Book description
A frightened child approaches Roman informer Marcus Didius Falco,
pleading for help. Nobody believes Gaia's story that a relation wants to
kill her - and neither does he. Beset by his own family troubles, by his
new responsibilities as Procurator of the Sacred Poultry, and by the
continuing search for a new partner, he turns her away. Immediately he
regrets it. Gaia has been selected as the new Vestal Virgin, and when
she disappears Falco is officially asked to investigate. Finding Gaia is
then a race against time, ending in Falco's most terrifying exploit
yet...
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.
