Review of Fatal Legacy by Lindsey Davis

 

Are you one of the many who enjoy traditional “who dunnits” set in exotic or historical places?  If you are, British authoress Lindsey Davis may be just your cup of tea. She has written a slew of comical, historical mysteries set in ancient Rome. There have been over twenty in the Marcus Didius Falco series and 2023’s Fatal Legacy is the 11^th in the Flavia Alba series. Flavia, if you are not already familiar with her, is Marcus Didius Falco’s intelligent, high spirited and courageous daughter. She takes on similar cases to her father as an “Informer,” which is a sort of ancient investigator similar to today’s private eye. She also, like her dad, has a wicked sense of humor that exploits the legal, political, eating, drinking, and sexual habits of all levels of ancient Roman society. Is this just inventive trash talking? Not at all.  According to a classicist friend of mine. “Her history and geography is spot on.”

 In Fatal Legacy Flavia takes what seems like a simple case of getting the goods on a guy who skipped out on a restaurant tab.  This minor infraction turns quickly into a sinister and convoluted multi- generational family feud over citizenship and inheritance rights. The plot has more twists than a licorice stick and you will be laughing all the way through to the violent climax.   

 I haven’t read all of the Falco family books, but the ones I have read I have enjoyed immensely. They are light hearted, satirical, and deftly plotted.

I give this one a 4 out of 5.