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{{short description|2001 novel by Lindsey Davis}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{no footnotes|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox book | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Novels or Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Books --> {{Infobox book | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Novels or Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Books -->
| name = A Body in the Bath House | name = A Body in the Bath House
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| language = English | language = English
| series = ] | series = ]
| genre = ] | genre = Historical fiction ]
| publisher = Century | publisher = Century
| release_date = 2001 | release_date = 2001
| media_type = Print (] & ]) | media_type = Print (hardback and paperback)
| pages = 352 pp (Hardback edition) | pages = 352 pp (Hardback edition)
| isbn = 0-7126-7854-9 | isbn = 0-7126-7854-9
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| followed_by = ] | followed_by = ]
}} }}
'''''A Body in the Bath House''''' is a 2001 ] ] by ] and the 13th book of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set in ] and ] in AD 75, the novel stars ], informer and imperial agent. The title refers to the discovery of a corpse hidden beneath the floor of one ] and a murder which takes place in another. American editions spell "bathhouse" in the title as one word.
'''''A Body in the Bath House''''' is a ] novel by ].

==Plot introduction==
Set in ] and ] in AD 75, ''A Body in the Bath House'' stars ], Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the thirteenth in her ] series.

===Explanation of the novel's title===
The title is a reference to the discovery of a corpse hidden beneath the floor of a bath house and a murder which takes place in another.


==Plot summary== ==Plot summary==


When ] discovers a corpse hidden under the floor of his new bath house he starts to track down the men responsible - Glaucus and Cotta. He also receives a commission from the Emperor Vespasian. A building project for the British Chieftain ] is running late and over-budget. The first phase of construction had gone smoothly - the first buildings on site were granaries, providing a supply base for the Roman army, constructed in the early part of the conquest. But progress had stalled on the stone-walled house and bath suite that would be Togidubnus's residence. Suspecting that the men he seeks have fled to Britain, Falco accepts the mission and travels there with his wife, two baby daughters, their nurse and his two brothers-in-law Aelianus and Justinus. When ] discovers a corpse hidden under the floor of his new ], he starts to track down the men responsible – Glaucus and Cotta. He also receives a commission from the Emperor Vespasian. A building project for the British Chieftain ] is running late and over-budget. The first phase of construction had gone smoothly – the first buildings on site were granaries, providing a supply base for the Roman army, constructed in the early part of the conquest. But progress had stalled on the stone-walled house and bath suite that would be Togidubnus's residence. Suspecting that the men he seeks have fled to Britain, Falco accepts the mission and travels there with his wife, two baby daughters, their nurse, and his two brothers-in-law Aelianus and Justinus.


Falco arrives at ] and starts by investigating corrupt practices. However events quickly take a turn for the worse when the Chief Architect is found murdered in the bath-house of the British King. Falco takes over the project and investigates the killings. Falco arrives at ] and starts by investigating corrupt practices. However events quickly take a turn for the worse when the Chief Architect is found murdered in the bath-house of the British King. Falco takes over the project and investigates the killings.
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===In Rome=== ===In Rome===
* ''Aulus Camillus Aelianus'' - Younger brother of Helena * ''Aulus Camillus Aelianus'' – Younger brother of Helena
* ''Anacrites'' - Chief Spy * ''Anacrites'' – Chief Spy
* ''Camilla Hyspale'' - Nursemaid to Julia and Favonia * ''Camilla Hyspale'' – Nursemaid to Julia and Favonia
* ''Marcus Didius Geminus'' - Father of Falco, Auctioneer * ''Marcus Didius Geminus'' – Father of Falco, Auctioneer
* ''Glaucus and Cotta'' - Bath House Contractors * ''Glaucus and Cotta'' – Bath House Contractors
* ''Sosia Favonia'' - Daughter of Falco and Helena * ''Sosia Favonia'' – Daughter of Falco and Helena
* ''Helena Justina'' - Wife of Falco, and daughter of the ] Decimus Camillus Verus * ''Helena Justina'' – Wife of Falco, and daughter of the ] Decimus Camillus Verus
* ''Julia Junilla Laeitana'' - Daughter of Falco and Helena * ''Julia Junilla Laeitana'' – Daughter of Falco and Helena
* ''Lucius Petronius Longus'' - Friend of Falco and Vigiles Officer * ''Lucius Petronius Longus'' – Friend of Falco and Vigiles Officer
* ''Maia Favonia'' - Falco's widowed sister * ''Maia Favonia'' – Falco's widowed sister
* ''Marcus Didius Falco'' - Informer and Imperial Agent. * ''Marcus Didius Falco'' – Informer and Imperial Agent.
* ''Perella'' - Dancer and Spy * ''Perella'' – Dancer and Spy
* ''Quintus Camillus Justinus'' - Younger brother of Aelianus * ''Quintus Camillus Justinus'' – Younger brother of Aelianus
* ''Vespasian'' - Emperor of Rome * ''Vespasian'' – Emperor of Rome


