ODE TO A BANKER

This series of historical mysteries set in first-century Rome has quite a following among twenty-first century audiobook listeners. Roman private investigator Marcus Didius Falco is really Sam Spade in a toga--bright, brash, brave, and observant, with a sardonic view of human beings and their motives. Christopher Scott brings Falco to life, allowing us to enjoy his dry sense of humor and to learn his long-standing prejudices. This story of the murder of a banker who also was a publisher is populated with a large cast of characters, all of whom are given individual voices and personalities. It really won't disconcert the listener that some characters have a decidedly Cockney accent. This tape is a lively romp in the Roman Empire and a passably good mystery as well. D.L.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 02/ JAN 03]