Like all good historical mystery fiction writers, Lindsey Davis attends to historical details and creates engaging characters in a complex plot. In her Marcus Didius Falco series, she covers the known world, her gumshoe traveling to Davis' native England, as well as the Roman provinces of Asia and Africa, where Falco and his beloved senator's daughter, Helena Justina, take care of family business.
1. Last Act in Palmyra. 1994.
Lindsey Davis' sleuth Falco heads off to the East to Nabataea to do a job for his nemesis, the palace spy, Anacrites. Falco becomes a playwright.
2. Two For The Lions. 1998.
As tax auditor for the census, Falco and his family track gladiators, a potent, but extinct herb, and Helena's brother, in Africa.3. One Virgin Too Many. 1999.
As procurator of the sacred geese, an "honor" accorded Falco for past deeds, Falco tries to find out why a Vestal Virgin candidate thinks someone is trying to murder her.4. Time to Depart. 1995.
Vespasian assigns Falco and his good friend Petronius Longinus, Captain of the Aventine Watch, to figure out who is reponsible for a series of robberies and murders. Falco is given other charges, as well, which result in conflict with his friend.5. A Dying Light in Corduba. 1996.
When Falco's nemesis, chief spy Anacrites, is badly wounded, Falco is sent to Spain -- ostensibly to look after his girlfriend Helena's father's villa and olive crops.6. Three Hands in the Fountain.1997.
Falco and his partner Petronius Longinus run into officious bureaucrats when they look into Rome's water and aqueduct system to find out why there was a severed hand in the fountain.