===In Britain=== ===In Britain===
* ''Alexas'' - Doctor * ''Alexas'' – Doctor
* ''Blandus'' - Painter * ''Blandus'' – Painter
* ''Cyprianus'' - Clerk of Works * ''Cyprianus'' – Clerk of Works
* ''Gaius'' - Clerk * ''Gaius'' – Clerk
* ''Lupus'' - Overseas labour force supervisor * ''Lupus'' – Overseas labour force supervisor
* ''Magnus'' - Surveyor * ''Magnus'' – Surveyor
* ''Mandumerus'' - Local labour force supervisor * ''Mandumerus'' – Local labour force supervisor
* ''Marcellinus'' - Retired Architect * ''Marcellinus'' – Retired Architect
* ''Milchato'' - Marble Mason * ''Milchato'' – Marble Mason
* ''Philocles'' - Mosaicist * ''Philocles'' – Mosaicist
* ''Plancus'' - Assistant Architect * ''Plancus'' – Assistant Architect
* ''Pomponius'' - Project Manager * ''Pomponius'' – Project Manager
* ''Rectus'' - Draining Engineer * ''Rectus'' – Draining Engineer
* ''Sextius'' - Mechanical statue-seller * ''Sextius'' – Mechanical statue-seller
* ''Strephon'' - Assistant Architect * ''Strephon'' – Assistant Architect
* ''T. Claudius Togidunus'' - Great King of the Britons * ''T. Claudius Togidubnus'' – Great King of the Britons
* ''Timagenes'' - Gardener * ''Timagenes'' – Gardener
* ''Verovolcus'' - Briton working for Togidubnus * ''Verovolcus'' – Briton working for Togidubnus
* ''Virginia'' - Barmaid * ''Virginia'' – Barmaid


==Major themes== ==Major themes==
* Investigation into corruption at the building of a palace of an influential Roman ally. * Investigation into corruption at the building of a palace of an influential Roman ally.
* The obsessive pursuit of Maia by Anacrites. * The obsessive pursuit of Maia by Anacrites.
* Falco's induction of his brothers-in-law as his investigative associates


==Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science== ==Allusions/references to history==
* Set in ] and ], in AD 75, during the reign of Emperor ]. * Set in ] and ], in AD 75, during the reign of Emperor ].
* ], in the village of ] in ], is one of the most important ] sites in England. * ], in the village of ] in West Sussex, is one of the most important ] sites in England.
* Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus (or ]) was a 1st-century king of the ] in early ]. * Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus (or ]) was a 1st-century king of the ] in early ].


==Release details== ==Release details==
* 2001, UK, Century Hardback ISBN 0-7126-8039-X * 2001, UK, Century Hardback {{ISBN|0-7126-8039-X}}
* 2002, UK, Arrow, Paperback ISBN 0-09-929830-9 * 2002, UK, Arrow, Paperback {{ISBN|0-09-929830-9}}
* UK, Chivers/BBC AudioBooks, read by Christian Rodska, Cassettes ISBN 0-7540-9769-2 CD audios ISBN 1-4056-7048-7 * UK, Chivers/BBC AudioBooks, read by Christian Rodska, Cassettes {{ISBN|0-7540-9769-2}} CD audios {{ISBN|1-4056-7048-7}}
* UK, Isis, Large Print ISBN 0-7531-6612-7 * UK, Isis, Large Print {{ISBN|0-7531-6612-7}}
* 2002, US, Mysterious Press, Hardback ISBN 0-89296-771-4 * 2002, US, Mysterious Press, Hardback (''A Body in the Bathhouse'') {{ISBN|0-89296-771-4}}
* US, Mysterious Press, Paperback ISBN 0-446-69170-4 * US, Mysterious Press, Paperback (''A Body in the Bathhouse'') {{ISBN|0-446-69170-4}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}


