I Read Books: The Silver Pigs

 

The Silver Pigs

M Didius Falco is a private detective (“informer”) in Rome in 70 AD. He spots a young woman being chased by two men, helps her escape. She seems to be from a wealthy family so he takes her on as a client.

This goes somewhat deeper than he expects. Her father has had her put something in her bank box. When they go to look, it turns out to be a silver pig – an ingot of lead/silver, smuggled from Britain. The recent civil war ended with Vespasian and his sons, the Flavians, in charge of the Empire. But not everyone is happy about that, and these silver pigs are being used to try and suborn the praetorian guard.

After the young woman is killed Falco is employed by her uncle, a senator and staunch supporter of Vespasian to find out how the silver is being stolen. He has to go to Britain, the far edge of the Empire. Return to Britain in fact, as he was there as a legionary during the Boudiccan rebellion. His cover is to escort the senator’s daughter home, where she has been visiting relatives following her divorce. But Falco will have to go undercover at the silver mine, in the only way possible – as a slave.

The first in a long running series, it’s modestly anachronistic, though more in the style and attitude than in the story and descriptions.

Read This: A fun historical detective novel
Don’t Read This: Who gets the throne of Rome in 70 AD is of not the slightest interest