Saturnalia is a 2007 historical mystery crime novel by Lindsey Davis and the 18th book of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set in ancient Rome, the novel's central character and narrator is Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent. The title refers to the Saturnalia feast held annually on 17 December, at which the Romans commemorated the dedication of the temple of the god Saturn. Over the years, it expanded to a whole week, up to 23 December.
This novel makes numerous references to the events in Davis's earlier novel in the Falco series, The Iron Hand of Mars (1992).
Contents
Characters
Romans
Helena Justina – Wife of Falco, and daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus Verus
Marcus Didius Falco – Informer and Imperial Agent.
Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science
Set in Rome, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.
Titus Caesar, Son of Emperor Vespasian appears
Plot involves disappearance of Veleda, Germanic priestess and prophetess involved in the Batavian rebellion previous to the events in this book
Release details
2007, UK Hardback, ISBN 978-1-84605-034-3, Century, February
2007, UK Trade Paperback, Century, July
2007, Australian Trade Paperback, Century 1, February
2007, New Zealand Trade Paperback, Century, March
2007, Canadian Trade Paperback, Century 27, March
2007, UK Paperback, Arrow February 2008
2007, UK Audio, BBC Audiobooks
2007, US Hardback, St Martin's Minotaur, May
2007, US Audio, BBC America Audiobooks, May