Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This is one of the best Flavia Albia stories so far- not so much for the crime solving as for the humour and portrayal of family and Roman life. I thought the voice of Flavia sounded a lot more like Falco, which I found to be a point in its favour. I loved Sheep and Murky the donkey and the insertion of the little nephews, Rodan and the whole household was perfect. Saturnalia is always fun to read about. I’ve had my reservations about some of the previous books in this series but here my faith has been happily restored! Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

It takes a woman like Flavia to solve this one. Ancient Rome brought to life in this highly enjoyable tale

I sense in this one a necessity to have followed earlier novels about the main character's capacities as sleuth .. it is hard to credit she can despite handling multiple children and work.. she can look into a murder she happens across .. and is expected vto follow up by people around her ..it felt contrived to me as a result. I have read earlier novels by this author and while its lightness of touch is welcome usually, this one didn't grab me ..

I always have a lot of fun in reading Lindsey Davis' books and this one was no exception.
I was happy to catch with the characters as they are sort of old friends.
The historical background is as vivid as usual and the mystery is full of twists and turns.
It was a gripping and entertaining read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

As an enthusiast for historical novels based on Rome and its conquests, I found this book to be quite a surprise, The use of contemporary phrases and actions was to my view a bit overdone. The characters were a bit difficult to follow due to name similarity and I found the storyline a bit uninteresting as was the 'Al Capone' type ending.
The book was well written, however, and added to my understanding of the way the justice system in Rome operated.

Another excellent instalment of the adventures with Flavia Alba from Lindsey Davis. I feel like I am transported back to Ancient Rome and always have a laugh at the dry with of the author. This one, like the others that came before it, could stand alone as well as being part of an excellent series.

I love how Lindsey Davis manages to make the world of ancient Rome feel as familiar as our own, there’s no cloaking the past in mystery or glorifying the ancient world in her books. The Rome she shows us is as smelly, corrupt, petty, dangerous, and as comical as our own.
I really enjoyed the original books featuring Marcus Didius Falco and still miss him as the star of the show, but Flavia Alba and her family are definitely growing on me and I really enjoyed this book as Flavia takes on the city’s gangsters during the unruly festival of Saturnalia.
Flavia has developed into a great character – witty, wise, and very sharp. Watching her efforts to combine family life and work is both amusing and a reminder that some things never change!
Despite some gruesome deaths, this is a really entertaining read packed with fascinating and often very likable characters, some excellent detail about life in ancient Rome, and a really well-crafted murder/s mystery.
With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a free ARC in return for an honest review.

An enjoyable piece of detective fiction, with the interesting twist of being set in ancient Rome. This was my first Flavia Albia novel, but she is an engaging heroine and the story was quite compelling.

I think I learned more about life in Ancient Rome from this book than in 5 years studying Latin at school.The plot is intricate and it takes some effort to remember all the names and identities of the characters(reading it on a Kindle means you can’t keep turning back to the beginning to remind yourself) but it’s great fun , helped in the main by the main character,Flavia Albia, and her witty comments on everything she encounters.
I will definitely go back and read the rest of this series-I recommend it highly.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

Io saturnalia! It’s the festive season and Flavia Albia is up to her neck in domesticity. Only married a few months, her household has mushroomed in size the latest editions are two tiny bereaved nephews so there’s not much time to sleuth. Her husband only has a few weeks left in his run as adile and someone’s started selling dodgy nuts on his patch and of course Albia lets him get on with it without interference. Then some devious good for nothing kills the boys beloved sheep something must be done!
Albia is on top form and killing the domina game in this latest instalment as she solves the mystery by proxy while running her chaotic household. There’s lots of cameos from all our old favourites and even a trip to the fourth cohorts infamous Saturnalia drinks party.

In Rome, 89 A.D., poisonings, murders, and a bloody gang war of retribution breaks out during the festival of Saturnalia--and when her husband, Tiberius, becomes a target, it's time for Flavia Albia to take matters into her own hands.

I was not aware this was part of a series until I had already started the E-book and was invested, it was easy enough to pick up and definitely sparked my interest in her other books for the series. Explanation about certain situations and people were given where necessary. Some of the hints about Flavia’s history piqued my interest to read the earlier books as well. There’s a long, slow introduction that gets you acquainted with all the characters and some of their history. Some of the events seem irrelevant but later on, in the book, those seemingly uninteresting encounters and observations turn out to be very valuable after all. It’s very cleverly put together. It definitely is a series that deserves more attention.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This latest book featuring Flavia Albia is set during the Saturnalia festival in AD 89 - where slaves become Masters and gifts abound and drunkenness and revelry abounds .

