I really wanted to like this. I utterly adore the Falco novels and have read every one more than once. Upon rereading Nemesis, I saw more clearly how Albia was being set up as to follow Falco. The first time I read it, I remember thinking - aargh, no, I can't stand this character, why is Lindsey writing about her so much? The second time it was obvious. Albia was going to wear the Falco crown and badly she wears it too. The problem with Albia is that she is unlikable. She's boring; she's a bad judge of character; she's apparently tough but we never see it; she has so many chips on her shoulder she can hardly see straight; she has no sense of humour whatsoever; she's not Falco. There's not a lot one can do about the last one but why did she have to be so uninteresting? Falco was funny, he was smart, he was tough, he loved Helena with all his heart and soul. His view on Rome was fascinating. His conversations were brilliant. Albia never relates an intimate conversation. There's very little personal stuff. We don't see her interacting with her family at all, though they clearly play a strong role in her life. Worse, through the Albia books, Lindsey Davis is systematically removing everything from Falco's life that brings him joy. I fully expect her to kill off Helena just to make him more miserable. Why? Is this a case of an author who has come to hate her popular creation? A sad ending to a brilliant series. Falco's adopted British-born daughter, Flavia Albia takes over the family business with energy, wit and perseverance. She is the V I Warshawsky of Domitian Rome. This debut would have benefitted from more of Falco and Helena but it does include other characters from the Falco series and it's refreshing to see Flavia's perspective on them. I would have given it four stars if the villain hadn't been apparent so early in the book but it was fun and surprising to see the details of how the plot worked out.
What do You think about The Ides Of April (2013)?
Not quite as good as the Marcus Didius Falco novels, but still a good read.
—alexrebano
These are all starting to seem a bit similar & repetitive. *yawm*
—bobo18
a fun read. will read more of this author.
—Bianca
