On Hadrian's Secret Service
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3.3 • 4 Ratings
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Publisher Description
In a murky world of mystery and espionage, a Roman soldier discovers a plot to murder Emperor Hadrian...
‘…a very solid book, enjoyable to read and thrilling to follow…’ Koit (Goodreads reviewer)
AD 120. A new emperor is on the throne. In Britain, Gaius Flaminius Drusus, auxiliary tribune of the Ninth Legion, survives an attack by barbarians only to find himself flung into a world of mystery and intrigue when he is seconded to the Roman secret service. Plots and counterplots are brewing. The sinister Caledonian druids are planning something. But also acting suspiciously is the Roman governor, Falco.
When he uncovers a plan to assassinate the emperor, Flaminius finds himself outlawed and on the run. Accompanied by a Celtic warrior woman he sets out on an epic journey from the edges of empire to its pulsing heart, followed by a final chase through the secret tunnels beneath Hadrian’s Villa.
And disaster strikes when it is least expected…
The first in a series, ON HADRIAN’S SECRET SERVICE is a gripping story of espionage and conspiracy, - for fans of Simon Scarrow, Ben Kane, Harry Sidebottom, and Conn Iggulden.
More praise for ON HADRIAN’S SECRET SERVICE:
‘…a good novel of the genre…’ Brian Turner
‘I felt as if I was in the middle of the action…’ James Brown
‘Hard to put the book down…’ Robert C Cusick
Customer Reviews
“By Jove”
Technically true to Rome - “By Jove” is swearing upon Jupiter - but seriously ? You just turned your 140AD character into a stuffy Brit!
We cannot “hear” that phrase any other way - the association to modern culture is too strong. As are other phrases: “officer’s mess,” “quite a looker.” The author is both true to his story with beautiful writing - and lost in anachronism.
Historical accuracy of names and places are ancient and appear well researched… However… Hadrian began his rule of Rome in 117AD and we meet him celebrating his 4th year as Emperor- nowhere close to 140AD… and so the beginning of this book is 2 years into the next Emperor’s reign.
All this I just found thru Google while looking for the location of Caledonia.
So - with no plot reason to miss these dates - I can only call the author careless. The joy of historical fiction is to learn something and basic accuracy is pretty easy to track down - if you can be bothered to do it.
This is just fiction - enjoy as such.