Steven Saylor: Roman Blood

When I first stumbled onto this series, I was a bit skeptical.  The book (and a number of sequels) are described as 'whodunits set in Ancient Rome.'  Kind of a strange theme if you ask me, but I decided to give it a shot and was delighted.

A man was murdered in the streets of Rome and Cicero (yes, that Cicero) contacts a kind of private investigator to help him defend the man accused of the crime - the victim's son.  The evidence and witnesses will take this PI, Gordianus, from the streets of Rome to the quiet countryside in the north of Italy.

Set just before the time of Julius Caesar's ascension, Saylor gives a fairly accurate description of the life in Rome.  From interaction with slaves right up to noble patricians, and the Forum to the Rostra.

I'm currently reading the sequel, Arms of Nemesis, which brings Gordianus down to the posh towns in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.  I'm liking it so far.