SPQR VI: Nobody Loves a Centurion

By: John Maddox Roberts

Narrated by: John Lee

Julius Caesar, as we know, arrived in Gaul (now France) and announced "I Came, I Saw, I Conquered." But when Decius Metellus arrives from Rome, not seeking military glory but rather avoiding an enemy currently in power, he finds that although the general came and saw, so far, at least, he has far from conquered. The campaign seems at a standstill.

Decius' arrival disappoints the great Caesar as well. He has been waiting for promised reinforcements from Rome, an influx of soldiers to restart his invasion. Instead he is presented with one young man ridiculously decked out in military parade finery and short on military skills, accompanied not by eager troops but by one callow and reluctant slave, the feckless Hermes.

It soon develops, however, that Decius' arrival was fortuitous. When Vinius, the army's cruelest centurion (so-called because he commands 100 soldiers), is found murdered, Caesar remembers that his new recruit has successfully come up with the culprit in a number of recent crimes. Murder is bad for morale, particularly since it seems quite clear that the murderer was one of Caesar's men. Caesar orders Decius to find the killer - and quickly.

Although evidence points to the son of one of Decius' clients - a youth who was the particular target of the centurion's brutality - Decius racks his brain to find a way to save him from the sentence of death. The investigation leads Decius to two German slaves of the dead man - a dwarfish old man and a beautiful woman. They are puzzling; the man is arrogant, the woman haughty - very unlike slaves. There are unanswered questions. It soon becomes clear to Decius that only by finding and punishing the real murderer will it be possible to quiet the rising dissatisfaction with Caesar's unorthodox method of warfare and forestall a mutiny against the mighty Caesar's authority and aims.

©2001 John Maddox Roberts (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

A Centurion you love to hate.

You really don't want to be in the army. Great story told with insight. Gives you the very feel of the times and why hearing about it is so much better than having to live it. True then as it is true today. Truly +++++.

Love this series

Love hearing about Rome as if I were living it! Funny and full of intrigue

I do so enjoy historical novels

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you love great mystery and story line as well as well researched history of the Roman Empire this series is great. I suggest you start with book on "The Kings Gambit" this way you follow our hero DECIUS from the start. He has had some really bad luck and you will see that Romans make some of our politicians look moral, even noble.

What was one of the most memorable moments of SPQR VI: Nobody Loves a Centurion?

In all of these books it's the last chapter and if I tell you it gives away the main plot, you'll just have to listen. Just when you think you know what is going on there is always a twist. Especially for Decius.

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

John Lee is one of my favorite narrators, and he never disappoints. The first two book started with another of my favorites Simon Vance, and to tell the truth both narrators are great. You must remember that the story is being told from the point of view Decius is an older man telling stories of his different workings within the Powers that be in the Roman Empire.

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

It's very hard not to want to do that with all the books in the series because there is always so much going on you want to know what happens next.

Any additional comments?

This is a great series for some reason books 9 and 10 won't be available but 11,12, & 13 will be in April. I do hope that the other two will be coming soon I hate to read series out of order.

A fantastic series

This series has got it all: political intrigue, great characters, humour, history, plot twists, suspense. You can read any of them stand-alone but it's far better to work your way through from the beginning.

Best SPQR yet

this book has the most interesting story and most historical detail of the first 6 books. liked it better with less relationship angst and more story.