First in the Roman Series

books:


	• Domina: Murder and Intrigue in Ancient Rome (Paul Doherty Historical Mysteries) Paul Doherty Headline Book Publishing, 2002 - 322 pages average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

Paul Doherty at his best

Having read a number of Doherty's historical/mystery novels, I came to read 'Domina'with thoughts that it would be of similar ilk to the others - entertaining. I like Doherty's style.
Domina is entertaining - and much more. With this novel there is more a sense of history and its drama. The author brings to life an Agrippina The Younger who is every bit the scheming and manipulative woman we've read about, but also a more 'earthier' person - believable. She is a survivor! Daughter of the hero Germanicus and Agrippina The Elder - an overbearing mother of the first order! Sister of Caligula. Wife to the emperor Claudius ( her uncle and well known lecher)and then mother to Nero. How's that for a disfunctional family!
In Doherty's tale I felt some sympathy for Agrippina, despite her own devious behaviour. This was encouraged by the story being told by her confidant and life-long admirer - Parmenion. Historical fact abounds here entwined with gripping drama vividly told.
His best historical novel yet!

for more information click here

OK but not his best work.

I have read several of Paul Doherty's historical mysteries and I have enjoyed them. This book fell a little short of the quality and readability of his other works.

for more information click here

First in the Roman Series

Paul Doherty is the consummate professional when it comes to writing historical novels. I for one do not know how he can be so prolific with his offering of books and yet make sure that each of them is well researched. Whether they be 13th, 14th, or fifteenth century they are always true to the period. He also writes about Ancient Egypt and Alexander the Great. Paul Doherty has the rare talent of making you feel as though you are there, be it medieval England, or battling with Alexander. The sounds and smells of the period seem to waft from the pages of his books. He has now turned his attention to Ancient Rome and this is the first book in the series.

Agrippina was the wife of Claudius and the mother of perhaps the most hated Emperor Rome had ever had (or so the history books would have us believe). She was a stunningly beautiful woman, but talented too. She led a privileged but traumatic life. She saw her own father murdered. She was then banished by her brother and was killed on the orders of a son, when the balance of his mind was undoubtedly in question.

This is her story, told by her freed man, Parmenon, a one-eyed former gladiator. He tells of Agrippina's constant battle to survive in the depraved and violent Imperial Roman court and also her attempts to stem the crumbling relationship between herself and her son.

for more information click here

Agrippina?mother of Nero, wife of Claudius?must use her wits to stay alive. Emerging victorious in a clandestine plot to end the reign of Tiberius, she also proves to be a formidable opponent to her insanely cruel brother, Caligula. But as she rises to power as the wife of Claudius, her one weakness becomes apparent: her ambitious love for Nero. In the treacherous arena of Ancient Rome, Agrippina knows that each player must battle to survive?or die.