Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
New York : Ballantine, 1991, c1989.
Description
One fine day, A.D. 70, Sosia Camillina quite literally runs into Marcus Didius Falco on the steps of the Forum. It seems Sosia is on the run from a couple of street toughs, and after a quick and dirty rescue, P.I. Falco wants to know why. Falco finds out that Sosia, the niece of a highly placed senator, holds the secret to a stockpile of silver pigs, ingots intended for no good use. Hoping for future favors from Sosia's powerful uncle, Falco embarks on an intricate case of smuggling, murder, and treason that reaches into the palace itself. And if he does not tread lightly, the treacherous puzzle of the silver pigs could buy him a one-way ticket to his own funeral pyre.
User reviews
LibraryThing member teckelvik
I treasure this book, because Ellis Peters personally recommended it to me. (Yes, that's name dropping. No, I didn't know her personally, it was at a book signing.)
I love this book, indeed the whole series. Davis has recreated ancient Rome in a thoroughly believable way. The characters are three
I also love the romance between Marcus and Helena, all prickly offended pride on her part and stubborn pride on his, and the way they get together makes sense for both of them.
The mystery is fun and reasonable, the denoument doesn't rely on hidden facts that we never had a chance to find out.
Also really important to me - the writing sparkles. The dialogue and the description alike are really well done.
I love this book, indeed the whole series. Davis has recreated ancient Rome in a thoroughly believable way. The characters are three
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dimensional and vivid, and the protagonist is both skilled and not overly so.I also love the romance between Marcus and Helena, all prickly offended pride on her part and stubborn pride on his, and the way they get together makes sense for both of them.
The mystery is fun and reasonable, the denoument doesn't rely on hidden facts that we never had a chance to find out.
Also really important to me - the writing sparkles. The dialogue and the description alike are really well done.
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LibraryThing member ffortsa
I listened to this, and learned that listening to a good mystery story well read can make me forget to do anything else until it's finished. The first Didius Falco mystery, set in ancient Rome with excursions northward, is a gem, and if the street descriptions had been of New York instead, I could
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have followed them blindfolded. A great romp, a vivid depiction of life in Rome and Britain in the time of Vespasian, with a rom-com thrown in. I hope to read the next one, but the audio was so delicious, I might listen instead. Show Less
LibraryThing member Black_samvara
Funny, well constructed historical detective story set in the Vespasian period. Loved it.
LibraryThing member RBeffa
Silver Pigs is the first in a now 20 book detective fiction series. This one is set in Rome and Roman Britain in 70-71 A.D. The blurb on the back says "Sam Spade in a Toga" and the story is now about 25 years old having been published in 1989. For a first published novel it is remarkably good and
Silver Pigs refer to ingots mined and produced in Britain that are made of silver and lead ore. There is a bunch of intrigue (and murder) concerning the manufacture and transport of this resource. Frankly, I found the stories of the characters and family relationships (and there are quite a few) much more intriguing. Our detective (known as an "informer" in Roman times) is Marcus Didius Falco. He's a rather hardened guy with a good heart. There are a few bits in here to reward the careful reader that I can't spoil by mentioning. I really enjoyed the romance side of the story as it was rather unexpected even if obvious in hindsight. There is some good verbal sparring between Marcus and others, friends and foe. Altogether just a very enjoyable read and I will be reading more in this series.
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caught my interest from the first page. Sam Spade in a Toga is in fact a bit of what it is about but the attention to detail and a romantic element that powers much of the latter part of the story really make this more than simply a detective novel set in early Rome and Britain.Silver Pigs refer to ingots mined and produced in Britain that are made of silver and lead ore. There is a bunch of intrigue (and murder) concerning the manufacture and transport of this resource. Frankly, I found the stories of the characters and family relationships (and there are quite a few) much more intriguing. Our detective (known as an "informer" in Roman times) is Marcus Didius Falco. He's a rather hardened guy with a good heart. There are a few bits in here to reward the careful reader that I can't spoil by mentioning. I really enjoyed the romance side of the story as it was rather unexpected even if obvious in hindsight. There is some good verbal sparring between Marcus and others, friends and foe. Altogether just a very enjoyable read and I will be reading more in this series.
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LibraryThing member AlexBrightsmith
If I tell you that M Didius Falco is a Marlowe-esque detective in ancient Rome, there's a high risk that I'll put you off from the start, and that would be a shame.
Drawing strongly on, and gently, affectionately, sending up, the hard-boiled detective genre, The Silver Pigs is a standalone novel
This book is beautifully written, tender, amused and perfectly spellbinding.
It even has a sex scene that doesn't make me cringe.
Drawing strongly on, and gently, affectionately, sending up, the hard-boiled detective genre, The Silver Pigs is a standalone novel
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that draws you intimately and irresistibly into Falco's world. From the very first words it paints a vivid picture of Rome even to someone like me with little historical knowledge, yet does so without patronising a more informed reader.This book is beautifully written, tender, amused and perfectly spellbinding.
