cover image Roman Shadows

Roman Shadows

Ron Burns. St. Martin's Press, $18.95 (261pp) ISBN 978-0-312-08514-8

Gaius Livinius Severus, sleuthing hero of the well-received Roman Nights , returns in a tepid adventure that may well leave those unfamiliar with the first book wondering what all the commotion was about. In 43 B.C., nine months after Julius Caesar's assassination, the boy emperor Augustus summons Livinius and reproaches him for submitting a misleading report about events that occurred some years earlier. Augustus wants ``the truth,'' and a lengthy flashback begins in 52 B.C., depicting a three-sided struggle among supporters of the Republic, Caesar and Pompey. At the same time, new bridegroom and senator Livinius investigates the murders of several young men, all of whom have been sodomized. After much political intrigue, the discovery of some long-lost letters and a pat explanation from Augustus help resolve the mystery--no thanks to Livinius, who may be the dimmest Roman of them all. Typical of his meandering, desultory investigative style is this interchange: ``But did he ever actually say anything to give you that idea?'' ``Well, that's just it; in a way it seems like he did . . . but I can't really remember what, exactly.'' The historical characters and situation provide the only heat and action; local color consists of gore and minimal references to food and clothing. ( Sept. )