Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
I really enjoyed this book set in Rome at the time of Nero.
It's always fascinating to read a novel set so long ago, but in a culture where there's so much information and literature still available.
Aemilius is a bit of a dilettante, but he gets drawn into what's essentially a murder investigation through a need to make political connections. He ends up working with a plebian, or ordinary guy, and the evolution of this relationship is interesting. The books is full of interesting characters including Aemilius extended family, contacts, and other Romans, citizens and slaves.
I'd totally recommend this (I hope, series) to anyone who enjoyed the Falco books.
4 out of 5, it meandered quite a lot, and I felt it could have used a bit of editing to tighten things up, but a really good read if you like this kind of historical novel

I would like to thank NetGalley, Jennifer Burke and Level Best Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3⭐- I like historical mysteries but Sub Rosa has so much information and is very detailed about life/culture in ancient Rome.  It was hard to connect to the story especially in the beginning, for me it was nearly a DNF.

However I persisted and ended up loving the mystery part of the story.

I love fiction books set in ancient Rome and was excited about this title. But it nearly became a DNF for me. The first 15% of this book was just not connecting with me, it felt annoying and the main character's constant thoughts and attempts at humour fell flat. However once the mystery began in earnest and the main character became part of the investigation I was hooked. It's a fun read, filled with ancient Rome details but in a modern style. A satisfying read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

There is a lot of information here about details of Roman life, perhaps too much for someone who isn't heavily interested in the period. I thought I liked historical mysteries, but I found it difficult to take in so much about the food and the culture and all the names in the early chapters, so I lost interest.

I'm sure someone more ready to take all that in would like all the twists and the complicated step-family structure, though.

Ein Krimi im alten Rom? Da bin ich doch sehr gerne dabei 😊!
Also, hierum geht es auf Deutsch: Wir schreiben das Jahr 58 AD. In Rom regiert der junge Nero, und das Christentum ist eine kleine jüdische Sekte. Die Dekadenz boomt.
Aemilius Valerius ist 23, steinreich, und hat sich, seit er als Held aus der Armee entlassen wurde, der Dekadenz sehr gerne hingegeben. Sein Vater hat ihn vor kurzem mit der 12 Jahre älteren Fulvia verheiratet, die 2 Kinder aus ersten Ehen (Mz.!) mitgebracht hat. Die Ehe ist zwar arrangiert, aber man mag und achtet sich. Zumindest hat Valerius jetzt eine Ehefrau vorzuweisen, was bei einer politischen Karriere hilfreich ist. Ja, die politische Karriere: die hätte Valerius ja gerne. Bislang konnte er sich aber mit keinem Feld identifizieren, das man ihm vorschlug auf dem Weg dorthin. Partys sind eben cooler. Die letzte Party nun endete allerdings mit einem Toten, und niemand anders als Valerius selbst hat ihn aufgefunden und die Vigiles, die Polizei, gerufen. Der Tote war nicht unbedeutend, und somit wird eine Ermittlung eingeleitet. Dank dem Einfluss von „mad uncle Maro“ wird Valerius zum Ermittler berufen, und gemeinsam mit dem Vigile Junius Atreus schafft er es tatsächlich, eine Verschwörung nationaler Tragweite aufzudecken. Valerius entwickelt mehr Biss, als man es ihm zugetraut hätte, und entkommt mehr als nur einmal knapp dem Tod. Eine rasante Verbrecherjagd quer durch Rom beginnt…..
Mein Leseeindruck: Das war mal richtig cool gemacht. Flotter Stil, teils fast schon schnodderig, sehr lebendig und witzig. Allein das Personenregister ist klasse; ich zitiere: „Q. Aemelius Valerius, our hero. / Julia Drusilla, his stepdaughter, a pain / Gn Gavius Silanus – Fulvia’s Ex, Julias Papa, a prick / oder, mein favorite: Hursa, a slave, a waste of money,“ *lol*. Allerdings leistet besagter Hursa Valerius beim Trinken gerne Gesellschaft. Alleine trinkt es sich halt nicht so nett. Also, in dem Stil geht es weiter. Ich fand es klasse.
Historisch war das Buch übrigens, so weit ich es beurteilen kann, sehr gut recherchiert. Ganz nebenbei haben wir so einiges über Neros Regime erfahren, und ich fand, die Autorin hat ziemlich treffend ein Sittengemälde der Zeit gemalt.
Insgesamt war das hier ein gelungener Mix aus historischem Roman und Krimi, flüssig geschrieben – hat mich abgeholt. Und Valerius war halt einfach klasse. Er hat sich wirklich gemausert, vom verwöhnten Patriziersohn zum ernstzunehmenden Ermittler.
Ja, war richtig gut – kann ich weiterempfehlen!
Herzlichen Dank an den Verlag und an Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books for this opportunity to review “Sub Rosa.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Author Jennifer Burke has brought us an engaging character in the form of Quintus Aemilius Valerius, in “Sub Rosa,” a new historical mystery series set at the time of Nero’s Rome. And he turns out to be a pretty good detective, one that wouldn’t be out of place today. He might busy doing nothing at the beginning, but when a prospective relative is murdered, and conspiracy after conspiracy begin to be uncovered, well, things ramp up, that’s for sure.

There’s great characterization here, and a lot of witty dialog. You’ll have to wait a bit for the story to get going, but it’s worth your time. Along the way Valerius has doubts about himself, which he needs to work out. And he also needs to work out his feelings for Junius Atreus, the young vigile who’s first on the scene of the murder. This is not your grandparents’ story, just so you know.

Eventually, the truth comes out, as it always does. This is Rome, after all. Corruption, treason, and treachery are everyday events. The emperor will be satisfied, and Quintus will be a popular man. Always good for advancement, friends in high places. “Sub Rosa” ends on a high note, with a partnership being formed, personally and professionally.

A note should be made that the language is strong in this book, and it has adult situations. It is an elegantly crafted story, with great characters and twists and turns on practically every page. “Sub Rosa” is an excellent addition to the historical mystery genre.

This had a great mystery going on, I enjoyed the historical setting that was used in this plot. Jennifer Burke has a great writing style and the characters worked in the setting. I was invested in what was going on and hope there is more in this universe.

This book manages to blend two tricky genres--mystery and historical fiction--in a way that doesn't feel clunky. With a voicey protagonist, Burke immediately draws the reader into the world of Ancient Rome, and the plot unweaves at a solid pace. Looking forward to more from this author!

Stunning really. Historical fiction literature, particularly about the Greeks or Romans is very common. What is less common is do to it well. In particular to so successfully tell a murder mystery story of intrigue and substance with that as playground is very difficult. And yet the novel has managed so spectacularly. From the moment I began reading this novel I could not put it down. The style with which it was written was so engaging. The pages seemed to turn themselves and when the end arrived, I was disappointed by its finality. Simply put, I wished it never to end. With delicious prose and an enchanting cast of characters, this book is a sensation. A true knockout.