Conspirata depicts the events leading up to the fall of the Roman Republic from the point of view of Tiro, Cicero's slave and scribe. The depiction is apparently fairly accurate and definitely very compelling. However, don't look for any of the characters, except perhaps Tiro, to be beacons of virtue, as they spend pretty much the whole book scheming.

This book does a great job of presenting history, the corruption, and the back-stabbing of the Roman Republic in a really dramatic way. Of course, this is written from the point of view of someone who is loyal to Cicero, so the events of the time are filtered through that lens. I also felt like the complicated political climate is represented well. This isn't a book where the hero just skates through. Things are tough, although Cicero makes some pretty bad decisions/mistakes too.

In that same vein, I should say that this book is not especially light, fun, or uplifting, and there were times when I wondered what Cicero was thinking. That doesn't make it a bad book, but it does make it a tense read at times.

As with so many other books that I read that are part of a series, you should read the first book (Imperium) first, as it sets up everything. Luckily, it is only a trilogy, so you aren't that far behind me. I will definitely read the final book in the series. I can't really say if I will ever read these books again, but I might (depending on how book 3 goes). I normally prefer funny books, but I also have a certain fondness for books where everyone is a bit wrong, a bit of a jerk, and willing to screw each other over. Let me tell you how much I love The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Amusingly, I hate books where something really terrible is happening, and political factions bicker while the world burns. I don't know where the line is.

Anyway, if you like history and like/can stand the backstabbing, this book is for you.