It's June A.D. 80. Everyone is thinking about love at the lavish Villa Limona, where friends Flavia, Jonathan, Lupus, and Nubia have come to visit for the summer. But their host suspects that there's a poisoner among the houseguests, and the friends are asked to investigate. Faced with many distractions, including the arrival of Flavia's betrothed, can they set a trap to catch the culprit?
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Romanophilia for juveniles
Inspiring kids to read these days is no mean feat in the wake of crumbling educational systems. One is considered lucky if one's child buys into the global media hype of Harry Potter. Even luckier, supposedly, are those who start studying Elvish at the behest of Tolkien. I am not myself a parent, but I wonder offhand if there is something better to inspire children than overblown fantasy epics. Were I to have kids, I'd want to teach them something more valuable. I'd want them to learn history, to ... Read More
Rating: - Laughter, Love, and Lessons Learned
When it comes to accurate historical detail and convincing depiction of ancient Roman society, author Caroline Lawrence knows whereof she writes. Before becoming a children's book author, Caroline Lawrence was a student of Classics at Berkeley and later at Cambridge, as well as a teacher of Latin at a small London primary school.
I am a librarian by profession and have read all of the books in Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries series. The Sirens of Surrentum is one of her best. ... Read More
Rating: - Well-written but not appropriate
I've enjoyed all of the Roman Mysteries and my son and daughter are reading them as well. I had my son skip this particular book after I read it because I thought the themes were not really appropriate. When my daughter gets to this title, I'll skip it for her as well. Fortunately, I just had to tell my son that there was a lot of kissing between the characters and he was actually thankful he didn't have to read it.
While the author is not gratuitous, I felt there were times that ... Read More
Rating: - Another Good Roman Mystery Book
The Sirens of Surrentum is another excellent book in the Roman Mysteries series. I read this and all the previous books in this series to my 7 year old daughter, who has thoroughly enjoyed them. The books should be read in order, as significant events occur in each book and each book builds upon the previous books.
The Sirens, like the other books in this series, has an interesting story line that will interest juvenile detective fans. The mysteries are more realistic and multi ... Read More
Rating: - Ugh. Just...ugh.
[minor spoilers]
I have much enjoyed almost all of the other books in the Roman Mysteries series, but this one is definately my least favourite. Sirens deals with adultery, promiscuity and related topics and it's the first RM book that I really didn't like at all. Philodemas is the only sane one! Even Lupus- a nine year old, for heaven's sake!- and Jonathan row out in a boat to see some sunbathing women (including Flavia and Nubia) *ahem*...au natreul. I know Roman children had to grow ... Read More
- Romanophilia for juveniles
- Well-written but not appropriate
- Ugh. Just...ugh.
