The Third Nero - Lindsey Davis

Written by Lindsey Davis
Read by Lucy Brown
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Flavia Albia Mystery Series, Book 5
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Release date: July 2017
Duration: 12:20:18

Intrigues—and possibly treason—swirl around the hall of power in Rome featuring freelance investigator Flavia Alba.

In 90 AD, following the Saturninus revolt in Germany, the Emperor Domitian, who’s notorious for having perceived enemies executed without hesitation, has recently ordered the deaths of two provincial governors. Both men may have supported another governor who attempted to wrest the throne away from Domitian, Wanting to root out all the supports of Saturninus from the Senate, one of Domitian’s men offers to hire Flavia Alba to do some intelligence work.

Meanwhile, three pretenders passing themselves off as the resurrected Nero threaten Domitian as well.

Flavia Alba, daughter and chip off the old block of Marcus Didius Falco, would rather avoid any and all court intrigue. But she’s in a bit of a bind. On the day of Flavia’s wedding to Tiberius Manlius Faustus, “a sweet and serious person,” a lightning strike seriously injures Tiberius and kills three other men. Her fiancé is still recovering—slowly— and she’s the sole support of their household. So with more than a few reservations, she agrees to “investigate.” With intrigue upon intrigue swirling around the capital city, it’s up to Albia to uncover what is—and isn’t—the real threat.

Versatile narrator Lucy Brown plunges listeners into the intrigue of the Roman Empire under Domitian. Brown delivers this complex mystery in a multitude of voices, each one distinct. Flavia Albia, the adopted daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, has taken her father’s place as spy and intelligencer. She must uncover the identity of the third Nero, an imposter who threatens Domitian’s empire. Brown’s strong performance makes the eternal city of Rome come alive. She imbues the Roman characters with British accents and the foreigners, particularly the Parthians, with exotic tones. Flavia Albia travels from the Forum to the Capitoline, from infamous prisons to luxurious houses, interviewing anyone who is likely to know or help the imposter. With each journey and interview, Brown brings this ancient world to life.