SPQR I: The King's Gambit: A Mystery (The SPQR Roman Mysteries Book 1)
SPQR I: The King's Gambit: A Mystery (The SPQR Roman Mysteries Book 1) book cover

SPQR I: The King's Gambit: A Mystery (The SPQR Roman Mysteries Book 1)

Kindle Edition

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Price
$12.99
Publisher
Minotaur Books
Publication Date

Description

From Publishers Weekly This literate mystery introduces the newest in an ever-expanding genre of quirky dicks: Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a high-born bad boy, but patriotic head of a civil detective force in ancient Rome. How is the strangulation of a freed gladiator linked to the fatal stabbing of a foreigner, an importer of wine and oil, and the arson of the foreigner's warehouse? And why are those at the highest level of the Senate interested in, indeed panicked about, the demise of such seeming nonentities? With the help of his aunt, an aging Vestal Virgin, and a Greek physician whose demonstration of a garrote leaves marks on the detective's neck, Decius sniffs out a government cover-up and some fishy activities of Pompey and Crassus. Eyeballing his era, Decius serves up drolleries aplenty about historical events and characters--Cicero, Julius Caesar--and concocted ones: his father and patron, an "old Roman to the core," chains his janitor to the gatepost, although it is obvious to passersby that the measly hook could be detached by the slave at any time; a "bite of lunch" at the home of a "new-rich" is a profusion of delicacies, from pickled peacocks' tongues to sows' udders stuffed with Libyan mice, deep-fried. Unfortunately, the mystery has less bite than Roberts's ( Enigma Variations ) erudite social critique. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. ''This literate mystery introduces the newest in an ever-expanding genre of quirky (detectives): Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a high-born bad boy, but patriotic head of a civil detective force in ancient Rome.'' -- Publishers Weekly --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. “This literate mystery introduces the newest in an ever-expanding genre of quirky dicks: Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a high-born bad boy, but patriotic head of a civil detective force in ancient Rome.” ― Publishers Weekly --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. John Maddox Roberts is the author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. He lives in Estancia, New Mexico, with his wife. Simon Vance is an award-winning actor and an AudioFile Golden Voice with over forty Earphones Awards. He has won thirteen prestigious Audie Awards and was Booklist 's very first Voice of Choice in 2008. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • Blackmail, corruption, treachery, murder--the glory that was Rome.
  • In this Edgar Award-nominated mystery, John Maddox Roberts takes readers back to a Rome filled with violence and evil. Vicious gangs ruled the streets of Crassus and Pompey, routinely preying on plebeian and patrician alike, so the garroting of a lowly ex-slaved and the disembowelment of a foreign merchant in the dangerous Subura district seemed of little consequence to the Roman hierarchy. But Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger--highborn commander of the local
  • vigiles
  • --was determined to investigate. Despite official apathy, brazen bribes, and sinister threates, Decius uncovers a world of corruption at the highest levels of his government that threatens to destroy him and the government he serves.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(120)
★★★★
25%
(100)
★★★
15%
(60)
★★
7%
(28)
★
23%
(91)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Delicious Intrigue, Rich Detail

I love historical novels, and I've been particularly impressed with the ancient Roman mysteries by Lindsey Davis and Ruth Downie. Both are extremely well-written and well-researched, without dragging the reader down with too many period details. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that John Maddox Roberts is no exception to this tradition, and that while his prose is infused with enough Latin terms to boost authenticity, each term is clearly and casually explained so that the reader feels that thrill of delight at being just a little bit better informed about ancient Roman culture and enjoys the story that much more, rather than feeling bored or condescended to as a result of poorly used and unfamiliar vocabulary.

Decius is a likable hero, and his interactions with a young Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus seem entirely and cleverly in character from what we know about these famous leaders. Although an upper-class official, Decius is convincingly concerned about the murder of a seedy merchant, and his efforts to solve the mystery surrounding multiple murders and arson are enlivened by a brilliant Greek doctor reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes who has seen virtually every type of wound and weapon at a gladiator school, a sensual contortionist, and a few remarkably likeable thugs.

As a brief content warning, there is nudity and a sex scene in this story, but similarly to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, such things are actually important to the plot, and the sensuality never gets embarrassingly graphic.

In the end, Decius risks everything to find some justice for the many murder victims he's encountered in his investigation, and is shockingly rewarded in an epic scene that almost made me cry. I virtually never cry while reading, and especially not while reading murder mysteries, and this isn't a sappy book, but the ending had that larger-than-life satisfaction that you get when the soldier finally makes it home from the war or the divorced couple finally reunites: it was an unusually refreshing finish.

