THE ACCUSERS

In his fifteenth outing, Marcus Didius Falco investigates the supposed suicide of a Roman senator. Falco and Associates are "private informers," who specialize in accusing "cheating, lying, money-grubbing swine," and Jamie Glover is delightful as the indomitable Falco. As layers of deceit are stripped away from the case, Falco uncovers corruption in high places and enough hypocrisy to explain the fall of Rome. Glover makes the most of Falco's sardonic humor and witty observations. While he doesn't overdo characterizations, it is always immediately apparent which character is speaking. Author Lindsey Davis offers a look at some of the vagaries of Roman law, couched in a lot of snappy British repartee, and Glover is just the right reader to make it work. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 05]