Book description
In the high summer of AD 77, laid-back detective Marcus Didius Falco
is called upon to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a
middle-aged couple who supplied statues to Falco's father, Geminus.
The Claudii, nptorious freedmen who live rough in the pestilential
Pontine Marshes, are the prime suspects. Falco, beset by personal
problems, finds it a relief to consider someone else's misfortunes.
When a mutilated corpse turns up near Rome, Falco and his vigiles
friend Petronius investigate, only for the Chief Spy, Anacrites, to
snatch their case away from them just as they are making progress. As
his rivalry with Falco escalates, it emerges that the violent Claudii
have acquired corrupt protection at the highest level. Making further
enquiries after they have been warned off can only be dangerous - but
will this stop Falco and Petronius?
Egged on by the slippery bureaucrats who hate Anacrites, the dogged
friends dig deeper while a psychotic killer keeps taking more victims,
and the shocking truth creeps closer and closer to home...
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.
