Roman Mysteries Fan Mail June 03

June 2003 Fan Mail

Dear Caroline,
Thank you SOOOO much for your wonderful Roman Mysteries books!
I am a year 3 & 4 teacher currently doing a project on the Romans and have chosen your book, The Thieves of Ostia, as our class book and to study for Literacy hour. I must say, my class cannot get enough of the story... I have long felt that there is a real gap in accessible historical fiction for young readers, and your books admirably fill that gap. The maps, plans, etc. all add authenticity, and have given our topic/literacy work a real boost. Today's lesson was in writing in the first person, so I got the children to write about Nubia as if they themselves were Nubia - some of the work was quite 'tear-jerking' with one child finishing her piece with the words 'at last I began to feel a sense of hope' as Nubia joined Flavia's birthday feast... Thank you again for such wonderful books - do you do books for grown-ups too? Since the death of Mary Renault, there hasn't really been a serious writer about the ancient world worth reading. Maybe you could write a grown-up version of the Roman Mysteries with a bit more spice in them! Thank you again for such entreating and informative books.
Yours sincerely,
Jenny

Dear Caroline,
I met you on Friday at Tenterden Town hall.
I really would like to read your books and I ... hope that your book that you are writing is a success.
From Sophie
Wittersham School

Dear Caroline,
I really enjoyed Dolphins: it is so imaginative (though my Mummy points out it is also historically accurate!).
My best friend, Alastair, also enjoys your books and has already vowed to buy the new one.
Yours sincerely
Sam

left: 'The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina' is out NOW!

Dear Caroline
I have already read [Twelve Tasks]. It was brilliant.
I can not wait until the next one comes out.
love from Fiona

Dear Caroline,
I would like to congratulate you on your newest book- The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina! It is soooooooooooo good! I need to know when the next book is coming out, so I can go and buy it immediately!
Your biggest fan
Sophie

Your new book is magnificent. Possibly your best work (that I've read). The way you expressed the feelings of Flavia yet never left out the other characters. The way you refer to the Greek myths in such description. I think you could beat J.K. Rowling in a battle of the books because you give so much information, you don't leave the reader in as much suspense yet the antisipation is still strong and you're alot quicker at relesing a new book

I thought [Twelve Tasks] was great... It was completely different that the book was so much about love stories and I am afraid that it might throw some boys off the stories. However, I did like it. I liked the aspect of Flavia having to use the twelve tasks as clues. Also, Caroline, I wanted to tell you that I am really grateful that you are writing so many books and that we only have to wait til the fall for your next one.
Sincerely,
Mark

Yes, 'The Twelve Tasks' has lots of romance, Mark, but don't worry, 'The Enemies of Jupiter' is the antidote!!

Hi Caroline,
I am called Gianluca (aged 8) and I have read all of your books, and I love them! I love them so much that I think that
every one in school should know about your books and should read them.... I am sure everyone would be interested to learn more about Roman History from your books. From the Pirates of Pompeii, I guessed that ******* had killed Lupus' parents and I found out that I was right... If you could give me some hints about what will happen in the next Roman Mysteries book, I would be very interested to hear them.
Yours sincerely
Gianluca

Hi carol
my name is matt.I was at the presentation on the 27 of june.
I was inspired about youre presentation.I collect the books and can't wait for the others.

hi caroline,
my names kyle im from the uk eastbourne to be presice stone cross school. i was the boy at the front with the freckles...
well this shows you how much i love your books i had not even heard about them untill you came in today...
i am going to save up my pocket mone y to buy one of your books
i would ask you very kindly if you could reply and i will reply to you
lov from kyle
i lov ur booooookkkkkkksssss!!!!

