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Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as I'd hoped...
Review: As a fan of Stephen Saylor's work, I was hoping to find another series that would immerse me in the world of ancient Rome. Instead, I found a light-weight piece of detective fiction that was in parts poorly written, and had throughoout little or no atmosphere. Compared to Saylor (or even Ross Leckie) this is thin stuff indeed.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Novel which happens to be a mystery
Review: Davis acheives a level of storytelling which many genre authors feel is unnecessary. The characters are well-rounded, realistic individuals, whether they are the main characters or supporting actors. Davis has researched her book so that it is accurate to the time. Fun, informative, and engaging: a must for any lovers of Ellis Peter's Cafael series who want more to read. The only complaint is that the Roman world is a bit confusin - but it also seems to have been to the Romans.
Rating:
Summary: BREATHTAKING SCHOLARSHIP, WIT AND HUMANISM
Review: SILVER PIGS is the first novel in the finest historical mystery series being written today, and why it would be permitted to fall out of print when old Agatha Christie clunkers are on the shelf is beyond my understanding. The series has an off-the-cuff verisimilitude that reminds one of great science fiction, and oh, can Davis write! Very few books make me giggle, then bring tears to my eyes a few pages later, but Davis pulls that off in SILVER PIGS (and in every novel). I especially love her forgiving knowledge of human nature, similar to Ellis Peters' and Sharan Newman's, but Davis ranks well ahead of any of them in her handling of language. I've read, and fortunately own, all the Falco novels available (so far) in paperback, and continue to be amazed by the high quality of each. They make great gifts, and I assure you, the recipients become instant Davis fans.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing piece of historical fiction
Review: This is an absolutely outsanding work on many levels. To begin with, Lindsey Davis brings to life a world which existed 2000 years ago. She details daily life, from Falco's apartment to upper class living, and even the politics of the time, allowing you to experience the Roman empire hands on. But there is much more to this book than just Davis' ability to let you experience a new world - there is the amazing fact that this all really happened. There is evidence that Falco existed, that he fell in love with a young, high ranking woman, and that he actually did help to solve the mystery of the silver pigs. This is not just some throw-back to a 1940s 'private eye' movie, it is one of the original stories, pulled out of the pages of history books and transformed into a fascinating story which will broaden your horizons. I highly reccomend this book! And if you enjoy it, continue reading the series!
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