‘To find a drowned man head-first down a well was slightly unusual, exciting maybe.’

For Falco, a relaxed visit to Helena’s relatives in Britain turns serious at the scene of a downtown murder.

Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor, C. J. Sansom will love this exciting and enthralling historical mystery from multi-million copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Expertly weaving an authentic depiction of the Roman Empire with exceptional characterisation and a tightly woven plot, this will have you hooked.

'Lindsey Davis combines an engrossing plot with pithy dialogue and a comic (though not cartoonish) depiction of the past in all its gory splendour.' -- The Guardian
'Modern, exciting and plausible.' -- Sunday Times
'Another cracker from Lindsey Davis' -- ***** Reader review
'Very addictive and, at times, difficult to put down' -- ***** Reader review
'Another exceptional Falco novel' -- ***** Reader review
'A terrific read' -- ***** Reader review

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GANGSTERS AND GLADIATING...BOTH BLOODY

For Falco, a relaxed visit to Helena's relatives in Britain turns serious at the scene of a downtown murder. The renegade henchman of Rome's vital ally King Togidubnus has been stuffed head-first down a barroom well - leading to a tricky diplomatic situation which Falco must defuse. One murder leads to others. Londinium now has a forum and an amphitheatre; the town is a magnet for legitimate traders - and for criminals from Rome.

With his vigiles pal Petronius, Falco leads the hunt for gangsters who are intent on taking over. This will bring unwelcome encounters with faces from the past and grave threats to their present relationships.

Danger and death lurk throughout their pursuit, all the way from the brand new wharves beside the River Thames to the familiar old haunts of organised crime back home in Italy...