I bought this thinking it was the next Marcus Didius Falco crime caper, but it's an hors series work, set in the time of the Emperor Domitian. It traces the lives of Flavia Lucilla and Gaius Vinius Clodianus from the time she (a hairdresser working for her mother) tries to report a non-burglary to him (an Urban Vigil working as a fire and crime investigator). Through fate, he becomes a hero in the Praetorian Guard, while she takes over her Mother's business doing hair and making wigs for the rich and the powerful. Coincidence sees them sharing an apartment. Fate has lots more in store for them, however. Probably best described as a historical romance, this is a tale of both Roman life and political intrigue, and a Boy meets Girl, Boy Loses Girl, etc. story. Once you're past the start, it's quite light, rather long and sometimes tedious. 5/10 (April 2013) I liked this book. A lot. Which is odd because I have tried the author's Falco series and I really don't get on with them.At one level this is a 'romance' tracing the relationship between one of the Praetorian guards and a hairdresser. Except Davis doesn't do 'romance'. Her writing is way too realistic (cynical?) for that.At another, it's a political book about how to cope with a mentally-ill despot who isn't getting any better as he goes. From what I can gather the Emperor gets a bad rap from history, and actually wasn't as bad as he was painted, but Davis sort of goes with tradition.There's lots of humour in here. Sort of Jane Austenish sarcastic humour. Well worth a read anyway. IMHO. Took me from Thursday to Sunday to complete, taking up odd moments as they came along. So a quick read by my standards.
Do You like book Master And God (2012)?
Great Read if you like hidtorical fiction. Placed during the reign of Dominition circa A.D.81.
—RawSugar
Not a Falco book, but still an excellent Ancient Roman adventure!
—an1311
Excellent read ...a page turner and and an intelligent book .
—unique
