Book Log 2010 #45: Conspirata by Robert Harris

The second book in his series featuring Roman orator and politician Cicero, it picks up at the start of the consulship Cicero won at the end of the first book. The joy of gaining the position is quickly dashed when a ritual murder leads to the uncovering of a plot that puts both Cicero and Rome in peril. How Cicero deals with the plot colors the rest of the book, which covers a span of five years (his one year consulship and four years following).

Harris does a great job of showing the precarious nature of Cicero's existence at this point, as he aligns with the patricians who don't really accept him against the populists whose quest for ultimate control offends his belief in a republican Rome. We also see how individual decisions can completely change one person's life, as Cicero faces increasingly realistic threats to his life based on those choices.

Balancing it all are the glimpses of Cicero's home life, his cool but absolutely critical marriage, his love for his children, and the dependence he has on his slave Tiro, who is the narrator. This adds emotion and depth to what, in lesser hands, could wind up as an average historical thriller.

It's been four years since the first book in the series came out, which was way too long (he interruped writing this one to write The Ghost, which didn't really justify the delay). Thankfully, the final book will be out next year. If Romans and/or political intrigue are your thing, read this series.