Lindsey Davis is a highly regarded English historical novelist. She paints vivid, witty portraits of life in ancient Rome. Her most famous series — a set of crime novels — follows Marcus Didius Falco, a cunning private informe, or spy, as he navigates the streets of Rome and gathers information about the political activites of its citizens during the rule of Emperor Vespasian.
Known for weaving humor into intricate plots, Davis’s books offer readers a richly detailed portrait of Roman society. Building on the series’ success, she introduced Flavia Albia, Falco’s sharp and resourceful adopted daughter, whose adventures continue the legacy of intrigue and wit. With her knack for bringing history to life through relatable characters, Davis has won numerous accolades and cultivated a devoted global following.
The Falco Series
- The Silver Pigs (1989)
Marcus Didius Falco uncovers a conspiracy involving stolen silver ingots and political intrigue in the heart of Rome. - Shadows in Bronze (1990)
Falco is tasked with eliminating the remnants of a dangerous conspiracy while pursuing romance and justice in the Roman elite. - Venus in Copper (1991)
Hired to investigate a suspicious fiancée, Falco delves into the murky world of corrupt Roman property developers. - The Iron Hand of Mars (1992)
Falco ventures to the untamed German frontier to deliver a symbolic iron hand while confronting rebellious tribes. - Poseidon’s Gold (1993)
Falco investigates his deceased brother’s debts and dishonor, revealing a web of fraud and betrayal. - Last Act in Palmyra (1994)
Tasked with an espionage mission, Falco joins a traveling theater troupe, uncovering murder in the exotic East. - Time to Depart (1995)
Falco battles the criminal underworld of Rome as he helps an old friend navigate deadly political waters. - A Dying Light in Corduba (1996)
Falco investigates the poisoning of a prominent olive oil producer, unraveling a trade war with Spain. - Three Hands in the Fountain (1997)
A series of grisly murders linked to Rome’s water supply plunges Falco into a dark and dangerous investigation. - Two for the Lions (1998)
Falco tackles corruption in the exotic world of gladiators and animal traders in Roman North Africa. - One Virgin Too Many (1999)
A young priestess’s disappearance draws Falco into the treacherous politics of Roman religion. - Ode to a Banker (2000)
Falco’s investigation into a poet’s murder takes him into the ruthless world of Roman banking and publishing. - A Body in the Bath House (2001)
The discovery of a corpse in a Roman construction project leads Falco to uncover corruption in Britain. - The Jupiter Myth (2002)
Falco faces organized crime in Roman London as he seeks justice for a friend’s mysterious death. - The Accusers (2003)
Falco navigates the courtroom drama of ancient Rome, uncovering corruption and murder in a legal case. - Scandal Takes a Holiday (2004)
Falco tracks down a missing gossip writer in a seaside town rife with pirates and scandal. - See Delphi and Die (2005)
Investigating a series of tourist murders, Falco uncovers danger and deception at famous Greek landmarks. - Saturnalia (2007)
During the chaotic Roman festival of Saturnalia, Falco must solve a high-stakes mystery involving family secrets. - Alexandria (2009)
In Egypt’s famed library, Falco investigates the mysterious death of its head librarian, revealing scholarly rivalries. - Nemesis (2010)
Falco faces personal tragedy while unraveling a case of murder and vengeance in the Roman countryside.
The Albia Series
- The Ides of April (2013)
Flavia Albia, an independent investigator, takes on her first solo case, uncovering a series of mysterious deaths in Rome. - Enemies at Home (2014)
Albia navigates Roman law and politics to solve the murder of two freed slaves, suspected to have been killed by their own household. - Deadly Election (2015)
Amidst the chaos of a Roman electoral campaign, Albia investigates a murder linked to her family’s auction house. - The Graveyard of the Hesperides (2016)
Preparing for her wedding, Albia stumbles upon a buried body at an inn, leading her to investigate a long-buried crime. - The Third Nero (2017)
Albia is drawn into imperial intrigue as she investigates a claimant to Nero’s throne threatening the stability of Rome. - Pandora’s Boy (2018)
Albia investigates a death involving a love potion, exposing dangerous secrets in the glamorous world of Rome’s young elite. - A Capitol Death (2019)
When a man falls to his death during preparations for an imperial procession, Albia unravels a case of murder at the heart of the Empire. - The Grove of the Caesars (2020)
A series of brutal murders in a Roman garden draws Albia into the perilous world of a deranged serial killer. - A Comedy of Terrors (2021)
During the Saturnalia festival, Albia juggles family chaos and danger as she investigates a series of festive crimes. - Desperate Undertaking (2022)
Albia uncovers a sinister plot involving murders inspired by Roman theatrical performances, with deadly stakes. - Fatal Legacy (2023)
Albia delves into a dispute over inheritance, exposing greed and murder in a wealthy Roman family. - Death on the Tiber (2024)
A body found in the Tiber River leads Albia into a web of deceit, corruption, and danger within Rome’s shipping industry.
Standalone Novels
- The Course of Honour (1997)
A compelling love story between the future Roman Emperor Vespasian and his mistress Caenis, set against the backdrop of political intrigue and ambition in ancient Rome. - Master and God (2012)
A sweeping tale of the reign of Emperor Domitian, told through the lives of a soldier and a hairdresser who navigate loyalty, love, and survival in a turbulent era. - Rebels and Traitors (2009)
A richly detailed historical epic exploring the personal and political struggles of ordinary people caught in the chaos of the English Civil War. - A Cruel Fate (2014)
A novella recounting the harrowing experiences of prisoners of war during the English Civil War, focusing on resilience and the human spirit in the face of suffering.
And that’s all Lindsey Davis books in order, organised by their category. Did you have any idea Lindsey Davis wrote quite so many books?