Whilst out shopping for gifts Flavia along with her two nephews she finds a dead vendor ........ but it was just
a joke , one of many being carried out that day .................. but when he is found dead for real shortly after she decides to investigate .
Her husband Tiberius Manlius is investigating a case of local nut sellers being forced to by their produce from a new cartel , with aggressive sales tactics and a very poor product . But as usual Flavia also decides to get involved with her husbands case and meddles to her hearts content ..... is there a connection to her case ?

This is another murder mystery involving our married duo with moments that make you laugh out loud -
thoroughly enjoyable . The times reflect those of today with vices and crimes - greed , adultery , debt collection and organised crime - which the Author fully captures in her writings .
I look forward to reading more in this series by the Author in the future

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rome A.D. 89 December. Festival of Saturnalia, the time to play pranks. Husband Tiberius is investigating gangsters involved in a nut war, but this also involves loan sharks. Meanwhile Flavia is helping a wife leave her gangster husband. Is all as it seems
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its large cast of likeable and well-drawn characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

An every day story of Roman Folk celebrating Saturnalia and very enjoyable it was too. All a bit of a "soap" where the lady of the tale, Albia, continues to let her husband, Tiberius, and his male associates think they are the brains whilst she guides them all in the right direction. Has to be said that Tiberius is not as dumb as he frequently pretends as he often "notices" that his wife has things "sussed" and they have a bit of a giggle about it.

All in all another good addition to this series and I look forward to the next volume from this very imaginative author. Give yourself a light-hearted and enjoyable read, I am sure you will enjoy it too.

When Flavia Alba takes her 2 young nephews shopping for Saturnalia gifts, she finds the vendor stabbed to death in his tenement. The boys are full of their adventure but Flavia wants to investigate and returns to the crime scene, where the murder victim has disappeared. Apparently, it was a Saturnalia joke and the dead man is getting drunk in the pub with his brother. She feels a bit stupid but is further happy that no harm is done. Business is slow during the festivities but it will pick up once they’re over, she’s assured by a colleague. A woman with marital problems also comes for advice and Flavia aids her in every possible way she can. Her husband Tiberius Manlius (aided by Titus Morellus of the 4th cohort) is investigating one of his last cases; the local nut sellers are being forced to buy their products from a new wholesale cartel with very aggressive sales tactics and bad or mouldy products. With not much else to do, Flavia hears interesting things that may be connected to her husband’s case, she starts to meddle there as well.


I was really happy to find a series that takes places in Rome towards the end of the 1st century. After all, the Roman Empire had a huge influence on the shape, laws and customs of modern-day Europe and the rest of the Western civilisation. A mystery set in those days intrigued me from the start. Thank you to my GR friend Paromjit who pointed it out to me.
What is not to like about Flavia? She's far from perfect and will be the first one to admit this. She’s a breath of fresh air and adorable as well. Born in Britain, she lost her parents during the Boudicca uprising and ended up in Rome where she was exploited and abused by some very nasty and cruel individuals. She was noticed and later adopted by Falco and Helena her new parents and things started to look a bit better for her. She works as an informer, a term that covers the whole scheme of private detective work from simple background checks over finding missing relatives to solving crimes and murder. She learned that trade from her dad Falco but no-one has ever heard of a successful female PI. Until now, that is. She’s a level headed and logical young woman that suffers no fools.
Her husband is an aedile in charge of weights and measurements band the quality of goods that are offered for sale. He’s widely known as a stickler to the rules who crosses all t’s and dots every I.
The title may mislead you into thinking it is a comedy but it is historical crime fiction that has its funny moments, a lot of them in connection with the festive season. There are plenty of funny one-liners that may raise a few smiles as well, especially those incidents where you think “that could happen today”. The book is also sprinkled with all sort of interesting facts about life in that day and age.
There’s an extensive cast of characters and some clever person did the right thing and put the list of their names at, the beginning of the book! Maybe they heard my usual complaint as to why so many publishers put those lists at the end of an e-book, which is totally unpractical. One thing that I would have liked to see in this book is a map of Rome at the time as there are a lot of references to streets and other geographical places.
Then there’s the topic of slavery. As I understand it, Flavia and Tiberius are very liberal and tolerant in the treatment of their slaves and try to educate them for a life in freedom. I don’t think that was the general practice but I do believe that most house slaves were treated in an acceptable, humane manner. After all, they were expensive to replace. There was a hierarchy between the slaves as well. No, I don’t think that slavery is an acceptable institution but at the time, this was standard practice, not just in Rome but almost everywhere in the world there existed a form of slavery. We do have to look at it with the eyes of the period. Things were what they were. But I do wonder if we must look at the modern Italians and ask repair for the countless people of West European countries that were stolen and sold into slavery? I think it best to leave the past where it belongs; in history. As no-one alive today suffered this injustice (not included the victims of IS and other religious nutcases or those of human trafficking) we should look forward to the future instead of wallowing about the past historical crimes that everybody acknowledges as being wrong.
Life in the first century posed many of the same problems, vices and crimes we know today; greed, adultery, organised crime families, unpaid debts and collecting them, … And there is the Saturnalia festival that has eerie similarities to our Christmas period in its customs and significance; greenery decorations, family reunions, gifts for the children, large meals, oil lamps and candles to illuminate the festivities (and cause a fire hazard) ... So, humanity hasn’t changed very much in the last 2000 years and that may well be the forte of this series
Even though this is the 8th book in this series, I had no problems with the story. Explanation about certain situations and people were given where necessary. Some of the hints about Flavia’s history piqued my interest to read the earlier books as well. There’s a long, slow introduction that gets you acquainted with all the characters and some of their history. Some of the events seem irrelevant but later on, in the book, those seemingly uninteresting encounters and observations turn out to be very valuable after all. It’s very cleverly put together. It definitely is a series that deserves more attention.

