The Assassins of Rome: The Roman Mysteries, Book V
Gr. 5-8. It's A.D. 79, and the four motherless friends from previous books in the Roman Mysteries series are back again: Flavia, the sea captain's daughter; Nubia, once Flavia's slave but now freed; Lupus, the fierce mute boy; and Jonathan, the son of a Jewish doctor and secret Christian. On the eve of Jonathan's birthday, Jonathan's uncle Simeon arrives, bringing tales of an assassin stalking the emperor Titus, of Titus' cruelty during the siege of Jerusalem, and of Titus' enslavement of Jewish women. Jonathan's curiosity about the fate of his mother, who stayed in Jerusalem after the rest of the family left, leads the friends on a vivid adventure in Rome. Lawrence seamlessly slips a good deal of Roman history and lore into the narrative, along with a variety of words and concepts through explanations to Nubia, who is learning Latin; a glossary is appended. Consider this a strong addition to the series.GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved