Lindsey Davis
Encyclopedia
Lindsey Davis is an English historical novel
ist, best known as the author of the Falco
series of crime stories set in ancient Rome and its empire.
and after taking a degree in English literature
at Oxford University (Lady Margaret Hall
), she became a civil servant
. She left the civil service after 13 years, and when a romantic novel she had written was runner up for the 1985 Georgette Heyer
Historical Novel Prize, she decided to become a writer, writing at first romantic serials for the UK women's magazine Woman's Realm.
Her interest in history
and archaeology
led to her writing a historical novel about Vespasian
and his lover Antonia Caenis (The Course of Honour), for which she could not find a publisher. She tried again, and her first novel featuring the Roman
"detective
", Marcus Didius Falco
, The Silver Pigs, set in the same time period and published in 1989, was the start of her runaway success as a writer of historical whodunnit
s. A further eighteen Falco novels have followed, as well as The Course of Honour, which was finally published in 1998. Rebels and Traitors
, set in the period of the English Civil War
, was published in September 2009. Nemesis
, the twentieth Falco title, is to be published in June 2010, as is Falco: The Official Companion. Davis has won many literary awards, and was honorary president of the Classical Association
from 1997 to 1998.
The dedication of her 2009 work Rebels and Traitors
is "For Richard / dearest and closest of friends / your favourite book / in memory", and the author's website tells that "I am still getting used to life without my dear Richard. For those of you who haven't seen this before, he died in October [2008]". The author says in her publisher's newsletter: "The greatest recommendation I can
give is that Richard, its first reader, thought it wonderful. He devoured chunks, demanding ‘Bring
more story!’ even when he was in hospital. One of the last things I was ever able to tell him was that Rebels and Traitors was to be published by Random House, so I would be working with dear friends for his favourite book."
Omnibus editions:
Associated publication
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
ist, best known as the author of the Falco
Marcus Didius Falco
Marcus Didius Falco is the central character and narrator in a series of novels by Lindsey Davis. Using the concepts of modern detective stories , Davis portrays the world of the Roman Empire under Vespasian...
series of crime stories set in ancient Rome and its empire.
Biography
Davis was born in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
and after taking a degree in English literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
at Oxford University (Lady Margaret Hall
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Lady Margaret Hall is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, located at the end of Norham Gardens in north Oxford. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £34m....
), she became a civil servant
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
. She left the civil service after 13 years, and when a romantic novel she had written was runner up for the 1985 Georgette Heyer
Georgette Heyer
Georgette Heyer was a British historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth. In 1925 Heyer married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer...
Historical Novel Prize, she decided to become a writer, writing at first romantic serials for the UK women's magazine Woman's Realm.
Her interest in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
led to her writing a historical novel about Vespasian
Vespasian
Vespasian , was Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD. Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for a quarter century. Vespasian was descended from a family of equestrians, who rose into the senatorial rank under the Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
and his lover Antonia Caenis (The Course of Honour), for which she could not find a publisher. She tried again, and her first novel featuring the Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
"detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
", Marcus Didius Falco
Marcus Didius Falco
Marcus Didius Falco is the central character and narrator in a series of novels by Lindsey Davis. Using the concepts of modern detective stories , Davis portrays the world of the Roman Empire under Vespasian...
, The Silver Pigs, set in the same time period and published in 1989, was the start of her runaway success as a writer of historical whodunnit
Historical whodunnit
The historical whodunnit is a sub-genre of historical fiction which bears elements of the classical mystery novel, in which the central plot involves a crime and the setting has some historical significance. One of the big areas of debate within the community of fans is what makes a given setting...
s. A further eighteen Falco novels have followed, as well as The Course of Honour, which was finally published in 1998. Rebels and Traitors
Rebels and Traitors
Rebels and Traitors by British historical novelist Lindsey Davis was published by Random House in September 2009 . In contrast to the ancient Roman setting of the Falco books and Course of Honour, this book is set in the English Civil War period of the 17th century...
