Matricide: A Valerius Mystery
This third book in the Valerius mystery series is focused on a teenager’s murder in AD 59 Baiae during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero. Both Valerius and Atreus, the investigators of the crime, have gone on vacation to Baiae with their families. It’s interrupted almost immediately by the arrival of Nero, followed by the seemingly senseless murder of the victim. The investigation lets us see three different aspects of Roman life: how vacations were enjoyed in the beach towns of the day, Roman family life, and the secret cults they got involved with.
The arrival of Nero, and later Agrippina, shakes things up as events lead inexorably to the murder of Agrippina by Nero (hence the book’s title). In fact, the investigation is overshadowed by Agrippina in life and death. However, the crime is solved very satisfactorily.
The writing is immersive and evocative where it needs to be—the image of the setting sun as a golden egg yolk will surely linger in memory! The characters continue to please, grow and engage the reader. I had hoped the author would address the relationship between husband and wife (Fulvia) while reviewing a previous volume in the series (given that Valerius and Atreus are in a secret gay relationship), and this book certainly does that. We also get to see more of Fulvia.
Overall, the whole series is recommended, and this may be the best book yet. Hopefully, more books are in the works!
