Set in Rome and Greece between September and October AD 76, See Delphi and Die stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the seventeenth in her Falco series. As with many of the other Falco novels, See Delphi and Die uses a "modern" idea - in this case, the holiday package tour - as a device around which to build the story.
Explanation of the novel's title
The title is a reference to the deaths which take place at tourist attractions in Ancient Greece, including the sanctuary at Delphi, while riffing off Goethe's "See Naples and die", which refers to the grandeur of the capital of the Two Sicilies under the House of Bourbon.
Plot summary
Falco hears details of two young Roman women who have gone missing after going to Greece to see the sights of the ancient world. Falco and his wife, Helena, travel to the area and meet up with the tour party which included one of the women, seeking clues to her murder.
Characters in "See Delphi and Die"
Romans
Caesius Secundus - Father whose daughter has died
Claudius Laeta - Imperial Official
Decimus Camillus Verus - Senator, married to Julia Justa
Julia Justa - Wife of Decimus Camillus Verus
Polystratus - Travel salesman
On the 'Tracks and Temples Tour'
The Sertorius Family
Cleonymus and Cleonyma
Amaranthus and Minucia
Indus
Volcasius
Marinus
Helvia
Turcius Opimus
Travelling independently
Albia - Young street girl adopted by Helena
Gaius and Cornelius - Falco's nephews
Glaucus the Younger - Son of Marcus' personal trainer and aspiring athlete
Helena Justina - Wife of Falco, and daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus Verus
Marcus Didius Falco - Informer and Imperial Agent.
Marcella Naevia - Aunt and travelling companion of deceased girl, Caesia.
In Olympia
Barzanes - Tour guide
Milo of Dordona
Lacheses - Priest
Megiste
Myron
In Corinth
Aquillus Macer - Quaestor
Phineus - Tour guide
In Delphi
Aulus Camillus Aelianus - Son of Decimus Camillus Verus
Minas of Karystos - Aulus' tutor
Major themes
Investigation into murders taking place amongst Roman holidaymakers touring Greece.
Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science