It even has a sex scene that doesn't make me cringe.
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LibraryThing member page.fault
Falco is the typical world-weary, cynical, sex-crazed but chivalric detective noir protagonist. The twist? He lives in Rome, during the time of Vespasian. While I didn't find the writing style or characters engrossing--they're pretty straightforward and sometimes the dialogue turns into historical
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exposition-- the characters are fun, the world feels realistic, and it is quite meticulously researched. Unlike the Medicus books, where the main character is quite low in society and comes nowhere near the big political movers and shakers, Falco lives in Rome and actually runs into Vespasian and company. Show Less
LibraryThing member daniel.links
It does what it sets out to do. The central character is a private investigator in Rome, and investigating a bullion scam takes him to the slave mines of Cornwall and back again. Personally I could have done without the love interest, but I'm a cynic, so I don't hold it against the book. An
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entertaining mix of genres, and not a bad story holding them together either. Show Less
LibraryThing member jaygheiser
Enjoyable mystery novel starring a private detective who lives in 2nd century Rome.
LibraryThing member bookswamp
1st sequel of the adventures of private eye Marcus Didius Falco, starting in AD 70; very amusing, good plots, interesting insights into the daily life of ancient Rome (1989)
LibraryThing member babydraco
Ehh.
I enjoy the voice of the narrator, and the wonderful little historical details.
But sometimes Marcus Falco's typical Roman arrogance and obliviousness isn't funny, it's upsetting. I know it's probably accurate, but looking back on it from the future, I keep wanting to say "look around you!"
I enjoy the voice of the narrator, and the wonderful little historical details.
But sometimes Marcus Falco's typical Roman arrogance and obliviousness isn't funny, it's upsetting. I know it's probably accurate, but looking back on it from the future, I keep wanting to say "look around you!"
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The big climax takes place during a Triumph for a very famous and horrible conquest of a nation, and it's just background noise for the characters. This is particularly troubling after what Marcus survives in this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member nolak
Sosia needs rescuing and Marcus finds a mystery dealing with stolen Imperial ingots. He goes to the silver mines of Britain to solve the mystery, all to the tune of many laughs. A truly delightful character that brings ancient Rome to life.
LibraryThing member morriss003
The beginning of one of the most fascinating series that I ever had the pleasure of reading. If you are in to mysteries, romance and historical novels that are set in the ancient world, then this is the series for you. Lindsey Davis is a thorough researcher. Her maps will be poured over, her
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references to historical figures are accurate. Her hero's grouchy attitude is always humorous although at a moments notice she can plunge the story into dark and dangerous territory. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I love both well-done historical fiction and mystery, so I have a particular affection for hybrids like the books by Ellis Peters or Carrie Bebris. Given the setting in Imperial Rome and the smart alleck first person voice, this sounded like a blend of Gladiator and The Big Sleep only more
I think that's actually a lot of what I find appealing in Falco. He has friends, a very large family and he allows himself to fall in love. I can't judge well how accurate the history is--I can say it gave at least the illusion of being accurate, a vivid sense of life in Ancient Rome and Roman Britain, without giving the sense of a mindset truly alien to the modern age in the way of Mary Renault or Colleen McCullough in her Master of Rome series. And it does that despite the very contemporary sounding, sometimes anachronistic lingo. On the other hand, despite the at times satirical look at Roman politics, I didn't get the feeling of a political agenda superimposed as with the Steven Saylor mysteries set in ancient Rome.
Davis isn't the prose stylist equal of a Mary Renault or Mary Stewart or even Collen McCullough, either. But the book was enjoyable enough, the characters appealing enough, I might try the next book in the series. And that's fairly rare when it comes to the mystery series I've tried.
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historically accurate and Marcus Didius Falco, who has a lively sense of humor, is much more appealing than Philip Marlowe. In her introduction, Davis acknowledged her debt to the private detective genre and how she enjoyed pulling some reversals--specifically in allowing her Falco to be attached to both family and a romantic interest, Helena Justina. I think that's actually a lot of what I find appealing in Falco. He has friends, a very large family and he allows himself to fall in love. I can't judge well how accurate the history is--I can say it gave at least the illusion of being accurate, a vivid sense of life in Ancient Rome and Roman Britain, without giving the sense of a mindset truly alien to the modern age in the way of Mary Renault or Colleen McCullough in her Master of Rome series. And it does that despite the very contemporary sounding, sometimes anachronistic lingo. On the other hand, despite the at times satirical look at Roman politics, I didn't get the feeling of a political agenda superimposed as with the Steven Saylor mysteries set in ancient Rome.
Davis isn't the prose stylist equal of a Mary Renault or Mary Stewart or even Collen McCullough, either. But the book was enjoyable enough, the characters appealing enough, I might try the next book in the series. And that's fairly rare when it comes to the mystery series I've tried.
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LibraryThing member lendroth
I never knew ancient Rome could be such a scream. The first of a long, and -- thankfully -- continuing series of mysteries that feature the tough, but warm-hearted, sleuth Falco, solving mysteries in the Roman Empire. The parallels with our modern "civilization" are priceless.
