Book description
Lumbered with working alongside reptilian Chief Spy Anacrites, Marcus
Didius Falco has the perfect plan to make money - he will assist
Vespasian in the Emperor's 'Great Census' of AD73. His potential fee
could finally allow him to join the middle ranks and be worthy of
long-suffering Helena Justina.
Unexpectedly confronted with the murder of a man-eating lion, Falco
is distracted from his original task, uncovering a bitter rivalry
between the gladiators' trainers. With one star gladiator dead, Falco
is forced to investigate and the trail leads from Rome to the
blood-soaked sand of the arena in North Africa.
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.
