Comedy of Terrors: The Sunday Times Crime Club Star Pick

In "The Undying Sun," Lindsey Davis' Flavia Albia novel takes readers back to ancient Rome during the Saturnalia festival. Albia is faced with domestic stress and a deadly menace as a hustling gang from the past threatens the city. With law and order paused for partying, Albia and her husband Tiberius must go it alone to survive the winter solstice and prevent criminal darkness from descending upon Rome. The book is praised for its lighthearted wit, cleverness, and immersive experience of ancient Rome.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2021
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

The Sunday Times Crime Club Star Pick is a delightful and witty novel that transports readers back to ancient Rome. Written in a lighthearted and effortless style, the book follows the adventures of its wonderful heroine, Flavia Albia, as she navigates through the city's vibrant and complex society.

The novel offers a captivating window into ancient Rome, providing a refreshing and enjoyable read. It blends humor, social commentary, ingenious plots, and sharp observational skills with a touch of genuine and sometimes earthy humor. The author's knowledge of the city and its people is evident throughout the story, creating a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.

One of the standout features of the book is its portrayal of Roman society. The Aventine, the neighborhood where Flavia Albia lives, is full of fracturing families, where wives plot to leave their husbands, and husbands plot to spend more time with their mistresses. The contrast between the masters and the slaves is also highlighted, with the masters enduring the obscene liberties taken by their slaves and the slaves learning to ape their dangerous masters.

Despite the holiday season, Flavia Albia finds herself with a case to investigate. However, all work is paused due to Saturnalia, the mid-December feast celebrated by the Romans to commemorate the sun's rebirth. This feast is often a drunken riot, and no one wants to hire an investigator during this time. Flavia Albia is faced with her own domestic stress, including overexcited children, bilious guests, practical jokes, and her magistrate husband, Tiberius, preoccupied with local strife. He fears a Nut War, as nuts are both the snack and missile of choice for tipsy celebrants, and there is a fortune to be made.

This year, a hustling gang from the past resurfaces, horning in on the action. As the deadly menace strikes even close to home, and with law and order paused for partying, Flavia Albia and Tiberius must go it alone. The Emperor has promised the people a spectacular entertainment, but Domitian himself is a target for the old criminals and their new schemes. The stakes are high, and the fate of Rome hangs in the balance.

The novel's ending is both thrilling and heartwarming, as Flavia Albia and Tiberius face their challenges head-on and emerge victorious. The Undying Sun, a symbol of hope and renewal in ancient Rome, survives the winter solstice, and criminal darkness is defeated. The book leaves readers with a sense of satisfaction and closure, as Flavia Albia continues to navigate the complexities of ancient Rome and solve mysteries.

Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series is well-deserved. The Flavia Albia series is a totally exhilarating romp through Ancient Rome, offering readers a unique and captivating perspective on the city's history and culture. Davis's writing is lively and engaging, and her characters are well-developed and relatable. The series has gained a loyal following, and fans eagerly await each new installment.

In conclusion, The Sunday Times Crime Club Star Pick is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, mysteries, or a delightful and witty adventure. With its captivating characters, intricate plots, and vivid portrayal of ancient Rome, the book offers a refreshing and enjoyable experience that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Flavia Albia series.

Weight: 278g
Dimension: 175 x 239 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529374339