By the way I must thank you very much for 'The thieves of Ostia'... the Honeywell fete, as it now completes my set.
Plus I have a poster on my wall and 5 bookmarks. I hope you had a good time and met lots of my friends.
My favourite character from the stories is LUPUS but my dad prefers Nubia.
I am really looking forward to the next story but in the meantime I have started reading from the beginning again.
William

Hi Caroline,
I've got the new book, I read it in 2 hours flat. I loved it.
From Nic.

hi Caroline,
I just bought your new book.I have read all your other books they are all fantabiastic!(fantastic)... .I am really looking forward to reading the enemies of Jupiter and I cant wait till it comes out. Do you write from home or from somewhere else and how many pages a day do you write? How are you , are you ok? Is enemies of Jupiter nearly finished?
from your number one fan,
Frans

I work from home, I never count words or pages, I am tired but well, & Enemies is finished!

dear caroline,
my name is Miles and i am from the london oratory school. i got your first
book today-the theives of ostia- and it is great. as soon as i finish this book
i'm going to get the second one also-the secret of vesuvius(i think i spelt
vesuvius incorrectly). i heard you were going to write hopefully 18 books .good
luck! i look forward to reading them all.
yours truly Miles(but you can call me milo).

It is Jerome one of the boys from J2 [London Oratory School]. By the way I am on your website at the moment and I am about to buy a few of your books... Thank you for coming and speaking to us, and signing my book.
From Jerome

left: drawing of a retiarius (net man) by James in J2 London Oratory School

Dear Caroline
you visited my school on Monday the london Oratory school my name is Laurence in j2 I am ill today ... but the adventures of Flavia, Jonathan, Lupus and Nubia in the book THE ASSASIANS OF ROME kept me compony.
I admire you and your work and I to want to write books.
Laurence age[9 and 8 months]
p.s i am inspired my your books and my my favarite subjects our latin,english and history.

Hey Caroline.
It is Paddy you came to my school Dulwich College the other day.
I loved your talk and i am thouroghly enjoying reading The Theives of Ostia Which i bought and had signed.
I just thought I'd let you know that i enjoyed myself and i believe everyone else did too.
Paddy

Hello,
I have started your first book called "Tthe Thieves Of Ostia".
I think it is breathtaking, i love it, it is fantastic!!!
I hope you keep on writing lots more books!!!
Love from Elizabeth!!!!

Hello,
I'm really excited about being in your fan club.Thank you for letting me join.
I'm reading 'The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina' at the moment. I'm really enjoying it.
Charlotte

Dear Mrs Lawrence,
My name is Rohan. I am 9 and live at Avoca Beach in Australia. I have read and loved all of the books and am waiting for my autographed copy of The 12 Tasks to arrive from England. Our class at school has been invited to do a newspaper for the local paper. I am sending you the review I have written for it. Please come to Australia. I would love to meet you in person.
All the best from the Aussie Rohan

The review:
The Roman Mysteries is an action packed historical fiction series. At the moment only 5 have been released but more are to come. The Roman Mysteries has 4 main characters named Flavia, Jonathan, Nubia and Lupus. Other characters include Flavia's pater (Father), the rich patron Felix, Flavia's uncle Gaius, the slave dealer Venalicius and many more. Each character comes from a different place in the Roman Empire. Flavia is a Roman girl, Jonathan a Jewish boy, Nubia is a slave from Africa and Lupus is a boy from the Greek island of Symi. It is set in the major Roman port of Ostia but in each book they go somewhere new. The book titles are The Thieves Of Ostia, The Secrets Of Vesuvius, The Pirates of Pompeii, The Assassins Of Rome and The Dolphins Of Laurentum. The series is written by Caroline Lawrence. These books make you imagine that you are there, so you should buy them.

hi!
thank you so much for coming to our school (royal junior school surrey) i really enjoyed it i have nearly got all the books including 'the 12 tasks of flavia gemina." I like your books for they really make a clear picture in my head and i know how the characters feel. I know it was a few weeks ago but i got really attached to them HONEST!
Annabel

today you came to my school (dulwich college) and i found your visit very enjoyable.
I think your books our great.
They have great vocabulary (aincent and modern) and are funny too.
This year i studied vesuvius and you gave a great description of it.
Great fan
Nicolas

