Books like Food for the Fishes

Food for the Fishes is a cosy-style mystery, where Corvinus is entangled in a murder amongst a rich family rife with infighting that wouldn't shame an 80's melodrama.What to ExpectCorvinus is on holiday again, this time in Baiae - vacation capital for Rome's rich and powerful. One such family runs a lucrative fish-farming business - but when the father is found dead and the town's drunk is accused, Corvinus can't help but get involved.We get treated to a cosy-style, small-set murder mystery, where every member of the family and business hates the others with a passion that wouldn't look out of place in the 80's Dynasty or Dallas. Corvinus does his usual best, as does Wishart with twists and turns that keep surprising the reader and stymieing Corvinus.Although this is book 10 of the series and there is some continuity from past books (recurring characters), because events are not related to the previous novels it can be read out of order.What I likedWishart breathes life into Roman life, with engaging characters and complex plots. His research and anecdotes are always top notch, the writing style fluent and immersive. Corvinus has a most unique voice that is a joy to read.As with the previous novels, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. It makes for very enjoyable experience for lovers of those genres.What to be aware ofThough Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to the Forum as Market Square). I find this a bit diluting the experience of Rome, which is a big factor to anyone reading Roman-era fiction.SummaryThis is an excellent addition to the series. If you like cosy mysteries and Roman-era detectives (e.g. by the likes of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, and Ruth Downie), you really need to read the Corvinus series as well. This is as good a starting point as any.--Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.