Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

Joseph Delaney

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Lindsey Davis

Laid-back Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco investigates crimes in the dangerous world of first century Rome, a place of political intrigue, corruption and murder.

Another engrossing historical mystery bringing Ancient Rome to life in all its gruesome glory from the pen of multimillion-copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom will not be disappointed... 
 
'Uniquely entertaining' -- Time Out 
'Bizarre, funny and satisfying' -- Irish Times 
'As always, Davis wears her research lightly, bringing Ancient Rome to vivid life in a series of delicious vignettes' -- Val McDermid 
'Exciting and gripping' -- ***** Reader review 
'I love this book. what an amazing author and what an amazing series!' -- ***** Reader review 
'Another excellent Falco book that is difficult to put down' -- ***** Reader review 
'Well written, humourous, interesting and a good read' -- ***** Reader review 
 
 
************************************************************************************************ 
A SERIAL KILLER STALKS THE GAMES 
 
'The fountain was not working. Nothing unusual in that...' 
 
Marcus Didius Falco and his laddish friend Petronius find their local fountain has been blocked - by a gruesomely severed human hand. 
 
Soon other body parts are being found in the aqueducts and sewers. 
 
Public panic overcomes official indifference, and the Aventine partners are commissioned to investigate. Women are being abducted during festivals, with the next Games only days away. 
 
As the heat rises in the Circus Maximus, they face a race against time and a strong test of their friendship. They know the sadistic killer lurks somewhere on the festive streets of Rome- preparing to strike again.

Three Hands In The Fountain

(Marco Didius Falco: book IX): a thrilling Roman mystery full of twists and turns from bestselling author Lindsey Davis

In the high summer of AD 77, laid-back detective Marcus Didius Falco is called upon to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a middle-aged couple who supplied statues to Falco's father, Geminus. The Claudii, nptorious freedmen who live rough in the pestilential Pontine Marshes, are the prime suspects. Falco, beset by personal problems, finds it a relief to consider someone else's misfortunes. 
 
When a mutilated corpse turns up near Rome, Falco and his vigiles friend Petronius investigate, only for the Chief Spy, Anacrites, to snatch their case away from them just as they are making progress.As his rivalry with Falco escalates, it emerges that the violent Claudii have acquired corrupt protection at the highest level. Making further enquiries after they have been warned off can only be dangerous - but will this stop Falco and Petronius? 
 
Egged on by the slippery bureaucrats who hate Anacrites, the dogged friends dig deeper while a psychotic killer keeps taking more victims, and the shocking truth creeps closer and closer to home...

Nemesis

(Falco 20)

'I came fully equipped with the old prejudice that anything to do with Egypt involved corruption and deceit.' 
 
AD 77. Egypt was the destination of choice for Roman tourists, being home to not one but two Wonders of the Ancient World, a Centre of Culture, and people with exotic habits. 
Unfortunately, when Marcus Didius Falco pays a visit he discovers it's also a hotbed of schemers and murderers. When the Head Librarian dies in suspicious circumstances, the Roman authorities are only too happy to dump the case on one of the Empire's most celebrated investigators - all adding up to a typical Falco family vacation.

Alexandria

(Falco 19)

Another engrossing historical mystery bringing Ancient Rome to life in all its gruesome glory from the pen of multimillion-copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom will not be disappointed... 
 
'Davis's writing zings with fun' -- Daily Mail 
'One of the best of the current writers in this field' -- Donna Leon, The Times 
'My advice is BUY IT and READ IT as you will not regret it' -- ***** Reader review 
'A cracking good read' -- ***** Reader review 
'A real page-turner' -- ***** Reader review 
'Absolutely brilliant!' -- ***** Reader review 
********************************************************************************** 
THE ANCIENT SPORTS OF MURDER AND MYTH 
 
Stunned by a dramatic appeal from his otherwise cool mother-in-law, Falco cannot resist. His brother-in-law has been diverted from his route to Athens University by a man whose newly married daughter disappeared, with her husband, while visiting the Olympic Games as part of an extended wedding trip. Suspecting a classic cover-up, Aulus enrols Falco's help in solving the case. And of course his mother-in-law hopes to hurry her son along to university by passing the case over to Falco. 
 
Joining the rest of the married couple's tour group on the remains of their Grand Tour, Falco and Helena seize the opportunity to interview the owner/manager of 'Seven Sights Travel', as well as the other guests. 
 
Seemingly not getting very far, they can at least make the most of the splendid sights; but finally, on reaching Delphi, Falco and Helena unravel the mystery of the bride and groom...

See Delphi And Die

(Marco Didius Falco: book XVII): a thrilling Roman mystery full of twists and turns from bestselling author Lindsey Davis

Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom will absolutely love this gripping page-turner of a historical mystery from multi-million copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Full of twists, turns and tension - you'll be hooked from page one... 
 
'Her research has been assiduous and detailed, her commitment to the subject is impressive, and the background detail is often eye-opening' -- Hilary Mantel, Observer 
'One of the best writers in this field' -- Donna Leon, The Times 
'Surely the best historical detective in the business' -- Daily Telegraph 
'Every book in this series is a delight ... highly recommended' -- Library Journal 
'Be careful, if you get the taste for this you'll end up reading them all... I can think of worse ways to pass the time' -- ***** Reader review 
'This series is just SO addictive!' -- ***** Reader review 
'I just could not put it down' -- ***** Reader review 
'Engrossing' -- ***** Reader review 
 
******************************************************************************** 
A NEW EMPEROR SEEKS AN EXPERIENCED AGENT 
 
Marcus Didius Falco is a private informer, the closest thing that first-century Rome has to a detective. 
 
A new emperor, Vespasian, has ascended to power. The tides of money and power are in flux, and Rome's vicious games swirl more ferociously than ever. 
 
When Falco rescues a young girl in trouble, he catapults himself into a dangerous game involving stolen imperial ingots, a dark political plot and, most hazardous of all, a senator's daughter connected to the traitors Falco has sworn to expose. 
 
The rule of law is tenuous for ordinary citizens of Rome. Only a man with a mind as sharp as a gladius can prevail.

The Silver Pigs

(Marco Didius Falco: book I): the first novel in the bestselling historical detective series, exposing the criminal underbelly of ancient Rome

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