, set in the period of the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, was published in September 2009. Nemesis
Nemesis (Lindsey Davis novel)
Nemesis was published in June 2010, and is the twentieth Marcus Didius Falco novel by British historical writer Lindsey Davis. ISBN 978-1846056123...
, the twentieth Falco title, is to be published in June 2010, as is Falco: The Official Companion. Davis has won many literary awards, and was honorary president of the Classical Association
Classical Association
The Classical Association is a British learned society in the field of classics, and a registered charity.The association was founded on 19 December 1903, and its objects are defined in its constitution as:...
from 1997 to 1998.
The dedication of her 2009 work Rebels and Traitors
Rebels and Traitors
Rebels and Traitors by British historical novelist Lindsey Davis was published by Random House in September 2009 . In contrast to the ancient Roman setting of the Falco books and Course of Honour, this book is set in the English Civil War period of the 17th century...
is "For Richard / dearest and closest of friends / your favourite book / in memory", and the author's website tells that "I am still getting used to life without my dear Richard. For those of you who haven't seen this before, he died in October [2008]". The author says in her publisher's newsletter: "The greatest recommendation I can
give is that Richard, its first reader, thought it wonderful. He devoured chunks, demanding ‘Bring
more story!’ even when he was in hospital. One of the last things I was ever able to tell him was that Rebels and Traitors was to be published by Random House, so I would be working with dear friends for his favourite book."
Marcus Didius Falco
- The Silver PigsThe Silver PigsThe Silver Pigs is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis. Set in Rome and Britannia during AD 70, just after the year of the four emperors, The Silver Pigs stars Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent....
(1989) - Shadows in BronzeShadows in Bronze-Plot introduction:Set in Rome during AD 71, Shadows in Bronze stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent.-Explanation of the novel's title:...
(1990) - Venus in CopperVenus in Copper-Plot introduction:Set in Rome during August and September of AD 71, Venus in Copper stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent.-Explanation of the novel's title:...
(1991) - The Iron Hand of MarsThe Iron Hand of Mars-Plot introduction:Set in Rome and Germania during AD 71, The Iron Hand of Mars stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the fourth in her Falco series.-Explanation of the novel's title:...
(1992) - Poseidon's GoldPoseidon's Gold- Plot introduction :Set in Rome during AD 72, Poseidon's Gold stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the fifth in her Falco series.- Explanation of the novel's title :...
(1993) - Last Act in PalmyraLast Act in PalmyraLast Act in Palmyra is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis.-Plot introduction:Set in Rome, Nabatea and Palmyra during AD 72, Last Act in Palmyra stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
(1994) - Time to DepartTime to DepartTime to Depart is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis.-Plot introduction:Set in Rome during October AD 72, Time to Depart stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
(1995) - A Dying Light in CordubaA Dying Light in Corduba-Plot introduction:Set in Rome and Imperial Spain during the spring and summer of AD 73, A Dying Light in Corduba stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
(1996) - Three Hands in the FountainThree Hands in the Fountain-Plot introduction:Set in Rome between August and October, AD 73, Three Hands in the Fountain stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
(1997) - Two for the LionsTwo for the Lions-Plot introduction:Set in Rome and Tripolitania between December AD 73 and May AD 74, Two for the Lions stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
(1998) - One Virgin Too ManyOne Virgin Too Many-Plot introduction:Set in Rome between 27 May and 7 June AD 74, One Virgin Too Many features Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the eleventh in her Falco series.-Explanation of the novel's title:...
(1999) - Ode to a BankerOde to a Banker-Plot introduction:Set in Rome between July and August AD 74, Ode to a Banker stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the twelfth in her Falco series, and a take on the vanity publishing industry.-Explanation of the novel's title:...
(2000) - A Body in the Bath HouseA Body in the Bath House-Plot introduction:Set in Rome and Britannia in AD 75, A Body in the Bath House stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the thirteenth in her Falco series.-Explanation of the novel's title:...
(2001) - The Jupiter MythThe Jupiter Myth-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 Davis' Falco series.-Explanation of the novel's title:...
