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What is follow is an intriguing and exciting mystery, in which Falco will need his wits and cunning to solve this conspiracy, and in a thrilling fashion he'll be able to catch the culprits in the end. Aventine Sector, Thirteenth District. South of the Circus Maximus, heading for the Ostia Road." As reassuring as a shark's grin to a flounder. She would have been warned about places like this. If her loving old nurses knew what they were doing, she had been warned about fellows like me. She was too desperate to pretend. "I need a district magistrate." Three paces: options fast running out . . . Her face changed. "Oh help me!" Al terminar este libro, en este 2020 y usando cantidades netas de páginas (mediante un programa que estandariza), me he quedado a un "el misterio del príncipe" de haber leído el equivalente a 8 veces la saga completa de Harry Potter. Davis, Lindsey & Donnelly, Donal (Narrator). The Silver Pigs (Audio cassetteed.). Recorded Books Inc. OCLC 317850415. {{ cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link) OCLC Number: 317850415.
Twenty books into the series, I'm still not certain how Davis manages to keep the Falco/Helena relationship so fresh. I would guess what sustains them is that they have the same moral compass. Crime is an excellent tool for exploring human nature. Both Falco and Helena understand there's right and wrong in the world, and at various times over the years, they've both risked a great deal to make sure that Rome's disenfranchised are given a fair shake. The dialog is first person, and reads a bit like Sam Spade in the Subura. You are never left wondering what Falco's opinion is, on any subject or person. As this is the first of many Falco novels, paying attention here is worth it; Davis seems unwilling to let any juicy bits stay on the floor, and applies the Five Second Rule to rescue them for later enjoyment. Davis's vision of everyday life in the Roman Empire is superb. I haven't read historical fiction this good since I, Claudius by Robert Graves and The Persian Boy by Mary Renault.” — Detroit Free Press on Shadows in BronzeI wondered what to do. "Manners!" I chided thoughtfully, as the jellybrains came within five paces. She veered around me; I sidestepped politely. She dodged; I dodged. I had come to the Forum to visit my banker; I felt glum. I greeted this smouldering apparition with the keenness of a man who needs troubles taken off his mind. There were two of them. Two ugly lumps of jail-fodder, jellybrained and broad as they were high, were pushing through the crowds towards her, just ten paces off. The little lass was obviously terrified. The Silver Pigs (1989) is a historical mystery by Lindsey Davis. Set in the year 70 A.D., the setting is split between Rome and Britannia, featuring several real historical personages as characters. For me Rodska is the voice of Falco. He gives Falco the air of someone who knows his place. Has been there, done it all and expects it all to fall apart on him. His tone is easy on the ear but holds your attention. He changes tone and timbre in subtle ways when he voices different characters so that you realise the change but it is not jarring and doesn't deter from the story in any way.
Read this book in 2011, and its the 1st episode of the tremendous "Marcus Didius Falco" series, from the author, Lindsey Davis. I rarely think that an entertaining mystery merits five stars, but this one does. For many of us who would rather read historical mysteries than current true crime, the attraction is what an author can do to transport us to a different time and place and to make us understand (and/or feel) what it was like to breath and walk around in that remote land. Davis is a master at doing so with Imperial Rome. I can't call Falco lovable, but he's got a gruff charm that - try as he might - he can't hide completely. Along the way, Rome - all of it, not just the polished marble and chalk-white togas, but the stink of the slums, the chaos of the hearth, the perils of travel whether across town or across the continent, the struggle to earn a daily denarius, and the surprisingly but authentically modern-seeming conveniences and complaints of urban life - is itself a vibrant, slightly dangerous but romantic (cough) character. Listened to audiobook, very entertaining narrator, to refresh my memory for upcoming read with Reading the Detectives group. Still 3.5-4 stars for adventure, humor, characters, promising start to a long series. I’d definitely like to read on, see how characters develop. The plot made more sense this time, but I still found it hard to grasp what Falco and Helena were trying to say in several scenes as their romance developed - I think it’s just Davis’s writing style. The next book will be interesting, to see how she carries on. Sam Spade? Phillip Marlowe? Mike Hammer? Nope, none other than Marcus Didius Falco the private investigator who is the creation of English author Lindsey Davis. And “The Silver Pigs” is the first of 20 books she has written about the adventures of Falco set in 70 A.D. during the the beginning of the reign of Roman Emperor Vespacian.
Rodska turned this audio version from just a good story to a masterpiece of listening pleasure. His interpretation of Marcus Didiys Falco as the gruff, cynical, mysogenistic former soldier-cum imperial informer, who is generally content with his station in life, is flawless. As an actor, his talent is boundless, able to flit vocally from the working class south london accent he bestiows on Falco to the softer tones given to female leads Sosnia Camilina, upper class haughtiness of Helena Justina, the Imperial clip of Tiberius Caesar and the faded nobility of Senator Decius Camilliys Verus - all seemingly effortlessly. I have read many authors of Roman fiction, from Scarrow and Iggullden to Sutcliffe and Mario Valerie Manfredi. Somehiow, I missed out Davis. Rodska has turned me into her biggest fan, Am most disappointed to see that his voice doesn't carry through the whole series. Book 2, a BBC production, is narrated by Anton Lesser. He more well-known than Rodska, of course; - talented and respected actor . But he gives Falco a middle class, almost effete accent that betrays his humble origins. With Rodska the smells of old cabbage, rust and linseed oil fill your nostrils. Lesser's performance is altogether more sterile. Such a pity. Listen to this audiobook if only just to hear Rodska, a master in action. urn:lcp:silverpigsmarcus00davi:epub:3704d3c3-f52c-4c7a-8506-78a955cbb35c Extramarc Brown University Library Foldoutcount 0 Identifier silverpigsmarcus00davi Identifier-ark ark:/13960/t3030448z Isbn 9780312357771 Rufrius Vitalis - Ex-Centurion of the Second Augustan Legion, living in retirement at Isca Dumnoniorum. Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2011-12-19 16:59:19 Boxid IA160912 Camera Canon EOS 5D Mark II City New York Donor After spending so much time together, and many arguments, misunderstandings and denials, Falco and Helena fall in love (and subsequently consummate this in a horse stable, in a public garden). Eventually, Falco sorts out the case and only has to bring the culprits to justice. However, there is no justice, as one of the culprits is Domitian, the Emperor's wayward son, and the only other surviving culprit is very close to Helena and her senator father.
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