Theoderic by Ross Laidlaw

Throughout history there has run one thread that has motivated some of the most pivotal characters - the desire to be "one of us". Ross Laidlaw has charted the career of a man who sacrificed the chance to leave a legacy tha would have resounded through the centuries on the altar of just this desire. Taken to Constantinople as a hostage for the good behaviour of his father, the King of the Ostrogoths, Theoderic fell in love with all things Roman and devoted the major part of his life in a vain attempt to re-establish the Western Empire. His attainments were many but his one ambition, to be accepted as an equal by the Romans, would always be denied. To the Romans from the Patrician Senators to the labourers on the docks he would always be a barbarian, a realisation that would only break through a lifetime of wishful thinking when it was too late. He died embittered with his lifetimes work crumbling about him surrounded by Roman subjects who could not understand that by undermining him they had sabotaged their last chance to restore their fortunes. A tragic story very well told by Mr Laidlaw.

Rome: The Emporer's Spy by M.C. Scott

Manda Scott is the author of the Boudica quartet of novels set in Britannia but in her latest work she moves the action to Gaul then Alexandria and finally to it's climax in Rome. Recent historical research has suggested that the great fire that devastated parts of Rome and had for long been laid at the door of Nero was in fact the work of Christians as he claimed at the time. Ms Scott has delved into the records and gives us a picture of the fragmented nature of the early church with it's vicious theological feuds which could well have inspired one group contemplate such a devastating act. Her portrayal of Nero also is much more credible than, for example, the petulant buffoon as played by Peter Ustinov in the film Quo Vadis. The hero of her story is an undercover agent of indeterminate Middle Eastern origins named Sebastos Pantera who has returned from a protracted tour of duty in Britannia still recovering from his injuries. Convalescence is not on the cards, however, as Nero has got wind of a plot to destroy Rome and Pantera is the only man he trusts to counter it. Ms Scott winds the story through the treacherous currents of Nero's court, the dangers of the chariot races, the mystical temples of Alexandria and finaly to a deathly struggle in the back streets of Rome. This is a cracking page turner of a book which is the highest praise that I can give. I look forward in eager anticipation to the next book in the series and will make an effort to get hold of that Boudica quartet.

The Listening Eye

This is another excellent who-dunnit by the late Patricia Wentworth. Miss Paine, a lady of middle years whose hearing was totally destroyed by a bomb blast during the Blitz, attends a gallery where her portrait is displayed and chances upon a plot to rob and murder a man carrying a valuable necklace. The conspirators are unaware of her ability to lip-read and imagine themselves safe until one is informed of her facility by a garrulous attendant at the gallery. Miss Paine, unsure of her reception at a police station with this information consults Miss Silver and thereafter we are treated to another of Miss Wentworth's well written stories. Bliss!

THE DIARY IS BACK

Let joy be unconfined in literary circles around the world. Yes! Patrick's Book Diary is once again blazing a trail across the computer screens of the world in the cause of entertaining books. A no-go area for the arty-farty literati who believe that good books should read like wading through treacle this is the site for those of us whose highest praise is that a book is a "thundering good read". So if you believe that a book should be "socially relevant" and stick to "challenging" themes that "explore the conciousness of modern society" please go back to the Guardian or the London Review of Books and leave this page to those of us who read for pleasure.