Any "mystery solving" books you can recommend me?

[Valka D'Ur]

If you like historical mysteries, I recommend the Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis. The protagonist, Marcus Didius Falco, is an ex-soldier (veteran of the war with Boudicca, in Britain) who in civilian life becomes an informer (we would refer to him as a detective or 'private eye'). He sometimes works for the Imperial Family -- Emperor Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. The series starts around A.D. 70, shortly after the Fall of Jerusalem.

Falco is written in the style of the 1940s Humphrey Bogart sort of detective -- hard-boiled, but skilled at getting along with the ladies. He's very good at his job, while juggling a lot of family obligations (he has several sisters, his mother, numerous nieces and nephews, a girlfriend, and a dog) and keeping up with his hobby of writing and working out at the local bathhouse with his trainer. He also seems to get mixed up in the trials and tribulations of his best friend Petronius, one of the local vigiles (we would consider him a combination fireman/cop).

All in all, it's a greatly entertaining series, with some really puzzling murder mysteries to solve!

 

[Julian Delphiki]

Valka D'ur, how are those compared to Steven Saylors Roma Sub Rosa series? Would you have happened to read both? Or anyone else, for the matter.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

I can't answer that, as until your post here, I'd never even heard of that series. But I checked out the link you provided, and it looks like I should read them!

Here is the Wiki page for the Lindsey Davis books: Marcus Didius Falco

I'm addicted to these books, and it's all my classical history instructor's fault -- he let me borrow his copy of Venus in Copper and I was hooked!

I would guess that the Roma Sub Rosa books probably have a very different tone to them -- not only because each author naturally does have a unique take on historical fiction, but because Roma Sub Rosa takes place when Rome is still a Republic, whereas the Falco novels take place after the Imperial system is well-established. Some of Falco's personality comes from his having lived through the chaotic reigns of Nero and the Year of Four Emperors that followed Nero's death, not to mention his years in the army and his brother's death in Jerusalem (leaving Falco as head of the family, and responsible for his female relatives and their children).

I prefer historical fiction that doesn't take too many liberties with real history. Lindsey Davis is beyond wonderful at making sure to get her history -- and archaeology -- as correct as she possibly can. She visits digs and interviews historians and archaeologists to find the most authentic information available to her.

I've read lots of historical fiction set in Roman times. The most recent book I read is one to do with Flavius Silva (the general who commanded the Roman legion at Masada). I hadn't known there was a whole series about him, so now I'm trying to track down the rest of the books.

There is also some excellent Egyptian historical fiction available. My favorite author is Pauline Gedge, and I've also got some Christian Jacq novels waiting to be read.

 

[Julian Delphiki]

I can't answer that, as until your post here, I'd never even heard of that series. But I checked out the link you provided, and it looks like I should read them!

Here is the Wiki page for the Lindsey Davis books: Marcus Didius Falco

I have to send the same words back to you, i did check wiki earlier but thanks. . Almost all of those books are available for me from library it seems. For some reason none of those seem to have been translated to Finnish (English is not a problem, except it's bit slower for me to read).

Now only i could finish that 50cm of books i have waiting... i think i'll make reservation for the first one just to not forget what i have on my ever growing to-read list. This work thing i have going again seems to take too much of my time.

Have you read Robert Harris' Imperium or Pompeii (very entertaining detective kind of story)?

Christian Jacq novels waiting to be read.

They are pretty bad. I still have read most of them.

 

[Xenocrates]

"The Name of the Rose" is the best I've read by far.

Another Eco - Foucault's pendulum. It's the only book I've ever re-read.

 

[Atticus]

Foucault's pendulum.

It's quite good, best of that genre I've read so far. Especially since it's ending isn't stupid or anticlimax, as they often are in that type of literature.

I just started the Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. So far it has been ok, and I've heard it recommended by trusthworthy people. Surprisingly the translation I'm reading (840 pages) is shortened version of the original, wonder how much longer it is.

 

[oagersnap]

I don't know if it's the right genre, but if you like the Da Vinci Code, I would recommend the books by Stieg Larsson. Sadly, he only wrote three before he died, but these books are the most thrilling ones I have ever read. They're almost impossible to put down when you're reading them. I don't think they are very well known outside Scandinavia, but they have all been translated into English IIRC.

 

[Julian Delphiki]

If you like historical mysteries, I recommend the Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis.

I finally finished The Silver Pigs last night - excellent, now i need to get more Falco books.