Never was ancient Rome so saucy as it is in this mystery/romance, which takes detective Falco from the palaces of Rome to the sun-drenched Italian countryside. The setting would be nearly idyllic were it not for the scandalous traitors sunning themselves and a murderous madman on the loose—not to mention the problems Falco is having with his love life. This BBC dramatization is full of stormy performances. The best moments feature Anton Lesser's alternatingly dopey and cunning Falco as he pleads for forgiveness—or escape—from ladylove Helena Justina, portrayed by Anna Madeley. While one might wonder about the similarity between ancient Roman culture and that of modern-day Britain, sound effects and appropriate music help one maintain suspension of disbelief throughout.
Pub Date: 2008
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/BBC Radio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Complete with creative production touches, the result is a dark, satisfying listen.
Listeners don't just experience a fascinating historical drama--they also become steeped in a bloody gothic Western. Stellar performances are the center of this compelling listening experience. Narrator Marin Ireland fully embodies the beleaguered humanities professor who, while deep diving into the campus archive, discovers the story of her ancestors. At the same time, she is struggling with her tenure committee. In a deft transition back to 1912, Owen Teale's performance of a Lutheran pastor exhibits gravitas as he slowly unwinds the secrets of his relationship with Good Stab, a Blackfeet Indian who mysteriously appears in his congregation. Shane Ghostkeeper provides Good Stab with a subtle yet ferocious performance as the two face each other's buried truths.
Complete with creative production touches, the result is a dark, satisfying listen.Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
DD ISBN: 9789876543210
Publisher: Vicky Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 4, 2026
Complete with creative production touches, the result is a dark, satisfying listen.
Listeners don't just experience a fascinating historical drama--they also become steeped in a bloody gothic Western. Stellar performances are the center of this compelling listening experience. Narrator Marin Ireland fully embodies the beleaguered humanities professor who, while deep diving into the campus archive, discovers the story of her ancestors. At the same time, she is struggling with her tenure committee. In a deft transition back to 1912, Owen Teale's performance of a Lutheran pastor exhibits gravitas as he slowly unwinds the secrets of his relationship with Good Stab, a Blackfeet Indian who mysteriously appears in his congregation. Shane Ghostkeeper provides Good Stab with a subtle yet ferocious performance as the two face each other's buried truths.
Complete with creative production touches, the result is a dark, satisfying listen.Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
DD ISBN: 9781234567890
Publisher: Troy's Publishing Company for Vicky Test
Review Posted Online: Feb. 4, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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