Time to Depart (Marcus Didius Falco Series #7)

by Lindsey Davis

Overview

Petronius Longus, captain of the Aventine watch and Falco's oldest friend, has finally nailed one of Rome's top criminals. Under Roman law, citizens are not imprisoned but are allowed "time to depart" into exile outside the Empire. One dark and gloomy dawn, Petro and Falco put the evil Balbinus aboard a ship.

But soon after, an outbreak of robbery and murder suggests a new criminal ring has moved into Balbinus's territory. Petro and Falco must descend into the underworld of Vespasian's Rome to investigate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466857483
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	06/30/2015
Series:	Marcus Didius Falco Series , #7
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	300
Sales rank:	299,161
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Lindsey Davis was born and raised in Birmingham, England. After taking an English degree at Oxford and working for the civil service for thirteen years, she “ran away to be a writer.” Her internationally bestselling novels featuring ancient Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco include Venus in Copper, The Iron Hand of Mars, Nemesis and Alexandria. She is also the author of Rebels and Traitors, set during the English Civil War. Davis is the recipient of the Crime Writers’ Association Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, the highest accolade for crime writers, as well as the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award and the Authors' Club Best First Novel award.

Reading Group Guide

1. Falco was originally derived as a classic genre 'private eye'. What do you consider to be the criteria for this and does Falco fit the model?

2. Compare how the Vigiles in Time to Depart relate to characters in modern 'police procedural' crime novels. What are the similarities and differences?

3. Explore how Falco balances his personal and professional responsibilities. In what ways does Falco's job as an informer affect his friendship with Petronius Longus? Where do you think his loyalties lie?

4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of writing in the first person. Does a first person narrative present any particular problems in developing the story in a crime novel?

5. Helena Justina doesn't always act like a typical Roman girl of her standing. Why do you think this is and is it true to say that what never changes in history is human nature?

6. Examine the use of speech and language in Time to Depart. How successful is the author in conveying the way Ancient Romans actually spoke whilst writing for a modern audience?

7. How can a woman write as a man?

Editorial Reviews

Davis is both a deft storyteller and a scholar.

Newsday

Davis's vision of everyday life in the Roman Empire is superb!

Detroit Free Press

Roman history and culture are nice accessories for the more durable tool that Davis employs -- hilariously good writing.

Washington Post Book World

Fresh from Last Act in Palmyra, Marcus Didius Falco, that most modern of ancient Romans, takes on organized crime in this latest installment of Davis's impeccably executed series. Falco has a job everyone loves to hate: he's the Emperor Vespasian's informer, or private detective-and he does his work well. This time, he's up against Balbinus Pius, perhaps the original John Gotti. Balbinus has finally been convicted of a capital crime, but, in traditional Roman style, he's been given a chance to flee before his scheduled execution. The power vacuum created by his departure seems to have sucked up every miscreant in Rome: markets are plundered, children are kidnapped, centurions are murdered. While Falco sets out to determine whether the crime wave is the work of a new kingpin or a herd of small-time operators, his private life is also in a bit of a spin. Companion Helena, a senator's daughter whom Falco is forbidden by law to marry because of their differing rank, is pregnant. And he's also pitted against his old army buddy and best friend, Petronius, captain of the fourth cohort of the Aventine Watch, in a corruption investigation. The tale gets a bit bumpy, as Davis, compensating for a slightly subpar mystery plot, tosses in lots of action scenes and personal turmoil. But Falco remains as delightfully irreverent and insightful as ever; and Davis, as usual, brings the time to life while handling the eternals-worry, danger, love and in-laws-just as deftly. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Davis (Last Act in Palmyra, LJ 2/1/96) turns her prodigious talents once again to ancient Rome. Marcus Didius Falco, series "secret agent," tracks an infamous criminal supposedly in exile who is exacting murderous revenge on his enemies. Dependable entertainment.

Library Journal

 • "Non-stop action, excitements and astonishments — a real cracker." —The Good Book Guide

 • "Davis's writing zings with fun." —Daily Mail

From the Publisher