This was my first experience of the Falco series, and I'm impressed. The three books were a great introduction to the characters, the portrait of daily Roman life in the time of the Roman Empire seemed very well researched (not that I'm an expert), and the characters felt believable and real.
I think I would have enjoyed these books no matter what the setting, but it did add a great spice to the reading. Lots of little details of living in the Rome of the era without chunks of exposition. The mysteries had that nice balance between predictability (it's nice to feel smart, right?) and surprise.
Heartily recommended for people who enjoy historical fiction and mysteries. Some knowledge of ancient Roman culture probably helps this feel more comfortable.