The Accusers, by Lindsey Davis

Saturday, November 06, 2004

In The Accusers, by Lindsey Davis, we readers learn about Marcus Didius Falco's real occupation, and in the process, find out why he is treated with contempt by so many. Not that he deserves it. Falco manages to maintain high standards even when dishing up the dirt on his victims, but not all informers are so ethical. Some of his "colleagues" line up their victims years in advance.

Usually, but not in The Accusers, Marcus Didius Falco is off on an adventure for one of the Flavian emperors. These missions are confidential and so not everyone understands why Falco has been neglecting his job as procurator of the sacred geese. When it looks as though Falco has stepped on one too many feet, a charge of impiety and dereliction of duty is laid on his plate. Will the notoriously unsupportive imperial household step in to help this time or will Falco and his children face permanent humiliation or worse?

The impiety charge is just a sideline. In The Accusers Falco accuses a woman of the senatorial class of murdering Metellus, her husband. This is a serious charge. If wrong Falco could face severe financial penalties. Metellus had been denounced, by some of Falco's deservingly despised cronies, for corruption and taking advantage of his son's public office. The son -- called Birdy by his estranged wife -- was not accused. In itself, that is odd. Had the convicted Metellus died a suicide, it would have been expected and considered an honorable way out, but he didn't. Instead, his life disposed of by poison of one kind or another. His will passed all his goods to Birdy's estranged wife. Why? Was she the old man's mistress? Was she holding something over on him? Why did she claim the poison was hemlock when everyone else said it was corn cockles?

The Accusers is unlike the other Falco stories. There is far more historical information and background about trials, the judicial system, and informers than there usually is in one of Lindsey Davis' books. There is also far less of the back and forth between members of Falco's family. Falco's father is only mentioned occasionally and mainly in connection with a scam. Anacrites and Falco's sisters remain in the background. Falco's mother only carps. Helena Justina's usually distant parents, keep offering help and Falco's brothers-in-law and wife do a good portion of the sleuthing.

Some readers will not appreciate the legal detail and will miss the good natured repartee among Falco family members. I quite enjoyed the very different flavor of The Accusers, which I assume was something of a transitional volume. I just don't know where Falco and family are heading. More than ever, I look forward to the day when the next volume, Scandal takes a Holiday, crosses over to this side of the Atlantic.

Saturday, November 06, 2004