Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

The Fufidii were affluent people without rank, and only marriage to the right family could rectify it. Helvia, the matriarch, had already set her sights on a senator’s son for her daughter, Fufidia. However, a chance meeting between Fufidia and the noble Lucius changed the plan. Fufidia fell deeply in love with Lucius against the voices of reason, but he wanted the marriage because she came with a large dowry. His family had fallen on hard times. A banquet hosted in honor of the betrothed couple degenerated into a nightmare when one of the primary players dropped dead. Helvia was the prime suspect. Did she do it? Will the marriage hold? A Roman Death by Joan O’Hagan takes us into the legal setting and chaos during the reign of Julius Caesar.

If you love action-packed historical novels that make your heart race in anticipation, A Roman Death by Joan O’Hagan ticks all the boxes. This book is a masterpiece first-century story of the Roman Empire, loaded with facts gained from thorough research. Heated arguments, scheming, displays of emotions, politics, weird culture, greed, manipulation, sorcery, and plot twists added to the story’s appeal. I couldn’t wait for what happened next. Eucharis was a force, and I don’t want to imagine how Pamphilus turned out because he was wiser than his years. I had many favorite characters in this book, but Gratidia and Fufidia were my best. They were velvet-wrapped steel!