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The Iron Hand of Mars

Falco, Book 4

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The Iron Hand of Mars

By: Lindsey Davis
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
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Summary

"I’ve always wanted to see something of the Empire outside Rome."

AD 71. Germania Libera: dark, dripping forests inhabited by bloodthirsty barbarians and legendary wild beasts, a furious prophetess who terrorises Rome, and the ghostly spirits of slaughtered Roman legionaries.

Enter Falco, an Imperial agent on a special mission: to find the absconding commander of a legion whose loyalty is suspect. Easier said than done, thinks Falco as he makes his uneasy way down the Rhenus, trying to forget that back in sunny Rome his girlfriend, Helena Justina, is being hotly pursued by Titus Caesar. His mood is not improved when he discovers his only allies are a woefully inadequate bunch of recruits, their embittered centurion, a rogue dog, and its innocent young master - just the right kind of support for an agent unwillingly trying to tame the Celtic hordes.

©1992 Lindsey Davis (P)2015 Audible, Ltd. Crime Fiction Historical Mystery
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It may not be read by Christian Rodska but is really well read and I will be getting the others read by Gordan Griffin.

Definitely worth getting if you are a Falco fan

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Loved it Lindsey Davis brings the Roman Empire to live . I love Falco his wit is well matched by Helena. Can't wait to hear the next one

Falco at his best

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This is my fourth listen/read within a short space of time to the Falco series, and this is my favourite to date. There is more geography covered and more that might make you think you need to know about Roman military ranks which might suggest knowing these are key, BUT in listening/reading terms they do not really matter and you pick up most all almost atmospherically. The novel is better classed as an adventure than a detective, and there is really good focus on character. The relationships between Falco and Helena also figures strongly and this grounds these novels in terms of 'what will happen to them next'. The narrator is very good, though I still wish for a younger sounding voice and in the billing-and-cooing scenes he sounds somewhat unconvincing. (Oh, what these novels would be like performer by Anton Lesser.) I sometimes wish that more was made available to listeners/readers such as good sized maps and quick reference sections appropriate to each book. (That is a publisher thing rather than author.) That said the list of characters and their humour-laden descriptions in the novels I have read/listened to so far are really excellent. This is a novel to enjoy; do.

Excellent

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I've listened to all the Falco novels several times and love the plots, the characters and the wit. This one is of the usual quality - excellent.

I find I enjoy Gordon Griffin just as much as Christian Rodska. I don't know what the criticism is about. They are both brilliant!

The usual quality recording

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I now have to get a Roman map of Europe so that when I revisit this, I can trace Falco's journey!

Excellent story.

Map needed!

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