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Two for the Lions

 
UK Hardback
(1998) Century
ISBN 0-7126-7796-8
UK Paperback
(1999) Arrow
ISBN  0-09-979961-8
UK Audio
Isis
ISBN 0-7531-0509-8
(read by Christopher Scott)
  		 US Hardback
(1999) Mysterious Press 
ISBN 0-89296-693-9
US Paperback
(Nov 2000) Mysterious Press
ISBN 0-446-60902-1
)

Hear Lindsey Read

‘Someone was going to get killed. One glance at the narrow eyes of the leopardess told me she had decided it would not be her.’
Chosen by readers, Rosina and George Harter

Plot Summary

   Still reluctantly seeking the perfect work companion, in the central book of the 'Partners' trilogy Falco has submitted to his Ma's machinations and taken on Anacrites (moonlighting while on sick leave from the Palace). The Chief Spy is thrilled. Falco is depressed. The author is nervous. Will her readers accept a story in which Falco & Partner become hardworking government tax auditors? Will her editor allow a corpse that isn't human? Will animal lovers riot? Is there any mileage in a missing plant hunt? Will plant lovers protest? Will the Anacrites fanclub allow Falco to exact revenge? If serial killing is hard to do tastefully, what about gladiating? How to avoid the cliché of threatening little Julia with Carthaginian child sacrifice? Will the Sacred Geese of Juno survive the poisoned corn, and will they come good for our boy?…
   This is the one with the VAT and tax inspection jokes.

Research Notes: Thanks to Helen for wanting to go to Libya, John Dore for not getting tired of being asked about the First Century, and Barbara Levick for finding that it wasn't Drop the Dead Donkey but Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. The dog was researched at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. No, I haven't seen silphium, but in Libya I met two men who have.

 

Reviews

Just as hilariously comic as her previous novels - and no praise could be higher than that. - Birmingham Post

There are . . . writers who bear their learning lightly and paint the historical backdrop without sacrificing the basic elements of the crime novel. Lindsey Davis is a superb example. Her witty and literate Falco novels are models of the genre. - The Times

Ace sleuth Falco, surely the best historical detective in the business, up to his neck ... Pure entertainment - Daily Telegraph

For more laughter, abandon England and visit ancient Rome AD73 in LD's tenth novel, which features mischievous Didius Falco. What with transfer fees and angst-filled gladiator trainers, there are humorous shades of World Cup fever here - Mail on Sunday

 

 

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Falco: The Official Companion

Last update: 25 July 2009

This site was created February 1998 by Lindsey Davis and Ginny Lindzey. All text, photos, and graphics are copyrighted and may not be reproduced elsewhere--even for educational purposes--without express permission from the author.