Lindsey Davis' books are similar to Nevada Barr's. Both women write mysteries well. Barr's stories are set in U.S. National Parks; Davis' are set in the Roman Empire of the first century. Barr's main character is a park ranger; Davis' is "spy" for the Emperor Vespasian. (I told you they were similar.)

I read The Iron Hand of Mars, the fourth in Davis' series of books. This one is the best of the lot. Good story telling and wonderful descriptive prose have been part of all Davis' books, but this one has better plot and characterization. If you enjoy historical fiction and mysteries, this is a great combination.

Marcus Didius Falco is sent by Vespasian to deliver a tribute to a Roman legion on the border of Germania Libera and to investigate the disappearance of a Roman general and the loyalty of the remaining troops. Falco's "girlfriend" makes her way to the frontier and Falco has to deal with a Druid priestess and a leader of rebel Germans.

For me an added bonus was that the story was set in that region of Germany I visited: Bonn, Koblenz, Koeln. I've sent my copy to Michael and Hildegard Thielen because they live near there, so you'll have to get your own. It's probably worth it even if the library doesn't have a copy: $5.00 for 300 pages of well-written historical fiction. Try it.