There have been very few historical crime fiction writers whose books are in such high demand and whose books are also as eagerly awaited as that of Lindsay Davis. Lindsay has been entertaining readers with tales involving private informer, part time poet and now Procurator of the Sacred Poultry Marcus Didius Falco for the last ten years to much acclaimed.
Ode to a Banker is the 12th in the series and of course features all the familiar characters; Falco, Helena Justina, Petronius Longus, Maia and of course the dangerous Chief Spy Anacrites. In this latest tale Falco
is preparing to read some of his poetry to his family and friends. As usual things do not go as planned. Wealthy Greek banker and patron to a group of struggling writers Aurelius Chrysippus takes over the event. He also offers to print some of Falco's work a suggestion that causes more trouble than it is worth. Falco soon becomes implicated in Chrysippus's death after a visit to his shop and an overworked Petronius contracts him to investigate the matter. Falco has no other choice but to accept.
There are also other problems closer to home that need to be resolved aswell. Helena Justina is still battling with the contractors over their bath house, Falco's father suffers a distressing personal death; his widowed sister Maia is being plagued by Anacrites and Nux, his dog is expecting puppies at any moment.
Ode to a Banker looks amusingly at Roman publishing and banking. It also takes a pot shot at jealous authors, the sludge surrounding patronage and the murky side of the financial world. Like her earlier books Lindsey Davis brings Rome to life. Nothing appears to have been forgotten. The numerous problems with Falco's extended and outrageous family will still leave you wanting more. His relationship with Helena Justina is as crucial to the story line as ever and Falco's ability to find trouble as well as weasel his way out of it is a delight to behold. There are red herrings galore in this latest tale. The results of which I am sure all Falco fans will be impatient to find out. Ode to a Banker is a welcome addition to the Falco series and is as usual a very enjoyable read.
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Ayo Onatade
June 2000