"Laugh at me would they? We'll see about that."

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys unusual murder mysteries, historical fiction and/or has any interest in the lives and society of Ancient Rome. It is full of interesting little tidbits about beliefs and customs at the end of the Republic and the characterisations, especially that of Decius himself, are excellent.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favourite?

John Lee is the voice of Decius Caecillius Metellus, the somewhat self indulgent, superior but humerous Praetor still travelling in southern Italy who is the teller of this story. And Lee fulfills this role to perfection.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The intriguing deaths of the priests of Apollo - not only who did it but also how was it done? - combined with the fascinating insights into the Roman provincial lifestyles had me hanging on every word, resentful when I had to turn off my listening device.

Any additional comments?

This series is almost at an end and I have enjoyed it immensely. John Lee has, for me, become Metellus the younger, married to a niece of Julius Caesar, as he rises through the ranks of Roman society at the end of the Republican era, solving mysteries along the way. I will miss my adventures with him and the dazzling mental pictures of Ancient Rome and it's life, good and bad, which were so vividly conjured up by John Maddox Roberts. I wish that the eBooks were also available with Amazon.co.uk