The Roman Conspiracy

Lisa Arsenault is a high-school English teacher who is involved in
several ministry campaigns to increase literacy.

Aulus Spuinna, a young Roman landowner from the province of Etruria,
seeks out the consul Cicero, his family’s Protector, for help when
disbanded soldiers are demanding land in his territory. En route to Rome
he learns that his uncle has been poisoned. In Rome, Aulus discovers
proof that the murder of his uncle and the machinations of the soldiers
are linked and have a political motivation. While searching a
high-ranking Roman’s house for evidence of complicity in the murder,
Aulus overhears a plot to kill Cicero and all his family. He is able to
foil the assassination attempt, and together with Cicero’s daughter,
Tullia, and his faithful Greek slave, he is instrumental in revealing
the details of the conspiracy and bringing the plotters to justice.

Told in the first person by Aulus, the novel reflects the interests,
concerns, loyalties, and fears of a teenage boy during the turbulent
times of the Roman Republic. Coversations between Aulus and Tullia have
a modern ring, but an attempt has been made to render the speeches
attributed to Cicero in his famous formal style. The characters are
appealing, particularly the Greek slave ironically named Homer by a
previous master when in fact he continually quotes that other famous
Greek poet, Hesiod. The rather unlikely camaraderie between Aulus, his
slave, and Tullia, while not historically probable, does serve to bring
them together to oppose the enemies of Rome.

The reader gets a taste of republican Rome in this short novel: scenes
from daily life, life on the road, and military engagements are
colourfully described, and several historic Roman figures are
featured—Caesar has a cameo appearance.

The Roman Conspiracy is an exciting tale of adventure in which the
exploits of courageous and honourable people and the triumph of right
over might are showcased. Recommended.