I am a fan of Steven Saylor and his Roma Sub Rosa books. My favorite of these, of course, is "Catilina's Riddle." All of them paint very compelling pictures of these monsters. You don't like any of my characters? Not the charming but completely irritating Catilina? Not even the innocent and spunky Fabia? Or patient and put-upon Tongilius? (At least, these are traits I hope they exhibit!) Uh-oh. That's always a problem. I need SOMEONE to root for. Thanks for that warning.