The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I first read the books of the Discworld series almost twenty years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy world that had sprung forth from the mind of Terry Pratchett. A decision to read them again was not too difficult to make, and so the adventures of the strange inhabitants of the world that careens through the void on the back of four great elephants that stand on the shell of a great turtle will unfold again.

The world that Pratchett begins to sketch in this first volume of the series created a global phenomenon, a worldwide fan base that will stretch through a total of forty volumes. Truly this is the work of a master storyteller who is able to weave together wonderful characters, strange settings, and weird physics into a cult phenomenon that will, I suspect, stand the test of time.

In reading this first volume in the series for the second time, however, I have begun to notice the social commentary that is implicit in both Pratchett’s construction of a world and the narrative of this particular volume. I suspect I was aware of it at some level when I first read the series, but it is certainly more to the fore in my current reading.

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Ode to a Banker by Lindsey Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Where do the seemingly disconnected worlds of literature and banking come together? In this edition of the ongoing Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series, of course.

Our well-known and well-loved hero, Falco, is drawn into these worlds because of his penchant for composing poetry and being convinced by a well-heeled friend to publically perform some of his poetry. This public performance attracts the attention of scroll publisher who, having approached Falco with an offer to publish Falco’s works, is inconveniently murdered in mysterious circumstances almost immediately afterwards.

Commissioned by his friend Petro, a member of the vigiles, to uncover the murderer, Falco finds himself drawn further into the strange world of publishing, and then, unexpectedly, into the even shadier world of banking. Assisted by a cast of regulars, Falco manages to eventually uncover the perpetrator, but not before a little adventure is had by all involved.

As always, Davis has constructed a wonderful narrative liberally sprinkled with historically authentic gems that allow the reader to dive deeper into the world of Rome in which the story is situated. The main characters, now well-loved friends, accompany the reader on the journey into mystery and murder as well as the life of the Roman Empire.

The further I delve into this series, the more I appreciate the skill with which Davis has constructed her novels. I highly recommend the series to anyone with even a passing interest in the life of Rome under the Emperor Vespasian.

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Conspiracy by S.J. Parris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Our hero finds himself back in Paris and almost immediately drawn into the intrigues of the French court. Add to that some murder and mystery, and a liberal smattering of religious and political tensions, and you have an excellent narrative to keep your attention.

Returning to Paris at the behest of Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth’s chief secretary and spy, Bruno encounters old friends from his previous time in the city. He, unfortunately, meets some new residents of the great city, some of whom he might prefer to avoid. Being who is, however, Bruno cannot avoid being caught up in the affairs, great and small, that play out across the City of Paris – and, indeed, the nation of France. Although he manages to identify the persons responsible for the series of murders to which he is exposed, the outcome is not to his satisfaction.

This novel features another reunion with the woman who has both captured and broken his heart in past. The encounter reveals Bruno as the human being that he is. A potential reconciliation with the Catholic Church, the conduit of which request is the first murder Bruno encounters, looks both possible and as far out of his reach as before. Only time will tell.

The novel’s presentation of Paris and the French court at the time of the late Elizabethan age was new to me in this particular storyline. I found it both engaging and intriguing, primarily because while I have read widely on England during the Elizabethan age, I know very little about the other major powers during that period except the English perspective. I don’t propose to head to the library for more history books, but it was nice to have my understanding stretched.

A compelling historical work of fiction, this novel is well worth reading for anyone with a passing interest in the late Elizabethan age.

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