Dear mrs. lawrence,
You came to my school today, the london oratory school, junior house section and spoke to me and my class mates.
first of all, i would like to say thank you for the secrets of Vesuvius, i have finished it already. in my opinion, your books are more intriguing and enjoyable than the artemis fowl series, the alex Rider series and the Roal Dahl books.
I really enjoyed the book you gave to me and would like to discuss it with you. Vale!
Michael

below: members of the Roman Mystery Fan Club attend
the 'Twelve Tasks Launch Lunch' at an Italian restaurant
with Caroline and her husband Richard (14 June 2003)

below: more Top Fans including one birthday boy!

dear caroline thank you very much for a lovely lunch. i had a really good day.
also thank you for all the goodies that i can give to my friends and cleo.
ALSO thank you for telling me that ****** is going to die.
your top top top top top top top top top top fan
Kane
p.s. i will try to get some more pictures to you as soon as possible.
p.s.s. i have just read the first two scrolls of the twelve ..... . wow!

Salve Caroline,
Thank-you for giving us lunch at that really cool Italian restaurant , I really liked the wild boar pasta and the birthday cake!!
Thank-you also for signing my books and giving me those stickers to give to my friends! Vale
Your No.1 fan Stephanie

Thanks for a great day i know that everybody loved it!
We should do things like that more often.
My brother and i had a great time!
Thanks again, your biggest fan, bigger than any one in the world,
George

Dear Caroline,
Firstly I would like to begin by saying a huge thank-you for signing ''The Pirates of Pompeii.'' The first of the Roman Mysteries was very exciting and I enjoyed it immensley... It was very exciting for me to meet you as I am a very big fan of yours... Thank-you very much for my book and I look forward to reading ''The Pirates of Pompeii.'' Yours Truly
Ellie B. Age:11

I am John. I really liked meeting you when you visited Marymount [International School in Rome], in the 4th Grade. I hope you have a great time writing the next 16 books! I will look forward to reading them.
Sincerely,
John

Salve Caroline!
This is Deborah from Marymount International School...
Thank you so much for coming to MMI. Please come again.
Your Great Fan (Y.G.F.),
Deborah
P.S. Nubia is still my favorite character and The Pirates of Pompeii is still my favorite book

Salve
I realy enjoyed reading The assasins of rome and The dolfins of laurentum; I red them one after the other because I liked them soo much. My cousins are borowing my copies and they think they are, wicked so do I. The date and pistashioes recipie was realy nice. At halfterm I went on a walk with my granny to see a roman mosaic hidden in the woods it was realy empresive but my mum forgot to take my camera or else I would have attached a picture.
vale
Jenny

Dear Caroline Lawrence,
I love your books and suggest them to all my friends. I’m reading your fifth book at the minute and am very excited about your new book. For my personal project I am doing ...
your books and about you...
Yours faithfully
Chloe age 10

Thanks for your email Chloe! You will find the answers to your questions HERE.

Dear Caroline Lawrence
I have read 2 of your books and I think they are both wonderful. They are so interesting and have helped me with my Greek project. My favourite character is Nubia because she is very sweet and kind. Who is your favourite? I love the way all the characters are different, Flavia is very clever, Jonathan is strong and sometimes boastful and Lupus is surprising. I like the way Nubia is so good with dogs.
From Liz (aged 10)

I'M GETTING YOUR NEW BOOK TOMORROW I HOPE I LIKE IT AS MUCH AS YOUR OTHER ONE'S
YOUR BEST FAN
CHARLIE

Dear Caroline,
I really enjoy your books!
i am doing classical civilisation and latin next year for GCSE and your books are really useful! Thank you so much, I think you are a brilliant writer and should write lots more books!
Amy (age 14)

Dear Caroline,
We have been waiting for your next book with bated breath...
Hope it's the roaring success it deserves to be.
Sue and Mark and Emma (who, at 5 is enjoying my reading of the "thieves")

