The Detective & the Toga: Complete Guide to Ancient Roman Mysteries

IN ENGLISH · 4 AUG
IN GERMAN · 2 DEC IN ITALIAN · 23 SEP
THE REST · 22 DEC

NOTES, LINKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Works in English:

Newly out: 3/27 · Brief Introduction to the Roman detective novel (online PDF) by Ricardo Vigueras Fernández is now available as an online text in English.
Forthcoming: 3/13 · Hiding From the Past the latest Pliny the Younger adventure from Albert Bell, is slated to appear in April.
Newly out: 9/4 · The Gods Help Those, the latest Pliny the Younger adventure from Albert Bell, has appeared.
Forthcoming: 4/11 · Steven Saylor's next novel will be the third in the series that includes Roma and Empire. This next non-mystery book is set to take the action to the time of Constantine. Title is yet undecided. It should probably be Imperium, but that was recently used by Robert Harris for his Roman book. Perhaps the publisher will choose Imperator or even Emperor.
Newly out: 3/9 · The fourteenth in Steven Saylor's Gordianus series of novels, The Throne of Caesar, has appeared.
Forthcoming: The Price of Freedom will be the 17th in the Libertus series by Rosemary Rowe.
Newly out: The Ides of June is the 16th in the Libertus series by Rosemary Rowe.
Newly out: Fateful Day is the 15th in the Libertus series by Rosemary Rowe.
Forthcoming: 1/8 · Memento Mori will be the 9th in the Ruso series by Ruth Downie.
Newly out: 1/8 · Vita Brevis is the 8th in the Ruso series by Ruth Downie.
Newly out: 4/30 · The Didymus Contingency is a novel by Jeremy Robinson in the biblical sub-sub-genre.
Newly out: 3/29 · Finished Business, the latest Marcus Corvinus adventure from David Wishart, has appeared.
Newly out: 3/29 · Robert Harris' third novel in his recreated biography of Cicero by Tiro has appeared.
Newly out: 3/29 · The sixth in Ruth Downie's Ruso series, Tabula Rasa, set at Hadrian's Wall, has appeared.
Newly out: 3/29 · "Ill Seen in Tyre" is the title of a Steven Saylor short story published in the George R.R. Martin anthology, Rogues.
Newly out: 3/12 · Twelve Miles From Rome is a new novel by Stephen J. Kears set in Rome of 71 AD.
Newly out: 11/9 · Murder in Absentia is the tale of a hardboiled investigator/magician set in a fantasy world based on Ancient Rome. By Assaph Mehr.
Newly out: 10/18 · Lucky number thirteen in Steven Saylor's Gordianus series of novels, Wrath of the Furies, has appeared.
Newly out: 7/20 · Deadly Election, third in Lindsey Davis' Flavia Albia series, has appeared.
Newly out: 7/20 · Enemies at Home, Lindsey Davis' second outing featuring Flavia Albia, has appeared.
Forthcoming: 12/2 · The German production company Zum Goldenen Lamm have acquired film and television rights for the SPQR series by John Maddox Roberts. More information is available at their site.
Newly out: 10/8 · The Eyes of Aurora, the latest Pliny the Younger adventure from Albert Bell, has appeared.
Newly out: 6/2 · Numerius Meridius Pulcher and the Case of the Not So Virgin Vestal, first Roman mystery novel for Jay Cardam, has appeared.
Newly out: 3/15 · Raiders of the Nile, Steven Saylor's new Gordianus novel, follows immediately the events of his early years in The Seven Wonders.
Newly out: 2/1 · Robert Colton's novel Pompeii: Hazard at Bay has appeared.
Newly out: 11/9 · The Cyclops Case, second Roman mystery novel by Alan Scribner, has appeared.
Newly out: 11/9 · Solid Citizens, fourteenth in the Corvinus series by David Wishart, has appeared in the US.
Newly out: 10/2 · Dark Omens is fourteenth in Rosemary Rowe's Libertus series.
Newly out: 9/15 · Death in the Ashes, fourth in Albert Bell's Pliny series, sees the detective voyage to the Bay on Naples, scene of his father's death.
Forthcoming: 8/17 · The Viper Amulet is to be a sequel in Martha Marks' series.
Newly out: 8/16 · Rubies of the Viper, a Roman-era novel with a female protagonist, is the first from Martha Marks.
Newly out: 8/6 · The fifth in Ruth Downie's Ruso series, Semper Fidelis, has appeared.
Newly out: 8/3 · Betray the Night by Benita Kane Jaro employs some elements of mystery as the wife of Ovid searches for the reasons behind his exile.
Newly out: 8/3 · Two thousand years of solitude: exile after Ovid includes a Helen Lovatt essay, "The Mystery of Ovid's Exile: Ovid and the Roman detectives", discussing two Roman mystery novels connected with Ovid.
