From School Library Journal Grade 4-6 In this fifth entry in the series, Flavia Gemina's family faces ruin after her father's trading ship is wrecked. She and her friends Lupus, Nubia, and Jonathan are suspicious when creditors show up trying to seize the house soon after the sea captain arrives home, barely alive, with news of the disaster. They have only a day to find enough money to pay the debt. In the forum, Lupus unexpectedly sees Venalicius, the slave-dealer who killed his parents and cut out his tongue. Hoping for revenge, the boy tries to hire an assassin, but discovers that to do so will require a large sum. The friends, along with Flavia's father, take refuge at a country estate where they learn of a sunken treasure ship in the dangerous waters nearby. Lupus claims to be an experienced diver and informs the others that he can retrieve the submerged cargo. However, Venalicius is after the treasure, too--and has his own reasons for attempting the perilous dive. The taut mystery is cleverly plotted, with good clues scattered throughout. There are many interesting and authentic details of early Roman life as well. Familiarity with the earlier volumes is helpful, but not essential. A good choice for mystery fans who enjoy historical settings.--Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Read more Review School Library Journal In this fifth entry in the series, Flavia Gemina's family faces ruin after her father's trading ship is wrecked. She and her friends Lupus, Nubia, and Jonathan are suspicious when creditors show up trying to seize the house soon after the sea captain arrives home, barely alive, with news of the disaster. They have only a day to find enough money to pay the debt. In the forum, Lupus unexpectedly sees Venalicius, the slave-dealer who killed his parents and cut out his tongue. Hoping for revenge, the boy tries to hire an assassin, but discovers that to do so will require a large sum. The friends, along with Flavia's father, take refuge at a country estate where they learn of a sunken treasure ship in the dangerous waters nearby. Lupus claims to be an experienced diver and informs the others that he can retrieve the submerged cargo. However, Venalicius is after the treasure, too--and has his own reasons for attempting the perilous dive. The taut mystery is cleverly plotted, with good clues scattered throughout. There are many interesting and authentic details of early Roman life as well. Familiarity with the earlier volumes is helpful, but not essential. A good choice for mystery fans who enjoy historical settings. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
D**D
A Beautiful and Intriguing Book
The Dolphins of Laurentum finds Flavia and her father in a tight spot. Marcus Flavius Geminus' ship has sunk and he is the sole survivor having lost his cargo in which he put all of his money. Stumbling into his house, half-dead, Marcus is tended by Doctor Mordecai; but scarcely has the healing begun when two bankers demand full payment on a loan made to Marcus. As a result, it looks like Geminus family will loose their house in Ostia. But is someone manipulating the bankers? And why the sudden need for funds?Enter Pliny the Younger who takes the pressure off the imminent eviction by offering Marcus, the four children, Aristo and Miriam the villa of his uncle at Laurentum until things can be sorted out. Add to the mix an appearance by the slave dealer Verminaclius, a sunken ship with treasure inside and Pliny the Younger falling in love with Miriam and you have a remarkable addition to the Roman Mysteries series.Once again, Caroline Lawrence demonstrates she is a marvelous story-teller and her remarkable ability to bring ancient Rome to life. As the Roman Mysteries series continues the story develops in some interesting and unexpected directions that keep the reading enthralled.
T**S
A wonderful story about a young girl's life in Rome.
Flavia Gemina, hasn't heard of her father for four months. He is a sea captain and the last time she saw him was when he headed west on his spice ship. So Flavia is rather shocked when a mute and old-looking man ends up on her doorstep, happening to be her father. Moments of shock pass, and Flavia learns that she is about to lose everything that she owns. Running away with her three friends, Flavia finds herself on a beach, where treasure seemingly lies. This was a memorable and interesting new and good book to this fantastic series.
User
I LOVE IT!!!!
This is a great book and I think everyone should read it! You discover Lupus past and this story is so good I could not stop reading it. No matter what anyone says,READ THIS BOOK! Also read the other series of these books,you will love them. These are my favorite books!
Y**A
GREAT
this book is a great book for everyone who reads it. Personally, i luv this book. i've always like the character of lupus through the entire books series and i realluy like them all. the dolphins of larentums will tell you about lupus' past and it will be much easier to understand wt happpens after you also read the colossus of rhodes.
D**S
Really Really Interesting...
Why does Lupus have no tongue? Why did he almost kill Venelicius? What are spongesticks used for? Those questions are aswered in the 4th book of the Roman Mysteries!!!I really liked this book! It is funny, has dolphins in it, answers questions, has good characters, and is a little predictable. I like books that when you guess - you are right =0)(written by a 9yr old girl)
User
Dolphins of Laurentum or Dolphins of Boredom?
Personally, I THOUGHT Caroline Lawrence's books were good, until I read this one! I found the plot confusing and she could NOT tie all the loose knots of this story together. Personally, after this boring I am saying "GOODBYE" to this series. This book does not weigh in with the other classics in the series. Boom goes the dynamite!
TrustPilot
2 周前
1 周前