(2002) - The AccusersThe AccusersThe Accusers is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis.-Plot introduction:Set in Ancient Rome between Autumn AD 75 and Spring AD 76, The Accusers features Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
(2003) - Scandal Takes a HolidayScandal Takes a HolidayScandal Takes a Holiday is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis.-Plot introduction:Set in Ostia Antica during AD 76, Scandal Takes a Holiday stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
(2004) - See Delphi and DieSee Delphi and Die-Plot introduction:Set in Rome and Greece between September and October AD 76, See Delphi and Die stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the seventeenth in her Falco series...
(2005) - SaturnaliaSaturnalia (book)Saturnalia is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis.-Plot introduction:Set in Rome Saturnalia stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
(2007) - AlexandriaAlexandria (novel)Alexandria is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis, published in 2009. It is the nineteenth in her Falco series, starring Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent.-Plot introduction:...
(2009) - NemesisNemesis (Lindsey Davis novel)Nemesis was published in June 2010, and is the twentieth Marcus Didius Falco novel by British historical writer Lindsey Davis. ISBN 978-1846056123...
(2010)
Omnibus editions:
- Falco on His Metal (1999)
- Venus in Copper
- The Iron Hand of Mars
- Poseidon's Gold
- Falco on the Loose (2003)
- Last Act in Palmyra
- Time to Depart
- A Dying Light in Corduba
Associated publication
- Falco: The Official Companion (2010)
Other novels
- The Course of Honour (1998)
- Rebels and TraitorsRebels and TraitorsRebels and Traitors by British historical novelist Lindsey Davis was published by Random House in September 2009 . In contrast to the ancient Roman setting of the Falco books and Course of Honour, this book is set in the English Civil War period of the 17th century...
(2009) - Master and God (to be published 15 March 2012 by Hodder and Stoughton: set in reign of Domitian)
Awards and nominations
- Short listed for the Georgette HeyerGeorgette HeyerGeorgette Heyer was a British historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth. In 1925 Heyer married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer...
Prize for two unpublished works (pre-Falco). - Winner of the Author's Club Prize for "Best First Novel" in 1989 for The Silver PigsThe Silver PigsThe Silver Pigs is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis. Set in Rome and Britannia during AD 70, just after the year of the four emperors, The Silver Pigs stars Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent....
. - Winner of the Crime Writers' AssociationCrime Writers' AssociationThe Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
(CWA): Dagger in the LibraryDagger in the LibraryThe Dagger in the Library is an annual award given by the British Crime Writers' Association to a particular author. The award is given to a "living author who has given the most pleasure to readers". Yearly shortlists are drawn up from submissions by libraries across United Kingdom, and the final...
for being an author "whose work has given most pleasure" in 1995. http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/index.html - Winner of the first Ellis Peters Historical Dagger awarded by the Crime Writers' AssociationCrime Writers' AssociationThe Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
in 1999 for Two for the LionsTwo for the Lions-Plot introduction:Set in Rome and Tripolitania between December AD 73 and May AD 74, Two for the Lions stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent...
. http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/index.html - Winner of the Sherlock Award for the Best Comic Detective in 2000 for Didius Falco. http://www.sherlockholmes.com/media/awards-winners.htm
- Awarded the 2010 Premio ColosseoPremio ColosseoThe Premio Colosseo is a prize awarded to a person who has enhanced the image of the city of Rome. It was inaugurated in 2009, the 2000th anniversary of the birth of emperor Vespasian, builder of the Colosseum...
, awarded by the city of Rome to someone who "has enhanced the image of Rome in the world" - Winner of the 2011 Cartier Diamond DaggerCartier Diamond DaggerThe Cartier Diamond Dagger is an award given by the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain to authors who have made an outstanding lifetime's contribution to the genre. The 2011 winner is Lindsey Davis.-Winners:* 1986 - Eric Ambler* 1987 - P. D...
from the Crime Writers' AssociationCrime Writers' AssociationThe Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....