A Body in the Bath House is a 2001 historical mystery crime novel by Lindsey Davis and the 13th book of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set in Rome and Britannia in AD 75, the novel stars Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent. The title refers to the discovery of a corpse hidden beneath the floor of one bath house and a murder which takes place in another. American editions spell "bathhouse" in the title as one word.
Plot summary
When Marcus Didius Falco discovers a corpse hidden under the floor of his new bath house, he starts to track down the men responsible – Glaucus and Cotta. He also receives a commission from the Emperor Vespasian. A building project for the British Chieftain Togidubnus is running late and over-budget. The first phase of construction had gone smoothly – the first buildings on site were granaries, providing a supply base for the Roman army, constructed in the early part of the conquest. But progress had stalled on the stone-walled house and bath suite that would be Togidubnus's residence. Suspecting that the men he seeks have fled to Britain, Falco accepts the mission and travels there with his wife, two baby daughters, their nurse, and his two brothers-in-law Aelianus and Justinus.
Falco arrives at Fishbourne and starts by investigating corrupt practices. However events quickly take a turn for the worse when the Chief Architect is found murdered in the bath-house of the British King. Falco takes over the project and investigates the killings.
Characters
In Rome Aulus Camillus Aelianus – Younger brother of Helena Anacrites – Chief Spy Camilla Hyspale – Nursemaid to Julia and Favonia Marcus Didius Geminus – Father of Falco, Auctioneer Glaucus and Cotta – Bath House Contractors Sosia Favonia – Daughter of Falco and Helena Helena Justina – Wife of Falco, and daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus Verus Julia Junilla Laeitana – Daughter of Falco and Helena Lucius Petronius Longus – Friend of Falco and Vigiles Officer Maia Favonia – Falco's widowed sister Marcus Didius Falco – Informer and Imperial Agent. Perella – Dancer and Spy Quintus Camillus Justinus – Younger brother of Aelianus Vespasian – Emperor of Rome
In Britain Alexas – Doctor Blandus – Painter Cyprianus – Clerk of Works Gaius – Clerk Lupus – Overseas labour force supervisor Magnus – Surveyor Mandumerus – Local labour force supervisor Marcellinus – Retired Architect Milchato – Marble Mason Philocles – Mosaicist Plancus – Assistant Architect Pomponius – Project Manager Rectus – Draining Engineer Sextius – Mechanical statue-seller Strephon – Assistant Architect T. Claudius Togidubnus – Great King of the Britons Timagenes – Gardener Verovolcus – Briton working for Togidubnus Virginia – Barmaid
Major themes Investigation into corruption at the building of a palace of an influential Roman ally. The obsessive pursuit of Maia by Anacrites. Falco's induction of his brothers-in-law as his investigative associates
Allusions/references to history Set in Rome and Britannia, in AD 75, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. Fishbourne Roman Palace, in the village of Fishbourne in West Sussex, is one of the most important archaeological sites in England. Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus (or Togidubnus) was a 1st-century king of the Regni in early Roman Britain.
Release details 2001, UK, Century Hardback 2002, UK, Arrow, Paperback UK, Chivers/BBC AudioBooks, read by Christian Rodska, Cassettes CD audios UK, Isis, Large Print 2002, US, Mysterious Press, Hardback (A Body in the Bathhouse) US, Mysterious Press, Paperback (A Body in the Bathhouse)
References
External links lindseydavis.co.uk Author's Official Website