Time to Depart
![]() | This article includes alist of references,related reading,orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations.(May 2020) |
![]() First edition | |
Author | Lindsey Davis |
---|---|
Language | English |
Series | Marcus Didius Falco |
Genre | Historical mysterycrime novel |
Publisher | Century |
Publication date | 1995 |
Publication place | United Kingdom |
Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
Pages | 384 pp |
ISBN | 0-71-265931-5 |
OCLC | 227274023 |
Preceded by | Last Act in Palmyra |
Followed by | A Dying Light in Corduba |
Time to Departis a 1995historical mysterycrime novelbyLindsey Davisand the seventh book of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set inRomeduring AD 72, the novel starsMarcus Didius Falco,an informer and imperial agent. The title refers to the law which stated that no Roman citizen who had been sentenced to death might be arrested, even after the verdict, until he has been giventime to depart,the idea being that for a Roman citizen to choose exile outside the boundaries of the Empire would have been a fate worse than death itself.
Plot summary
[edit]Falco's closest friend, Petronius Longus, has finally caught one of the leading criminals in Rome, Balbinus Pius. But a quirk in Roman law allows a convicted felon, even a murderer, time to depart before the sentence is carried out. Balbinus' departure has left a vacuum in the underworld of Rome, and there is a crowd of criminals trying desperately to fill the void. Their first step is to engineer a robbery that reverberates throughout the city.
Falco is again called upon by the EmperorVespasianto supply answers, as quietly and quickly as possible. A couple of murders, a kidnapping or two, and more suspects than Falco cares to count takes him, and hispatriciangirlfriend Helena Justina, to places a family shouldn't have to go.
Characters
[edit]High Society
[edit]- Anacrites– Imperial spy
- Camillus Aelianus– Eldest son of Decimus Camillus Verus
- Camillus Justinus– Youngest son of Decimus Camillus Verus
- Decimus Camillus Verus– Senator and father of Helena Justina
- Helena Justina– Daughter of theSenatorDecimus Camillus Verus
- Julia Justa– Wife of Camillus Verus and mother of Helena
- T. Claudius Laeta– Imperial clerk
- Titus Caesar– Eldest son of the Emperor
- Vespasian– Emperor
Low Society (Fountain Court)
[edit]- Cassius– Baker
- Castus– Junk-dealer
- Ennianus– Basket-weaver
- Lenia– Laundress
- Marcus Didius Falco– Informer and Imperial Agent from the Aventine.
- Smaractus– Landlord
Law and Order
[edit]- Arica– Member of the Sixth Cohort
- Arria Silvia– Wife of L. Petronius Longus
- Fusculus– Member of Petronius' enquiry team
- L. Petronius Longus– Enquiry chief in the XIII region and friend of Falco
- Marcus Rubella– Tribune of the Fourth Cohort of vigiles
- Martinus– Deputy
- Porcius– Recruit
- Scythax– Doctor
- Sergius– Punishment officer
- Tibullinus– Centurion of the Sixth Cohort
Other Citizens
[edit]- Alexander– Doctor
- Balbinus Pius– Crime boss
- Flaccida– Wife of Balbinus
- Florius– Husband of Milvia
- Lalage– Proprietress of the Bower of Venus
- Little Icarus– Member of Balbinus' Gang
- Macra– Employed at the Bower of Venus
- Milvia– Daughter of Balbinus
- Nonnius Albius– Court witness
- The Miller– Member of Balbinus' Gang
Major themes
[edit]- Investigation into the underworld of Roman life,
- Developing relationship of Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina.
Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science
[edit]Release details
[edit]- 1995, UK, Century Hardback (out of print)
- 1996, UK, Arrow, PaperbackISBN0-09-933881-5
- 1997, UK, Chivers Press, Large Print,ISBN0-7451-5449-2
- 1997, US, Mysterious Press, HardbackISBN0-89296-626-2
- 1998, US, Mysterious Press, PaperbackISBN0-446-60591-3
- 2003, UK, Arrow, PaperbackISBN0-09-945199-9(as part of single-volume omnibus edition,Falco on the Loose,withLast Act in PalmyraandA Dying Light in Corduba)
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- lindseydavis.co.uk/Author's Official Website