Requiem (Fisher novel)

Requiem is the fourth novel in Lindsey Davis's Flavia Albia series, following Nemesis, Desperatio, and Venus in Copper. Published in 2017, the historical mystery is set in Rome during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.

The plot revolves around a complex investigation into the suspicious death of Manlius Faustus, a wealthy former vigiles officer, whose demise is initially ruled accidental. Flavia Albia, a private investigator (delatrix) and the adopted daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, is hired by Faustus's freedman, Hilario, to uncover the truth behind his master's death. Hilario believes foul play was involved, despite the official ruling.

Albia’s investigation leads her through the labyrinthine social circles of Rome, encountering a cast of characters including Faustus’s family, former colleagues, rivals, and debtors. She uncovers secrets, hidden motives, and financial improprieties that paint a picture of a man with numerous enemies. The case is further complicated by the discovery of a possible connection to a series of unsolved murders.

Themes explored in Requiem include justice, social inequality, the legacy of the Flavian dynasty, and the challenges faced by women in Roman society. The novel showcases Davis's signature blend of historical detail, witty dialogue, and compelling character development, providing a vivid depiction of life in first-century Rome through the eyes of a resourceful and independent investigator. The title Requiem refers to a mass for the dead, reflecting the central theme of mourning and investigation into wrongful death that permeates the narrative.