Falco hits the road again in this fourth novel, this time for Germania. Unlike the first two novels, where the action was split between Rome and rural locales, almost all of "The Iron Hand of Mars" is set in Gaul and Germania.

Germania is haunted by the ghosts of past massacres. Dark and dismal, cold and wet and huge parts of it covered by virtually impenetrable forests, where the bloodthirsty tribesmen feel at home and are more than ready to inflict another defeat on the Roman army, such as they did not many decades past. The grit of the frontier backdrop matches Falco's sour attitude toward the journey and his convoluted Imperial mission.

Davis skillfully explains the history of first century Roman clashes with the Germanic tribes and relates it to the plot without bogging down in dry exposition. His girlfriend, Helena Justina, fortunately comes along on some parts of the adventure, as their character interactions in Davis's subtle prose are the highlight of these novels. Along the way, Davis also develops several new characters, including a camp barber, a gruff centurion and Helena's admirable young tribune brother.

These are fast and funny reads – and highly recommended.

Mooched from jawin and arrived today.
Thanks very much.

#4 in the Marcus Didius Falco series

I do enjoy this series. As said above, this one is a little different as not set in Rome, or Italy, but in the far reaches of the Empire. They are very well researched and interesting as well as fun, and told with a light touch so the historical information is not too heavy.
I hope we get to see lots more of Camillus Justinus in future books.

Off on a long trip as a wishlist tag.

It’s arrived! All the way from Australia. Thanks for sending me this and the other books. I get the best post :D

I read this very slowly while feeling a bit under the weather and in need of something comfortingly familiar to read.
Thanks again for sending me this, CT! I’m going to give it to my mum, who also enjoys this series.

Given to my mum.