[QTM]⇒ Libro The Iron Hand of Mars A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery Lindsey Davis 9780345380241 Books

The Iron Hand of Mars A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery Lindsey Davis 9780345380241 Books

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The Iron Hand of Mars A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery Lindsey Davis 9780345380241 Books

I came to the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries much later in the series (A Body in the Bath House) via Audible; the story was lively and the narrator distinct. I'm more familiar with the period of the late Roman Republic, but Davis' cheeky humor and fun characterizations have helped breathe life into the early Vespasian rule (68ish BCE) after the chaotic "year of the four emperors." Falco, a former soldier with the disgraced Second Augusta legion in Brittania, is a thirty year-old "informer" - roughly, private investigator - who in the first novel (The Silver Pigs) finds himself elevated from his usual sordid cases to one that brings him to the attention of the emperor and the senatorial Camillus family. A diamond in the rough however he may protest otherwise, that adventure launches him on a very different trajectory (several of which threads I spoiled for myself by starting with a later novel, but won't repeat here). Suffice to say, there is romance, thorough characterization, a solid mix of new adventures and people you will find as inescapable as Falco himself does, and a slow-building ambition. Davis appears to let very little time pass in the Falco time frame between novels (weeks, usually), so it's a slow but exciting ride-along in the characters' lives.

The Iron Hand of Mars follows the almost exclusively Rome-based predecessor, Venus in Copper, and returns to a road-trip adventure: this time, to the German frontier on Vespasian's errand to check on the legendary/notorious XIV legion and a German prophetess/rebel. The devil - and the delight - is in the details. As usual, Davis manages to work in children and and animals, both of which complicate Falco's life (and, occasionally, provide a surprise assist) as he strives to fulfill his mission.

At times Falco seems far too capable for his years and his station, a bit of Tarzan on the Tiber. Quick-witted, sharp tongued, ostensibly a ladies' man with a promiscuous past who gets tamed by the right woman (there are romance novel elements in this series, but of a more monogomous bent), able (and likely) to take a severe beating but otherwise apparently unkillable, smart enough to outwit senators and other unsavory types, a bit of a roguish loner who is also a devoted shepherd over his large rabble of a family, a Republican who nevertheless gets on better than he likes with the new (if rustic) royal family...it all adds up to rich stew of Rome in all its flawed glory and the people who aren't that different from ourselves.


Tags : The Iron Hand of Mars: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery [Lindsey Davis] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. "A seamless blending of humor, history, and adventure." Publishers Weekly A detective novel of ancient Rome. When wild Germanic troops rebel and a Roman general disappears,Lindsey Davis,The Iron Hand of Mars: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery,Fawcett,034538024X,902323686,Mystery & Detective - General,Fiction,Fiction Mystery & Detective General,Fiction-Mystery & Detective,General Adult,MASS MARKET,MysterySuspense

The Iron Hand of Mars A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery Lindsey Davis 9780345380241 Books Reviews

It's not horrid, but it's not good either. Bless her, she so wanted to reach into that historical bag of tricks and teach us all what really went on in those vast black forests, post Caesar. But there is not much Falco doing his thing, and all is a miserable sort of apologia that teaches less than it entertains. STILL, IT'S FALCO.
I love the entire series of Marcus Didius Falco books. Ms. Davis' research into the details of day-to-day in Ancient Rome give the books an effortless realism and the characters are so much fun.
Explores the then-known world beyond Rome, Falco’s playfulness, plus a history lesson, all in one delightful book!
Loved it
Enjoy
I agree with the other reviewer that this is *not* a conventional murder mystery. However, for me, that was part of its charm.

It IS part mystery, but it's also part action adventure, part thriller, and part history. All together, it combines to create a great addition to the Falco series, with enough of each element to keep things interesting, and author Davis' unique brand of anachronistic humor to prevent the story from taking itself too seriously.

Even I have to admit that the journey -- a la The Odyssey -- was a tad too long for comfort and the meeting with the priestess Veleda was a let down. But what book does not have a few flaws? This one has fewer than most and I will look forward to reading the next book in the Marcus Didius Falco series.
Another great adventure for Marcus! As usual, there are all the "add on" characters & some familiar faces...his trip to Germany is very eventful, especially when Helena turns up! The history keeps you on your toes as well as all the mysteries involved with this mission....I love this series!
This book is a great introduction to the Falco detective series by Lindsey Davis. I liked this novel so much that I also purchased the audio version from Audible (an company).

This story is set in 71 AD in Germania Libera. Falco acts as an agent sent with the authority of emperor Vespasian to find a missing commander whose loyalties are suspect. His legionary service with Legio II Augusta, around 59 AD in Britain until his discharge on medical reasons by 69 AD from an unknown location, make him an ideal candidate for the job.

Falco is a typical soldier. His is tough, rough and comes from the lower classes of Rome. His girlfriend, Helena Justina, is a senator's daughter who is educated, refined and politically savvy. The juxtaposition of these two characters adds tremendous entertainment to this novel.

Once you have read this novel I am sure you will want to read others by this author.
Hate to say it, but if you read one of the series,you have read them all. Marco Falco gets beat up; Helena enters (no matter how improbably); family intrudes (again, no matter the improbability) Marcos eventually triumphs. I've read five books of the series and all could have been condensed into a two-act play. It is endless repetition of the same theme, Read one or two for the local color, but don't waste you time (or money) on more. Don't fault me, but I intend to post this same review on all that I've read. Series its simply boring and repetitive..
I came to the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries much later in the series (A Body in the Bath House) via Audible; the story was lively and the narrator distinct. I'm more familiar with the period of the late Roman Republic, but Davis' cheeky humor and fun characterizations have helped breathe life into the early Vespasian rule (68ish BCE) after the chaotic "year of the four emperors." Falco, a former soldier with the disgraced Second Augusta legion in Brittania, is a thirty year-old "informer" - roughly, private investigator - who in the first novel (The Silver Pigs) finds himself elevated from his usual sordid cases to one that brings him to the attention of the emperor and the senatorial Camillus family. A diamond in the rough however he may protest otherwise, that adventure launches him on a very different trajectory (several of which threads I spoiled for myself by starting with a later novel, but won't repeat here). Suffice to say, there is romance, thorough characterization, a solid mix of new adventures and people you will find as inescapable as Falco himself does, and a slow-building ambition. Davis appears to let very little time pass in the Falco time frame between novels (weeks, usually), so it's a slow but exciting ride-along in the characters' lives.

The Iron Hand of Mars follows the almost exclusively Rome-based predecessor, Venus in Copper, and returns to a road-trip adventure this time, to the German frontier on Vespasian's errand to check on the legendary/notorious XIV legion and a German prophetess/rebel. The devil - and the delight - is in the details. As usual, Davis manages to work in children and and animals, both of which complicate Falco's life (and, occasionally, provide a surprise assist) as he strives to fulfill his mission.

At times Falco seems far too capable for his years and his station, a bit of Tarzan on the Tiber. Quick-witted, sharp tongued, ostensibly a ladies' man with a promiscuous past who gets tamed by the right woman (there are romance novel elements in this series, but of a more monogomous bent), able (and likely) to take a severe beating but otherwise apparently unkillable, smart enough to outwit senators and other unsavory types, a bit of a roguish loner who is also a devoted shepherd over his large rabble of a family, a Republican who nevertheless gets on better than he likes with the new (if rustic) royal family...it all adds up to rich stew of Rome in all its flawed glory and the people who aren't that different from ourselves.