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Summary: Hooray for Lindsey Davis !
Review: "Three Hands in the Fountain" is another excellent book from Lindsey Davis. The spate of body parts appearing in Rome's water systems is of course a job for Falco, and we are taken on a fascinating journey through the sewers and aqueducts of Rome, as well as to the countrysdie in the quest for the killers. As usual, Davis is entertaining and informative, and this book is recommended to historians as well as mystery lovers. Steven Saylor is another excellent author who deals with Rome in an earlier period, although his books have less of a popular mystery appeal. The subtle shift in Anacrites' role through this series is worth noting - and those who haven't yet read "Two for the Lions" have a further treat in store !
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Summary: A more mellow Falco investigates Ancient Rome
Review: In 73 AD Rome, private investigator Marcus Falco shares some wine with his partner, Petronius Longus, when a worker finds the decayed hand of a human female in a nearby fountain. The sleuths see an opportunity to make a name for themselves by investigating what happened. However, the Roman bureaucratic government refuses to even acknowledge the incident for fear of rioting. Soon, a second hand suffering from less decay than the first discovery is found in another part of the aqueduct system. As the government slowly begins to look into the matter, Marcus and Petronius begin to search for an apparent serial killer, who seems ready to murder again on the date of the next festival. However, Rome's Chief Spy Anacrites plans to add to his own glory rather than allow two intruders like his enemy Marcus and his former employee Petronius solve the case. THREE HANDS IN THE FOUNTAINS, the latest Ancient Rome historical mystery starring Falco, is a superb tale that makes the city-state seem as if it exists today. The mystery is entertaining and fun. Married life seems to have calmed Falco down a bit, but he still remains a fresh sleuth. Lindsey Davis may be the top writer of ancient historical who-done-its. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Falco, you've always got it!
Review: Crisply written and thoroughly enjoyable M. Didius Falco mystery has our Roman shamus back in the Eternal City beset as usual by multiple exigencies, not the least of which is the discovery that a serial killer has been leaving gruesome trophies scattered throughout the famed {and corruption ridden} Roman water system. Of course finding a psychopathic mass murderer is that much more difficult when your a new father, as our doting tata Marcus now is. The always loyal Helena is present to give our hero moral {and often intellectual} support as well as the affectionate but earnestly needed smack Falco needs whenever his captious contempt gets the better of him. Old buddy {and currently jobless} Petro makes a welcome appearance, though Falco finds his friend's heavy handed partnership a strain on their relationship. Old enemy {and currently on reduced assignment} Anacrites is also present, much to the chagrin of Marcus who can't decide whether he hates Anacrites more for the attempt made on his life, or just because he's...well...Anacrites! Add the hodgepodge of a dysfunctional family and semi tolerant in-laws plus the denizens of the leadheaded Roman bureaucracy {as usual leavened out with a smattering of decent civil servants} and you round out a solid cast of characters and suspects for this Falco foray. Davis' polished presentation of her characters keeps the pages turning, even when the plot takes a back seat to our hero's never ending conundrums that come with inching so very slightly up the social ladder while simultenously trying to avoiding the pitfalls presented more often by friends and family than by enemies or the almighty denarii. Nevertheless the quest to find the perpetrator of these monstrous crimes always holds our main attention and we are given more than a few glimpses past Falco's well fortified bastion of cynicism to his passionate thirst to see evil quashed. The climax of this mystery is one of the most exciting in the series to date and had me beyond the edge of my seat in the final chapters. However, the brevity of the actual conclusion is a bit unsatisfying, though perhaps that mild disappointment was honed a bit by the knowledge that this entry, one of the very best of an excellent series, was coming to an end. Do yourself a favor and buy it!
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Summary: Falco and Petro track a serial killer
Review: Escaping from the gaggles of relatives clustered around his new baby daughter, Falco and his best friend, Petro, are sharing a flagon when they make an unpleasant discovery--a severed hand in the local fountain. Falco is willing to put the discovery down to just one of the million sordid stories in the Eternal City until he learns that severed female body parts are turning up with alarming regularity in Rome's water supply. Soon Falco and Petro are in a race against time to catch a serial killer before he strikes again. Complicating matters is Petro's romance with Mafia princess, Milvia, which has put his marriage on the rocks and caused him to be dismissed from his job with the vigiles. Petro and Falco go into business together as informers (read detectives), but their disparate work styles strain their long term friendship. Complicating matters even more is Anacrites, Falco's former boss and adversary, still recooperating from his nearly fatal head wound. Anacrites also wants in on the investigation and Falco's mother seems to think that he and Marcus would work well together. Overall, an excellent read, suspenseful, with much interesting historical detail. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Too many subplots
Review: I have read all of the MD Falco books. This is not one of the better ones. There are too many subplots going on and the main thread just wasn't compelling enough. In general I enjoy this series but this was lame compared to some of the others. I got a little bored with it.
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Summary: Falco, that lovable schlub, is back on the streets of Rome
Review: I love this Falco dude! He's funny, in a world weary, black humor sort of way. After reading all the Didius Falco novels, I really feel I know the guy. He's the sort of wise-cracking schlub I'd be willing to share a pizza and six-pack with. I like reading about his family, his wife, her family, the stinking, crowded cesspool of ancient Rome, the weasely bureaucrats, the whores, the mindless thugs, the assorted incompetent, grifting plebs and the corrupt, self-serving, arrogant patricians. It all reminds me of home, except for the plumbing.
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Summary: This is pretty enjoyable
Review: I've read two other of the Falco series and this is the best. The suspense is pretty hot, and there are some decent situations, but the problem is that it sometimes descends into a soap opera. But on the whole I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read
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Summary: Thoroughly Entertaining
Review: If you've found the other Falco books dull, a story about dismembered bodies should liven things up. This is a wonderful series that everyone should enjoy. Helena does not play as important a role as I would wish, but this is still an excellant book.
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Summary: Marcus stay in Rome and its environs, please.
Review: Lindsay Davis instantly grabs our attention and takes us on a thrilling hunt for a serial killer. Once again we learn about live in early Rome as it was lived by the average citizen. Once again, we painstakingly follow Marcos as he sniffs out an unforgettable killer of young women. This book is one of Davis' best, and it keeps your attention from the first page to the climactic ending where you cannot put the book down. I am thrilled that Davis continues to add to the ongoing saga of M. Didius Falco and look forward to enjoying another twenty years of his adventures.
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Summary: Serial Killers Are Nothing New!
Review: Lindsay Davis instantly grabs our attention and takes us on a thrilling hunt for a serial killer. Once again we learn about live in early Rome as it was lived by the average citizen. Once again, we painstakingly follow Marcos as he sniffs out an unforgettable killer of young women. This book is one of Davis' best, and it keeps your attention from the first page to the climactic ending where you cannot put the book down. I am thrilled that Davis continues to add to the ongoing saga of M. Didius Falco and look forward to enjoying another twenty years of his adventures.
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