In at the Death (Marcus Corvinus Mysteries) Book

Not so long ago, crime novels set in distant periods were something of a novelty -- but now that the genre is bulging with entries, readers have learned to be just as discriminating as they are in other crime fiction fields -- novelty is no longer enough. And that's why writers such as David Wishart are a boon -- his historical crime fiction is always adroitly written. Detractors (if there were any) might say there are no quantum leaps in achievement from book to book, but the sheer reliability pays dividends in Wishart's books. Take In At the Death, for instance. This latest Marcus Corvinus mystery has all the hallmarks of Wishart's best work. Ancient Rome. A young man from a good family has, apparently committed suicide. Marcus Corvinus is called in to provide an explanation for the death, and soon uncovers a murder plot. It transpires that the killing has a political element, and while Marcus is struggling with this, things are further completed by his unwilling role as nursemaid to a Gallic boarhound called (with perfect irony) Placida. This is delightful stuff, with all the requisite historical detail set against the sardonic humour that has long been one of Wishart's specialities. In At the Death is both one for long-time Wishart admirers, and for those deciding to sample his work. --Barry Forshaw.Read More