Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 0-89296-811-7

THE ACCUSERS is the fifteenth book in the Marcus Didius Falco series, which is set Rome in the first century A.D. Falco is an informer, which means that he can accuse others of crimes, investigate these crimes, prosecute them in court, and then collect a share of the person’s assets if they are found guilty. Falco usually does family background investigations and leaves the big cases to the senators, but in THE ACCUSERS, he becomes embroiled in a very tangled case and can’t seem to work himself loose.

A rich Roman senator is convicted of corruption and then commits suicide, thereby relieving his family of the debts that they would have had to pay as a result of his conviction. But was it really suicide? If it was murder, his family still must pay the debt. What starts off as a simple investigation for Falco quickly evolves into a desperate bid to save himself and his family from financial ruin. Family secrets, hidden loyalties, and money hungry prosecutors all play a role in this complicated plot.

And, frankly, I loved the complexity even though it made my head spin occasionally. This book is very much a legal thriller – but it is set in the ancient world and you don’t quite know what the rules of law actually are. Around every corner is a new legal gambit, a sneaky strategy, and a little sleight of hand with the evidence.

But there are also good characters. Falco is a bit of a player who has settled down to a mostly happy family life with the woman he loves and their children. And his annoying parents, in-laws, and his wife’s two younger brothers that he has taken into his business. Falco is a little burdened by all this family but they all band together when push comes to shove and they risk losing it all.

Favorite character? Falco is a treat – domesticated, but not tamed. Did I guess it? Some, but not all. Will I read another? I picked up one of these books several years ago, enjoyed it, but somehow didn’t manage to read another one until now. I will definitely work my way through this series.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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