SPQR III: The Sacrilege

By: John Maddox Roberts

Narrated by: John Lee

When a sacret woman's rite in the ancient city of Rome is infiltrated by a corrupt patrician dressed in female garb, it falls to Senator Decuis Caecilius Metellus the Younger, whose investigative skills have proven indispensable in the past, to unmask the perpetrators. When four brutal slayings follow, Decius enlists the help a notorious and dangerous criminal. Together, they establish a connection between the sacrilege and the murders, and track the offenders from the lowest dregs of society to the prominent elite of the upper class, finding corruption and violence where Decius least expects it.

©1992 John Maddox Roberts. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

the best so far

I liked the first 2 books in the series, but the change of narrators this book alters the whole feel of the books and really gave me a better feel for Decius and now I LOVE the series, They are quick and addicting listens, allowing me to follow more of the adventures of what feels like a new friend in Decius. They allow us to understand the Rome of Decius and his family, how he, like all of us must deal with family politics and find our place in our family and world, takes the reader back to republican rome as it begins to see the future of imperial rome encroach.

Good history fun

The third book in the series is flagging a bit but still fun. Decius is a great character, alternating self-deprecating modern humour and patrician snobbery (equally funny). some quirks are getting predictable - this time there are three irresistible women, not one.

I like this narrator

What made the experience of listening to The Sacrilege the most enjoyable?

I have read all the books and I like this narrator

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not the edge of my seat, but I enjoyed it. I don't usually like the edge of seat ones

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They are two different experiences. I like reading better, but I listen to audio books while walking my dogs

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Getting Better

The storytelling in this series is getting progressively better. I am still curious to check the historical accuracy, which I have yet to do. Will definitely continue with the next book in the SPQR series.

Great Roman Mystery

I am so happy to see this book on audio. For a while we only had the first two books in the series and now comes the third. I hope we will see more of this series on audio.

Let me say this was a great mystery and as always the portrayal of the historical figures are accurate.

This centers around the scandal of Publius Clodius Pulcher sneaking into the Bona Dea rites in femal dress at the home of the Pontifex Maximus and the scandal that ensued. In the course of his investigation Decius meets his love - Julia who is no mean investigator in her own right.

John Maddox Roberts takes the license of embellishing the scandal and adding more participants to the masquerade. And if course Decius Metellus the Younger is in the thick of it all. There are bodies galore and the rivalry between the two gangs headed by Milo and Clodius are front and center.As usual Milo is right there to help Decius escape from Clodius' gang. A great ending with a chase through the forum amidst Pompey's Triumph and elephants running wild.

This is a delightful romp through the period of this scandal and John Lee does a masterful job as the narrator. He strikes just the right tone as narrator.