Poseidon's Gold

1993 novel by Lindsey Davis

Poseidon's Gold is a 1993 historical mystery crime novel by Lindsey Davis and the fifth instalment of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set in Rome during AD 72, the novel stars Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent. The gold in the title refers to the treasure, taken by Falco's brother Festus for one of Festus' wild schemes and which now appears to have gone down with the ship, returning to Poseidon.

In Poseidon's Gold, Falco returns from a six month mission to Germania Libera, only to become embroiled in the after effects of a scam by his now deceased, older brother Festus. The story recounts shipping scams, crooked antiques auctions, and hired thugs, all while Falco is trying to clear his family's name and sort out Festus' business dealings.

Investigation into the murky business dealings of Marcus Didius Festus and the fight to clear the family name. Developing relationship of Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina.

Set in Rome in AD 72, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.

The novel ends on a somewhat elaborate joke. The Judean slaves attempt to send Falco on a quest to recover a missing artefact. At first, Falco is afraid that they want him to raid the treasures brought back after the conquest. However, they then tell Falco that they want him to look for a "Lost Ark". Falco demurs, and says someone who is more of a daredevil than he would have to perform that particular quest, alluding to Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.

BBC Radio 4 starring Anton Lesser and Anna Madeley, in May 2009. Unlike previous Radio 4 dramatisations of novels from the Falco series (in four or six half hour episodes), this adaptation was broadcast as ten 15 minute episodes as the Woman's Hour Drama. This instalment added Trevor Peacock to the recurring cast, as Geminus.