Dear Caroline,
I met you in Honiton Library, Devon, a few months ago when you did a talk. Recently I have read the five books and have ordered the next one. My favourite character is Lupus and in the 'Dolphins of Laurentum' I discovered the shocking truth of Lupus' past. My sister and I are home-educated and we are learning Latin.
From Tom (aged 13)

Hi Caroline
its Evie you met in class 5 at the Royal Junior School. I just thought of emailing you seen as I am quite into being a writer myself because made it sound very interesting. I also loved meating you you made writing sound very interesting to do. When I grow up I might be a writer because I love writing stories and poems. From EVIE SEE YOU SOON

Hello,
I really enjoyed your talk to our class [at the Royal Junior School] it was FANTASTIC!!!!! Are you going to write any other books after " The twelve tasks of Flavia Gemina"? I am 11 years old ... MY BIRTHDAY IS ON THE 20TH OF AUGUST!!!!!!! It's quite soon i can't wait.
Love from ELIZABETH XxXxXxXxXx

I'm going to write lots of books after 'The Twelve Tasks', Elizabeth! You can see a list HERE.

dear caroline
I can't wait till the next roman mysteries book comes out (the enemys of jupiter) it looks really good. My target is to get every roman mysteries book there will be (that is on how many roman mysteries you write.)
your biggest fan
bruce

hello caroline lawrence i'm Emily adged 9 and i really enjoyed your roman mystereis but i've only read the first book and really enjoyed The Theives of Ostia and i can't wait to read the 2nd one. please can you e-mail me back ... because your my favourite author and hopefully i can write like you when i'm older. lots of hugs and kisses
love Emily

Hi Caroline!
My name is Mirva.
I am 11 years old and live in the USA.
I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! Its a great idea for a series.
I saw The Theives of Ostia when I went to Europe last summer and I have loved them ever since. I would be surprised if your books didn't get any awards. They are the best ever! When I got one of the books I had to make myself not read it because I wanted to read it in the evening when I had to go with my parents to some boring dinner. I finished it that evening! I wish everyone knew about your books! They aren't very well known here. My friends don't even know what I'm talking about! I can't wait to read The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina!
Sincerely,
Mirva

dear caroline,
I started the twelve tasks of Flavia Gemina today (8.6.03) and I am REALLY enjoying it !!! Which god is Flavia in love with? PLEASE TELL ME !!! Are you writing the next one now ? If so what is the tittle ? I saw that you are going to be at the book shop on Northcote Road this month and hope to see you there .
Lots of love from
Laura xox :)

Dear ms Lawrence.
my name is helena and I am 12 years old. I really like your books. They're really clever. my favourite character is Nubia. I think that she should be important in one of the books cos all the other characters have had a book with them being the main character. I really want to read The Twelve tasks of Flavia Gemina but i don't know when it is out. How old are the characters in the book. I never know!
from
helena (aged 12)

Here are the exact ages of the four friends in December AD79, when Twelve Tasks takes place:
Flavia 10 (born 16 June, 69 AD)
Jonathan 11 (born 15 September, 68 AD)
Nubia 11 (born 18 August, 68 AD)
Lupus 8 (born 15 February, 71 AD)

Dear Caroline
You recently visited our school windlesham house school. I had never thought about reading one of your books and now I think they are brilliant so a big thank you for getting me reading.
Victoria
age 10

Salva Caroline
Can not wait till twelve tasks of Flavia Gemina. I'm getting the book. Are you coming to Manchester or Warrington soon as I would love to meet you? Hope to see you soon
Nicola

To see when I'll next be in YOUR area, Nicola, go HERE

Dear Caroline,
I love all your books.
I have them all in paperback.
I got the latest one last month and I can't wait for the next one.
J

hey caroline
I really liked the talk you gave us the other day it was really interesting.
I have just bought your third book and i am going to get book 1 and 2 out of our school library! Your talk made me really want to read your books
I think lots of people at my school really like them.
Thanks again, luv,
stephanie
Windlelesham House School

Dear Caroline
I am so glad that your books have gone to so many places. Our class have polish penpals. If they read the books we will be able to talk about them through letters.
See ya, Chelsiexxxxxxx