I must thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the free ARCC they provided and this is my honest, unbiased review of it.

A marvellously humorous book, full of chaotic characters, and full of laugh aloud moments. Once again, we meet Flavia Alba, who works as a private informer/ detective in Rome. She is newly wed to Tiberius, a magistrate, and they also have two boys in their care. Gaius and Lucius were the sons of Tiberius’s sister and she has recently died.
Saturnalia is a festival in mid December, that results in drunken behaviour and revelry, when servants become masters for a few days. There are also feasts to cook for, presents to buy for many visitors, and decorations of woodland greenery to be shared out amongst family. There is also a donkey and a sheep that refused to go gently to the temple for slaughter, and ended up at Flavia’s house. There were also two dead nut sellers that at first weren’t dead, but second time around, stayed dead. Flavia has a case of a wife who wants her to gain evidence against her husband, so she can sue for divorce, but all is not what it seems!
For a murder mystery, it was a comical and lighthearted read, full of fun and many references to nuts!! It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and all is neatly tidied up at the end.
I really enjoyed this book, it made one forget for a brief time, the troubles of today’s modern world. It has menacing characters, who turn out to be softies and as the bodies pile up, Flavia and Tiberius help out each other to solve the mystery. It made me laugh, and not many murder mysteries do that!!
Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for my ARC, in exchange for my honest review. I will leave a copy of this on Goodreads and Amazon later.

It’s the time of Saturnalia, mischief, mayhem and drunkenness abound, along with mobsters planning to expand their empires whatever the cost. Flavia Alba, adopted daughter of Falco, is newly married to Tiberius Manlius but still intent on her work as an informer, Traditionally this time of year means a distinct lack of clients, and this years no different. However, as things become more bloody and dangerous, Flavia realises that the one enquiry she has isn’t quite what she thought.

I’ve always enjoyed this authors Falco series, and this is the first book I’ve read about his adopted daughter Flavia. As with all Lindsey Davis’ books, they give you a real flavour of old Rome, their practices and life styles. You can almost smell them. It is written slightly tongue in cheek, with a gentle humour running through it. The characters, new and old, are interesting and colourful, with ripe Roman language and habits. We forget how much the Romans gave us and it sometimes feels there is out of place modern language sneaking in. But this is an enjoyable read, with a well crafted storyline and satisfying ending. I look forward to the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book

I really enjoyed the original series of the adventures of Marcus Didius Falco in Vespasian's Rome. However, when the author moved on to his adopted daughter - Flavia Albia - I lost interest. What had been witty, sharp dialogue became just sarcastic nonsense.

However, I decided to give this book a whirl, and was really pleased I did, as once again the author is on her game and Flavia is an interesting and amusing character. The clever repartee is still there, if borderline acceptable, but for me it works as a fun tale set in Rome. I just hope she doesn't get too sharp and sardonic.

It is the season of Saturnalia, when slaves become masters and gifts are given to all. But murder, gang family warfare and corruption lurk in Rome, and Flavia and her long-suffering husband Tiberius are on the spot to resolve matters, involving nut wars, a dead sheep and some really nasty characters. A fun read. Io Saturnalia!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A very funny and entertaining novel as well as being of interest in itself, due to the storytelling involved. I would recommend this highly and will be watching out for more of this authors novels. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advance copy of this book.