What would Keats and Aristotle say? The pacing of the novel and the quality of the prose are spot on, bringing beauty to the narrative. The characters are interesting and believable, and although there's more sensuality in the story than I wish there were, it isn't tawdry or unnecessarily graphic. In all, this story contained greatness of content (although slightly marred by the sensuality), and greatness of execution. I definitely want to read more books in this series!
10 people found this helpful
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SPQR Series Delivers

If you like mysteries and you like Ancient Rome, you should love the SPQR series.
Like many other reviewers, I have read the Gordianus the Finder series. The writing styles are different. That does not mean either is 'better' or 'worse,' only that most readers will tend to prefer one style over the other.
The SPQR series will appeal to anyone who is interested in learning more about the late Roman Republic and prefers mysteries that dive right into the story line without having to endure chapters of background on each character to be able to catch on to what is happening. They are easy to read and easy to follow.
Decius Metellus, the hero of the series, is described by many reviewers as a 'shallow' or 'hollow' character. I did not find that to be the case at all. Just as many real people are not enigmas, Decius is a simple man of simple tastes; this does not make him any less realistic. He is intelligent, witty and, best of all, flawed. He never claims to be a perfect paragon of virtue and is not terribly concerned with appearing so. Decius' character is developed throughout the series.
The SPQR series is lighter and more humorous than its aforementioned counterpart. Each series has its own merits and neither should be avoided on the grounds that the other is 'better.' Appreciation of literature is based on personal tastes, after all.
8 people found this helpful
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A Fun, Well-Researched Mystery

Welcome to the Rome of Julius Caesar, right before the Empire.
The Republic is dying, corruption is rampant, gangs rule the streets, politicians are on the make, and one junior aristocrat is stuck with an assignment that could easily get him killed: investigate the suspicious death of a wealthy foreigner and (worse) the arson of his warehouse.
The protagonist, Decius Caecilius Metellus (the Younger) is engaging - smart and realistic, but still with a dash of idealism. With Decius, Roberts achieves the difficult task of making a Roman likable. He captures historical characters like Pompey and Titus Annius Milo with vivid efficiency.
Roberts has also done his homework with the history. He captures the daily life of the citizens and slaves, and the book is full of the kind of details that get lost in academic works, like the Roman distinction between honorable and dishonorable weapons, their casual violence but fear of corpses, their taste in food, and so on.
In all, a fun, believable mystery.
3 people found this helpful
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Step into a Rome that lives and breathes

This is the one that started it all. The book that sucked me into the universe of Decius Caecilius Metellus and all of the murderers, despots, dictators, and madmen that he pursues like "a male Fury". Roberts' writing is crisp, lively, captivating, and funny - all while keeping you guessing who's done what, and why. Great characters populate Roberts' Rome, from the lowliest janitor (a term used to describe a slave kept chained at the door to receive guests) to the most powerful men... and women... in the Ancient World. Discover surprising insights regarding Julius Caesar, Pompey, Cleopatra, the Roman Legions, the gladiatorial schools, the barbers of Rome (who know everything going on in their respective streets), and so very much more. Roberts' first novel opens a window onto a world that is at once both so foreign and so very familiar. All of the seediness, ruthlessness, brilliance, brutality, ambition, and civility of the human condition shines in this book, as in the others in this series. A terrific read!
2 people found this helpful
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I simply did not feel like I was in Rome

Poorly written and not well detailed. I simply did not feel like I was in Rome.
2 people found this helpful
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A Historical Feast and great story

I really enjoy this authors books and he has not let me down yet. I love history and his stories are replete with historical details and trivia that place the characters into detailed context as well as contrast the lives of the ancients with the lives we live today. The story itself is simple and could be written in a few pages but it is the complexities of Roman society, the culture, language, social issues and politics that make these stories rich in detail with characters that are interesting, sympathetic, scandalous, and very human. I will read more of this authors books without a doubt.
2 people found this helpful
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I found the new Steven Saylor

Two years ago I discovered Steven Saylor and his historical novels. The only problem, I have read them all!

SPQR has filled the void! Thanks to Amazon and their "if you liked that... then you'll like this..."

Loved it!!
2 people found this helpful
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Roman Life and Political Intrigue

John Maddox Roberts takes you to the closing decades of the Roman Republic in this first novel in his remarkable SPQR series. You'll see the ancient world through the eyes of Decius Caecillis Matellus the Younger, and it will change you forever. Great characters from history come alive. Highly recommend.

Excellent
1 people found this helpful
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Nice new series

I am fond of the "Medicus" series - set in Britania, mostly, in the time of the Roman Empire (A.D.) - and was happy to find a mystery series set in the time of the Roman Republic (B.C.) that takes place mostly in the city of Rome itself.
Having read the "First Man of Rome" series by Colleen McCollough, I find myself irked by differences in chronology between those books and the "SPQR" series. But what really bugs me is the claim that Gaius (the series uses "C" instead of "G" for most forenames) Julius Caesar had a brother, Lucius Julius Caesar, whose daughter marries the protagonist, Decius Caecilius Mettela. Sorry: Lucius was the *cousin* of Gaius, not his brother. Gaius had two older sisters, but no brother.
The mysteries are very good, although the endings are a little abrupt. I recommend that you try the "SPQR" series.
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SPQR- Excellent Roman Noir

This is an excellent book that fills out an interesting receive story with history. It is my favorite fictional genre; as I have authored three novels of historical fiction. I intend to read the whole series in short order.

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