Forthcoming: 7/24 · Robert Colton has announced plans for the novel Pompeii: Pluto's Maze.
Newly out: 7/24 · Rome to Alexandria is the title of Robert Colton's anthology of short stories featuring his detective, Marcellus Gracchus.
Newly out: 7/24 · Robert Colton's Pompeii: A Conspiracy Among Friends has appeared. Second in the series, it follows closely on the events on the previous volume.
Newly out: 7/24 · Robert Colton's first Roman mystery novel, Pompeii: A Tale of Murder in Ancient Rome, has appeared. Unusually, it is not set at the Plinian eruption, but in an earlier period.
Newly out: 7/24 · Bruce Macbain's second Pliny mystery, The Bull Slayer, has appeared.
Newly out: 4/28 · Lindsey Davis returns with Ides of April, the story of Falco's adopted daughter and her investigations in Rome during the reign of Domitian.
Second edition: 1/2 · Down these Strange Streets, containing "Beware the Snake" by John Maddox Roberts and "Styx and Stones" by Steven Saylor, has appeared in paperback.
Second edition: 10/20 · Get Out or Die by Jane Finnis has been re-printed in paperback as Shadows in the Night.
Newly out: 10/6 · See the cover of the very first Roman mystery novel, The Julius Caesar Murder Case by Wallace Irwin.
Newly out: 9/29 · In Master and God Lindsey Davis moves to Emperor Domitian and the conspiracies surrounding his reign.
Newly out: 9/23 · Mars the Avenger is the title of a first Roman mystery novel by Alan Scribner.
Newly out: 8/29 · "The Return of the Mummy" by Steven Saylor has appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
Newly out: 8/29 · "O Tempora! O Mores! Olympiad!" by Steven Saylor has appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
Newly out: 8/18 · The Seven Wonders is Steven Saylor's new Gordianus novel in which the character visits each of the ancient wonders in his younger days.
Newly out: 3/19 · Danger in the Wind, 4th in Jane Finnis' series, has appeared.
Newly out: 3/19 · The Corpus Conundrum, third in Albert Bell's Pliny series, has appeared.
Newly rated: 3/19 · All Roads Lead to Murder, first in Albert Bell's Pliny series.
Administrivia: 1/7 · RSS Feed changed
Newly out: 12/20 · "Something to Do with Diana" is the Saylor 7 Wonders story set at the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
Newly out: 12/10 · "Beware the Snake" is a John Maddox Roberts story set in Rome during the third year of Caesar's dictatorship.
Newly out: 12/9 · "Styx and Stones" is a Steven Saylor/Gordianus story set in ancient Babylon.
Newly out: 7/22 · "The Widows of Halicarnassus", by Steven Saylor is another in the seven wonders series, set at the famous Mausoleum.
Newly out: 7/21 · "The Witch of Corinth" by Steven Saylor is another in the seven wonders series, but does not include a wonder.
Forthcoming: 7/19 · Steven Saylor will have three more stories in the seven wonders series published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.
Newly out: 7/18 · "The Monumental Gaul" is a new short story from Steven Saylor, part of a seven wonders series. In seven stories the young Gordianus will visit each of the wonders. Later these will be massaged into a novel containing all of the tales.
Newly out: 3/8 · Roman Games: A Plinius Secundus Mystery, debut novel by Bruce Macbain, has appeared.
Second edition: 3/8 · Caveat Emptor, Ruth Downie's 4th in the Ruso series now in paperback.
Newly out: 3/8 · Bodies Politic is the 13th in the Corvinus series by David Wishart (paperback at a new publisher).
Newly out: 2/20 · Kelli Stanley's 2nd novel, The Curse Maker, has appeared.
Newly out: 9/3 · Empire, Steven Saylor's sequel to Roma, a series of non-mystery novellas in the period AD 14-141 has appeared.
Newly out: 3/30 · John Maddox Roberts' 13th in the series The Year of Confusion has appeared.
News: 4/27 · John Maddox Roberts' next novel, number fourteen in the series, only planned for German publication at the moment, will be titled Dolabella. Presumably it will star the senator and consul. The novel after that will not follow chronologically, but delve instead into the character's past.
News: 4/27 · Many of the novels are now becoming available for the Kindle or Kindle 2, Amazon's new wireless reading device. For example, Steven Saylor's Roman Blood, Arms of Nemesis, and Catilina's Riddle are on offer for under $7 each.
Forthcoming: 7/4 · Albert Noyer has penned a 4th novel which is also the third in his trilogy: Death at Pergamum (publication date unknown).

