The Iron Hand of Mars

Hear Lindsey Read

‘Watching other people feasting is a soulless exercise.’
Chosen by readers, Rosina and George Harter

Plot Summary

    Two mysteries from the incomplete ‘Histories’ of Tacitus provided the ideas for the plot of Falco’s German adventure. It falls to him to end the rebellion of Civilis and Veleda, who had tried to create a united Celtic Europe. This he does in his own unusual fashion, helped by Nero’s barber (out of work since Nero’s suicide) and by a shy lad who likes talking to girls. In Falco's way stands an uppity legion, who have a notorious past in Britain, and Titus Caesar, angling after Helena. There are corpses which have vanished in the murk of the rebellion, corpses Falco finds in ditches, the ghosts of long-dead legendary corpses – and, as Falco and his offbeat party tramp the barbarian forests, they face a serious risk that they will end up dead themselves.
     This is the one with the much-loved Little Mess Tin song.

Research Note: the site of the massacre of Varus' legions was rediscovered near Kalkreise in the 1980's after centuries of mystery. It was found by a British army officer - perhaps not the first soldier to have been intrigued by his predecessors.

Reviews

Probably the best story Lindsey Davis has written: compulsively readable - The Birmingham Post

Author Lindsey Davis doesn't just bring Rome to life - she brings life to Rome better than anyone else ever has - Detroit Free Press