Caroline Lawrence Press Reviews
'This book is both educational yet pulls no punches in describing the violent and gory times that were Ancient Rome' - Newbooks Magazine
'Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries series is brought to its dramatic conclusion... This seventeen book epic makes ancient classic stories accessible and exciting. I think the whole package is a tremendous achievement and sure to bring in a whole new readership.' - Sue Steel, Children's Bookseller
'Caroline has taken the reader from Enid Blyton to Mills & Boon in seventeen steps, and I mean that in the best possible way. Few authors claim to have been inspired by romantic fiction, whereas many crime writers do mention Blyton as an early inspiration. Add a good dollop of history, and youve got the whole series of the Roman Mysteries. Personally I have learnt a lot about the brief period that the books cover, and I was never one for Roman Emperors.' Bookwitch
'Lawrence steers this story - and the series - to a romantic and irresistably weepy conclusion, and, like so many good endings, it involves breathless reunions, a journey and a wedding (I mustn't reveal anymore...)' - Daniel Hahn, Independent on Sunday
'This series doesnt disappoint. From the early days of The Thieves of Ostia the books work their way across the Roman world, giving tantalising glimpses into how people lived and magically bringing the past to vibrant life... for all the carefully portioned out history, it is the story that is paramount and over the seventeen books Caroline Lawrence has grown as a storyteller, and as a writer. This final book ends the series triumphantly.' - Leonie Flynn, Ultimate Book Guide Blog
'It is clear that Lawrence is a scholar and, more importantly, she is passionate about the subject of Ancient Rome and about teaching it to children...Even in this day and age, historical accuracy like that present in this book is a valuable way to teach children something interesting; while, hopefully, enthralling them with a solid mystery and a great story.' - Sam North, Hackwriters.com
'Since the release of The Thieves of Ostia in 2002, Caroline Lawrence's rip-roaring Roman Mysteries series has taken its readers on a string of heart-stopping and vividly evoked adventures all over the Roman Empire... the profuse and fascinating historical detail that has been carefully woven into its gripping pages...another absorbing and illuminating historical whodunit...the captivating conclusion to this epic and hugely engrossing series.' - Carousel
About Caroline Lawrence
Caroline Lawrence was our Guest Editor in September 2102 - Click here to see her selections.
Caroline Lawrence was born in London. Her American parents returned to the United States shortly afterwards and she grew up in Bakersfield, California with her younger brother and sister. Her father taught English and drama in a local high school and her mother was an artist.
When she was twelve, Caroline's family moved to Stanford University in northern California so that her father could study Linguistics. Caroline inherited her father's love of words and her mother's love of art. She subsequently studied Classics at Berkeley, where she won a Marshall Scholarship to Cambridge. There, at Newnham College, she studied Classical Art and Archaeology.
The books in the series are:
The Thieves of Ostia
The Secrets of Vesuvius
The Pirates of Pompeii
The Assassins of Rome
The Dolphins of Laurentum
The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina
The Enemies of Jupiter
The Gladiators from Capua
The Colossus of Rhodes
The Fugitive from Corinth
The Sirens of Surrentum
The Charioteer of Delphi
The Slave Girl from Jerusalem
The Beggar of Volubilis
The Scribes from Alexandria
The Prophet from Ephesus
And finally…
The Man from Pomegranate Street
THE ROMAN MYSTERIES have sold over 1.1 million copies since its introduction in 2001 and in 2009 won the Classical Association Prize for 'a significant contribution to the public understanding of Classics' THE ROMAN MYSTERIES has been recognised as having an exemplary combination of entertainment and education.
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