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SPQR VII: The Tribune's Curse
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Series: SPQR, Book 7
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
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SPQR VI: Nobody Loves a Centurion
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 5
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 5
Julius Caesar, as we know, arrived in Gaul (now France) and announced "I Came, I Saw, I Conquered." But when Decius Metellus arrives from Rome, not seeking military glory but rather avoiding an enemy currently in power, he finds that although the general came and saw, so far, at least, he has far from conquered. The campaign seems at a standstill. Decius' arrival disappoints the great Caesar as well. He has been waiting for promised reinforcements from Rome, an influx of soldiers to restart his invasion. Instead he is presented with one young man ridiculously decked out in military parade finery and short on military skills.
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SPQR VIII: The River God's Vengeance
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6
Ancient Rome, in this accurate and evocative series, is just as politics driven as any major American city - possibly even more. Decius Caecilius Metellus has, through a series of rather wild adventure, and in the act of tracking down killers and other reprobates, barely escaped annhilation several times. Now, newly elected to the office of aedile, the lowest rung on the ladder of Roman authority, he must smoke out corruption and conspiracy that threaten to destroy all of Rome.
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SPQR V: Saturnalia
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 6
This eagerly awaited fifth book in John Maddox Roberts's Edgar-nominated historical mystery series once again takes the reader back to the Rome of Julius Caesar and the Roman Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger. Decius has won himself a reputation as both an investigator and, most unfortunately, a bit of a playboy. Having been banished by his family for sometimes embarrassing activities to a rather leisurely lifestyle on Rhodes, he is puzzled to be suddenly and unexpectedly summoned home to assist in an investigation.
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SPQR IX: The Princess and the Pirates
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 4
As I walked back through the City, my mood was moderately elevated. This appointment did not displease me nearly as much as I pretended. Like most Romans I abhorred the very thought of sea duty, but this was one of the rare occasions when I was looking forward to getting away from Rome..... For years I had complained of the disorder of the City, and now that it was gone, I found that I missed it. All the peace and quiet seemed unnatural. I did not expect it to last.- Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger in SPQR IX: The Princess and the Pirates.
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SPQR IV: The Temple of the Muses
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 9
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7
When Roman junior senator Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger has a chance to join a diplomatic mission to Alexandria, he welcomes the opportunity to temporarily elude his enemies in the Eternal City - even though it means leaving his beloved Rome. Decius is just beginning to enjoy the outpost's many exotic pleasures when the suspicious death of an irascible philosopher occurs, coinciding with the puzzling and apocalyptic ravings of a charismatic cult leader. Intrigued, Decius requests and is given permission by the Egyptian Pharaoh to investigate the heinous crime. What he discovers is beyond shocking.
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SPQR III: The Sacrilege
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
When a sacret woman's rite in the ancient city of Rome is infiltrated by a corrupt patrician dressed in female garb, it falls to Senator Decuis Caecilius Metellus the Younger, whose investigative skills have proven indispensable in the past, to unmask the perpetrators. When four brutal slayings follow, Decius enlists the help a notorious and dangerous criminal.
-
SPQR VI: Nobody Loves a Centurion
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 5
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 5
Julius Caesar, as we know, arrived in Gaul (now France) and announced "I Came, I Saw, I Conquered." But when Decius Metellus arrives from Rome, not seeking military glory but rather avoiding an enemy currently in power, he finds that although the general came and saw, so far, at least, he has far from conquered. The campaign seems at a standstill. Decius' arrival disappoints the great Caesar as well. He has been waiting for promised reinforcements from Rome, an influx of soldiers to restart his invasion. Instead he is presented with one young man ridiculously decked out in military parade finery and short on military skills.
-
SPQR VIII: The River God's Vengeance
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6
Ancient Rome, in this accurate and evocative series, is just as politics driven as any major American city - possibly even more. Decius Caecilius Metellus has, through a series of rather wild adventure, and in the act of tracking down killers and other reprobates, barely escaped annhilation several times. Now, newly elected to the office of aedile, the lowest rung on the ladder of Roman authority, he must smoke out corruption and conspiracy that threaten to destroy all of Rome.
-
SPQR V: Saturnalia
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 6
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 6
This eagerly awaited fifth book in John Maddox Roberts's Edgar-nominated historical mystery series once again takes the reader back to the Rome of Julius Caesar and the Roman Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger. Decius has won himself a reputation as both an investigator and, most unfortunately, a bit of a playboy. Having been banished by his family for sometimes embarrassing activities to a rather leisurely lifestyle on Rhodes, he is puzzled to be suddenly and unexpectedly summoned home to assist in an investigation.
-
SPQR IX: The Princess and the Pirates
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 4
As I walked back through the City, my mood was moderately elevated. This appointment did not displease me nearly as much as I pretended. Like most Romans I abhorred the very thought of sea duty, but this was one of the rare occasions when I was looking forward to getting away from Rome..... For years I had complained of the disorder of the City, and now that it was gone, I found that I missed it. All the peace and quiet seemed unnatural. I did not expect it to last.- Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger in SPQR IX: The Princess and the Pirates.
-
SPQR IV: The Temple of the Muses
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 9
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7
When Roman junior senator Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger has a chance to join a diplomatic mission to Alexandria, he welcomes the opportunity to temporarily elude his enemies in the Eternal City - even though it means leaving his beloved Rome. Decius is just beginning to enjoy the outpost's many exotic pleasures when the suspicious death of an irascible philosopher occurs, coinciding with the puzzling and apocalyptic ravings of a charismatic cult leader. Intrigued, Decius requests and is given permission by the Egyptian Pharaoh to investigate the heinous crime. What he discovers is beyond shocking.
-
SPQR III: The Sacrilege
- By: John Maddox Roberts
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 10
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
When a sacret woman's rite in the ancient city of Rome is infiltrated by a corrupt patrician dressed in female garb, it falls to Senator Decuis Caecilius Metellus the Younger, whose investigative skills have proven indispensable in the past, to unmask the perpetrators. When four brutal slayings follow, Decius enlists the help a notorious and dangerous criminal.
Publisher's Summary
I was happier than any mere mortal has a right to be and I should have known better. The entire body of received mythology and every last Greek tragedy ever written have made one inescapable truth utterly clear: If you are supremely happy, the gods have it in for you. They don't like for mortals to be happy, and they will make you pay.
In his extensive series featuring the detecting feats of Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, set in the Rome of 70 BC, Roberts achieves a very believable modern feeling with his well-researched description of the stories' background. This seventh episode, however, combines a familiar view of the demands office-seeking makes on a candidate with a situation that is impossibly bizarre to us today. An entire city, versed in literature, music, and the other arts, ruled democratically, for its time, is thrown into panic by an enraged man's curse.
The Consul Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, frustrated by the Senate's vote against his leading Rome in a war against Parthia, plans to march his private army to invade the country himself. Almost all of Rome turns out to watch him carry out his threat and lead his troops out of the city. But before he can, a powerful tribune called Ateius leaps to the top of the city's gate and invokes all the gods to put a curse on Crassus and his army. Rome is terrified. Ateius has called down a forbidden curse - the worst and most frightening blasphemy ever perpetrated. It seriously threatens the entire populace, and drastic steps to propitiate the gods must be taken immediately. Worse even, someone kills Ateius - perhaps in the vain hope that this will lighten the curse? It will not.
After joining the other men of the city in a daylong cleansing ritual that left every able-bodied male citizen, Decius included, in a state of half-collapse, Decius learns that he has been chosen to uncover the person responsible for the murder. The culprit must be found in order to complete the cleansing, and there is no one better equipped to do that than Decius. Roberts skillfully blends the playboy and the serious sleuth in Decius just as he combines what we see as contradictions in the Rome of 80 BC. He spices his story with humor and suspense, with characters charming and wise and foolish and very much like we are today. And he presents listeners with a look into another world that has them eagerly awaiting more visits.