Dear Caroline
I am emailing you to say thankyou for coming to our school (the royal junior) to talk to us. I very much enjoyed it and I would love to see you again. I never heard of the roman mysteries before but now I am reading the pirates of Pompeii and I can't put it down its too good. On Thursday(the day your new book comes out on) my mum is going into the bookshop to buy all of the series even the new one I hope!!! I'd just like to say I'm sure you have thousands and thousand of fans and I am one of them.
From your number 1 fan, Megan

Dear Caroline,
I wanted to let you know that the North Wales Library has a new web site. You might remember that our Students Discuss Books @ your Library group met and discussed The Thieves of Ostia. As your new books become available, the group continues to enjoy them. Our new site is northwaleslibrary.org. Check us out!
Jayne Blackledge, Youth Librarian
North Wales Library
North Wales, PA, USA

I AM THE ROMAN MYSTERIES BIGGEST FAN. I LOVE THE ROMAN MYSTERIES. I WISH EVERY BODY IN THE WORLD NEW ABOUT THEM. READ THEM READ THEM READ THEM. GEORGE

Caroline,
My son is dyslexic, so reading can be challenging for him at times. Your books have helped him to be interested in history and geography, as he has enjoyed the stories and learnt along the way. He is eagerly awaiting your next book.
Regards,
Bets

Dear Caroline Lawrence
I am writing partly to ask if you can give me tips for writing stories but mainly to say how good I think your books are.
I have read all of them apart from 'Dolphins of Laurentum' which I am going to read when I have finished 'Out of the Hitler Time'. My favourite character is Lupus because he saves Flavia from the dogs in 'The thieves of Ostia'. I also liked Jonathan's story of looking for his mother in 'The Assassins of Rome'. I think they are really good because I like mystery stories and the descriptions of what it was like living in Roman times. It has made me want to go and visit lots of places you have described like Ostia, Pompeii, Nero's Golden House and Felix's villa. My mum has seen a lot of these places and has shown me her photos of Ostia...
Yours sincerely
Jamie

Thanks for that great letter, Jamie! For my best writing tips, go HERE.

hello, this is a pupil from windlesham house school,
My name is Lucienne (you came here yesterday) your talk was fantastic! i can't wait to read your books... My friend is reading your books right now and she is telling me to read them right now! goodbye
Lucienne

Dear Caroline
When you came to windlesham yesterday [tuesday] Unfortunatly I havent read the book yet because [they sold out and] I'm taking your advice and waiting for the first one, but my mum will problby steal the book of me to read herself.
I thought your talkk was os intereating, I've allwasy had a intrest with the romans.
What first made you want to write books? Beacuse I wanted to become a author.
Love Martha
xxxx

Hi my name is Mark.
i resently went to one of your book signings in Kings Heath in Birmingham and have been reading the Theives of Ostia.
The book was fantastic and i am looking to read the second one when my brother has finished with it.
Keep writing
Mark

Hi Caroline!
Do you like to travel? I love seeing new places , it gives me new idieas and ispiration. The only problem is, I keep starting new stories so I never get the original one finished... Your books are big in New Zealand too - my godfather's daughter has them all. I hope you're Ok, I'm fine.
From Ruth!

hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!My name is Robertino, I don't Know if you remember me, I was the kid that nearly guessed what the oil pot was, but i was really close!I don't like very much to read books, but your books are so exciting that i can't stop reading them! The italians including me are going to do the exams the: 11,12,and 13th of June!!!I was really happy that you came and tought us some writing tips!!! It was nice seing you, and i hope to see you next year, by,
Robertino

right: Marymount International School in Rome, Italy

Dear Caroline
i know you might find it strange but i never read any of your books not because i dont like them but because,believe it or not i didnt even know egsisted until you came to my school MaryMount,Rome, i am 11 and i know you dont call me a fan since i didnt even read your books but i really think you are cool! you are very kind and it was a lot of fun having you at our school. I dont have an email address could you write me back on your website, Romanmysteries.com?
i hope we become writing friends! I AM GOING TO START READING YOUR BOOKS! HAVE A GOOD DAY, OR IF ITS NIGHT THEN GOOD NIGHT AND IF IT IS MORNING THEN GOOD MORNING!
hope to be reading your message soon!
sincerely,
your strange fan!

