back stage' for a triumphal entry; the major planning that went into this event. I got a bit lost with all the walk on parts. Early on Flavia acquires a personal maid. Suza promised to be an interesting addition to the household but is casually dropped. Another character is introduced, a rather sleazy barman who's sole purpose appears to provide the major clue to the case. He comes, he goes and plays no further part. All in all a bit frustrating.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I love Lindsey Davis's Ancient Rome historical mystery series with Falco and now his adopted daughter, Flavia Albia. Flavia is recently married to her second husband, Tiberius, a Roman magistrate (aedile), whom she worries about constantly since he was struck by lightning and his consequent health problems. Emperor Domition has returned from his not so successful military ventures, an insecure and overly sensitive man to any perceived slights, he has demanded and been granted two Triumphs to celebrate his 'victories'. Rome is busy planning the festivities and procession, with all the chaotic co-ordination and jostling this engenders to ensure that Domition is satisfied. So when the transport overseer, Gabinus, falls off the Torpeian Rock on Capitol Hill in what looks like suicide, there are political implications, a situation exacerbated when an elderly woman claims she saw someone with him when he fell. The matter ends up in the hands of Tiberius who passes the job of investigating to his private informer wife, Flavia.

Being a woman means Flavia has to work twice as hard to prove herself, to earn the respect she deserves in this overtly man's world, she sets out to interview witnesses and those who knew the dead man. Her task is hindered considerably when it turns out no-one has a good word to say about Gabinus, who turns out to a be incompetent and an all round nasty piece of work, bullying, abusive, aggressive, a con man, and strife followed wherever he went. The number of suspects with a motive to want him dead are endless, and not everyone is disposed to help Flavia or to tell the truth. Surrounded by intrigue, Flavia looks into the famed mystic augurs, foretelling the future and identifying favourable and not so favourable signs, the talented costumier, Feliculus, the depressed geese keeper, and the the stinking shellfish dye makers of the rare colour, imperial purple and more. In a complex and complicated case, it becomes clear Gabinus is not a man who would have ever entertained the idea of suicide, there is another murder and a morass of secrets as danger edges ever closer to Flavia as the Triumph celebrations kick off.

Lindsey Davis draws a hugely compelling and vibrant picture of Rome in this historical period with it's squalor, slaves, sights, sounds and smells. There is plenty of humour and wit throughout the narrative, with the chaos of Flavia and Tiberius's household, with the work shy slave, Dromo, the stray dog, Barley, and the newly acquired tenacious 'maid', Susuza. Flavia's family are determined to push their oars into Flavia's case, overflowing with suggestions and advice, something she is particularly sensitive as to as it feeds her insecurities as to whether she will ever be as good as her father. Davis's characterisation is done with skill as she presents us with a large and diverse set of characters. This is another gloriously entertaining addition to the Flavia series which I absolutely adored. Readers of historical mysteries will definitely enjoy this visit to ancient Rome. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.

I have long been a fan of this Author's books …. particularly the Falco Series .

This book takes you back to the times of Emperor Domitian's Triumph with not Falco but his daughter Flavia Albia to carry on this series .

An overseer falls to his death from Capitol Hill ….. his death initially thought to be a suicide . However an old lady comes forward saying she has witnessed his murder . The overseer was not well liked and there are plenty of potential suspects for Flavia to consider . More Murders take place …………… its only a matter of time before 'death' comes for Flavia ………… she must solve the cases before all is lost .

The Author manages to bring the sights and sounds , the disparate people of this time to life …… along with witty dialogue and engaging characters .

I look forward to further books featuring Flavia by this Author .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I have been a big fan of Lindsey Davis falco series. It has been one of my favourites for bringing to life the characters and times of Ancient Rome. I was happy to see the falco series carrying on with his daughter Flavia Albia. You are taken into Rome through a painting come to life at the time of Emperor Domitian’s Triumph to celebrate two victories. During the preparation one of the organisers falls to his death from Capitol Hill. Thought a suicide until an old lady says she has witnessed a possible murder. Flavia’s family and the citizens of Rome really come to life off the page with witty discussions as Flavia goes about her investigation. More murder comes can Flavia finish her investigation before death comes for her.
I was given an ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.