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What listeners say about SPQR VII: The Tribune's Curse
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sean
- 15-02-2020
another great story
Another great story by John Maddoxs Roberts. Highly recommended by a very biased fan. Enjoy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Daniel Weiss
- 31-12-2014
My favorite of the series
The Tribune's Curse is my favorite story in the SPQR series. The audio version is well produced, captivating and just a great listen.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Judith A. Weller
- 15-06-2013
Not as Good as Other in the Series
I did not care for this story about a tribune who curses Crassus and Rome and then is murdered as I did most of the earlier books. Decius must first find the body, and then the murderer as he involves himself in current witchcraft cults emerging in the city.
The Tribune is seen being murdered on top of the wall as he curses Crassus and Rome. A search is made for his body, only to eventually find out he is not dead at all. Somehow the book did not come alive for me as others in the series did.
I think the other books in the series are far better than this one -- althought I like the entire series this was not one of my favorite books.
Like all the books in the series, it is quite short and moves at a fast pace.The books are never boring, and if you like Ancient Roman Mysteries set in the period of the Republic this is a great series.
John Lee does a good job of the voice and easily bring the books and it characters alive. I recommend that you start the series from the beginning although that is not necessary since every book is a nice stand-alone but there is a continuity that reading the series from the beginning bring especially as the subtext is that of Decius climbing the Cursus Honorum and what trouble he gets into in each new political job.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 28-01-2021
Great series
This series is wonderfully done. The stories are entertaining, the performance is perfect and relatable, and what I didn’t realize prior to some other reads is a lot of the happenings mentioned herein are based on true events. I think that makes the series that much more valuable. I had no idea I was being taught history while laughing and waiting to find out how the puzzle pieces fit together. Well done John Maddox Roberts and John Lee!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Susan C. J.
- 04-11-2018
Great writing, narration, and subject matter.
I love this entire series. Anyone who enjoys stories about--the beginning of the end of--the Roman Republic will love it too. The author packs a ton of fascinating historical facts into his stories, while his fictional protagonist/ first person narrator, a Roman patrician and, in modern terms, private detective, is totally lovable and beliveable. I particularly enjoy his interactions with (and remarks about) his checky slave, Hermes, his wife, Julia (who snores aristocratically!) and his curmudgeonly, old fashioned father. Above all, these stories are both interesting and FUN, and the reader, John Lee, brilliantly highlights the ongoing irony and seamlessly weaves in the differing voices of the various characters without going overboard. I have also enjoyed Steven Saylor's series about Gordianus the Finder for many years, but John Maddox Robrts, just as knowledgable about ancient Rome, has gone one better than Saylor, by including humor. Highly Recommended!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michelle Abelson-Hoek
- 06-08-2018
One of the best in an enjoyable series!
A cracking good mix of real Roman history and an engaging mystery with characters who continue to grow on the reader as the series progresses. John Lee is a fine and entertaining narrator, as always!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- "billsmith1234"
- 27-03-2016
love it!
all the books in this series are fantastic and this is one of the better ones which is saying quite a bit. especially love the ending
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- History Vagabond
- 14-08-2015
More Good Fun
These stories are a great way to get a glimpse into different aspects of life, culture, and the politics of Ancient Rome.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Norma Miles
- 05-04-2016
"The best parties ever seen in Rome"
We are back in Rome again with elections coming up and our main protagonist, Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, is one of the candidates, having left Julius Caesar's troops warring in Gaul. But, as usual, things do not go smoothly when Rome itself falls under a virulent curse directed at the richest man of that fair city as he leaves to embark on his own war in search of glory and greater wealth. When the senator who performed the curse is, himself, found apparently murdered, it falls to our luckless and flawed hero to investigate.
Another excellent, puzzling mystery to unwind without the help of modern forensics. The writing is very visual as we are led through the streets of Rome, meeting sometimes strange and exotic characters. The dialogue is filled with wry humour and fascinating titbits of Roman life and culture are revealed. John Lee does a good narration as he becomes the voice of Decius.
It's fun, it is exciting and it even teaches without preaching. Highly recommended.
1 person found this helpful
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