Rating: 
Summary: Great Wit--Great History!
Review: I'd give this novel a 4.5 if I could. It isn't the top of the line as Falco stories go, but it's so far superior to most other historical mysteries that I hated to rate it less than 5. This is the novel that contains Davis's most waggish bit of BRITISH fun, on page 135 (paperback version):"It was a hundred years since Rome decided to civilize the Gauls;. . . I am prepared to concede that one day the three cold Gallic provinces will come up with a contribution to the civilised arts--but nobody is going to convince me that it will be mastery of cuisine." My best friend, married to a Frenchman who is an excellent home-kitchen chef, fell off her chair at that one, as I had done when I read it a few years earlier! And that's just one sample of Davis's mordant sense of "tweak." I demand to know why this book is out of print!
Rating:
Summary: Marcus Didius Falco continues to please...
Review: In this third book of the Falco series, our erstwhile "informer" is hired to suss out the intentions of one recently engaged gold-digger whose previous two marriages ended in disaster for her betrothed. But, before Falco can piece the lady's plan together, her fiancee is killed, the gold-digger's suspectedness is questioned, and a sophisticated lady comes to reside -- for good -- in Falco's new high-society apartment. Davis continues to delight with the Falco series. Humor once again pervades the narration but is much subtler and wittier than ever. The story, too, is more subtle in its development and much more appealing to a mass market audience, not just fans of the genre. Well written and worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable read
Review: It helps not to take this book too seriously, it is not meant to anyway. The author is not a professional historian, and she does not claim to be either. As a historical mystery set in Rome of the Emperor Vespasian it has certain shortcomings. It more reads like a social satire of modern England. She does get enough the facts right to make it enjoyable, but the story lacks a roman feel.
I liked reading it, and will be happy to read the other books in the series. Falco and the other 'heroes' are likeable and believable enough (but not as Romans - as English oiks). The mystery had enough intrigue and social comment to be fascinating.
Rating: 
Summary: characters too modern
Review: It's well plotted, with likeable characters. However, the sensibility of the characters is 'way too modern to be authentic, and the idea that a Roman senator's daughter would *ever* consider marrying a plebe is too ludicrous for me to take seriously. Maybe I'm too picky, but I like historical fiction to be accurate--or it's just modern mystery dressed up in togas.
Rating: 
Summary: Lindsey Davis is extremely entertaining!
Review: Lindsey Davis has entered the world of historical fiction with such fresh enthusiasm that the genre will never be the same again. Instead of staid descriptions of ancient rulers, she has attacked the everyday life of first century Rome with a down-to-earth, plausible, humanistic flair. Her characters are so engrossing, you will buy the next book in the series before you finish the one you are reading
Rating:
Summary: High on Mystery, Low on History
Review: Lindsey Davis is no Steven Saylor - which is both good and bad. On the one hand, Davis crafts a better mystery, with excellent attention paid to dropping just the right amount of clues at just the right time, keeping us guessing til the very end as to who is to blame for what. On the other hand, Saylor is far, far more effective in evoking ancient Rome. Davis' Falco, to quote a previous reviewer, is "a modern mystery in togas." Ancient Rome is the backdrop, but it could just as easily be ancient Greece, or medieval France, or Victorian England. So, which is better: Saylor or Davis? That depends on your tastes, obviously. For the mystery, go to Davis. For the history, go to Saylor. Or, better still, read both! This was my first foray into the Falco series, and I did not feel any loss from missing the first two volumes. Almost the opposite, in fact. These books are very difficult to find nowadays, so do not wait until you find book one to get started.
Rating:
Summary: High on Mystery, Low on History
Review: Lindsey Davis is no Steven Saylor - which is both good and bad. On the one hand, Davis crafts a better mystery, with excellent attention paid to dropping just the right amount of clues at just the right time, keeping us guessing til the very end as to who is to blame for what. On the other hand, Saylor is far, far more effective in evoking ancient Rome. Davis' Falco, to quote a previous reviewer, is "a modern mystery in togas." Ancient Rome is the backdrop, but it could just as easily be ancient Greece, or medieval France, or Victorian England. So, which is better: Saylor or Davis? That depends on your tastes, obviously. For the mystery, go to Davis. For the history, go to Saylor. Or, better still, read both! This was my first foray into the Falco series, and I did not feel any loss from missing the first two volumes. Almost the opposite, in fact. These books are very difficult to find nowadays, so do not wait until you find book one to get started.
Rating:
Summary: I really liked the view of Ancient Rome
Review: Maybe it was the four years of Latin in high school, or maybe I just like detective stories and historical novels. In any case, I really liked this book! I know enough about the period to find the historical details fascinating, alhtough we seldom studied about the lower classes. I'm looking forward to working my way through the series. I also liked the interplay between Marcus Didius and Helena Justina in this one. I enjoyed Silver Pigs and Shadows in Bronze, but I have the feeling I'll be rereading this one.
Rating:
Summary: A rare find
Review: With Venus in Copper, Lindsey Davis is continuing her Didius Falco series in fine style. As a fan of mysteries and especially historical mysteries, I was ecstatic to find an author who can write a great story, not just mystery and who injects both fact and humor into the mix. Venus in Copper also adds a lighter note to the Falco storyline. You'll get an insight into everyday Roman life of 2000 years ago and you'll cheer for Falco and his friends (and even for his enemies) in this charming and addictive book. It can stand on its own, but it improved by having read Silver Pigs and Shadows in Bronze first.
| 
