YA Book Review: Livia Aemilia Mystery Series

Fellow Redemption Press author, Lisa Betz, is a riot. We met at the February 2022 Christian Product Expo in Concord, N.C., and I enjoyed her company so much that I volunteered to work a second shift at our publisher’s booth so I could spend another hour with her. She’s a terrific storyteller, in person and on the page.

I may or may not have done a little fan-girling as she handed me a free autographed copy of Fountains and Secrets. When I asked what “Fish Pickle” meant (see photo), she replied with an enigmatic grin, “You’ll see.” So I raced home and devoured her story.

Then I discovered . . . bless my heart . . . that it was the second in a series. I almost said a bad word, then decided to use “Fish Pickle” instead, copying the story’s protagonist, Livia. So I downloaded Death and a Crocodile and devoured it even more quickly (now that I knew the characters). I recommend you read them in order, though they’re written in such a way that it’s not necessary.

I’ve never read anything remotely close to her stories. Think of Nancy Drew transplanted in Rome a few years after Jesus died. Like Nancy, sixteen-year-old Livia stumbles into mysteries that impact those close to her. Both girls are curious and will stop at nothing to bring justice to light.

Livia is a new Christian who meets with other believers in a nearby bakery. Whenever she feels overwhelmed, she drops by for a loaf of bread, words of wisdom, and a warm hug.

In Death and a Crocodile, Livia’s father, a senator, is killed under suspicious circumstances. Then an attempt is made on her brother’s life. While modern-day Nancy could zip around in her blue convertible unencumbered by chaperones, ancient Rome Livia must be accompanied by two [gasp] slaves—a maid and a bodyguard—each time she leaves the house. She also must suffer through dinners with parent-arranged suitors. Her sleuthing is dependent on delivering pertinent intel to the right men. It’s amazing what Livia achieves through kindness and persistence.

Livia’s circumstances change in Fountains and Secrets. She has more responsibilities and secrets of her own. When a loved one’s mentor disappears, she pushes everything aside to help. As Livia delves into the mystery, she and the reader both learn about the city’s water system, peristyles, and Roman food.

Kudos to Lisa for providing a list of characters at the beginning of each book and a glossary of terms at the end. She also adds historical notes after the glossary in Fountains and Secrets. I recommend this series to older female teens and their moms.

In addition to writing novels, Lisa blogs about intentional living. She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and Scallywag, the inspiration for Livia’s maid’s rambunctious cat.

Do you have any recommendations for my next YA fiction book review?