SPQR XIII: The Year of Confusion Audiobook By John Maddox Roberts cover art

SPQR XIII: The Year of Confusion

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SPQR XIII: The Year of Confusion

By: John Maddox Roberts
Narrated by: John Lee
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Caius Julius Caesar, now Dictator of Rome, has decided to revise the Roman calendar, which has become out of sync with the seasons. As if this weren’t already an unpopular move, Caesar has brought in astronomers and astrologers from abroad, including Egyptians, Greeks, Indians, and Persians. Decius is appointed to oversee this project, which he knows rankles the Roman public: "To be told by a pack of Chaldeans and Egyptians how to conduct their duties towards the gods was intolerable." Not long after the new calendar project begins, two of the foreigners are murdered.

Decius begins his investigations and, as the body count increases, it seems that an Indian fortune-teller popular with patrician Roman ladies is also involved.

This latest in the acclaimed series is sure to please historical mystery fans.

©2010 John Maddox Roberts (P)2013 Audible, Inc. Historical Mystery Fiction

Critic reviews

"Readers looking for a crafty and entertaining journey to the past won’t be disappointed." ( Publishers Weekly on SPQR XI: Under Vesuvius)

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I really enjoyed this book and I’ve read widely about Ancient Rome, including histories and biographies, including Scipio, Cicero, Julius Caesar, Augustus, Hadrian, etc. And I learned to really fun historical rationales for actions:
1) Caesar’s planned Parthian campaign was more than to recover lost Roman Eagle Standards and to avenge Crassus - it was to equal and excel beyond Alexander the Great by conquering Asia (Parthia and then on to India).
2) Egypt was left in the rule of Ptolemy dynasty prior to Augustus because the Senate did not want to risk authorizing imperium to a Roman General to conquer the richest country in the world - thereby giving that General the power and wealth to potentially become a “king” of Rome.
And well beyond these two interesting observation by the author - it was a really fun read and makes Ancient Rome come to life. I will now read all of this series.

Excellent Historical Mystery Fiction

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An immensely enjoyable & satisfying series! Once I started Book #1, I couldn’t put them down. Tore through series in less then a week. Very Highly Recommended!

Very Highly Recommended Series!!!

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The skillful blend Of John Lee and John Roberts has made this entire series a resounding success. All hail Decius Metellus!

I hope this not the end of the journey of Decius.

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This is a great series. I wish there were more books in it. In this book we have Caesar and Cleopatra and Marc Anthony as well as our old favorites and a lot of other interesting characters

So sad it's the last book in the series

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This guy is fucking brilliant..
Fantastic series ..
Very intelligently written and entertaining.
I have to admit I only started this series because of John Lee. Well that was my introduction and I LOVE it.
Great Job on this series.. Really!!

Love this series!!

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As with the rest of the series. Ready for Spqr XIV. Makes you feel like you're there.

Loved it

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Would you listen to SPQR XIII: The Year of Confusion again? Why?

actually, I listen to all of them quite frequently. Along with S Holmes & N Wolf, they've gotten to be old friends.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

it's a bit long for one sitting, but would willingly put the disks into my player until I get where I'm going.

Any additional comments?

I'm hoping that there will be more, I've found a short story in an anthology and wishing that there are more of them and eventually they will find their way into a collection that I will be able to add to my library.

please sir, i want some more

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This is actually review for the entire series, I read all books in the series back to back because they were just that good. Decius is smart funny loves to eat and drink and is very tongue and cheek. The Mysteries in this series always fun and the great way to learn about ancient Rome. These books are a great way to learn about the latter years of the Roman Republic which I have always found to be a bit confusing. You get to see these characters that most of us have read about in history classes like Caesar and Pompey and Cicero as people not just dried names on a page. You also get to see some of their flaws as well as their achievements. This is one of the best series I've read in a very long time and it comes highly recommended.

I normally hate books that change narrators part way through series but for some reason I gave this series a pass i chalk that up to exceptional writing because regardless of narrator the humor and sarcasm which I love comes through loud and clear.

a great end to a very fun ride

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