This is a charming short story narrated by Marcus Didius Alexander Postumus who is a small boy of twelve – or maybe eleven – no one is quite sure. He has two mothers and several possible fathers but mainly lives with Helena Justina and Marcus Didius Falco and their other children. At the start of this story he is staying with his biological mother, Thalia who is an animal trainer and entertainer.
Postumus is not the most popular boy in Rome and some find him sinister. He is however intelligent and interested in the world around him and he doesn’t mind doing things like mucking out animal cages which makes him useful to Thalia. His short visit does not get off to a good start when his pet Ferret disappears and Postumus suspects the python, Jason of eating him but decided to investigate the case just how his father and sister would do. In the process he causes all sorts of havoc.
The title of the story comes from the play written by Falco called ‘The Spook Who Spoke’. This story is not really about Falco or about Flavia Albia, his daughter and also an investigator and I don’t think it will mean much to anyone who hasn’t read the author’s Falco series or her books featuring Flavia Albia. That said I’m sure Lindsey Davis’s many fans will enjoy the story – as I did.
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