Product Description

It's the summer of AD 79, and Flavia Gemina the sea captain's daughter and her friends Jonathan the Jewish boy, Nubia the African slave-girl and Lupus the homeless beggar-boy set sail for the Bay of Naples, to stay with Flavia's uncle near Pompeii. They are soon consumed by a quest to solve a riddle that may lead to treasure. But then tragedy strikes: Mount Vesuvius erupts and the children are fleeing for their lives, in one of the worst natural disasters ever recorded. Not just a mystery - an absolutely thrilling action adventure that makes you feel you were there!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9346 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"This is an interesting and exciting read that is extremely well researched. It is packed with accurate detail of everyday Roman life. The story is so well paced and involving that you don't realise just how much information you are absorbing." School Librarian, Summer 2002 "The Secrets of Vesuvius in the immensely readable Roman Mysteries series by Caroline Lawrence again features a kind of classical famous five: Flavia Gemina and her friends, Jonathan, Nubia and Lupus, plus Scuto the dog, meet the great Pliny while on holiday in Pompeii and end up near Mount Vesuvius on the fateful night it erupted. An enormous amount of information about the ancient world is conveyed under the guise of a jolly good romp." -- Fiona Lafferty TES, 30 Aug 02 "Lawrence weaves an engaging spell, painting first-century Italy vividly." Good Book Guide

School Librarian, Summer 2002
"...packed with accurate detail of everyday Roman life... so well paced and involving that you don't realise just how much information you are absorbing."

The Times Educational Supplement
'An enormous amount of information about the ancient world is conveyed under the guise of a jolly good romp.'

Customer Reviews

Review from Bekki aged 8
After reading The Thieves of Ostia, I thought The Secrets of Vesuvius was amazing. It was AD79. Flavia and her friends Jonathan, Nubia and Lupus go to stay with Uncle Giaus near Pompeii in August. BIG MISTAKE! Vesuvius is about to erupt and everyone is in MORTAL DANGER!*!*! Join them on a breathtaking adventure. I would recommend the Secrets of Vesuvius for readers aged 8 or older.

A lavaly sequel to Thieves of Ostia!
Caroline Lawrence's second mystery is even better than the first, and provides a fast paced adventure through the Bay of Naples on the eve of the eruption of Vesuvius. Flavia and pals have their characters fleshed out and we get to meet Pliny the elder in the pursuit of another small scale mystery. And once the earth begins to tremble the remainder of the book is a frightening, beautifully described account of the massive eruption that wiped out several towns and communities at the foot of the volcano.
My only regret at finishing this book is that it was not longer, since I it is so easy to get immersed in Flavia Gemina's world. She is a wonderful heroine, who responds feelingly to the condition of those about her, and grown up as I am (sort of), I was moved by this book. About to dive into the next one - report back to you soon!

Overwhelmed and Obsessed Flavia Fan
One Brave, Beautiful, and Sassy Heroine, a model for any teenage wannabe detective, with friends we all want to have in real life, Flavia sets out again to solve another exciting and terrifying adventure, here Flavia and her friend's loyalties will be put to the most incredible extremes. Can they solve the Riddle to find Pliny's treasure? And when confronted with the Truth, can their friendship withstand the earth shattering consequences.... This sequel to the Thieves of Ostia is a true Masterpiece. Delicious description, rip roaring adventure, spine tingling scary bits, puppies, jokes, a volcano and some romance, this truly is the best way to spend those cosy moments in literature land and learn your Classics and Latin homework at the same time! You just won't be able to put this down. Miss it, and you've definitely missed out!