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Pandora's Boy

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Pandora's Boy

By: Lindsey Davis
Narrated by: Jane Collingwood
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Summary

 From the creator of Falco comes Falco: the new generation, featuring her unforgettable heroine Flavia Albia in her sixth novel.

Flavia Albia is a private investigator, always drawn to an intriguing puzzle - even if it is put to her by her new husband's hostile ex-wife. On the Quirinal Hill, Clodia Volumnia, a very young girl with stars in her eyes, has died, amid suggestions that she was poisoned by a love-potion. It will have been supplied by a local witch, who goes by the name of Pandora, though Albia learns that Pandora carries on a trade in herbal beauty products while hiding much more dangerous connections. Pandora's beloved grandson, a trainee hack lawyer, is one of the dead girl's empty-headed friends; can this be relevant?

As she homes in on the truth, Albia has to contend with the occult, organised crime, an unusual fertility symbol, and celebrity dining. She discovers the young girl was a handful; her father mediates in disputes, yet has divorced his grief-stricken wife and is now suing his own mother-in-law; Clodia's so-called friends were none too friendly. The supposedly sweet air of the Quirinal hides the smells of loose morality, casual betrayal and even gangland conflict. When a friend of her own is murdered, Albia determines to expose as much of this local sickness as she can - beginning with the truth about the death of little Clodia.

'Davis's prose is a lively joy, and Flavia's Rome is sinister and gloriously real.' The Times on Sunday

(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2018 Lindsey Davis Crime Fiction Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Marriage Crime Witchcraft Magic Users
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Critic reviews

Lindsey Davis has seen off all her competitors, notably US author Steven Saylor, to become the unassailable market leader in the 'crime in Ancient Rome' genre. Her books featuring the Roman sleuth Falco marry persuasive historical elements and compelling storytelling. In PANDORA'S BOY, the spotlight falls on Falco's strong-minded daughter Flavia. Davis's squalid, vibrant Rome is as pleasurable as ever.
For fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world, this one is not to be missed
The quite brilliant Lindsey Davis never fails with her witty mysteries set in first century Rome. From the dreadful 'Chelsea set' of rich young things, busy drinking their parents' money, to rip-off restaurants offering the gullible 'fresh oysters' from Britain; the artful street vendor selling lettuce as an aphrodisiac backed by the legend of a phallic Egyptian god; to pompous lawyers, backstreet bars and posh villas, first century Rome is there in its glorious and sinister reality. I guarantee if you are new to her work, by the time you've reached the final surprising denouement, you'll want to read more of it.
Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series
Davis's prose is a lively joy, and Flavia's Rome is sinister and gloriously real.
Davis's books crackle with wit and knowledge. She has the happy knack of making the reader feel entirely immersed in Rome.
This excellent Roman mystery, enriched by Davis's characteristic wit and thorough understanding of the period, takes a darker turn as Flavia delves into Rome's poorest streets, rife with prostitution, exploitation, thuggery and murder.
All stars
Most relevant
Great historical fiction. Lots of interesting background about life under Domitian, and a fine whodunnit too. The reader, and perhaps also the story, really shine here. Flavia has become more likeable and the episodes about Roman witchcraft are great.

Best so far Flavia!

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This novel continues to place Flavia Albia at the centre of things and maintains a nod to her domestic world. For me the plot was a slow burn and it took a while for things to accelerate. As in a Falco novel this includes an Agatha Christie device. By the end it felt like preparation for a significant next novel. The audio-book is performed excellently and with energy. I look forward to the next in the series.

Slow Burn to Resolution

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I have taken to Flavia Albia, a feisty, sensible and often worried heroine and Lindsey Davis's investigative stories that tell us a lot about ancient Rome as well as giving us something to puzzle over.
As I get older I know I prefer mystery stories to the competitive horror of how cruel one person can be to another. There are two deaths in this story, one bewildering and one utterly grim and a great deal about the Roman middle-class. I have listened twice, enjoying it even more the second time round.
The Flavia Albia Audible books have a couple of different readers. I don't have a favourite and think they all have their strengths. Jane Collingwood does a fine job with Pandora's Boy.

Well read and touching mystery

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The problem is it doesn't compare to the Falco series, which had so much humour.

Enjoyable although obvious.

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Flavia finds herself getting more involved in family matters setting the scene for the next installment. I can't wait

Full of intrigue

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