Electra, by Kerry Greenwood

The third in the Delphic Women Mystery series continues looking at ancient Greek legends from a woman’s perspective. This one carries forward the story of Cassandra, prophet of Troy, as much as it tells the story of Electra. It also drops in some of the Odyssey, somewhat gratuitously, in a mish-mash of a tale that doesn’t really hang together as a whole. Cassandra’s search for a home that will accommodate her unorthodox ‘trios’ relationship is the most interesting element. It depicts the strong divide between male and female roles in ancient Greece, naturally championing the cause of women’s freedom. Her two lovers are somewhat pale in comparison, more tagging along for the ride. Electra’s story becomes one of survival after childhood trauma and abuse, in an interesting twist on the old tale. The Gods dip in from time to time to interfere in the lives and loves of mere mortals, for good and for ill. One major flaw of the book is the sloppiness of the publishing. The proofreading was clearly inadequate, if not non-existent, as there are many typos throughout.

The Graveyard of the Hesperides, by Lindsey Davies

In the week leading up to their wedding, Roman sleuths Flavia Albia and Tiberius Manlius Faustus discover a mass grave in a beer garden undergoing renovations. The semi-reluctant bride leaves the nuptial preparations to her teenage sisters as she plunges into another murder mystery in the underbelly of Rome. Each Davis novel is gently educational, but never didactic, about an aspect of ancient Roman society. This one examines the murky world of prostitution, as well as dipping back in to construction and policing, and concluding with marriage rituals. Divine retribution almost spoils the wedding party, but our indomitable heroes battle through, as ever. Always fascinating, amusing and entertaining, Lindsey Davies' books contain relatable parallels to modern times. Will we next see Flavia Albia struggling to balance work with motherhood? It is to be hoped so.

Burial Rites, by Hannah Kent

The first novel of Adelaide writer Hannah Kent has been highly acclaimed and awarded. Hype can be off-putting and a story of the last Icelandic woman to be executed sounds grim and not hugely appealing. But latecomers to the book will be rewarded with a stark but engaging tale set in rural Iceland in the 1820s. Immaculate research is blended seamlessly into the fictionalised account of the life and death and Agnes, informing it but never overwhelming it. Believable and moving, the harsh life and landscape is not romanticised. Kent delivers a strong sense of place, which is key to the story of a woman trapped and condemned by the circumstances of her difficult life.

Deadly Election, by Lindsey Davis

Former academic Lindsey Davis uses her considerable knowledge of imperial Rome to inform and underpin her witty and intelligent historical detective novels. Amid the murder and mayhem we gently learn the intricacies of Roman law, politics and society, simultaneously educated and entertained. The endearing and persistent Marcus Didius Falco was the hero of 20 books, set mostly in the relatively benevolent reign of the Emperor Vespasian. The ascension of the vengeful and unstable Emperor Domitian has prompted Falco into retirement, leaving his adopted daughter Flavia Albia to fill his shoes. The unconventional widow brings a new flavour to these Roman tales, coming from the perspective of a working woman. They are not as funny as the Falco novels, but are just as engaging. This one, the third in the new series, examines complicated family relationships amid a minor election and Flavia Albia’s growing romance with magistrate Tiberius Manlius Faustus. Davis has seamlessly applied the transition from father to daughter, Falco and the rest of her family remaining peripheral characters who add to the narrative without taking it over.