THE JUPITER MYTH

'''The Jupiter Myth''' is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis.

Contents

Plot introduction

Explanation of the novel's title

Plot summary

Characters in "The Jupiter Myth"

Major themes

Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science

Release details

Sources, references, external links, quotations

Plot introduction

Set in Londinium, Britannia in August AD 75, ''The Jupiter Myth'' stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the fourteenth in her Falco series.

Explanation of the novel's title

The title is a reference to the use of Jupiter-related mythology by the crime syndicate to identify businesses associated with them.

Plot summary

After putting the project of building Togidubnus’s palace back on track (see A Body in the Bath House), Falco and family decide to take a break and visit some old friends and family up in Londinium. But nothing is ever peaceful around Falco. The body of a close friend of Togidubnus is found in a vat. A simple murder? No, not around Falco. There is more than one gang flexing their muscles in Londinium, leading Falco every which way. Suddenly, Falco’s friend Petro appears. It’s not likely that he just happens to show up at the edge of the Empire, but he is not interested in telling anyone much of anything. What is really puzzling is why all these things are happening in only a certain group of taverns, all named after very important events in someone’s life. Is that the connection they are missing?

Characters in "The Jupiter Myth"

★ ''Aelia Camilla'' - Wife of Flavius Hilaris, Aunt of Helena Justina.

★ ''Albia'' - Young street girl adopted by Helena

★ ''Amazonia'' - also known as ''Chloris''. Gladiatrix, and ex-girlfriend of Falco.

★ ''Amicus'' - Official torturer

★ ''Crixus'' - Centurion

★ ''Flavia Fronta'' - Barmaid

★ ''Gaius Flavius Hilaris'' - Procurator of Finance

★ ''Helena Justina'' - Wife of Falco, and daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus Verus

★ ''Lucius Petronius Longus'' - Friend of Falco and Vigiles Officer

★ ''Maia Favonia'' - Falco's widowed sister

★ ''Marcus Didius Falco'' - Informer and Imperial Agent.

★ ''Norbanus Murena'' - Property developer

★ ''Popillius'' - Lawyer

★ ''Pyro'' - Criminal

★ ''Sextus Julius Frontinus'' - Governor of Britain

★ ''Silvanus'' - Centurion

★ ''Splice'' - Criminal

★ ''Togidubnus'' - Roman ally

Major themes

★ Gangland activity in Londinium

★ Developing relationship between Maia and Petronius

Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science

★ Set in Londinium, Britannia, in AD 75, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.

★ Sextus Julius Frontinus is a real historical character who succeeded Quintus Petillius Cerialis as governor of Britain in AD 75.

★ Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus (or Togidubnus) was a 1st century king of the Regnenses in early Roman Britain.

Release details

★ 2002, UK, Century Hardback ISBN 0 7126 8044 6

★ 2003, UK, Arrow, Paperback ISBN 0-09-929840-6

★ UK, Chivers/BBC AudioBooks, read by Christian Rodska, Cassettes ISBN 0-7540-9723-4 CD audios ISBN 07540 96211

★ US, Mysterious Press, Hardback ISBN 0892967773

★ US, Mysterious Press, Paperback ISBN ISBN 0-446-69297-2

Sources, references, external links, quotations

Author's Official Website