Calidus books in order

Calidus is a historical mystery series by M.J. Trow set in ancient Rome. The series follows a detective figure navigating the political dangers of the Roman Senate and city, beginning with The Year of the Snake.
Series · Historical Mystery · Ancient Rome Fiction

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Year of the Snake: Murder in the Senate 2018 M.J. Trow N/A
2 The Year of the Snake 2018 M.J. Trow Buy
3 The Year of the Flame 2019 M.J. Trow Buy

Calidus is Trow’s ancient Rome mystery series, applying the detective fiction formula to the political turbulence of the Roman Senate. The title refers to the series’ protagonist, and the books use the Roman calendar year as their organizing structure — The Year of the Snake and The Year of the Flame both position their mysteries within specific political moments.

The setting lets Trow use his historical knowledge of Roman civic life, legal procedures, and social structures as both backdrop and plot mechanism. For readers who enjoy historical mystery with genuine period depth rather than a thin historical veneer, Calidus offers a more specialized reading experience than his more accessible Victorian or Elizabethan work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Calidus series?

There are three books in the Calidus series, published between 2018 and 2019.

What is the first book in the Calidus series?

The first book in the Calidus series is The Year of the Snake: Murder in the Senate, published in 2018.

Is Calidus connected to the Britannia series?

Both Calidus and Britannia are set in the Roman world, but they are separate series with different characters and settings. Calidus is set in Rome itself and focuses on political intrigue and murder, while Britannia is set on the Roman frontier in Britain.

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