DEATH IN BYZANTIUM: At the heart of what is left of the Roman
Empire, lies a city simmering with intrigue & treachery. Amid
this maelstrom stands John, a slave who has risen to become the
right hand of Justinian, the greatest of Byzantium's emperors. With
violence and murder commonplace, it is John's skills as an
investigator that the Emperor prizes the most.
In this series prequel, John the Eunuch takes his first dangerous
steps along the path that will lead him to hold office as Lord Chamberlain.
In the unnaturally cold winter of 525, the city is convulsed by
doubt and riots, Emperor Justin is dying and the streets are
terrorized alternately by a group of thugs and forces under the City
Prefect. When a wealthy philanthropist is murdered, rumours abound
that the heir to the throne, Justinian, is trying to sway the
succession. In an attempt to clear his name, Justinian engages an
anonymous slave called John to investigate what many believe could
be part of a succession conspiracy.
