A Body in the Bath House is a 2001 historical mysterycrime novel by Lindsey Davis and the 13th book of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set in Rome and Britannia in AD 75, the novel stars Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent. The title refers to the discovery of a corpse hidden beneath the floor of one bath house and a murder which takes place in another. American editions spell "bathhouse" in the title as one word.
Plot summary
When Marcus Didius Falco discovers a corpse hidden under the floor of his new bath house, he starts to track down the men responsible – Glaucus and Cotta. He also receives a commission from the Emperor Vespasian. A building project for the British Chieftain Togidubnus is running late and over-budget. The first phase of construction had gone smoothly – the first buildings on site were granaries, providing a supply base for the Roman army, constructed in the early part of the conquest. But progress had stalled on the stone-walled house and bath suite that would be Togidubnus's residence. Suspecting that the men he seeks have fled to Britain, Falco accepts the mission and travels there with his wife, two baby daughters, their nurse, and his two brothers-in-law Aelianus and Justinus.
Falco arrives at Fishbourne and starts by investigating corrupt practices. However events quickly take a turn for the worse when the Chief Architect is found murdered in the bath-house of the British King. Falco takes over the project and investigates the killings.
Characters
In Rome
Aulus Camillus Aelianus – Younger brother of Helena
Anacrites – Chief Spy
Camilla Hyspale – Nursemaid to Julia and Favonia
Marcus Didius Geminus – Father of Falco, Auctioneer
Glaucus and Cotta – Bath House Contractors
Sosia Favonia – Daughter of Falco and Helena
Helena Justina – Wife of Falco, and daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus Verus
Julia Junilla Laeitana – Daughter of Falco and Helena
Lucius Petronius Longus – Friend of Falco and Vigiles Officer
Maia Favonia – Falco's widowed sister
Marcus Didius Falco – Informer and Imperial Agent.
Perella – Dancer and Spy
Quintus Camillus Justinus – Younger brother of Aelianus
Vespasian – Emperor of Rome
In Britain
Alexas – Doctor
Blandus – Painter
Cyprianus – Clerk of Works
Gaius – Clerk
Lupus – Overseas labour force supervisor
Magnus – Surveyor
Mandumerus – Local labour force supervisor
Marcellinus – Retired Architect
Milchato – Marble Mason
Philocles – Mosaicist
Plancus – Assistant Architect
Pomponius – Project Manager
Rectus – Draining Engineer
Sextius – Mechanical statue-seller
Strephon – Assistant Architect
T. Claudius Togidubnus – Great King of the Britons
Timagenes – Gardener
Verovolcus – Briton working for Togidubnus
Virginia – Barmaid
Major themes
Investigation into corruption at the building of a palace of an influential Roman ally.
The obsessive pursuit of Maia by Anacrites.
Falco's induction of his brothers-in-law as his investigative associates
