A Point of Law is a jaunty little historical mystery set in ancient Rome during the turbulent times at the end of the Republic. The protagonist, Decius Caecillius Metellus (the younger), returns to Rome after a successful campaign against pirates in Cyprus. Flush with cash, he is hoping for election as praetor, the next rung on the ladder for an upwardly mobile young Roman of good family. After all, he sponsored a lavish set of public games during his tenure as an Aedile, and thanks to his exploits in Cyprus, he has the money to sponsor a host of clients to promote him for election. His marriage to Julia, the smart and spunky niece of Julius Caesar, can only help his rise to fame and fortune.

On his first day back in the forum, however, he is publicly accused of extortion by an ambitious young nobody named Fulvius. The shouting mob of hoodlums elaborating on Fulvius' charges is annoying, but not really frightening to Decius, a veteran of senatorial intrigue and the occasional street violence that enlivens the forum. However, Decius prudently retires to his father's house to catch up on local news and gossip (one and the same thing in the collegial power structure of the old Republic) and strategize his defense. On his way to court, however, his plans are frustrated by the inconvenient discovery of Fulvius' dead body on the steps of the basilica where the trial was to have been held. Decius is clearly the person who benefits most from this turn of events; it is not long before he is accused of the murder.

Decius takes this in stride, and sets about investigating the crime with his usual cosmopolitan nonchalance. "Being under suspicion of murder did not hamper my freedom. This is because Romans are civilized people and don't clap suspects into prison like barbarians do. It would take an order of a lawfully convened court even to place me under house arrest," he reassures the reader.

The breezy first-person narrative is an excellent choice for conveying both Decius' amiable character and the world view of an educated upper-class Roman citizen. The resultant twinge of culture shock the reader occasionally experiences is part of what makes this book such an entertaining read. Decius is helped by an ensemble cast comprised of his smart and independent wife, his smart-mouthed ex-slave, and his cynical Egyptian friend. There are also plenty of cameo appearances by actual historical figures: Brutus, Cato, Pompey, Octavian, and so on. This being the tenth book in the SPQR series, Roberts is almost as much at home in ancient Rome as his hero by now. His historical characters ring true, and the many details of Roman life and custom he weaves into the plot give readers the feel of sharing Decius' world. While the actual mystery is not particularly complicated, the theatrics of the final dénouement are unlike any courtroom drama you are likely to see on TV.

A Point of Law will appeal to those interested in ancient Rome but lacking the time or money for a tour of the Forum and Coliseum this summer. For readers not familiar with the period, Roberts' primer on Roman names and the detailed glossary will help put Decius and his adventures in context. John Maddox Roberts is an experienced writer with nearly 50 fantasy and mystery titles to his credit, and his craftsmanship shows in the steady pacing and careful plotting of his newest book.