Works in German:

Newly out: 8/9 · Das Dritte Schwert is an unusual group writing project helmed by Malachy Hyde and composed by nine authors.
Newly out: 8/8 · Jung stirbt, wen die Götter lieben, by Karola Hagemann and Ilka Stitz has appeared. Second in the series.
Newly out: 8/8 · Das vierte Buch: Tiberius Caesianus und der Nymphenmord and Rammsporn: Tiberius Caesianus und die Geistergaleere by Peter Lichtenberger have appeared.
Newly out: Susanne Cho has penned a second thriller, Arena der Ärzte, set in the second century. (3/24)
Newly out: New author Susanne Cho has written the political thriller Im Bauch des Imperiums set in the time of Nero. (4/24)
News: John Maddox Roberts' number fourteen in the series, is to be titled Dolabella. Presumably it will star the senator and consul. The novel after that will not follow chronologically, but delve instead into the character's past. (4/7)
Second edition: John Maddox Roberts' In Namen Caesars has re-appeared in paperback. It is the tenth in the series. (4/7)
Newly out: John Maddox Roberts' thirteenth novel, Die Feinde des Imperators has appeared. (12/30)
Newly out: Die Legion des Raben is the title of the second novel by Maria W. Peter. (12/30)

Newly out: Freyas Fluch, the second novel by Ingo Gach, has appeared. (6/30)
Second edition: Danila Comastri Montanari has had a third novel published: Tod in Olympia. (6/11)
Newly out: Die verflixten Fälle aus Gallien und Germanien, the fifth book in the series by Germund Mielke appeared in 2004. (2/8)
Newly out: Das Geheimnis der Amphore and Der Sohn des Gladiators are the titles of two new juveniles by Franjo Terhart. (2/3)
Newly out: Das Geheimnis des Mithras-Tempels is a novel in a new series by Karola Hagemann and Ilka Stitz who previously wrote together as Malachy Hyde.
Newly out: Der Geschmack der Tollkirsche is the title of a novel by an author new to the field, Beate Sauer. (1/16)
Newly out: Verschwörung in Germanien is the title of a novel by an author new to the field, Wolfgang Dietsch. (1/15)
Forthcoming: A second edition of Die Antike außerhalb des Hörsaals, edited by Kai Brodersen, a collection of papers about mysteries from a conference at Mannheim is planned. Included is an article by Rosmarie Günther, "Römische Ermittlungen", which compares the works of Saylor, Roberts, Davis and Stöver. (1/4)
Second edition: Der geheimnisvolle Römerwagen in Colonia by Heide Huber (paperback) (11/26)
Newly out: Der rote Rächer and Die Brandstifter von Rom are more in the series of juveniles by Fabian Lenk. (10/30)

Italian:

Second edition: Kelli Stanley's Nox Dormienda is to appear in Italian. (9/23)
Newly out: The latest novel by Danila Comastri Montanari is titled Nemesis. (6/11)
Newly out: The latest novel by Rosario Magrì is titled Il medico dell'Imperatore (6/11)
Newly out: Italian researcher Stefano Rocchi has authored the scholarly essay "Gialli storici ambientati a Pompei" (Mystery stories set in Pompeii) which has been published in Delitti di Carta (volume 7/8, November 2006-May 2007, pp. 50-63). No on-line version is available, but any interested in reading it may contact Stefano for a PDF version. (1/4)

The Rest:

Newly out: Seven novels by Danila Comastri Montanari have appeared in French. (12/22)
Newly out: Six novels by Danila Comastri Montanari have appeared in Romanian. (12/22)
Newly out: Three novels by Danila Comastri Montanari have appeared in Polish. (12/22)
Newly out: A novel by Danila Comastri Montanari has appeared in Spanish. (12/22)
Second edition: Kelli Stanley's Nox Dormienda is to appear in Greek. (9/23)
Second edition: An edition of Cave Canem by Danila Comastri Montanari has appeared in Russian. (9/8)
Second edition: Two novels of Danila Comastri Montanari have been published in Greek. (9/3)
Newly out: In a Spanish publication, there is "La cara oculta de la Roma clásica: crimen y pesquisas en la urbe" by Isabel Moreno Ferrero. This essay appeared in Informe criminal. La figura del detective en gaero negro (A. Martín Escribá, J. Sanchez Zapatero (editors), Valladolid). (1/4)

Notes:
Notations in square brackets attempt to provide a rating service for the interested reader. Ratings range from [★★★★], indicative of excellent mystery and historical value, all the way down to [] (don't bother).

If you have any additions to the booklist or can provide any of the information which is missing from this list, please e-mail to Richard M. Heli.

