The Song of the Gladiator. Paul Doherty. Headline (2004)

A really enjoyable mystery story set in Imperial Rome. The Christian Church having survived a savage persecution by Diocletian has emerged as a public force under Emperor Constantine and more significantly his mother, Helena. The church is riven by theological disputes and Constantine invites leader to a debate at the Villa Pulchra. At the same time the gladiator Murranus discovers his opponent has been poisoned, enormous bets have been placed and it appears someone wants to ensure a profitable result. Claudia, Murranus' lover and Helena's spy is summoned to the Villa Pulchra where she finds that there is no shortage of plotting. When as scared relic disappears and one of the churchmen is violently murdered the situation becomes critical. The plot moves very swiftly, encompassing imperial politics, murder and deadly gladiatorial games with sure confidence. The reveals are very well stages and the conclusion highly satisfactory.
Paul Dohery creates a large and very lively cast within a vividly realised setting. The story moves easily from the Imperial debates at the Villa Pulchra with the treacherous undertows that swirl around it to the dangers of being a gladiator. The greatest danger was not necessarily within the arena, there at least the opponent was clearly identified and rules did apply. Outside the arena with so much money at stake the dangers were much greater and much better concealed.
Claudia is a great character, she has keen wits and great courage. She acts to drive events and to control and shape them, as do the rest of the cast. This makes for an exciting and swift narrative, there are no passengers in the story. Everybody wants to be seen and heard and Paul Doherty has the skill to ensure that they are without the story loosing form or focus. Highly entertaining with a very well developed mystery at its heart, well worth reading.

Murder's Immortal Mask. Paul Doherty. Headline Publishing Group. (2008)

A very enjoyable period crime story set in Imperial Rome. Two prostitutes are found murdered and mutilated, creating fears that a notorious killer, Nefandus, had returned to the city. Attius Enobarbus, suspected in the past of being Nefandus, is found murdered in a room locked from the inside. Attius was involved with plans being made by the Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena and his death raises questions that need to be answered. Helena gives her favourite investigator, Claudia, the task of finding out who killed Attica and finding Nefandus. The case is severely complicated by the recent rise in power by the Christian Church and the location of one of its most important and sacred sites. The story is very well structured, the reveals are well staged, the plot lines are carefully bound up together and the conclusion is very satisfying.
The sturdy plot and the well designed mechanics are not the greatest pleasure of the book, that lies with the cast and the context. Paul Doherty has a considerable gift for creating engaging and credible characters who fit into their environment. Claudia moves through a brilliantly evoked Rome like a native, from the dreadful slums to the Imperial Palace she confidently carries out her investigation. She is confident and competent, she works hard at the problems presented to her. The supporting cast, including a superbly unpleasant villain, are very well developed, they all have the spark of life within them. Rome itself, with is narrow streets, bustling crowds and myriad smells is sharply realised, the barely restrained brutality of life in the city is made clear and adds depth and colour to the story.
Thoroughly engaging and very well written, a pleasure.