LibraryThing member annbury
Terrific historical detective novel, which introduces the intrepid Marcus Didius Falco and his girlfriend, the aristocratic Helena. It's an irresistable combination: a powerful presentation of ancient Rome (it really does come alive) with a hero who recalls a classic American hardboiled private
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eye. In this novel, there is also an interesting mystery, and a romance where you really care what happens. If only Ms. Davis had maintained this standard beyond the first few books of the series --- Show Less
LibraryThing member TadAD
Most historical mysteries are either light on the mystery or light on the flavor of the time period. This is neither. The start of a great series full of great characters.
LibraryThing member cathymoore
I think I'm a little bit in love with Marcus Didius Falco! Fantastic characters that leap off the page combined with some obviously well-researched descriptions of Ancient Rome and Roman Britain. This is the first in a series of novels featuring Falco, a private detective with an overbearing mother
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set in 71AD. Falco takes a case requiring him to uncover a plot against the emperor Vespasian and to retrieve some silver ingots (the pigs). The author's fantastic comedic touch really makes the difference here and I'm looking forward to reading the rest in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member hailelib
I really enjoyed Silver Pigs by Davis. This was my introduction to Falco and his family and friends. Not sure whether it was the characters or the settings (Rome and Britain) that got my attention but I intend to read more of this series.
Recommended for those who like books set in the Roman Empire
Recommended for those who like books set in the Roman Empire
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and who like a good historical mystery. Show Less
LibraryThing member bragan
The blurb on the front cover describes this as "a detective novel in ancient Rome," which I think pretty much sums it up. It takes some familiar gumshoe tropes -- including a cynical, somewhat smart-alecky, but doggedly persistent P.I. with a weakness for beautiful women and a chronic inability to
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pay his rent -- and combines them with the ancient Roman setting in a fun way. I did have a little trouble getting into the plot, although I'll freely admit that might be more my fault than the book's, as I was a bit too tired and distracted while reading most of it. Still, it was a fairly enjoyable read. Not quite enough so that I feel a burning need to rush out and buy the next book in the series, but enough that if I happen to stumble across it at a library sale, as I did for this one, I'll definitely pick it up. Show Less
LibraryThing member cad_lib
Enjoyed this years ago. I'm rereading it to (hopefully) find some illustrations of real life in Rome around the time of the Apostle Paul and the church(es) in Rome.
LibraryThing member ksmac
Wonderful beginning to a great series about a Roman private eye who is dispatched by the Emperor to investigate the theft of silver "pigs" from mines in Britain. Great detail.
LibraryThing member SChant
Quite entertaining, obviously well researched historical detail, but confused and somewhat implausible plotting.
LibraryThing member Pompeia
The first in a detective series placed in Ancient Rome and its provinces. Marcus Didius Falco starts his investigations on behalf of the emperor Vespasian and incidentally meets the love of his life in cold and misty Britain which he certainly will not come to miss. Good for light reading and nice
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for those who like books on Ancient Rome. Show Less
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
The Silver Pigs is the first book in the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis. Falco is an “informer” which is the 70 A. D. version of a private detective. One morning he's practically run over by a young girl, fleeing a group of scary looking pursuers. He rescues her and takes her to
I really enjoy this time period in history. I thought the story had plenty of humor and intrigue. I liked Falco who seemed like a regular sort of guy who has a huge family that are constantly criticizing him. He has street smarts and is quite honorable. I learned some interesting things about ancient Rome and the mining business. Overall it was a good book but not a great book. Often that's the case with a first in series book so I'm going to give Falco another chance to wow me in Shadows in Bronze.
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hide out in his apartment. She confesses they are after her because there's something hidden in her bank box and she's the only one who has the combination. When Falco opens up the box, he discovers an iron pig, which is a valuable bar of silver. Falco follows the trail of silver from Rome to the deadly silver mines of Britannia. Along the way, he connects the silver to a list of names that reveals a secret worth killing to protect.I really enjoy this time period in history. I thought the story had plenty of humor and intrigue. I liked Falco who seemed like a regular sort of guy who has a huge family that are constantly criticizing him. He has street smarts and is quite honorable. I learned some interesting things about ancient Rome and the mining business. Overall it was a good book but not a great book. Often that's the case with a first in series book so I'm going to give Falco another chance to wow me in Shadows in Bronze.
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LibraryThing member juliapequlia
Marcus Didius Falco is very different from Steven Saylor's Gordianus the Finder. Marcus is a bit of a crude party-boy, but his intellect and wit are keen. Most Flaco mysteries are set in Rome, but this is one of the few in which he travels the Roman empire, this time ending up as a slave in a
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British lead mine. Putting that misery aside, it's a fun read! Show Less
Awards
Authors' Club First Novel Award (Winner — 1989)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1990)
Language
Original publication date
1989
Physical description
xi, 241 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
0345369076 / 9780345369079
Local notes
Falco, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic Mystery Davis |