Salve (hello) Strange Fan!
I hope you've started my books by now so that you can become a real fan!
You can leave messages for me at the FORUM on my website.
Thanks again for being a (strange) fan!
Caroline

Hi caroline.
I really enjoyed that talk you did at our local library [Kidsgrove, Staffordshire] yesterday! I found it really interesting. I had never heard of you before, but after going to that talk that you did it encouraged me to go and buy some of your books! Straight after you had finished me my mum and my friend, louise, went to hanley to buy some more of your books. we bought the first five of them. They cost a lot of money but im sure its worth it! The first few pages that i have read are really good! my mum bought the first book too! i have searched your website and have managed to print some stuff off! im sure that lots of people have tried to contact you because they enjoyed yesterday to but believe me i enjoyed it the most! well i have to go, Bye.
Karla Xxxxxxx

Dear Caroline
I came to a talk of yours the other day (Saterday) at my local library (kidsgrove) and i found it really interesting and i learnt a lot of things i did'nt know... anyway i have to go now i just thought i would e-mail you to tell you how much i enjoyed it on saterday. luv
louise

Hi I luv ur books!
My fav. is Jonathan, I luv him!
I don't really like Flavia.
Ur books Rock my world!
Banana Babe

dear Caroline,
Thankyou sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for the pack you sent me! I think the mystery of the golden coin is brilliant.one weekend i got my mum to read one of your books and now she has practiccally finished them!
olivia

Chère Caroline Lawrence,
Je me présente je m'appelle Marion. J'ai lu votre livre . Il est trés bien parce que j'adore les live suspect.Mon personnage préféré étais Flavia . J'habite a Noisy le Sec a 1 place Marco Polo . Je suis au collége "Olympe de Gouge" je suis en 6éme 3. Et puis maintenant je vais vous poser quelques questions. Qu'elle est votre datte de naissance? Vous avez qu'elle age? Est ce que vous avez un mari? J'attend votre reponse avec impatience.
Marion

Tu peux voir quelques reponses ICI!

Bonjour,je m'appelle Stéphane j'ai 11ans,je suis au collège Olympes de
Gouges en 6ème.Je suis un admirateur de votre livre "Du sang sur la Via
Appia"?De qui ou de quoi êtes inspirez pour écrire Du sang sur la Via
Appia?Le personnage que j'ai préférer c'est Lupus,parce que il est
simple,il n'a peut être plus ça langue mais il a du coeur et il est
serviable . Ce que je n'ai pas aimer c'est la mort de bobas.
j'attent votre réponce.
Stéphane.

Bonjour à vous Caroline Lawrence. J'habite une petite ville près de Paris à Noisy Le Sec.
Il y a deux rouleaux qui m'ont inspiré et une personne surtout.
il y a le premier rouleau
il y a le deuxième rouleau
Pourquoi avez-vous voulu que Lupus ne parle t-il pas?
Mes sentiments les meilleurs les plus distinguées
BONNE CHANCE
Idriss.

Chère Caroline Lawrence.
Je m'appelle Bilèle Djouadou,j'ai 12 ans,je suis en 66 au collège Olympe de Gouge à Noisy-le-Sec qui se trouve dans la région Parisienne... Je suis très content de vous écrire. Avant moi et mes camarades de classe de 6ieme nous étions en train de lire votre livre"Du sang sur la Via Appia".Il est interessant,nous l'aimons et l'histoire est très bien. Comment avez-vous eu l'idée d'écrire ce livre? Quel âge avez-vous? Avez-vous écrit d'autre livres?Si oui lesquel? Ou habitez-vous?
J'espère que vous continurez comme ça
Djouadou

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