Tired, tired, tired - Rated 
While Ms Davis' early Falco books were intriguing and colourful, the last 4-7 books have increasingly focused on family bickering and dull household activity. This latest, Saturnalia, is a continuation of her slide into domesticity and drudge.
There is very little in the way of mystery here, very little in tradecraft or action. There is some coverage of what the feast time of Saturnalia was like in ancient Rome, but even this is often hurried over.
Sad, really.
I recommend the books of Simon Scarrow (excellent), Steven Saylor (very good), and the first ten or so books (very good) by Lindsey Davis.
Saturnalia - a feast of crime - Rated 
This latest story in the ongoing saga of Marcus Didius Falco is an enjoyable romp from start to finish. It is set within Rome but has its genesis in one of the earlier stories about Falco's adventures in Germany. It is satisfying on so many levels, not only as a detective story (naturally) but also as an evoker of the sight, sounds and the smell of ancient Rome. Then there is the ongoing story of Falco, his lady Helena and their life together and his entire glorious extended family. It is a rare joy to read not just a book, but a series of them, where you can and do care what happens to every single character involved.
Read this book and all the others in the series and you will relish every single word.
Its Saturnaliaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! - Rated 
I must apologise to Amazon as I bought this as an Airport special whilst waiting to go on a Diving holiday as it looked quite interesting. I had never heard of the Falco series before but I found it to be a jolly good holiday read and not too taxing.
That said the atmosphere of Ancient Rome was well described and the family stresses of a holiday season well documented and the analogies with Christmas well made. This only being appropriate as the early church consumed Saturnalia (Mid Winter Solstice) into the celebration of the birth of Christ in order to consume paganism.
The story was very interesting with sub plots as well as the main theme of tracking known an escaped prisoner.
I also liked the way the author made it apparent the Falco's moral stance was quite different from a person of our time including the almost invariable execution of the prisoner if she were to be found.
Well worth the money.
A funny thing happened to me on the way to the forum - Rated
Certainly Oxfordprospect.co.uk readers found it a good festive romp through the intrigues and double dealings of ancient Rome. A book I enjoyed from the beginning to its very end.
Back to her best - Rated
It has been some time since this series has been at it's very best but Saturnalia is right up there with Lindsey's very finest. The plot(s) is gripping, the wit and repartee is razor sharp and the final twist is a cracker. There are some contemporary issues such as the state v personal freedom and a certain notorious serial killer and this adds to the brilliance of this book. The good news is that there will be at least 1 more Falco book.Buy it now and buy copies for your friends !
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