Book description
'Rats are always bigger than you expect...'
Marcus Didius Falco, ancient Rome's hangdog investigator, hates
sharing a cell with a rodent - though being bailed by his old mother
is almost as embarassing. His highborn girlfriend can't decide if she
wants him and Titus Caesar's reward for past services is a wet fish.
Hoping for a better life, or at least a better apartment, he takes on
new clients.
On the elegant slopes of the Pincian Hill, three nouveaux riches
freedmen with two flashy wives are under siege by a clever redhead.
Severina Zotica has a foul-mouthed parrot, an odd connection with a
snake dancer - and averysuspicious past. As he pursues this
flame-haired fortune-hunter, Falco finds himself beset by violent
rent-racketeers, poisoners, and women without consciences who have
dangerous designs on him...
Lindsey Davis has written over twenty historical novels, beginning
with The Course of Honour. Her bestselling mystery series
features laid-back First Century detective Marcus Didius Falco and his
partner Helena Justina, plus friends, relations, pets and bitter enemy
the Chief Spy.
After an English degree at Oxford University, Lindsey joined the
Civil Service but became a professional author in 1989. Her books are
translated into many languages and have been dramatized on BBC Radio
4. Her many prizes include the Premio Colosseo, awarded by the
Mayor of Rome 'for enhancing the image of Rome', the Sherlock award
for Falco as Best Comic Detective and the Crimewriters' Association
Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement. She was born in
Birmingham but now lives in Greenwich, London.
Her most recent books are Master and God followed by The
Ides of April.