Happy reading!

Note: The Detective and the Toga was formerly The Sword and the Sleuth.

Links:
In terms of similar sites for Ancient Egyptian, Greek or Medieval mysteries. Ancient Egypt in Mysteries Mysteries Set in Ancient Egypt is a good bet for the first. For Medieval, please see Historical Detectives by Renée Vink. You may also like to try Nance Hurt's BrerFox list of medieval mysteries and cross-reference with Sue Feder's page for reviews of these same titles. For non-mystery Roman fiction, try Fictional Rome by Fred Mench et al., which includes reviews, but does not seem to have been updated in a couple of years. A similar site located in Germany, is Historische Romane über das alte Rom by Stefan Cramme. Finally, for the curious, there is also a personal reading list of non-Roman mysteries. Bonus feature: Board Games Set in Ancient Rome

Acknowledgements:
The names of many generous volunteers follow (and what information they provided). Many thanks for the contributions!

Richard M. Alderson III - proofreading
Mike Ashley - Wallace Nichols & Anthony Price works
Jim Barker - Age of Treason
John W. Bierman - info on Classical Whodunnits
Michelle M. Biggs - other bibliographies
Jan Theo Bakker - the Italian novels [Ostia Antica]
Kate Birkel - J.M. Roberts
Thierry Bosch - the French novels
Kai Brodersen - Crimina
Joseph Casazza - French and Italian novels
Ted Champlin - Winterfeld novels, Wayne & Schuster
D. Comelli - French novels
Stefan Cramme - novels in Germany, France and much else besides
Susan Daniel - Albert Bell novels
Lindsey Davis - bibliography
David Emery - Synaulia music
Eli Eshed - DeFord works and The Riddle of the Red Wolf
Sue Feder - various [Historical Mystery Appreciation Society] [the mystery reviewer speaks]
Monika Ferrier - Mandino
Jane Finnis - her works
G. R. Hail - Harry Turtledove works
Orietta Hardy-Sayles - Murder Trials by Cicero
D. Hogan - the Barbara Hambly book
Heide Huber - creations
Lauren Jackson - the John Maddox Roberts books
Dean James - the John Maddox Roberts books
Lin Jenkins - a plethora of recommendations
Melita Kennedy - the Lindsey Davis novels
Kishore Krshna - the Lindsey Davis novels
Shai Laric - works of David Drake
Caroline Lawrence - her works
Antonio B. Leal - works of David Drake
Dennis Lien - much assistance with London Mystery Magazine, also S.P. Somtow
Kai Lindner - German publishing news
Ginny Lindzey - the Lindsey Davis website
Theresa Loong - the Lindsey Davis novels
Helen Lovatt - mention of this site in Two thousand years of solitude: exile after Ovid edited by Jennifer Ingleheart
Bo Lundin - Swedish translations
Richard Lupoff - The Julius Caesar Murder Case
Bruce Macbain - link
Eric G. Mayer - his creations
Alayne McGregor - Canadian book sources
Ken Meltsner - the Lindsey Davis novels
Andreas Möhn - his works
Doug Moncur - lots of great British publishing news
Danila Comastri Montanari - full bibliography of her work
Martin E. Morrison - other bibliographies
Jonathan Naughton - the works of Kel Richards
Leo Nellissen - the Dutch translations
Albert Noyer - his works
Eric Oppen - John Maddox Roberts
Jan van Puffelen - Dutch translations
Mary Reed - her creations
John Maddox Roberts - his creations
Stefano Rocchi - his and others' essays
Vasily Rudich - Benton, Mandino, Wentworth, Nèraudau
Jim Ruebel - The Conspiracy and The Ides of March
Steven Saylor - full bibliography of his many creations
Shauna Scott - the Lindsey Davis novels
Jay Shorten - Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian and French translations, works of Jay Williams
Annie Sieberson - Past Poisons
Kelli Stanley - her work
Polly Stratton - Age of Treason
David Streeter - Saylor translations
A.C. Tassie - info on his works
Lea Tassie - info on Tassie works
Rita Y. Toews - her novel
Gil Torbeck - nonfiction bibliography, Spanish translations
Keith Turner - the Lindsey Davis novels
Paul Utiger - background on Charles Connell
Marsha J. Valance - The Theft of the Golden Ring
Ricardo Vigueras - works of Joaquín Borrell
Renée Vink - Jean d'Aillon novel, Dutch translations, French novels
Arthur Royall Whitaker - The Julius Caesar Murder Case

IN ENGLISH · 4 AUG IN GERMAN · 2 DEC		IN ITALIAN · 23 SEP THE REST · 22 DEC
NOTES, LINKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS