Rating: 
Summary: I guess it's a page-turner,
Review: 'cause I turned all the pages and read most of the words on them, but _Shadows in Bronze_ is a poor whodunit, because the reader knows that before the halfway mark and the whyfors soon thereafter.Amazon recommended this book to me because I have exhausted all the Stephen Saylor _Roma Sub Rosa_ series and Michael Dibdin's modern Italian detective novels. The action scenes in Saylor's recent books and the last Aurelio Zen mysteries are far superior to Davis's and both Saylor and Dibdin draw more interesting characters than Davis does. Davis tosses in many characters -- it takes two pages to list the cast of characters. "Informer" Didius Falco is very similar to 20th-century detectives, with a despairing wit, badly paid and badly used by those who hire him. His primary employer is the new Emperor Vespasian, who is an interesting character... Falco's nephew Larius has some charm, too, but I don't buy the patrician lady Helena Justina and ... Didius Falco. There are interesting details about life across Italy in AD 71, and the book provides some entertainment -- but not enough for detective fiction. A Roman romance novel, perhaps, but that was not what I was looking for. Unless you have exhausted Saylor and Dibdin, I can't see any reason to try Davis.
Rating:
Summary: Must be a page turner,
Review: 'cause I turned all the pages and read most of the words on them, but _Shadows in Bronze_ is a poor whodunit, because the reader knows before that befope the halfway mark and the whys soon thereafter. Amazon recommended this book to me because I have exhausted all the Stephen Saylor Roma Sub Rosa series and Michael Dibdin's modern Italian detective novels. The action scenes in Saylor's recent books are far superior to Davis's and both Saylor and Dibdin draw more interesting character than Davis. Davis tosses in many characters -- it takes two pages to list the cast of characters. "Informer" Didius Falco is very similar to 20th-century detectives, badly bad and badly used by those who hire him. His primary employer is the new Emperor Vespasian, who is an interesting character (as is Falco) who speaks freely to his lowborn employee. Falco's nephew Larius has some charm, too, but I don't buy the patrician lady Helena Justina and her bumpy romance with Didius Falco. There are interesting details about life across Italy in AD 71, and the book provides some entertainment -- but not enough for detective fiction.
Rating:
Summary: I guess it's a page-turner,
Review: 'cause I turned all the pages and read most of the words on them, but _Shadows in Bronze_ is a poor whodunit, because the reader knows that before the halfway mark and the whyfors soon thereafter. Amazon recommended this book to me because I have exhausted all the Stephen Saylor _Roma Sub Rosa_ series and Michael Dibdin's modern Italian detective novels. The action scenes in Saylor's recent books and the last Aurelio Zen mysteries are far superior to Davis's and both Saylor and Dibdin draw more interesting characters than Davis does. Davis tosses in many characters -- it takes two pages to list the cast of characters. "Informer" Didius Falco is very similar to 20th-century detectives, with a despairing wit, badly paid and badly used by those who hire him. His primary employer is the new Emperor Vespasian, who is an interesting character... Falco's nephew Larius has some charm, too, but I don't buy the patrician lady Helena Justina and ... Didius Falco. There are interesting details about life across Italy in AD 71, and the book provides some entertainment -- but not enough for detective fiction. A Roman romance novel, perhaps, but that was not what I was looking for. Unless you have exhausted Saylor and Dibdin, I can't see any reason to try Davis.
Rating: 
Summary: Falco gets his girl
Review: I know, I know, the story is much more than Falco and Helena. This is the second book in the Falco series (see Silver Pigs for the beginning) and as usual, there is mystery, wit, humor and irony. The characters are very real and you are drawn into Italy (circa AD 70). The style of writing is so vivid that you can actually picture the streets of Rome, with men in togas, street vendors selling their wares, ex-gladiators hulking in the doorways and of course, Falco, going from one end of the city to the other. Falco takes care of another mission for the emperor and in so doing, Helena and he realize their mutual affinity for each other. Finally. After all those misunderstandings. And therefore, since I am a romantic at heart ... this book is about Falco "getting his girl".
Rating:
Summary: Falco finds his mate
Review: I know, I know, the story is much more than Falco and Helena. This is the second book in the Falco series (see Silver Pigs for the beginning) and as usual, there is mystery, wit, humor and irony. The characters are very real and you are drawn into Italy (circa AD 70). The style of writing is so vivid that you can actually picture the streets of Rome, with men in togas, street vendors selling their wares, ex-gladiators hulking in the doorways and of course, Falco, going from one end of the city to the other. Falco takes care of another mission for the emperor and in so doing, Helena and he realize their mutual affinity for each other. Finally. After all those misunderstandings. And therefore, since I am a romantic at heart ... this book is about Falco "getting his girl".
Rating:
Summary: Not My Usual Fare
Review: I quite enjoyed Silver Pigs (the first book in the series), and expected to enjoy this one, but I was disappointed. Yes, I read the book, but it's not a mystery in the true sense of the word. The villain was apparent all the way through. The book is more like a Romantic history than a mystery, and that's not my cup of tea. I was recommended this author by Amazon as well, and thought I had a winner of a series after I read Silver Pigs, but I'm not so sure now. I find the reading a bit difficult since Falco is almost "too precious" for words. He appears to take nothing seriously (except his ladylove Helena, and even that is touch and go). I did enjoy the history, and the travel log of the countyrside in Ancient Rome. I will try one more in the series to see if the fun of Silver Pigs is recaptured.
Rating:
Summary: Not My Usual Fare
Review: I quite enjoyed Silver Pigs (the first book in the series), and expected to enjoy this one, but I was disappointed. Yes, I read the book, but it's not a mystery in the true sense of the word. The villain was apparent all the way through. The book is more like a Romantic history than a mystery, and that's not my cup of tea. I was recommended this author by Amazon as well, and thought I had a winner of a series after I read Silver Pigs, but I'm not so sure now. I find the reading a bit difficult since Falco is almost "too precious" for words. He appears to take nothing seriously (except his ladylove Helena, and even that is touch and go). I did enjoy the history, and the travel log of the countyrside in Ancient Rome. I will try one more in the series to see if the fun of Silver Pigs is recaptured.
Rating:
Summary: SHADOWS IN BRONZE is solid gold for history-mystery fans!
Review: Lindsey Davis does it again... and better! Didius Falco returns in this second book of the Falco series. Having helped the Emperor solve the plot from SILVER PIGS, Falco is now engaged to do some follow-up work -- disposing of a body or two -- but discovers that things are far from over. Before he knows it, Falco is off, once again, pulling at the threads of rebellion that threaten to unravel the just-settled state of Roman affairs. --And it not just affairs of state that threaten to unravel.... Didius must carefully negotiate his developing relationship with socialite Helena Justina while at the same time assisting his teen-aged nephew (send along to look after Falco) negotiate love and life. Davis proved that her first book was no fluke by crafting another intricate, enticing plot filled with characters that come to life with every word. Her dialog is sharp. Her narration (for the most part) witty and well-paced. Top it off with a lot of attention to historical detail mixed with a dash of anachronistic gumshoe-detecting and what you get is this page-turning delight.
Rating: 
Summary: Falco returns in this thrilling continuation....
Review: Lyndsey Davis does it again -- and better -- by bringing back her gumshoe (sandal!?) hero, Didius Falco. Having forestalled an attempt to overthrow the empire, Falco continues working for the emperor on projects here and there... This book picks up as Falco is in the process of some (cough, cough) "cleaning up" for the emperor. As he does so, he uncovers some shady goings-on that once again threaten the throne. Sent to discover what's going on, Falco and friends travel across the Italian countryside to the oceanside resorts in the south. There he searches for a mysterious ex-slave who holds the key to the mystery of murder and mayhem that sent him on his way. Falco fans will love this one -- and first time readers will marvel at the intricate story, the historical detail, and the likable (or in some cases, not-so-likable) characters who seem to leap of the page. Davis is a master of character and dialog who easily propels her cast (and her readers) through an exciting story of murder, intrique, betrayal, and love...
Rating:
Summary: A good sequel to "Silver Pigs"
Review: More a continuation of the plot from the first Falco novel "Silver Pigs" than a brand new sotry, "Shadows in Bronze" takes Falco to the countryside of Roman Italy, including Pompeii, to follow more patrician scheming related to the conclusion of "Silver Pigs." The burgeoning relationship between the plebian Falco and senator's daughter Helena Justina is masterfully developed by Davis's subtle and evocative prose. The rich details of the ancient Roman setting provide a fascinating backdrop to the round characters with complex motivation and the gritty, sarcastic mood. Davis's skillful writing triumphs again.
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