==Sources, references, external links, quotations== == External links ==
* Author's Official Website


{{Falco novels}} {{Falco novels}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Body in the Bath House, A}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Body in the Bath House, A}}
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Latest revision as of 14:55, 6 June 2024

2001 novel by Lindsey Davis

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A Body in the Bath House
First edition
AuthorLindsey Davis
LanguageEnglish
SeriesMarcus Didius Falco
GenreHistorical fiction crime novel
PublisherCentury
Publication date2001
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint (hardback and paperback)
Pages352 pp (Hardback edition)
ISBN0-7126-7854-9
OCLC47675102
Preceded byOde to a Banker 
Followed byThe Jupiter Myth 

A Body in the Bath House is a 2001 historical mystery crime novel by Lindsey Davis and the 13th book of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set in Rome and Britannia in AD 75, the novel stars Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent. The title refers to the discovery of a corpse hidden beneath the floor of one bath house and a murder which takes place in another. American editions spell "bathhouse" in the title as one word.

Plot summary

When Marcus Didius Falco discovers a corpse hidden under the floor of his new bath house, he starts to track down the men responsible – Glaucus and Cotta. He also receives a commission from the Emperor Vespasian. A building project for the British Chieftain Togidubnus is running late and over-budget. The first phase of construction had gone smoothly – the first buildings on site were granaries, providing a supply base for the Roman army, constructed in the early part of the conquest. But progress had stalled on the stone-walled house and bath suite that would be Togidubnus's residence. Suspecting that the men he seeks have fled to Britain, Falco accepts the mission and travels there with his wife, two baby daughters, their nurse, and his two brothers-in-law Aelianus and Justinus.

Falco arrives at Fishbourne and starts by investigating corrupt practices. However events quickly take a turn for the worse when the Chief Architect is found murdered in the bath-house of the British King. Falco takes over the project and investigates the killings.

Characters

In Rome

  • Aulus Camillus Aelianus – Younger brother of Helena
  • Anacrites – Chief Spy
  • Camilla Hyspale – Nursemaid to Julia and Favonia
  • Marcus Didius Geminus – Father of Falco, Auctioneer
  • Glaucus and Cotta – Bath House Contractors
  • Sosia Favonia – Daughter of Falco and Helena
  • Helena Justina – Wife of Falco, and daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus Verus
  • Julia Junilla Laeitana – Daughter of Falco and Helena
  • Lucius Petronius Longus – Friend of Falco and Vigiles Officer
  • Maia Favonia – Falco's widowed sister
  • Marcus Didius Falco – Informer and Imperial Agent.
  • Perella – Dancer and Spy
  • Quintus Camillus Justinus – Younger brother of Aelianus
  • Vespasian – Emperor of Rome

In Britain

  • Alexas – Doctor
  • Blandus – Painter
  • Cyprianus – Clerk of Works
  • Gaius – Clerk
  • Lupus – Overseas labour force supervisor
  • Magnus – Surveyor
  • Mandumerus – Local labour force supervisor
  • Marcellinus – Retired Architect
  • Milchato – Marble Mason
  • Philocles – Mosaicist
  • Plancus – Assistant Architect
  • Pomponius – Project Manager
  • Rectus – Draining Engineer
  • Sextius – Mechanical statue-seller
  • Strephon – Assistant Architect
  • T. Claudius Togidubnus – Great King of the Britons
  • Timagenes – Gardener
  • Verovolcus – Briton working for Togidubnus
  • Virginia – Barmaid

Major themes

  • Investigation into corruption at the building of a palace of an influential Roman ally.
  • The obsessive pursuit of Maia by Anacrites.
  • Falco's induction of his brothers-in-law as his investigative associates

Allusions/references to history

Release details

References

External links

Marcus Didius Falco and Flavia Albia series by Lindsey Davis
Falco series
Albia series
Related works
Categories: